CRESTVIEW — June Meeks has a few more books to read, and she won’t have to return these titles after two weeks, even though she received them from the Crestview Public Library.

That’s because library staffers gave her a tote bag full of books Thursday morning to celebrate their 1 millionth patron to pass through the doors.

"I was quiet surprised," the Crestview resident said of the honor.

 Meeks — who visits the Commerce Drive facility weekly and regularly brings her 8-year-old grandson, Tommy Meeks — said she appreciates the library staff, especially when it comes to handling Tommy.

"He can kind of be a pill sometimes, but they are always patient with him," she said.

Reference librarian Sandra Dreaden said she was happy to see the honor go to a longtime patron.

"She is a fitting patron to represent the 1 millionth person to walk through our door count," Dreaden said. Library staffers can track visits with a counter inside the entrance.

Meeks said she finds comfort from visiting the library.

"This is my second home and it reminds me of when I was back in school,” she said. "I would get my work done so I could go to the library."

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: Librarian: Crestview woman a ‘fitting’ patron for 1 million honor

LAUREL HILL — About a dozen people turned out Saturday morning for the annual Almarante Cemetery clean-up day. They cleaned grave markers, raked leaves, picked up sticks, pulled weeds and shrubbery, and cut down dead trees, all while reminiscing about the family and friends at rest around them.

The Rev. Mike McVay and Mike Kerwin spent the morning marking rows for future plots to help keep the cemetery's slow northwest expansion orderly. "Up there, they just put plots anywhere and didn't line them up," McVay said, indicating a section where plots were set at rakish angles, not aligned with one another and encroached on neighboring plots.

See a gallery of clean-up day at Almarante Cemetery in Laurel Hill>>

Nearby, Neal Twitty, 9, his sister Hannah, 7, and their cousin, Bryce Wooten, 11, swept gravel and leaves off flat family grave markers as their grandmother and aunt, Janet Twitty, put fresh floral arrangements in urns. "He was my great grandpa!" Neal said as he swept former Laurel Hill Mayor Morris Rogers' grave.

The graves of another north county mayor, Cortez Steele, and his wife Eunice received equally tender care from their grandson, Joe Steele. "He owned Cortez Steele and Sons," Joe Steele said. "And he made it 'and Grandson' because I was pumping gas there as soon as I learned my numbers."

The former gas station is now the Laurel Hill Grill, from which cemetery commission chairwoman Tracy Curenton and her family members purchased chicken tenders and hamburgers for lunch.

They picnicked in the shade of a towering magnolia among the now-tidied resting places of generations of residents dating back as early as the 1700s.

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 clean cemetery; remember family, friends (PHOTOS)

CRESTVIEW — Nearly 100 residents learned more about the Crestview Police Department and other community organizations during Tuesday’s National Night Out, officials said.

The department and the National Association of Town Watch sponsored the event, which promotes crime and drug prevention awareness. In addition to participating in several family-friendly activities, including playing in a bounce house and face painting, visitors browsed police department vehicles including a police cruiser and SWAT vehicle.

See National Night Out photos>>

"I've been living out here for 14 years now and I didn't realize that they had a SWAT vehicle," Michael Pawlak said.

 In addition, visitors could tour a converted EMS vehicle and see some of the equipment the department uses. 

Volunteers at tables for the Mid-Town Neighborhood Watch and the North Okaloosa/Crestview Community Emergency Response Team handed out information on their groups.

"We just wanted to come out and support the community," said Pawlak, whose children were excited to see Burger King handing out free hamburgers and bottled water.

Deana White invited her parents, Gary and Bonnie White, and brought her 8-month-old daughter, Aralynn Callins. 

"We want to give her new experiences," she said.

One new experience was introducing Aralynn to Blossom the skunk, a rescued animal from the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge.

Susan Leveille, the refuge’s assistant director, was excited to be part of the event.

"We love events that promote safe situations for children and education," she 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: Public safety takes focus at Crestview 'National Night Out' (GALLERY)

CRESTVIEW — The North Okaloosa/Crestview Community Emergency Response Team, or CERT, will offer basic training starting Oct. 12. Residents can learn about the organization along with disaster preparedness, fire safety and rescue operations.

Attendees will learn about what to do in emergencies, organizers said. Firefighters and EMS personnel will spread the 20-hour course over the last three Saturdays in October at First Presbyterian Church of Crestview. The final exercise and graduation ceremony is Sunday, Oct. 27.

Visit the Okaloosa CERT website for an application form.

Visit FEMA's training materials website for a printable lesson plan.

Participants must be at least 16 years old and pass a background check; 16- and 17-year-olds must have written consent from a parent or guardian.  

Thirteen of 15 attendees passed a training course in August, Team Chief Mark Brown said, adding that class sizes are limited to 15 students to ensure quality instruction.

Graduates will receive certificates from FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security along with a CERT member kit, which contains basic emergency response items.

"In a nutshell, after a person completes the basic CERT course, they have the option of taking what they have learned and returning to their community, or becoming a(n) active participant in our growing network of team members," Brown said.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Community Emergency Response Team basic training course

WHEN:8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 12, 19 and 26. Final training exercise and graduation ceremony is 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27

WHERE: First Presbyterian Church of Crestview, 492 N. Ferdon Blvd. 

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: Okaloosa volunteer emergency response team offers free training

CRESTVIEW — Even the threat of Tropical Storm Karen couldn't dampen the Bulldog spirit as the annual Homecoming parade rolled up Main Street the afternoon of Oct. 4.

Following the parade with a 49-21 football victory over the Leon Lions, Bulldogs still have more Homecoming fun on the horizon. Due to the cancellation of weekend school district activities, Saturday's Homecoming dance was rescheduled for Nov. 2.

View parade photos here.

The Army ROTC battalion and the Big Red Machine led the parade, which included the Homecoming court princesses, princes, alumni and local supporters.

Alysa Schoffner and her friend Deja Patterson eagerly strained to catch a glimpse of Alysa's cousin, Daz Schoffner, a trombonist in the high school band.

Farther down the street, Brayden Powell, 6, kept a wary eye on the rolling floats and vehicles as he dodged the barricades to snag some elusive candy tossed by marching units.

Nearby, Sarah Reese, a familiar Crestview figure, popped out of Coney Island Hotdogs with a tasty hamburger to feast on after she took her position along the street to watch the parade.

Group after group called out, "Hi, Miss Sarah!" as they marched pass, receiving a friendly wave in return.

As the first marchers finished, many worked their back up Main Street to watch other marching units and business entries that were just starting to roll.

James Small, 12, welcomed a Crestview High junior uniformed as a member of the Junior ROTC battalion who had walked back down the street after his unit disbanded.

"This is my big brother!" James said, proudly putting his arm around Joey Small's neck.

Foster Lux, was to ride in an open convertible with other beauty queens, but first, duty called. She led the Big Red Machine as one its drum majors before running back down Main Street and, to a burst of audience applause, bounding onto the car's tonneau.

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: Homecoming parade rolls in spite of storm threat (PHOTOS)

CRESTVIEW — Without the benefit of a fairy godmother to wave a wand to prepare for this ball, Covenant Hospice volunteers descended on the Crestview Community Center Friday and got to work.

Storm or no storm, the "Casino Royale" themed Blue Jean Ball fund-raiser will go ahead as scheduled, organizers said, and the beehive of activity in community center Friday backed them up.

Dr. Don Grundel teetered on a ladder to hang a dazzling chandelier near the front of the room, "under the bossy expertise of Laura Chamberlain," Chamberlain herself pointed out.

Meanwhile, Grundel's wife, Bonnie, supervised the transformation of the lobby into an elegant casino foyer, befitting the classy world of James Bond and the fictional casino that lent its name to Saturday night's ball.

As supporters arranged merchandise for the silent auction, hung banners, arranged 007 film posters and set tables, Covenant Hospice development manager Jenni Perkins praised their efforts and dedication, "and for putting up with me."

"If it wasn't for these people, this event would not be as successful as it is," Perkins said. "It couldn't happen without them."

Doors to "Casino Royale" open at 6 p.m. Saturday evening for the Blue Jean Ball. Tickets are $60 and are available at the door.

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: Blue Jean Ball volunteers prepare to party in the face of a storm

CRESTVIEW —  In preparation for the potential hazardous weather, the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners scheduled a special meeting at 9 a.m. today at the Emergency Operations Center at Northwest Florida State College, Niceville.

Okaloosa County is under a hurricane watch. Citizens are encouraged to stay tuned to local news and radio for updates.  You can also follow Public Safety on Facebook, Twitter and visit www.okaloosafl.com.

Area events being cancelled or rescheduled for the weekend of Oct. 4-6 are listed below. If you have announcements that need to be posted here, email news@crestviewbulletin.com.

•Hurlburt Field 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field: Questions or concerns should be directed to the Public Affairs Office, 884-7464. See the hurricane information section of the Hurlburt website or the wing's official Facebook page for status updates. Personnel can also call the Air Force Personnel Center 24-hour information line at 1-800-435-9941.

Base officials initiated Hurricane Condition 2 at 10 p.m. Thursday  to prepare for the possible arrival of Tropical Storm Karen. Hurricane Condition 2 is a level of warning used by the Air Force to assist commanders in preparing their units for storm response actions. At this time mandatory evacuation of base personnel is not anticipated. Hurlburt Field members and their families who decide to voluntarily evacuate the local area before mandatory evacuation protocols are initiated will not be reimbursed travel costs.

All military and Department of Defense civilian members assigned to Hurlburt Field are advised to stay in contact with their Unit Control Centers and to monitor local radio and television weather reports.

Community members seeking shelter should contact the Okaloosa County Emergency Operations Center at 850-651-7150 or visit the Okaloosa county official website for a list of local shelters. Citizens Information Line is 311 (within Okaloosa County), and 850-609-7000 outside Okaloosa.

•Friends of the Crestview Library cancelled the Sunday Oct. 6 portion of the library book sale this weekend due to the hurricane watch, and extended it to the following weekend. 

Early bird sale is 5-8 p.m. Oct. 4; non-Friends members pay $2 admission. Main sale: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 5, free admission. People who join the Friends of the Crestview Library get $4 off their book sale purchase. All money goes to support the library and fund new books, children’s programs and special projects. Details: 682-4432.The sale continues 5-8 p.m. Oct. 11, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 12 and 13 of next week at the library, 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview.

•Compass Rose – Afternoon On the Bayou is 2-4 p.m. Nov. 2, Compass Rose restaurant, 303 Glen Ave., Valparaiso. It was originally scheduled for Oct. 5. The fundraiser for the Heritage Museum features food, wine, a silent auction, and Native American flute music by local musician Terri D. Tickets cost $20, or $15 for museum members. Purchase at the Heritage Museum website, Compass Rose or the museum, 415 Westview Ave., Valparaiso, 678-2615.

•Explore the Outdoors Festival is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 2 at Live Oak Landing Outdoor Destination, 229 Pitts Ave., Freeport. It was originally scheduled for Oct. 5.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Hurricane watch, event announcements for Oct. 4-6

CRESTVIEW — With time running out before Saturday's "Casino Royale"-themed Blue Jean Ball, four volunteer dancing "stars" are polishing their routines.

Friday evening, Bonnie Grundel, Laura Chamberlain and Steve Tuttle converged at the Main Street Fred Astaire dance studio to run through their respective dances.

However, their work to raise money for Covenant Hospice extends far beyond the studio's wood dance floor.

VIEW photo gallery of the dancers working on their moves >>

Keep reading to learn more about the dancers!

With Dr. James Stevens, the quartet are also subtly — and not-so-subtly — doing some old-fashioned arm-twisting to wring donations for the hospice from their respective supporters.

Last year's Dancing with the Crestview Stars netted more than $8,000 for Covenant Hospice, the service's development manager, Jenni Perkins, said.

Each advance donation a dancer receives is added to his or her “account,” which is tallied up on event night along with those they receive from attendees following the performances, Perkins said.

"The fundraising strategy that each dancer employs is something they keep close to their chest, as is how much they’ve raised prior to the event," she said.

During "Casino Royale," each dancer will perform a 90-second choreographed routine with his or her Fred Astaire professional partner.

"While busting some cool moves on the dance floor is certainly part of a successful performance, the competition really isn’t so focused on the dance floor at all," Perkins said.

"Really, they are focused on raising awareness in the community of the important work Covenant Hospice does, and asking their fellow Crestview area residents to partner with them."

WANT TO HELP?

WHAT: Dancing with Crestview Stars, part of Covenant Hospice’s "Casino Royale" Blue Jean Ball fundraiser

WHEN: leading up to and including the 6 p.m. Oct. 5 event.

WHERE: Crestview Community Center, behind the post office

HOW TO HELP: Pledge support for your favorite dancing volunteer at www.eventsatcovenant.org/bluejeanball or call  Covenant Hospice, 682-3628.

MEET THE DANCING "STARS"

LAURA CHAMBERLAIN, a Laurel Hill resident and mother of three, recently lost a dear friend to leukemia and witnessed hospice care’s impact. Giving back to the community she loves has been a focus of her life.

BONNIE GRUNDEL,a North Okaloosa Medical Center hospitalist physician assistant, is a mother of two and a Covenant Hospice volunteer of six years. She helped establish the Blue Jean Ball as one of the area’s top charity events. 

DR. JAMES STEVENSis a radiation oncologist at 21st Century Oncology. The father of two enjoys gardening, traveling and anything musical; he plays the guitar and is learning to play the piano.

STEVE TUTTLE, president of the local chapter of the Special Forces Association, spent 27 years in the U.S. Army, with 22 of those years as a Special Forces Green Beret. Last year, he retired as a chief warrant officer.

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: 4 volunteer dancers raising funds for Covenant Hospice this weekend (GALLERY)

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