LAUREL HILL — Almarante Cemetery will get its annual facelift on Saturday and the community is invited to participate. Volunteers will gather at 8 a.m. beneath the city's landmark blue water tower.

The sprawling graveyard was established many decades before Laurel Hill was incorporated, and well before the Civil War. Some of the conflict's veterans lie beneath its old oak and magnolia trees. The oldest inhabitant was born in the 1700s.

Surnames on the markers — including Campbell, Steele, Jones, Rogers, Gaskin, Folman, Fountain, Moore, Garrett, Cadenhead, Locke, Curenton, Reeves and Stokes — were  brought to North Okaloosa County by its earliest settlers, and are shared by many local families today.

However, volunteers don't have to have an ancestor buried there to appreciate the history and sense of community found while tidying up among the stone markers, Almarante Cemetery Commission Chairman Tracy Curenton said.

Tombstones range from elaborate to simple; ornately carved marble memorials or a name and dates drawn in wet cement, in which seashells or flat stones were embedded for decoration.

There are solemn flat slabs that the government provides military members, and rustic stone tree stumps carved for Woodmen of the World members.

Fallen warriors from America’s wars, including both sides of the Civil War, the Mexican-American War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, are everywhere.

A Crestview Boy Scout Troop 30 survey several years ago found nearly 2,000 graves at Almarante Cemetery.

“There’s also a bunch of graves that just aren’t marked,” Curenton said. “They had wooden markers that rotted away, or stone markers that got carried off.”

The cemetery commission also seeks volunteers and donations toward the cemetery’s upkeep, she said.

WANT TO HELP?

WHAT: Annual Almarante Cemetery clean up

WHEN: 8 a.m. to noon Saturday

WHERE: State Road 85 North, just south of Laurel Hill beneath the blue water tower

NOTES: Volunteers should supply their own tools. Donations toward the cemetery's upkeep may be sent to the Almarante Cemetery Commission, P.O. Box 55, Laurel Hill, FL 32567-0055.

CONTACT: Tracy Curenton, cemetery commission chairman, 652-4162 or curentontracy@gmail.com.

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: Volunteers sought for Almarante Cemetery clean-up day, Oct. 5

Okaloosa Beach Safety lifeguard season ends Oct. 27, following more than 200 open water rescues. Beach Safety will maintain limited daily patrols and 911 responses from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout the winter months on Okaloosa Island; however, winter surf conditions are often dangerous.

Conditions will be monitored and warning flags will be flown when necessary. The county’s beach-flag warning system comprises a green flag indicating safe swimming conditions; yellow flag, medium hazard; red flag, high hazard; and purple flag indicating marine pests’ presence. A double red flag flying along public beaches signifies waters are closed. 

Officials recommend swimming in areas with on-duty lifeguards and always using caution in the water.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa County lifeguard season ends Oct. 27

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview YMCA now has $10,000 that can pay for facility improvements, following the weekend “Be a Cowboy/Cowgirl for a Day” fundraiser at Old Warrior Ranch.

VIEW a photo gallery of families enjoying Be a Cowboy/Cowgirl for a Day>>

Families enjoyed horseback riding, line dancing, fishing and swimming, among other activities. Children could play on an inflatable slide or in a bounce house, or they could practice lassoing or archery skills near the pond.

 Emerald Coast YMCA President and CEO Rudy Wright said he enjoyed seeing the community's participation and appreciates YMCA member Tom Moody for opening the ranch to the community.

"This is what the core values of what the YMCA (are) all about," Wright said. "It's all about building strong communities."

Crestview YMCA sports director Vicki Workman, who instructed the line dancing, was pleased with the turnout.

"The YMCA means reaching out to the community and helping in any way they can … whether through events like this or teaching healthy eating or lifestyle habits," she said.

Crestview resident Don Clabaugh — who brought his 5-year-old grandson Louis Vallejo to the event — said he is considering visiting the YMCA with his grandson soon.

"We're here to support the YMCA and give back to the community in any way we can," he said.

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: Country-themed fundraiser raises $10,000 for YMCA (PHOTOS)

CRESTVIEW — Representatives from Fort Walton Beach and Tallahassee Confederate heritage organizations have added their thoughts amid some residents’ concern about a rebel flag that flies over a Crestview memorial.

Speaking during Monday evening's City Council meeting, Jack Bonham, Fort Walton Beach Sons of the Confederacy’s past commander, said the flag flying over the William "Uncle Bill" Lundy memorial on the corner of East 1st Avenue and North Ferdon Boulevard honors all Americans.

"All Confederate flags are red, white and blue to show their patriotism for the United States of America," Bonham said.

He said removing the flag from the memorial would be a "slap in the face (to)… veteran soldiers who put their life on the line so you can live the way you do."

During the meeting’s public comment period, Graham Smith, heritage defense chief of the Sons of Confederate Veterans' Florida Division, said his group "is dedicated to preservation of heritage of the South."

He reminded the council that when the flag issue was raised 11 years ago, the council "unanimously dismissed it."

"Nothing about the symbolism about the flag flying over the monument for Pvt. William Lundy has changed since then," Smith said.

Smith said “hate groups” that “twist and misrepresent” the flag's meaning pain his organization.

Sabu Williams, speaking as president of the NAACP’s Okaloosa County chapter, said he had been among delegates raising concerns over the flag 11 years ago.

"The issues haven't changed. Feelings haven't changed. People still feel very offended by the flag," Williams said.

"It's so offensive to me because it's a battle flag. It represents Americans going into battle to kill other Americans."

Community activist Mae Reatha Coleman raised the issue during the Sept. 9 city council meeting when she said she wants the flag to come down because it divides the community.

Council president Robyn Helt said the issue will be officially raised during a future council meeting when city staff have prepared a report on the memorial and ownership of the property it stands on.

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: Confederate heritage organizations weigh in on Crestview's flag issue

CRESTVIEW — One local activist, accepting the Okaoosa Board of County Commissioners' challenge, is putting feet to the pavement to save the city's threatened bus routes.

Commissioners, citing low ridership, gave the city 60 days to contribute $25,000 to keep the service running.

With the calendar counting down the days, Mae Reatha Coleman hit the street. Cruising up and down Ferdon Boulevard, she visited businesses that benefit from customers and workers who use the buses.

"I'm fighting for the little old lady and the little old man that doesn't have a car," Coleman told North Okaloosa Medical Center CEO David Fuller.

At businesses including the hospital, Wal-Mart, Publix grocery and Ryan's Family Steakhouse, Coleman explained to managers the importance of the bus service to their businesses.

"I don't care where I stop, as long as I get some help," Coleman said.

The Crestview City Council granted Coleman authority to meet with individuals and businesses to seek donations for the city's contribution, according to a letter from Mayor David Cadle that Coleman left at each stop.

Uncertain cost, uncertain revenue

It will cost about $96,000 to keep the two bus lines operating, Crestview city clerk Betsy Roy said, and the $25,000 mentioned as the city's contribution isn't definite.

"They really haven't said how much we need to contribute," Roy said.

One possible source of city bus route funding could be an increased city share of county gasoline tax revenue, but the state has not yet decided how much that would be. The increased tax doesn't take effect until Jan. 1.

"But we also need that gas tax money to pave the roads," Roy said.

Undeterred, Coleman keeps knocking on doors.

"If we can show that the community is trying, this may do something," Coleman said.

"I appreciate your efforts," Publix manager Tim Bryant told Coleman, promising to forward her request to the grocery chain's corporate office.

WANT TO HELP?

Businesses or individuals wishing to support Mae Reatha Coleman's efforts to raise funds to retain Crestview's bus routes may send donations, made payable to City of Crestview, to City Clerk Betsy Roy, 198 N. Wilson St, Crestview FL 32536-3436.

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 activist goes door-to- door to raise funds for city buses

CRESTVIEW — The Okaloosa County Water and Sewer Crestview office will close from 12-4 p.m. Oct. 2. Contact the 311 Citizens Information Line for more information.

Check or credit card payments can be made anytime by calling 850-651-7171 or using the payment service at www.okaloosaws.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa County Water & Sewer Crestview office closed Oct. 2

LAUREL HILL — Safe Haven Horse Rescue Center rehabilitates and finds homes for abandoned and neglected members of the equine species, but the horses themselves can help rehabilitate and provide comfort for those in need.

Safe Haven can care and provide shelter for 15 to 20 horses at a time on its 20 acres of land.  

WATCH Jim Bryan train a horse>>

Jim Bryan, the center’s director and a decorated military veteran, said interacting with the horses is therapeutic for disabled residents and those recovering from surgery.

Melissa Thorner — a Crestview resident who recently received a double mastectomy with a reconstruction procedure — can attest to that. She found her experience at Safe Haven, shared with her 16-year-old son, Quinn McCardie, peaceful and therapeutic.

"It was pretty amazing," she said. "(The horses) are amazingly gentle.”

A compression sleeve that helps with blood flow in Thorner’s right arm has elicited public stares, but that’s not the case at Safe Haven.

"The horses don't care that I wear the compression sleeve," she said. "It's nice to be at a place where nothing is expected of me.”

The facility welcomes soldiers with wounds, sickness or post-traumatic stress disorder to experience the horses’ healing qualities, Bryan said.

"It’s good for them to be with the animals," he said.

Pegasus, a blue-eyed miniature horse who needed rehabilitation after four years of seclusion in a wooded area, is one of Safe Haven's inhabitants. A miniature horse is 32 inches or shorter, Bryan said. Pegasus is 30 inches and weighs nearly 150 pounds.

Now, Pegasus is training to visit retired and serving U.S. Air Force personnel at Bob Hope Village in Shalimar.

Safe Haven can only care for a limited number of horses due to limited funding and the facility's size, Bryan said.

Eighty percent of the organization's funding comes from Bryan’s retirement; donations fund the remainder.

Many horses come from owners unable to provide proper care, Bryan said.

"It's not necessarily the economy as much as it is people's health” that makes owners give up their horses, he said. "A horse lives 30 to 40 years. As people get on up in age … they find out that they can't handle it."

FIND IT ONLINE

SafeHaven Horse Rescue Center’s official website: bit.ly/18erbJR

SafeHaven Horse Rescue Center’s Facebook page: on.fb.me/1a7RTFq

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: Safe Haven Horse Rescue Center helps horses and people (VIDEO)

BAKER — Whether you’re snaking through a corn maze, firing a corn cannon or taking a haunted trail, you can get into the Halloween spirit starting this Friday in Baker.

Residents can visit a corn maze presented by the Crestview Rotary Club and a haunted trail presented by the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Posse.

See dates, times and ticket prices for the Crestview Rotary Club's corn maze and the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Posse's"Nightmare on the Old Spanish Trail">>

Both organizations have collaborated with Gum Creek Entertainment for events at a field with no address off Buck Ward Road. Direction signage for the event will be located on Buck Ward Road and U.S. Highway 90.

 This is the second year the rotary club has presented the corn maze, member Bill Barnhill said.

"Last year, our maze was 5 acres and (the design) was the rotary emblem," Barnhill said. "This year it's 7 acres and it's an F-35 (fighter jet)."

The military jet design shows the club's support for the military and the F-35 program, Barnhill said.

Like last year, attendees can fire ears of corn through a corn cannon. The maze will also include a neighboring petting zoo.

Ropin' the Truth, a youth-focused outreach ministry, will have pony rides available. 

For a spooky experience, the posse will present "Nightmare on the Old Spanish Trail."

"It recognizes a period of time when the (Spanish) conquistadors came through and fought the Creek Indians, and encountered wolves and other wild animals," Barnhill said.

One of those animals is the legendary Florida skunk ape. The ape, known for its skunk-like odor, is dangerous to humans.

"There have been rumors of a skunk ape roaming the trail," Barnhill said. 

 Also roaming the haunted trail are ghosts, zombies and large scary animals. The haunt is for attendees 13 and up.

Food and refreshments will be available.

WANT TO GO?

Residents can experience the "Nightmare at the Old Spanish Trail Haunt" from dusk to 11 p.m. Friday at a field off Buck Ward Road. Tickets are $16 each or $15 per person for groups of 20 or more.

A corn maze, hay ride, petting zoo and a corn cannon open 10-6 p.m. Saturday at the same location. Tickets are $8.50 each, $7.50 per person for groups of 20 or more and pony rides are $5.

MORE DETAILS:

For more dates, times and ticket prices for both the Baker corn maze and the  visit the Gum Creek Entertainment website at bit.ly/16BMMdt>>

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: Corn maze, trail to open this weekend in Baker