Claudia Peñuela and Amarat  Simonne of the University of Florida have identified tips for those wonderful potluck parties you will be invited to this holiday season.

While it’s wonderful to be able to share favorite recipes with friends and to eat a variety of foods without much cost, potluck meals are also associated with an increased risk of foodborne illness.

Why is this?

First, the people who prepare meals for potluck parties are not trained food service professionals and may lack food safety knowledge.

Second, because of the wide variety of foods served at potluck parties, it can be difficult to keep all the different dishes at a safe temperature. Many types of food, such as dishes prepared with meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, dairy products, cooked rice and vegetables, need temperature control.

Such foods should never be kept in the temperature danger zone — 40 degrees Fahrenheit to 140 degrees Fahrenheit — for more than two hours; one hour, if in extreme heat, like a 90 degree Fahrenheit day.

To decrease your risk of foodborne illness, follow the “two-hour rule” and refrigerate all such prepared foods within two hours of purchasing or cooking.

If you are preparing a dish, keep the following tips in mind:

•Keep food safety in mind while cooking and serving.

•If you or your family members are sick with gastroenteritis (a stomach “bug” or stomach “flu”), do not prepare foods for others.

•Prepare foods that are easy to serve with utensils — minimize handling of food.

•When possible, bring items that do not require temperature control. These include whole fresh fruits, nuts, dried fruits and certain types of baked goods.

•If you bring hot or cold foods, make sure that you have a way to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.

•Keep cold food — such as cold salads with ingredients like ham, chicken, tuna and potatoes — at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Use a cooler with ice or gel packs.

•Keep hot foods — such as stews and chili — at 140 degrees Fahrenheit or above. Use an insulated container, like a slow cooker wrapped in paper bags, during travel.

•Do not transport food and animals in the same vehicle.

Use a food thermometer to check food temperatures frequently. After a party, discard any food that was left in the temperature danger zone for more than two hours — or more than one hour on a very hot day). If foods have been safely handled and have not been in the danger zone for more than two hours, leftovers are safe to eat. Use cooked leftovers within three to four days.

Brenda Smith is an agent at the Okaloosa County Extension office in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: EXTENSION CONNECTION: Keeping food safe (potluck party tips)

CRESTVIEW — Community of Christ Church, 398 W. 1st Ave., will open tonight (Wednesday) at 6 p.m. and will remain open until 8 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 29.

Okaloosa County Cold Weather Shelter Program provides protection during freezing weather. 

Program organizers estimate approximately 50 to 65 individuals use the shelters each time one opens.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview church opens cold weather shelter tonight

PAXTON — Until someone told Katie Renfroe’s parents Tuesday morning, it had never occurred to Angie and Dan Renfroe to Google their 4-year-old daughter’s name. Now, if they type in “Katie Renfroe,” a story published Sunday in the Northwest Florida Daily News will pop up dozens of times in a multitude of languages from media outlets around the world. The story about the little Paxton girl with the big cheeks has gone viral. And although donations have begun to pour in for the family of 10, the Renfroes say the greatest gift is the opportunity to inspire others. “I think it will definitely get the word out that just because your child has a problem, you shouldn’t go and abort it,” said Angie, who was touched by online comments from other parents who have faced similar challenges. “Think of all the people we’re helping,” she said. Katie was diagnosed in utero with megalencephaly, a rare disorder that causes some of her facial features to be abnormally large. She has also had part of her brain removed to help control seizures. The family, which includes two younger siblings and five older ones, lives modestly outside Paxton. Although Catholic Charities has helped them occasionally, Marketing Director Kelly Humphrey said the Renfroes ask for nothing and insist that the organization give to others who really need it. The organization’s Fort Walton Beach branch is helping the family with Christmas presents for the children and accepting phone calls from folks with questions about the family. Humphrey’s cell phone number was listed in the original story, along with information about an account that has been set up for Katie at Regions Bank. She said that her phone started ringing Monday morning and hasn’t stopped since. Folks from across the country have called. “Each time I picked up the phone, I would see a different area code on the caller ID,” Humphrey said.  “I had a man call me from Las Vegas. He was in tears. He said, ‘This story just touches my heart. People gripe and complain about all their little problems. You see this and you think, why in the world would I be complaining?’ ” Humphrey said people also were moved that the family was self-reliant despite both parents being unemployed. Local people called as well. The first person to reach Humphrey was someone at an automotive repair shop in Crestview offering to service the family’s 22-year-old van. The Renfroes left Tuesday afternoon for South Florida, where Katie is scheduled to begin a series of surgeries to improve her quality of life. Right now, her petite frame is not strong enough to support the weight of her head. At nearly 5 years old, she weighs just 28 pounds. On previous trips to the hospital in South Florida, Angie said she borrowed her brother’s credit card and paid him back bit by bit over time. This time will be different. By Tuesday morning, $700 already had been deposited into the account, and Angie figured that would be enough to see them through the two-week stay. “Financially, we’re all good for this trip,” she said. “Without the help of everyone out there, I’m not saying we couldn’t do it — we’ve always found a way — but it is so much easier. “This way, I don’t owe anybody anything except gratitude.” WANT TO HELP? An account has been set up at Regions Bank in the name of Angie Renfroe for the benefit of Katie Renfroe. Catholic Charities is also working with the family. Contact Daily News Staff Writer Wendy Victora at 850-315-4478 or wvictora@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @WendyVnwfdn.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview resident among many helping Paxton family

CRESTVIEW — In addition to being the Hub City, locals have called Crestview "the icebox of Florida” due to its cold winters.

On the Weather Underground website, wunderground.com, Crestview often appears among the top 10 Florida cities with the lowest temperatures.

Crestview should have one of the coldest climates due to its location, but the cities with the lowest temperatures are neighboring Milton and the New Hope community east of DeFuniak Springs, Florida State University climatologist David Zierden said.

"Crestview is one of the coldest, but it is not the coldest in the state," he said. On average, Milton and New Hope have beaten Crestview by a couple degrees."

With a 30-year average of low temperatures for January in Florida, Milton and New Hope have an average of 36 degrees, beating Crestview by just one degree, Zierden said. 

"Typically, if we are not the coldest, then we are close to it," said Chayne Sparagowski, who collects data for the National Weather Service with a weather monitoring system at his Crestview residence. The Citizens Weather Observation Program shares data from his monitoring system and other weather stations throughout the country.

"A lot of times, we are the coldest by just a few degrees," Sparagowski said, adding the city is north enough inland that ocean temperatures coming from the Gulf of Mexico don't affect the city. Such temperatures typically help warm coastal cities like Fort Walton Beach, Panama City and Destin.  

As of this writing, Crestview’s all-time lowest temperature was 8 degrees Fahrenheit, recorded Jan. 13 1981, Zierden said. 

Florida's all-time lowest temperature belongs to the state's capital. On Feb. 13 1899, Tallahassee recorded a low temperature of -2 degrees Fahrenheit.

"There were actually kids playing in the snow near the capital building steps," Zierden said, referring to photographs that document that day.

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's winter temperatures among lowest in state

PENSACOLA, Fla. — Curious George, star of the PBS Kids show “Curious George,” will attend Story Time 10-11 a.m. Nov. 30 at the Valparaiso Community Library. Story Time begins at 10:15 a.m. with Curious George swinging by at 10:30 a.m.

Attendees can watch an episode of the “Curious George” program and participate in other activities. The event is free of charge.

The PBS Kids character visit is part of a new literacy initiative by local public broadcaster WSRE to reach out to children, parents and caregivers to share the wealth of resources available through its children’s programming.

“We will be bringing characters to various area libraries in Northwest Florida each month from now through next summer for story times to encourage a love of reading and learning,” said Jeni Huckstep, WSRE’s educational service coordinator.

Additional learning resources for parents, teachers and children are available at www.wsre.org/education.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Curious George visiting Valparaiso Community Library Nov. 30

CRESTVIEW — Thursday, many Okaloosa County residents, regardless of their position, gave thanks for life’s blessings, sharing a meal and fellowship with loved ones.

But fewer had something unique to be grateful for: doing those things at 100 years old.

Nearly 72,000 centenarians were living in the United States in 2010, according to latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau, which projected growth to 601,000 by 2050.

Shoal Creek Rehabilitation Center in Crestview, among other facilities, may be witnessing that upswing, as it’s unusual to simultaneously have three patients there who are centenarians, or at least 100 years of age, Activities Director Amanda Owens said.

Clean living

So what’s the secret to a long life?

Willie Sanford might have the answer — at least for him.

"I have lived a clean life," he said, adding he avoided drinking alcohol and only tried tobacco once.

Sanford, nicknamed "Paw-Paw" by Shoal Creek staffers after he moved here from Baker, often passes through the hallways in his wheelchair, chatting with residents and staff.

"He is very sociable," she said. "He attends almost all of the activities we have here."

"I feel very good," Sanford, who is 95 percent independent, said.

When he isn't involved with church activities like listening to gospel music, he spends most of his time reading his Bible.

In fact, faith is a driving force in his life, he said.

"I know where I am going … I've made it this far and I'm going to keep going 'til the Lord is ready to take me," Sanford said.  

Until that day, Sanford has support from his five children, including Melba Shue, his eldest daughter who regularly checks on him and brings clean clothes.

Marital bliss

Clifford Langdon, who has Alzheimer’s disease and hearing loss, saw his 77th wedding anniversary earlier this year.

His wife, Ruth, 99 — who can still stay by herself with son Bob and daughter Joan Hollmann as caregivers — credited mutual respect and understanding for a successful marriage.

“You really have to love and appreciate each other,” she said, adding that communication is key.

Clifford would often consult with her on business decisions when he was running a chain in grocery stores in Indiana, she said, adding, "We always talked things over. Even if we didn't agree, we always found a solution."

A healthy diet probably aided Ruth’s own longevity, she said, adding her meals always include fruits and vegetables.

Another tip is keeping your mind preoccupied, said Ruth, whose 100th birthday is next August.

“If you keep (your mind) active, you don’t have to worry about the unnecessary things,” she said, referring to her hobbies of knitting, crocheting and reading books, including her Bible.

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: Centenarians on the rise, trends indicate

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE — Last week, the first two United Kingdom pilots started training to fly the F-35.

They join an elite rank. Only 30 pilots in the world have been or are in the process of training to fly the new stealth fighter jet, which is still in testing phases.

“It’s an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Royal Air Force squadron leader Franki Buchler, one of the two pilots. “I feel very privileged and lucky. I hope I do the aircraft and the Air Force justice.”

Buchler and fellow pilot, Royal Navy Lt. Cdr. Ian Tidball, have joined the U.S. Marines Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501, which is conducting initial training and instruction on the F-35B at Eglin Air Force Base.

The Air Force is conducting similar training on the F-35A variant.

The U.K. pilots will take academic courses for about six weeks before they go on their first flights.

In addition to the two pilots, 12 aircraft maintainers, two supervisors and their families moved from the United Kingdom to the area to join the Marines and learn about the F-35.

In 2014 this group, along with another pilot and 50-odd more maintainers, are set to head to Edwards Air Force Base in California to stand up their own United Kingdom squadron to test the plane for combat use.

While at Eglin, wing commander Jon Millington, who heads the U.K. group, said he and his men effectively are operating as Marines.

“I told them, ‘You are part of that Marine squad. Embrace it. Enjoy it. You won’t have a chance to be a Marine again,’ ” Millington said.

Buchler said being embedded with the Marine Corps is different than the Royal Navy. He’s been taking part in squad runs and has noticed the Marines require much more physical training time, which he said is a good thing.

“It’s going to get my fitness back into shape,” he said.

He was honored to become a temporary part of the force.

“Just to be around the guys, it’s great,” Buchler said. “They’ve bent over backwards to make us feel that we’re Marines, too.”

The United Kingdom has had a hand — and money invested — in the development of the F-35 from the beginning.

“The F-35 would not be here today if it wasn’t for the U.K.,” said Marine Col. Art Tomassetti.

He said the United Kingdom has the most knowledge on earth about short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities, which the F-35B variant has.

The U.K. has purchased three of the planes, two of which already are at Eglin. The third is expected in February.

For now, those planes are added to the Marine fleet of 11 F-35Bs. The three planes are expected to be flown to the U.K. by 2018.

Millington said the community has been extremely supportive of his men and their families, including the 21 children who were brought to live here while the team trains.

Most have settled in Bluewater Bay, he said.

Royal Air Force Capt. Steven Grant, who graduated from his weapons maintenance course Monday, relocated his wife and 3-year-old son from northern Scotland.

He said it was “a bit of a different climate” in Florida. The family arrived in September when it was still warm enough to go to the beach.

“It’s been very hectic since we got here, but everybody’s been really helpful,” he said. “Everybody we spoke to, they realized who we are. They seemed to know we were coming before we were even here.”

He said many locals invited the families to their homes for Thanksgiving.

Tomassetti said the Marines, the United Kingdom’s Navy and Royal Air Force and the U.S. Air Force have formed a uniquely qualified team with wide-ranging experience to work through initial test phases with the F-35.

“Other than the fact that people are wearing slightly different clothes, it would seem that everybody’s a part of one big operation,” he said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: First U.K. pilots begin training to fly F-35

FORT WALTON BEACH —The Okaloosa County Tax Collector Offices will be closed Nov. 22 and 23 for Thanksgiving. Business can still be conducted online at www.OkaloosaTax.com.

Normal operating hours will resume Monday, Nov. 26.

The final day to receive a 4 percent discount on property taxes is Nov. 30. Okaloosa County Tax Collector Ben Anderson said, "We anticipate collecting 65 percent of the tax revenue, or approximately $120 million, by the end of this month.

"We will have staff staged in the lobbies of our offices the last three days of the month to accept drop off payments by check. Customers can then get in and out of our office without having to wait in line with those conducting other transactions,” Anderson said.

The variety of payment options available includes express payment online (E-checking is free).

For more information call 651-7300.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Tax Collector's Offices closure, discount announced

CRESTVIEW — Area teens between 14 and 20 years old have another option for after-school, weekend and school break activities with Venture Crew 773’s revival.

An organizational meeting is at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at First Presbyterian Church of Crestview’s Fellowship Hall, with regular monthly meetings beginning in January after the holidays. Teen and adult leaders will give an overview of Venturing during the hour-long meeting and pass out registration forms and T-shirts.

Venture Crew, a branch of the Boy Scouts, takes young adults beyond tying knots and building campfires.

“In Venturing, the crew officer youths are the leaders; the adults are advisers,” Boy Scouts of America Unit Commissioner Rae Schwartz said. “The crew determines activities, programs, awards and activities. The adults assist the crew in obtaining the skills and other assistance they need to fulfill the crew goals.”

The revived crew, attached to Troop 773 under Assistant Scout Master Kelly Carrico, is chartered to First Presbyterian Church of Crestview — and they’re recruiting now, Carrico said.

“In the next couple (of) months, we want to introduce (Venturers) to rock climbing. We have a wall. Not long after that, we want to do a trek ride. We’re going to introduce them to horses,” Carrico said.

“In the past, Crew 773 members learned to pistol shoot,” Schwartz said. “Even the Boy Scouts can't do that! They have also gone to Winterfest in Gatlinburg (Tenn.), the annual Jamboree for Venturers and Explorers, twice. The girls in the crew learned scout skills and competed in Boy Scout Camporees; they even ran one.”

Community service

In addition to outdoor and indoor adventure activities, Crestview’s Venture Crew in the past decided to do community service projects.

“Service was important to them, so they were active in Relay for Life, the Walk for Autism, and worked at Cub Scout Day Camp,” Schwartz said. “Crew members graduated with many more service hours than required for any scholarship.”

Though the teens decide the crew’s direction and activities, Schwartz assures parents that responsible adults are always present as advisers.

“As in all other BSA (Boy Scouts of America) programs, adults are background checked, and must complete youth protection training before working with a crew,” she said.

“In addition to the basic youth protection training, there is also specialized Venture Crew youth protection training, specifically directing the issues of teen development and coed crews.”

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: Boy Scouts revive Venture Crew, set Dec. 15 organizational meeting

CRESTVIEW — A fundraiser for a Hub City resident who needs a kidney transplant runs 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. through Nov. 24 at a local yogurt shop.

Twenty percent of profits from coupon holders will benefit Regina Sheppard's kidney transplant fund.

Chill yogurt shop, 2218 N. Ferdon Blvd., requires patrons to print out the image of this coupon and present it to the cashier for funds to be directed correctly.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview woman's kidney transplant fundraiser wraps Nov. 24