CRESTVIEW — Seldom is there an opportunity for area seniors, special-needs individuals, and weary caregivers to improve or upgrade a significant change to their condition.

But not anymore!

Eden at Crestview, an assisted living and memory care community, is now in advanced construction with occupancy beginning early next year. Eden at Crestview, Florida an assisted living and memory care community has been carefully designed for residents just as these for their comfort and convenience.

Moving can be a major consequence for anyone, but completing a move to Eden is not so worrisome. Arrangements have been put in place to make the move from home to Eden a smooth and seamless undertaking.

"Transition is a concern for both the family and the residents," Alan Woods, Eden of Crestview’s executive director, said.

But he says that once it takes place, both the family and residents typically see a dramatic change for the better.

"The resident has a new life, finds joy in living, and looks forward to the days ahead," he said.

The resident has been living at home and now must move to an unknown place so that in and of itself is a cause for concern. The benefits typically outweigh the scary move to a new environment.

There are many options offered at Ede of Crestview which serve to ease the move. Freedom of movement, choice of activities and supported independence open a whole new world for residents.

But Eden of Crestview is not a nursing home. It is an assisted living and memory care community, which furnishes an environment and stimulating activities that give its residents far more choices in lifestyles and wide ranging opportunities — socialization for instance.

Many times Mom or Dad, or both become isolated from the outside world.  Residents cannot or do not drive. Family is usually busy with life and cannot make it over often. Resulting isolation causes many issues, both mental and physical.

Residents at Eden will be around and with others that they can relate to and socialize with at all times.

Safety is paramount and is a factor which residents enjoy both day in and day out, with help available whenever it  is needed. Assistance with medication and the availability of well-0rounded, nutritious meals are available as well. Restaurant style dining is means that not only is it a convenience, it means that all the shopping and cooking are done for the resident tool.

And spiritually? Residents may not be able to attend church, so there are several denominations that will come to Eden.

With advantages such as these, Eden is far above nursing home status.

Now there is a choice! You can choose to stay at an assisted living community. The Eden community will be home and homelike…not the clinical, sterile facility of a nursing home. You come and go as you please. 

Eden of Crestview is located at 575 Redstone Avenue. And with a prestigious, high-profile address in the heart of Crestview, its location is a favorable one where residents can enjoy a maintenance-free, care-free, and enjoyable life-style.

Reservations are now being taken for occupancy early new year.  Contact Executive Director Alan Woods at 850-417-0103 or by e-mail at Alan@livingateden.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Eden of Crestview smooths transition to new environment

CRESTVIEW — A local child opened a lemonade stand for donations shortly after Hurricane Michael took its toll.

Three days after Hurricane Michael swept through Bay County, Riley Martin, 3, ran a lemonade stand outside her home.

Donations she received at the stand went to the purchase of supplies for young hurricane survivors.

“Riley wanted to help the kids impacted by Michael,” her mom, Taylor Martin, said. ”She did surprisingly well (at her lemonade stand). We then went and bought supplies, mostly picked by her.”

Among Riley’s selections were Halloween snacks, crayons and coloring books. Plus there were blankets, juice boxes, several gallons of water, applesauce, toilet paper, paper towels, drink mixes, baby food, and bottles.

Riley and her family took the items to the Crestview Police Department, who then delivered them to families in hurricane-damaged areas.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview 3-year-old helps children with supplies after hurricane

CRESTVIEW — Two Panama City residents displaced from Hurricane Michael reside at the Crestview Manor three weeks after the storm created a path of destruction through the Florida Panhandle.

Sitting in the activity room at the assisted living facility, Teresita Deason and Angela Littey have nothing but the clothes on their back, donations from the community in their room, and smiles on their faces.

Deason and Littey suffer from terminal cancer and remain under the care of Emerald Coast Hospice.

Both women said they’re blessed.

“I am so secure, and I am so thankful and blessed,” Littey said. “…I am so grateful because other people did reach out helping everybody.”

“God is always with me, and I’m so close to Him so I don’t worry,” Deason said. “…This is the first time I’ve been in this place, and I cannot say anything more. Everything you need is here, and it’s just like your own home. I feel like I’m home.”

While wiping the tears from her eyes, Crestview Manor’s director, Beck Brice-Nash said she was thankful to get to know Deason and Littey.

“When they came here, they blessed us,” Brice-Nash said.

Deason and Littey lived two separate stories prior to the storm.

They had never met, but both women found comfort in their similarities.

“As soon as (Deason) walked in, it started just like that,” Littey said.

Now sharing a room in Crestview, Littey was 15 minutes away from Deason the day of the storm.

Littey lived on the 12th floor of St. Andrews Towers, which suffered maximum damage. Littey lost everything in her apartment, and many of the tower’s residents remain homeless.

Around 7 a.m. the day of the storm, Littey was evacuated to one of the three main shelters.

Littey recalls having about 300 people in the high school gymnasium, where she stayed during the storm.

“The whole gymnasium was quiet…All of the sudden there was grumbling at the door and sounded like a train was coming through,” Littey said.

The cafeteria was filled with about nine hospice patients and two nurses, but Littey said she remained with the general population in the gym.

“I stayed there a week and a half,” Littey said. “I slept on a mat on the floor before they got in cots for everybody.”

Littey only spoke positively about her experience at the shelter.

“Everybody was nice,” Littey said. “It was like a calling…We did the best we could.”

After a week and a half at the shelter, the director from St. Andrews Tower told the residents they would be leaving for Pensacola.

Littey stayed over night at the Clarion Inn in Pensacola and left at about 10 a.m. the next morning.

“Hospice found out where I was finally again,” Littey said. “I was roughin’ it.”

From Pensacola, Littey was brought to the Crestview Manor.

Two hours later, she met her new roommate — Deason.

Deason has lived in Florida for more than 50 years.

She has been through hurricanes before, but she didn’t realize the magnitude of Hurricane Michael until it hit.

Deason rode out the storm in her apartment.

“I was watching from the window, and then something hit the window where I’m watching,” Deason said. “It scared me to death. I ran to my bedroom, grabbed a pillow, and went to the bathtub in my bathroom. I stayed there for 30 minutes.”

After the storm passed, Deason lost electricity in her apartment.

“It was difficult for me to stay in my apartment without electricity and water,” Deason said.

Days after the storm, Deason suffered from an attack that left her unable to breathe.

The ambulance arrived and rushed her to Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center.

Four hours after arriving, the ambulance transported Deason to the Tallahassee Medical Center because she couldn’t stay over night in Panama City.

The next day, Deason was bused from Tallahassee back to Panama City and placed in a shelter where she celebrated her 77th birthday.

“It was just like I’m a football,” Deason said. “I’ve been thrown around.”

Deason’s social worker located her at the shelter and arranged for her to stay at the Crestview Manor where she’s been since Oct. 24.

Although Deason is ready to go home, her apartment complex remains condemned.

Neither Littey nor Deason have a timeframe for when they will go back to Panama City, but they plan on staying in contact after they return home.

“Oh, I’m going to bug her,” Deason said.

Brice-Nash said the Crestview Manor continues to get calls about people who are displaced and seek refuge.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'God is always with me'

CRESTVIEW — The Rotary Club of Crestview has released the names of winners in its second annual hay bale decorating contest. The judging took place during the Crestview Fall Festival Nov. 27 on Main Street.

Winners were determined by which hay bale bucket received the most one-cent votes from festival attendees.

There were 11 total contestants in two categories: one for commercial businesses, and other for nonprofits and individual participants.

The Rotary Club hopes to have even more participation for next year," Allyson Oury, club treasurer, said.

Business category winners were: first place, Okaloosa County Airport; second, Hub City Smokehouse; third, SAPC.

Nonprofit/individual winners were: first, Girl Scout Troop No. 1318; second, Brannon Family; third, Shoal River Republican Club.

The Rotary Club of Crestview meets for lunch Wednesdays at Samuel's Roadhouse in Crestview. Contact the club at facebook.com/crestviewrotary for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Rotary Club announces hay bale contest winners

CRESTVIEW — Habitat for Humanity in Okaloosa County handed over the keys to their 61st homeowner on Oct. 26.

Shawna Holman and her three daughters, Laniyah, Kaleeah, and Malayah, moved into their home built by over 2,000 hours worth of volunteer service.

"As I was driving to sign the mortgage papers this morning, I was fine," she said. "But then, on the way there, it kind of became surreal…It's been a great day."

While looking at her beautiful new home, Shawna said her favorite part is the driveway.

"We've lived in a small apartment complex for a long time…(her daughters) always wanted to ride their bikes and stuff, but there was always a lot of traffic," Shawna said. "…I can sit outside and watch them."

A year in the making

Shawna said she would not have imagined this happening a year ago.

"I'm glad I picked this specific journey because throughout the year, it actually made me focus more on doing what I was supposed to do and going to work everyday," she said.

Shawna's experience with Habitat for Humanity guided her to becoming more financially responsible so she could pay the down payment and buy new furniture, she said.

"I lived two hours away from here, so I also had to save money to go back and forth to do the hours," Shawna said. "… All the debt that I've previously had and mistakes I've made in my early 20s, they're gone now."

One of the requirements to receive a home through Habitat for Humanity is each adult must put in at least 300 hours of work towards the home.

Shawna said her daughters were the driving force behind her motivation.

"Sometimes life happens unexpectedly. I didn't picture doing it alone at first, and then, life happens. You just have to make the best of it," she said.

As for what’s next, Shawna was focused on one thing—hanging out and eating pizza with her daughters and their dog in their new home.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Shawna Holman, her three daughters get a new start

CRESTVIEW — The Nichols family takes the spookiest night of the year to the next level in Crestview with a haunted walk-through full of ghostly displays and free treat bags for their visitors.

Grady and Lisa Nichols have always loved the holiday season starting at Halloween and ending at Christmas.

“Growing up, that was our favorite part of the year, and I was so excited that (Grady) wanted to go big with everything,” Lisa said.

Lisa said they began decorating 27 years ago, and the decorations were on a much smaller scale than they are today.

Along with scouring the Internet for decorations, Grady — or “Mr. Halloween” as Lisa calls him — made many of the characters in the house with pantyhose and latex for skin.

His signature touch is naming the character something that starts with a “b” like “Bucky” and “Bandito Bucky.”

“It’s a dying art,” Grady said.

But, this tradition dates back further than 27 years.

Grady said he’s been celebrating Halloween at this level since he was young.

“I remember when I was a kid. Some of my best memories were at Halloween,” Grady said. “… I just remember being so excited about it.”

After decorating their house for so many years, the Nichols have many unique items, so many that they have their own version of a haunted walk-through in their house.

The spooky journey begins with tombstones lining the front yard and giant, blow-up dragons.

They have a “Star Wars” display featured in the garage, with rare, life-size characters from the hit movies including Darth Vader and R2-D2.

The spooky sounds can be heard from the driveway.

After entrance into the house is granted by ringing the eyeball doorbell, Lisa greets visitors with a bag of goodies like candy and small toys.

The walk-through ends with a “creepy corn field," Grady said, but visitors are welcome to hang around and go through again.

Grady and Lisa said kids are welcomed inside because there aren’t jump scares unless requested.

If a group would like jump scares, the Nichols have actors hidden throughout the house ready to give a good scare.

Their decorations attracted over 450 guests last year, and Lisa said some of their neighbors and friends offer to help out.

Eventually, the Nichols hope to expand this into a business.

“We would like to do this year round,” Lisa said. “That’s our ultimate goal.”

Doors will open at 6 p.m. and end at 11 p.m. for the Nichols’ Annual Haunted Graveyard Halloween Night.

The event is located in the Fox Valley Subdivision at 611 Terrier Trail in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: The Nichols family goes all out for Halloween

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Police Department said a fond “farewell” to one of its biggest supporters last week when Jae Williams stopped by the Whitehurst Municipal Building to say goodbye to his officer friends.

Jae, 8, has been a pal and frequent visitor to the Police Department since he was 5, when observing a backlash against many police officers around the country following a few isolated events, he told his mom, Cassie Williams, that he wanted to find a way to support local first responders.

With the aid of his mom, Jae soon started visiting the Crestview Police and Fire Departments, and Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, bringing handmade cards, treats and little presents.

Soon he’d appear in his “official” uniform, complete with badge and shoulder patches.

Most recently, as the Police Department prepared to take relief supplies to law enforcement agencies affected by Hurricane Michael, Jae made a final appearance.

With his father’s work being relocated, the family is moving out of state.

“Keep being a great kid,” Deputy Chief Jamie Grant told Jae as he presented him with an official Crestview Police lapel pin and challenge coin. “We’re going to miss you, buddy.”

Before Jae left, he had one more mission.

At his suggestion, Cassie had stuffed the back of the family SUV full of cases of water, many of which Jae carried into the Police Department himself.

“It’s to help the people hurt by the hurricane,” Jae explained as some of his officer friends helped him stack the cases of water in a hallway before loading them in a trailer.

Then looking at his handiwork, he gave a broad grin and said, “Look! We made a tower! It’s bigger than me!”

The Crestview Police Department wishes our pal, Jae Williams, much happiness in his new home.

And we have no doubt that local first responders will soon be receiving a visit from our policeboy.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview’s ‘policeboy’ moves out of town

CRESTVIEW — The activities listed below are scheduled through Nov. 30 in Crestview and surrounding areas. Email details of your upcoming event to news@crestviewbulletin.com to have it listed here.

CITY OF CRESTVIEW TRICK OR TREAT: Trick or treat hours for the City of Crestview are 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

LIVE OAK BAPTIST FALL FESTIVAL: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31, at the church, 4565 Live Oak Church Road, Crestview. The annual event includes food, carnival  games, prizes, inflatables, a hay ride, and a new train ride. Costumes are welcome!

GRAYBEARD THE PIRATE: 6-8 p.m. and later Oct. 31, 2754 Lake Silver Road, Crestview. Santa Pirate will be in the crow's nest, and the crew will be shooting the cannon at Billy Bowlegs' pirate ship that evening. "Anything north of Special Forces Road is mine," Graybeard said.

BAKER HERITAGE DAY: The free event is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Baker Block Museum and Heritage Park, located at the corner of State Road 4 and U.S. Highway 189, Baker. Demonstrations of heritage-based projects, food and product vendors, flu shots, a Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission exhibit and other activities are scheduled.

NEW BEGINNINGS FALL FESTIVAL: 4-7 p.m. Nov. 11 at New Beginnings Church, 412 U.S. Highway 90 W., Crestview. The free event includes a bouncy house, dunk tank, games, a cornhole competition, hot dogs, cotton candy, popcorn and boiled peanuts. Call 689-2988 for details. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Fall festival activities set for October and November

CRESTVIEW — Wings on Wheels in Crestview, the mobile food vendor, fed over 1,500 Hurricane Michael survivors and relief effort volunteers hot meals in Marianna.

When Bradley White returned to his food truck after Hurricane Michael passed and began hearing reports of the devastation, he said God put it on his heart to help in some way.

"There was people that was in need, and the child of God that I am, that's what we're supposed to do for our brothers and sisters," White said.

White started by asking for donations instead of tips.

“Basically, I was telling the customers that was coming to Wings on Wheels that any tip they can leave was going to go towards the hurricane victims,” White said. “After that, it seemed like everything fell into place.”

Last year, when Hurricane Harvey tore through Houston, Texas, White sent a donation box.

“But, this time, it was just a little to close to home for us to send a donation,” White said.

With the help of friends, employees and donations, White began collecting items to take into the affected areas.

White and his crew of about 20 volunteers loaded everything up into his "kitchen on wheels" and headed to Marianna at 5 a.m on Oct. 20.

They didn't finish cooking until 9 p.m.

White said they had a total of six large freezers filled with food, and it was all cooked that day.

"'Tired' wasn't even the word," White said. "Everybody that was with us was falling asleep because it was non-stop. It was non-stop."

White was stretching for words to describe the devastation he saw on the way into Marianna.

"What pictures show you on Facebook, it's nothing like that in person," White said. "… People were still living in their homes with trees on it."

When they arrived at the First Baptist Church in Marianna, White said some of the volunteers already there had ran out of ice.

Luckily, White and his crew brought cold drinks and hot food for them — all for free.

Among the many that received a hot meal from Wings on Wheels were at least 600 volunteers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints in North Georgia.

"I talked to (White) about it, and I said, 'Why are you doing this,'" Andy Galt said. "He said, 'God sent me,' and I said, 'I believe that.' He sent us here to do this work, and he sent (White) here to feed us."

White said they wanted to give the people variety other than just the sandwiches and water.

They made a total of 2,000 wings and 900 hamburgers, and brought nachos, a bounty of snacks, cakes baked by the community, and a variety of drinks.

White said he will be going back to help.

"If the hurricane had shifted, I believe they would have done the same for us," White said. "I wish I could stay."

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Wings on Wheels delivered hot meals to over 1,500 in Marianna