CRESTVIEW — Preliminary calculations indicate that the Spanish Trail Cruisers car club's weekend Average Joe Car Show brought in about $2,500, event organizers said.

Proceeds, after show expenses, will benefit organizations such as Sharing and Caring, club member John Colby said.

As Pensacola oldies band The 13th Hourglass, fronted by lead vocalist Ashley Turner, a Crestview High School alumna, played favorites from the 1970s and '80s, folks strolled up and down the street on Saturday admiring the vehicles.

Click here for a photo gallery from the Average Joe Car Show>>

From 1920s Model T Fords to 1960s and '70s muscle cars, there were more than 130 vehicles, including more than 100 entered for judging.

Ethan Gappy, 11, of Pace, asked car show regular J.T. Garrett, costumed as Barney Fife from "The Andy Griffith Show" for a photo in front of Garrett's 1960s Ford Galaxy 500 squad car.

When Ethan couldn't quite place the iconic TV character, his dad, John, joked, "Just because you had to ask I'm going to make you watch an episode" of the show.

Treasure from a barn

Jerry Bunyan exhibited his 1972 Fiat 500L sedan for the first time. The little white city runabout was in excellent condition, having been stored in a protective environment.

"My little brother found it in a barn in Spain and shipped it to my dad at Fort Bliss," Crestview resident Cheri Bunyan said, adding the car gets 50 miles per gallon of gas, and has a 5-gallon tank. "We can fill it up for 20 bucks," she said.

Jerry Bunyan said the car still had Italian coins in the coin holder, and original upholstery in near-mint condition.

Periodically during the popular burnout contest — in which a vehicle is chained to a wrecker truck and has several seconds to spin its wheels — the crowd, cars and Main Street itself vanished in clouds of gray smoke.

An Okaloosa County EMS ambulance added a new vehicle to Main Street when it responded after a small piece of rubber flew off a tire during the burnouts and struck a bystander's leg.

"He was standing quite a distance away," Colby said.

County EMTs treated the man for what onsite police officers described as a burn caused when debris stuck to the victim's leg.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Sunshine on chrome: Average Joe Car Show nets $2,500 for local charities

CRESTVIEW — The FamiliesFirst Network has an extra $1,500 for helping area foster families following the Iron Order Motorcycle Club of Crestview's weekend Poker Run.

Collections came from local businesses, participation in Saturday's event and raffle ticket sales.

Participants finished their five-stop poker run at Split Oaks Saloon on James Lee Boulevard, where attendees could purchase raffle tickets, buy beverages and food and watch the local band Rowdy Friends perform. 

Attendees Angela and Wade Norris of Crestview, who are considering club membership, said they didn't expect to win three prize packages that included concert tickets and free oil changes.

And they appreciate the club's underlying purpose.

"That is what this club is about: helping the community," Wade said.

Community fundraisers help FamiliesFirst Network meet needs that state funding can't fully fulfill, Linda Roush, Families First Network's community relations director, said.  

"Because we are funded though the state of Florida, we are somewhat limited in how we use those funds," she said.

Additional funding, such as that from the Poker Run, can go toward costs of repairing a foster family's vehicle or purchasing diapers for the household.   

The club patched FFN representative Mary Culbertson as an honorary Iron Maiden.

Culbertson said she is "blessed" and "honored" to be an honorary member of the club.

"They are an amazing group of people," she said. "This agency is blessed to have them as a resource."

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Motorcycle club raises $1,500 for foster families advocate

This year's Map the Meal Gap results suggest that food insecurity remains high across Florida, Mississippi and Alabama's southern regions, according to Bay Area Food Bank representatives.

The food insecurity rate for people across the Central Gulf Coast remained at 17 percent, according to new data. The child food insecurity rate across the food bank’s service area rose to 25.2 percent, meaning one in every four children struggles daily with hunger.

Florida's hunger statistics exceed national averages.

The national child food insecurity rate is 21.6 percent, while in Florida it is 27.6 percent.

In Florida, the total population has a food insecurity rate of 17.9 percent, again surpassing the nationwide food insecurity rate of 15.9 percent.

Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap 2014 results include detailed analysis of food insecurity. It's purportedly the only study available that provides county-level food insecurity estimates in the United States.

Research for the study was supported by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, ConAgra Foods Foundation and Nielsen.

LOCAL HUNGER

The USDA defines food insecurity as a socioeconomic condition of limited or uncertain access to enough food to support a healthy life.

Regional food insecurity in the Bay Area Food Bank's tri-state coverage area is as follows:

• Florida's number of hungry residents exceed national averages.

• 1 in 4 local children struggle with some type of hunger

• In Florida, the average meal costs $2.88, which is approximately $250 per month for an adult.

• Nearly 40 percent of food-insecure families earn too high of an income for government food program support.

Source: Feeding America's 2014 Map the Meal Gap results, spanning the Florida Panhandle, South Alabama and South Mississippi

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Map the Meal Gap study finds 1 in 4 local children struggle with hunger

CRESTVIEW — Brandon Woods may have earned Boy Scouts of America's highest rank, but that doesn't mean he's leaving scouting.

"We have been through a lot together," he said. "I wouldn't feel right just leaving them."

The Crestview resident, a Troop 773 member who's earned more than 60 Boy Scout merit badges, is working on earning Eagle Palms.

That requires remaining active in the troop after earning the Eagle honor, living the Scout Oath and Scout Law, demonstrating leadership, earning five more merit badges, participating in a Scoutmaster conference and completing a board of review, according to the BSA website.

Troop leaders say Woods, 23, can achieve those requirements and has the potential to do more.

"As far as the future goes, I would like to see him stay on with the troop and become assistant scoutmaster," Scoutmaster Daniel Behr said. "I have no doubt he can do it."

Pensacola's BSA office recently accepted Woods' Eagle Scout project — a prehistoric replica display viewable at the Northwest Florida State College Robert L.F. Sikes Education Center — and allowed the Crestview troop to give him the honor.

"Everybody in this troop has been waiting for this day to come," Behr said during the April 19 Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony at the Knights of Columbus building in Crestview. "(Brandon) doesn't realize it but a lot of the boys in the troop look up to him."

And Woods has learned a lot during his 11 years of scouting, according to Donna Campbell, his mother.

"He is more confident, more outgoing, he joins in with others and helps others out," she said.

Throughout learning first aid, outdoor survival and camping skills, among others, Woods said teamwork is at the center of scouting.  

 "(It's) being a team member," he said. "It's us making sure we all do our jobs and try to be the best scouts we can be.

"… If it hadn't been for everyone helping me and supporting me along the way…I wouldn't have (earned) this award."  

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LIFE AFTER EAGLE: For Crestview man, scouting continues after earning highest rank

CRESTVIEW — Dennis Green easily could be mistaken for a Crestview Manor staffer.

He pushes wheelchair-bound residents to the cafeteria and worship services, helps with Bingo set-ups, keeps residents up to date on weather forecasts, leads daily exercise routines and welcomes new residents with a gift basket supplied by the assisted facility.

However, the Virginia native himself is a resident, and he never turns down an opportunity to assist staffers.

And having a longtime heart ailment and memory loss doesn't deter him.

"Volunteering is something I always enjoy doing," said Green, who's been at the Manor two years.

His efforts are appreciated, staffers said.

"He is the positive ray of sunshine at the Crestview Manor," facility director Becky Brice-Nash said. "He is an integral part of our family."

"There is no one else like him," Sandra Adams, the facility's resident care assistant, said. "He is dependable and reliable."  

He's just paying it forward after the Manor and North Okaloosa Medical Center saved him in two different ways, he said.

Green was living in a Pensacola backyard shedwith no power or water just two years ago. But with the Florida Department of Children and Families and Brice-Nash's assistance, he received shelter and renewed purpose. 

 His Social Security benefits fund his stay at the facility, and NOMC physicians helped him recover from a heart attack in 2012, said Green, who attends services at the First Baptist Church of Crestview.

Those are just some of the reasons he enjoys living — and serving — in North Okaloosa County.

"This whole community has been so wonderful," he said. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'A POSITIVE RAY OF SUNSHINE': Crestview man takes joy in volunteering following homelessness

CRESTVIEW — There is a number of activities scheduled this weekend in North Okaloosa County.

Poker Run

The Iron Order Motorcycle Club of Crestview's 2nd Annual Poker Run on Saturday benefits the Families First Network of Lakeview.

The run starts at Hot Spot Cigars and Coffee, 5155 S. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview, and finishes at Split Oaks Saloon, 892 W. James Lee Blvd.Registration begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at the start site.The cost is $15 per rider, and $5 for an additional poker hand.

We've already seen how the club helps the organization, members said. A large portion of the $1,700 accumulated from last year's fundraiser helped bring 3-year-old Emmanuel Menz back home, according to Families First representative Mary Culbertson.

The boy was kidnapped March 6 from a South Ferdon Boulevard fast food restaurant, according to Crestview police.

Club funds paid for airfare after authorities recovered Emmanuel and his alleged kidnappers in Henderson, Nev. Karl Menz and Virgina Lynch are in custody in connection with the case after an almost month-long search.

"We paid for the social worker to go up there and pick (the boy) up (and bring him back)," David "Pothole" Trafford, event organizer, said.

For Saturday's run, participants can make five stops, select a five-card hand and earn prizes for the best and worst poker hand. During the final stop at Split Oaks Saloon, there will be a raffle, 50-50 auction, live music and food.

In addition, nearly $30,000 worth of prizes, donated by area restaurants and businesses will  be available, Trafford said.

•••

Relay For Life

Crestview’s American Cancer Society Relay For Life organizers are still accepting last-minute team sign-ups and sponsors for this weekend's main event.

Thirty-seven teams and 269 participants have been raising funds for months with yard sales and other activities in preparation for the main event, which takes place Friday through Saturday, beginning at 6 p.m., at Shoal River Middle School, 3200 E. Redstone Ave., Crestview.

“The American Cancer Society Relay For Life movement symbolizes hope and our shared goal to end a disease that threatens the lives of so many people we love,” Loney Whitley, the local fundraiser’s event co-chair, said.

The event will include an opening ceremony, live music, a luminaria ceremony commemorating those affected by cancer, food, a spirit points competition and closing ceremonies at 6 a.m. Through the event, residents can walk a track in support of fighting cancer and funding research.

Contact event co-chairs Megan Bowersox, 603- 2002, or Loney Whitley, 603-3500, for more details.

•••

Healthy Kids Day

The Crestview YMCA will present health awareness activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at 298 N. Wilson St., Crestview.

Healthy Kids Day will feature a bouncy house and blood donation vehicle; admission is free. 

"Healthy Kids Day is the Y's national initiative to improve the health and well-being of families, featuring fun, active play and educational activities to help kids be healthy and reach their full potential," an event spokesperson said.

The event precedes the YMCA's Family Strong Festival, a fundraiser scheduled for 2-5 p.m. Sunday at Old Warrior Ranch, 3229 Audrey Drive, between Auburn and Garden City.

Tickets cost $5 each and are free for children under 3 years old. Tickets are available at the gate or at the YMCA.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Poker run, Relay For Life and Healthy Kids Day among NWF events

CRESTVIEW — Crestview Police Department officers will host a Drug Take Back Initiative 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 26 at the Crestview Community Center, 1446 Commerce Drive.

Northwest Florida residents and area visitors can turn in their unused or expired medication during those four hours. Only pills and other solids, like patches, can be brought to the collection sites–liquids and needles or other sharps will not be accepted.

Other drop off sites scheduled the same date and time are:

•Satellite Pharmacy, 1758 Memorial Way, Eglin Air Force Base, adjacent to the base's Class Six/BX.

•1st Special Ops Security Forces Squad will accept medications at the Commissary, 114 Howie Walters Road, Hurlburt Field.

These take back events help prevent pill abuse and theft by letting people rid their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, or unwanted prescription drugs. Since the Drug Enforcement Administration's first event in September 2010, the public has surrendered more than 3.4 million pounds of pills.

Unused medications in homes are highly susceptible to accidental ingestion, theft, misuse, and abuse.

Surveys of users have found that the majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

To find other  nearby collection sites, visit the DEA website, click the “Got Drugs?” icon, and enter your location; or call 800-882-9539. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Drug take back set Saturday at Crestview Community Center, bases

Daughters of the American Revolution Choctawhatchee Bay Chapter members Joyce Harrington and Patti Cogdal recently recognized a volunteer who has surpassed expectations.

Marcus J. Michles II, of the Michles Family Freedom Foundation, earned Community Service and Flag Award Certificates during an April 11 ceremony honoring American patriotism, military and first responders.

The DAR National Society Board of Management established the Community Service Awards Committee in April 1995 so states and chapters could recognize worthy individuals for outstanding voluntary achievements in cultural, educational, humanitarian, patriotic, historical, citizenship or environmental conservation endeavors.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Local DAR chapter recognizes Pensacola lawyer for volunteerism