CRESTVIEW — When AMVETS Post 35 members post and retire service flags in front of their headquarters, they will have a local Boy Scout to thank for the new walkway down the center of the flag array.

Click here to see Tayler Vest's Eagle Scout Court of Honor photos>>

On Saturday, Tayler Vest of Troop 773 in Crestview will receive scouting's highest rank at his Eagle Court of Honor. The walkway was his Eagle project that qualified him for the rank.

Tayler, a June Crestview High School graduate, said he got the idea for the walkway as den chief of Cub Scouts Pack 535's Webelos; he took his younger charges to the post several times and always felt that something was missing.

"When it came time to do an Eagle project, I decided I would do a walkway for the AMVETS," he said.

Tayler brought the idea to AMVETS post commander Craig Sarrasin, who readily gave his consent.

"He loved the idea," Tayler said. "Where they have all the flagpoles, it was just barren. It didn't look right."

Getting to work

A 15-person crew of Boy Scouts from Tayler's troop and adult volunteers got to work at 7:30 a.m. on a rainy May 11 at the AMVETS post on John King Road.

By 11 a.m., they had dug a shallow trench, lined it, put sand in place, installed red paving stones and tamped them down. They then stood back to admire the results of their labor.

Tayler had designed the project and overseen its completion. Per Eagle candidate rules, he was not allowed to actively participate in the actual construction except in a supervisory position.

In designing the project, which will include a stone bench at the end of the walk, Tayler turned to his family's home library.

"We had a home improvement book and I referenced a couple pages out of it for the whole project," he said.

Sarrasin said his organization is grateful for Tayler and fellow scouts’ hard work.

"They did a real good job on it. It's a great project,” Sarrasin said.

Proud parents

Saturday, Tayler will receive the Eagle Scout neckerchief and patch at his Court of Honor at the American Legion post on U.S. Highway 90.

This fall, Tayler will begin studying electrical engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautics University in Daytona Beach. In June, he received the university's Outstanding Senior Aviation Student award for his studies under Crestview High's CHOICE Aviation Institute.

His parents, Kellie and Joe Vest, are proud of their son's accomplishments.

"My son has come so far," Kellie Vest stated in an email. "He started scouting in first grade at Holloman AFB in New Mexico and has been involved since.

"In fourth grade, Tayler was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. He overcame what some call a disability and turned it into an ability."

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 Boy Scout builds walkway for AMVETS post

CRESTVIEW — Michael Ayers’ family seeks the community’s support for the 29-year-old recently diagnosed with leukemia.

A benefit fish fry and auction is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Old Spanish Trail Park. Proceeds will benefit costs of medical treatments and medications.

 Michael, who lacks health insurance, is receiving six weeks of chemotherapy treatment at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola.

 "The chemo has recently kicked (the leukemia) out of his bloodstream," event organizer Andrea Lauren David, Michael’s ex-wife, said. "Right now, he is awaiting results on his bone marrow."

Family life

Michael has four children, Elizabeth, 12, and Kyle, 10, with Andrea; Memphis, 5 months, with his girlfriend, Victoria; and Alexandra Brooke, 13, from a prior relationship.

He attends all his children's activities and sporting events, like Kyle's inner-city football games or Elizabeth’s horse riding, and he regularly calls Alexandra, who lives with other family members in Omaha, Neb., Andrea said.

"His kids are his world; nothing is more important to him," she said.

Financial strain

Michael was working in construction before his diagnosis; his current unemployment and lack of insurance have made it difficult to support his family and cover health care costs.

Meanwhile, Victoria, a stay-at-home mom, spends $70 on gas, taking trips from Crestview to Pensacola to spend time with him, Andrea said.

"Something had to be done," she said.

Fish fry for a cause

Family members hope proceeds from a fish fry and auction on Saturday will significantly offset Michael’s medical bills. Patrons can feast on fried mullet and hush puppies, a side of coleslaw, and baked beans with a beverage.

Activities include a yard sale; children’s pony rides, courtesy of Ropin’ the Truth; an inflatable bounce house; live music from local musicians; and an auction.

Organizers have collected gift certificates and items from local restaurants and businesses including Wayne's Catfish House and Publix Grocery in Crestview, Andrea said.

She and other family members seek additional support.

"We are still going from business to business," she said. 

Want to go?

WHAT: Fish fry and auction benefiting Michael Ayers

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10

WHERE: Old Spanish Trail Park on Stillwell Boulevard, Crestview

COST: $5, adults; $3, children ages 10 and younger

DETAILS: Andrea Ayers, 603-3381 or Ayer25@hotmail.com, or Alisha Kyser, 902-1045 or kysermom@gmail.com

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: Fish fry, auction to benefit Crestview man with leukemia

Shelter House Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence Center, formerly Shelter House, now offers 24-7 sexual assault advocacy and support to sexual assault survivors.

After learning that Okaloosa and Walton counties’ rape crisis services were ending this spring, Shelter House leadership filed a letter of intent with the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence to become a certified rape crisis center.

Following the organization’s name change, an on-call team will soon respond to all hospitals and police departments for sexual assault survivors and those involved with forensic rape examinations.

Survivors seeking services may call the Crestview outreach office, 290 Martin Luther King Blvd., at 850-683-0845.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Shelter House now serving sexual violence survivors

MILLIGAN — Allen Fountain has a message for Valerie Rose Young: He has her Richbourg Middle School class ring.

"We found it years ago in Baker at the ball field," he said.

It was probably in 1997 when he found the ring, which is silver with a red stone, and has "VRY" engraved inside the band, Fountain said.

Thinking the initials were unique, he consulted with school administrators to identify the student. Young's name was the only one that matched the initials and the period in which the ring was found.

Richbourg Middle School dissolved about 11 years later, and its students moved to the newly opened Shoal River Middle School.

Fountain said he has learned Young comes from a military family and had moved to another town.

Still, he hopes someone might remember Young from middle school, is still in contact with her and can let her know he'd like to return her ring.

"It's probably not worth much but it means something to her," he said.

…

Do you know Valerie Young?

Allen Fountain hopes a reader might know Valerie Rose Young, a former Richbourg Middle School student whose ring he found in Baker. If so, contact Fountain at 585-7817.

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: Searching for Valerie: Milligan man seeks owner of lost class ring

CRESTVIEW — An annual Bunco fundraiser and luncheon is planned 9:30 a.m. Aug. 10 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 701 U.S. Highway 90 E., Crestview.

Tickets to the Ladies Auxiliary-sponsored event cost $25. Call 689-3113 to purchase.

The fundraiser benefits USO Hope House (Teen Shelter) Neonatal Unit at Sacred Heart Hospital.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Knights of Columbus Ladies plan Crestview fundraiser, luncheon

CRESTVIEW — George Whitehurst will be honored as the Mae Reatha Coleman Citizen of the Year at 5 p.m. Aug. 13 at City Hall, Wilson St., Crestview.

Coleman invites everyone to attend and share their appreciation of the former Crestview mayor.

Whitehurst is credited with procuring funding for two fire department substations and the Crestview Public Safety Building; initiating a drive and raising funds for the Okaloosa County Veterans Memorial; securing 15 acres at no cost to the city for the Crestview Public Library and the community center, and more.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Citizen of the Year presentation Aug. 13 at Crestview City Hall

Dr. and Mrs. Ricardo Syklawer of Dothan, Ala., announce the engagement of their daughter, Dr. Erica Elaine Syklawer, to Dr. Neel Mukul Kumar, son of Mr. and Mrs. Mukul Kumar of Snohomish, Wash.

The bride elect's grandparents are Edith Newton Hilburn of Crestview, and the late Howard Edward Hilburn, and Mr. and Mrs. William Syklawer of Miami.

Erica, a 2002 graduate of Houston Academy, graduated magna cum laude with University Honors from the University of South Alabama in 2005. She received a B.A. in art history and a minor in chemistry and was president of Chi Omega Sorority.

Erica graduated from the University of South Alabama College of Medicine in 2010. She will complete residency training in pathology at the University of Texas at Houston in 2014, and will then complete a dermatopathology fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.

The future bridegroom is the grandson of Dr. and Mrs. Sumant Gupta of Irvine, Calif., and Mr. Gajendra Kumar and the late Mrs. Kamla Kumar of India.

Neel, a 2001 graduate of Snohomish High School, graduated from the University of Washington in 2006 with a B.S. in chemical engineering, a B.S. in biochemistry and a minor in chemistry. He was the treasurer of Theta Xi Fraternity and vice president of the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society.

Neel graduated from the University of South Alabama College of Medicine in 2010. He is currently the chief resident in ophthalmology at the Louisiana State University and Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans. After residency, Dr. Kumar will pursue an oculoplastic surgical fellowship.

The wedding is Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014, at First Presbyterian Church, with the reception afterward at The Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans.

…

The News Bulletin publishes north Okaloosa County residents' “Special Occasions”— birth, centenarian, engagement, wedding and anniversary announcements— at no charge. Submissions may be edited for length and style.

Call 682-6524 or email news@crestviewbulletin.com for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SPECIAL OCCASION: Syklawer and Kumar plan Jan. 18 wedding

 CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Community Emergency Response Team, or CERT, is offering free basic CERT training course starting on Saturday, Aug. 3.

The basic training course will discuss fire safety,  disaster preparedness and rescue operations among other topics.

This will be the first time that CERT has offered the course, Mark Brown, team chief for Crestview CERT, said.

Click here to get an application for the CERT course >>

"The program consists of 20 hours of training and emphasizes hands-on practice," Brown said in an email. "Classes are taught by trained emergency personnel, including firefighters and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel."

The free training courses continue 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10 and 24. The final exercise and graduation is 1-3 p.m. Aug. 25.

The training is projected to take place at the Crestview Community Center, 1446 Commerce Drive. Should the location change participants will be notified by event organizers. 

 After successful completion of the course, participants will receive a Federal Emergency Management Agency certificate, endorsed by FEMA, the state of Florida, and the Okaloosa County Emergency Management.

In addition the to the certificate, participants will be also receive a free emergency response kit. The kit will include a first aid kit, protective gear, emergency tools and batteries.  

 Those interested in attending must complete a  training application form, which is required for a mandatory background check. 

 Applications can be emailed to kwolfe@co.okaloosa.fl.us, or completed paper applications can be given to Wendell Beattie, by calling 758-2863.

 The deadline to apply has been extended to Aug. 1.

Participants ages 16 and 17 are asked to have written  consent from a parent or legal guardian, in order to attend.

 For more information on the training course, contact Crestview CERT at crestviewcert@yahoo.com.

Want to go?

What:  Free Basic Training Class

When:  Saturday, Aug. 3  from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

            Saturday, Aug. 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

            Saturday, Aug. 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

            Sunday, Aug. 25 from  1-3 p.m.

Where: The Crestview Community Center at 1446 Commerce Drive

Cost: 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: Crestview Emergency Response Team offers free training (DOCUMENT)