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 — 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

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

FORT WALTON BEACH — Sharing and Caring seeks volunteers and food donations for the Zombie Walk coming up Oct. 18 in Fort Walton Beach. Individuals and groups are welcome, and earn volunteer community service hours.

ZOMBIE WALKING

Registration is 4-6 p.m. at Fort Walton Beach Landing, and costs four canned goods per person. Donations are sent to the Sharing and Caring food pantry. Sign in by 5:30 to qualify for prizes, and pick up a map for the event.

Makeup artists will zombify attendees for a small donation. Games (brain eating contest included), prizes and music for all ages are part of the fun. Dogs are welcome.

The walk concludes with a meandering of zombies through downtown Fort Walton Beach to their final destination, the landing, for "Thriller"-style dancing. Free dance lessons are available throughout October.

TO VOLUNTEER

Helpers will register participants, do advertising and help clean up, lead walkers, assist at the makeup booth and more.

To sign up, email fwbzombiewalk@yahoo.com; call 850-240-1857; or visit the Facebook page.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Zombie Walk and food pantry drive coming in October: volunteers wanted

CRESTVIEW —  A child advocacy group seeks sponsors and donations to complete a family visitation center.

The Judge Ben Gordon Jr. Visitation Center would allow familiesdealing with child abuse, custody or divorce proceedings to meet in a safe, secure location.

The not-for-profit organization already has sites in DeFuniak Springs and Shalimar. Executive Director Sharon Rogers said the Crestview location, 6187th Ave., Crestview, will be the first visitation center the organization owns.

“It will be state of the art,” she said. “We have been going through a process of making it as safe as possible.”

That means two parking lots, security cameras and a supervisor overseeing visitations, she said.  

In February, the organization –named after a former local judge and an avid child advocate –purchased a Crestview house to use as visitation center.

A $128,000 Impact 100 of Northwest Florida grant helped to purchase the residence. Now, renovations are underway, and several businesses have provided goods and services to the facility.

In addition to providing a secure location for family visitations, Rogers said the facility could offer several services to the community.

“The main use is for (monitored) exchanges,” she said. “The facility (also) could be used for small family services, group meetings for abused women or … a fatherhood group for young men,” she said.

Family psychologists could use the facility for services. It could also be used for other local child advocate organizations like Guardian Ad Litem, she said.

The organization will soon train volunteers to oversee visitations. She hopes to have the facility open with city approval upon construction completion, Rogers said.    

WANT TO HELP?

You can support the Judge Ben Gordon Jr. Visitation Center at www.gofundme.com/e3br1c. See www.familyvisitationcenters.org for more information on its services.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Community sponsors, donations sought for family visitation center