Bugs aren't all bad — that's the point of a presentation Tuesday at the Crestview Public Library.

“Bugs & Butterflies” is scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 2. Sheila Dunning, horticultural agent for the University  of Florida's Okaloosa County Extension Service, will be the First Tuesday series' guest speaker. She will talk about helpful bugs and harmless butterflies, and how to keep them in the landscape.

"People benefit in so many ways by sharing the world with the insects that can be found in almost every conceivable habitat," an event spokesperson stated in a news release. "Insects are everywhere and, by far, (are) the most common animal on the planet with more than 1.5 million species named. Their size, shape, color, biology and life history are so diverse and fascinating.

"Unfortunately, most people are more aware of the few insects that cause problems than they are of the many beneficial insects."

Coffee and cookies will be served starting at 10 a.m. The library is located at 1445 Commerce Drive in north Crestview behind the post office. 

Call 682-4432 for more details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'Bugs & Butterflies' take focus in Tuesday presentation

CRESTVIEW — Alycia Berry and Joshua Day met through mutual friends.

"I thought he was really goofy at first," Alycia, a Crestview High School graduate, said. "(But) Joshua was extremely persistent."

Joshua, a Laurel Hill School graduate, proposed to Berry on the Fourth of July.

"He made me believe we were going to take family pictures on the beach!" Berry said.

And she said yes. The couple will be married Aug. 30 at the Crestview Community Center.

Alycia graduated from Northwest Florida State College, Niceville, with a bachelor's degree in project management. She works at Okaloosa County Teachers Federal Credit Union.

Joshua earned marine tech certifications from Okaloosa Applied Technology Center in Fort Walton Beach, and works at Indyne.

Alycia's parents are Roger and Rhonda Berry of Crestview. Joshua's parents are Keith and Angie Day, also of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SPECIAL OCCASIONS: Berry, Day to wed Saturday

CRESTVIEW — City Councilman Joe Blocker's perception of Dr. Naomi Barnes surpasses her professional title.

“It’s hard for me to call this lady ‘doctor,’” he said. “To me, it’s Sister Barnes. Her heart is for other people. To know this lady is to love her.”

Other city leaders agreed.

“I praise the Lord we have you in our schools and community,” Councilman Mickey Rytman said during a Monday ceremony recognizing her as Citizen of the Year.

“I’m happy we have citizens like you who step forward even when they’re not called upon,” Council President Shannon Hayes said.

Before Barnes appeared in the City Council Chamber that evening, she had been up since 6 a.m. doing what she always does: supporting other people.

A volunteer with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, she spent Monday morning making the rounds of Crestview High School, Davidson and Shoal River Middle Schools, and Richbourg E.S.E. School.

At each she joined Christian student athletes for morning prayers around the schools’ flagpoles.

The retired educator, a former Southside Elementary School teacher, is modest about her countless hours of volunteerism in Crestview.

“My job is to do the will of the Father,” she said. “I had a grandma who told me, ‘If you can’t do good, don’t do nothin’ at all.”

‘DO SOMETHING’

As Mae Reatha Coleman — the citizen of the year recognition’s namesake — lauded the honoree’s dependability, she presented Barnes with gifts provided by Glitz and Glitter, the Jewelry Garden, Applebee’s and Ryan’s Family Steakhouse, Mae.

“When I need something in the community, I call Sister and Brother (Felton) Barnes,” Coleman said. “I never heard anybody who moans and groans do anything. It’s the people like her who get up and move.”

Future Mae Reatha Coleman Crestview Citizen of the Year Award recipients also will be expected to have been active in the community, Coleman said.

“It’s an award that you work for,” she said. “Get out and do something. Let’s see what we can do for our community. But we can’t do it staying at home.”

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: City, community leaders recognize Citizen of the Year

Aaaargh! Come meet Captain Jack Sparrow at the Crestview Public Library on Tuesday, Sept. 23! Doors open at 6:15 p.m. and Captain Jack returns to his ship around 7:15 p.m.

Dress as a pirate yourself if you’d like! Captain Jack will read a story and have a question-and-answer session. Bring a camera to take a picture of your child with Captain Jack! We’ll also make a pirate-y craft. 

Registration is not required for this free event. Evening Library Time is designed for residents age 4 and up. Younger siblings are welcome as long as they remain quieter than Captain Jack.

This program is free for you, thanks to the generosity of Captain Jack, Even Start and our Friends of the Crestview Library.

Please call 682-4432 with questions. 

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CHECK IT OUT: Evening Library Time includes a visit by Jack Sparrow in September

CRESTVIEW — Even terminal illness couldn't keep Roger Berry from attending his daughter's wedding.

Roger died from liver cancer July 27, but two weeks earlier he watched Alycia and Joshua Day become spouses from a wheelchair in his backyard.

The July 12 ceremony was planned within a couple of days, but Alycia and her mother, Rhonda, are thankful that Roger got to see his only daughter tie the knot.

“I was so happy that my father was able to give me away,” Alycia said. “It was worth it, having my dad there. He seemed very at peace (afterward).”

Friends and family will join the couple on Aug. 30 to pay tribute to Roger, the Crestview High School Quarterback Club's president of six years. The occasion also will serve as a wedding reception.  

“My dad was really big about throwing a big party,” Alycia said. “When he looks down (from Heaven), he will say ‘that is one heck of a party’.”

1980s music — Roger's favorite — will be played, she said.

Rhonda said her husband of 25 years would have enjoyed the music montage.

“He loved parties and he loved to entertain,” she said. “He would have thought this would be hilarious.”

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Wedding reception will commemorate beloved father, community leader who loved big parties

CRESTVIEW — Monday, the City Council will  honor Dr. Naomi Barnes as this year’s recipient of the Mae Reatha Coleman Crestview Citizen of the Year Award.

Barnes is the third recipient of the award, a namesake of the longtime community activist and first recipient.

She was selected by a committee chaired by Coleman, and was nominated for her role as an educator and community volunteer in multiple areas.

“I was surprised, because there’s other people in the community who have done a lot for the people,” Barnes said. “I guess God just chose this time to bless me.”

Barnes, a former Southside Elementary School teacher, volunteered as an after-school tutor at Mount Zion A.M.E. Church and the Okaloosa Youth Development Center.

As a Crestview Concerned Citizens volunteer, she helped patrol neighborhoods to deter crime. In addition, she worked with Coleman as a volunteer on the Okaloosa County Crestview Area HIV Taskforce.

Barnes was a parent volunteer at the former Richbourg Middle School, Shoal River Middle School and Crestview High School. She also was a parent volunteer for the Shoal River Middle School golf team.

She is a member of the Crestview Civitan Club and sits on the club board of directors.

An active member of Gideons International, Barnes provided Bibles for the Mount Zion A.M.E. Church and for troubled youths at the Okaloosa Youth Academy.

She donates canned goods, clothes and household supplies to area food banks and shelters, and once helped gather furniture to furnish a five-bedroom residence for underprivileged residents.

“Sometimes she and her husband would drop off truck-loads of food at my house,” Coleman said. “She is a community worker.”

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Presentation of the Mae Reatha Coleman Citizen of the Year Award to Dr. Naomi Barnes

WHEN: 5 p.m. Aug. 25

WHERE: City Council Chamber, City Hall, 198 N. Wilson St., Crestview

NOTES: Light refreshments will follow the presentation

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview to recognize retired educator for community outreach

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