The Crestview Public Library's collection development policies and guidelines help us with our selections.

We use many American Library Association-approved periodicals such as “Publishers Weekly” and “Library Journal.” Both include the latest information about the publishing industry, bestseller books and book reviews.

Literary medal winners also are included in our selection process.

From the end of January to the beginning of February, I anxiously await the list of winners for Newbery, Caldecott and Coretta Scott King book awards.

The Newbery Medal — named for 18th century British bookseller John Newbery — is awarded by the Association for Library Service to Children, an American Library Association division. Authors chosen for the medal are recognized for having the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.

The 2014 winner was “Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures” by Kate DiCamillo.

The Caldecott Medal — named in honor of 19th century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott, also awarded by the Association for Library Service to Children — recognizes the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.

The 2014 award went to “Locomotive,” illustrated and written by Brian Floca.

The Coretta Scott King Book Awards recognize outstanding African-American authors and illustrators.

"The award commemorates the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and honors his wife, Mrs. Coretta Scott King, for her courage and determination to continue the work for peace and world brotherhood," the Medford Public Library's website states.

To earn the award, books for children and young adults must demonstrate appreciation of African-American culture and universal human values.

The 2014 award went to “P.S. Be Eleven” by Rita Williams-Garcia.

Jean Lewis is the Crestview Public Library's director.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CHECK IT OUT: Award-winning books among library selections

VALPARAISO —  Floral design enthusiasts can learn more about fashionable arrangements next month during the Niceville Garden Club's classes.

The classes are 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 2, 16 and 30 and Sept. 13 and 27, and Oct. 11 at the Valparaiso Public Library in the Mitchell Building, 459 Valparaiso Parkway. All six classes cost $75.

Classes are taught by state-certified instructors who are nationally accredited Flower Show Judges.

Students should bring their lunch; organizers will provide drinks and desserts at no extra cost.

Contact Marsha Palmer, nvgc1@cox.net or 573-2422, to register.

July 26 is the deadline for registration and payment.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Basic floral design classes begin next month

CRESTVIEW — Crestview Civitan Club members know more about the North Okaloosa Community Emergency Response Team following a July 10 presentation by CERT volunteer Robert Clisham.

The CERT program educates people about disaster preparedness for potential area hazards and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. 

CERT is always in need of volunteers of all capabilities, from young and able-bodied to mature, detail-oriented individuals. For details, email Kristina Boone, N. Okaloosa CERT president.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Community response team volunteer speaks at Civitan Club meeting

Kathy Newby, the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioner’s public information officer, will speak at 10:30 a.m. on July 17, 2014, at the Crestview Public Library. 

Newby will discuss Okaloosa County’s Centennial in 2015, new developments within the county, and ways to communicate and stay informed, as well as take questions. The Friends of the Crestview Library general business meeting will follow and the public is invited to both.

Kathy Newby has been PIO since 2006 with Okaloosa County and is trained to fulfill that role in a county emergency. She has lived in the area since 1995, when she arrived as a military wife, and vacationed in the area while growing up in Alabama. Since that time, she has worked along the Emerald Coast in a variety of marketing, advertising and public relations capacity. She and her husband always loved this area and made it home upon their military retirement. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Newby, Okaloosa public information officer, to speak at Crestview library

HOLT — So far, the Jaxon Long Leukemia Fund on GiveForward.com has accumulated more than $2,600.

And Holt Academy staff and parents have raised $1,600 on top of that by selling candy bars.

It all benefits former school employee Angie Pinkerton's 2-year-old grandson, who was diagnosed in May with acute lymphocytic leukemia diagnosis.

Pinkerton, the academy's former lead teacher for 2-year-olds, and her husband, Andy, moved to Ringgold, Ga., earlier this year to assist her daughter, Tiffany Long's, family of four.

Academy co-owner Jennifer Derrick said she and others were inspired to help Pinkerton, who was considered a valuable employee during her five years at the academy.

“She is just amazing with kids … the parents and children just loved her,” Derrick said. “She treated the kids like they were her own … we hated to lose her.”

Besides, Derrick, who's had no traces of cancer for four years, knows the high cost of cancer treatments and medications.

“Cancer is not cheap,” she said. “I really wanted to do something to help (Jaxon).”

Prior to Jaxon’s diagnosis, Derrick said the academy was planning to use the World’s Finest Chocolate candy bar fundraiser to purchase supplies.

However, the staff decided to donate the proceeds to Pinkerton’s family instead.

Pinkerton said she was “surprised” and “overjoyed” when she learned about the decision.

“We are all just so thankful,” she said. “I miss them all so much.”    

Jaxon is doing well after receiving medical treatments at a children’s hospital in Chattanooga, Tenn., Pinkerton said. 

“(Doctors) said his progress is good right now,” she said. “He is right where he needs to be.”

HOW TO HELP

Visit http://bit.ly/1odrvAd to support Jaxon Long and his family

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Holt residents support beloved teacher's grandson who has cancer

CRESTVIEW — North county families’ history will soon be part of an elegant coffee table book commemorating Okaloosa County’s centennial next year.

Before Jon Shields of Pediment Publishing could set up his high-resolution scanner at the Crestview Public Library, eight residents were ready to share their family memories.

Pre-order “Okaloosa County Memories">> 

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Shields said the Crestview response was “excellent,” and far surpassed the book project’s first scanning session at Northwest Florida State College, which only one person attended.

As often happens locally when family photos get pulled out, soon small groups were chatting, passing around pictures and laughing while reminiscing over shared experiences.

While retired teacher Janis Griffin patiently waited with a large envelope of pictures, her cousin Barbara Adams walked in with an envelope of her own.

“Look, here’s Uncle Purl,” Adams said, passing Griffin a photo of her father-in-law, Purl Adams, who built many downtown buildings in the 1920s and ‘30s, including the Alatex Building.

Billye Carter and Joe Barley shared stories of their years in the First United Methodist Church while Barley showed pictures of former Crestview City Councilman Sam Hayes leading the first official delegation to Noirmoutier, France, in 1994.

Reference librarian Sandra Dreaden produced an overflowing box of photos and memorabilia donated by Eva Fountain from the first Bob Sikes library in Twin Hills Park, including photos of former U.S. Rep. Sikes speaking at the dedication.

Shields pored over James E. Cain’s bulging photo album, including pictures of Cain’s grandfather at the family sugar mill on the Yellow River in the early part of the 20th century.

“We got us a lot of history right here,” Cain said, patting the album.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: North Okaloosa residents contribute to centennial book

EDITOR'S NOTE: Mr. Briggs requested that his name not be published given the circumstances.

HOLT — Chronic active hepatitis purportedly plagues an emaciated paint quarter horse named Justice who is receiving care at Safe Haven Horse Rescue Center in Laurel Hill.

Dr. Jim Culotta, a Fort Walton Beach veterinarian, made the diagnosis.  

However, Safe Haven director Jim Bryan, who took the horse to a veterinary specialist in Milton, said Justice has liver failure. 

He will not know the horse’s health prognosis for at least a couple of weeks, he said, adding that Justice is starting to show signs of improvement.

Mr. Briggs, who raises horses in Holt, said he and his family have been unfairly judged, even threatened via Facebook, since their former horse became ill.

It started June 27, when residents passing by his private residence saw the horse, with protruding bones, he said.

Residents allegedly contacted Okaloosa County commissioners and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Briggs said.

“It’s being put out there that I hurt these horses and I don’t,” he said.

The Florida Agriculture Department and the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society have stated there was no evidence of wrongdoing.

“Everybody has said ‘no neglect, no abuse’,” he said.

In his 40 years of taking care of horses, Briggs said dealing with this type of illness is a first. As a precaution, he is having his other  horses tested by a veterinarian to ensure they are healthy.

“I have never had an issue with this type of ailment before,” he said. “I was out here every waking minute with (Justice) trying to figure out what more I could do for him.”

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Vet: Emaciated horse not neglected; has hepatitis

CHIPLEY   — Drivers will encounter evening lane closures in the outside right lanes of State Road 20 east and westbound between Roberts Drive and the Walton County line from  7 p.m. through 5 a.m. nightly July 13-17. The closures will allow crews to work on curbs and sidewalks. 

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: Evening lane closures planned in Okaloosa County