DESTIN  — Retired Maj. Gen. William B. Maxson, former commander of the Air Armament Division at Eglin Air Force Base, has passed away.

Maxson died Thursday due to complications from heart surgery in Jacksonville. He was 82.

“He was always honest and straightforward,” said his wife, Nancy Maxson. “He was never self-serving. Whatever was best for the mission was the important thing.”

Bill and Nancy Maxson were married 60 years. Nancy hadn’t been exposed to military life before they were married, but the couple moved 35 times in the 32 years Maxson was in the Air Force.

“It doesn’t take much time to tear it down, but it takes a little bit of time to put back up,” she said of the moves.  

 Their daughter Suzanne was born in Texas and their son, retired Capt. Robert Maxson, was born in Kansas.

Bill Maxson flew 281 combat strike missions in Vietnam and was awarded the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross and 15 Air Medals. He commanded two strategic air command wings and Lowry Technical Training Center before he came to Eglin in 1981.

One of Maxson’s lasting contributions at Eglin was the Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal School, Nancy said.

Maxson left Eglin in 1983 retired from the Air Force in 1984.

He also was awarded two Distinguished Service Medals, three Legions of Merit and the Defense Superior Service medal.

Even after leaving the area for an assignment in Los Angeles and then retiring to Washington, D.C., the couple remembered Northwest Florida and decided to move back a few years after his retirement, Robert Maxson said.    

“He was very interested in his community,” he said. “He greatly enjoyed the people of Northwest Florida.”

They lived in Destin for several years before moving to Freeport until 2011. During that time, Maxson served on the Okaloosa County Planning Commission. He and his wife also volunteered for local organizations, particularly Northwest Florida State College, Robert said. Nancy still receives newsletters from the college.  

“They really felt that it was an important part of the community and it served the community very well,” Robert said.

About 10 months ago, the Maxsons visited friends in a community in Atlantic Beach on Florida’s east coast, fell in love with the area and moved there.

“We’ve been so blessed that you have to save some room for the next generation,” Nancy said. 

Contact Daily News Staff Writer Lauren Delgado at 850-315-4445 or ldelgado@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @LaurenDnwfdn.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Former Eglin armament division commander, William Maxson, dies

CRESTVIEW — Okaloosa County will have a one-time surplus book sale 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at the former county extension office on Hill Drive.

The Okaloosa County Public Library Cooperative — which represents six county libraries, including Fort Walton Beach, Niceville and Crestview — organized the sale.

“All of the books (and items) were from the bookmobile program,” cooperative coordinator Vicky Stever said. “For aficionados of used hardcover books, this will be the place to be.”

The office building previously stored titles for the bookmobile, which once traveled throughout Okaloosa until the county ended the program in 2011 due to budget cuts, Stever said.

The cooperative plans to sell thousands of titles for all ages.

“We have a large selection of large-print books for adults,” Stever said.

“They are going to be priced to sell … we are going to have some hardcover books as low as 50 cents,” she said.

The cooperative also will sell used VHS cassettes and DVDs, audio books on cassette and CD, and even wood shelving used to store the items.

Cash and checks are the only forms of payment accepted and all sales are final.

Proceeds will benefit the cooperative’s future library programs, some of which will pick up where the bookmobile left off, Stever said.

Still reaching out

The cooperative hopes a new library vending machine will help it still reach out to communities lacking easy library access.

“It’s like a Red Box, but instead of inserting a credit card, they will insert a library card,” Stever said.

In addition to books, the machine will offer DVD titles and audio books.

 “There are actually several of them throughout Florida, but none in the Florida Panhandle.”

One machine is planned for installation next month in the Baker community near Baker Heritage Museum, Stever said.

In addition, the cooperative offers virtual offerings.

Tablets — like iPads or Nooks —laptops or smart phones can access library books and read them from anywhere if they have a library card. 

The cooperative’s website, readokaloosa.org, features a digital library. Library members can read as many as five online book titles every two weeks.

“We want to reach to those in the community who may not have easy access to a public library,” Stever 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: Library co-op plans Saturday book sale and book vending machine

NICEVILLE — The Florida Trail Association's Niceville chapter has planned several outings this month. The schedule is listed below.

•8:30 a.m. Jan. 9: 5-mile hike on Eglin near Crestview. Lunch and fellowship to follow. Details: 302-528-8284.

•8 a.m. Jan. 18: four-day, three-night Walton Countybackpacking adventure on Eglin. Eglin recreation permit required.  Details: 585-5150.

•6 p.m. Jan. 22: monthly meeting, Ed’s Hometown Seafood & Steaks in Niceville.  Visitors welcome. Details: 850-654-1172.

•9 a.m. Jan. 26: 3-, 5- or 8-mile hike, Point Washington State Forest near Santa Rosa Beach/Walton County. Details:  302-528-8284.

•5 p.m. Jan. 26: 4-mile night hike, Karick Lake; dinner at Gator Café in Baker afterward.  Details: 651-0902.

For more information, visit http://choctaw.floridatrail.org.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Florida trail association's January schedule includes evening hike

CRESTVIEW — Starting 2013 may be difficult for those who’ve lost loved ones over the holidays, but coping methods may aid the healing process.

"A lot of these people can't even think about celebrating this time of year," Karen McGavin, a social worker with Covenant Hospice in Crestview, said. "The key is to build on peace and acceptance.”

Attending free grief support meetings, like Covenant’s, may help, she said. The schedule is still being worked out.

Dolores Russell, 75 — who began attending meetings after Elbert, her husband of 40-plus years, died in 2006 — said she understands how the winter season can compound grief.

"This time of year is hectic enough, just dealing with shopping and holidays," Russell said.

Covenant’s program — which allows a group of attendees to share grieving experiences — meets once a week for six weeks.

Russell suggested attending meetings when the cycle starts.

"It’s better to get in on the beginning because the grief counselor takes you through the process of grieving," she said.

That means facing uncomfortable topics head on.  

"The only other way to get over anything is to deal with it," Russell said. "No matter what life throws at you, you have to deal with it then and not put it off till later."

Like the adage says, time heals, she said. "Going to counseling gives you the tools to deal with the different feelings and emotions.”

Actions, in addition to expressing grief, can aid the process, group organizers said.

"You can honor your loved ones by donating to a charity in their name," McGavin said. 

Survivors also can make a list of family and friends they can call when depressed.

"I advise — just because I have been there and done that — to seek help," Russell said. "There is no shame in seeking help."

Want to go?

Grief support meetings run 2-4 p.m. Feb. 4 through March 11  at Covenant Hospice, 370 W. Redstone Ave., Crestview.

Contact bereavement specialist Keli Cummings, 682-3628, for more information.

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: Grief counseling sessions can help survivors cope

CRESTVIEW — Twenty lower-income Cougars at Northwood Elementary School will soon benefit from a regional weekend food program.

The Bay Area Food Bank's Backpack Program supplements free breakfasts and hot lunches provided at local schools during the week through governmental assistance, Kelli Davis, the food bank’s child nutrition coordinator, said.

“The schools identify students who may not receive enough food over the weekend at home,” Davis said. “Some families are having a rough time. Families are struggling. It’s not those elementary kids’ fault.”

The local Kiwanis Club presented nearly $2,000 to the Backpack Program to fund the effort. Bags of food are slipped into student recipients’ backpacks, hence the program’s name. Each student receives two breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks for the weekend, Davis said.

The foods — packaged so kids can easily prepare the meals themselves — include selections such as microwaveable spaghetti rings, she said. The food is purchased in bulk using donations such as the $1,820 provided by the Crestview Kiwanis Club, which will feed 20 students at $3.50 a meal.

Northwood reportedly is the first north county school to benefit from the program.

The program will be in place by the third or fourth week in January, Northwood Elementary reading resources teacher and guidance counselor Martha Barton said.

“This is a very good way to very discreetly help our children,” Barton said, adding that slipping meals into students’ backpacks does not overtly single them out as recipients of charity.

Assisting needy children is one of the Kiwanis club’s goals, club President Malcolm Haynes said.

 “We’re proud to help our area children,” he said.

The Bay Area Food Bank’s Panhandle branch in Milton will administer the program. The food bank serves the central Gulf Coast including Alabama, Florida and Mississippi.

If donors step forward, the program could expand to other area schools, including Baker and Laurel Hill Schools, Davis said.

“We look at their 50 percent or more reduced lunch lists,” she said. “It has to be sponsored by somebody before we can start it, so that’s why it was so helpful that Kiwanis could fund the program at Northwood.”

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: Kiwanis donation launches school food bank program

FORT WALTON BEACH — As the generosity of the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays fades, many local food pantries are bracing for the annual dry spell.

Some organizations that overflowed with donated food just a few weeks ago already are seeing their supplies start to dwindle.

 “During the holidays it was fantastic,” said Pennie Lucas, director of Caring and Sharing of South Walton.

“People just gave really tremendously, but now the pantry is low. It drops off so bad … but people still have to eat.”

The pantry on Lynn Drive in Santa Rosa Beach is busier than it’s ever been, feeding about 700 new people in December.

That same increase is being seen in Niceville and Fort Walton Beach.

“(The need) is always there,” said Nancy Manley, a volunteer at Sharing and Caring of Fort Walton Beach. “We’re getting 100 new people every month.”

The first few months of the year can be challenging for food pantries because people are getting back to their normal routines and donations tend to be low on their list of priorities.

“I think at Christmastime you have a good heart and you’re thinking of helping other people,” Manley said. “After Christmas, you just get busy with your own life.”

Terry Bridgford, manager of the food pantry at Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida, said he tries to make food supplies last longer this time of year.

“This is when it slows down,” he said. “I have to try and stagger things.”

Bridgford said the food pantry is distributing 20 more bags of food a day compared to last year.

The key to surviving the winter and replenishing local pantries is continually making the public aware of the need, Lucas said.

“My suggestion is when you go to the grocery store, just buy one extra can,” she said. “One can makes a difference.”

Lucas said her pantry particularly needs juices and baby food.

“I always have a lot of children,” she added.

Lucas and Manley said many people who seek help at their pantries have come to the area looking for work.

“People are starting slowly to go back to work, but it’s not full-time work,” Lucas said. “It doesn’t cover everything.”

At Sharing and Caring of Niceville, holiday donations are still plentiful, but volunteers say it will dwindle quickly in the coming weeks.

“We are very fortunate,” said Lynn Watson, who has volunteered at the pantry for 10 months. “This is actually a good time for us.”

Volunteers at all of the pantries said they could use staples such as hearty canned soups, cereals, canned vegetables, macaroni and cheese, pancake mix and laundry soap.

“If anything, the need increases (after the holidays),” Bridgford said. “It’s heartbreaking sometimes. Times are tough for a lot of people.”

WANT TO HELP?

    Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida, 244-2825

    Sharing and Caring of Niceville, 678-8459

    Sharing and Caring of Fort Walton Beach, 244-0778

    Caring and Sharing of South Walton, 267-2866

    Sharing and Caring of Crestview, 682-1907

    Striving for Perfection, 362-6977

Contact Daily News Staff Writer Kari Barlow at 850-315-4438 or kbarlow@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @KariBnwfdn.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Food pantries see donations dwindle as demand rises after holidays

FORT WALTON BEACH — Officials with the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society don’t know much about the dog or her 10 puppies that came in Wednesday. They don‘t know her name, what breed she is exactly or where she came from.

For now, the dog is going by the name ‘Mom’ and the 10 pups are still scurrying around with eyes shut and whimper anytime they feel disoriented in the cage they share with their mother.

The family of 11 was brought in to a Laurel Hill animal shelter Dec. 20 after the puppies were already born, according to Tricia Bryant, the director of the Humane Society and Adoption Center at PAWS.

View a photogallery of the canine family.

Bryant said that while getting large litters is not unusual for her animal shelter, it’s not the normal time frame for it. “Puppy Season,” as she calls it, is typically from March to April.

Bryant said she believes the tiny canines are between two to three weeks old.

The mother is likely part pit bull, but Bryant said the puppies breed won‘t be known until they are several weeks older.

Three of the puppies came in with abscesses on their necks, but all the puppies are doing well now.

Once the puppies are weaned, they will be split up and put into foster care until they are eight to 10 weeks old and ready for adoption.

“The mother is very sweet and the puppies are so cute — one even has a heart on its paw — I’m sure they will be adopted quickly,” Bryant said.

Contact Daily News Staff Writer Angel McCurdy at 850-315-4432 or amccurdy@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @AngelMnwfdn.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Litter of puppies finds home at PAWS

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE — 2012 was the year the F-35 finally took off at Eglin Air Force Base.

Not only did the military’s newest fighter jet soar into the sky over Eglin for the first and then the 700th time, but the 33rd Fighter Wing continued to ramp up its training center to become the hub for everyone learning to fly or maintain the plane.

“I think overall as a whole it was an outstanding year for the 33rd Fighter Wing and all the men and women and the accomplishments we had,” said Air Force Col. Andrew Toth, commander of the wing.

Although controversy over cost and production setbacks have plagued the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program for many years, the joint-command wing at Eglin finally was able to meet several significant milestones in 2012.

A pilot took off in an F-35 for the first time March 6. Since then, pilots have taken 739 flights, moving the jet from test flight mode to operational capacity, said Marine Col. Art Tomassetti, vice commander of the 33rd.

The base received its first Marine Corps variant, the F-35B, which was designed for short takeoff and vertical landing, early in 2012. The Marines then shipped off a crew to stand up their first F-35 operational unit in Yuma, Ariz., in November.

The first international students, from the United Kingdom, also started academic training this fall to fly and maintain their own aircraft.

The year culminated earlier this month with a visit from Air Force Gen. Edward Rice, who gave the school the official go-ahead to start graduating Air Force pilots and maintainers next year.

The program also grew dramatically at Eglin in 2012.

On Jan. 1, six Air Force variants of the plane, the F-35A, were parked in hangars. At year’s end, the fleet has grown to 22 planes: nine F-35As and 13 F-35Bs, including two UK jets.

About 26 pilots and 500 maintainers went through the program at the training center.

The program will continue to expand in 2013, Lt. Gen. Christopher Bogdan, the new head of the nation’s Joint Strike Fighter program, said during a visit to Eglin earlier this month.

“We are on a very, very large growth path at Eglin here,” Bogdan said. “As a hub for maintenance and, at least for now, for pilots, this is the center of the universe for the F-35 in terms of training. This is stop one on the road to an F-35 capability.”

The 33rd Fighter Wing should double its fleet of jets and the number of pilots and maintainers going through the program next year, Toth said.

It also will receive its first F-35C, the Navy’s variant of the jet. Dutch students also are set to begin training in January.

The 33rd faced some unique challenges to achieve what it has with the F-35.

As production slowed and the program’s progress snagged, it fell on the wing to take on a lot of the operational testing and development of a training center to keep the program moving forward.

The 33rd worked to improve the processes and procedures of the F-35 as a whole, while also getting its training program up and running, Toth said.

Bogdan said the wing has done an extraordinary job. Now, his office and Lockheed Martin, the contractor developing the new jets, have a lot of work to do to lighten some of the load.

“We’ve asked them to do an awful lot in the past year where normally a program would have been a lot more mature,” Bogdan said. “We started building airplanes maybe long before we were ready to do that, and as a result we’ve asked the maintainers here and the operators and all the base support people here to do some extraordinary things to fly these airplanes.”

After a year-long negotiation, the Pentagon announced early this month a $3.8-billion deal with Lockheed to purchase 32 more F-35s. The Pentagon’s oversight office also is taking a look at the Joint Strike Fighter program, which could cost more than $1 trillion over several decades and make it the most expensive military weapons program in history.

Tomassetti said as the program has changed and delays in production occurred, the wing’s staff made adjustments and will continue to do so.

“The F-35 world will remain dynamic and we will adapt accordingly,” he said.

He said the wing is in a unique position to feed information back to program staff about what it takes in terms of resources and costs to operate the F-35 outside a test environment.

Toth said the biggest challenge for the 33rd over the next year will be turnover of almost all of the command staff that has been there since the first aircraft arrived and have seen the program through to what it is today.

He, Tomassetti, the maintenance group commander and the operations group commander all will leave for new positions by next summer, Toth said.

He said it will be a challenge, but could also bring some improvement to the wing.

“It brings the advantage of fresh eyes to see things a little different and to be able to keep the program on track,” he said.

In his two years at Eglin, Toth said he has been amazed to see the team of airmen, marines, sailors, contractors and civilians come together to focus on the single goal of running safe and effective flying operations.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the team and the way they’ve responded to the challenges that have been put before them,” he said. “Just to be a part of that makes me so proud.”

Contact Daily News Staff Writer Lauren Sage Reinlie at 850-315-4443 or lreinlie@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @LaurenRnwfdn.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Eglin becomes ‘center of the universe’ for F-35 training

CRESTVIEW — For now, Makayla Olivia Jones hasn’t given much thought to arriving in town. As the first baby of 2013 born in the north county region, her immediate interests are sleeping and eating.

Makayla was born at 12:36 p.m. New Year’s Day at North Okaloosa Medical Center. She is Stephanie Arnold and Mather Jones’ first daughter and their first child together.

Her brother, Bradien, waits at their Crestview home to meet his new half-sister.

“He’s excited,” Arnold said.

Four half-brothers — Gage, Drevon, Tristan and Kyler — eagerly await in Cincinnati the opportunity to visit their new half-sister, Jones said.

“But I think they ask about seeing the beach more,” he said, laughing.

The couple recently moved to Crestview, where Arnold’s parents live.

“We have family here so it was easy to get set up,” Jones said.

Proud grandpa Lester Arnold — who spent time with his daughter and new granddaughter at the hospital — said he looks forward to spoiling his sixth grandchild.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview couple welcomes north county’s first baby of 2013