CRESTVIEW — Organizers of the city’s first Taste of Home Cooking School were pleased with the event’s attendance and promised Tuesday’s event would be the first of more to come. Sponsored by WAAZ/WJSB radio and the GFWC Woman’s Club of Crestview, the school and accompanying vendor showcase drew an estimated 700 attendees.

“The turnout is unbelievable,” the radio stations’ general sales manager, Cal Zethmayr, said.

Overflow required the city Parks and Recreation staff to dash over to Warriors Hall to fetch more chairs for the Crestview Community Center. The 60 VIP tickets, which included a private reception with Chef Michelle “Red” Roberts, sold out within a week of going on sale, Zethmayr said.

As Roberts visited with VIP ticket holders, other attendees formed a giant queue that snaked past exhibitors’ tables at the hall’s rear, signing up for door prizes that included cookbooks, airline tickets, day spa packages, body wraps and kitchen appliances. Vendors and organizations offered wine tastings as well as baked goods and jewelry for sale.

“We support our community and try to help any way we can,” Winn-Dixie floral department manager Jenny Bettis said as she displayed autumn-themed table arrangements.

However, Roberts, Taste of Home magazine’s celebrity chef and senior culinary specialist, and her recipes grabbed the spotlight. Many audience members had seen Roberts’ demonstrations during Taste of Home Cooking School programs in DeFuniak Springs, where the program has been presented for 18 years.

“Taste of Home is a well-known national brand,” Roberts said. “A lot of people here tonight have seen our show in DeFuniak Springs and came to see us again.”

Though the national magazine is proud to offer “recipes from families just like yours,” some audience members said they were just there for the evening’s entertainment.

“I cooked for 57 years so I quit cooking,” Beach Campbell, of Crestview, said. “I came to see someone else do the cooking.”

Sarah Myers, Campbell’s daughter, wasn’t sure if she’d tackle any of the recipes presented during the evening.

“Somebody needs to teach me to cook, but at my age, I don’t know if I’ll learn anything,” Myers said. “My husband does all the cooking. I should’ve sent him here.”

“I’m already a pretty good cook, but my wife and sister wanted to come tonight,” Baker resident Roger O’Neal said.

Long-time Crestview resident Billye Carter joked that she could probably teach Roberts a thing or two after decades of preparing local country cuisine for her own family.

“Yeah, I’m going to teach her cornbread, ‘okry’ and black-eyed peas,” she said, laughing.

Roberts attributed the school’s large attendance to Taste of Home’s reputation for offering simple-to-prepare dishes that don’t require exotic ingredients. In fact, all of the recipes she prepared, such as steak and bleu cheese bruschetta, were made with ingredients purchased locally earlier in the afternoon.

“The ingredients are easy to find, and ours are down-home recipes that are easy to do,” Roberts said.

Zethmayr said organizers faced one glitch as they started organizing the program.

“We needed 240-volt service but the Community Center only has 120,” he said.

After he bought $500 worth of electrical parts, two city employees, working on their lunch hours, put together a power board that allowed the on-stage kitchen appliances provided by the Crestview Sears to operate. That effort in itself virtually assured Tuesday night’s program won’t be the Taste of Home Cooking School’s only Crestview appearance.

“We own this equipment now so we have to do another school,” Zethmayr said with a chuckle.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 700 attend Taste of Home Cooking School

CRESTVIEW — The registration book closing date is Oct. 9 for the Nov. 6 general election. Election offices will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. that day.

The Crestview office is at the Buddy Brackin Building, 302 N. Wilson St. The Fort Walton Beach office is in the Water and Sewer Building at 1804 Lewis Turner Blvd., Suite 404, Fort Walton Beach.

Voter registration applications are available at all Supervisor of Elections offices, city halls, county libraries and social service agencies.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: General election books close Oct. 9

CRESTVIEW— During the statewide Main Street Florida conference in Dade City, the Main Street Crestview Association was recognized for downtown improvement projects and association members’ efforts, bringing home two “outstanding” and two “merit” recognitions.

“I’m very happy to tell you our Main Street Association returned from the statewide meeting with several awards,” Mayor David Cadle said as the recognitions were recently distributed at City Hall.

Foremost was the Outstanding Public Improvement award for the Okaloosa County Veterans Memorial, spearheaded by former Mayor George Whitehurst and longtime community leader Bob Lynn. While accepting the award, Lynn gave the credit to Whitehurst, who was unable to attend the presentation.

“It was his idea, the whole thing,” Lynn said. “We got the work done in 18 months.”

Though a small veterans monument was erected in front of the Okaloosa County Courthouse in 1947, “it was thought that the valor of the community’s brave veterans was deserving of something more than the original monument’s diminutive size,” the award presentation stated.

Today, the black marble wall and surrounding plaza and nearby gazebo is frequently the location for Veterans Day observances as well as community gatherings and festivals. Residents can purchase the plaza’s brick pavers and order them inscribed with names or messages appropriate to the memorial.

Main Street Crestview also received the Outstanding Private-Public Partnership recognition for the Community Redevelopment Agency/Main Street façade-improvement grant program. The program reimburses downtown property owners up to $5,000 for qualified projects that restore their building’s façades and improve Main Street’s historic appearance.

“It’s a very valuable program,” Cadle said.

Main Street Crestview Association President Ellis Conner was the recipient of a Local Florida Main Street Program Supporter merit award.

A Business of the Year merit award went to Coney Island and owner Julia Phillips. The hotdog restaurant has served local customers — who were always greeted with a familiar, “What fer ya?” by founder Mable Edge—for more than 40 years.

Main Street Crestview was also recognized for 15 years of continuous service to the community.

Conner said the association would submit an application to Main Street Florida to have the refurbishment of the historic 1930s Alatex Building sewing factory and one-time City Hall into a pharmacy school for Florida A&M University recognized next year.

“This coming year, we look forward to receiving the number one project award, the Alatex and FAMU project,” Conner said. “We would like to submit this to the state for consideration for outstanding project.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: State-level awards honor vets memorial, façade improvement

CRESTVIEW—Originally planned for 3-8 p.m. Oct. 27, the Fall Festival is now from 2-7 p.m. on Main Street in Crestview. All vendors, businesses, artists, churches and civic organizations are asked to help create a carnival-like atmosphere downtown.

The festival will feature live music, food, family-friendly games, bounce houses, treats for the kids and a costume contest.

Visit www.mainstreetcrestview.org for a registration form, which is due by 5 p.m. Oct. 12. Preregistration is necessary for all participants. For details, call 689-3722 or email manager@mainstreetcrestview.org.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Fall Festival hours change; pre-registration due Oct. 12

LAUREL HILL—City Council members are seeking ways to dispose of the city’s first fire engine. The truck, referred to as "Old Red" around the area, sits on one of the city volunteer fire department’s docking bays. 

Council members were concerned that Old Red — which the city has used for community parades and festivals — may be taking too much space in the fire bay. The department has two engines used on calls.

Larry Hendren saidthe city officials were in talks with Crestview officials about loaning the truck to Crestview. However, Crestview officials decided not to pursue the option after reviewing their budget.

Mayor Joan Smith said that Old Red is currently uninsured and has several problems with oil leaks and brakes.

Hendren mentioned using a local car club to repair the truck to get it "up and running."

"It's a very nice vehicle and it's in very nice condition," he said.

The council will weigh its options and pursue the matter later.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill City Council questions antique fire truck's fate

CRESTVIEW—Explaining that three upcoming Crestview City Council meetings fall on holidays, City Clerk Betsy Roy requested that the council consider canceling or moving some of the meetings. State law requires city leaders to meet at least monthly, she said.

The Columbus Day observance on Oct. 8 is federal but not city holiday, Roy said. Veterans Day, observed Nov. 12, is a federal and city holiday; and city offices will close on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, the date of the scheduled second meeting of December.

Councilman Thomas Gordon moved to leave the Oct. 8 and Oct. 22 meetings as set, which was unanimously approved. Councilwoman Robyn Helt then moved to cancel the meetings on Nov. 12 and Dec. 24, which also passed unanimously.

Councilman Charles Baugh Jr. said if necessary, Mayor David Cadle could call a special meeting for November or December, which would only have one regularly scheduled meeting each.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview council alters holiday meeting schedule

CRESTVIEW — A clay shoot to benefit the Boy Scouts of America begins at 9 a.m. Nov. 10 at Shoal River Sporting Clays and Shooting Center, 3985 E. U.S. Highway 90, Crestview. Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m., with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. The event, hosted by The Boy Scouts Gulf Coast Council, ends at 2 p.m.

Deadline to enter the competition is Nov. 1, with an $80 fee per person. The registration fee includes shells, clays, prizes, five practice shots, refreshments on the course and the awards lunch after the tournament. Participants must provide their own 12- or 20-gauge shotgun, eye protection and ear protections.

Sponsorship opportunities are available at several levels. Event sponsorship at the $2,000 level includes one four-person team, two sponsorship signs (one as a banner and another at registration), and promotional materials.

Award sponsorships cost $1,000, which includes one four-person team, one sponsorship sign along with banner at registration, and allowed promotional materials.

A course sponsorship, $850, includes a four-person team with signage at registration and allowed promotional materials.

Station sponsorship, $125, includes one sponsorship sign at a shooting station.

Prizes will be awarded for the top three  teams and individual scores. Door prizes will be presented during lunch.

Part of the registration fee is tax deductible. The tournament will help the Boy Scouts continue to provide scouting programs for area youths.

Visit www.gulfcoastcouncil.org to sign up. For details, contact Jim Boksa at 476-6336.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Boy Scouts set Nov. 10 clay shoot

CRESTVIEW — Sultry jazz music, the aroma of gourmet foods cooking and the pop of wine bottle corks filled the air at Sunshine Aero Test Flight’s hangar at Bob Sikes Crestview Airport Saturday night. More than 200 attendees mingled around tables featuring cuisine from multiple area eateries, wines from around the world, and a variety of goodies up for silent auction.

Laurel Hill resident Edna Gella gazed around the cavernous hangar. Aircraft were festively decorated in white lights, a breeze wafted through the massive doors, and the choice of menu selections was overwhelming.

“I thought $35 was a lot to pay, but when I got here, there was a good band and so much food,” she said. “I am enjoying meeting new people, too.”

Gella’s son Dennis Mitchell, the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce’s president-elect, said one thing attendees found most appealing was the event’s unusual location.

“I would ask people, ‘Have you ever been to a wine gala in an airplane hangar before?’” Mitchell said. “When they say, ‘No,’ I tell them, ‘There’s a reason. This is the first one.’”

The first chamber-sponsored Wine Gala was set in a festively decorated tent in the chamber of commerce parking lot. Last year, the second annual gala was set in a bank lobby. Who knows where it will be in 2013, organizer Lynn Yort said, but a goal is to highlight member businesses.

Chamber President Karen Hardell drew applause when she evoked the memory of the late chamber President Foy Shaw, who was one of the body’s founders. Shaw was fond of promoting the chamber as well as its businesses in memorable ways, she said.

“Mr. Foy Shaw would’ve loved to have been here tonight,” Hardell said.

Among the night’s offerings were sautéed shrimp over smoked Gouda grits, chicken and sirloin kabobs, smoked grit cakes with braised brisket and red onion relish, barbecued pork finger sandwiches, banana pudding, brownie bites, and tender Peach Albóndigas meatballs in a sauce made of a reduction of Just Peachy, one of Yellow River Winery’s wines.

Joining 14 area culinary partners, wines at 13 tables around the hangar represented five continents, 11 countries and five U.S. states, including Yellow River’s local Florida-made wines.

Dr. Cheryl Jones and Company’s jazz rhythms had attendees cutting the rug with jazz arrangements of favorites like the 1936 Oscar-winner “The Way You Look Tonight,” “Stand by Me,” “Jambalaya on the Bayou” and “My Girl.” As a highlight, jazz musician Saundra Daggs performed her rendition of “Fly Me to the Moon.”

Yort said she and her committee members started working on this year’s gala, themed “Moonlight and Melodies,” in February. The event’s profits would benefit the chamber of commerce’s efforts to advance the Crestview area’s business community.

“Together, we can do much more than we can individually….,” Yort said.

Despite an overall crowd-pleasing experience, one component failed to cooperate: the full moon was rarely visible due to a dense cloud cover, but that didn’t stifle a good time.

“We’ll take 99 out of 100 good things tonight,” Mitchell said.

See video link in "Related Media" at left.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Chamber of Commerce's third annual wine gala a crowd pleaser (VIDEO)

CRESTVIEW — Gray squirrel season opens Oct. 13 throughout Florida on private lands. The daily bag limit is 12 gray squirrels.

In previous years, the squirrel season opened in early November. Last spring, however, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission decided to provide squirrel hunters with another month of hunting, similar to dates in other southeastern states. The change came after the 2012-13 hunting dates had gone to the printer.

 “This change means more opportunity for squirrel hunters,” Paul Scharine, FWC public hunting areas biologist, said. “The message we’re trying to get out is this change only applies to private property.” 

For hunting dates on public lands, Scharine said hunters should consult the printed 2012-13 wildlife management area regulations or go online for specific area dates at MyFWC.com/Hunting and select “WMA Brochures.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Squirrel season opens Oct. 13 on private Okaloosa property

CRESTVIEW — What do Mark Twain, James Joyce, D.H. Lawrence, Jack London and Kurt Vonnegut have in common — besides being some of literature’s most luminous names? At one time or another, their works — today considered literary classics — have been banned from American libraries, Crestview Public Library staff members said.

A display at the library, erected Friday in observance of Banned Books Week, includes stacks of books that have been banned or challenged in American libraries. To draw attention to the perceived dangers of stifling Americans’ right to read, the books on display have been wrapped in yellow police “caution” tape.

An author doesn’t have to be one of the great names of literature for their works to be challenged, Crestview librarians said. Authors also include J.K. Rowling and J.R.R. Tolkien, and titles even include the Bible.

“I think this display has more books than we’ve ever put on the banned books table,” librarian Annie Whitmore said as she and Marie Garcia put finishing touches on the display. “We are just creating an awareness of our opportunity to explore literature and how some people want to keep you from doing that.”

The American Library Association and its members have observed Banned Books Week for 30 years. This year’s theme, “fREADom,” features the Statue of Liberty holding aloft her torch and reading a book she holds in her left hand. The Crestview library is distributing bookmarks bearing the graphic.

Sometimes books are banned for religious reasons, library assistant Tracey McGann said.

“Most people object to some books on religious grounds, but then they’re the ones who most want religious freedom,” McGann said.

While books are rarely challenged at the Crestview library, in 2010, a local mother demanded “manga” graphic novels, well read among teen readers, be removed or secured. The woman said her son “lost his mind when he found this,” she said, exhibiting a mature version of manga the boy had stolen from the adult graphic novels section. Her challenge was unsuccessful.

“We like people to appreciate what living in America provides for them,” Whitmore said as she placed fREADom bookmarks around the display. “It allows people the opportunity to challenge books, but it also allows people the right to choose what they want to read.”

Visitors to the library might be surprised to see books like Rowling’s Harry Potter series, Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings,” George Orwell’s “1984” or poetry by American author Maya Angelou on the table.

Librarians hope patrons will be disturbed to know that at one time or another, other citizens tried to deprive them of the opportunity to check those and many other books out of the library.

“It allows people to realize what our First Amendment rights are,” Whitmore said.

The Banned Books Week display will be up at the Crestview Public Library through Oct. 6.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Library celebrates freedom to read