CRESTVIEW — For over 20 years, Chicken Soup for the Soul books have lined bookstore shelves, with over 200 editions to date. Each edition highlights 101 inspirational stories submitted by ordinary people.

Works by Crestview resident Mary Beth Sturgis have been published twice in Chicken Soup for the Soul, with her latest submission available in the edition titled, "The Best Advice I Ever Heard."

Sturgis' personal essay, called "Exit Forward," highlights her experience coping with a failing marriage.

A nurse who retired after 40 years, she writes about the moment a friend encouraged her to seek therapy after anxiety about the divorce led to an outburst of emotions during a work meeting.

"I couldn't keep doing what I was doing," Sturgis said.

Sturgis came in contact with a therapist she trusted and actively sought help.

In the essay, she writes about the different techniques her therapist used.

In one session, her therapist gave her a difficult homework assignment — write a letter to her late father with an explanation about the divorce.

Though Sturgis faced trying moments, the essay ends on a positive note with lessons she values to this day.

"It's important to get the message out that when you need help: 1. Ask for it. 2. Listen to your friends that say you need to get help," the Crestview author said.

Sturgis said this moment in her life encouraged her to "reconnect with God."

"God was watching out for me and I didn’t even know it," she said.

By acknowledging and expressing her emotions through therapy, she learned to remain optimistic about the future.

"There's always hope no matter that happens in life," Sturgis said. "…Strong faith is the greatest hope."

Today, Sturgis said she is happily remarried to her husband, Ed. She enjoys spending time with family and gardening with her husband.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'Strong faith is the greatest hope'

CRESTVIEW — An Oct. 31 tour of Hurricane Michael’s destruction through hard-hit communities emphasized to Crestview officials how fortunate their community was when the storm veered east.

As a result of the tour, the City Council agreed at its Nov. 5 meeting to begin evaluating the storm readiness of Crestview municipal buildings. The city will have a structural engineer evaluate the buildings and proceed from there, according to a statement by Mayor David Cadle.

Police Chief Jamie Grant, Cadle, council members Joe Blocker and Bill Cox, and Fire Marshal Rodney Lancaster visited devastated neighborhoods in Parker, Springfield, Calloway and Lynn Haven. Residential streets were lined with cut-up downed trees, limbs, and debris from smashed homes. Houses were covered in blue tarps.

From its windows, Bay Medical Sacred Heart Hospital in Lynn Haven dripped giant, multi-colored ducts that pumped cool air from portable air conditioners into the facility, but what struck the officials most was the amount of damage to metal public buildings including firehouses, police stations, churches, stores and community centers.

Many of Crestview’s public buildings employ the same inexpensive but storm-vulnerable construction, including  the Whitehurst Municipal Building that houses the police department.

During Michael’s sideswipe, gusts that reached 50 miles per hour made the Whitehurst Building’s metal panels shudder in the wind and its vehicle bay door flexed and rattled, often alarmingly.

A stronger strike on the building could’ve not only injured or killed first responders sheltering inside, but could also have confounded upcoming, ongoing and previous court cases had police evidence and records been compromised, damaged or blown away.

“It’s secure protection for communications, evidence, records and a place to shelter police officers and firefighters if a storm approaches” that is needed, Grant said as the inspection tour stopped in Springfield. There, the town’s firefighters sought shelter in equipment lockers aboard a new firetruck as the hurricane peeled parts off their new fire station.

The week after the storm, during the CPD’s first delivery of needed supplies for affected law enforcement agencies, Grant saw how perilous Crestview’s situation could’ve been.

Meeting with Parker Police Chief Dennes Hutto, the officials heard harrowing stories of trying to re-establish basic services and communications in a community that was so devastated that some streets were unrecognizable even to police officers who routinely patrolled them. Since the storm, the Parker police officials set up a command center in the town's firehouse, which had recently been storm strengthened through a federal grant.

Even with the reinforcement, “when the wind blew, the walls of that building were bowing out like bellows,” Chief Hutto said.

Blocker, whose professional career had been in construction supervision, understands the structural and engineering challenges the devastated communities face, and their lesson to address the storm-readiness of Crestview’s public infrastructure.

“I can only imagine if it (the storm) had hit us,” he said. “We were sure blessed. From what I saw, we need to start looking at our own buildings. Not later but now.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: ‘This could’ve been Crestview’

CRESTVIEW — The nonprofit New Way of Life Outreach Ministry is preparing for its annual Thanksgiving Feast and needs help with donations and Thanksgiving-day servers.

New Way of Life is asking all businesses and individuals in the surrounding areas to help feed the homeless and hungry.

"I know that there are a lot of us that don't know what it is like to b ehungry and in need and without family this time of year," a press release from New Way of Life says.

The organization is asking for turkeys and hams, vegetables, canned goods, eggs, disposable plates and utensils, dairy products and desserts. The organization asks that all donations be in by Nov. 19.

New Way of Life is also asking for help to serve food Thanksgiving Day.

"This is an open invitation to all military, (emergency medical service), Sheriff department and any type of law enforcement," the press release says, "to come out and participate with us on Thanksgiving day at 2 p.m."

Call 826-5908 or 826-5909 for more information and a complete list of needs. New Way of Life is located at 398 North Spring St. in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Nonprofit seeks donations for Thanksgiving outreach

CRESTVIEW — A Crestview group against animal abuse continues protesting the Loomis Bros Circus returning to Crestview for the 11th year.

Andrew Pratt started a petition back in August, which has over 2,000 signatures.

Pratt said he made Mayor David Cadle and the Crestview Historic Preservation Board (CHPB) aware of the petition.

Cadle said he encouraged Pratt to bring his concerns before the council because there is no city ordinance protecting circus animals against abuse.

"The council seems to be open to discussing it further," Cadle said.

However, an ordinance would not be a quick fix because it would have to go through two readings.

Pratt spoke to the Crestview city council at the Nov. 5 meeting.

"Like many in Crestview, I'm a military veteran, and just as I served to protect others then, I continue to do that today," Pratt said. "…I'm an advocate for animals and a voice for those who have no voice."

Pratt called for the city to switch to an all-human circus.

"It's just as easy to invite an animal-free circus to Crestview instead," Pratt said. "It's as simple as dialing a different phone number. You can get the same experience from shows like Cirque du Soleil and Cirque Italia that routinely tour Florida."

The CHPB uses the circus as a fundraising opportunity.

According to Pratt, Loomis Bros Circus has been cited multiple times by the USDA for violating the Animal Welfare Act.

Last year, Justin Loomis, owner of the circus, denied these allegations calling them "fake news."

Pratt and the group Crestview Against Animal Abuse plan to hold a demonstration on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

Our message is simply that exploitation of animals is outdated and unnecessary when other alternatives are available," Pratt said in a Facebook message.

Ann Spann, a CHPB board member, said she was not aware of the petition.

When asked about the protest against the Loomis Bros Circus, Spann said the board would not comment.

After similar complaints, Fort Walton Beach ended their relationship with Cole Bros. Circus in 2015 and switched to Cirque Italia, a solely human circus cast.

"I’m asking the CHPB and the people of Crestview to make a simple change and support an animal-free circus for next year, just as FWB did this year," Pratt said in a Facebook message. "It’s all the fun and excitement of the circus, but without unnecessary cruelty that comes from forcing captive animals to perform just to make a quick buck."

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview group continues protest against Loomis Bros Circus

CRESTVIEW — One of the core values at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Crestview is to "live sent."

"Live sent means to live every day in a way that shows the love of Jesus to the people around you," Amy Anderson, the pastor's wife, said.

This core value motivates many programs and missions in the church, including support of foster care programs and adoptive families — both near and dear to the pastor and his wife.

"For me personally, it hits home," Anderson said.

Anderson and her husband adopted two children they once fostered.

Emmanuel Baptist Church has been working with foster and adoptive families for several years, Anderson said.

On Wednesday night during a typical ladies small-group, Anderson and a group of about 15 women gathered to sort through bags and boxes of clothing.

"(Our small group) is partnered with Families First Network to help them in various ways by getting these supplies ready for kids they serve and also doing small things to encourage them, as workers, in their day-to-day challenges in child welfare," Anderson said.

Each piece of clothing was separated by age and gender and placed in designated boxes.

The clothes went to a storage unit the Families First Network rented. Foster families will be able to take whatever piece of clothing they need.

"It helps them financially because they don’t need to go out and cover all those costs initially," Anderson said.

This was just one of many nights Emmanuel Baptist Church helped foster and adoptive families in the Crestview area.

All of the church's small groups partner with a community organization throughout the year, Anderson said.

"We just pick a month every year where we emphasize that as a church and serve all together at the same time," Anderson said.

Anderson said the church also hosts training and different support groups for families looking to adopt or foster and families that have already adopted or currently foster.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'Live sent'

Reader Question: We bought our home about six months ago. The house seemed perfect. It is very well-kept, and it came through the home inspection with flying colors. We have met some friendly neighbors, and we love living here. That said, we have experienced some expensive issues; the water heater failed, siding blew off in a windstorm, a costly plumbing leak in a bathroom pipe, and now the water softener is making strange noises. We are starting to feel like we bought a lemon. Is it normal that all these repairs and replacements would happen in such a short time frame? 

Monty’s Answer: While it is possible that you bought a lemon, your description of the house and the fact it aced the inspection indicate that you have experienced a coincidence. You may not have another event for an extended period. As a caution, budgeting for the realization that homeownership involves continuing repairs and maintenance helps when these events occur. 

A recap of your issues 

A windstorm is an act of nature. Assuming you live in a neighborhood where many homes are nearby, is your home the only one that suffered? If it was the only one damaged, was it situated differently; as at the top of a ridge or in an open clearing? If there were other casualties, it suggests that it was a mighty wind. All water heaters fail, and it can be difficult to predict when failures will occur. Two identical water heaters installed in homes on the same day could fail 15 years apart. Water softeners fall into that same category. According to the property insurance industry non-roof water damage and plumbing issues are both in the top five claim categories. 

Home inspection limitations

Inspections describe observable conditions on a particular date. The very next day, many components could fail without notice. These components have specific characteristics in common. They contain or transmit one or more of the following: Water, electronics, mechanical parts or electricity. Plumbing fixtures and piping, appliances, furnaces, air compressors and water heaters can instantly cease to function. Some failures need only a part to resume operation, while others are more economical to replace. Spending $400 to repair an old $700 dishwasher is not practical. 

Other products wear out as well, but over more extended periods of time. Concrete, stone, steel and glass have the most extended useful lives, especially when not exposed to the elements. The sun, wind, water and air (at specific temperatures) cause deterioration or contribute to events that take a toll on all homes. 

The most significant enemy of a house, however, is its occupants. Living in a home wears it out. Wood, plaster, sheetrock, electrical wiring encapsulated inside the walls of the home will last indefinitely. The components that do not contain the four characteristics mentioned above usually will give a warning that they need repair or replacement; roof shingles curl up their edges, windows show condensation, siding fades and carpet wears. 

Repair 

Should we repair or replace? Consider the age, cost, quality and advice of trusted technicians. Some problems have multiple solutions and technicians will suggest different approaches. Certain costly repairs, such as a new HVAC system beg for second or even third opinions. 

Maintain 

Scheduling regular maintenance is the best defense to ward off severe problems before they happen. It takes a bit of effort to develop a schedule initially, but tasks broken-down into annual, monthly or more frequent service is the way to keep ahead of the surprises. Learn more about maintaining your home at https://dearmonty.com/costs-home-maintenance/ 

Prevent 

Vigilance is your best protection. If you have a basement, get in the habit of taking a walk through it twice a week. Watch for water near appliances that handle water, like a furnace-mounted dehumidifier or water softener. Any strange sounds or odors? Are there signs of mice or insects? If you have unused or low traffic rooms walk through them and look for broken glass, flush a toilet, watch for things that shouldn’t be there such as blistered plaster, dead insects or condensation on the window sills. Walk around your home’s exterior after a storm or once a week to see that everything is in place. Every couple of years, either walk the roof or hire a pro to do it. Any bird nests or roof rats? Are the gas vents unobstructed? Any loose shingles? Spotting early warning signs can prevent small repairs from becoming significant projects.

Richard Montgomery is the author of “House Money – An Insider’s Secrets to Saving Thousands When You Buy or Sell a Home.” He is a real estate industry veteran who advocates industry reform and offers readers unbiased real estate advice. Find him at DearMonty.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Is our house a lemon?

CRESTVIEW — Michael D. Frabott, a local wood artist and craftsman, is having another show of his work in November and December at the Crestview Public Library.

"I have a lot of wood-turned objects that spread the whole gamut: kitchen stuff, decorations for the house, a lot of Christmas items," Frabott said.

Frabott's interest in woodworking comes from his dad, he said, when he was young. He studied industrial arts in college, learning drafting and how to make furniture from conception through the completed object.

After college, he taught those skills to various college and high school students, 13 of those years taking place at Crestview High School.

Frabott's current projects have purpose. 

"Everything's pretty practical," he said. "It's useful. I do a lot of jewelry holders, key racks, mug holders — wood-turned stuff on a wood lathe."

Some of his completed works include a brightly painted, Christmas tree-shaped K-cup holder, a ring holder, and wooden and glass candy dishes.

"People are welcome to come up and see what I have on display there. That's only part of the stuff I have available," he said.

"I've got so much stuff around the house, my wife's trying to shove me out," he said, laughing.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview woodworker showcases items at library

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Redevelopment Agency and Courthouse Suites, LLC have entered into a partnership contract.

The contract allows the CRA to use three office spaces on the ground floor of the building rent free for the next five years.

According to CRA Director Alisa Burleson, the agency will have full authority on how the rental spaces are utilized.

The three offices will be used as the CRA director's office, a classroom for a new CRA Entrepreneurial Program, and an office for the Main Street director, Burleson said.

Courthouse Suites, in the redevelopment area, will receive a $100,000 subsidy from the CRA to go towards offsetting part of the building costs.

According to the meeting agenda, the funds are not expected to be paid until the Courthouse Suites project is completed, and CRA has moved into the office spaces.

The money will come from the "Grant Matching Funding, Leasing and Partnerships" portion of the CRA budget.

Burleson said this portion of the budget currently has $134,000.

Once Courthouse Suites receives the $100,000, the remaining $34,000 will go to the Main Street Association partnership, Burleson said.

The lease agreement was drafted and reviewed by the CRA attorney Carol Leone.

Commissioner Shannon Hayes said an additional attorney should review the lease.

However, Commissioner Nathan Boyles said that Leone represented the board well in the partnership with Courthouse Suites.

"What I can say in my unbiased opinion having set up here, I believe this board has a quality attorney," Boyles said. "…Certainly from my position, I'm confident in the product she prepared for you. That's what you pay her for."

Alex Barthe, owner of Courthouse Suites, purchased the property in February.

The former historic lodge will be converted into office and retail space. The project is expected to be completed by June 1, 2019.

Courthouse Suites is located next to the new Okaloosa County Courthouse in Downtown Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Courthouse Suites and CRA enter a partnership

Words can heal or words can kill. Words can build up or tear down. They can make people glad or make people mad.

We like to be able to use words in America and use them freely. Freedom of speech is our first amendment right. However, we could all work on the tone of our speech.

Tone can incite a riot or calm an angry mob. We all know how we like for  people to talk to us and we need to utilize our tone preferences in our own communication with others.

Media has been pointing the finger at President Trump to tone down his forceful rhetoric.  While they have been pointing one finger at him there are three pointing back.

CNN and NBC and others have tried to blame the recent bomb attacks and Pittsburgh's  horrendous synagogue slayings on Trump's speeches. Sadly, violence and mass shootings have been happening a long time before Trump.

National media found what a frenzy could do for their ratings when Nixon was exited from the White House during Watergate. We never heard about President Kennedy's escapades or much about President Johnson's activities, not that anybody cared much what Johnson did. Back then all we saw on the news were journalists reporting from gruesome Vietnam battle scenes or marches in Alabama.

Today, the 24-hour focus of some networks and media outlets has become to do whatever possible to deface our president. Thus according to some,  the sad and scary man living in a van covered with Trump and other kinds of stickers who mailed out bombs was the fault of our President. The sudden mass killing of people worshiping in a Pittsburgh synagogue was blamed on the rhetoric of the President by some.

Everybody in America needs to accept some responsibility for where we are and what we have become. We like free speech but speech should always be used responsibly. We like the right to bear arms but guns must be kept secure and always used responsibly. Words can be dangerous and guns can and do kill people.

Actually, words are killing us in this country today. I don't like that our president commended a politician for body slamming someone. I don't like that our media has not let up for even one day and allowed him try to do his job without harassment. Whatever happened to everyone supporting the person elected because it benefits all of us if our country and those who represent us are successful?

Trump has had no choice but to defend himself using Twitter. Sounds insane. Who would have ever imagined?

What frustrates much of today's media is that Trump does defend himself. He doesn't take the garbage thrown at him by pundits. He throws it back and that drives them crazy. In the past, most politicians have had to take the jabs and stabs. There was no way for the politician to really amplify his side of the allegation or verbal assault.

Today, politicians can talk back and make their own cases without the support of liberal or conservative media. The big problem is that there has been little to no limits on the words by everyone. This has to change, but especially the tone in which language is used. Hate speech of any kind often leads to other violent acts and violent acts are happening more and more.

We should try a tone-down day in America or maybe even a week or a month. How could it hurt? Please, all of us, all media, all politicians, journalists, stop the trash talk. Words inflame, incite, enrage, provoke, create hatred and are killing us in America. The louder we scream and call each other names the more bad things seem to happen. Let's all remember with freedom of speech  that we have volume and tone controls and we need to adjust accordingly.

Glenn Mollette is an American syndicated columnist and author. 

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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: The tone of our free speech

CRESTVIEW — Barbara Harrison, Outreach Chair for the Sand Dunes Chapter of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America, presented a Habitat for Humanity Welcome Sampler to Shawna Holman and her three daughters on October 26 at the dedication of her new home in Crestview.

This is the 61st home built by Okaloosa's Habitat for Humanity. The sampler was stitched by Mickey Stovall and framed by Cynthia Hardesty.

Sand Dunes meets on the second and fourth Sunday of the month from 1:30-4:30 p.m., at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, Niceville. Visitors are welcome.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Embroiderers' Guild welcomes new Habitat For Humanity homeowner