CRESTVIEW — Families First has $3,000 and some 250 toys that can make needy Hub City children’s Christmases more cheerful after the 14th annual Run for the Toys.

More than 200 bikers rode into the Crestview Walmart parking lot just before 9:30 a.m., paid a $10 registration fee, and included at least one toy to donate toward Families First, a foster care network.

A couple of Crestview Police Department units escorted the long trail of bikers to their location at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5450 building on James Lee Boulevard. The VFW provided lunch for the bikers, who participated in raffles with proceeds benefiting the purchase of more toys.

Carrie Lawson, of Families First Network, said the event collected some $3,000 that will help purchase more toys.

“We honestly couldn’t do this without the support of local businesses,” event organizer Ken Payne said, referring to donated gift certificates, gift cards and other raffle items that netted considerable amounts.

The charitable event also aimed to remove a perceived stigma from bikers, Ken Henniger, a former event organizer and participant, said.

“Bikers participate in more charitable runs than anything,” he said. “They should actually be looked up to, not down at.”

Crestview police Chief Tony Taylor, a long-time biker, agreed.

“Bikers are not what people envision them to be,” Taylor said. “We’re doctors, lawyers, cops and a lot of the people, especially out here, are veterans. We all love riding and we love giving back to the community.”

Ray Doyle, a retired Air Force veteran and American Legion Riders member, said he supports many local charitable causes.

“I enjoy coming to these events; we get to support veterans and (needy) kids,” Doyle said, adding that he spends much of his free time volunteering at area VA clinics. “It’s one of the nice things about being retired — you can find more time to ride.”

Bobby Pruette, an AmVets Post 35 member, brought his grandson, Lucas Reeves, 8, along for the ride. Like his grandfather, Lucas said he enjoys riding and giving to a worthy cause.

“I think it’s great to give because some kids don’t have any toys,” he said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Motorcyclists gather for a cause

CRESTVIEW — An estimated 280 spectators attended the 2012 Northwest Florida Fall Martial Arts Championships at Davidson Middle School on Saturday. Competitors from across the panhandle competed in 74 divisions within six events including sparring, forms and self-defense.

 “This tournament is good fellowship with students and instructors,” Bob Ferguson said. “The kids just keep coming back.” Ferguson and instructor Anthony Whitmer, from the YMCA Martial Arts Club in Navarre, assisted Thomas Gordon from event sponsor Gordon Martial Arts. Ferguson and Whitmer served as the three-hour event’s judges.

The competition allowed students to learn new fighting styles and disciplines of how the "other guys teach," Whitmer said.

Many competitors were from area martial arts schools. Fifteen students from CD Williamson’s martial arts school in Niceville were present. Williamson, who has been involved with martial arts for 37 years, was the event’s rules arbitrator. Although nearly 80 percent of his students are in the 17-and-younger age range, Williamson said that martial arts aren’t just for kids.

“Its for everybody … nobody gets to sit on the bench,” he said.

One parent said he has seen the training’s positive influence.

“It’s been great as far as his discipline, and his grades have also improved,” Bart Begley said about Brock, his 8-year-old son. This was the fourth competition that Brock competed in. 

Some of the young students have picked up the techniques quickly. Baker resident Cariann Diaz, 13, said she only trained in martial arts for less than a year when she won second place in the 11- to 13-year-old sparring competition.

“I was actually really nervous at first,” said Diaz, who attends Morgan’s Martial Arts. However, through hard work and focus, she has picked up the skills and learned some life lessons along the way.

“It has definitely showed me how to better protect myself … and make me more aware of my surroundings,” she said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Martial Arts students display their skills at fall championship

CRESTVIEW — As 2013 gets underway, north Okaloosa County farmers are preparing to file required Census of Agriculture reports.

Area farmers should receive their census forms in the mail in early January, and must submit them to the USDA by Feb. 4. Federal law protects the confidentiality of each farmer’s information gathered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

The USDA uses the census, which is due every five years, to assess the state of America’s farms and form farm policy.

“I’m sure the census is going to play a huge part of a new agriculture farm bill,” local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service district conservationist Darryl Williams said. “In that bill is moneys tied all over the place. It goes from domestic programs through the farm system, from food stamps up to crops.”

With the north county being a large farming region, Williams said, “the food bill plays a major role in our area.”

A USDA news release called the Census of Agriculture “the only source of consistent and comprehensive agricultural data for every state and county in the nation.”

“The census provides detailed data covering nearly every facet of U.S. agriculture,” the release stated. “It looks at land use and ownership, production practices, expenditures and other factors that affect the way farmers do business and succeed in the 21st century.”

By federal law, the census is mandatory for all American farmers, including the approximately 250 forestry and cropland farmers in north Okaloosa County, Williams said.

“It’s a real valuable tool for formulating policy,” Williams said. “It’s to the local farmer’s advantage to fill out the census.”

Data collected “also influences community growth and development,” the USDA release stated.

“Many companies review census data when determining where to establish or expand their businesses, as well as where they can go for supplies of locally produced food and agricultural products, which further emphasizes the importance of supplying accurate information.

“Information from the census also is valuable to explain the many ways farming is important to urban or non-farming residents and decision-makers.”

Farming in Okaloosa County

The 2007 Census of Agriculture provides a snapshot of farming in Okaloosa County. Among its findings:

Number of farms: 567 (up 22 percent from 2002)

Farmland: 65,874 acres (up 20 percent from 2002)

Net farm income: $2 million

Total farm production expenses: $11 million

Government payments: $1.6 million

Average payment (for eligible farms):$8,000

Top crops: Cotton (fifth in the state, 286th in the U.S.), forage, peanuts, corn and pecans

Top livestock: Cattle, goats, horses/ponies and chickens

Average principal farmer’s age: 60.2

Online

See www.agcensus.usda.gov or call 1-888-4AG-STAT (1-888-424-7828) for more information about the U.S.D.A. Census of Agriculture.

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: Farmers face Feb. 4 deadline for agriculture census

CRESTVIEW — A whirl of lights from the disco ball, dancing lasers and the beat of Michael Jackson heralded an Old School Night at SkateTopia. The community’s newest family-friendly venue opened Dec. 15 in Hot Wheels’ former location.

The business had closed for nearly 10 months before Dave and Nancy Brown purchased it in December.

“Kids in Crestview don’t have much to do here,” Dave, a Crestview Fire Department battalion chief, said. “We’re thrilled when the kids are smiling and skating and having fun — and they’re getting exercise instead of sitting in front of the TV.”

Everybody in the Brown family skates, so buying the skating rink was an easy decision, Dave said.

It took an intensive couple of weeks of scrubbing, cleaning and painting to get to opening day. A pair of retired firefighter friends from New York came to Crestview to help the Browns prepare.

“We worked 16-hour days to get this place up to standards, cleaning and painting,” Dave said.

“We still have work to do,” Nancy said. “We have to redo the floor and replace the carpet.”

Dave wants to refinish the floor — which has some paint peeling in a couple of sections — so the rink can host skating events such as competitions.

“I dance-skate,” Dave said. “I want to get the floor really good and then we can hold events.”

The couple’s daughters, Summer, 10, and Alyssa, 16, both skate and give their parents a hand. As Dave spins music from his iPod in the control booth, Nancy works the ticket and skate rental window. Summer helps pass rental skates to customers, and performs “quality control” on the rink.

During a recent Wednesday Old School Night — “That’s when it’s disco music, funk and ’80s music,” Dave said. Thursdays are Country Music Nights — families, children and teens whizzed in traditional counter-clockwise travel.

“We thought it would be a fun thing to do tonight,” Mary Weighknecht said before joining her husband, Herb, and children, Autumn, 13, and Wyatt, 9, on the floor. “It’s great because it’s local. We didn’t have to go to Milton or Fort Walton Beach like we used to do.”

Mary, a competitive skater with the area Okaloosa Rollers roller derby club, known on skates as “Petty Officer Panic,” soon gave Wyatt some helpful hints.

“Bend your knees a little!” she called. “There you go!”

Crestview’s Michael Long and his pal, Connor Watkins, both 15, liked having something to do in town.

“It’s great,” Michael said. “I used to have to skate in Pensacola.”

Connor said his parents were comfortable knowing an emergency responder ran the business.

“We never skated here before,” Connor said. “I don’t really skate a lot but I like doing it.”

Parents and kids aren’t the only ones glad to see SkateTopia opened.

“It is one of the few places in town where kids can go,” Crestview Police Department spokesperson Lt. Andrew Schneider said. “I’m glad it’s open. It’s better than having kids wandering town doing nothing. It’s better than having them out causing trouble.”

“When I can please the kids, when they’re smiling and laughing, that’s what it’s all about,” Dave said, cueing up a tune by K.C. and the Sunshine Band.

Want to go?

SkateTopia roller rink, 383 Coleman St., is open 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 6-11 p.m. Fridays; 1-3, 5-7 and 9-11 p.m. Saturdays; and 1-5 p.m. Sundays.

Standard and inline or speed skate rentals are available. Military and emergency responders receive a discount. Private parties are available.

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 roller rink receives facelift

CRESTVIEW — An increasing number of Okaloosa County residents are overweight or obese, according to the county health department.

"A significant percentage of residents of Okaloosa County are overweight or obese, with the percentage of obese residents on the rise,” states Okaloosa County Health Department’s 2011 status report.

Nearly two-thirds of Okaloosa adults are overweight or obese, 35.2 percent and 28.8 percent, respectively, according to the report.

Overweight means having a body mass index, or BMI, of 25 or more, according to the World Health Organization. Obesity means having BMI of 30 or more. Obesity is linked to diabetes, coronary heart disease, breathing problems, sleeping disorders and some cancers.

Holiday feasts make it difficult to stay fit, but local health experts have advice for those seeking healthier options.

Eat small, eat healthy

"The main thing it comes down to is portion control,” says Blake Miley, a Crestview personal trainer. 

People should eat the food they love during the holidays, but don’t overdo it, he said.

"I'm a firm believer of eating healthy, but I’m also a believer in enjoying life,” he said.

For many people, that means participating in a spate of seasonal potluck dinners and Christmas and New Year’s parties.

However, indulging is a different story, nutrition experts say.

"When you go to a party, look over the spread before grabbing a plate and digging in," said Lemoine Loll, a registered dietician at North Okaloosa Medical Center. "Stick to lean meats, which include turkey, ham and roast beef.

"Avoid eating fried foods like chicken nuggets” and eat fruits and vegetables as healthy side items, she said.

"The basic thing to do is resist temptation," Loll said.

Drinking water instead of sugar-based refreshments particularly is beneficial.

"Water really helps cleanse the toxins out of your body,” Miley said.

Exercise

"People should always try to exercise three to five times a week throughout the year," Miley said.

However, take it easy. Beginners shouldn’t dive into rigorous workout routines seen on TV; doing too much too soon gets old — fast.

"They start (an advanced routine) and then, all of the sudden, they quit after being burned out from it," Miley said.

Instead, start slow; walk with a significant other or pet dog, for instance.

"It’s important to just get out and start moving, which a lot of people don't do," Miley said. "It is important to make exercise a part of their lifestyle and not a burden."

Loll agreed.

"People tend to forget that there are plenty of activities for them to enjoy," she said. "Just because it is the holidays doesn't mean you have to stay inside the kitchen and bake cookies."

Walk around shopping malls or attend holiday events for a change of pace and scenery, she said.

"They could also dance if there is dancing at a (New Year’s) party — that can be considered exercise.”

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: Experts offer tips to keep weight down for the holidays

CRESTVIEW — A Holt girl got more donations than expected for her annual birthday project of collecting Christmas gifts for nursing home residents.

"We provided gifts to over 200 residents in the area," Angie Holland, mother of Railey Conner, 12, said.

Each gift bag contained toiletries and other items like slippers, blankets, crossword puzzles and activity books. Railey requested donations for nursing home residents in lieu of presents for her Dec. 15 birthday. She did the same last year.

Residents donated enough to provide Christmas gift bags for residents of Carrington Manor and Safe and Secure Respite Care, both in Crestview. Crestview Rehab and Silvercrest Manor residents also received gifts. 

In addition to donated items, the project collected more than $600, which Raily’s Birthday Project 2.0 used to purchase more presents, Holland said. 

"It was bigger than I expected," Railey said of donors’ efforts.

Railey and her family visited Carrington Manor on Christmas Eve to deliver the gifts during a party.

Ann Henderson, a licensed practical nurse at the facility, said all 25 residents looked forward to the celebration.

"They have been more happy than they have usually been," she said.

Most residents there have Alzheimer's disease or dementia, and with the exception of a few, most residents rarely receive visitors, she said.

"Most people stay within this building 24 hours a day, seven days a week," Henderson said. "We have one patient who thinks he is still in the service and thinks he is in the barracks. He often asks if he can transfer out of here."

That made Railey’s visit even more special, the facility’s staff said.

Joseph Hunter, of Shalimar, who attended the party to be with his wife, Patricia, 73, a Carrington Manor resident, expressed his gratitude for Railey’s efforts.

"She is just a fantastic young lady and I respect her a lot for what she is doing," Hunter said.

He said the gifts will serve Patricia well.

"She will definitely use all of it," Hunter said.

Resident Annie Saturday, 86, also was thankful for the presents.

"I wasn't expecting all of this," Saturday said. "I'm flabbergasted and I appreciate them."

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 nursing home residents receive special visit, gifts

CRESTVIEW — As the north county continues to grow, the News Bulletin continues to expand its coverage of news affecting readers throughout the region.

Some jumped out right away as we combed our archives; others were more subtle.

1. Crestview Police shakeup

Crestview Police Department Chief Brian Mitchell and his operations director Maj. Joseph Floyd were fired in the spring after an investigation of several allegations against the five-year officers.

“The termination of employment was effective after the city of Crestview’s mayor, David Cadle, provided a written notice of termination to the former operations major,” police spokesperson Lt. Andrew Schneider stated in press release.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the State Attorney’s Office suspended Floyd and Mitchell March 1 following investigations.

Interim chief Kenneth Bundrick replaced Mitchell. This fall, Chief Tony Taylor assumed the position.

Schneider said the Florida Department of Law Enforcement issued the termination notice because of a grand jury indictment and the subsequent arrest of Floyd on March 5.

Floyd has been charged with felony charges of racketeering.

Read a more in-depth report on this issue here.

2. Crestview charter issue dropped

After more than three years’ effort, an administrative error, discovered shortly before the proposed Crestview city charter would go before voters, resulted in the city council having to rescind the ordinance that placed it on the ballot.

The item would have changed Crestview’s governing structure, allowing for a city administrator.

However, it was too late to remove the issue from the ballots, which had been printed. Despite being told their vote wouldn’t count, a majority of voters — 8,114 of 9,076 — who cast ballots in the Nov. 6 election also voted on the charter issue. Of those, 4,319, or 53 percent, voted against implementing the proposed charter.

Faced with public outcry when they proposed placing the issue on the March 2013 ballot, the council ultimately dropped the matter.

“If the citizens say no, I think we need to listen to the citizens,” Councilman Charles Baugh Jr. said.

3. Laurel Hill suggests dissolution

The city of Laurel Hill may allow residents to vote on whether the small municipality should remain incorporated or dissolve its city government and revert to county administration.

Some residents, including city council members Larry Hendren and Robby Adams, feel there are few benefits from paying city taxes in addition to county taxes. Most attendees at a Dec. 11 public town hall meeting to discuss the issue favored dissolution.

The council will discuss whether to pursue the steps necessary for dissolution, which will ultimately place the question on a ballot for voters to decide.

4. FAMU pharmacy school opens

The historic Alatex Building in downtown Crestview entered its newest phase the morning of Aug. 1 when local, state and Florida A&M University officials cut an orange and green ribbon officially reopening the building. The former sewing factory is now a state-of-the-art school for FAMU’s pharmacy program.

Built in 1937 to house an underwear factory as well as city hall and police headquarters, the long-unoccupied building was gutted before its transformation into the school’s high-tech Rural Diversity Healthcare Center.

Inside, where sewing machines once clattered beneath high ceilings, the center’s labs, classrooms, simulated clinic and mock pharmacy now bustle with a student population that within four years is expected to top 120 pharmacy majors. Classes for the first class of 27 freshmen and four seniors began Aug. 27.

“This is just the beginning of the project,” former state senator Dr. Durell Peaden said during opening ceremony remarks.

Peaden, a driving force behind bringing the campus to Crestview, foresees the school growing to embrace other disciplines, including a possible dental school component.

5. Controversy at Christmas Parade

For the first time in more than 50 years, controversy followed Crestview’s annual Main Street Christmas parade.

A parade participant who damned parade goers and denied Santa Claus’ existence through a megaphone from the back of a pick-up truck offended many attendees.

After receiving several complaints, Main Street Crestview Association’s event organizers are considering changing the application process for participants in future parades.

Possible revisions could include requiring participants to describe the nature of their entry when applying, to adhere to the parade theme, and to accept a specific location in the parade lineup.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

NOFD contemplates firing chief

Many North Okaloosa Fire District firefighters and volunteers came to Chief Ed Cutler’s side after his removal from office was suggested by NOFD board of commissioners members at a monthly meeting last summer.

Some commissioners questioned Cutler’s handling of the department. After much discussion at a September meeting, both Cutler and the commissioners agreed that communication between the two sides needed improvement.

The tabled item of Cutler’s removal has since been removed from the commissioners’ agenda.

Widening study tempts P.J. Adams Parkway users

Residents in neighborhoods served by P.J. Adams Parkway in south Crestview had their hopes raised by the appearance of surveying crews for widening of the busy thoroughfare.

However, the widening project’s survey and preliminary design phases were the only funded components of what is expected to be a $100 million project.

“This is pie in the sky,” Okaloosa County Commissioner Wayne Harris said. “There is no money for this. This is a 2030 schedule and this is a PD and E (project development and environmental study) only, and it’s only good for five years.”

“The bottom line is, it’s a $100 million project,” Okaloosa County Public Works Director John Hofstad said. “Typically, my budget is around $10 million a year and that covers anything in a 1,000-square-mile county. It is going to take partnerships on the state and federal level to make it (widening P.J. Adams) happen.”

Laurel Hill Schoolhigh-schoolers receive iPads

As the digital age rapidly changes the way teachers teach and students learn, Laurel Hill School high school students each received a district-issued iPad at the start of the school year.

“We got the announcement last spring,” Principal Susan Lowery-Sexton said. “It’s going to be a historic redesign of the way we’ve been teaching and learning. We’re going to be in the forefront of education here at l’il old Laurel Hill School.”

Teachers — who received district-issued Apple iPads before the spring semester’s end —have been learning how to incorporate the computer tablets into their curriculum. Teachers who are new to the devices said they have also received plenty of practical help from their students.

“We’ll have to try to get technical with our teachers here,” sophomore Bridget Zessin agreed. “They’re not so familiar with it.”

Crestview welcomes contingent from sister city

A delegation of 36, including 21 students, from Noirmoutier, France, Crestview’s sister city, arrived at the end of October for a two-week stay. The visitors stayed with local host families, including those of Crestview High School students.

Local officials and members of the Crestview Sister City organization praised the exchange’s success, noting that in addition to cultural and educational opportunities for locals, the visitors shopped at local stores and ate at local restaurants, adding a business benefit to the relationship.

Response from France was equally positive.

“This was one of our best experiences,” Noirmoutier sister city committee vice president Gérard Moreau said. “The students, they did not want to leave Crestview.”

Working with the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce, visiting University of Nantes faculty members took preliminary steps to establish student internship exchanges between the two communities.

Crestview residents have been invited to attend a June 2013 commemoration of World War II liberators whose B-17 bomber that crash-landed off the island’s coast.

Region gets further representation on county commission

Applause, backslaps, hugs and a heartfelt prayer rose from the Main Street offices of attorney Nathan D. Boyles as final election results came over the radio Aug. 14.

A candidate for county commissioner, Boyles handily won his first bid for public office with a landslide vote, trouncing his closest competitor by nearly 3,000 votes.

The youngest candidate of four, Boyles, 29, impressed many voters and supporters by his youthful enthusiasm tempered by a keen grasp of hot-button north county issues.

“He is wise beyond his years,” Amy Linares, marketing development executive for Peoples Home Health, said.

Boyles’ election adds the first Crestview-area member of the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners from District 3 since Ronald Reagan was president and Sam Brunson was elected in 1988.

He joined Commissioner Wayne Harris in representing north county residents.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writers Brian Hughes and Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com and matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow them on Twitter @cnbBrian and @cnbMatthew.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 2012's TOP 5 STORIES: Police shakeup, charter issue lead list

CRESTVIEW — Eleven new manuals and handbooks recently donated to the Crestview Public Library will be a valuable resource for amateur radio enthusiasts — also called “hams” — Library Director Jean Lewis said.

Among the North Okaloosa Amateur Radio Club’s donations were training manuals, for new amateur radio buffs seeking operator’s licenses, and guides for more advanced hams. The donation will benefit the Crestview area and serve radio buffs throughout the county, Lewis said.

“These are very good, excellent books on ham radio,” she said. “Until this donation, we only had one book, which was ‘Ham Radio for Dummies.’”

The donation comes when the Crestview City Council has eliminated the library’s book acquisition budget.

“We’re helping the library get books they can’t afford to buy,” NOARC activities director Cal Zethmayr, W4GMH, said. “Anybody who wants to study ham radio or learn more about it can check these out.”

The books are available to any Okaloosa County resident within the county library system, Lewis said.

“We knew the library was under pressure for money to get new books,” Zethmayr said. “These are brand new books the (American Radio Relay League) requires. If we can reach more people and get more operators, the better for the community.”

The league — of which NOARC is a member — in 2014 will celebrate its 100th year of American amateur radio.

In addition to connecting with fellow hams all over the world, amateur radio club members advise local Boy Scout troops during the worldwide Jamboree on the Air, Zethmayr said. They also provide communications during regional emergency operations.

NOARC also serves as a training resource for many area responders including county Emergency Operations Center employees, he said.

“We, over the last couple years, have trained employees of Okaloosa Gas, Auburn Water, the Okaloosa County Health Department, and (Community Emergency Response) teams,” Zethmayr said. “We’ve added more than 100 licensed amateurs. Okaloosa County now has more than 800 licensed hams.”

Through regional radio networks, Crestview area hams provide communications linking and guiding emergency responders using satellite positioning and related technology. Local hams helped set up the emergency center’s amateur radio communications equipment, Zethmayr said.

“If other equipment fails, amateur radio will keep working,” he said. “A lot of the guys have solar power now, and many have generators in case the power goes out.

“For example, if Crestview has a situation where you can’t get into Crestview when water comes up over the roads — and it’s happened before — we’re geared up to provide additional communications to the network.”

Want to go?

The North Okaloosa Amateur Radio Club meets the second Thursday of each month at the old Dorcas Fire Station 42, 5232 Deer Springs Drive. The location is 8 miles east of Crestview off U.S. Highway 90. Contact club President Bob Walker at n4cu@AMSAT.org.

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: Library receives set of amateur radio operating books amid budget crisis

NICEVILLE — The Republican Women of Okaloosa Federated will meet Jan. 2 at the Holiday Inn Resort on Okaloosa Island. Socializing will begin at 11:30 a.m. Lunch is at 12 p.m.

Cost is $16 for members and $18 for guests.

A “dine and dash” table will be available for women who plan to leave the meeting before it ends.

The program will comprise a brief history of the Republican Party and a humorous skit depicting philosophical differences between the Republican and Democrat parties.

Attendees should bring empty ink cartridges as part of the club’s Americanism project. Cartridges will go to a recycling partner for cash benefiting the USO.

Contact Donna Pattison, 651-5416 or donnapattison@cox.net, by noon Dec. 28 to make a reservation.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Deadline for Republican women's meeting is noon Dec. 28