Won't you please give to our “Gift of Reading” program? We collect new or slightly used books and give them to children in the Okaloosa Head Start Program.

Already, we have received a considerable donation from Microsoft, which pledged a generous gift to sponsor the Crestview Public Library campaign.

Microsoft— which matches employees' charitable payroll pledges— employs aCrestview High School alumnus, whose donation will help the library present outreach programs and purchase new books for local Head Start programs.

We have ordered new books for children through age 5 who attend Edney, Bay and Laurel Hill Head Start and preschool classes.

Still, every little bit helps! Stop by the library, 1445 Commerce Drive, behind the Crestview post office, if you would like to donate.

Jean Lewis is the Crestview Public Library's director.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CHECK IT OUT: Give the gift of reading — it costs just a book

Editor's Note: This is an update to "Homeless for the holidays."

CRESTVIEW — The Campiones would have been homeless after Saturday, their deadline to move out of a mobile home they had been living in rent-free.

But the day before eviction, Debbie Campione found hope.

"I went on Craigslist Friday and saw an ad for a three-bedroom house," she said. "The owner said she had just put this house on there 30 minutes before I saw it."

For two months, Kathleen Bowman and her son, Phil, had been letting Campione, her daughter, Crystal Pryor, and Pryor's five children live rent-free in a mobile home the Bowmans owned on Lee Avenue.

Last month, the Bowmans sold the lot to Habitat for Humanity, and had to remove the mobile home by the beginning of December to close on the property.

Campione was informed of the sale at the time so her family could begin looking for a new home, Phil Bowman said.

"We went under contract with Habitat for Humanity. Just the timing was bad," Bowman said, with Thanksgiving occurring just two days before the family had to move.

Nitsi Bennett, president and chief executive officer of the regional Habitat for Humanity office, said the organization was not responsible for the family having to move.

"(The Campiones) knew that the house was sold," he said. "They were only supposed to be there until they found someplace else."

The Campiones also received an eight-day notice before eviction.

Helping hands

When Campione found the Chestnut Avenue home listed online, Bowman helped the family move.

"We paid their deposit for the new place and we gave them a trailer to move their stuff," he said.

Campione said she and Pryor have begun the process of applying for one of the Habitat for Humanity houses planned Crestview, and are gathering necessary financial documentation.

"There could a one- to two-year waiting list, they told me," Campione said. "I said that's fine, as long as we get our name on there."

Bowman said he and his family are glad the story had a happy ending, and were pleased they could help Campione and her family.

"Habitat and the Bowmans are just in the business of helping people," he 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: Family finds new home following eviction from rent-free residence

While unpacking Christmas decorations — items I've acquired over several years — from the attic, I pondered why people keep things.

I have a system to determine what stays and what goes — a checklist with these questions:

•Why did I keep this? Did it have sentimental meaning?

•Have I forgotten about this item? If it’s been more than a year and I haven’t missed it, I probably don’t need it.

•Can I live without this item? Is it irreplaceable?

Making this list — and checking it twice — helps me keep clutter down so that spring cleaning is no hassle, and the house stays nice! 

And, with Christmas coming up, you have to make room for the new items that will take up space.

With that advice in mind, here's what's happening in Laurel Hill:

Homecoming Week kicks off Monday, when Laurel Hill School students return to class.

Monday is Camouflage/Duck Dynasty day; Tuesday is Character Day, when students dress like their favorite character from a book or movie; Wednesday is Decade Day, when students dress from a certain period, whether it's the roaring 1920s or the groovy 1970s! Thursday, students dress from different cultures for “Around the World” Day.

Friday is the Homecoming game and dance, so wear Hobo blue and gold! Saturday is the senior citizen prom.

Call the school, 652-4111, for more details.

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: THE HOBO HOMEFRONT: Declutter before decorating your Christmas tree

CRESTVIEW — Following the city of Crestview and Main Street Crestview Association's Christmas Parade, attendees are invited to nearby Lifepoint Church for a Christmas tree lighting.

Attendees can sip free hot chocolate and snack on cookies as church volunteers light an artificial 23-foot-tall Christmas tree in Lifepoint's main parking lot.

The event — a first for the church — will include a live nativity with church members and a large sleigh display for photo opportunities.  

"It's something we always wanted to do for the community to draw us all together," church business administrator Kathy Barrow said. 

"Hopefully, this is going to be a great time for many years to come," she said.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: City of Crestview and Main Street Crestview Association's Christmas Parade and Lifepoint Church Christmas tree lighting

WHEN: Parade begins at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 7 on Main Street; tree lighting begins at 8:30 p.m.

WHERE: 400 S. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview

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: Christmas tree lighting to follow parade Dec. 7

CRESTVIEW — Main Street Crestview Association Christmas parade organizers, working with Police Chief Tony Taylor, are taking steps to keep the event moving.

Taylor had suggested that organizers have a pre-parade mandatory meeting of float and truck drivers, group marching units in blocks, and designating multiple dispersal areas off Wilson Street.

Main Street volunteer Cal Zethmayr said the event has experienced periodic halts when units would stop at the reviewing stand, then a block later, unload riders by Badcock & More furniture, causing units behind them to halt.

The Tuesday evening meeting will help clarify new rules, Zethmayr said. Those include forbidding amplified sound that isn't Christmas music. Last year, a religious organization had a rider with a bullhorn shouting fire-and-brimstone messages that many parade goers found inappropriate.

"Some good came out of the preacher that screamed last year," Zethmayr said.

North Okaloosa Amateur Radio Club members will provide communications, escorting each block of 25 units and reporting their progress, Zethmayr said. Each block will be sent to a pre-assigned separate disbanding area after the parade to avoid confusion and traffic jams. Supporters will then know where to wait to help dismantle floats.

Organizers have met with CSX railroad representatives, who had agreed to stage trains beyond Crestview to assure none crossed Main Street between 5:45 and 7:30 p.m. on parade night.

Finally, Zethmayr said, the Main Street Crestview Association will strictly enforce the "one Santa" rule. The only float that will include the jolly old elf is the association's, which traditionally concludes the parade.

"After all, there's only one Santa Claus," Zethmayr said.

Want to go?

WHAT:Mandatory meeting for drivers or adult representatives of Crestview Christmas Parade units

WHEN:7 p.m. Tuesday

WHERE:Warriors Hall, Whitehurst Municipal Building, Stillwell Boulevard and Industrial Drive

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: Mandatory Christmas parading groups' meeting is Tuesday

CRESTVIEW — The community garden movement has arrived in Crestview, bringing with it myriad benefits, organizer Dr. Catherine Ward says.

Community gardens are plots tended by members with shared goals: namely, exercising, producing healthy food, reconnecting with nature, increasing civic pride and networking with neighbors.

"This is about growth," Ward said during Tuesday's city council meeting. "We want to grow food and we want to grow people.

"Especially, we want to grow self-reliance and cohesion in our community — and we want to build all of this from the ground up."

The Common Ground Community Garden of Crestview has leased a plot at 157 S. Main St., against the State Road 85 overpass, Ward said.

Better food, more opportunities

Community gardening allows members to enhance home-cooked meals and potentially earn an income stream, Ward said.  

"The kid who works the garden over here on Main Street can take (produce he grows) to the farmers market and get himself a little cash," Ward said.

Then there are the potential social benefits.

"A community garden is something everybody can come together over," Ward said. "It doesn't matter whether you're rich or poor, a hippie or a preppie. Everybody comes together over a garden."

While members give labor, Ward said the city can lend support with services such as lighting, zoning help, fee waivers, insurance and "cutting through red tape."

Council President Robyn Helt expressed support for the project.

"I feel it's the perfect (Community Redevelopment Agency) project," she said.

"I like what she has in mind," Councilman Joe Blocker said.

WANT TO HELP?

Residents interested in becoming involved with the Common Ground Community Garden of Crestview may contact Catherine Ward at 758-8481 or visit www.CrestviewCommunityGarden.org.

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: Community garden movement comes to town; council adds support

BAKER — The Baker Family Medical Center at 1321 Georgia Avenue in Baker is hosting Cookies with Santa tomorrow.

Santa will visit at the center for two hours, 4-6 p.m. and will be taking Christmas requests. Children may write and share their letters with Santa, and their parents or guardians may also take a photo of their children with Santa.

Cookies and punch will be served.

Call 537-2700 for details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Cookies with Santa at Baker medical center

Happy New Year! I would like to take this opportunity to report on the state of the library and my beliefs and concerns for the year.

I believe in the freedom to read, that reading is fundamental, that libraries are essential and that books open the doors of the world.

We have accomplished an enormous amount in this past year, despite a reduction in our budget. We circulated 188,569 items, sponsored 572 free programs and served 147,197 customers who visited the library.

I thank our Friends of the Crestview Library and our loyal customers; we could not be so successful without your support.

Now that we've addressed the past, let's look toward the future.

We are all anticipating an even busier and more successful year.

We will continue to be the place for residents to find educational, business and recreational information. Our library has become the go-to information source for North Okaloosa residents. The library is open to all citizens and offers free access to all of our materials, including the internet.

We will offer a wider variety of programs that will draw in patrons of all ages and interests. We have some exciting programs scheduled for both adults and children.

"The History of the Florida Chautauqua,” presented by Dean DeBolt, of the University of West Florida, is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Jan. 7 at the library.

Debolt has published and spoken widely on the history of the Florida Chautauqua, the American Chautauqua movement and how DeFuniak Springs became Florida's cultural center, propelling the state from the 19th century into the 20th century. He is a frequent speaker on topics of West Florida history and genealogical research.

Our art gallery and three-dimensional display cabinets are already booked by local artists eager to show their masterpieces.

In January and February, we will have a display from the Crestview Photo Club, and Mickey Frabott will display abstract wood sculptures.

In addition to our regular children’s Lap Sit and Story Time programs, Guinness Record holder Ken Blackburn will present a paper airplanes program at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28 at the Crestview Community Center.

Our customers' internet connection needs will be better served now that we have purchased several Windows 7 computers. Computer one-on-one help will be available by appointment.

Our goal is to increase our e-book collection but still offer bestseller books in print.

We are here to fulfill your business, educational and leisure reading requirements. Look for our new library logo, and check us out!

Jean Lewis is the Crestview Public Library's director.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CHECK IT OUT: Expect more community programs, e-book collection expansion in '14

CRESTVIEW — A week and a day. That's how long Debbie Campione and her family were given to move out of their home.

Today was the deadline.

Campione, her daughter, Crystal Pryor, Pryor's five children and their affectionate chocolate Labrador, Mocha, had just eight days to vacate their Lee Avenue home, find a new place to live and move.

Habitat for Humanity will demolish the mobile home in which the family had been living rent-free. It plans to build a new home — one of six planned for Crestview — on the property.

Phil Bowman of Fred Bowman Realty, which sold the property, has been helping the family find a new home, but apart from a pair of unheated, leaky one-bedroom trailers, the search has been fruitless.

A call to Habitat for Humanity for comment was not returned.

Campione said the family has applied for one of the several new Habitat for Humanity homes planned for Crestview, had an interview with the organization Wednesday, and is awaiting word.

If the family's application is accepted, Campione said the main challenge will be finding a place to live until the house becomes ready.

"It takes months to build a house," Campione said.

More challenges

Pryor is disabled and receives Social Security benefits, Campione is still recuperating from injuries related to a car wreck, and her 11-year-old granddaughter is mildly autistic.

"Our stress level is out there," Campione said. "My 20-year-old grandson was put on blood pressure medicine Monday."

The family has been frugal with their income, which is supplemented by Pryor's boyfriend, a building contractor who helps pay the bills, Campione said.

While they have enough money to meet the $800 monthly rent for a home they looked at earlier this week, they have only been able to put away $350 toward a security deposit.

Campione said her family appreciates Bowman Realty for letting them live rent-free in exchange for fixing up the trailer, and for helping them find a new home.

"They're very nice," she said.

Campione said she has tried seeking help from resources including the Homeless Coalition, Salvation Army, Catholic Charities and United Way, but without success.

With the Thanksgiving holiday in the middle of their eight-day grace period, finding assistance has been difficult, Campione said.

"I just don't know what to do. I really don't — especially this time of year," she said. "This is supposed to be a time of miracles. Someone has to have a heart somewhere. We're not looking for a handout. We just want a roof over our heads. That's all."

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: Homeless for the holidays: Family 'just wants a roof over our heads'

The holidays are here, and it's time to share the many Christmas and winter activities planned for the area.

Non-profit and arts organizations may submit brief calendar listings of their holiday-themed events and performances by Dec. 2.

Submit your listing to Brian Hughes, brianh@crestviewbulletin.com, or call him at 682-6524.

Watch for a calendar of north county Christmas performances, programs and events in the Dec. 4 News Bulletin.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Christmas calendar submissions sought