ESCAMBIA FARMS — For more than 80 years, the Youngblood family gathered sugar cane before winter and produced a southern delicacy called syrup using a cane mill that has been a part of the family since the 1950s.

On Nov. 17, the mill ran for the last time.

Syrup making only comes once a year for the Youngblood family since David “Ray” Youngblood passed away in 1993.

This family tradition begins with the cane mill heating up at dusk and runs until about noon.

With a pan of fresh biscuits and musical talent from Mississippi, the Youngblood family gathers together and makes about 80 gallons of syrup.

David Youngblood Jr. and his brother, DeWayne Youngblood, do most of the syrup making. Both face health issues that prevent them from continuing their father’s work any further.

“You have no idea how hard it is to do, how much work goes into making (syrup),” David Jr. said. “…I don’t think there’s anybody that’ll every come along to do it.”

The history of syrup making for David Jr. and his siblings dates back to World War I and ties into the history of Escambia Farms.

In the early '30s, the country fell into worst economic depression in history known as The Great Depression. The stock market crashed and banks began failing.

Families across the nation were suffering, many of them unable to afford food and housing. President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the Resettlement Administration, which was used to relocate families to government planned communities.

The federal government acquired land in Okaloosa County, and part of this land became Escambia Farms.

David “Ray” Youngblood, who served in World War I, and his wife Annie Mae were enlisted into the Escambia Farms project.

David Jr. said the government built houses, a school, a general store, a cold storage unit for farmers, a sowing factory and the cane mill.

With a need to make money, Ray began farming and sold his produce at the general store, which is now the Blackman County Store located on the corner of Highway 189 and Red Barrow Road.

During WWI and the Great Depression, sugar rationing became necessary, and syrup became the only type of sweets they had.

“They learned how to make a lot of things from syrup,” David Jr. said.

The Resettlement Administration fell through in 1937, but many of the programs remained through the Farm Security Administration.

Because the government project failed, David Jr. said his father and another man purchased the general store and sold syrup. The store went bankrupt a couple years later.

In the early to mid '50s, David Jr. said his parents decided to buy their own cane mill and sold syrup to farmers in the Escambia Farms community.

“They made a living, but barely,” David Jr. said.

Along with syrup, the Youngblood family farmed cotton and many types of produce on their 290 acres of land.

“You just scratch out a living where you can, and it was hard times for them,” David Jr. said. “They were just old dirt farmers.”

Ray may not have made much money off making syrup, but that didn’t keep him from continuing on.

David Jr. said his father would make about 100 to 110 gallons every day from 4 a.m. until dark.

“He did it until he couldn’t,” David Jr. said.

David Jr. and DeWayne learned the trades from a young age by watching their father make syrup. After Ray’s passing, David said making syrup once became less about money and more of a family gathering.

Emotions run high for David Jr. as he thinks about never making syrup again.

“It is sad,” he said. “Time marches on. It waits for no man.”

Not knowing this year would be the last they make syrup, David Jr. wrote in a Facebook post last year, “Now, the mill sits again silent to wait another year. Who knows when time weathers, and there will be no ‘another year.’”

Although “another year” may never come, the memories will always remain.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: The Youngbloods fire up the cane mill for the last time

CRESTVIEW — The ARC of the Emerald Coast annual poinsettia sale is in progress.

All proceeds from the sale benefit the organization, which provides care and support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The deadline to order red, marble or white poinsettias is Nov. 26.

An eight-inch size costs $25 each, or purchase three for $60. Delivery is available for an additional cost, and orders must be paid by cash, check or credit card (via Square) before delivery.

Deliveries take place the week of Dec. 10.

Email ethatcher.arcec@gmail.com or call 863-1530 to order.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: ARC poinsettia sale fundraiser underway

CRESTVIEW — While many will spend Thanksgiving gathered with family and friends eating a traditional, home-cooked, meal, some opt to ditch the kitchen on Thanksgiving day and head to a restaurant.

Here is a list of restaurants and stores and their Thanksgiving Day status.

• We received an email that Pic and Save will close at 2 p.m. Thanksgiving Day.

• Walmart – open with normal hours, and the "Blitz" beginning at 6 p.m.

• Publix South – closed.

• Publix North – closed.

• Winn Dixie – open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Hub city smokehouse – open with a Thanksgiving-style menu.

• Wayne’s Catfish House – open strictly for a buffet from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• The Wild Olive – closed

• Desi’s Downtown Restaurant – closed Wednesday through Friday.

• Pounders Hawaiian Grill – closed.

• Uncle Bill’s Family Restaurant – closed.

• Emerald Isle Seafood – closed.

• Hideaway – closed.

• David’s Catfish House – closed.

• Wings of Fire – closed.

• Coney Island – closed.

• Hot Dog Shoppe – closed.

• Applebee’s Grill and Bar – open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• Casbah Coffee Co. – closed.

• Starbucks – open from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• The First Judicial Circuit courts – closed Nov. 22 and 23. Regular operations will resume Nov. 26.

• Okaloosa County Tax Collector’s Office – All branches will be closed Nov. 22 and 23, but payments can be made online at www.OkaloosaTax.com.

If you know of other businesses remaining open or closing on Thanksgiving, email news@crestviewbulletin.com or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview organizations provide Thanksgiving status

CRESTVIEW — Area organizations will offer a fresh, hot Thanksgiving meal and shelter for cold weather to those experiencing homelessness.

Thanksgiving Day meals will be served as follows:

•Mike Carroll of Hub City Smokehouse will serve a Thanksgiving-style buffet at the restaurant, located at 168 S. Main St. in Crestview.

He has provided 300 free meal tickets for the homeless to area pastors and Ann Sprague of the Crestview Area Shelter for the Homeless. Contact Sprague, 398-5670, or local pastors, to get a ticket.

•The Community of Christ church will also serve a free Thanksgiving dinner for the homeles from 11 a.m. to noon Nov. 22 at 398 First Ave. W in Crestview.

Sprague, provided information regarding shelters and meal locations. Share this information with those who might be in need.

The following Crestview shelters open at 6 p.m. and close at 7 a.m. when temperatures are 40 degrees or below.

Sunday: Lifepoint Church, 400 Ferdon Blvd. S, 682-3518.

Monday: Helping Hands house, 428 McLaughlin Ave., 398-5670. Hosted by Emmanuel Baptist Church.

Tuesday and Wednesday: Community of Christ, 398 First Ave. W., 682-7474. Hosted by Joy Fellowship.

Thursday: Helping Hands house, hosted by Woodlawn Baptist Church, 398-5670.

Friday: The Full Gospel Restoration Full Gospel Church, 383 Texas Parkway, 682-6029.

Saturday: Helping Hands house, hosted by First United Methodist Church, 398-5670.

The shelter also requests the following donations: cots, blankets, gloves, and cold weather hats. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Local Thanksgiving dinner, cold weather shelters available for those in need

Cecil C. Bell passed away peacefully on Monday, November 12, 2018, at the age of 94, and is in the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Cecil was born November 1, 1924, in Pea Ridge, Florida, to Lafayette Barclay Bell and Eva Wade Cope Bell.  On June 24, 1966, he married Doris D. Babb, and was the father of three children.

In 1980, after 33 years, Cecil retired from the civil service at Pensacola Naval Air Station. After retirement, he enjoyed farming, raising cattle and goats, and spending time with his family. He became an active member of the Cattlemen’s Association, and named his ranch for his three children, Three Bell’s Ranch.  He was a lifelong member of Pea Ridge Church of Christ, and served as song leader for over 60 years.  He spent nine years coaching, alongside his friend, and cousin, Paul Hinson, for Pace Athletic & Recreation Association (P.A.R.A.)

Cecil was preceded in death by his parents, Lafayette Barclay Bell and Eva Wade Cope Bell; his brothers, Clarence Bell, Porter Bell, Frederick Bell and Robbie Bell; and by his sisters, Mildred Costello and Laura Mae DeLoria

Cecil is survived by his wife of 52 years, Doris Babb Bell; his children, Michael A. Bell and his wife Salena G. Bell of Pea Ridge, Florida, Cindy “Missy” Butler and her husband John L. Butler, Jr. of Pea Ridge, Florida; and Marcus W. Bell and his wife Heather D. Bell of Mobile, Alabama; his grandchildren, Cecily N. Butler of Pea Ridge, Florida, Tyler Bell and Kaitlyn Bell of Mobile, Alabama, his sister, Evelyn Neal Sharit and her husband Joe Sharit of Pensacola, Florida, and Richard A. Leslie, son of Laura Mae DeLoria; and numerous nieces and nephews.

 Public viewing will take place from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Friday, November 16, 2018, at Lewis Funeral Home, Milton Chapel (6405 Hwy. 90 West, Milton, FL 32570).

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 17, 2018, with Preacher Larry Everett officiating.

Burial will follow services in the Strickland Cemetery with Lewis Funeral Home directing. A family gathering will take place immediately after graveside services, at the home of the deceased

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Cecil C. Bell

CRESTVIEW — For over 20 years, Chicken Soup for the Soul books have lined bookstore shelves, with over 200 editions to date. Each edition highlights 101 inspirational stories submitted by ordinary people.

Works by Crestview resident Mary Beth Sturgis have been published twice in Chicken Soup for the Soul, with her latest submission available in the edition titled, "The Best Advice I Ever Heard."

Sturgis' personal essay, called "Exit Forward," highlights her experience coping with a failing marriage.

A nurse who retired after 40 years, she writes about the moment a friend encouraged her to seek therapy after anxiety about the divorce led to an outburst of emotions during a work meeting.

"I couldn't keep doing what I was doing," Sturgis said.

Sturgis came in contact with a therapist she trusted and actively sought help.

In the essay, she writes about the different techniques her therapist used.

In one session, her therapist gave her a difficult homework assignment — write a letter to her late father with an explanation about the divorce.

Though Sturgis faced trying moments, the essay ends on a positive note with lessons she values to this day.

"It's important to get the message out that when you need help: 1. Ask for it. 2. Listen to your friends that say you need to get help," the Crestview author said.

Sturgis said this moment in her life encouraged her to "reconnect with God."

"God was watching out for me and I didn’t even know it," she said.

By acknowledging and expressing her emotions through therapy, she learned to remain optimistic about the future.

"There's always hope no matter that happens in life," Sturgis said. "…Strong faith is the greatest hope."

Today, Sturgis said she is happily remarried to her husband, Ed. She enjoys spending time with family and gardening with her husband.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'Strong faith is the greatest hope'

CRESTVIEW — An Oct. 31 tour of Hurricane Michael’s destruction through hard-hit communities emphasized to Crestview officials how fortunate their community was when the storm veered east.

As a result of the tour, the City Council agreed at its Nov. 5 meeting to begin evaluating the storm readiness of Crestview municipal buildings. The city will have a structural engineer evaluate the buildings and proceed from there, according to a statement by Mayor David Cadle.

Police Chief Jamie Grant, Cadle, council members Joe Blocker and Bill Cox, and Fire Marshal Rodney Lancaster visited devastated neighborhoods in Parker, Springfield, Calloway and Lynn Haven. Residential streets were lined with cut-up downed trees, limbs, and debris from smashed homes. Houses were covered in blue tarps.

From its windows, Bay Medical Sacred Heart Hospital in Lynn Haven dripped giant, multi-colored ducts that pumped cool air from portable air conditioners into the facility, but what struck the officials most was the amount of damage to metal public buildings including firehouses, police stations, churches, stores and community centers.

Many of Crestview’s public buildings employ the same inexpensive but storm-vulnerable construction, including  the Whitehurst Municipal Building that houses the police department.

During Michael’s sideswipe, gusts that reached 50 miles per hour made the Whitehurst Building’s metal panels shudder in the wind and its vehicle bay door flexed and rattled, often alarmingly.

A stronger strike on the building could’ve not only injured or killed first responders sheltering inside, but could also have confounded upcoming, ongoing and previous court cases had police evidence and records been compromised, damaged or blown away.

“It’s secure protection for communications, evidence, records and a place to shelter police officers and firefighters if a storm approaches” that is needed, Grant said as the inspection tour stopped in Springfield. There, the town’s firefighters sought shelter in equipment lockers aboard a new firetruck as the hurricane peeled parts off their new fire station.

The week after the storm, during the CPD’s first delivery of needed supplies for affected law enforcement agencies, Grant saw how perilous Crestview’s situation could’ve been.

Meeting with Parker Police Chief Dennes Hutto, the officials heard harrowing stories of trying to re-establish basic services and communications in a community that was so devastated that some streets were unrecognizable even to police officers who routinely patrolled them. Since the storm, the Parker police officials set up a command center in the town's firehouse, which had recently been storm strengthened through a federal grant.

Even with the reinforcement, “when the wind blew, the walls of that building were bowing out like bellows,” Chief Hutto said.

Blocker, whose professional career had been in construction supervision, understands the structural and engineering challenges the devastated communities face, and their lesson to address the storm-readiness of Crestview’s public infrastructure.

“I can only imagine if it (the storm) had hit us,” he said. “We were sure blessed. From what I saw, we need to start looking at our own buildings. Not later but now.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: ‘This could’ve been Crestview’

CRESTVIEW — The nonprofit New Way of Life Outreach Ministry is preparing for its annual Thanksgiving Feast and needs help with donations and Thanksgiving-day servers.

New Way of Life is asking all businesses and individuals in the surrounding areas to help feed the homeless and hungry.

"I know that there are a lot of us that don't know what it is like to b ehungry and in need and without family this time of year," a press release from New Way of Life says.

The organization is asking for turkeys and hams, vegetables, canned goods, eggs, disposable plates and utensils, dairy products and desserts. The organization asks that all donations be in by Nov. 19.

New Way of Life is also asking for help to serve food Thanksgiving Day.

"This is an open invitation to all military, (emergency medical service), Sheriff department and any type of law enforcement," the press release says, "to come out and participate with us on Thanksgiving day at 2 p.m."

Call 826-5908 or 826-5909 for more information and a complete list of needs. New Way of Life is located at 398 North Spring St. in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Nonprofit seeks donations for Thanksgiving outreach

CRESTVIEW — A Crestview group against animal abuse continues protesting the Loomis Bros Circus returning to Crestview for the 11th year.

Andrew Pratt started a petition back in August, which has over 2,000 signatures.

Pratt said he made Mayor David Cadle and the Crestview Historic Preservation Board (CHPB) aware of the petition.

Cadle said he encouraged Pratt to bring his concerns before the council because there is no city ordinance protecting circus animals against abuse.

"The council seems to be open to discussing it further," Cadle said.

However, an ordinance would not be a quick fix because it would have to go through two readings.

Pratt spoke to the Crestview city council at the Nov. 5 meeting.

"Like many in Crestview, I'm a military veteran, and just as I served to protect others then, I continue to do that today," Pratt said. "…I'm an advocate for animals and a voice for those who have no voice."

Pratt called for the city to switch to an all-human circus.

"It's just as easy to invite an animal-free circus to Crestview instead," Pratt said. "It's as simple as dialing a different phone number. You can get the same experience from shows like Cirque du Soleil and Cirque Italia that routinely tour Florida."

The CHPB uses the circus as a fundraising opportunity.

According to Pratt, Loomis Bros Circus has been cited multiple times by the USDA for violating the Animal Welfare Act.

Last year, Justin Loomis, owner of the circus, denied these allegations calling them "fake news."

Pratt and the group Crestview Against Animal Abuse plan to hold a demonstration on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

Our message is simply that exploitation of animals is outdated and unnecessary when other alternatives are available," Pratt said in a Facebook message.

Ann Spann, a CHPB board member, said she was not aware of the petition.

When asked about the protest against the Loomis Bros Circus, Spann said the board would not comment.

After similar complaints, Fort Walton Beach ended their relationship with Cole Bros. Circus in 2015 and switched to Cirque Italia, a solely human circus cast.

"I’m asking the CHPB and the people of Crestview to make a simple change and support an animal-free circus for next year, just as FWB did this year," Pratt said in a Facebook message. "It’s all the fun and excitement of the circus, but without unnecessary cruelty that comes from forcing captive animals to perform just to make a quick buck."

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview group continues protest against Loomis Bros Circus

CRESTVIEW — One of the core values at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Crestview is to "live sent."

"Live sent means to live every day in a way that shows the love of Jesus to the people around you," Amy Anderson, the pastor's wife, said.

This core value motivates many programs and missions in the church, including support of foster care programs and adoptive families — both near and dear to the pastor and his wife.

"For me personally, it hits home," Anderson said.

Anderson and her husband adopted two children they once fostered.

Emmanuel Baptist Church has been working with foster and adoptive families for several years, Anderson said.

On Wednesday night during a typical ladies small-group, Anderson and a group of about 15 women gathered to sort through bags and boxes of clothing.

"(Our small group) is partnered with Families First Network to help them in various ways by getting these supplies ready for kids they serve and also doing small things to encourage them, as workers, in their day-to-day challenges in child welfare," Anderson said.

Each piece of clothing was separated by age and gender and placed in designated boxes.

The clothes went to a storage unit the Families First Network rented. Foster families will be able to take whatever piece of clothing they need.

"It helps them financially because they don’t need to go out and cover all those costs initially," Anderson said.

This was just one of many nights Emmanuel Baptist Church helped foster and adoptive families in the Crestview area.

All of the church's small groups partner with a community organization throughout the year, Anderson said.

"We just pick a month every year where we emphasize that as a church and serve all together at the same time," Anderson said.

Anderson said the church also hosts training and different support groups for families looking to adopt or foster and families that have already adopted or currently foster.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'Live sent'