FORT WALTON BEACH — Jim “The Rookie” Morris will be the guest speaker for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast's Thursday Steak & Stake fundraising dinner at the Emerald Coast Convention Center on Okaloosa Island.

Morris' life story inspired the 2002 Walt Disney film "The Rookie," starring Dennis Quaid. To motivate his rag-tag high school baseball team, the then-35-year-old schoolteacher bet that he would try out for the big leagues if his team won a district championship.

When Morris' team won, he followed through on his promise, going to a tryout where he threw 12 consecutive pitches at 98 mph. Three months later, he achieved his dream of pitching in the Major Leagues.

"Mr. Morris has a unique and exciting story. We are excited for our club members and community to hear his inspirational story and how great futures are started," said Boys and Girls Clubs Chief Executive Officer, Shervin Rassa. "Although his story takes place on a baseball diamond, we can all relate to reaching and fulfilling our dreams.”

The Steak & Stake Dinner provides an opportunity for every guest, including donors, community partners and volunteers, to enjoy juicy hamburgers and hear from those who benefit from their efforts: Boys & Girls Club Members.

Contact Jessica Davis, vice president of Development & Marketing, at jdavis@bgcec.com or call 850-862-1616 for tickets.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast — which encompasses seven clubs across Okaloosa, Escambia, Santa Rosa and Walton counties — serves youths ages 5 to 18 by providing guidance-oriented character development programs conducted by trained, youth development professionals.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Boys & Girls fundraiser features Major League icon

Interested in knitting? The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida will feature a class from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso.

Instructor Carol Burkhard will teach the Heritage Alive! Craft Class in which attendees can learn basic stitches and begin a project to be ready by fall. 

The lesson costs $20 for the general public or $15 for museum members.

Interested residents should bring yarn, size 8 needles and a snack.

Space is limited, and pre-registration is required.  Call 678-2615 for more details. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Like to knit? This class is for you

CRESTVIEW — Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce officials, citing unforeseen circumstances, have canceled this year’s Moonlight and Melodies Wine Gala.

The evening of gourmet food and wine samplings, originally set for Nov. 1, will be rescheduled for autumn of 2015, chamber officials said.

“We had to make the decision based on what we thought was best,” chamber President and CEO Wayne Harris said. “Things came up in the last week or so that we realized it would be best to postpone the event until next year.”

Among the causes leading to the event’s cancellation was gala chairwoman Rachel Neighbors' unexpected move out of town to accept another position.

The chamber's board decided that rather than scramble to make changes so close to the event date, “It’s better to wait and do a real good event," member Rae Schwartz said.

The chamber likely will retain the planned theme, “A Taste of France,” and its salute to Crestview’s sister city, Noirmoutier-an-l’Île, at the 2015 gala, Harris and Schwartz said.

Epi-Cure Fine Wines and Spirits of Niceville will remain the main provider of wines to be sampled, Harris said.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Annual Crestview Wine Gala postponed until 2015

CRESTVIEW —  The number of participants nearly doubled event organizer’s expectations, following a benefit 5K for Drew Barefield and his family.

Nearly 300 registered for #RunforDrew 5K on Saturday morning at Davidson Middle School, said event organizer Craig Shaw.  

PHOTOS: See 20 photos from the #RunforDrew 5K >>

“It exceeded expectations, we were only expecting a minimum of 150 (participants),” Shaw said. 

With the registration fees, donations and sponsorships from local businesses, event organizers estimated that the 5K raised nearly $7,000 for the family.

 Justin Wyatt, a minister at Emmanuel Baptist Church –where the Barefield family attends, said the continuing support from residents in the community is what makes the area unique.

“You don’t have this kind of community support anywhere else,” he said.

Residents even came from the south end of Okaloosa County to participate, like the Reid family from Niceville.

After following Drew’s progress on Facebook, Chris said his family wanted to do their part to help.  

 “We feel like we should come out and support his family and suffer the 20 minutes of pain for the three months of what (Drew) has been going through,” Chris said.

Many residents have shown their support for 12-year-old Drew Barefield, after he suffered critical injuries in a boating accident on June 28.

While several residents regularly participate in area fundraising 5K events, it was the first for others. Crestview resident Kaden Joyce, 8, said he had been practicing prior to running in the event’s fun run for children.

Kaden said he was both excited and nervous about running in his first event. Regardless, Kaden said supporting Drew is the main reason for participating.

“This is to support him,” he said.

 In addition to the amount of funds raised for the Barefield family, additional good news was announced at the event. Wyatt said Drew is expected to return home this week after undergoing rehabilitation in Atlanta.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Nearly 300 participate in 5K fundraiser for Barefield family (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

CRESTVIEW — A memorial service for Valerie Michelle Camacho, 17, of Crestview, is scheduled at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24 at the Crestview Community Center, 1446 Commerce Drive.

Her family requested via Facebook that those attending the services wear purple in memory of Valerie.

Family-Funeral & Cremation is handling arrangements.

You may also sign the guest book and offer condolences at http://obits.crestviewbulletin.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Memorial service announced for Crestview teen, Valerie Camacho

NICEVILLE — The October meeting of the Fort Walton Beach Mac Users Group is 6:30 p.m. Oct. 6 in Room 130 of the Northwest Florida State College Student Services building, 100 College Boulevard.

Eddie Branch will present "iOS 8 – Major Feature Upgrade and Major Step in Apple Ecosystem Integration."

Attendees are encouraged to bring their Mac devices.

For more information, visit the group bulletin board site or contact Jean Dutton at 862-3327 or jeancdutton@mac.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Mac Users Group meets in October

NICEVILLE — Choctawhatchee Audubon Society members will have a bird walk at the Niceville bayou and spray fields this weekend.

Participants will meet at 7:30 a.m. Sept. 27 in front of Badcock Furniture, Bayou Plaza, 699 John Sims Parkway, Niceville.  

Led by Lenny Fenimore, the walk will focus on water birds, migrating songbirds, and even wild turkeys.

Bring a hat, sunscreen, and any spotting scopes or binoculars which you may wish to use, since some of the birds will be observed at longer ranges.

For more information, contact Fenimore at 850-863-2039.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Audubon society tours Niceville spray fields

MILLIGAN — Motorists traveling along U.S. Highway 90 and State Road 4 will soon notice road construction.  

 Ian Satter, a Florida Department of Transportation spokesperson, said engineers will add a turning lane from U.S. Highway 90 West onto State Road 4. No start date was announced at this time, Satter said.

The FDOT-funded, $634,000 project — which includes lengthening the turning lane from SR 4 to Highway 90 eastbound — will take almost five months to complete, Satter said.

The decision to add intersection improvements follows a recent traffic study performed on the intersection, Satter said.

“We were seeing some traffic delays,” he said. “(With the intersection improvement project) we will be able to alleviate the traffic congestion.”

Satter suggests commuters prepare for occasional delays. 

“Depending on what (engineers) are doing, they will try to keep traffic flowing,” Satter said. “Construction will be (happening) out there, so allow yourself some extra time.”

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: U.S Highway 90, State Road 4 construction scheduled