CRESTVIEW — A downtown coffeeshop that rapidly gained landmark status and a devoted following is closing its doors April 25 after three years on Main Street.

The Journey Java Connection is a community outreach program of Journey Church, a United Methodist Community led by the Rev. Sean Peters. His wife, Sandra Peters, runs the café.

The Journey Java filled a downtown niche through programs such as feeding underprivileged and homeless people, hosting adult and kids art and theatre lessons, hosting a backroom thrift store and serving as a downtown art gallery.

The establishment's eclectic combination of weekend open-mic nights and scheduled concerts by a variety of entertainers in multiple genres drew a steady crowd to Main Street.

In between, Sandra Peters served an endless variety of teas and coffees — often letting customers create their own concoctions — accompanied by fresh baked muffins, bagels and pastries.

Pastor reassignment

A decision by the regional Alabama/West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church to close the Crestview mission and transfer Sean Peters to a Panama City church came at a decisive time for the café.

The Journey Java's popularity and steady flow of regulars was not enough to make it profitable when faced with a rent that topped $1,500 a month, despite an often brisk lunchtime trade for Sandra Peters' creative sandwiches, soups and desserts.

Though the Peters' impending departure leaves a void on Main Street as well as in the hearts of devoted Journey Java fans and Journey Church members, the couple leaves behind a legacy supporters intend to continue.

View From the Stage, Crestview's community theatre troupe, which Sandra Peters helped establish, will continue and hopes to offer summer kids' acting courses again, as well as fall and spring stage productions, president Berit Faust said.

The North Okaloosa Artists art guild, which got its start at Journey Java, now meets twice monthly at the Crestview Senior Center in Old Spanish Trail Park.

Journey Church members have been welcomed into the First United Methodist Church and St. Mark United Methodist Church families, Sean Peters said.

The Peterses said leaving Crestview, the Journey Java and their many friends is bittersweet.

"We are amazed at what God has done and the wonderful people He has brought into our lives as we have committed to serving our community," they stated in a Facebook posting. "We pray that our being here has been a blessing to you."

Community farewells

Journey Java Connection customers have shared fond and heartfelt farewells on the coffee shop's Facebook page.

Here are some of their comments:

• "So sorry to hear you are closing. We enjoyed our visits there and the food. God bless you all!"— Jepye Paul Hendrix

• "I am sorry to hear The Journey Java Connection is closing. I have always enjoyed any time spent there, from drinking great coffee to attending art classes and having great conversations with … Sandra. I wish you and your family many blessings as you continue on your journey in God's path." — Julia Quintrell Phillips

• "Crestview is losing a treasure." — Julie Garrey Bywater

• "God never closes one door without opening another." — Jane Quintrell Chapman

• "We are so disappointed! You guys are such sweet people, doing wonderful things for the kids and community. You will be greatly missed! Wish we could do something to make you all stay!" — Dana Harvey Odom

• "I'm sad to see that it's closing but I know God did wonderful work through this coffee house ministry. Blessings to each and every one of you!" — Amanda Pickens

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Last cup of Java: Journey Java and Journey Church closing

The 7th Annual Choctawhatchee Estuary Family Festival, a free family event for all ages, is 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 26 at Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park, 4281 U.S. Highway 20 East, Niceville.

There is no park entrance fee for the environmental awareness festival. Families can pack a picnic lunch and come learn about the local estuary's waters and people who live and work there.

Activities include fish printing on T-shirts, operating an underwater remotely operated vehicle and learning more about the ocean.

Displays by the Okaloosa County Health Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge, Audubon Society and Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance are also planned.

Call 729-4915 or visit www.mattiekellyinstitute.org/env-estuary-festival.cfm for details.  

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Choctawhatchee Estuary Family Festival is April 26

FORT WALTON BEACH — The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office and Emerald Coast Martial Arts' women's self-defense course is 9:30-11 a.m. at Emerald Coast Martial Arts, 252 NE Eglin Parkway, Fort Walton Beach.

The class, for ages 12 and up, teaches women awareness, streetwise tactical maneuvers, prevention and personal protection.

Preregistration is not required. Loose clothing and sneakers are preferred. Contact OSCO employees Ashley Bailey or Elizabeth Bingham, 651-7410, for details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Women's self-defense class is May 3

The 4th Annual Marvel of Flight, a fly-in/aviation festival, is 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 26 at DeFuniak Springs Municipal Airport.

The event will celebrate the B-25's legacy and allow attendees to see "Panchito," one of a dozen airworthy B-25s in existence today; and the Red Dragons Eastern Block Warbirds, a spokesperson said. 

Activities also include vintage bi-plane rides, Vietnam War era helicopter rides, free rides in the Re/Max Hot Air Balloon, a car show and free children's activities.

The admission cost is a food drive donation item to benefit the Matrix Community Outreach Center.

Call the airport staff, 892-2000, for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 4th Annual Marvel of Flight is April 26 in DeFuniak Springs

CRESTVIEW — Easter came early for Elizabeth Guillary, who said she enjoyed her weekend visit to the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge Zoological Park.

"I got a lot of (Easter) eggs," the 7-year-old said.

Elizabeth participated in an Easter egg hunt for her age group during Saturday's Easter EggstravaganZoo. Other activities included decorating Easter eggs, planting flowers and getting pictures taken with the Easter Bunny.

PHOTOS: See 14 photos from the Easter EggstravaganZoo event>>

For many parents, the special event was just one more reason to bring their children to the local zoo.

"There is not much for them to do around here (locally)," said Crestview resident Ashtin Clements, who brought her 2-year-old son, Sayler.

Clements said her son enjoyed planting the flowers. "He really liked digging in the dirt," she said.

Tamara Mabe said she came along to see her grandchildren, Tristan Albertini and Kaydence Agerton, get their picture taken with the Easter Bunny. 

"This is something for them to get out and do," Mabe said. "We always love coming here."

Attendees could see new animal exhibits at the park and be photographed with a few of the animal ambassadors, including owls.

Amanda Wilkerson, the refuge's executive director, said she received positive feedback from attendees.

"The biggest feedback we have had is to do more events, which we plan on doing," she said.

EmailNews Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitteror call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Easter activities attract residents to zoo (PHOTOS)

CRESTVIEW — Next Wednesday your neighbors will learn what you already know: that the News Bulletin is a great source for northern Okaloosa County news.

No other news source keeps you abreast of what's happening in our schools, our communities and our politics like our news team.

On Wednesday, our carriers will deliver a News Bulletin to every household in Crestview, Baker, Holt and Laurel Hill.

Unlike the free News Bulletin Extra, which also contains some of our news articles, the April 23 edition is the complete newspaper, bursting with stories about your friends, neighbors and kids.

So tell your neighbors to keep their eyes open for next Wednesday's News Bulletin, landing in their driveways bright and early.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Free newspapers available April 23

FORT WALTON BEACH — Bridgeway Center's 5th annual Lauren's Kids Walk in My Shoes fundraiser is 4-6 p.m. April 18 at The Boardwalk, 1450 Miracle Strip Parkway, Fort Walton Beach.

Lauren Book, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse who founded Lauren’s Kids, is walking her fifth and final 1,500-mile journey across Florida. This event raises awareness of childhood sexual abuse, encourages support and passage of legislation designed to protect children from sexual assault, and provides support to 42 million childhood sexual abuse survivors who live the United States. 

This year’s walk coincides with BCI’s Beach Walk to promote sexual assault awareness and prevention to Okaloosa county residents and spring breakers.

See www.laurenskids.org for more information.  

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Bridgeway hosts Lauren’s Kids Walk in My Shoes event

CRESTVIEW — The North Ferdon Boulevard Consolidated Ace Hardware store bustled inside and out Saturday as a variety of community and visiting organizations offered tasty treats and services.

Customers lined up to get autographs and have their photos taken with the All American Cowgirl Chicks, who were headliners at the weekend Old Spanish Trail Pro Rodeo in Baker.

Folks bought Camp Cards from Troop 773 Boy Scouts, examined a Dorcas Volunteer Fire Department fire engine, slid down an inflatable slide, enjoyed snow cones or picked up child ID kits and bike helmets.

Nicole Bouleton, 10, Miss Rodeo Okeechobee Princess for 2014, was one of the first in line to meet the Cowgirl Chicks. She and her dad, James, were in town to visit his brother, Andrew Boulton.

Stacey Barlow had Crestview Community Policing officer Wanda Hulion fingerprint her sons, Brantley, 2, and Hunter, 6 months, for child ID kits.

"It's always better to have it instead of not having it if there's an emergency," Barlow said as Brantley petted a Crestview Bulldog mascot statue nearby.

Hulion said that within two hours of setting up her table, more than 30 families brought in their children for ID kits, and she distributed almost half the bike helmets available.

Abraham Duty, 5, delighted in leaning into a huge tub full of chirping baby chicks, holding aloft one fuzzy little bird after the other as his dad, Larry, kept a careful eye on him.

Baker Rodeo representative Billy Graham joked that he got to chaperone the Cowgirl Chicks "because I'm the most harmless one in the group."

Getting serious, he added, "We're proud to have these ladies out here again."

"We're glad to be back here," Cowgirl Chick Hattie Claire said.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Chick Day activities draw crowds to Ace Hardware