North Okaloosa County's Easter activities and services are as follows:  

Hunt for Easter eggs at Hurlburt Field

Hurlburt Field's annual Easter egg hunt is 9 a.m. Saturday at the Community Park.

The event will include various egg hunts, which will vary in difficulty based on age, appearances by Mr. and Mrs. Bunny and a photographer station to take pictures.

The times, age limits, and locations of the different hunting grounds are as follows:

•2 and under on the playground at 9 a.m.

•Special needs on Field 3 at 9:20 a.m.

•3- to 5-year-olds on Field 4 at 9:40 a.m.

•6- to 8-year-olds on Field 2 at 10 a.m.

•9- to 12-year-olds in the tree line between the playground and the fence adjacent to the main gate at 10 a.m.

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City of Crestview Easter egg hunt

The city's egg hunt for children ages 0-12 is 9-11 a.m. Saturday at Twin Hills Park, Hathaway Street, Crestview. Includes an egg hunt, a visit from the Easter Bunny, bouncer, train ride and more. Children must bring a basket to collect eggs.

The hunt for 0- to 3-year-olds is 9 a.m. at the small soccer field. For 4- to 6-year-olds, it's 10:30 a.m. on the small soccer field, and for 7- to 12-year-olds it's 10:30 a.m. on the football field.

Call 682-4715 for more details.

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ST. MARK UNITED METHODIST EASTER SERVICES at the church, 2250 PJ Adams Parkway, Crestview:

•Children/family services, 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, with age-appropriate Easter egg hunt and carnival games between them.

•9 a.m. traditional service, and three contemporary services, two at 10:15 and one at 11:30 a.m.,  on Sunday. Details: 682-5280 or visit  www.stmarkcrestview.com.

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Easter sunrise service planned in Crestview

The Crestview Area Ministerial Association has scheduled a community sunrise service at 6 a.m. Sunday, Old Spanish Trail Park pavilion, Stillwell Blvd., Crestview.

Speaker, Rev. Paul Mixon, Central Baptist Church, Crestview. Music, Rev. Douglas Compton, New Life International Worship Center, Crestview.

An offering will be received to provide funds for assistance to persons and families in need.

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Easter sunrise service information for Laurel Hill

The Laurel Hill Area Ministerial Association is hosting the 6 a.m. community sunrise service Sunday in Gene Clary Park, Old Ebenezer Road at the corner of Park Street, Laurel Hill.

Breakfast is planned afterward at First Baptist Church, 3972 Second Ave., Laurel Hill.

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Baker community sunrise service planned Sunday

The Baker Area Ministerial Association will host  the community sunrise service at 6:30 a.m. Sunday at the Baker High School football stadium, 1369 14 St., Baker. Music by Darren Williams of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church; speaker, Rev. Jim Vail of First Baptist Church, Baker.

An offering will be received to assist transients and needy persons and families in Baker.

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VFW & Ladies Auxiliary egg hunt 

Crestview Post 5450's egg hunt is 1 p.m. Sunday at its clubhouse, 2240 W. James Lee Blvd., Crestview. For ages toddler through 12. Bring your own Easter basket. Details: Lynn Mobley, 682-5552 or 537-3375.

This calendar features events in Crestview, Baker, Laurel Hill, Holt, Milligan or on local military bases. 

Are we missing your event? Email it to news@crestviewbulletin.com and we'll add it!

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Easter events scheduled for North Okaloosa residents

CRESTVIEW — A program giving residents more information on fostering or adopting children is planned next Monday in Crestview. 

Representatives from Crestview Orphan Care will provide information on the options and process of becoming a foster and/or adoptive family at  p.m. April 14 at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 3253 E. James Lee Blvd., Crestview.

RSVP your attendance on the Crestview Orphan Care website.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Foster and orphan care information during April 14 Crestview presentation

CRESTVIEW — The For All We Lost Relay for Life team is hosting a yard sale 7 p.m. April 12 at 4574 Scarlet Drive, Crestview. The location is off Live Oak Church Road.

The team formed in memory of Michael D. Jarriel.

All proceeds will benefit Crestview's American Cancer Society Relay for Life.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'For All We Lost' team yard sale benefits ACS Relay for Life

MILLIGAN — Demolition of a small, dilapidated former grocery store on the corner of U.S. Highway 90 and State Road 4 paves the way for a planned northbound turn lane.

"There's been stores there for a long time," dating back to Milligan's role as Okaloosa County's first seat, Baker Block Museum Director Ann Spann said.

The building demolished two weeks ago was of modern cement block construction and was not historically significant, Spann said.

Debra Benoit, who owned the property with her husband, Edward, said the state purchased a portion of the land to obtain right-of-way for planned intersection improvements.

As the main highway to Baker, the intersection is on the Florida Department of Transportation's Five-Year Work Program plan for the 2013-14 fiscal year.

The plan's other 2013-14 local projects include replacing the U.S. 90 Yellow River bridge, adding right turn lanes on southbound State Road 189 from Baker onto the Galliver Cutoff, and a northbound right turn lane from S.R. 189 to 14th Street in Baker.

The $1,847,000 turn lane from U.S. 90 up S.R. 4 is on the Okaloosa Walton Transportation Planning Organization's list of transportation improvement projects to be completed this fiscal year.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Milligan store demolished for planned turn lane onto SR 4

CRESTVIEW — Two weekend fundraisers' event organizers have expressed appreciation for the community's support.

Dance for Life

The local Covenant Hospice is still tallying proceeds following Fred Astaire Dance Studio's weekend "Dance for Life" benefit. But what is certain is that money raised Saturday will help fund multiple services for terminally ill patients, according to Jenni Perkins, Covenant's senior development and communications manager.

"All of the funds go back into Okaloosa and Walton counties," Perkins said. Covenant will use the money to care for patients and their family members, including those under-insured, and to fund chaplain services.

Between 200 and 250 people attended the show at Crestview High School that featured celebrity dancers Justin Guilmette and Kimalee Piedad, among others, Perkins said. Fred Astaire raffled off five dance lessons during the event.

"The people of (Covenant) Hospice caught our attention with the amount of work they do," said David Colón, who owns the dance studio with his wife, Erika Moreno. "It felt natural for us to support them."

Crestview Pregnancy Center 5K/10K Run

Proceeds from the Crestview Pregnancy Center's annual 5K/ 10K Run are unknown at this time, but a number of residents turned out for the event on a cloudy Saturday.

PHOTOS: See 7 photos from the Pregnancy Center 5K / 10K event>>

Crestview resident Philip Herzog took first place, as he did last year, while pushing his 23-month-old daughter, Olivia, in a baby stroller. "We came back to defend our title," he said.

Christine Atkisson, one of five Mothers of Preschoolers members, said the club, an event sponsor, often refers new moms to the center.

"Our main mission is just connecting moms and help to encourage and support each other," she said. 

Crestview resident Ron Mahn, retired from the U.S. Air Force, represented Fort Walton Beach's Team RWB ─ red, white and blue ─ chapter. The group encourages veterans to be active in the community by participating in physical and social activities.

"All of us want to be part of our community; this is our opportunity to support Team RWB and Crestview, along with supporting the Crestview Pregnancy Center," he said.

Event proceeds, which are still being tallied, will help pay for free pregnancy tests and other items for expecting women, Sue Carrigan, the center's director, said.   

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Fundraisers fill hospice, pregnancy center's coffers (PHOTOS)

CRESTVIEW — Martial arts enthusiasts from across the nation and abroad have gained knowledge on new self-defense moves and how to better instruct students.

All it took was a trip to Crestview during last weekend's Korean Martial Arts Festival, which featured a full schedule of activities at Warriors Hall Auditorium and host Gordon Martial Arts' facility.  

PHOTOS: See 10 photos from the 2014 Korean Martial Arts Festival >>

The festival featured 30 instructional sessions from 16 instructors who taught self-defense techniques through taekwondo and hapkido.

"I'm like a kid in the candy store," Amanda Jeffries, a GMA student and one of an estimated 80 attendees, said. "I have learned more things than I have expected to learn."

Among her favorite demonstrations was Australian native Geoff Booths' "bag-fu" lesson on how a plastic shopping bag, in a pinch, can be a self-defense tool.

The bag can be stretched, rolled up like a rope, and be used to defend oneself against an assailant.

"I could see it used in a women's self-defense course," Booth said. "No one sees (a plastic bag) as a threat or weapon."

Attendees also learned how to defend themselves against the threat of firearms, knives and bullies.

Atlanta native Marlin Sims said the annual festival helps instructors hone effective teaching techniques.  

"I think each time the instructors come here, they take away (something new)," he said.

Learning new things has meant positive life changes for Alexis Bermudez, a festival attendee and GMA student.

The 7-year-old is more sociable since practicing martial arts, which also has taught her life-long lessons, her mother, Crestview resident Lisa Bermudez, said.

"Now, she uses the word integrity a lot," Lisa said. "She always wants to help others and do the right thing, because that is what she has learned at (Gordon Martial Arts)."  

An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that Austrailian native Geoff had the last name of Johns, his correct last name is Booth. A special thanks to a reader, who brought this to our attention. We apologize for any inconvenience this error has caused.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Martial arts enthusiasts hone techniques during festival (PHOTOS)

The 8th Annual Children in Crisis Charity Golf Classic raised $30,000 for local children who've been abused, neglected and abandoned, according to organizers.

More than 130 golfers competed for the first-, second- and third-place prizes — including longest drive and closest to the pin awards — March 14 at the Fort Walton Beach Golf Course.

This year’s winning team was Mike Sowers, Greg Lile, Brian Young and Scott Corley with a winning score of 56 net. John Williams of Fort Walton Beach, who was randomly selected to try for the Million Dollar Shot, just missed the hole.

Tournament proceeds benefited the Children's Neighborhood, a foster home and facility for Northwest Florida children removed from their families without notice, according to Ken Hair, CIC president and CEO.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Children in Crisis golf tourney raises $30,000

CRESTVIEW — Colorful Easter baskets were slowly taking over the Jackson Hewitt office's lobby as volunteers prepared for the firm's annual distribution.

The company annually partners with Emerald Coast Hospice. This year baskets containing toiletries, candy, plush animals and sometimes game books went to every resident at Crestview Manor and Stanley House in DeFuniak Springs.

This year's effort was expected to result in more than 120 baskets, said organizer Shirley Perring, a registered senior tax preparer.

Each Jackson Hewitt employee prepares as many baskets as he or she wishes, she said. As of March 30 they had enough to cover the Manor's 62 residents, plus 40 Stanley House residents in DeFuniak Springs.

"If there's enough left over, we're going to deliver them to Silvercrest Manor," Perring said. "We expect to meet our goal."

Two of the company's clients each donated a Publix sheet cake to deliver to Crestview Manor and Stanley House, Perring said.

Any leftover basket components were donated to the Manor to use as bingo prizes, she said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Business prepares Easter baskets for assisted living residents

CRESTVIEW — Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge Zoological Park staffers invite the community to join the animals and them for the first "Easter Egg-stravagan ZOO" April 12.

Families can expect a day of Easter Egg hunts, arts and crafts, planting flowers and the opportunity meet the Easter Bunny.

The activities are included in regular admission fees. Staffers also will offer the opportunity to take photos with the Easter Bunny for $5.

"This is something new and different," park volunteer Deborah Edwards said. "We have never had a benefit event at the zoo since we took it over."

The Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge took over the former Sasquatch Zoo's operations in 2012 when former owner and operator Debbie Mattox retired. 

Refuge staffers regularly organize Christmas and Halloween- themed events in Fort Walton Beach.

With this event, Edwards also wants to show some of the zoo's renovations since re-opening in June 2012.

In addition to opening the gift shop, the zoo now has a climate-controlled exhibit for a sloth and exhibits for foxes and ring-tailed lemurs.  

Attendees also can expect special guest visits from a few of the refuge's animal ambassadors, Edwards said.

The ambassadors, which often include an otter, owl or skunk, regularly visit the zoo from their home at the refuge's rehabilitation facility on Okaloosa Island. 

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Easter Egg-StravaganZOO

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 12. Rain date is April 13.   

WHERE:Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge Zoological Park, 5262 Deer Spring Drive, just off U.S. Highway 90, Crestview

COST: $8 admission for adults, $5 for children ages 2 to 10 and free for children under age 2. 

ONLINE: www.ecwrzoo.com/easter-egg-stravaganzoo

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Zoo to host Easter activities April 12