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

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

CRESTVIEW — Protesting outside the Okaloosa County Courthouse is Tina Gough’s last resort to help her husband, who is on probation for a domestic violence charge.

On Monday, Tina tied herself to the stair rail outside the courthouse’s north entrance. She later moved to a park bench, where she spent the night.

Today, the Jackson County woman stayed on the bench and wrote a letter to Judge Michael A. Flowers, who sentenced her husband in court.

Tina hopes the judge will reconsider his stance. She is also searching for an attorney to represent her husband, pro bono.

“I just pray to God that there is an attorney out there that has a heart,” she said.

Her husband, 52-year-old Richard Gough is serving a five-year probation in Jackson County. The couple was living in Crestview when he was charged at the time with battery by strangulation, aggravated assault and two counts of kidnapping and false imprisonment of a child younger than 13, according to Crestview Police Department arrest reports.

Tina said her husband did attack her but the incident was out of character.

Now, the couple’s lives have become more difficult due to Richard’s 2012 diagnosis with lung cancer and mounting medical bills and Richard’s criminal record keeps him from finding a job.

“We’ve been struggling ever since,” she said. “. . . we can’t get no help.”

Tina said she is prepared to stay outside the courthouse, for as long as it takes, until some action in her husband’s case come about, she said.

But she has given up on tying herself to the bench.

No one is apparently trying to remove her, as long as she doesn’t impede traffic into and out of the building.

 “I’ve tried everything else … I’m running out of options,” she said. “I don’t know what else to do.” 

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Woman protests husband's sentence outside courthouse; seeks lawyer that 'has a heart'

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Concerned Citizens Group's Community Outreach Street Ministry has scheduled its 12th anniversary celebration.

The event is 4-7 p.m. Aug. 23 at 247 S. Booker St., Crestview. D'nickolas Thomas, of Beulah No. 1 Missionary Baptist Church, Milligan, is the guest speaker. Church youths will perform gospel rap, praise dancing, solos and other inspirational pieces.

Dinner will be provided — bring your lawn chairs — and free clothing and shoes will be given away.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Community outreach group celebrates 12th anniversary

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