CRESTVIEW — Past met the present Friday at the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Rural Diversity Healthcare Center, when the Crestview Chamber of Commerce welcomed the pharmacy school with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. That afternoon, the school’s 21 students met women who worked in the same building when it was a sewing factory.

The Alatex building — on the corner of Woodruff Avenue and Wilson street — opened in 1937 as a sewing factory, Baker Block Museum historian Ann Spann said. Briefly, the structure housed city hall, Spann said. "There was a lot of growth in the community after it opened. People would make the commute from surrounding cities just to work there."

“I worked here for 30 years,” said June Busbee, who began sewing men’s undergarments at the factory in 1956, during a time of much different social attitudes. “Back then, we all had to wear dresses; we couldn’t wear slacks” she said.

Like factory workers before them, many students, like Brittani Ricks, 24, moved here for opportunity. "(Crestview) is quite a bit smaller than Jacksonville, but the people here are friendly," Ricks said, contrasting Crestview with her hometown. She added that she enjoys FAMU, too. "It's working well here. It's a really nice facility. Our online professors have been teaching us a lot."

Busbee and several of her former co-workers toured the facility following the ribbon-cutting ceremony. They visited study rooms, computer labs and interactive classrooms, where students can communicate with virtual professors teaching them from other FAMU campuses.

Several chamber members and Mayor David Cadle, City Clerk Betsy Roy and police Chief Tony Taylor were among attendees. Taylor and his wife, Lilia, greeted students before the tour.

“It really warms my heart to see these people are interested in what is going on here,” said Margarth Larose-Pierre, the school’s associate dean of academic affairs. "I wanted the people that worked in this building in the (19)30s and ’40s to see what the building looks like now."

County Commissioner Wayne Harris, chamber executive director, said he estimates the school will bring millions to the local economy within the next five years.

 In addition, Harris asked students to take care of the facility on behalf of those who once worked there.

"This place means a lot to these ladies, so they ask that you show it the same love and respect they did,” he said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Past meets present at FAMU ribbon cutting ceremony

CRESTVIEW — Some 50 healthcare vendors filled the Crestview Community Center on Saturday, offering helpful information and health screenings.

The Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce’s Health and Wellness Committee hosted the awareness event, which gave residents no reason to ignore their health, as several tests were free.

Crestview resident Nikki Priest — who got a free flu shot and a skin cancer screening — said the day’s events were quick, painless and provided assurance.

"Getting both of those done has really put my mind at ease," she said.

Lynn Weldon, a registered dental hygienist and tobacco treatment specialist, gave free oral cancer screenings with ultraviolet lighting. She also passed out information for local free quit-smoking programs.

A couple of students from Crestview’s Science Students Together Reaching Instructional Diversity and Excellence program, or SSTRIDE, assisted. SSTRIDE, an outreach program sponsored by the Florida State University College of Medicine, ensures students who want a career in medicine have the curriculum and lab work experience available to complete their goal.

"We've been out here taking vitals and giving information on nutrition," said Katelyn Ramirez, 16, a prospective pediatrician.

Some of parents, like Crestview resident Miguel Booker, used the fair to have their children vaccinated. Booker brought his daughter, Amber Washington, 11, to get her first flu shot at the Crestview Urgent Care table. Amber said she was hesitant at first, but eventually came around.

"It doesn't hurt and you need it," she said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Health fair gives residents information, assurance

BAKER — The Gators had plenty to celebrate this week, as the school smashed Sneads 28-14 in its Homecoming game Friday night.

However, it all started with a series of school-spirit events Friday, as the Gator Growl at Doug Griffith Memorial Stadium led to the Homecoming Parade, which revved the school up for the big game.

“I’m here to see my cousins in the parade and to get some free candy,” Miracle Adkinson, 14, said. Her cousins, Charity Barber and Bubba Ellis, are members of the varsity cheerleading squad and JV football team, respectively.

Students from the Baker football team and cheerleading squads, along with the ROTC and school marching band, rolled down Highway 4 for the procession. Homecoming Court members followed in convertibles while waving and throwing candy to those in the crowd.

For some, the event was a rite of passage.

Preston Taylor, 6, could participate in this year’s parade, unlike years past. Taylor rode on a float with fellow Baker Area Youth Association players.

“I liked being on the float better than being in the crowd,” he said.  

Earlier, the entire school gathered at the Baker football stadium for the Gator Growl, during which Principal Thomas Shipp introduced the homecoming parade’s grand marshal, Elaine Cawthon, who had spent her 38-year teaching career at the school. 

Cawthon said she still volunteers at the school, from which she graduated in 1968.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker residents show Gator spirit (VIDEO)

CRESTVIEW — The third annual Emerald Coast Aviation Fly-In took place Saturday at Bob Sikes Airport. Area residents visited open hangars to have lunch, listen to live music and see vendors. Visitors also saw planes that flew in.

 Nearly 30 small passenger planes flew in for food, entertainment and a chance to win prizes.

Pilots who flew in represented a range of flight experience. Some were military members; others just developed a passion for flying.

Daniel Nowling, 39, of Harold, always wanted to fly and just recently started the process of getting his pilot's license.

"This year, I am flying in as a student and hopefully next year, I will be flying in as a private pilot," he said.

Being a pilot may be costly, but it’s an attainable goal, he said.

"The average person can afford to do this; they just don't realize it," Nowling said.

Obtaining a private pilot's license can cost nearly $6,000 for 40 to 50 hours of training, according to First Landings Aviation School. 

One plane that particularly caught much of the public's attention was a personally made aircraft by Jerry Dotson. The North Okaloosa County resident built the single engine plane from blueprints and flew it to the airport.

"I started working on the plane in June of 2009," he said. " I flew it (for the first time) in June of this year."

Dotson used his own personal touches in designing the plane, which included motorcycle tires for landing gear.

Dotson must have 40 hours in the air before he can take anyone for a ride, according to Federal Aviation Administration regulations.

The event served to raise awareness of the airport, some said.

 “A lot of people in Crestview don’t know that Bob Sikes (airport) is here,” Jonathan Dunn, Emerald Coast Aviation president and owner, said. “A lot of people that come to this event want to see airplanes and their kids want to see them as well.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Residents, pilots gather for Fly-In (gallery)