CRESTVIEW — An animal rescuer will care for an injured Twin Hills Park Muscovy duck after a Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission-licensed rehabilitator provides treatment.

Public Works Department staffers on Wednesday captured the 10-pound waterfowl, which had eluded rescue since December.

The duck, with distinctive red head markings, had been a concern for park regulars who noticed fishing line wrapped around its swollen left leg.

RondaBell on Monday noticed the duck's injured leg had fallen off over the weekend.

"Bless his heart," she said.

Public Works Director Wayne Steele said his department, which oversees Parks and Recreation, received many calls about the bird.

Public Works, Parks and Recreation staff, and Panhandle Animal Welfare Society animal control officers tried unsuccessfully to capture him.

"He's able to fly and he's a good flyer," Steele said. "He's real strong."

The duck tried to take flight and was about 3 feet off the ground when he and Kenny Martin, Ricky Gomiller and Cody Suggs from his department moved in to capture him, Steele said.

"I dove and got him by the wing and it was just enough to get him slowed down until Cody behind me got the net over him," Steele said.

As Steele wiped mud from the front of his shirt, the result of his dive for the duck, the men laughingly compared themselves to cast members of A&E’s "Duck Dynasty," a reality TV series about a rural Louisiana family.

"I think Kenny was like Uncle Si," Steele said, referring to the show's Silas Robertson. "He was telling us what to do."

The duck spent a couple hours Wednesday nestled in a cage at the Public Works maintenance warehouse until wildlife rehabilitator Tomy Thompson took it to her north Crestview home.

"When I first saw (the leg socket) I thought maybe it might need some medical attention, but when I saw it today it looks like a clean break, and it looks like it hasn't got any gangrene," Thompson said. "It should be OK. He's a fighter!"

After Thompson rehabilitates the fowl, Bell — who said she has rescued horses, dogs and cats, "but never a duck” — will provide a home for the duck, which Thompson named Lucky.

Because the duck has one leg, it cannot run from snapping turtles, loose dogs or other Twin Hills Park dangers, and cannot be returned there, officials said.

Steele said he and his crew were glad to finally get the duck the rehabilitation it needs.

"There's a lot of facets to this job," he said. "It makes you glad when you're able to do some good for the community and sometimes for our animal friends."

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: Injured Twin Hills Park duck receiving treatment after rescue

CRESTVIEW — Two martial arts students said recent seminars helped them improve their technique and inspired continued education in combat practices.

The Korean Martial Arts Festival on April 20 featured 21 master-level instructors from across the world who conducted seminars at Gordon Martial Arts.

"The more I attend these conferences or festivals, the more I thirst for knowledge," said Crestview resident Dr. Alberto Barbon. Learning about various techniques, including forms, sparring and weapons training, reminded him “you can always improve on what you’re doing,” he said.

Crestview resident Angela Mobley agreed. She began practicing martial arts nine months ago following her children’s participation in the program.

"It's something we can do together, it’s exercise, it’s learning something new," she said. 

…for more information go to www.gordonmartialarts.com/bulletin

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: Martial arts festival brings master instructors, continued knowledge

CRESTVIEW — Budding videographer and Crestview High School alumnus Ben White has made a regional name for himself with his high-energy YouTube videos.

White's past productions include the locally famous Crestview High lipdub of 2012, the follow-up teachers' lipdub and this year's "Harlem Shake." Now he has trained his lens on a more serious subject.

His 21-year-old sister's diagnosis with multiple sclerosis inspired a production with a somber theme behind an upbeat tempo.

"Dance Away MS,” no less energetic than his previous videos, features a fast-paced dance number, "It Takes Two" by Rob Base, quick cuts and lots of bounce.

Intercut with White are dancing friends in Pensacola; Tallahassee; Tagab, Afghanistan; Rexburg, Idaho; and Banbury, England. His dogs, Jessie and Chance, and a large, stuffed bear also appear.

The video "experience," as White calls it — viewed more than 5,300 times as of press time — concludes with White requesting support for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

"As an aspiring filmmaker, I wanted to use my craft to help raise awareness of this incurable, neurological disease that affects millions of people worldwide, like my sister," White said. The White family requested the News Bulletin not disclose the woman's name.

"I hope that the video will reach every single person impacted by multiple sclerosis to give them hope that there will be a cure for this possibly crippling disease."

White's father, Ben White Sr., said he is proud of his son's creativity, and touched that he would apply his skills on such a personal production.

White Sr. said his daughter — a Northwest Florida State college nursing student — refuses to allow her disease to slow her down, and her strength and determination have made it easier for her family to accept her diagnosis.

Find it online

See "Dance Away MS" at http://bit.ly/18kiJYt.

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 man creates video in fight against multiple sclerosis

CRESTVIEW — An afternoon of tea and fashion has garnered new volunteers and money for Covenant Hospice.

The annual A Day at the Derby Fashion Spree and Tea on April 27 attracted more than 50 area women, raised $1,600 and recruited Blue Jean Ball fundraiser committee volunteers and a new hostess for next year's tea, organizers said.

Eight women served as tea hostesses, transforming the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall into a tea parlor. Each hostess decorated her table, selected teas and refreshments and served her guests.

Though hostesses also offered donations — some as much as $500 — to Covenant Hospice, fundraising was not the tea's main purpose.

"It's more of a friend-raiser than a fundraiser, because what we're able to do is exponentially reach out to the hostesses' friends and use their connections," Covenant Hospice development manager Jenni Perkins said.

Tea, fashion and hats

The annual Kentucky Derby-themed event was the brainchild of Covenant volunteer Bonnie Grundel.

"When you use nice china, whether it be old or new, you get the sense that you need to be gentle and slow in your movements and actions," she said. "Your conversation tends to follow suit."

A Churchill Downs backdrop, painted by former Laurel Hill School art teacher Sabine Lyons, helped set the theme.

As the women sipped tea and nibbled sandwiches and baked goods, volunteer models paraded Red Raspberry Boutique’s spring fashions.

"One of my favorite charities is Covenant Hospice,” boutique owner Donna Howard said. “I have personally seen their dedication in providing compassionate care to patients and their loved ones during times of life-limiting illnesses." 

Hannah Bray, 5, won an award for wearing the best hat.

Grundel and her co-hostess, Delilah Lewis, won the best table décor award for their cherub vase with greenery, 19th-century china and tea served from an antique teacart.

"The wonderful thing about this event is it's a nice, quiet intimate time," Perkins said. "We … get to know each other better and have those meaningful conversations you can't have at bigger, louder events."

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: Afternoon tea and fashion show nets $1,500 for Covenant Hospice

CRESTVIEW — The Guardian Ad Litem in Crestview on Sunday remembered needy, unrepresented children with a ceremony at Twin Hills Park.

Guardian Ad Litem is a government-assisted, volunteer-based organization that speaks for children moved from their homes due to courtroom intervention. These children, who have been abused, neglected or abandoned, are often removed from a toxic environment and placed into care of others.

Carita Smith, the Crestview Guardian Ad Litem program’s volunteer coordinator, hosted the event.

The goal was to encourage more people to volunteer for the program.

"We have lots of volunteers and I appreciate them," Smith said during the ceremony. "But right now, we have over 200 (children) without Guardian Ad Litem. So that means those children get up and have nobody to speak on their behalf and have nobody to visit them and nobody to make sure they are not hurt, harmed or endangered again.”

A basket with 201 flowers was placed inside a lookout pavilion overlooking a pond at the park. Following the service, attendees tossed flowers into the pond in remembrance of children without representation.  

Additionally, area judges and program directors spoke and there were performances from the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church children's choir, Jeilani Champion and Dr. Linda Smith.  

‘Doing from my heart’

Crestview resident Malcolm Parker said Sunday’s event taught him a lot about the issue.

"It opened my eyes a little bit," he said. "You don't always pay attention to what's going on with the children in the community."

Parker said he’s considering volunteering and wants to help spread the word. 

Tammy Hillsman, who has worked with Guardian for the past eight months, said she enjoys speaking on the children’s behalf.

"I just want to be there because whatever situation we step in to, it's a tragedy from the very beginning," she said. "I'm basically there to help them get through it."

 Hillsman said she is working on two cases involving four children. On average, she handles two cases at a time, she said.

The workload is never a burden, she said.

"They try not to overwhelm you; they start you off slow" Hillsman said.

And it’s fulfilling, she said.

"I'm doing from my heart — I don't want to get paid for it," Hillsman said. "I'm just doing it for those children."

Want to volunteer?

Prospective Crestview Guardian Ad Litem volunteers can call 689-5060. Learn more about the program at guardianadlitem.org.

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: Guardian Ad Litem remembers needy children with ceremony

CRESTVIEW — Relay for Life teams “rocked out cancer,” in accord with this year’s theme, during last weekend’s annual fundraiser that benefits the American Cancer Society.

From Beach Boys to Kiss, rock music received representation from several team tents Friday and Saturday at Old Spanish Trail Park. The fun was part of a concerted effort to raise money for cancer research.

Several teams raised money to walk the track and participate in other activities to symbolically fight cancer. An opening ceremony preceded a traditional first lap for cancer survivors. Later in the evening, the track was cleared for a luminaria ceremony. Candle lit paper bags, each featuring the name of someone with cancer, lined the track.

"When I see the community coming to do this … it's just overwhelming," Crestview resident Stephanie Rousset said. "It gets me going as a (breast) cancer survivor."

Rousset has been cancer free for the past four years and has known friends and family members with the disease. Some have survived; others died.

Crestview resident Ida Faye Powell — who is receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer diagnosed in 2011 — walked in the relay and raised $1,500 for the ACS. She had reached out to friends and former employers for donations.

"I told them about my situation and asked for their support," Powell said. "Having had family members that have had cancer, it's important that that one day a cure will be found." 

Powell was part of the Bob Sikes Elementary School relay team. She was a teacher at the school for 30 years before retiring.

Other area schools, including Davidson Middle School and Riverside Elementary School, were just some of the teams lining the track. Area churches, businesses and other organizations also participated.

Over the past year, teams have raised $148,500 for cancer research; last weekend's event netted $17,000, according to event organizer Krystal Jackson. She credited Crestview in helping Okaloosa become the No. 1 county in the country in raising money per capita for the ACS.   

"It's because of Crestview that we are number one, which is huge," Jackson 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 teams raise $148,500 in Relay for Life (GALLERY)

CRESTVIEW — An injured duck that avoided rescue in one of the Twin Hills Park ponds has been safely captured and is about to be transported by the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society for veterinary care.

The duck, which was able to fly when rescuers approached, had fishing line and wire wrapped around its legs. Finally, a concerted effort by Crestview Public Works, Panhandle Animal Welfare Society and City Hall staffers resulted in his capture.

"I just caught that duck," Public Works Director Wayne Steele said Wednesday morning. "I had to dive on him to catch him. I spotted him coming up out of the pond."

The duck was nestled into a pen constructed at the Public Works Department while PAWS was summoned to pick it up, Steele said.

A number of park visitors have inquired about the duck's wellbeing over the past several weeks.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: DEVELOPING: Crestview Public Works dept. captures injured duck

CRESTVIEW — Journey Java Connection on Main Street wants up-and-coming local artists to get their due.  

"Crestview has a lot of great artists, but they have no place to show," said inspirational abstract artist Peggy Hollingshead, the cafe's art coordinator.

Hollingshead recently kicked off the first budding artist exhibit, featuring Crestview resident Jessica Bruegenhemke. Cafe manager Sandra Peters organized the project, which allows artists to submit samples of their work for a chance to have it displayed in the cafe.

"I just think it's amazing … I always enjoy looking at other people's art,” Crestview resident Tina Kemper said.

Bruegenhemke, 26, a life-long artist, was thrilled to be a featured artist.

"I'm really excited about this," she said.

Horses and wolves, among other animals, inspire her.  

"That's my specialty," Bruegenhemke said. "That's how I got started drawing animals."

Bruegenhemke's art, along with Hollingshead’s, will be on display until the end of this month.

More information

The budding artists exhibit runs 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays at Journey Java Connection, 269 N. Main St., in Crestview.

Prospective exhibitors can drop off a sample of their work at the cafe during business hours. Alternatively, email samples to peggy@drphh.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: Journey Java Connection in Crestview recognizes local artists