CRESTVIEW —  Usually, Ricky Bowdren and Sarena Robbins avoid asking for charity, but a recent car crash has left them no other choice.

The engaged couple were in Austin, Texas March 16 when they were involved in a serious collision.

Changed lives

"An oncoming car crossed three lanes of traffic into our lane and hit us head on," Sarena said on www.gofundme.com/7ykds4, the couple's fundraising website. "We saw the car coming and tried to swerve away from it, but it all happened so fast we didn’t have time to move out of the way."

The other driver was at fault, according to an investigator's opinion as recorded in a Texas peace officer's crash report.

Sarena had a shattered right hip and a fractured pelvis; Ricky's kneecap broke in three locations. Both received multiple staples and stitches following the incident.

Now, the couple are living much different lives than before the accident. Ricky said he has limited mobility and can't bend his right leg. He uses a walking crutch to get around; Sarena uses a walker.

And damage from the accident wasn't just physical. The couple said they have recurring nightmares about the crash.  

Meanwhile, the bills are a concern.  

Bills times two

"There is a lot that we have to still pay for. Things like prescriptions, food, personal needs, getting back and forth to the doctors appointments, which is a lot, medical equipment and supplies," Sarena said.

"That’s a lot of money that adds up really fast just for one person going through all of this, not to mention both of us going through this."

Ricky has Medicare, but Sarena said some local physicians won't help them due to inability to pay.

 Sarena said she attempted to sign up for medical coverage with the federal government's Healthcare Insurance Marketplace website, but said she has no money to cover the expense.

Asking for help

So far, friends, family members and a Texas church have helped with monetary and other donations. They've received $1,831 toward their $10,000 goal as of this writing, according to gofundme.com.

Now, the couple seeks the community's assistance.

"I would prefer not to ask people for help; we are both very prideful people," Sarena said.

"We don't know what to do," Ricky said.

That's the case for their work lives, too. Just before moving to Austin, the couple had a local cleaning business that they handed to a friend.

They saw unsuccessful results in Austin, so they decided to return here and start another cleaning business. 

Starting over will take awhile.

 Ricky's mother, Vonnie Bowdren, retrieved the couple after the incident; they have since been staying at her Crestview residence.  

"I'm here for the long haul," she said. "I figure it's going to take at least a year before they can get through this." 

And getting through this situation is the goal, Sarena said.  

"We want our normal quality of life back," she said. "We're for real, we are legit, (and) we need help." 

HOW TO HELP

You can donate toward Ricky Bowdren and Sarena Robbins' recovery account at www.gofundme.com/7ykds4. Residents can reach them at sarenarobbins@yahoo.com or 603-2971

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Couple's life changes following car crash, mounting expenses

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

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

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

CRESTVIEW — Common Ground Community Garden's goals of unity and self-sufficiency are on its organizers' minds.

"We pray that we plant seeds of community and good fellowship," Ashley Tillery said during her invocation at the beginning of the garden's April 10 official opening.

More than four dozen members have joined the cooperative, according to garden organizer Catherine Ward. Other volunteers assist in general garden operation.

"We have 31 plots but one has 35 little Girl Scouts involved," Ward said. Girl Scouts of Troop 1318 and Boy Scouts of Troop 773 are among the volunteers.

Eagle Scout candidates Jerry Hand and Colby Walker will supervise construction of garden signage and compost bins, respectively, Ward said.

"There are at least 90 people involved down at the garden," she said. "We've been moving so fast I haven't had a chance to build up a list of people who have been volunteering."

Rain postponed the community garden's official Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting but benefited the vegetables sprouting in some of the garden's more than two dozen raised beds.

Garden, city and Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce officials gathered Thursday to celebrate the many anticipated benefits the garden will bring.

Volunteer expertise

To see the fruits of their labor, it takes a team effort — and a team of experts.

Garden coordinator Rick Pinch, a hydroponics professional, was instrumental in planning the garden, Ward said. He gained his role at one of the earlier planning meetings.

"He said, 'These meetings are good, but I don't want to talk about building the garden. I want to get it built,'" Ward said.

Bob Shreve, who died in a December car wreck, "made a really significant contribution with our website," Ward said. The site's interactive garden calendar will benefit growers throughout the area.

"It's just huge. There's so much going on. This has been quite a cool process," Ward said.

Mayor David Cadle recognized the impact the Common Ground Garden is having on the city when he proclaimed April 10 Crestview Community Garden Day.

At the close of the ceremony, gardeners and officials joined in "The Garden Song," singing, "Inch by inch, row by row, I'm gonna make this garden grow; All it takes is a rake and a hoe and a piece of fertile ground."

Thanks to a bevy of volunteers, plots and rows of fertile ground are sprouting fresh vegetables in downtown Crestview, augmenting families' budgets and pantries, and bringing people together.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Volunteers make Common Ground Community Garden grow

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