This month, we celebrated African American heritage and my goal was to read some of the Harlem Renaissance Era's literature.  

This era's authors included Zora Neale Hurston, who grew up in Eatonville, one of the first African American towns to become incorporated. Many of Hurston’s stories depicted the vernacular and life of people whom she knew and lived with in Eatonville.  

Langston Hughes, probably the Harlem Renaissance Era's most popular author, is renowned for his poetry. In addition, he was a writer, playwright and novelist.  

Both authors’ works are available in our library. 

I searched the library catalog for other African American authors from the Renaissance Era and came across Nella Larsen, a biography on whom is this week's Staff Pick.

Her book, “The Nella Larsen Collection,” contains five stories that portray characters whose lives mirror her own. Anxious to learn more about this author, I discovered her biography by George Hutchinson, “In Search of Nella Larsen: A Biography of the Color Line.” (Please see sidebar)     

Both books proved worth reading and gave greater understanding of African American life during the Harlem Renaissance. 

In this era of cultural and social change, African Americans experienced economic freedom and liberty to develop their talent and education.  

Numerous artists, musicians, authors, poets and actors were discovered during this time. 

I recommend these good reads for anybody interested in African American literature.

Jean Lewis is the Crestview Public Library's director.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Explore Harlem Renaissance Era during Black History Month

CRESTVIEW — A 10-day volunteer training program next month will teach attendees how to help victims of crimes, house fires, car wrecks and other crises.

The Trauma Intervention Program classes start at 6 p.m. March 7 at 127A Redstone Ave., Suite A, in Crestview.

The training — that has a tax-deductible $30 registration fee — covers topics including how to work with emergency responders, providing “emotional first aid” and dealing with death.

Volunteers must be dedicated, a spokesperson said.

TIP volunteers — who range in age from teens to senior citizens — respond to round-the-clock calls from hospital personnel, police officers, firefighters and paramedics.

They assist family members following natural, unexpected deaths or suicides; victims of crime or traffic incidents; disoriented or lonely senior citizens; and anyone emotionally traumatized by a crisis.

Learn more about the Trauma Intervention Program at tip-ser.org, or contact Tommy Carter, TIP’s executive director, at 934-6654 or tommyC@tip-ser.org.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: March classes will train people to help victims of crime and tragedy

CRESTVIEW — Professional tax preparation can be unaffordable for households on fixed or limited incomes.

For them, the AARP's crew of volunteer tax advisers comes to the rescue, four days a week at the Crestview Public Library.

"They're kept very busy," reference librarian Sandra Dreaden said. "People are sometimes lined up at the door in the morning."

"They're here Saturdays this year as well," assistant library director Marie Garcia said.

As preparing personal income taxes becomes increasingly bewildering, local taxpayers who might get their 1099s confused with their 1040s risk making errors that could cost them bigger refunds — or worse, could incur fines for innocent oversights, tax preparation volunteers say.

Taxpayers do not have to belong to AARP or prove limited income to use the free service, Dreaden said. The service's volunteers must complete a weeklong training program, according to Bob Allen, who was a tax prep adviser at the library in past years.

The library also provides free IRS tax forms and several of the instruction booklets, Dreaden said.

"We have the tax forms, but we only have the 1040A and the 1040EZ," she said. "The long form instructions haven't come yet. I got an email last week saying they're still at the printer. They're forcing us to go online. It's 108 pages. You can view, print or download."

Want to go?

Free tax preparation assistance— courtesy of an annual AARP-sponsored program —  is available through April 15 at the Crestview Public Library, 1145 Commerce Drive. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and 2-6 p.m. Mondays. Call 682-4432 for 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: Free tax help offered at Crestview Public Library through April 15

CRESTVIEW — Community members will pause at noon today to recite the Pledge of Allegiance during the third annual Stand Up and Say the Pledge ceremony.

The Crestview Exchange Club's program, which lasts about 15 minutes, includes patriotic readings and songs, and a performance of the national anthem.

"The ceremony restates the importance of our flag and what it stands for," Exchange Club president and Crestview Mayor David Cadle said. "It's a short ceremony that has a Boy Scout honor guard and former Air Force Chaplain Walter Beaman speaking,"

Exchange Club organizers have invited local World War II veteran Tom Seagle to lead the Pledge, club member Sharlene Cox said.

"That would be a special honor for us," Cox said.

The annual ceremony is part of the Exchange Club's Americanism pillar.

The organization also sponsors the annual flag display on the Crestview High School lawn for Veterans Day.

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: 'Stand Up and Say the Pledge' ceremony is 12 p.m. today

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview City Council has unanimously selected former Mayor George H. Whitehurst as the Mae R. Coleman Citizen of the Year Award's second recipient.

Whitehurst, Crestview's longest-serving mayor, was first elected in 1961, and served three terms in office, including 1967-76 and 1995-97.

"People in this city have so much admiration for George Whitehurst for all he has done for the city," Mayor David Cadle said. "He had the vision many years ago that the city could develop into what it is today, and he acted on that vision."

Whitehurst, who founded the Whitehurst Funeral Home in 1955, is one of the group of local business leaders that Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Wayne Harris calls "The '56ers" because they founded the chamber in 1956.

Whitehurst's accomplishments in office included obtaining funding to convert the former Yellow River Railroad bed into today's Industrial Drive.

His other accomplishments while mayor and after leaving office include:

Coleman — who is assembling a citizens committee to recommend future award recipients — credited such acts for Whitehurst's honor.

"This is an award for what you do in this community, for your community and for your neighbors," she said. "It is a humanitarian award. Mayor Whitehurst did good for the city. I know he did what he did for humanitarian reasons."

When Crestview acquired a former light-manufacturing facility on the corner of Stillwell Boulevard and Industrial Drive in 2009, the city council unanimously named it the George H. Whitehurst Municipal Building. Today, it houses the Crestview Police Department and Warriors Hall auditorium.

Whitehurst's nomination followed Cadle's recommendation at the Jan. 28 council meeting.

"Mayor Cadle has made a wonderful suggestion for our Citizen of the Year recipient," Council President Ben Iannucci III said at the council's Feb. 11 meeting.

Councilman Charles Baugh Jr. moved to approve whom he called "probably Crestview's No. 1 citizen, former Mayor George H. Whitehurst, as the 2013 Citizen of the Year, based on Mrs. Coleman's comments and the mayor's recommendation."

A burst of applause sounded throughout the council chamber as five "yes" votes appeared on the tally board.

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: Whitehurst named Mae R. Coleman Citizen of the Year in Crestview

NICEVILLE — Okaloosa and Walton counties' Rotary clubs' free conflict resolution workshop is 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1407 E. John Sims Parkway, Niceville. Lunch will be provided.

Advance registration is required by e-mailing rotarypeaceproject@gmail.com or by signing up at www.midbayrotaryclub.org.

"Internationally renowned facilitator Kathy Suerken will share a simple methodology that can teach us how to resolve conflicts without finger pointing and in a way that enables us to eliminate the conflict without compromising important needs," a Rotary spokesperson said.

Suerken, a Rotarian, said she hopes to help residents face regular conflict.

"How much stress in our daily lives exists because of drama that is a result of conflicts that have not been effectively resolved — in the home, the classroom, in the workplace — and in our communities," she said. "If we try to avoid the problem, the conflict escalates and deepens. Attempts to settle disputes through compromise frequently leave everyone dissatisfied because what were compromised were important needs.

"Frustration, finger-pointing and bad feelings remain. (These) can lead to walls of distrust, broken relationships and, in some cases, impulsive behaviors that 'disturb the peace.'"

Suerken will explain conflict resolution tools that can be effective regardless of age, education and culture — "as evidenced by powerful testimonials and results in over 30 countries on five continents," a spokesperson said.

Contact Kathy Suerken, 897-2616, to register.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Rotary club sponsors Feb. 23 conflict resolution workshop

LAUREL HILL — Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church seeks artists for an upcoming community arts festival.

The Laurel Hill Spring Arts Festival will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 13 at the church on 8115 4th St.

"This is going to be a chance for local artists to strut their stuff, whether it be musical or visual arts," the Rev. Mark Broadhead, the church's pastor, has said. "It's going to be free to everybody involved."

The festival's name alone indicates a change; previous festivals occurred in October.

"We decided to move it because there was too much going on in October," Broadhead said, adding other church fall festivals were scheduled around the same time.

"Hopefully, the spring weather will bring more people out," he said.

The Crestview and Laurel Hill Presbyterian churches, which Broadhead preaches at, have presented the event for three years.

"When we first started doing this, we had around 50 to 60 people," he said. "The last time we had it, there was around 100 in attendance."

The festival features art, of course.

"We have had a good variety of different things," church member Tracey Ann Curenton said. "We've had painters, wood carvers and photographers in the past."

The festival also features various musicians.

"The last festival (in 2011) had five musical performers," Broadhead said. "One of which was a bagpipe band … who actually gave the history of the bagpipes, which was interesting."

Other performers have included an electronic orchestra from Northwest Florida State College and area church choirs.

Refreshments and other concessions are expected to be available along with a bake sale.

The bake sale's proceeds will help pay for clothing and feeding the area's less fortunate residents, Broadhead said.

There is no cost for artists to set up their displays, but the church requests a $5 deposit for those needing an electrical outlet.

Attention, vendors

Are you interested in displaying or selling your family-friendly art at the Laurel Hill Spring Arts Festival?

Call the First Presbyterian Church of Crestview, 682-2835, for details.

Want to go?

 The Laurel Hill Spring Arts Festival is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 13 at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church, 8115 4th Street.

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: Organizers seek artists for April 13 Laurel Hill festival

CRESTVIEW — Area Girl Scouts are choosing items for a time capsule that will tell future members their story several years from now.

Their inspiration was a 10-year-old capsule their predecessors contributed letters, photos and other mementoes to. The box had been displayed in a glass box in City Hall's lobby.

"To be opened in the year 2013," read the green engraved brass plate on the capsule's stand.

Girls from Troops 48, 316, 174, 409, 410, 88, 244, 349, 190, 312, 320, 235, 268 and 392 had contributed scouting mementoes from their respective troops. Participating troops packed items — like a T-shirt and drawings — in resealable plastic bags.

"In a lot of their bags they included what we call 'swaps,'" —  distinctive, usually handmade, patches that Girl Scouts exchange with girls in other troops, Megan Jackson, of the Girl Scout Council of the Florida Panhandle, said. "Some girls included photos of themselves."

Most troops included a letter for members who would open the capsule. Current troop members during Monday's City Council meeting read some of the letters, which described activities their troops were involved in at the time. Some listed the former members' names.

"We plan on being in the Christmas parade dressed up as angels, but we don't really need to dress up for that," wrote one troop's author, eliciting laughter around the council chamber.

While 10 years ago may not seem far back to adults witnessing the wooden capsule's opening in the City Council Chamber, some of the girls withdrawing the box's contents were infants or unborn at the time, Jackson said.

"Some of the girls who made the capsule (in 2003) our girls know as adults now," she said.

Using materials they found in the box, the girls who opened the time capsule are tracking down their predecessors who packed it, Jackson said.

They're also considering options for the next time capsule.

They may use the same wooden box, "but sometimes girls want to add their own touch because it's their turn now," Jackson said.

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: Time capsule inspires Girl Scouts to make their own (VIDEO)