HOLT — Since June, a country horse farm near the end of a quiet dirt lane has provided respite for returning military members, special-needs children and their families.

Operating Silent Hooves Horse Farm and its Hooves for Heroes program is a "dream come true," owner Lexi Peters said.

With her husband, newly promoted Green Beret Sgt. 1st Class Jesse Peters, recently deployed to Afghanistan with the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Lexi understands returning service members' special needs.

Transitioning to home life after the stress of deployment can be difficult, she said.

Peters, a Special Olympics volunteer, said opening the farm's Hooves for Heroes programto children with special needs goes hand-in-hand with offering equine assistance therapies to military members and their families.

"I always wanted to help out kids," she said. "I really didn't even think about soldiers until my husband started deploying."

It's about families

The farm's trainers are certified through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International, or PATH.

Humans aren't Silent Hoove's only beneficiaries. The farm's two ponies and three horses also come from troubled backgrounds.

"Each has overcome his own challenges, so soldiers say, 'OK, I can relate.' The horses come here to heal and they inspire adults and children to come here and heal," Peters said.  "The horses understand. They can feed off that. Their energy feeds to the rider and they overcome challenges."

At the end, Peters said, it's all about soldiers, special-needs kids and their families.

"We want to keep families close together and let them know they have a really strong support back here at home," she said.

Peters' own family is an integral part of the program, which she cofounded with Jesse before he deployed. Their daughter, Isabella, 3, is already on her way to being an equestrienne, Lexi said, though their son, Christopher, 21 months, just likes watching the animals.

'A real simple program'

Life at Silent Hooves can be as structured or informal as participants want.

"It's a real simple program. We just try to bring families together. They just hang out and spend some quiet time with the horses," Peters said.

"It's very quiet out here. We try to help them cope with some of the combat stresses they have — whether it's loss of a buddy or family stresses when they get back — and find their place in the home again."

Local clergymen also sometimes stop by and visit with service members or families seeking spiritual counseling, Peters said.

Soldiers and their families sometimes pitch in with farm chores, repairing fences or feeding animals. Community volunteers donate money toward horse feed and veterinary care.

Students often volunteer with the special-needs children, which has led to withdrawn children coming out of their shells, socializing with other kids and even joining local scout troops, Peters said.

"I just love sitting back and just watching them. It's been a  dream of mine," she said. "I'm literally living a dream and giving back to the community, which is a double bonus."

WANT TO GO?

Silent Hooves Horse Farm's nonprofit Hooves for Heroes program offers quiet, peaceful respite for military members, their families and special-needs children. Volunteer and sponsorship opportunities are available. Horse trainers are certified in equine assistance therapies through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship. Contact owner Lexi Peters, 537-2457 or alexiscpeters@gmail.com, for more information.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Hooves for Heroes offers respite, healing for military, kids and families

FORT WALTON BEACH — The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee of Okaloosa County has scheduled several events to honor the slain civil rights leader's legacy.

"Team Work Makes the Dream Work" is the theme of this year's events, which include:

•Oratorical/Poster Contest: Jan. 11, 10 a.m. to noon, Fort Walton Beach High School.

•MLK Memorial Program: Jan. 19, 5:30 p.m., Fort Walton Beach High School Auditorium.

•Parade/March: Jan. 20, 8 a.m., Fort Walton Beach Municipal Auditorium.

•Rally and After-rally Activities: Jan. 20, noon at Fort Walton Beach High School.

All these activities are free and open to the public.

Contact the Rev. Dr. Tommye Walker, event chairperson, at 863-4755 or 218-0103, or Justin Lee, co-chair, at 883-2708.

FYI

The 2014 holiday celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life marks what would have been the civil rights leader's 85th birthday, the 29th celebration as a national holiday and Okaloosa County's 28th local celebration

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa committee sets events to celebrate MLK's legacy

CRESTVIEW —  A Northwest Florida family is still shocked by what happened to their loved one's gravesite Christmas week.

Tyler Peaden said the recent theft of Christmas decorations from his daughter, Alana's, gravesite on a private area near Old Bethel Cemetery stirs up emotions of losing Alana all over again.

Alana died in June from complications with Type 2 diabetes. She left behind her fiancée, Dakota Danio, and their 1-year-old son, Noah, in addition to numerous loved ones. 

"She died just 10 days after she turned 20 years old; that was a hard pill to swallow in itself," Tyler said.

Friends and family members set up two solar-powered Christmas trees and other holiday items, including a shepherd's hook with a family necklace, at Alana's gravesite.

The crime occurred on Christmas Eve, Tyler said, adding he filed a report with the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office after taking Noah to see Alana's gravesite on Christmas Day.

"The bad thing about it is that Christmas is her favorite time of year," he said.

Personalized ornaments from loved ones adorned one stolen artificial Christmas tree. Thieves left the original funeral floral arrangements behind, only taking the Christmas trees and other holiday decorations.

Sharon Peaden, Alana's grandmother, said the thefts compounded their grief.

"It was going to be comforting for us, in knowing that (Alana) was going to be with us during Christmas and (Noah) could see his mommy … on Christmas morning," she said. "I just hope that this doesn't happen to anyone else."

Although this year's Christmas display for Alana was ruined, the family plans to celebrate Christmas the same way next year.

And now, the Peadens are prepared.

Responding lawmen ensured there would be additional patrolling in the area, and Tyler plans to install a hunting camera to curb future theft. 

The Peadens are determined to spend Christmas with Alana next year.

'We definitely won't let Noah forget his mother," Sharon 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: Gravesite desecration, theft shock family; still, they stay strong

CRESTVIEW — As another eventful year draws to a close, the Crestview News Bulletin's staff looks back on the top stories we reported on in 2013.

1. THE CONVICTION OF JOSEPH FLOYD

Former Crestview police Maj. Joseph Floyd faces 12 years in prison following his October sentencing on a single racketeering charge.

Floyd, who commanded the department's defunct Street Crimes Unit, was credited with remedying the city's rampant drug problem and improving departmental professionalism.

However, evidence presented at his trial showed he harassed, intimidated and physically abused criminal suspects, residents and officers who worked for him, falsified paperwork and destroyed evidence.  

2. GERMANY, MEET NORTHWEST FLORIDA

The International Aerospace Industry Forum for Northwest Florida Leadership, held earlier this month in Hamburg, Germany, brought 35 business, education and community leaders from Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Santa Rosa and Escambia counties.

Okaloosa County Commissioner Wayne Harris, also the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce executive director; Nathan Sparks, the Okaloosa County Economic Development Council's executive director; and Linda Sumblin, the Workforce Development Board of Okaloosa and Walton Counties' executive director, were among attendees.

It was the first time that the five counties' economic development leaders worked together to organize an overseas trip to try to bring new business to the region.

3. BUS SERVICE THREATENED

After the Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners voted to eliminate Crestview's two bus routes if the City Council couldn't help fund the service, Crestview leaders voted to fund the routes using anticipated county gasoline tax revenue.

Commissioners then changed parameters and said the routes would only operate through January 2014.

Monday morning, County Commissioner Nathan Boyles said the buses probably will keep running through fiscal year 2013-14, with possible route consolidations to improve efficiency and reduce operating costs.

"I think, at the end of the day, we can provide the same amount of service for less," he said.

4. FOOTBALL TEAMS BRING HOMETOWN PRIDE

Crestview High School's Bulldogs beat the Niceville High School Eagles 17-12 on Nov. 1.

The Bulldogs' first win over the Eagles since 1982 signaled a turning point for the school's football program, which posted two disappointing seasons under former Coach Kevin Pettis.

A new era, under Coach Tim Hatten, is here, and the future looks promising.

Neighboring Baker School's Gators hadn't won a district championship since 2001, but the team saw a perfect 10-0 regular season and defeated Distrcit 1-1A rivals Freeport, Jay and Northview.

5. SHOPPING MALL PROJECT IN LIMBO

Local shoppers anticipated national restaurant and retail chains as the proposed Crestview Power Center shopping mall project near Lowe's slowly lumbered forward.

An agreement between the city, Beach Community Bank, which owns the land, and developer D.R. Horton would fund a sewer line needed to allow development north of Interstate 10.

Mall developer Watkins Retail Group's abrupt withdrawal put the project in jeopardy. But a December agreement between the city and the bank allows the sewer line upgrade to move forward, facilitating D.R. Horton's residential community construction.

That should make the mall site more attractive to another developer, city officials said.

6. CRESTVIEW MISSION RAIDED

Following a month-long investigation into child abuse and neglect allegations, the Crestview Police Department on Nov. 7 executed a search warrant at Harvest Vineyard Ministries.

Police found nearly 80 people, including convicted felons and sex offenders, living in the same Main Street residential facility as children.

Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office deputies charged the Rev. Alex E. Thompson, the ministry's pastor, with child neglect without great bodily harm.

Authorities closed the facility and Harvest Vineyard staffers relocated residents to a Covington County, Ala., church.

7. VOTERS TURN OUT INCUMBENTS

Crestview voters elected three native residents to the City Council and turned two incumbents out of office in March. Only 1,324 of 12,652 registered voters went to the polls.

Joe Blocker defeated then-president Ben Iannucci III while former president Charles Baugh Jr. lost to Mickey Rytman. Shannon Hayes won the seat of former councilman Tim Grandberry, who did not run for reelection.

The new councilmen joined Robyn Helt and Tom Gordon on the dais in April. The three former councilmen were newcomers to the city.

8.CRESTVIEW NAMED THE NO. 30 COLLEGE TOWN

The American Institute for Economic Research ultimately named the Crestview metropolitan area, including Fort Walton Beach and Destin, No. 30 among America's Top College Towns.

The institute initially gave the area a No. 4 ranking, based on median income and other economic factors, which raised scrutiny among a number of North Okaloosa residents and inspired editorials from publications such as the Gainesville Sun, which criticized the decision.

Ultimately, the institute's president said a copy-and-paste error contributed to the erroneous Top 10 ranking.

9. CONFEDERATE FLAG ISSUE RISES AGAIN

In October, community activist Mae Reatha Coleman voiced opposition to the city flying a Confederate battle flag over William "Uncle Bill" Lundy's memorial.

The City Council held a special meeting Nov. 14 to allow discussion of the issue, which has been raised since the 1990s. Speakers included representatives of out-of-town southern heritage groups and local residents. The council adjourned without taking a side on the issue.

But Coleman, saying "the flag divides our community,"  promised to raise the issue again.

10.CITY GAINS NEW BUSINESSES

Many residents anticipated the Krystal hamburger restaurant's October opening, while a new Dollar General store opened across from the National Guard Armory in Crestview.

A new Taco Bell opened near Crestview High School, and Hot Spot, a cigar bar and coffee shop, opened south of town.

Emerald Isle Seafood, a seafood market and restaurant, opened in the location of the former Fish Net. Sweet Dreams Bakery brought from-scratch cakes and "sin-namon" rolls to Main Street.

Pawsitively Scrumptious also opened downtown, offering pet snacks and supplies, complementing All Doggy Divas and Rockstars pet boarding and grooming around the corner.

However, one long-time business is shutting its doors. Keith Lewis of Lewis and Company Jewelers, announced he is retiring and closing his North Ferdon Boulevard store.

Do you agree with this list? Or would you rank something differently? Leave us a note below!

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: The News Bulletin's Top 10 stories of 2013

CRESTVIEW — A number of North Okaloosa residents celebrate the holidays with festive front-lawn displays, but one family decorates the house for an additional reason: to support a cause.

The Nevilles have presented Watts Up Crestview, a 20-minute light show at their Shoal Lake neighborhood home, since 2006. Matthew Neville, a technical sergeant at Hurlburt Field, synchronizes holiday music with a 32,000-light display. Visitors can tune their radios to 94.5 FM to see and hear the 20-minute show.

Watch video of the synchronized light show>>

Watching the display is free, but guests are encouraged to make a donation to Special Olympics Okaloosa County. A locked donation box, built by Neville and his 9-year-old daughter, Kaelyn, sits outside the house for collections.

Theresa Mouer, assistant director for the county's Special Olympics, said she appreciates the support.

"I think that this is absolutely wonderful," she said. "(Neville) has been bending over backward to accommodate these athletes."

Such efforts include an invitation for Special Olympics athletes to see Watts Up Crestview's last display of the season on Jan. 4. Neville will present a check to the organization's representative between 6 and 7 p.m.

As for this year's show, visitors will hear music from "Iron Man 3," along with the Florida State University fight song.

That's fine by Eddie Carraquillo, the Nevilles' neighbor.

"As long as I can get a vehicle in and out (of the driveway), I don't care," he said.

Carraquillo said he and his family annually anticipate the display and seeing how it affects visitors.

"If it gives anybody 15 to 20 minutes of relaxation, then that's great," he said.

With the work in setting up the display and paying higher electric bills, Neville said the entire process is a labor of love.

"This is completely worth it," he said.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Watts Up Crestview, a synchronized Christmas light and music show

WHEN: 6-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 6-10:30 p.m. Friday through Saturday. 

WHERE: 3004 Renee Court, Crestview

COST: Free

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Christmas light show benefiting area Special Olympics (VIDEO)

Lately, I've been thinking of the big picture and why we worry about trivial things.

Why is it important to have the newest, latest game or electronic toy? Why is that designer bag, dress, shoe, pair of jeans or shirt, and that particular house or car so important?

The object, once obtained, becomes just as expendable as last year's items.

“A Perfect Day," a 2006 film based on a book I read, is about a middle class author who lives payday to payday until one of his books becomes a bestseller. He becomes very successful and neglects everyone close to him.

Fast forward and, when faced with a lifespan of 40 more days, he remembers the people who fueled his journey.

Something similar happened to Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol."

But why does it have to come to that? Is it human nature to take others for granted at one point or another in life?

I truly believe Christmas and other holidays have been extremely commercialized. Don’t get me wrong; I understand supply and demand. I just strongly believe in staying focused on the main reason that holidays are holidays. After all, Christmas is about family, loved ones and togetherness.

"A Perfect Day” made me think of my life and how I treat people.

What would you do if you found out you would die in three weeks?Who would you spend your remaining days with? What would you do with your time?

A question I have asked many of my holiday guests this week is, “What was the first gift of Christmas?” With the economy in the state that it is in, my household has taken the answer to this question to heart. Almost every single gift given to each other this year was handmade.

Paper, wood, glue and popsicle sticks were among the materials, but the foundation was the first Christmas' gift: love.

Happy holidays.

Amber Kelley lives in Laurel Hill. Send news or comments to Hobo.homefront@gmail.com or P.O. Box 163, Laurel Hill, FL, 32567.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HOBO HOMEFRONT: Let's think of the big picture this holiday season

CRESTVIEW — Sharing and Caring volunteers need non-perishable foods to last beyond the winter holidays, organizers said.

"We are holding our own right now," said Robin Marston, vice president of local food pantry. "Unfortunately, donations usually begin to fall after the holidays, and we are already low."

  Volunteers said they appreciate local organizations, churches, schools and Cub Scout Troop 799 for donating large amounts of canned food items.

However, nearly 40 residents daily come to receive food items, and it's difficult to meet the demand, Marston said.

That's because the number of donations has dipped since the country's economic downturn, volunteers said.

Yet one thing is certain: "There are a lot of hungry people in our city," volunteer Doris Mauldin said.

WANT TO HELP?

Sharing and Caring needs these items:

•Rice

•Dried beans

•Canned vegetables, fruit, beans, tomatoes and soup

•Crackers

•Tuna

•Cereal

•Peanut butter and jelly

•Spam, hotdogs and hamburger meat

•Powdered milk

•Pasta and spaghetti sauce

•Dinner items including macaroni and cheese mix, stews, chili and ravioli

Sharing and Caring is closed through Jan. 6 for the holidays, but regular hours are 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Thursday at 208 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Crestview. Call 682-1907 for more details.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Sharing and Caring 'low' on food donations; seeks food items

CRESTVIEW — The Okaloosa County Master Gardeners have elected the group's 2014 executive board. Incoming officers are treasurer Bob Bayer, secretary Karen Kirk-Williams, president-elect Linda Meyers and president Stacey Taylor.

The new board takes office in time to assist with the annual local Arbor Day program presented by the Master Gardeners' sponsoring organization, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension Service.

The 2014 observance is Jan. 16 at the county extension office on Airport Road, group spokeswoman Sandie Olsen said. The time will be announced later.

"This will be a cooperative effort between forestry (the Florida Forest Service), extension and the Master Gardeners," Olsen said.

The county's more than 100 certified Master Gardeners are trained gardening and landscape enthusiasts who volunteer countless hours answering home horticultural questions in person and on the telephone, and work with youth through the county 4-H program.

The gardeners also operate the County Extension testing laboratory; operate a speakers bureau for organizations and gardening clubs; and run the Master Gardener nursery in Fort Walton Beach.

"The goals of the program are to increase the availability of horticulture information for the community and to improve the quality of life for residents of Okaloosa County through horticulture volunteer services," Olsen said.

Home gardening advice

Master Gardeners provide free home gardening advice by phone or in person at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences County Extension office. Call 689-5850 or visit  3098 Airport Road, Crestview, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, for assitance.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Master Gardeners 2014 executive board elected, planning for Arbor Day

CRESTVIEW — Many underserved kids will have something under their Christmas trees tomorrow thanks to a Bob Sikes Elementary School fifth-grader's efforts.

Justice Livingston, who publishes a newsletter in the Garden City Brownstone Manor development, encouraged her neighbors to donate toys for the Crestview Police Department's Cops for Kids program. It is the second year the 10-year-old has collected toy donations.

Thursday afternoon, Justice and her grandparents, Pat and Howard Mosely, brought the toys to Crestview City Hall. There, Mayor David Cadle, City Clerk Betsy Roy and community policing officer Wanda Hulion received them.

"We're so proud of … Justice," Cadle said. "The police department is proud of (her), too, for helping with their effort to give toys to children who need them this Christmas."

The toys Justice collected joined a whole office full of other donations and benefited more than 40 families, Hulion said. Many donations came from donor bins in area businesses. Employees of the Baker Dollar General filled the bin in their store twice, she said.

Pat Mosely said she and her husband encourage Justice to be community oriented.

"I'm glad to do it because it helps other kids," Justice said.

That kind of attitude inspires adults, city officials said.

"It makes you feel good when kids care about other kids," Hulion said.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Bob Sikes student's effort augments Cops for Kids toy drive