CRESTVIEW — Walker Elementary School’s main hallway features students’ masterpieces for the first Spring Art Show. The school has been decorating the halls to celebrate art teacher Sarah Harris’s arrival.

Drawings and paintings from each teacher's class appear in the main hallway and in a portion of the school's media center, which facilitated a family night for a book fair.

The displays impressed second-grader Miranda Everhart, 7, who was attending the art show and book fair with her father, Tad. 

"I like the drawing and coloring; I like all of it," Miranda said, adding she looks forward to painting more.

Her father said he supports the arts program.

"It gives (students) a break from all of the math and science," he said. "It also helps with their imagination."

He’s not alone in his support.

"Many (parents) have said that they felt that their children were artists and they never got to participate in the visual arts," principal Jeanine Kirkland. "This has been a wonderful beginning for us and we want to keep it going."

The school introduced the art program at the beginning of this school year, following Harris’s hiring.

Harris teaches a class from each grade level for 40 minutes a week.

"We cover the whole art spectrum (including) drawing, coloring and painting," she said.

Some of the classes have started working with papier-mché. Recently, all eight kindergarten classes collaborated to create a large pairing of papier-mchéhearts displayed at the show.

Parents have donated recycled items, including egg cartons and discarded paper towel rolls, to support the program. The class can use these items to create art.

"One thing I teach my kids is that you can find art in anything — and we will — which will be fun." Harris said.

The school had a similar art show in the fall and plans to have another before the end of the school, she 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: Walker Elementary displays students' works for art show

LAUREL HILL — More than 60 parents and 200 children on Tuesday night welcomed motivational speaker and entertainer Scott Humston to Laurel Hill School’s auditorium.

He shared stories of courage in telling the truth and overcoming personal obstacles. The Grand Island, Fla., native was born with a cleft palate, a deformity in which a split forms in the roof of the mouth. He overcame the obstacle to perform about 300 shows annually for crowds of hundreds.

Tuesday, Humston introduced north county residents to his puppet "Justin Beaver." At one point, the crowd participated in "Scott Says," Humston's version of the game "Simon Says." Additionally, several students from the crowd helped the entertainer perform magic tricks and optical illusions.

"I liked the part where he made the snow (confetti)," Haley Wington, 6, said.

Three fathers volunteered on stage to play with invisible yo-yos and make humorous hand gestures to the crowd’s amusement.

One of them, Martin Triplett, was glad he brought his family to the event.

"I think it was a really great time for the entire family," 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: Magic tricks, motivation take focus at Laurel Hill School (GALLERY)

PAXTON — In the three months since Katie Renfroe had a 1-pound mass removed from her left cheek, she has taken her first steps with assistance and regained that weight in other parts of her tiny frame.

The 5-year-old Paxton girl and her family leave for South Florida on Sunday, where the second of as many as seven surgeries will be performed. This time, doctors will remove excess tissue from her right cheek.

“I know her doctors care the world about her and she’s in the greatest hands she could be,” said her mom Angie, who still admits to being nervous.

“To be honest, we all worry,” Angie said. “But I know it’s in God’s hands. We put it there.”

Katie was diagnosed with meglencephaly before she was born. Angie and her husband Danial opted to carry through with the pregnancy despite her grim prognosis.

The rare disorder caused portions of Katie’s head and face to be abnormally large, and she had part of her brain removed as an infant to control seizures.

Now Katie is at the center of her large family, which includes seven brothers and sisters, some younger and some older.

Her older siblings tote her around, tease her and tickle her. Her younger siblings play with her and share toys.

Until her first surgery in December, Katie had not tried to walk. The weight of her head with its enlarged features was so heavy that she got tired from simply holding it up.

The entire family will drive to South Florida in their ancient minivan. The surgery is scheduled for Tuesday.

After an article appeared in the Northwest Florida Daily News in December, people from around the world donated to a fund supporting Katie and her family.

“Without the help I have received, I don’t know where we’d be,” Angie said. “We do appreciate everything they’ve done.”

But there’s still one thing the family needs right now, Angie said.

“Prayer. That’s the main thing, prayer. There’s no relaxing, not yet.”

HOW TO HELP

Donations can be made at any Regions Bank to the account for Danial Renfroe. Please put Katie Renfroe on memo line.

Daily News Staff Writer Wendy Victora can be reached at 850-315-4478 or wvictora@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @WendyVnwfdn.  

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Katie Renfroe scheduled for second surgery this weekend

CRESTVIEW — The Friends of the Library will have a book sale April 5-7 at the Crestview Public Library.

A preview sale for $2 admission — free to Friends members — is 5-8 p.m. April 5; the regular event is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 6 and 7. All proceeds provide new books and materials to the Crestview Library.

"We going to have a load of large-print (used) books to choose from, including children's books and religious fiction," along with CDs and DVDs, event organizer Dot Moxcey said.  

This is one of the top-earning fundraising events for the Friends of the Library, which assists in funding many library programs, including the First Tuesday lecture series.   

"We usually bring in over $3,000 (from this event) every year," Moxcey said.

Another book sale is set for Oct. 4-6.

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: Used book sale April 5-7 at the Crestview Public Library

Report: family entertainment complex viable in Crestview

CRESTVIEW — A city facility offering multiple sports, arts and cultural opportunities has potential, according to Northwest Florida State College’s Institute for Senior Professionals.

City Council President Ben Iannucci III — who has championed the project — presented findings from the institute’s 30-page feasibility report at Monday’s council meeting.

The facility requires a 60-acre site, said Iannucci, who suggested using land off Rasberry Road. The complex’s original suggested site, a city-owned 17-acre parcel behind the Brookmeade Public Safety building, was too small, and the sloping topography was unacceptable for sports fields, the study stated. The location also raised concerns about noise, increased traffic and light pollution for surrounding residential neighborhoods.

Crestview would be a prime location for traveling sports team events, Iannucci said, adding that Panama City has the closest such complex. The city would be a stop on the traveling team sports circuit among Georgia, Alabama and Jacksonville complexes.

That would bring additional revenue to the area — “studies have shown it can bring tens of millions of dollars in economic impact to the area," Iannucci said.

At the local Okaloosa Arts Alliance committee’s recommendation, Iannucci incorporated visual and performing arts studios, gallery and multi-use performance and sports space in the proposal.

Funding sources could include a local tourist development tax, also called a "bed tax," and BP settlement money from the April 2010 Gulf oil spill. Rasberry Road's proximity to Interstate 10 might also attract state Department of Transportation funds, Iannucci said.

"I'm all for the concept," Councilwoman Robyn Helt said.

Resident Landrum Edwards, who has criticized the project, accused Iannucci of "changing the paint and whitewashing" the project by including the family arts and entertainment component.

However, adding facilities for the whole family was what made the project more appealing to community activist Mae R. Coleman.

"Just love it and support it,” she said. “We need action on it. Never stop the man's vision. God gave it to him."

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: Report: family entertainment complex viable in Crestview

CRESTVIEW — Wanda Sue Thompson is $1,655 closer to a healthy liver.

Friends, family and Full Gospel Tabernacle Church members helped raise money for the 58-year-old with a chicken-and-dumplings dinner and bake sale on Friday.

"It went above and beyond our expectations," Janet Lundy, Thompson's sister, said.

The church kitchen was busy with volunteers preparing plates with a side of green beans and a piece of cake for dessert.

It’s a familiar scene for the church’s membership, which enjoys hearty feasts — especially when they help others.

"We are a church that loves to cook and eat," said Jean Marie Belle, one of 10 volunteers. "It’s for a good cause and we are glad to do it."

Waiting for a liver

Thompson is on a waiting list for a liver following a primary biliary cirrhosis diagnosis in 2009. The disease causes irritation and swelling of the liver’s bile ducts, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Bile, a fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, aids digestion of fatty acids.

"The liver starts to attack itself and they don't know why,” she said of the condition, which often affects middle-aged women.

"There is no help or cure for it," Lundy said. "The only alternative is a transplant."

More than half of patients reportedly lack symptoms upon diagnosis, but Thompson has begun to feel the effects.

 "I feel okay, but I get tired very easily," she said, adding she has bouts of itching, a common side effect.

Other symptoms can include abdominal pain and jaundice.

Later this month, Thompson will make her fourth trip to Jackson Memorial Hospital to meet with doctors. It’s the closest medical facility that can assist her.

Once a liver is available, Thompson must immediately fly back to Miami for the procedure. An air ambulance will transport her and one family member within four or five hours from receiving notice.

Helping family

Lundy has organized three fundraisers since Thompson’s diagnosis. Prior to Friday’s event, $2,000 from a prior dinner and yard sale offset medical costs along with food and gas expenses. The pair’s brother, who lives in Miami, provides lodging.

Every bit helps for someone with a fixed income.

Thompson, a former registered nurse, recently started receiving disability checks, but they pay very little, she said.

The sisters hope to escalate fundraising efforts in preparation for post-operation costs such as a required month's stay and meals at the hospital, along with surgeons’ check-ups.

"So far, we are just making enough to cover each trip," Thompson said. "We would like to do something on a bigger scale."

The women seek fundraising suggestions from the community.

In the meantime, the church will continue accepting donations for Thompson, said Lundy, who’s planning another fundraiser for the near future.

"She has been my lifesaver during all of this," Thompson said.

 Want to help?

ContactFull Gospel Tabernacle Church, 682-0203, to donate to Wanda Sue Thompson’s liver transplant fund.

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 seek fundraising ideas for liver transplant

BAKER — Baker is the location of the first library lending machine in the Florida Panhandle, thanks to a grant received by the Okaloosa County Public Library Cooperative.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new service, named "The Library Spot," is 2 p.m. March 15 at the Baker Block Museum, 1307 Georgia Avenue.

Senator Greg Evers is scheduled to dedicate the new library service.

The project was funded under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services.

The Library Spot brings 24/7 access to books and DVDs to Baker, which doesn't have a local library facility.

The machine works like movie rental service, but there is an important difference, Vicky Stever, coordinator of the library cooperative, said. "Public library services are free," says Stever. "Instead of swiping a credit card, you can swipe your library card to get this great service at no cost. And you have even more choices, because we provide more than just DVDs; there are books for preschool through teen plus best-seller titles for adults."

Okaloosa County Public Library Cooperative, or OCPLC, library cards are accepted by the lending machine. Eligible Okaloosa residents may also request a card by contacting the OCPLC office or picking up an application form at the Baker Block Museum. 

"The North Okaloosa Historical Association that operates the Baker Block Museum has been an essential partner in the grant project," Stever said. "They are providing the electrical and Internet connectivity needed to operate the machine, and allowing us to locate it on the museum’s porch for easy access to the community." She said the museum’s convenient location at the intersection of State Roads 4 and 189 was a significant factor in its selection, as well as "the museum’s great dedication and desire to serve the Baker area."

For more information, contact Stever at LibrarySpot@okaloosa.lib.fl.us or 609-5101.

The Baker Block Museum is open 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and the third Saturday of the month. Contact the museum at 537-5714.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Ribbon cutting Friday at 2 p.m. for Baker library lending machine

NICEVILLE — Baker School’s gifted students participating in a career enrichment program at Northwest Florida State College learned about the skills required to be a crime scene investigator.

Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office investigators Kristie Hoffman and Lisa Hughey presented a crime scene scenario for the students to solve. They discussed the differences between their job in real life versus how it appears on television shows like “CSI.”

See it online

See video of Baker School students learning about crime scene investigation at http://bit.ly/10DIS5O.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Sheriff's office investigators dispel 'CSI' comparisons

CRESTVIEW — Northwest Florida State College students and Crestview Sister City members traveling this year to Noirmoutier, France, along with anyone else, can learn more about trip preparation.

Europe Bound, a free seminar for independent travelers to Europe, is 6 p.m. March 18 at the Crestview Public Library.

News Bulletin Arts and Entertainment Editor Brian Hughes will present the program, a condensed version of three-night seminars he developed for the Tulane University Center for International Students and Scholars and has taught at Northwest Florida State College.

Following the seminar, travelers will know what kind of luggage to tote, when they shouldn't tip European waiters, and why they won't find train timetables for Cologne under "C" in German train station literature racks. Riding on Europe's intricate rail network, having memorable meals on a budget and finding affordable and memorable lodging are other topics.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Europe Bound seminar is March 18