CRESTVIEW — Covenant Hospice seeks prospective volunteers for a two-part training workshop later this month.

The not-for-profit organization provides care for terminally ill patients and assists their family members.

The workshop will present an overview of hospice care and volunteer opportunities such as community outreach, office work and fundraising. Volunteers can provide friendly visits, companionship, light housekeeping and transportation.

Covenant also seeks active duty military personnel or retired veterans and working or retired civilians.

The volunteer program offers a flexible schedule; duties can be daily, weekly or periodically.

Want to go?

What: Covenant Hospice volunteer training workshop

When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 25 and 27

Where: Covenant Hospice, 370 W. Redstone Ave.

Register: Carolyn Williams, 682-3628

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Covenant Hospice volunteer training workshops begin June 25

CRESTVIEW — Schools are out for the summer, but many lunchrooms are open for Okaloosa County Schools’ Summer Feeding Program. The federally funded program bridges the gap between the school year and summer break by continuing to provide breakfast and lunch for children.

The program assures that youth participants under 18 years old receive a nutritious meal, organizers said. Meals include a sandwich wrap for lunch or a bowl of cereal or pastry for breakfast. Each meal includes a serving of fruit or vegetables along with milk or juice, per program guidelines.

Keep reading to see full program schedule.

"There are a lot of (children) that are not getting nourishment during the summer; a lot of them don't even get nourishment during the school year," said Richard Norris, the school district’s food services department specialist who oversees the program. Sodexo Inc. provides foods and services.

At least 50 percent of children in an area must qualify for free or reduced-price meals for locations to be approved. More children have used the program over the past several years, particularly after the recession, Norris said.

The program assures all children will be provided for, should a location run out of meals, Larry Haile, a general manager with Sodexo, said. 

"We can transfer meals from site to site," he said. "If they are willing to wait 10 to 15 minutes, we can provide them for them."

Baker and Laurel Hill schools are offering the program, as are several Crestview schools, including Davidson Middle School, Riverside Elementary School and Southside Center. The Crestview Family YMCA, Central Baptist Church and the Carver-Hill Community Center also participate.

June 17-28

Davidson Middle School, 6261 Old Bethel Road, Crestview: 7:15 a.m., and 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

June 17 through July 25

Laurel Hill School, 8078 4th St., Laurel Hill: 7:15-8:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. June 17-28, and July 15-26.

June 18 through July 25

Northwood Elementary School, 501 4th Ave., Crestview: 7:30-8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. June 18-27, and July 9-25.

Weekdays through Aug. 9

Antioch Elementary School,4700 Whitehurst Lane, Crestview: 7:30-8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Carver-Hill Community Center, 461 School Ave., Crestview: 7:30-8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Central Baptist Church of Crestview, 951 S. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview: 7:15-8:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Crestview Family YMCA, 298 N. Wilson St., Crestview: 7:15-8:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Riverside Elementary School, 3400 E. Redstone Ave., Crestview: 7:15-8:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Shoal River Learning Center, 5190 S. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview: 8-8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Shoal River Middle School, 3200 Redstone Ave., Crestview: 7:15-8:15 a.m. and 12-1 p.m.

Southside Center, 650 S. Pearl St., Crestview: 7:15-8:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Walker Elementary School,2988 Stillwell Blvd., Crestview: 7:15-8:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

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: Summer Feeding Program serving north Okaloosa children

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview public services department has replaced two flag poles with ones that should be more theft-resistant.

Chuck Powell, a city maintenance  supervisor, and two other city employees on Wednesday were preparing foundation base for one of the replacements at Confederate Park, located near the State Road 85-East First Avenue intersection.

Like the previous flagpole, the new one features an anonymously donated Confederate flag, Public Services director Wayne Steele said in an email. It honors Bill Lundy, Florida's last living Confederate soldier to serve in the American Civil War. He died in 1957 at age 109.

The Crestview Lions Club dedicated the Lundy memorial a year after his death. The department is responsible for maintaining the memorial grounds, Steele said.

Susan Hollingshead initially was concerned that the city was permanently removing the flagpole.

 "It’s part of the history and culture here in Crestview. If we don't keep our history, then what do we have?" she said.  

However, Hollingshead was relieved to learn that the flagpole was just being replaced.

Two Confederate flags were stolen from the Lundy memorial flagpole this past year, Steele said. 

 The new, nearly 30-foot-tall flagpoles, with ropes and pulleys out of pedestrians’ reach, make it more difficult to steal the flags.

The second flagpole replacement is near the public services building on State Road 85. It now features the American flag, Florida flag and city of Crestview flag. 

Maintaining the flagpoles is part of the city's maintenance duties, Steele said. The department installed an additional flagpole near City Hall earlier this year.

 The department also repaired flagpoles at the city's public library and Allen Park, in addition to regularly replacing damaged or worn out flags at all city flagpole locations.

Yesterday was Flag Day, a celebration of the American flag’s adoption. The Second Continental Congress approved the flag on June 14, in the Flag Resolution of 1777.

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: Replacement flags aim to celebrate city’s history, deter thefts

CRESTVIEW — The Florida Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a fire that consumed Full Gospel Tabernacle Church on Wednesday. 

Most of the structure's surrounding brick walls at 602 8th Ave. remain standing, but the blaze ruined everything else. Fire officials estimate the total damage at $400,000.

The Rev. Steve Bolton and several church members stood near what was left of their church the morning after the fire. Bolton said he and nearly 10 members were inside the building the prior evening, before a regular evening service.

At about 6:45 p.m., he and other members heard a pop toward the building’s south end, near the electrical utility box. Electrical power loss followed, and everyone inside the building moved outside due to the air conditioning loss.

Before church officials could contact the building's maintenance worker, they noticed smoke leaving the building, and immediately called 911.  

Several units from local fire departments ─including the Crestview and North Okaloosa fire departments, and fire crews from Baker, Holt, Dorcas, Almarante and Eglin ─responded and eventually extinguished the flames.

 Firefighters stayed at the location into the early morning hours to ensure all flames were extinguished.  

"The important thing is everyone is safe," Bolton said. "Now, we are going to start over."

The building was fully insured, he said.

"Everybody is saddened, but they are hopeful that we can rebuild," Bolton said.

In the meantime, local churches have offered their help.  

"I had several pastors contact me and offer their buildings (for services)," Bolton said. "A lot of the community has reached out, and we appreciate that."

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: Church congregation moves forward after fire (PHOTOS)

CRESTVIEW — Officials with the State Fire Marshal's Office are investigating a Wednesday night fire that destroyed a church on Eighth Avenue.

More…

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview church destroyed in evening fire

FORT WALTON BEACH — Three Okaloosa County parks may have potentially hazardous bathing water, the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County stated this week.

Advisories have been issued for Clement E. Taylor Park of Destin, Lincoln Park of Valparaiso and Rocky Bayou State Park of Niceville.

The department tests weekly for enterococci, which indicates fecal pollution and comes from stormwater runoff, pets, wildlife and human sewage.

Ratings are based on EPA standards.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Three parks receive advisories for hazardous water

FORT WALTON BEACH — Ken Hinrichs, a resident of Bluewater Bay in Niceville, has accepted the United Way of Okaloosa and Walton Counties’ president/CEO position. He takes office July 1.

Hinrichs, a United Way employee for more than 30 years, served most recently as interim executive director for the Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families in Baton Rouge, following serving as the interim president and CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast in Fort Walton Beach.

His United Way experience includes serving as president/CEO for United Ways in Gales Ferry, Conn., Baton Rouge, La., and Benton Harbor, Mich.

Hinrichs’ expertise in increasing campaign revenue and board of director relations made him the logical candidate for Okaloosa and Walton counties. He has been involved with the Okaloosa County Emergency Operations Center and the Institute of Senior Professionals at Northwest Florida State College. 

He is a graduate of Purdue University, maintains a relationship with the National Academy of Voluntarism, and is a member of Niceville United Methodist Church.

Hinrichs succeeds Bill Robinson, a 25-year veteran president/CEO of the United Way of Okaloosa and Walton Counties, credited with guiding the organization through tough economic times, a changing national charitable scene, and several hurricanes.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Hinrichs named United Way’s president/CEO

CRESTVIEW — The revived Friday downtown farmers market’s added evening component of featuring live music and box dinners has had a ripple effect on Main Street businesses.

Friday afternoon, downtown shoppers paused to inspect fresh produce and baked goods ranging from Napoleons to artisan breads. Nearby, a Swiss sausage maker offered an array of European-style wursts.

That night, live music was added to the mix for the inaugural Evening Farmers, Artisans & Music Market. The Yellow River Winery and Wine Bar sponsors both markets.

Resident Audrey Milcarek said the activity spilled over to other downtown venues. As people packed into Java Journey Connection for improv night, others visited downtown restaurants and peeked in shop windows.

"It was wonderful!" Milcarek said. "Melissa's Sidewalk Cafe was there, the wine was flowing and it was real nice. I went across the street and got Dozer (a therapy dog) a present from Pawsitively Scrumptious."

"This is great," Crestview resident Carlee Pohl said. "Usually downtown is dead on a Friday night."

"Downtown was a really nice place to be on Friday night," Milcarek said. "It was a happening place."

The farmers market re-opened in April, continuing a traditional curb market begun in the 1970s.

Space is available free of charge to vendors who grow produce.  

Want to go?

The Evening Farmers, Artisans & Music Market is 6-8 p.m. Fridays at the corner of Woodruff Avenue and Main Street.

The Main Street Farmers Market is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays at the same location.

 Admission is free. Call 546-6274 for details.

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: Farmers market expands to Friday evenings with music and food

CRESTVIEW — Following a weekend 5K fundraiser, Guardian Ad Litem has an additional $1,200 for ensuring north Okaloosa County children have the best representation, organizers said.

Proceeds from the “My Forever Home 5K Run/Walk,” held Saturday at Old Spanish Trail Park, will benefit children court-ordered removed from their homes.

"All the funds we raised go towards the Happy Kids Fund,” said Carita Smith, the Crestview office’s volunteer coordinator. The fund helps needy foster parents pay for children’s dental braces or hearing aids, among other expenses.

Smith said she plans to make the 5K run and walk an annual event.

If that happens, a number of Saturday’s participants may add it to their regular rotation of races.

Crestview resident Steven Rausch, who finished first in the race, said he participates in local 5K events to maintain a healthy weight. The 47-year-old is preparing for his third appearance at the New York Marathon, scheduled for November.

"(The race) was more to test myself than compete against people," he said.  

Rausch said he would be interested in volunteering for Guardian Ad Litem after his son graduates from college.   

The 5K was a chance for Milton resident Karla MacGregor, who finished second over all, to learn more about the nonprofit.

"I read a little bit about it before the race, but I definitely learned more about it with the skit," she said.

Before the race, event organizers held a skit explaining the 5K’s name.

"The skit we performed … was to let people know that these kids go from home to home," Smith said. "They want a forever home."

Some volunteers registered participants before the run and handed out event T-shirts; others, including Niceville resident Alyssa Kittell, managed an inflatable bounce house for children to play in.

Kittell, who recently joined the nonprofit, giving courtesy calls to children, said she is a firm believer in the program.

"If you have to volunteer, then this is the best way to do it," she said. "What's better than helping some kids get stability in their life?"

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: Weekend 5K raises $1,200 for Guardian Ad Litem