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

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 — 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

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