CRESTVIEW — Longtime Crestview Public Library champion Flo Lembeck died Saturday morning, surrounded by her children, after a brief hospitalization.

“We are so sad,” children’s librarian Heather Nitzel said. “She was a fighter for the library …"

Lembeck was the Friends of the Crestview Library's first president. “The Whiz Kid” sculpture in front of the building is dedicated to Lembeck and in memory of her late husband Ted, who also supported the institution.

“When I think about Flo, I remember how she loved libraries and believed that everybody should love libraries,” library director Jean Lewis said. “She was diligent to make sure our library was the very best it could be.”

AVID READER

Lembeck, a former Crestview High School teacher, was also an avid reader, reference librarian Sandra Dreaden said.

“Flo’s favorite genre was mystery,” Dreaden said. “She would be back in the mystery section lapping up those books. She had a giant planner and kept lists of everything she read. She had read the entire Sue Grafton series.”

Each book in the mystery series starts with the next successive letter of the alphabet, Dreaden said.

“When she passed away, she was back at B,” she said. “I told her daughter, ‘She couldn’t only be at B.’ Her daughter said, ‘Oh no, she was re-reading them.’”

Lembeck was instrumental in establishing the Okaloosa Public Library Cooperative in 1998, which permits patrons of any county library to borrow books from any other library in the cooperative, Dreaden said.

‘A MARVELOUS LADY’

After Lembeck was hospitalized at North Okaloosa Medical Center last week, Dreaden visited her.

“The weird thing is, I went to go see her Friday after work,” Dreaden said. “Sunday I went back to take her a bouquet of herbs and flowers and saw her room had been cleared.”

Lembeck’s daughter, Anne Weaver, left Crestview library staffers a note over the weekend advising them of her mother’s death. The note stated that Lembeck’s three children were with her when she died.

“She was just so special,” Dreaden said. “A marvelous, marvelous lady. If there is anyone this community should thank because we have a library like we do, and a cooperative like we do, it was Flo Lembeck.”

Funeral services for Flo Lembeck are 10:30 a.m. Thursday following 9:30 a.m. visitation at the First United Methodist Church of Crestview, 599 Eighth Ave. Lembeck will be buried beside her husband, Ted, at Barrancas National Cemetery at Naval Air Station Pensacola. The Crestview Public Library will be closed in memory of Lembeck during her funeral so that staff may attend.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Longtime Crestview library champion, 'a marvelous lady,' dies

CRESTVIEW — Ken Blackburn, an aerospace engineer and former Guinness World Record holder for paper airplane time aloft (27.60 seconds), will present “Aerodynamics for Dummies: Folding & Flying Paper Airplanes” for the Aug. 5 First Tuesday Series program at the Crestview Public Library. 

This free program is suitable for children ages 6 and up through adult. Participants will get to fold a paper airplane based upon his award-winning design and test fly them outside (weather permitting) for a chance to win one of Blackburn’s bestselling paper airplane books.

Blackburn works as a civil servant at Eglin Air Force Base, performing research on small, unmanned air vehicles.  He and his wife Lauren live in Okaloosa  County.

The program begins at 10:30 a.m.  at the library, 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview. Juice, coffee and cookies will be served at 10 a.m. when the doors open.  Call 682-4432 for details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Learn about building the perfect paper airplane Aug. 5 from Ken Blackburn, aerospace engineer

CRESTVIEW — Micah Brannon knows firsthand what it's like when the community rallies for a common cause.

The 14-year-old's cousin, Drew Barefield, is recovering from a June 28 boating accident, an apparent hit-and-run that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is still investigating. A boat propeller hit the 12-year-old while he snorkeled in shallow water off Walton County’s Choctaw Beach.

Meanwhile, countless North Okaloosa residents have supported the family by organizing fundraisers, donating money, wearing T-shirts or wristbands, or simply changing their Facebook profile picture to a graphic that states, "#prayfordrew."

The Barefields will receive more support during a 3:30 p.m. check presentation Tuesday at the McDonald's fast food restaurant on North Ferdon Boulevard in Crestview. The restaurant's owners, owners, Costa Enterprises, will announce how much they raised after agreeing to donate 20 percent of last Monday's 4-8 p.m. sales. Emmanuel Baptist Church youths called the benefit "McDrew Night."

“It’s phenomenal seeing all of the support behind the family,” Micah said. “Just seeing all of the people wearing the T-shirts supporting Drew (and) nobody told them to; it’s just great.”

Drew's sister, Savannah, who joined Micah and cousin, Moriah, for the McDonald's benefit — also expressed appreciation.

“This is so humbling, to see all of these people supporting him,” she said. “My family feels so blessed.”

Dennis Ealy, area supervisor for Costa Enterprises, said many thanked him for the fundraiser.

 However, "it’s really not needed, because this is something that we really want to do,” he said.

HOW TO HELP

Fundraisers for Drew Barefield, a 12-year-old recovering from a June 28 boating accident, are as follows:

•Chill, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 26: 20 percent of yogurt sales at 2218 S. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview, will benefit the Barefields.

•Gordon Martial Arts, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 2: The West Oakdale Avenue parking lot in Crestview will facilitate numerous vendors. Bring booth supplies such as a tent, tables and chairs. Details: 682-5214.

•Half Boston butts are available; call Mercedes Jones, 826-2014, to order 10- to 14-pound roasts. Payment is due Aug. 5; pickup tentatively is Aug. 8 and 9. Pick-up sites will be in Crestview, Laurel Hill, Milton, and possibly Niceville and Destin.

•BBVA Compass Bank's Drew Barefield Donation Account is accepting contributions.

•Paypal users can send monetary donations to hattiebrannon@gmail.com.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Fast food restaurant's owners schedule check presentation for Barefield family

CRESTVIEW — Countywide geocaching, a road rally and TV spots are among ideas considered for Okaloosa County’s 2015 Centennial.

“We have so many wonderful experiences in Okaloosa County,” public information officer Kathy Newby said during the last Friends of the Crestivew Public Library meeting. “We’re not going to re-create the wheel. We are gathering information on those events and things we already have: festivals, parades, museums and all of that.”

Ideas include: creating a map of Okaloosa's city, state and county parks, museums, historic sites and places of interest; organizing an Experience Okaloosa Road Rally, with participants receiving stamps on a passport or finding clues as proof of visiting each site; and a geotour with an accompanying geocache hunt, Newby said.

The county Parks Department already has a geocache trail, with a link for geocache fans on the department’s website.

Other ideas include “100 Minutes of History” TV spots similar to the “Bicentennial Minutes” broadcast during the nation’s 200th birthday.

“One Hundred Miles of History,” another idea broached during brainstorming sessions, would be a map participants follow to significant sites in the county’s history.

Two photo-filled county history books are also in the works, with one published by the North Okaloosa Heritage Association and the Baker Block Museum, and one published by the Crestview News Bulletin, the Northwest Florida Daily News and the Destin Log.

WANT TO HELP?

Okaloosa County officials welcome suggestions for events and activities celebrating the county’s 2015 centennial. Send ideas to county public information officer Kathy Newby, 651-7515, knewby@co.okaloosa.fl.us; or Crestview Mayor David Cadle, 682-3812, davidcadle@cityofcrestview.org.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Hotspot map, road rally, geohunt among Okaloosa centennial ideas

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. July 26 and 27 for unexploded ordinance removal. North and southbound drivers may use State 85 as a detour during the closures.

All planned construction activities are weather dependent and may be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. For the latest traffic advisories you may follow the Florida Department of Transportation District Three on Twitter.

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

CRESTVIEW — Savannah Barefield was excited to see the number of people inside the McDonald's restaurant Monday on North Ferdon Boulevard — especially since they were there to support her 12-year-old brother, Drew.

“This is so humbling, to see all of these people supporting him,” she said. “My family feels so blessed.”

 Savannah was one of several Emmanuel Baptist Church youths volunteering Monday night at the fast food restaurant. Many wore shirts and arm bracelets supporting Drew, who was critically injured from a June boating incident.

 Youth members even held homemade signs calling it ‘McDrew Night.’

PHOTOS: See 13 photos from the 'McDrew Night' >>

Costa Enterprises, which manages all three McDonald’s locations in Crestview, agreed to give 20 percent of all proceeds to Drew and family from sales made between 4 and 8 p.m. Monday at the North Ferdon location.

Youth members, helping regular staffers, greeted customers, delivered meals and cleaned tables. Face-painting and fundraising T-shirt sales were available to customers.

To cater to more customers, the church set more tables and seating in front of the restaurant.

Dennis Ealy, area supervisor for Costa, said many thanked him for allowing the fundraiser to happen.   

 “It’s really not needed, because this is something that we really want to do,” he said.

Joining Savannah were Drew’s 14-year-old cousin, Micah Brannon, and her sister, Moriah.

“It’s phenomenal seeing all of the support behind the family,” Micah said. “Just seeing all of the people wearing the T-shirts supporting Drew (and) nobody told them to; it’s just great.”

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Family: Community's support on 'McDrew' night 'phenomenal' (PHOTOS)

Drivers will encounter lane closures this week on I-10, State Road (S.R.) 85 and U.S. 98 in Okaloosa County as crews perform routine bridge maintenance.

Operations will take place at night from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. at the following locations:

·       Tuesday, July 22, I-10 over Shoal River (2.4 miles east of S.R. 85/ MM 56), eastbound outside lane

·       Wednesday, July 23, I-10 over Shoal River (2.4 miles east of S.R. 85/ MM 56), westbound outside lane

·       Thursday, July 24 S.R. 85 over Shoal River ( 2.4 miles south of I-10), northbound outside lane

·        Friday, July 25, U.S. 98 over East Pass (west end of Destin), eastbound outline lane

·       Saturday, July 26, U.S. 98 over East Pass (west end of Destin ), westbound outside lane 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Lane closures set for some bridges in Okaloosa County

A number of fundraisers will benefit a Crestview boy in a medically induced coma.

Drew Barefield was hit by a boat propeller on June 28 while snorkeling in shallow water off Walton County’s Choctaw Beach. The boat driver left the scene of the accident.

Fundraisers are as follows:                                        

•Chill, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 26: 20 percent of yogurt sales at the 2218 S. Ferdon Blvd., establishment will benefit the Barefields.

•Gordon Martial Arts, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 2: The West Oakdale Avenue parking lot will facilitate numerous vendors, event organizer Barbara Gordon said. Vendors should bring booth supplies such as a tent, tables and chairs. Call 682-5214 for details.

•A half Boston butt fundraiser—To order, call Mercedes Jones, 826-2014. Jones says the roasts are 10- to 14-pound half butts. Payment is due Aug. 5 and pickup will be Aug. 8 and 9 depending on how many orders are taken. Pick-up sites will be in Crestview, Laurel Hill, Milton, and possibly Niceville and Destin.

•BBVA Compass Bank's Drew Barefield Donation Account is accepting contributions.

•Paypal users can send monetary donations to hattiebrannon@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Fundraisers for Crestview boy scheduled