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 — 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

FORT WALTON BEACH — Okaloosa County has received $450,000 from BP to pay for a study of reef development in area waters.

The grant was funded from a $57 million Deepwater Horizon settlement established to promote the tourism and seafood industries in regions along the Gulf Coast affected by the April 2010 oil spill.

“The basic objective of the project is to get a general estimate of the biomass that exists on the public reefs offshore of Okaloosa County,” said Scott Henson, who manages the county’s artificial reef program. “We’re looking at fish … particular species that are reef fish and pelagics.”

Henson came up with the idea for the study while trying to figure out reef density in Northwest Florida waters.

 The county applied for $450,000 each year for the next four years but so far has been approved for only the first year.

Henson said the study will help provide the state with “empirical data” on various fish populations on and around reefs in Northwest Florida.

“What we’re trying to do is help the state verify the assumptions they’re making about our reef systems,” he said.

County Commissioner Dave Parisot said the study should provide the county with “valuable data” on the quantities and types of fish around the reefs.

“One of the big problems we’ve got right now is inaccurate counts of our fisheries,” Parisot said.

In early 2013, the county will solicit proposals from companies to conduct the study.

“We will put a bid out for the work that needs to be done,” Henson said. “It’s very specialized, very technical.”

The chosen company will use two primary forms of technology — side scan sonar and hydroacoustics — to study the reef populations.

The field work, which involves going out into the Gulf of Mexico and mapping out 600 square miles to study, likely will take a couple of months to complete, he said.

“After that field work, it goes into the data processing and that will take four to five months,” Henson said. “When all the data’s looking good and we’ve got it packaged, that’s when we’ll be able to go out on the Web and say, ‘Here’s what we’ve got.’ ”

Henson said the data will give the county another tool with which to understand the limitations on existing reef resources.

“If you think about it … artificial reefs and fishing are the reasons a lot of people come here,” he said. “The more often that we get to do this, the better picture we have. This type of study is something that’s needed to be done since people started putting reefs out there.”

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: Okaloosa gets $450,000 BP grant to study reefs

BAKER — From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Wednesday, Shady Grove Assembly of God at 1189 Shady Grove Road, Baker,  feeds low income and homeless people.

For details, call 537-2744.

Crestview area soup kitchen hours are listed below:

• 11 a.m. to noon Mondays at Central Baptist Church, 951 S. Ferdon Blvd. (State Road 85). Call 682-5525 for details or to volunteer.

• 11 a.m. to noon Tuesdays at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 178 N. Ave., Crestview. Call 682-3154 for details or to volunteer.

• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays at LifePoint Church (former First Assembly of God), 400 S. Ferdon Blvd. (State 85). Call 682-3518 for details or to volunteer.

• 11 a.m. to noon Thursdays at Community of Christ, 398 W. First Ave. Call 682-7474 for details or to volunteer.

• 11 a.m. to noon Fridays at First Presbyterian Church, 492 N. Ferdon Blvd., near the intersection of State 85 and U.S. 90. Call 682-2835 for details or to volunteer.

• 11 a.m. to noon Saturdays at First United Methodist Church, 599 Eighth Ave. Call 682-2018 for details or to volunteer.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker church feeds homeless, less fortunate on Wednesdays

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Christmas parade, with the theme, "Blessed Are the Children," is Dec. 1 on Main Street.

Categories for judging (floats only) include Civic/School/Youth Group Unit; Church/Religious Group Unit; and Commercial/Governmental/Individual Unit, with first through fifth place being awarded.

Entry fees range from free for school or band groups to $40 per float, and support various downtown program and revitalization efforts, including streetscape and special project improvements.

Applications are available at www.mainstreetcrestview.org. Completed applications may be submitted with payment to Main Street Crestview Association, P.O. Box 364, Crestview, FL 32536, or taken to Crestview City Hall, Administrative Services at 198 N. Wilson Street. Make checks payable to Main Street Crestview or MSCA.

For general questions or details, call 689-3722.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Christmas parade entries accepted through Nov. 28

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

As Thanksgiving approaches, I can’t help thinking of how thankful I am. 

Last Christmas, my dear friend Angela sent a life-changing book and journal. In “One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are,” author Anne Voskamp challenged me to write 1,000 gifts, 1,000 reasons I have to be thankful. 

I have 930 so far. 

The hardest part of this discipline is practicing gratitude in moments of anger, sorrow or fear. 

I am nowhere near mastering this. 

It’s much easier to be thankful when I’m happy, but I find that even in tough moments, there is something for which to be grateful — and sometimes, intentionally practicing gratitude is enough to change my emotions.

Tomorrow would be the perfect day to take up this challenge, unless you want to start today.

Here’s a sampling from my list.

931: my job at the library (the fact that I have a job)

932: I love my job

933: the children who come to programs and make my job delightful

934: the parents who bring them

935: and are so supportive

936: and encouraging

937: coworkers who lighten things up behind the scenes

938: books that move me to laughter

939: or tears

940: volunteers who shelve

941: and shelf-read

942: and clean

943: and help people on computers

944: and prepare crafts!

See? It’s not hard!

Programs

We’ll be thankful at Lap Sit this morning! Sign-in begins when the doors open at 10 a.m. Nursery rhymes and music begin at 10:15 a.m. Lap Sit is designed for children under age 3 and their caregiver. Older children are welcome.

Children 3 and up, bring your favorite blanket to Story Time on Monday, Nov. 26 for stories and activities about blankets and families. Sign-in begins when the doors open at 10 a.m. Stories and activities begin at 10:15.

Staff Pick

“1, 2, 3 Thanksgiving” by W. Nikola-Lisa. Count your way through this fun family feast!

Heather Nitzel is the Crestview Public Library's youth services librarian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CHECK IT OUT: Count your blessings