CRESTVIEW — John Jackson Jr. anticipates May, when he can reunite with classmates from Carver-Hill School.

The 1963 alumnus, a Tampa resident, heads to northwest Florida when he can to participate in the Carver- Hill Historical and Memorial Society’s May Day Parade and festival.

It’s a rare opportunity to share experiences and exchange stories about the historic school.

See a photo gallery from this year's May Day Parade and Festival>>

See May Day poem tribute by Frankie Skanes>>

“A lot of people I went to school with I wouldn’t see no more if we didn’t have this event,” Jackson said. “I’ve seen a lot of my classmates I haven’t seen in years. I think it’s just a good thing for the community to have.”

Saturday’s parade snaked from the former Carver-Hill School building on School Avenue to the Carver-Hill Museum on McClelland Street. The school closed after the Okaloosa County school district became desegregated in 1969. The society, which aims to preserve Carver-Hill School’s history, operates and maintains the museum.

Daniel Hart, of Crestview, studied at the school before it closed and has attended the parade for the past 10 years.

“I don’t think that much has changed, except that people that went to Carver- Hill (School) are getting older,” he said.

While alumni age, new generations have learned about the school and the society’s mission, in part from members’ selection of a teen parade queen.

This year, the honor went to Raven Bryant, 17, who said she has learned a lot about the segregated school.

“(This) gives me a chance to explore Crestview more and know the heritage behind it,” she said.

The parade featured several members from the school’s graduating classes. City leaders, police officials, local churches, businesses and other organizations also participated. Mayor David Cadle delivered a proclamation for the May Day festivities.

New resident Paula Childress, who attended with her children and grandchildren, said she enjoyed the parade. The day also included a sack race, horseshoe toss and pole wrapping ceremony.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: For some, May Day Parade a rare opportunity to see classmates

CRESTVIEW — The Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded a $1,300 grant to the Robert L.F. Sikes Public Library for its Summer Reading Program in the Carver-Hill area of Crestview.

The program, open to children ages 4-12, takes place 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. every Tuesday starting June 4 at the Mount Zion A.M.E. Church Annex, 502 McDonald St., Crestview.

This year’s theme is “LOL @ the Crestview Public Library.”

The six-week outreach program encourages children living in the underserved area to retain certain reading levels, library administrators said.

“This grant will allow us to purchase books for various reading levels,” library director Jean Lewis said. “The children will be able to keep the books, which will encourage them to continue reading throughout the summer.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Dollar General foundation grants $1,300 to Crestview library

BAKER — Thirteen north Okaloosa County residents, past and present, have joined the ranks of others on the Family Heritage Wall of Honor at Baker Block Museum.

The North Okaloosa Historical Association's May 18 event was the second annual ceremony honoring "unsung individuals of Okaloosa County who have been recognized … for their positive effect on their family and community; their contribution to the history, formation and continued well-being of our county," the museum's website states.

"They're local, everyday people that made a difference in peoples' lives and the community," museum director Ann Spann said.

See more photos from the event on Facebook.

Friends or family members nominated honorees. Of 13 inductees, four are still living, including:

•Jeanette Cook, who was instrumental in establishing the Blackman Community Center, volunteer fire department and water system

• Lille Ward Price Fuller, mother of 13, who at 93 still cans her own fruit and vegetables and makes jelly

•Sarah "Sadie" Enzor Lee, who worked on the family's Baker farm before she and her husband, "Buck" Lee, founded Buck Lee Auto Mart

•Helen Williams, a Baker Garden Club member, who was nominated with her husband, Buford "Emanuel" Williams, a World War II hero.

The program has exceeded the historical association's expectations, with more people nominated this year and more people attending the induction ceremony, Spann said.

"There was triple last year's attendance," she said. "We were very excited by the support from the families of those inducted."

During the ceremony, county Commissioner Wayne Harris and state Sen. Greg Evers delivered remarks recognizing the importance of honoring the hard-working, often little-recognized people who contribute to a community.

North Okaloosa Family Heritage Wall of Honor 2013 Inductees

Isaac Waymond Barrow*

Ruth Griner Cadenhead*

Neal Cobb*

Jeanette Cook

Lille Ward Price Fuller

Leon Robert "Buck" Greene*

Annie Carroll Jackson*

Claire Covell Jernigan*

Sarah Enzor Lee

Boston M. Merritt* and Alice Hill Merritt*

Buford "Emanuel" Williams* and Helen Delores Williams

*Honored posthumously

Want to go?

The North Okaloosa Historical Association's Family Heritage Wall of Honor is at Baker Block Museum, on the corner of State Roads 189 and 4, in Baker. Contact 537-5714 or see www.bakerblockmuseum.org for more information.

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: Program honoring north county 'unsung individuals' inducts 13

CRESTVIEW — Linda Mitchem, the midtown neighborhood-watch group’s captain, says residents should take preventive measures to ensure everyone stays safe.

The watch group spans several central Crestview neighborhoods, including East Edney, Shortwell and Williams avenues, but few people from those areas participate.

"There are 300 households within our area and right now we have 10 active members," Mitchemsaid. "Usually people don't want to get involved until something happens on their street."

The group on Tuesday invited Mothers Against Drunk Driving representatives to prevent tragedy during its meeting at Central Baptist Church.

Marylin Dorsey, a MADD project specialist, discussed the importance of parents talking to their underage children about alcohol consumption — well before they become teenagers.

One in five teens binge drink, and almost one in eight eighth-graders have tried alcohol, according to the Institute of Medicine National Research Council of the National Academies and the National Institute on Drug Abuse, respectively.

Teaching kids the dangers earlier than ever is important because children locally are drinking at younger ages, according to authorities.

"The youngest person that I have ever encountered that was drunk was 11 years old," Crestview community police officer Wanda Hulion said. "That was here in Crestview."

The presentation was informational and inspiring, Mitchem said.

"It opened up some good ideas for me to talk to my son about," she said.

The guest speaker changed at least one attendee’s perception of MADD.

"I always had this picture in my mind that MADD meant exactly what it said … it was just a bunch of mad women and parents looking to hang people out to dry," resident Nina Blake said. “(But Tuesday’s event) was about educating children and families … they are not trying to beat you over the head with it."

Want to go?

The next midtown neighborhood-watch meeting is at 6 p.m. July 23 in Central Baptist Church’s senior center. Email Linda Mitchem, divadivine1960@yahoo.com, 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: MADD to neighborhood watch group: teach kids about drunk driving

CRESTVIEW — North Okaloosa County residents expressed appreciation for local active and retired military members on Saturday during the sixth annual Military Appreciation Recognition Ceremony at Old Spanish Trail Park.

The event, organized by the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce’s Military Affairs Committee, featured live entertainment, multiple bounce houses, a car show and various vendors. Free food also was available.   

Click here to view a photo gallery from the event.

 A motorcycle parade featuring Crestview Police Chief Tony Taylor kicked off events, followed by the Shoal River Mustang Club’s procession. Polished Ford Mustangs were on display throughout the day.

Crestview High School’s jazz band and First Baptist Church of Crestview’s men’s ensemble choir were among performers.

Kids enjoyed interacting with bomb disposal robots presented by the U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal School at Eglin Air Force Base.

"We just wanted to give them a demonstration of what we do just down the road," Lt. Deward L. Cummings III said. "They put this event out to support us; it’s the least we can do to support them."

 Active personnel from the 7th Special Forces also attended.

Personnel from each military branch had attended past recognition events. However, several purportedly did not attend this year due to sequestration.

Event organizer Mark Stogsdill, a retired Air Force veteran of 36 years, said the event remains successful because of volunteers and sponsors’ support.

 "We have sponsors that donate money that enables us to buy the food for this event," he said. “We never have any trouble raising money, thanks to our sponsors."

The city of Crestview was among 30 event sponsors.

Brodie Williams — among active duty U.S. Air Force troops at Hurlburt field — attended with his wife and two sons, of Crestview, and said he appreciated the effort.

"I like the community coming together, and for all of the support," he said. "This is really good for families to come to."

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Military Appreciation ceremony draws crowd (GALLERY)

CRESTVIEW — The Carver-Hill Memorial and  Historical Society has scheduled the following activities in conjunction with the annual May Day festival in Crestview.

May 20: Emancipation Day program, 5 p.m., Allen Park, McClelland Street, Crestview. Worship starts at 7 p.m. at New Life Missionary Baptist Church, 285 Duggan Ave., Crestview.

May 24: May Day festival, 10 a.m., Allen Park.

May 24: Carver-Hill fellowship and program starts with 6 p.m., meet-and-greet, followed by the 7 p.m. program.

May 26: Annual gospel concert, 3 p.m., Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, 603 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: May Day festival activities planned through May 26

CRESTVIEW — More than 20 Crestview women attended a free women's self-defense course on Saturday at Gordon Martial Arts.

The event, instructed by Thomas Gordon and fellow martial arts instructors, featured presentations from North Okaloosa Medical Center’s Healthy Woman program and Crestview Police Officer Sam Kimmons.

Kimmons advised the group on what to do before, during and after rape. One preventive measure was reasoning with the attacker or telling him or her that you have a sexually transmitted disease.

  Though rape rarely occurs within city limits, self-defense is crucial, he said.

"If we can mentally prepare them for this type of situation, they will respond much better, should it occur," Kimmons said. "Mental preparedness is the number one key."

Instructors identified several pressure points on the human body that can be used against an attacker. They also showed quick maneuvers to use if someone tries to grab them.

For instance, applying pressure to a large person’s nose can bring them down to size.

"Pressure points are fantastic," Kurt Torgerson said. "It equalizes size."

Sedrie Ashley found it comforting to know that anyone could defend himself or herself.

"It’s nice to know that there are a lot of moves where I don't have to put my whole weight into," she said. "This has made me more cautious about my own safety."

Samantha Torgerson said the moves can empower people.

"… I think that being able to protect myself is very important," she said. "You have to use common sense when defending yourself and not to give in."

Gordon plans to have another self-defense course.

"I wanted to see what the interest was. Because it was so good I plan to have another one in the next five to six weeks," Gordon 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: Women’s self-defense course focuses on sexual assault