CRESTVIEW — Gordon Martial Arts will offer a free women's self-defense course from 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday.

The session will feature insight from Crestview Police Department and North Okaloosa Medical Center representatives.

Wear gym or exercise clothes if you go.

The event is at 130 W. Oakdale Ave., downtown Crestview.

Contact barbara@gordonmartialarts.com or call 682-0720 for more details.

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: Free women's self-defense class planned Saturday in Crestview

CRESTVIEW — A Boy Scout wants to share his enthusiasm for prehistoric times with all of north Okaloosa County.

Brandon Woods, 22, said a visit to Northwest Florida State College’s Niceville campus inspired him to donate his Eagle Scout project, a fossil replica display, to the Crestview campus.

"I saw a skeleton and some display cases in the science division and I wondered if this (campus) had one," he said. "I basically just wanted to show them things about the past."

Visiting the Smithsonian museum’s fossil exhibit was Woods’ favorite part of a recent trip to Washington D.C., so he was proud to see his project on display at the Robert L.F. Sikes Education Center near Twin Hills Park.

The Troop 773 member — who said the exhibit would be featured in a science classroom — designed the project with the scoutmaster, troop committee and scout district committee’s approval.

Several local businesses purchased and donated the four fossil molds, which feature dinosaurs from the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.

Some of the pieces include a replica headpiece from a giganotosaurus and pterodactyl.   

Once Pensacola’s Boy Scout office reviews the project and gives Troop 773 confirmation, Woods will be pinned with his Eagle Scout badge at an upcoming court of honor ceremony.

Decade in scouting

Woods has been involved with Troop 773 for the past 10 years, earning 62 badges along the way.

"I think he enjoys (the Boy Scouts); I think he will stay in it one way or another," Shayne Campbell, his stepfather, said.

"He has accomplished a lot," troop leader Kelly Carrico said. "Scouts usually do community projects like cleaning up neighborhoods, but since I have been with the Boy Scouts, I have never seen anything like this.”

The scout expressed gratitude for the support of all his family, including James Woods, his father, and stepmother Julia Woods.

Donna Campbell, his mother, said she has noticed scouting’s benefits for her son since he was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome in grade school.

"The troop has been a positive influence on him," she said. “It has helped him with being able to work with other people and be more sociable."

For Woods, exploration is the main attraction.

"My most favorite thing is going to see new places, like summer camps … and meeting new people as well," 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: Crestview Boy Scout donates Eagle project to Crestview NWFSC campus

CRESTVIEW — Usually, Carson Caldwell focuses on promoting Riverside Elementary’s anti-bullying efforts or participating in the Emerald Coast Young Marines, but Thursday, the focus was on him.

The Exchange Club of Crestview dedicated its regular meeting to the 11-year-old, whose school anti-bullying program earned him the “You Make a Difference” plaque.

"I wanted to make sure that he knew that he was making a difference, and let other (children) know that they can make a difference," Youth Pillar chair Sharlene Cox said.

Carson started the anti-bullying club after witnessing student harassment at his school.

"This kid was being bullied so much that he wasn't attending school," he said.  

After working with school administrators to form the club, he and members created anti-bullying posters and posted them throughout the school.

Carson’s mother, Michele, an Exchange Club member, taught him how to conduct formal meetings, from calling order to reviewing a previous meeting’s minutes.

The student, who became the club’s president, sold anti-bullying T-shirts and created a "bully box” where students could report school bullying.

In addition to club duties, Carson is a private 1st class with the Emerald Coast Young Marines.

Michele said she is proud of her son’s achievements, despite challenges.

"Recently, Carson was diagnosed with bipolar disorder," she said. "In October, Carson started on a medication for the disorder and it made a world of difference."

 The medication helped him take control and witness other children being bullied, as he was, Michele said.

Creating the club has been a fulfilling experience for Carson.

"It’s a good feeling because you get to improve the lives of other people," he said.

Caldwell, who was happy to receive the plaque, said he plans on showing it to his friends at the Emerald Coast Young Marines, where Caldwell is currently listed as a private first class.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Exchange Club honors Riverside student for anti-bullying club

CRESTVIEW — North Okaloosa Amateur Radio Club members this weekend will participate in the annual American Radio Relay League Field Day demonstration of emergency communications.

The event, from noon Saturday to noon Sunday — featuring an open house noon to 6 p.m. Saturday — is at Dorcas Fire Station 42 on Deer Springs Road. The league’s annual event allows thousands of so-called hams to set up their equipment and contact other Field Day groups all over North America. 

The North Okaloosa Radio Club voluntarily has provided emergency communications for more than 30 years.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Amateur radio club field demonstration set for Saturday

CRESTVIEW — Shelter House, a domestic violence shelter, seeks donations for summer assistance, as the facility reportedly sees a surge of clients this time of year.

Supplies needed include size 3-6 diapers, macaroni and cheese, liquid dish soap, canned tuna and chicken, peanut butter, jelly, soup, pasta sauces, toilet paper, paper towels and trash bags.

Donors can send items to these locations:

•290 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Crestview.

•102 Buck Drive, Fort Walton Beach.

•1846 U.S. Highway 90 W., Suite B, DeFuniak Springs.

Shelter House provides food and household products to women who have left abusive companions. Clients struggle financially but don’t qualify for other assistance.  

More women seek the shelter’s help during the summer because there’s less disruption of their children's schedules, a spokesperson said.

Call 243-1201 for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Shelter House seeks donations for women, children

CRESTVIEW — Due to its eastern neighbors’ efforts, Baptist Hospital in Pensacola will have an extra $1,900 for assisting children with language disabilities.

The Crestview Scottish Rite club raised that much from a Friday lunch benefit where members sold plates of pulled-pork barbeque sandwiches. Proceeds benefited Baptist Hospital’s Childhood Language Disorders Clinic.

Fundraising results were more than satisfactory for the Okaloosa club’s first-time event, member Rick Mouer said, adding that the club appreciated residents and business’ support. Additionally, other clubs helped.

"The Old Spanish Trail Shrine Club donated 50 sandwiches to Walker Elementary School," Mouer said. "Walker is going to be distributing (the sandwiches) to needy families."

The lodge facilitated a child identification program during May’s Military Appreciation Recognition Celebration at Old Spanish Trail Park. Additionally, the club selects a Crestview area teacher at the beginning of the school year and provides him or her with classroom supplies.

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: Scottish Rite raises funds for children with language disabilities

Correction: The soup kitchen at Baker First United Methodist Church of Jesus Christ is no longer  open.

CRESTVIEW — Area soup kitchens serve food free of charge to needy residents as follows:

CRESTVIEW

• 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Mondays, Central Baptist Church, 951 S. Ferdon Blvd. State Road 85, Crestview. Call 682-5525 for details or to volunteer.

•11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesdays at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 178 N. Ave. Call 682-3154 for details or to volunteer.

•11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays at LifePoint Church, 400 S. Ferdon Blvd., State Road 85. Call 682-3518 for details or to volunteer.

•11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Thursdays at Community of Christ, 398 W. First Ave. Call 682-7474 for details or to volunteer.

•11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Fridays at First Presbyterian Church, 492 N. Ferdon Blvd., near the State Road 85-U.S. Highway 90 intersection. Call 682-2835 for details or to volunteer.

•11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturdays at First United Methodist Church, 599 Eighth Ave. Call 682-2018 for details or to volunteer.

•2 p.m. Sundays, Journey Java Connection, 269 N. Main Street.

BAKER

•11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays, Shady Grove Assembly of God. Call 537-2744 for details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview and Baker soup kitchens announce schedules (Revised)

CRESTVIEW — Flag Day came a day later for the Elks Lodge, but patriotism was as palpable as ever, according to members.   

The Crestview lodge and the Twin Cities Lodge had prior commitments that precluded a traditional June 14 ceremony, but the organizations received permission to reschedule the proceeding for Saturday.

The Emerald Coast Young Marines joined them to express appreciation for lodge members’ support and the facility’s use as a regular meeting location.

The ceremony featured patriotic singing and a presentation on the American flag’s evolving appearance, from when it had just 13 stars, to the most recent version with the Hawaii star’s 1960 inclusion.

Later, Young Marines received ribbons and awards for recent accomplishments.

Pvt. Michelle Pepper, 11, who earned a ribbon for taking a course on first aid kits, said she appreciates the group’s camaraderie.

"I have enjoyed that you can work together with everyone in our group, and you can have that discipline, leadership and teamwork with everyone," she said.

Michelle said that she walked away from Saturday’s ceremony with more knowledge about America's history.

"I didn't know that there was so many flags," she said.

Pvt. Makayla Martin, 11, received a hands-on lesson in flag-handling decorum when she participated in a ceremony the prior day at a Milton cemetery.

"We got to change the flags out and raise them for a ceremony," Makayla said. "It was new to me, so it was a great experience and now I know how to put up a flag."

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: Young Marines commemorate American flag’s evolution