I would like to talk about Bertha Henry, the county’s first librarian, for Women’s History Month.

Bertha — who came to Crestview with her mother, Lucy, as Okaloosa County's Home Demonstration agent in 1920 — started the county's 4-H clubs, according to “Crestview: The Forkland” and a history report by Flo Lembeck. She taught residents how to grow crops and was the Federated Woman's Club of Crestview's secretary when the organization started the first library.

"Bertha … became the librarian and housed the library in her home located on Pine Avenue. Books were collected through book drives," the records state.

"An endowment by Lucy Henry (Bertha’s Mother) allowed the library to move to the Episcopal Church. The library was named the Lucy Henry Library. Mrs. Henry was blind; therefore, Bertha took on the librarian functions of lending the books and keeping records.

More than 700 people borrowed books one year, according to records. This past year, more than 147,000 people visited the library and checked out more than 188,000 items.

Today, a portrait of Ms. Bertha hangs in the library.

Jean Lewis is the Crestview Public Library's director.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CHECK IT OUT: Remembering Bertha Henry, the county's first librarian

CRESTVIEW — Starting April 1, Crestview households can save money on purchases from area businesses just by being active recyclers.

Waste Pro customers just need to apply a barcode sticker to their recycling tub, sign up online, and start or resume recycling each week, Greg Martin, the company's division manager, said.

"Statistics show that nearly 50 percent of everyday household garbage is made up of materials that can be recycled," city officials stated in a letter to resident trash customers.

A barcode sticker will accompany the letter, along with instructions for setting up an account with Orlando-based Rewards for Recycling, which has contracted with the waste collection service.

The mailing will also include a list of materials that can be recycled, Martin said.

How it works

A scanner on the waste collection company's trucks will read the barcode sticker and update the customer's account, showing the resident is an active recycler.

Since Waste Pro assumed the city's waste contract in 2008, recycling efforts have doubled from a ton to two tons. Martin expects the new program will increase weekly recycling to three or more tons.

"Our drivers will be working harder because hopefully more people will be recycling," Martin said.

So far, Rewards for Recycling has signed up an estimated 15 businesses to take part in the program, he said. Each business creates a discount or offer, he said. Customers will redeem reward coupons online by logging into their accounts.

"We hope it draws our customers to the commercial businesses, too; kinda scratching each other's back, so to speak," Martin said. "We're looking forward to this program. We've never done it before" in Crestview.

There is no cost to sign up for the program and no cost for businesses to make their offers available to Waste Pro Rewards customers, Martin said.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Crestview residential trash service customers can earn Waste Pro Rewards, including coupons to area businesses, for weekly recycling. Customers will receive information about the program, including a barcode sticker for their recycle bins, in the mail soon.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Waste Pro customers can recycle, earn discounts with new program

CRESTVIEW — Jerry Kindle, of the American Red Cross of Northwest Florida, was the speaker during the Crestview Civitan Club's March 13 meeting. 

Kindle gave a comprehensive briefing on the role of the American Red Cross and his area, which covers four counties and has a staff of seven, with 500 volunteers. 

His office is in Pensacola, with branch offices in Crestview, Milton, DeFuniak Springs and on Eglin Air Force Base. 

Call 432-7601 to become a Red Cross volunteer.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Red Cross CEO addresses Civitan Club members

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Public Library celebrates National Poetry Month with a series of events, including a student poetry competition during the library's annual Poetry Slam.

Sixth- through 12th-graders and college students can present up to three original poems during the April 8 event and compete for prizes in the two categories.

Throughout April, the Reference Department will have a magnetic poetry board with sets of words available for patrons' arrangement, event organizer Esther Hurwitz said.

"The cleverest compositions will be featured on our Facebook and Instagram pages," she said.

Other National Poetry Month events are as follows:

• All month: The library's Poetry Prompt Blog will provide poetry starters four times a week at http://cvwlibrary.tumblr.com

• April 18: Panhandle Poetry Project members will visit Northwood Arts and Science Academy

• April 24, Poem in Your Pocket Day: Library visitors will receive a poem to stick in their pocket or purse and to share with others. Poems are by local, national and renowned world poets.

• April 25: Panhandle Poetry Project members will visit Antioch Elementary School fourth-graders

Hurwitz offered her thanks and appreciation to Poetry Slam sponsors Chill Yogurt, Uncle Bill's Family Restaurant, the Hot Dog Shoppe, The Baron’s Tea House, Café Bienville, The Flower Basket, Sweet Dreams Bakery, and Sandy and Dave Nearbin.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Annual Poetry Slam for National Poetry Month: poetry and music jam and student poetry competition

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. April 8

WHERE: Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview

NOTES: Students can present up to three poems each in the middle and high school category or college category for prizes. Contact Esther Hurwitz, 682-4432 or ehurwitz@okaloosa.lib.fl.us, or Rick Sanders, 585-6399 to register.

Email News Bulletin Staff Arts and Entertainment Editor Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Library plans events, Poetry Slam, for National Poetry Month

CRESTVIEW — Okaloosa County homeowners can apply for a program offering free house improvements that could lower energy bills. 

Pensacola's Community Action Program Committee will help Crestview and Laurel Hill residents apply for the federally funded program on April 8, according to Connie Parker, CAPC's housing and safety director.

Potential benefits for eligible homeowners are as follows:

•Window and door replacements and repairs to walls, ceilings and floors

•Adding solar reflective coating to the home

•Repair or replace inefficient heating and cooling units or water heaters

"On average, we help people save 27 percent off their energy bills," Parker said.

The following documents are required for application:

•Client's photo ID

•Copies of all household members' Social Security cards

•Proof of disability

•Proof of all household members' current gross income

•Proof of home ownership

•Copy of recent electric bill

Applicants' average household income must not exceed 200 percent of the national poverty level, according to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity's website.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Apply for theWeatherization Assistance Program

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 8

WHERE: LaurelHill City Hall, 8209 State Road 85, Laurel Hill

CONTACT: 679-4817  Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Applications available for energy-saving home improvements

CRESTVIEW — Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge Zoological Park staffers are welcoming three baby ring-tailed lemurs, including twins, born last week.

Neither the baby lemurs' sex nor weight is known at this time, said Amanda Wilkerson, the refuge's executive director. There is no need for human intervention just yet, she said.

"The mothers are doing a great job on their own," Wilkerson said.

However, each lemur likely weighs around 1 ounce, she said.

The twins were born March 14 to Phoebe, while one baby lemur was born to Monica on Sunday,Wilkerson said, adding the females share names with characters from the TV sitcom "Friends." The babies have not received names just yet.

The zoo now has nine lemurs with these additions, she said. 

Lemurs are a popular attraction, Wilkerson said, and these babies are the first significant animals to be born at the former Sasquatch Zoo since the wildlife refuge took over management in 2012.

 "(Animal) babies are fun to have (at the zoo) and they are great for educational purposes," Wilkerson said. "Plus, who doesn't want to see a baby lemur?"

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge Zoological Park

WHEN: Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays; final admission time is 3 p.m.

WHERE: 5262 Deer Springs Drive, Crestview

COST: $8 for adults, $5 for children ages 2-10.

CONTACT: 682-3949

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge Zoological Park refuge welcomes three baby lemurs

CRESTVIEW — A 10 a.m. fundraiser is scheduled March 22 at the VFW Post 5450p, 2240 W. James Lee Blvd. in Crestview.

Funds raised will go toward a heart and lung transplant for Anna Hutcheson, a 17-year-old Crestview resident.

Hutcheson, who has been diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension, and her family are raising $70,000 for a transplant procedure not covered by their insurance.

For more information, contact Barbara Beadle at barbfor3@mchsi.com or 758-0141.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: VFW Ladies Auxiliary plans Saturday transplant fundraiser for Crestview teen