Gulf Power Company has honored a North Okaloosa service group with a Power of Service award.

The utility presented Crestview's Carver-Hill Museum with a $2,500 check to aid community outreach.

Carver-Hill Museum honors the now-closed, segregated Carver-Hill School and chronicles the local African-American community's history with displays of photos, yearbooks and sports memorabilia.

S4P Synergy of Fort Walton Beach, another Power of Service recipient, creates a partnership between churches, businesses and government entities to provide emergency financial assistance with utilities, rent, food, prescription medication and funerals.

The recipients received the awards — which recognize groups continuing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy — during a Dec. 6 ceremony in Fort Walton Beach.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Carver-Hill Museum recognized for continuing MLK's legacy

CRESTVIEW — From senior citizens to furry friends, food to cash and schools to churches, opportunities abound this holiday season to help north county causes.

Here are some charitable organizations, from general to specific groups, that welcome your gifts of money and time.

TIP: The Better Business Bureau advises checking out an unfamiliar charity's worthiness before donating money. One way is to search for the charity's name on the Northwest Florida BBB website.

AREA CHURCHES: Most area churches offer community support services including food banks, soup kitchens, cold night shelters and assistance for the homeless and needy.

AREA SCHOOLS: School drama programs, choruses, bands and sports programs rely on parent and community contributions.

American Red Cross: Emergency response.4100 S. Ferdon Blvd., Suite A-1, 682-3356

BAKER AREA MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION: Affiliation of 17 local churches. Ila Bosarge, 682-5434.

BAKER BLOCK MUSEUM: Area history, heritage and genealogy research library and museum. 1307 Georgia Ave., Baker. Ann Spann, director, 537-5714.

BOY SCOUTS/CUB SCOUTS/VENTURE CREW: Local troops and packs welcome adult volunteers and contributions. Area commissioner Rae Schwartz, 585-5672.

CARVER-HILL MUSEUM: Black history and heritage of the Crestview and north county area. 895 McClelland St., Crestview. Rae Roberson, 682-4003.

Common Ground Community Garden: Several residents grow plants and vegetables on one plot of land. Dr. Catherine Ward, 758-8481, www.CrestviewCommunityGarden.org.

COVENANT HOSPICE: End-of-life care and family grief counseling regardless of ability to pay. 370 W. Redstone Ave, Crestview. Carolyn Williams, 682-3628.

CRESTVIEW AREA MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION: Affiliation of 40 local churches. The Rev. Mark Broadhead, 682-2835.

CRESTVIEW POLICE DEPARTMENT EXPLORERS: Youth auxiliary program. Officer Sam Kimmons, 305-7831.

EMERALD COAST HOSPICE: End-of-life care and family support. Ann O'Connor, 131 E. Redstone Ave., 689-0300.

Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge Zoological Park(formerly Sasquatch Zoo): Susan Leveille, 650-1880, www.ecwildliferefuge.com

FOY SHAW SCHOLARSHIP FUNDfor local high school students. Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, 1447 Commerce Drive, Crestview. Dr. Pam Meadows, chairperson, 682-3212.

FRIENDS OF THE ARTS: Supports local artists and arts programs, maintains Warriors Hall grand piano, produces arts events. Rae Schwartz, 585-5672.

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY: Raises funds for Crestview Public Library programs, book and equipment purchases. 682-4432.

HEALTHY WOMAN: Women's health and wellness program, North Okaloosa Medical Center. Alicia Booker, coordinator, 689-8446, alicia_booker@chs.net.

HOPE HOUSE: Shelter for families and children. 5127 Eastland St., Crestview. Cyndy Freshour, 682-2374.

MAIN STREET CRESTVIEW ASSOCIATION: Sponsors refurbishment projects and events for the historic district. 198 N. Wilson St., Crestview. Ellis Conner, president, 689-3722.

Military Appreciation Recognition Committee: City Hall, 198 N. Wilson St., Crestview. Bob Lynn, chairman, 682-3795.

OKALOOSA CHAMBER SINGERS: Regional professional choral ensemble. Dr. Marilyn Overturf, director, 682-9651.

RAILEY'S 13th BIRTHDAY PROJECT: Holt resident Railey Connor, 12, collects donations for area nursing home residents. Drop-off locations include the News Bulletin, 705 Ashley Drive, and First Baptist Church of Holt, 532 U.S. Highway 90.

RELAY FOR LIFE: American Cancer Society spring walkathon fundraiser. Megan Bowersox, 244-9042.            

SCHOLA CANTORUM: Community chorus based at Northwest Florida State College. Dr. John Leatherwood, 729-6071.

SHARING AND CARING:Crestview food bank, 298 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Crestview. Robin Marston, 682-1907.

SOUP KITCHENS AND COLD WEATHER SHELTERS:Operated every day but Sunday by the Crestview Area Ministerial Association and participating churches. Anne Sprague, coordinator, 826-1770, cnasprague@embarqmail.com.

SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION, CHAPTER 7:Supports 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)'s soldiers and families. Steve Tuttle, president, 7SFG cantonment, Eglin Reservation, 398-2539.

UNITED METHODIST CHILDREN'S HOME:Shelter and home for youth. 120 Duggan Ave., Crestview. Mae Knox, 398-5649.

VIEW FROM THE STAGE:Crestview community theatre troupe. Berit Faust and Sandra Peters, 398-8814.

YMCA:Community family fitness programs. 298 N. Wilson St., Crestview. Sarah Traver, 689-2999.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Charitable Giving Guide 2013: North Okaloosa causes to consider

CRESTVIEW — A question posted on Answers.com raised questions in Michael Skinner's mind, especially when he suspected the "correct" answer didn't seem so correct.

The 10-year-old turned to a more authoritative source than the questions-and-answers website's user-generated content.

He wrote to the "Ask Shagg" comic strip.

See video of Michael's reaction when he learns his question was published>>

"It was just curiosity" that inspired him to ask the shaggy yellow cartoon dog, he said.

Michael's mom, Deanna Skinner, said the boy sent his question in August and received an email stating the answer would run in late fall. It was published in the Northwest Florida Daily News' Dec. 8 edition.

"He was so shocked," Deanna said. "He was extremely surprised and happy…"

Michael never doubted that Shagg E. Dawg creator Peter Guren would use his question, which was, "Is it true that a raccoon cannot jump?" It was just a matter of time.

"I believed that he would answer it," Michael said. "It's finally in there!"

Guren, who said he receives questions from readers all over the country, said Michael's query caught his eye.

"Basically, I (didn't) know if raccoons can jump," he said. "It was a question I wanted an answer to, too. That's usually how it happens."

Michael, who received a stuffed Shagg E. Dawg for having his question published, added the plush pooch to his collection of 44 stuffed critters.

Homeschooled brothers Michael and Jimmy, 14, now have 61 stuffed animals, collectively.

When Michael's not studying or playing with the toys, he builds things with Lego blocks and plays with Transformers.

And yes, Shagg E. replied, "a raccoon can jump, especially when someone is threatening."

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: A Shagg E. answer: Comics character answers Crestview boy's question (VIDEO)

CRESTVIEW — Numerous Shoal Creek Rehabilitation Center residents' family members can expect Christmas gifts when they come to visit.

And the packages will be pretty, thanks, in part, to about 20 Crestview High School students in Stephanie Sanders' leadership class who helped with gift wrapping.

The students — toting tape, scissors, wrapping paper and gift bags — visited Dec. 3 to assist.

With the sometimes difficult task of using scissors and tape out of the way, all residents need to do is present the gifts and enjoy time with their loved ones this Christmas, event organizers 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: CHS leadership class wraps gifts for nursing home residents

LAUREL HILL — Laurel Hill's third annual Christmas Parade is 3 p.m. Saturday.

The route begins near Industrial Park on New Ebenezer Road, snakes across State Road 85 connecting to 4th Street, and ends on Chicago Avenue near Laurel Hill School.

See a map of Laurel Hill's 3rd Annual Christmas Parade route >>

Crews from the city's volunteer fire department, Almarante Fire Department and the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office and Florida Highway Patrol, among other agencies, will participate and toss candy to the crowd. 

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: Laurel Hill's 3rd Annual Christmas Parade is Saturday (MAP)

CRESTVIEW — AMVETS Post 35's Ladies Auxiliary, Sons of AMVETS and AMVETS Riders have been providing Thanksgiving and Christmas meals for needy residents since 1990, and the tradition continues this year.

Volunteers will deliver free meals — including turkey or baked ham, mashed potatoes with gravy, stuffing, green beans, whole kernel corn, a pie and a roll — on Dec. 25. Routes are east and south of Shoal River, west of Yellow River and north of Auburn Road.

Call 682-8435 between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. and leave your name, address, phone number and how many meals you will need. 

Volunteers need final meal requests by 5 p.m. Dec. 22.

AMVETS volunteers delivered around 250 free meals to Crestview area residents on Thanksgiving, and they hope to increase their numbers for the Christmas event.

"Thank you to all who came out and helped out," lounge manager Rachael Bowles said. "It was a great success for members and non-members, and we hope to see many more helping out at Christmas."

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: AMVETs to deliver Christmas meals; seeks volunteers, recipients

CRESTVIEW —  Cold weather couldn't keep area residents from attending Saturday night's annual Main Street Crestview Association Christmas Parade.

Several parade attendees, like Ralph Baker, came early for the event.

See the photo gallery>>

"You have to get here early to get a good spot," he said.

Baker, who was waiting for family members to join him, said the parade seems to "get bigger and better each year."

"This is the only (Christmas) parade I come to," he said.

 Families stood along the barricaded Main Street to see the parade while catching candy, beaded necklaces and other items.  

Like in years past, the parade began with the loud sounds of fire engines from area fire departments and the flashing lights from local law enforcement vehicles.

In addition to several area schools with marching bands, cheerleaders and ROTC programs, local churches, non-profit organizations and area businesses displayed their floats during the parade.

Several Crestview Wholesale employees dressed like Santa's elves for their float. 

"It's Santa's Workshop," owner William Rogers said. "It's definitely for the kids."

Ashley Ewalu, 9, joined fellow classmates on the Walker Elementary School student council. She said she was excited to throw candy in the parade.

Being on the other side of the barricades is just as fun, said 10-year-old Abby Moxcey.

"It was awesome… I enjoyed all of it," she said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Residents attend Christmas parade amid chilly weather

If you visit my house, you'll notice — besides the well-lived-in feeling — a decor theme that drives my husband, Adam, crazy!

You see, long ago, after marrying Adam, I traded Cosmo magazines for more “wifey” magazines — such as Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Living — and have become quite the decorator.

My preferences differ from others', but there are lots of interesting articles in both.

But I've always been bothered when people rush holidays, and rapidly change their decor, in lieu of living in the moment.

Stores display Christmas decorations around Halloween, almost completely skipping Thanksgiving.

The radio plays Christmas music before Thanksgiving. (Hey, I like carols as much as the next person, but I like to celebrate the holidays in order. At my house, fall and Thanksgiving décor are up until black Friday — at minimum.)

Of course, it's a shame when you have a pretty place but have ugly-acting guests. No matter how upbeat you are, there is always one person who tries to start the ripple of bad vibes through the crowd at holiday gatherings.

Often, it's someone who tries to blame you for every gray hair on their head, although the only time you see him or her is around the holidays. He or she has something negative to say about everything — and is probably the one consuming the most alcohol or food. Just sayin'.

If you are that miserable person, why not just stay home? Is it necessary to ruin everyone else’s time?

Thanks for letting me vent. And now, upcoming events:

•Academic Team All-Star Tryouts are 3:15-6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10 at Northwest Florida State College in Niceville.

•Laurel Hill School fifth-graders will sell “Dean Cakes” until Dec. 12. Be sure to ask Hobo students about this fundraiser!

•A senior citizen tea is 9 a.m. Dec. 13 at Laurel Hill School's media center.

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: Let's neither rush the holidays nor be rude during parties

The Crestview Civitan Club will meet at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 12 at Coach-N-Four Steak House, 114 John King Road, Crestview. Visitors are welcome, and membership is open to anyone age 18 or older.

Dr. Naomi Barnes, a retired teacher of 37 years, was The Crestview Civitan Club's November guest speaker. Barnes — pictured with Civitan President Gloria Jones, left — taught in the United States and Germany as she traveled with her military husband.

"Barnes showed a passion for education with a love for her teachers and a belief that every child can learn," a Civitan spokesperson said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Civitans set Dec. 12 meeting