CRESTVIEW — William A. and Kathleen H. Miller of Crestview are celebrating 70 years of marriage.

The couple met and married Aug. 5 in England during World War II, where Kathleen was in the Royal Air Force and William was in the U.S. Army Air Corp. They spent most of their married life in Flintstone, Ga., and moved to Crestview in 2002.

The Millers are active in the local Kiwanis Club and are members of the First United Methodist Church of Crestview.

Fifty to 60  friends, family and church family members attended an Aug. 3 celebration at the home of the Millers’ daughter, Betsy Roy and her husband, Mike.

The News Bulletin publishes north Okaloosa County residents' “Special Occasions”— birth, centenarian, engagement, wedding and anniversary announcements— at no charge. We may edit submissions for length and style.

Call 682-6524 or email news@crestviewbulletin.com for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SPECIAL OCCASIONS: Millers celebrate 70th anniversary

How do you see your library? Is it place to visit during hot summer days — where you cool off and read a popular magazine or pick a bestseller book?

We see the Crestview Public Library as a meeting place; a venue where local art is displayed; and an information resource that covers many levels of interest and meets our community's educational, business, technical and recreation needs.  

Our selection of books, DVDs, and CDs is geared toward your needs and interests. We choose items that will help residents grow in knowledge and understanding through print, non-print and online resources. 

Gathering information through reading provides an excellent tool for lifelong learning and the power to change lives. Technology has changed many of our lives; it has allowed us to reach out to the public through social media like Facebook and Twitter.

And a visit to the library can be an awesome trip. You might come in to find summer reading and leave with knowledge of which local artist has a display of a work that you must have; or you might hear music from a local artist that brings back memories of your youth.  

Just observing what goes on in the library can inspire you to do something creative or fun that will make your life more enjoyable and more exciting.  

Our library is open to all members of society with no restrictions, so come on in and find your life-changing piece of information. 

Jean Lewis is the Crestview Public Library's director.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CHECK IT OUT: Find life-changing information at the library

CRESTVIEW — Uniformed as TV’s Deputy Barney Fife, J.T. Garrett and his 1960s Ford Galaxy police cruiser are fixtures at area festivals, car shows and parades.

For his annual appearances at the Main Street Average Joe Car Show, the event’s organizer has made him one of the gang. Garrett is now a lifetime member of the Spanish Trail Cruisers Car Club.

In 1991, Garrett’s striking resemblance to “The Andy Griffith Show” character Barney Fife, played by the late comedy actor Don Knotts, won him first place in a Barney and Andy look-alike contest.

Since then, Garrett has appeared as the hapless deputy — along with his black-and-white cruiser, complete with its “Mayberry Sheriff’s Dept.” decal — at numerous events.

Longtime club member Danny Tate said the decision to award the club’s first lifetime membership to Garrett was unanimous.

“I’ve been in every parade and car show you’ve had,” Garrett said during Tuesday's presentation. “Just call when you want me back.”

Garrett’s portrayal of Deputy Fife isn’t his first brush with TV or film stardom. While the 1949 World War II epic “Twelve O’Clock High” was filming locally, Garrett was actor Gregory Peck’s stand-in and driver.

Garrett is married to former Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections Elsie Garrett. The couple live in Crestview.

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's Barney Fife look-alike awarded Spanish Trail Cruisers lifetime membership

CRESTVIEW — Ed and Kathy Beattie of Crestview are proud to announce the engagement and upcoming marriage of their son, Brian Eric Beattie, to Hannah Micayela Mahan, the daughter of Brandon and the late Kara Mahan of Baker.

The bride-elect's maternal grandparents are Burl Hamilton and the late Joyce Hamilton of Gilman, Ill.

The prospective groom's maternal grandparents are Florence and Joseph McDonnell of Sun City and the late John Rooney of Debary.

Hannah, a 2009 Baker School graduate, attends Northwest Florida State College and works at Shoal River Learning Center as the lead teacher of 3-year-olds.

Brian, a 2008 Tall Pines Academy graduate, is a mechanic for Kelley's Diesel and Automotive.

The couple plans to wed in spring 2015.

The News Bulletin publishes north Okaloosa County residents' “Special Occasions”— birth, centenarian, engagement, wedding and anniversary announcements— at no charge. We may edit submissions for length and style.

Call 682-6524 or email news@crestviewbulletin.com for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SPECIAL OCCASION: Beattie and Mahan announce engagement

CHIPLEY— State Road 123 between State Road 85 in Crestview and Eglin Parkway in Fort Walton Beach will be closed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9 for unexploded ordnance removal. North and southbound drivers may use S.R. 85 as a detour during the closures.

All planned construction activities are weather dependent and may be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Weekend closures planned for State Road 123 in Okaloosa County

Have the travel bug? The Crestview Public Library has multiple sources that can help with planning your next adventure.

Rick Steves particularly offers European travel advice in his detailed travel books, which include recommendations on restaurants, accommodations and attractions. Steves considers those who like to travel in luxury and those who don’t mind roughing it. His simplified street maps make navigation easy, whether you are walking the busy streets of Paris or taking a road trip through the Loire Valley. His blogs, podcasts and website —www.ricksteves.com — offer excellent, updated tips from packing lightly to avoiding pickpockets and scams.

Want to stay local? Douglas Waitley's three-volume, award-winning "Best Backroads of Florida" series will help you discover Florida's hidden gems.

Charlie Carlson's "Weird Florida" should pique the interest of those with a daring streak. If you are looking for haunted buildings or are hoping to catch a rare glimpse of a panther around the Tamiami Trail, this is the guide for you.

Don't know where to take a trip? Look at "1,000 Places to See Before You Die" by Patricia Schultz or National Geographic’s "The 10 Best of Everything."

Have you ever thought about hiking? If so, Bill Bryson’s humorous account of his and a friend's attempt to walk the Appalachian Trail might aid the decision.

You can browse through many articles offered by the Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Collection on our website's Electronic Resources section. (See www.cityofcrestview.org/library.php and click on Electronic Resources within the left navigation toolbar.)  

Although it is geared toward the tourist hospitality industry, you can find many valuable articles pertaining to the area you want to travel to.

Marie Garcia is the Crestview Public Library's assistant director.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CHECK IT OUT: Authors offer travel tips

The Emerald Coast Chapter of the Junior Lifeguards from Okaloosa County attracted a number of awards and participants, a spokesperson said.

Sixty-six kids — ranging from ages 9 to 17 — participated in the program. Eleven who competed in the United States Lifesaving Association regional competition earned two first-place awards, five second-place and four third-place awards.

Participants learned about personal and public safety and interacted with EMS Ambulance, Coast Guard, Gulf Flight and marine life staffers.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa Junior Lifeguards season ends with success

VALPARAISO — A Heritage Alive! craft class — beginners basket weaving — starts Aug. 16 at the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida.

Instructor Lou Holt will teach students to make a paper plate basket. Attendees can learn a new skill, experience an age-old tradition and create something uniquely theirs, a spokesperson said.

The class, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., costs $35 — $30 for museum members — and includes all materials. 

Space is limited; call 678-2615 or visit the Heritage Museum, 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso, to register.  

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Beginners basket weaving class set next week

CRESTVIEW — Residents kicked, stretched, Zumba’d and ultimately raised $1,127 for Drew Barefield during a weekend fundraiser hosted by Gordon Martial Arts.

The “Do it for Drew” event attracted upward of 250 supporters, who enjoyed an inflatable slide, Zumba and yoga lessons and taekwando demonstrations.

A surprise visit by a Ninja Turtle that’s been making appearances around town added to the festive atmosphere while trading kicks with some of the academy’s students.

Other businesses donated money from sales during the event. Hideaway Pizza raised more than $400, martial arts academy Master Thomas Gordon said.

Crestview Crossfit, Buddy’s View BBQ, Triple Threat Cheer and Dance, Adams Party Rentals, White Sands Hair and Tanning, Charlotte’s Used Furniture, Action Water Spray Car Wash, Gordon Air Conditioning, Hooter’s and Pawsitively Scrumptious Bark Bakery & Boutique also sponsored the event.

Drew, 12, was struck by a boater’s propeller while snorkeling June 28. The incident, a purported hit-and-run, is under investigation. Area fundraisers have been benefiting his family’s expenses for his care.                       

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'Do it for Drew' fundraiser nets $1,127 for injured boy