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 — 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

CRESTVIEW — A 47-year-old motorcyclist was killed Monday night in a wreck on State Road 85, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Tracy Jay Tate was driving northbound around 7:45 p.m. when he approached the traffic signal on Antioch Road. Another vehicle, driven by 37-year-old Kiiya Sherre Dixon of Crestview, was at the traffic signal in the eastbound lane on Antioch Road and pulled forward when the light turned green.

Tate also entered the intersection on a red signal, crossing into the path of Dixon's 2002 Nissan Xtera, according to the FHP report. Dixon's Nissan hit the right front side of Tate's 2006 Yamaha motorcycle, sending both vehicles to the right side of the grass shoulder on State Road 85 north.

Tate's motorcycle sustained $12,000 in damages during the wreck.

It is not known if alcohol played a role, according to the FHP report.

Tate was transported to North Okaloosa Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead as a result of his injuries. Tate was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

Dixon and Dixon's passenger, 12-year-old Crestview resident Ayajah C. Coleman, were not injured. Both were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.

The Nissan sustained around $5,000 in damages.

The northbound lanes were closed to traffic while emergency responders worked the scene. They were reopened by 11:15 p.m., according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: One killed in State Road 85 wreck in Crestview

FORT WALTON BEACH — The Florida Department of Public Health has issued advisories for Garniers Park of Fort Walton Beach and Rocky Bayou State Park of Niceville. These parks present potential health risks following water quality tests.

Complete results are as follows:

Site Location, Result and Rating

Liza Jackson Park, Fort Walton Beach, Pass, Good

Garniers Park, Fort Walton Beach, Fail, Poor

Marler Park, Okaloosa Island, Pass, Good

Wayside Park, Okaloosa Island, Pass, Good

Poquito Park, Shalimar, Pass, Good

Gulf Islands National Seashore, Okaloosa Island, Pass, Good

East Pass, Okaloosa Island, Pass, Good

Lincoln Park, Valparaiso, Pass, Good

Henderson Beach, Destin, Pass, Good

Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park, Niceville, Fail, Poor

James Lee Park, Destin, Pass, Good

Emerald Promenade, Okaloosa Island, Pass, Good

Clement E. Taylor Park, Destin, Pass, Good

The department conducts weekly saltwater beach water quality monitoring at 13 sites. Water samples are analyzed for enteric bacteria, which indicates fecal pollution.

Water quality classifications are based on United States Environmental Protection Agency standards.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Garniers and Rocky Bayou State Park fail water quality tests

CRESTVIEW — After being diagnosed with lupus more than two years ago, Pam Pursley, 54, wants to spread awareness about the disease.

Lupus, a chronic, autoimmune disease, can cause chest pain, abnormal blood clotting, mouth or nose ulcers, low red blood cell count and extreme fatigue, among symptoms, according to lupus.org.

 An estimated 1.5 million Americans, and 90 percent of women, have some form of the disease, according to the Lupus Foundation of America.

Pursley has systemic lupus, which inflames the body's major internal organs.

"It’s the worst kind you can have; not only does it mess up your skin and joints, but it can also mess up your heart, kidneys and your lungs," she said.

She sells homemade sugar scrub products on Fridays at the curbside market on Main Street. Pursley recently started making and selling the skin care product with her grandchildren’s help.

To honor Lupus Awareness Month, Pursley has donated a portion of proceeds to the Lupus Foundation of America. 

Pursley said she plans to start a support group for those affected by lupus. She would also like to start a community event that would raise awareness and — hopefully — more funding for lupus research.

"I would like to get a chapter going to start the lupus walk…that's my main goal is to raise money for research," she said.

For now, she’s dealing with challenges associated with the disease.

Pursley’s condition can at times leave her in such pain that she must rely on family members’ assistance.

"I can't even get up by myself; my daughter has to physically pull me up because it hurts so bad," she said.

Symptoms, which she takes 14 medications for, forced her to quit her job at Bayside Cleaners in Crestview. She is filing an appeal to receive Social Security disability benefits.

Pursley said she can barely pay utility bills. However, she receives some assistance from family members, and two doctors have helped her find reduced-cost prescriptions.

Despite her illness, Pursley has been on the go with her grandchildren. 

"(Doctors) have told me that I should have been in a wheelchair by now," she said. "I told them, ‘No, I have five little grandbabies… I have no time for a wheelchair.'"

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: Dorcas resident wants to raise awareness about lupus