BAKER —   The Baker community brought Gator pride to the school’s homecoming parade this afternoon, a finale for the homecoming festivities.

The parade featured the school's ROTC program, cheerleaders, marching band and football team, among other school clubs and organizations.

Also on the parade route were finalists in this year's Miss Baker contest. Miss Teen Baker, Alexis Baggett, said being a part of the parade was a first for her.

"It's a really great feeling…," she said.

 Alexis rode atop a 1979 Chevy Corvette, driven by Mike Killam, while throwing candy to parade-goers.

Many attendees are regulars to the annual event; several have their favorite spots along the parade route.

"The last few years we have stayed along the main road…," said Jaclyn Ware. She and her son, Nathan Welle, 10, were near the First Baptist Church of Baker awaiting to catch candy.

Nathan had three empty bags for the parade.

"I just come for the candy," he said.

Stacie Prahl makes it tradition to attend the parade.

"It's the best little parade," she said. "It's just part of being in this community."

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: Baker community gathers for annual homecoming parade

CRESTVIEW — Kathy Morrow’s recent kayaking trip took an unexpected turn as her pink bejeweled craft plunged into the 100-foot deep scenic Lake Jackson near Florala, Ala.

But Morrow's tale had a happy ending — which included a tiara and scepter — and was just that: a tale.

Crestview Toastmasters Club members tell such tales to entertain fellow members who then critique their public speaking skills, Morrow said.

Her "All Hail the Turtle Queen" exemplified the American tall tale tradition, Toastmaster of the Day Minty Knighton said.

"It focuses on humor, puns and a surprise twist at the end," Knighton said.

Visitors attending Tuesday’s open house saw how the club develops members' communication and leadership skills. The evening also featured improvised "Table Top Topics" speeches based on objects selected for each speaker by Master Sharon Johnson.

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: Crestview Toastmasters share tall tales and impromptu speeches

CRESTVIEW — Beginning tonight, Crestview High School cheerleaders will present two attractions not for the faint of heart, cheerleading parent Scott Guthrie said.

"People can expect cheerleader zombies and other monsters” while visiting the haunted house and haunted woods on John King Road, the father of varsity cheerleaders Ashley and Breanna Guthrie said.  

Breanna, 15, hinted at even more thrills. 

"I don't want to give too much away, but there is scary stuff inside and outside," she said.

Scott Guthrie, and other cheerleaders’ parents, transformed his work area near Vettes Unlimited into a haunted attraction.

They see it as a win-win situation: Residents enjoy a frightening night while the school's cheerleading and competition squads raise funds to charter a bus bound for an Orlando competition next year.

"We are hoping this will be the biggest fundraiser for the team this year," cheerleading Coach Nikki Sweatt said.

"(Competing in Orlando) is extremely important to us because we work hard …,” cheerleader Erin Davis, 15, said.

The added benefit, particularly for the Guthries, was that preparing for the fundraiser offered plenty of bonding time.

"I have definitely enjoyed doing this," Scott Guthrie said. "I would do anything for my girls."

WANT TO G0?

WHAT: Haunted House and Woods, a Crestview High School cheerleading program fundraiser

WHEN: 7 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday and 7-11 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday  

WHERE: 164 John King Road, Crestview

COST: $5 donation per person

INFO: Barbecue and refreshments will be available for purchase on Saturday

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: Haunted house, woods to serve spooky fun, raise funds

CRESTVIEW — Riverside Elementary School’s Pajama Drive organizers seek donations of new children’s sleepwear. 

Each class is collecting pajamas for the Emerald Coast Children's Advocacy Center, a not-for-profit agency that helps abused and neglected children in Okaloosa and Walton counties. 

Julie Hurst, the center’s CEO, said the organization appreciates the school’s efforts.

"It's really neat to see kids helping out other kids," she said.

The center presents an annual Christmas party for children it assists; that’s more than 600 kids this year, Hurst said.

"We make sure that every child that comes to the party leaves with a new pair of pajamas," she said. "Without the community's support, we wouldn't be able to do this."

Riverside’s collections have steadily risen since the school began the drive four years ago, teacher and donation coordinator Haley Kirby said. 

 "When we first started it, we only got around 50 pairs of pajamas," she said. "Last year, we got 165 pairs."

Twenty pajama sets have been donated so far, Kirby said. The drive ends Dec. 5. 

WANT TO DONATE?

WHAT:   The 4th Annual Pajama Drive 

WHEN: Donate between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday near the school's front office. Deadline is Dec. 5.

WHERE: Riverside Elementary School, 3400 E. Redstone Ave., 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: Riverside Elementary collecting pajamas for Children's Advocacy Center

CRESTVIEW — 2013-2014 community workshops kick off at 10 a.m. Oct. 26 with a Day of Women and Money! at First Baptist Church, 171 W. Hickory Ave., Crestview.

It includes free financial education workshops through 3 p.m. Lunch will be provided.

Topics include basic checking and savings, the importance of credit, how to pay yourself first, how to deal with creditors, types of loans, taxes and tax credit, identity theft, budgeting on a low income and retirement planning.

This free workshop is hosted by Shelter House and made possible through a grant from The Allstate Foundation. Men are also welcome to attend.

For more information on upcoming workshops or to register for this Saturday's event, call Shelter House at 243-1201. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Financial seminar for domestic violence survivors planned Saturday in Crestview

Shelter House is continuing financial education and economic empowerment workshops thanks to a $30,000 grant from The Allstate Foundation.

The funds allow the nonprofit and community partners like Wells Fargo to work with domestic violence survivors on budgeting, building savings and repairing credit scores through economic empowerment courses. Shelter House also teaches abuse survivors’ children about how to handle their finances.

As part of the grant, Shelter House annually presents the Women and Money Economic Empowerment Conference, bringing together local experts and nationally renowned speakers for a day of workshops. The fourth annual conference will take place Feb. 22, 2014, at the Northwest Florida State College Costa Leadership Institute.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Shelter House gets $30K Allstate grant for financial workshops

CRESTVIEW — A once-in-a-lifetime experience on the field of Jack Foster Stadium Friday night left an impression on Crestview High School student Jacob Anderson.

See CHS alumni perform with the Big Red Machine>>

See photos from the alumni performance event>>

There, Big Red Machine members performed and later visited with their forerunners.

"I'm speechless, really," Jacob, a trumpeter, said. "It was such a great feeling out there with all the alumni."

Generations of Crestview High School band members mingled on the field before and after the newly formed Alumni Band joined the Big Red Machine for the first time.

Organizers said more than 420 musicians and color guardsmen performed to music from throughout the band’s history, starting with Henry Mancini's driving theme song to "Peter Gunn" and concluding with "The James Bond Theme.”

"It's neat for me 'cause my son's in the band so we'll be able to experience something together," Craig Shaw said, noting his son, Nathan, holds the same drum line section leader position this year that he held in 1977.

About 100 alumni turned out for Thursday night’s rehearsal with the current high school band, and even more turned out Friday night, Graham Fountain, one of the alumni band's organizers, said.

During the performance, Jeanette Cramer, Nellie Fleming, Lamar Garrett, Helen Parkton, Claudia Patten and Betty Thigpen, members of the 1938 Okaloosa County School Band, which evolved into the Big Red Machine, were introduced to the cheering audience.

"We're having so much fun," 1983 color guard captain Carolyn Smith said. "It makes you feel young again."

Crestview Mayor David Cadle, the band’s former director, mounted the conductor's platform and led the massed band in the school fight song as the performance finale.

"That felt good!" Cadle said.

"You haven't lost your touch," Crestview High Principal Bob Jones said to Cadle, who had brought the band to national prominence with many televised appearances.

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: Crestview high alumni join Big Red Machine performance (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

DORCAS — The Dorcas Fire District invites the community to visit a haunted house beginning Oct. 25 at Fire Station 42.

The haunted house — featuring fire department volunteers and their children dressed in Halloween attire — will include spiders, clowns and a prison room. The attraction will also feature a cemetery with paranormal activity.    

It’s a scary setup, department volunteer Deb Winter said, adding that last year's haunted house may have been too spooky for some.

"Two people went home without their shoes," she said.

Proceeds will go toward refurbishing the department's brush fire truck, but the community’s enjoyment is the top priority, Fire Chief John Polinsky said.

"We don't have intentions to make money off of it; we do it so the kids have something to do," he said. "It is for the children and the families in the community." 

  Several businesses — including Lowe's Home Improvement Store and Sherwin-Williams, which donated construction materials — have sponsored the event. Winn-Dixie has donated cookies.

WANT TO GO?

What:Dorcas Fire District Haunted House

When:6-11 p.m. Oct. 25 and Oct. 26. Same times Oct. 31 through Nov. 2

Where:Dorcas Fire Station 42, 5232 Deer Springs Drive, Crestview

Cost:Minimum $5 donation to enter; children ages 10 and younger get in free

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: Dorcas fire district’s haunted house opens this week