BAKER — Attending the annual Baker School homecoming parade is a tradition for many residents and their families.

PHOTOS: See 50 photos from the 2014 Baker School homecoming parade>>

Holt resident Hannah Cobb, who brought her three children to the parade, said they “are all about the hometown.”

“We come out to this every year,” she said.

Cobb said her family usually gathers along the parade route for the school’s annual event. Her children were anxiously awaiting to catch candy.

Many families come to see their children, grandchildren, neices or nephews participate in the school parade.

Baker School alumnus and Crestview resident Josh Kolmetz regularly attends the parade with his family; his three children currently attend the school.

After graduating from Baker School in 1997, Kolmetz said he still enjoys Baker’s small town atmosphere.

“There is a hometown feeling here, which is nice,” he said. “A lot of things are new (at Baker School) since I was here, but for the most part I can still find my way around here pretty easy.”

John Ensor served as this year’s grand marshal for the parade. Ensor, a Brooksville resident, previously coached football and served as a school administrator.

“This is a neat honor, I’m real excited,” Ensor said of serving as grand marshal.  

During his tenure, Ensor said he coached several of the school’s current administrators –including Principal Mike Martello, Athletic Director Matt Brunson and Dean of Students Brian Wagner.

“I still have a lot of connections here,” he said.

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Former administrator, students attend annual Baker School homecoming parade (PHOTOS)

CRESTVIEW — Residents joined local, county and state officials in an affectionate farewell to Navy veteran and former Mayor George Whitehurst Wednesday afternoon.

As firemen stood at attention, Whitehurst’s funeral procession passed beneath a giant American flag strung from Crestview Fire Department’s ladder truck and a truck from the North Bay Fire Department, which offered its services.

The Crestview Police Department Honor Guard flanked the Liveoak Park Memorial Cemetery driveway.

Residents James and Mary Harrison offered their respects at the cemetery to Crestview's longest serving mayor. Whitehurst, who died Sunday at age 88, served 24 years in office, from 1961-62, 1967-76 and 1995-2007.

“He was a good mayor,” James said. “He was a good man. Anything he could do for you to help you, he’d do it. There’s going to be a lot of people who’ll miss that man.”

“He was a good man” was a theme echoed by mourners including retired state senator Dr. Durell Peaden and the Rev. Bill McGraw, retired pastor of Pyron Chapel Baptist Church in Baker, who presided over the graveside service.

“A good name is not just something you choose for yourself,” McGraw said. “It’s something you earn by a lifetime of work. Everybody felt like (Whitehurst) was their special friend.”

Condolences came from as far away as Crestview’s sister city in France, where Dr. Marie-Thérèse Reed, a former vice president of the Noirmoutier Sister City Committee remembered Whitehurst as “a good friend to us and to our relationship with Crestview.”

Retired state law enforcement colonel Graham Fountain said Whitehurst was an old family friend, and that he worked with Whitehurst on several projects over the years.

“He was a classy guy,” Fountain said. “He would say, ‘I’m going to take care of it,’ and no matter what it was, he would.”

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Community says farewell to George Whitehurst, 'a good man' (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

CRESTVIEW — Mayor David Cadle said Gov. Rick Scott granted the city’s request to lower flags to half-staff today in memory of former mayor and community leader George Whitehurst.

Whitehurst died Sunday evening after a lengthy illness. A celebration of his life will be 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Crestview. Family visitation is noon to 2 p.m.

Burial at Liveoak Park Memorial Cemetery will follow the funeral.

Whitehurst served 24 years as mayor over several terms in office. Among his accomplishments was securing land for Twin Hills Park and Industrial Drive. The Whitehurst Municipal Building, which houses Warriors Hall and the Crestview Police Department, was named in his honor.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Flags at half-staff for former Mayor George Whitehurst

Kids and money and…books? Blog authors at The Simple Dollar website posted “Five Children’s Books That Teach Useful Money Tactics.”

Teaching kids to love books and to be wise with money are two of the greatest gifts we can give them. Blog authors at www.thesimpledollar.com have lots of great ideas to help teach your children about money.

The five books they suggest are

•“Lemonade in Winter” by Emily Jenkins and G. Brian Karas

•“Bunny Money” by Rosemary Wells

•“Joseph Had a Little Overcoat” by Simms Tabeck

•“Annie’s Adventures” by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

•“The Lemonade War” by Jacqueline Davies.

Our library and other member libraries in our cooperative hold copies of these titles, which gently introduce ideas like entrepreneurship, budgeting, and frugality. The purpose of these books is not to pass on financial wisdom, but the lessons are tucked into good stories!

Dave Ramsey, author and financial guru, is also a good source. He has written books for children and adults which are intentional about passing financial fitness and peace. Many are available in our library and cooperative.

Heather Nitzel is the Crestview Public Library's youth services librarian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CHECK IT OUT: Books that help teach children how to handle their money

CRESTVIEW — Martin Kove, known for his role in the original “The Karate Kid” films, recently stopped by both Davidson and Shoal River middle schools to spread his anti-bullying message.  

Kove, who played the mean sensei, John Kreese, in the films, went to both schools on Friday to speak with students on how to handle bullying.

“It’s one thing to hear about it from a teacher, but it’s another thing to hear about from a celebrity,” said Nathaniel Chatman, an assistant principal at Shoal River Middle School.

Chatman said Kove’s visit and message are needed at this time.

“We are beginning to see more bullying reports in the sixth grade,” he said.

After showing a brief video, Kove and Thomas Gordon of Crestview answered questions from students. Gordon, a martial arts instructor, invited Kove to speak to area students.

When dealing with a bully, Kove said communication is crucial.

“The most important thing is to be able to talk with someone, whether it’s a big sister, a guidance counselor or your parents,” Kove told Shoal River students. “The most important thing is to get if off your chest and be able to communicate with someone who can solve your problem.”

Kove, who still works as an actor and producer in California, regularly travels across the country to speak at schools about bullying.

Eleven-year-old Ryan Basilio said he learned about a bully’s mentality.

“(Bullies) take it out on others in order to make themselves feel better,” he said.

Braden Hug, also 11, said he now knows how to handle a bully.

“I learned about what to do when you’re getting bullied and why not to bully,” he said.

Did You Know:

“The Karate Kid” is celebrating its 30-year anniversary this year. As one of the film’s original stars, Martin Kove said the film is iconic and celebrated due to its anti-bullying message.

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: “Karate Kid” star speaks to local students about bullying

CRESTVIEW — Former Mayor George Whitehurst died Sunday following a lengthy illness. Whitehurst served as mayor for 24 years, from 1961-62, 1967-76, and 1995-07. He was 88.

Born in Greenwood in 1926, he attended Florida State University where he was a part of the school’s famous student Flying High Circus troupe and performed on the flying trapeze.

Whitehurst served as a U.S. Navy corpsman during World War II and graduated from the Indiana College of Mortuary Science in 1950. The same year he married his high school sweetheart Annelle Anderson.

Opening Whitehurst Funeral Home in Crestview in 1955, he became a leading member of the city’s business community. The next year he was among the founders of the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce.

County commissioner and chamber president Wayne Harris called Whitehurst a “statesmen, visionary and a friend and mentor,” and referred to him as “one of the ‘56ers” who founded the influential organization.

A VISIONARY

Mayor David Cadle, too, often described Whitehurst as a mentor and a friend.

“The city of Crestview has lost a devoted public servant with the passing of Mayor George Whitehurst,” Cadle stated in an email Monday morning.

“Mayor Whitehurst was a visionary who always had an eye to the future of his beloved city during his 24 years of service. He was a mentor and friend to many, including myself, and his wise counsel and encouragement will be missed,” Cadle stated.

Among Whitehurst’s accomplishments were:

• Obtaining property for Twin Hills Park from the Louisville and Nashville Railroad

• Obtaining the former Yellow River Railroad right-of-way for today’s Industrial Drive

• Overseeing the construction and opening of the current Crestview Public Library

• Procuring funding for two fire department substations and the Crestview Public Safety Building

• Initiating the drive for elevated security lights at the Interstate 10 and State Road 85 interchange

• Coordinating the county Millennium celebration

• Initiating a drive and raised funds for the Okaloosa County Veterans Memorial

• Securing 15 acres at no cost to the city for the Crestview Public Library and the community center, and

• Fundraising for the new Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce building.

RECOGNITIONS

When Crestview acquired a former light manufacturing facility on the corner of Stillwell Boulevard and Industrial Drive in 2009, the City Council unanimously approved calling it the George H. Whitehurst Municipal Building. Today it houses the Crestview Police Department and Warriors Hall auditorium.

In 2013 Whitehurst was named recipient of the Mae Retha Coleman Crestview Citizen of the Year Award.

“This is an award for what you do in this community, for your community and for your neighbors,” Coleman said. “It is a humanitarian award. Mayor Whitehurst did good for the city. I know he did what he did for humanitarian reasons.”

A celebration of Whitehurst’s life will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church of Crestview. Visitation begins at noon. Burial will be at Liveoak Park Memorial Cemetery.

Cadle requested Gov. Rick Scott allow city flags to be lowered to half-mast tomorrow.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: George Whitehurst Celebration of Life

WHEN: Family visitation: noon; Celebration of life, 2 p.m.; burial following

WHERE: First Baptist Church of Crestview, 171 Hickory Ave. W.; Burial: Liveoak Park Memorial Cemetery, 112 North Ave. E.

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: George Whitehurst, longest-serving Crestview mayor, dies

Most young children love Max and Ruby, and this one is a fun one I’ve shared in Story Time.

Ruby takes Max on a shopping trip to get Grandmother a birthday gift with the money she’s saved. You visually watch the money in Ruby’s wallet disappear…usually because of Max’s antics. Will they have anything left for Grandmother’s present and the bus fare home?

I love how this book teaches the idea of children giving to a grandparent.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Public Library Staff Pick: “Bunny Money” by Rosemary Wells

BAKER — Baker School will have their annual homecoming parade on Friday, Oct. 24.

The parade will begin at the school on 14th Street and travel along State Road 4, Georgia Avenue and Buckward Road, before ending at the school parking lot.

 School Resource Officer Gary Williams, with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, said deputies will have the parade route closed off before the parade begins at 4 p.m.

“(The parade route) will be closed right before the parade hits Highway 4 as it begins and will reopen at the end of the parade,” Williams stated in an email. “It usually lasts 20 to 30 minutes.”

“The parade’s theme is ‘Beat the Seahawks,’" a parade official said.

Baker’s varsity football team will play the Franklin County Seahawks at Doug Griffith Memorial Stadium at 7 p.m.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Baker School Homecoming Parade

WHEN:   Friday, Oct. 24 at 4 p.m.

WHERE: Attendees can gather along the parade’s route on 14th Street, State Road 4, Georgia Avenue and Buckward Road.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker School homecoming parade happening Friday

Five members of Crestview Boy Scout Troop 773 cleaned and reorganized Wilkinson’s Blacksmith Shop on Sunday at Baker Block Museum. Some troop members were working toward their James Stewart Good Citizenship Award; others were gathering community service hours. Pictured, from left, are Hunter Morrison, Austin Carrico, Ethan Ball, Jerry Hand and Brandon Woods.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Boy Scouts spruce up Baker museum

If you have an event you'd like listed here, email the information to news@crestviewbulletin.com.

Honor a Veteran display begins Nov. 8

The Exchange Club of Crestview is sponsoring a field of American flags honoring the service and sacrifice of the men and women in the United State Armed Forces, past and present.  It will be on display Nov. 8-15 in front of Crestview High School.  For more information call 850-496-4842.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: North Okaloosa Fall Events Planner 2014: Halloween and fall listings