Editor's Note: Inés Boudet du Mochet is a 17-year-old French student who, through the Crestview Area Sister City Program, spent the summer visiting Okaloosa County.

After staying with a host family in Niceville, she spent the rest of her visit with Crestview hosts.

As she enters the equivalent of her senior year in high school, Inés is considering a career in journalism, and shared her impressions of the Emerald Coast— and America — with us.

I decided to come to the USA to improve my English after I passed my oral English exams in France. I was very bad in English; I think worse than me does not exist!

I arrived in the USA on July 2. I went to Crab Island, in Destin for the Fourth of July. It was crazy! And really different from France. This is a very nice place: this white water and all the boats.

In France, the national party is on July 14, and we haven't a Crab Island; we have just beautiful fireworks at night.

You are lucky, because you can drive at 16 years old. In France, we can pass our driver's license at 18 years old, but we can drive with our parents at 16 years old.

Also, we can drink at 18 years old, and here it's only at 21 years old.

I have visited Crestview High School, and it was really different. Here it is very cool! You give a lot of importance to sports, and you have teams and the school colors have to be defended.

In France, we haven't teams or school colors, as the French Academy wants (academic) results.

We have a collective sport in the towns, but I think it's too bad not to have teams like you have. It gives a more attractive side to school, I think. After class it is fun because you have student groups and clubs, but in French schools, we haven't any.

Now in terms of insurance, when you go to your dentist or your doctor, sometimes you pay the whole price (if you have no insurance). In France, we have the social security, paid in our taxes; and with this we don’t pay all the price.

My visit to Crestview and Niceville was a very good experience, and I hope you will have the opportunity to live an adventure like this at least one time in my country.

It's was just wonderful here!

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Through Inés’ eyes: Visiting French student shares her impressions of NW Florida

CRESTVIEW — Following tradition, the fifth annual Moonlight and Melodies Wine Gala, having grown in scale and attendance, takes participants to a new venue.

This year, the evening of wine tastings, gourmet food and live music will take place at the original Bob Sikes Library, now the Northwest Florida State College Crestview campus in Twin Hills Park.

With the theme “A Taste of France,” the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce-organized event also gives a nod to Crestview’s Sister Cities International relationship with Noirmoutier-en-l’Ile.

“The focus is wine and food,” gala committee chairperson Rachel Neighbors, of North Okaloosa Medical Center, said.

Among other tweaks, music will be by local musicians or small groups, and the food will be the work of a single caterer rather than multiple restaurants offering samples.

“That’s why the first one was so successful,” chamber office manager Valerie Lott said. “Mary (Richard, of A Grand Elegance) knew what wines we had and could plan the food to complement them.”

“We’re going back to the grassroots of what a wine tasting is,” chamber President Alicia Booker said.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Annual Moonlight and Melodies Wine Gala: A Taste of France

WHEN: 6-9 p.m., Nov. 1

WHERE: Northwest Florida State College Bob Sikes Education Center, Twin Hills Park

COST: $40 per person

NOTES: Tickets available at the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce, 1447 Commerce Drive, 682-3212. Business sponsorships are available, including merchandise or services for the silent auction. Contact the chamber for details.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Wine Gala goes French: Evening of wine tastings, gourmet food set for Nov. 1

CRESTVIEW — A county western dance party starts Friday, Sept. 12 and continues each Friday thereafter.

Square and line dances take place from 7-9 p.m. at Central Baptist Church's Fellowship Hall, 951 S. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview.

Attendees can expect "great music — top 40 country, rock and pop (and) great dancing," a spokesperson said.

People of all ages are welcome; no experience or partner is required to participate.

Cost is $3 per person to benefit the hall's rental fee and a donation to the caller.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Square, line dances begin next month

CRESTVIEW — The title character of  "Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood," a top-rated PBS Kids show, is becoming a big brother in the series.

To help welcome his new baby sister, Margaret, WSRE, PBS for the Gulf Coast, invites young viewers to attend “baby shower" events across Northwest Florida. The local baby shower is 6:30 p.m. Aug. 26 at Robert L.F. Sikes Library, 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview.

Guests should bring baby-related items — diapers, wipes, creams and toys — for donation to the Healthy Start Community Coalition of Okaloosa-Walton Counties and the Escambia County Healthy Start Coalition.

Children in attendance will enjoy story time and an episode of "Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood."

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Visit with Daniel Tiger and donate baby supplies to local nonprofits

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Aug. 26

WHERE: Robert L.F. Sikes Library, 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Daniel Tiger baby shower benefits local nonprofits

CHIPLEY — Work begins Aug. 22 to widen and improve State Road 123 in Okaloosa County.  The $48 million construction program widens the road from two to four travel lanes, from State Road 85 near the Northwest Florida Regional Airport to S.R. 85 north of Niceville. 

Crews will also resurface the existing roadway, construct four new bridges along the route, and build a flyover ramp at the S.R. 123/85 intersection near Niceville. The flyover ramp will seamlessly connect S.R. 123 northbound traffic to S.R. 85 northbound. 

Other additions include new roadway striping, highway lighting, signage, stormwater retention ponds, landscaping and drainage upgrades.

To help minimize traffic impacts, lane closures will only be allowed between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. Work on the project is scheduled for completion in spring 2016.

Planned construction activities are weather dependent and may be re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather.

For more information, follow the FDOT District Three Twitter feed.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Construction beginning on State Road 123

CRESTVIEW — The sparkling, sugar-dusted pink frosting on Ruth Langdon’s birthday cake matched her hair clip as North Okaloosa County added another centenarian to its census.

Langdon, who only recently moved into the Crestview Rehabilitation Center, was surprised by the birthday party thrown by center staffers in her honor this afternoon.

In addition, family members from Indiana flew to Northwest Florida for the occasion.

Joining two of her children, Joan Hollmann and Bob Langdon, who live in Crestview, were grandchildren Penny Blake, Candy Booe and Rodney Beaman.

“We actually have six generations in the family,” Beaman said.

“It’d be something if we could get them all together, but they’re in Indiana,” Hollmann added.

The family members tallied up Langdon and her late husband, Clifford’s, descendants, arriving at 2 children, 10 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, 12 great great grandchildren, and one great great great granddaughter.

Resident JoséGoicochea treated the gathering to a robust rendition of “Happy Birthday to You” before everyone enjoyed punch with the chocolate birthday cake with its pink whipped cream icing.

Langdon attributes her longevity to keeping a healthy lifestyle.

“I live a clean life,” she said. “I didn’t smoke. I didn’t drink. And I keep active.”

And as for the biggest change she’s seen over the last 100 years, her answer was instantaneous.

“Computers,” she said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Out-of-town family members surprise 100-year-old on her birthday