CRESTVIEW — Children today are playing less and less outside, public schools have eliminated recess time and more electronic media have been introduced into the educational role. Outdoor play has diminished and so has a child’s ability to cope in the unprotected world (http: www.bbc.com/news/health-15427954).

They lead more sedentary lives as family roles have changed. This lifestyle has led to an obesity problem, and lack of cognitive abilities among our children and has affected a mental disconnect from the natural world. As a mom, teacher, and director, I wanted to share some of my experience that shows why and how outdoor play is so important to a child’s development.

Daily outside play benefits the children in these areas: Play promotes cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being for children to thrive and learn. The children are exposed to sunlight, natural elements and open air, which contributes to bone development, stronger immune system and physical activity(https://www.edutopia.org/children-outdoors- national-wildlife- federation). Fresh air promotes oxygen to the brain, moving and playing are part of developmental milestones and learning pathways, that promotes cognitive abilities and fine motor skills. Daily outdoor time is recommended to at least 40 minutes — imagine that, almost a whole hour a day.

Here are a few examples of how children can play at school: Play ball; run and chase friends; walk on balance beams; push a car; dig in the sand; fill up buckets with measuring tools; gather outside treasures; like rocks and bark pieces; look at insects; look at flowers; smell different items; kicking and chasing a ball; playing on the swing; climb stairs; go down a slide; hang on bars and see if they can go from on side to the next; catch a ball; measure water; paint, blow bubbles, and play instruments; and sing songs. They can play interactive games like duck duck goose; block play; do scavenger hunts; grow vegetables; play make believe; or even appreciate the beautiful scenery in front of them.

All of these simple — and often thought of as silly — activities actually promote good life skills such as: risk taking, social skills, fine motor skills and large motor skills. Outside experience teaches children to make choices and expand their creativity.

Children discover how things work by trial and error. They improve their coordination, begin to grasp spatial awareness like distance, speed, location, and direction. Play expands their speech and language skills due to interactions with friends, as well as learning to use reasoning skills and being observant.

They explore nature around them and reduce stress in their life. They can even sing silly songs made from their imagination. A child that masters a new skill will get a feeling of success and happiness.

At home you can introduce outdoor activities for your preschooler: It is also important for you to be part of your children’s outdoor time. You can do simple things like make an obstacle course, or craft a clubhouse from boxes.

Take a walk and listen to the sounds of nature. Smell different objects. Go to a park, let them play with other children, or feed ducks. You can fly a kite; create art with sidewalk chalk; ride a bike; jump rope; measure rainfall (math skills); and play different games like soccer, basketball, and badminton.

Rake the yard — you’ll be surprised how many chore activities can be fun and educational.  Make bird feeders, or build a bird house and see the birds return each year. Set up a play tent and have tea-time or lunch outside.

My husband always involved our children in some kind of building project, teaching team building skills and just having those important family times together that build a lifetime of happy memories.

Enjoy the outdoors with your child. You benefit from it too.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: The importance of outdoor play for preschoolers

CRESTVIEW — This is the latest news from North Okaloosa companies and their events. 

Food Mart adds U-Haul services 

Food Mart, located at 510 N. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview, now offers U-Haul products and services. 

Miner joins Bridgeway clinical staff

Bridgeway Center Inc. has a new Crestview staff member. 

Kim Miner is accepting new clients at Bridgeway’s outpatient location at Railroad Avenue as well as commercial insurance clients at Soundside Wellness Consultants on State Road 85 in Crestview.

Miner is a Florida licensed mental health counselor, licensed school psychologist, certified addiction professional and a Licensed Practical Nurse. She is also a certified life coach, employee assistance professional, and crisis responder. 

A therapist with over 25 years of experience serving in academic, residential, and outpatient settings, Miner has extensive experience in the assessment and treatment of anxiety, depression, disruptive behavior disorders, learning disabilities and developmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Kim enjoys working with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families.

Therapeutic interests include Depression, Anxiety, Relationships Issues, Substance Abuse/Addictions, Women’s Issues/Menopause, Coping with Medical Illnesses, Couples Counseling, Mood Disorders, Life Transitions, Personal Coaching and Stress Management.

Call 689-7844 to schedule an appointment with Miner or for additional information. Most insurance plans are accepted. 

Annual business reports deadline set

Corporations, limited liability companies and limited partnerships that are transacting business in Florida must file their annual reports by the May 1 deadline. Business owners may go to sunbiz.org to securely file their reports.

Annual reports are required each year to maintain an "active status" with the Department of State’s Division of Corporations. According to Florida law, a $400 late fee is imposed on organizations that fail to file them on time.

Additional information and instructions are available online.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Business briefs

CRESTVIEW — Here are some of the latest North Okaloosa events from Northwest Florida organizations.

Ribbon cutting at Veterans Affairs Clinic near Eglin

 Expansion of the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic near Eglin Air Force Base will be completed soon. A ribbon cutting ceremony is 1 p.m. April 26 at the facility, 100 Veterans Way, Eglin Blvd. It will be approximately 34,000 square feet in size, primarily adding more space for the clinic’s primary care and behavioral health services for veterans.

County Public Safety department chooses 911 Telecommunicator of the Year

The Okaloosa County Department of Public Safety 911 Telecommunications team selected Stephen Sinsel as its Telecommunicator of the Year.

Sinsel's peers nominated him for the award.

He joined the 911 Telecommunications team in 2015, "and has since displayed knowledge, skills and abilities the citizens of Okaloosa County can count on in a crisis. Stephen leads his shift and provides critical training to new team members. This training brings them up to speed so they can help others in their time of need," a media release stated.

The team credited Stinsel with continuing to hone his own skills, and he "never shies away from asking questions in order to improve his own abilities. He is not above asking someone younger than him for their input and expertise when he believes their insight could benefit him. He molds the traits of a leader and a lifelong learner together in order to help those in need and help his colleagues perform at their best," the release stated.

Florida Leadership Academy lists graduates

The Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute released the names of 40 first-line supervisors who graduated April 13 from the Florida Leadership Academy. Graduates serve in leadership roles at 31 criminal justice agencies throughout the state.

Students met for four week-long sessions at the Florida Sheriff’s Association in Tallahassee. They learned skills necessary to support the needs of their agencies and their communities as they prepare for future challenges. They also learned to exemplify the character and integrity expected of criminal justice professionals and to examine the various components necessary to being an efficient leader.

Graduates include:

•Cordis Blackwood, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.

•Joel Murphey, Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: North Okaloosa Community Briefs

CRESTVIEW — Upcoming North Okaloosa County events and surrounding area activities are as follows.

YOUTH LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 21, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast Youth Center, 923 Denton Blvd., Fort Walton Beach. Guest speakers: Jeremiah and Joshua West, 12 and 10 years old, respectively, are entrepreneurs, published authors, and speakers, who have inspired children from around the world to be "change agents" in their own communities. $10 per person. Includes light lunch and conference materials, adn door prizes. www.unitedforagoodcause.org. 

SPRING FAM JAM: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 21 in the amphitheatre at Northwest Florida State College, 100 College Blvd., Niceville. Family and music festival with arts and crafts vendors, live entertainment, food and beverage vendors, a color run, and other activities. Proceeds benefit Autism Spectrum of the Emerald Coast. www.springfamjam.com or ASEC, 496-3062.

LAUREL HILL SCHOOL REUNION: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 21, LHS, 8078 4th St, Laurel Hill. Anyone who had association with the school — graduates, employees, students or parents — may attend the free event. The LHS Reunion Committee will present a $500 scholarship to one senior Laurel Hill student. Door prizes, covered dish meal.

ARTISTS WANTED: The annual Laurel Hill Arts & Heritage Festival is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 28. Artists, crafters, cottage food makers and historic re-enactors and heritage organizations will be at this year's festival. There is no charge for 10-by-10 booth spaces, though a $10 donation is requested for the sound technician. No company salespeople, please. Contact Brian Hughes at 682-2835 or brian_abroad@yahoo.com for more information.

CRESTVIEW FOOTBALL, CHEER REGISTRATION: The Crestview Area Youth Association is registering children ages 5-14 for football and cheerleading. Discounts are available for siblings. Registration costs $110 February through April. A payment plan is available. Visit www.cayafootball.org for registration and details. CAYA is not affiliated with the Hub City Bulldogs.

CARVER-HILL SCHOLARSHIP: Applications for Carver-Hill Memorial & Historical Society's first annual scholarship award are available at area high schools, local churches and the Carver-Hill Museum, 899 McClelland St., Crestview. Applications should be postmarked by the May 1 deadline. Details: Tonsiaweda Hayes, dstsechayest@cox.net, 850-621-4187; Caroline Ferguson, cbferguson4@yahoo.com, 973-432-4829; and David Wheeler, dwheels50@cox.net, 850-685-1698.

OKALOOSA MASTER GARDENERS PLANT SALE: 8 a.m. to noon May 5, Okaloosa Extension Annex, 127 Hollywood Blvd. NW, Fort Walton Beach. Cost: $5 each or five plants for $20. Among the spring plants available are Mexican Flame vines, Giant Tithonia Sunflowers, Copper Canyon daisies, Salvia, and Fire Spike. Rain or shine. Master Gardeners will also answer gardening questions. Bring samples to identify plant issues. 

PUBLIC MEETINGS

BLACKMAN FIRE DISTRICT BOARD: 7 p.m. first Mondays, 1850 U.S. Highway 2, Baker.

CRESTVIEW CITY COUNCIL: 6 p.m. second and fourth Mondays, City Hall, 198 N. Wilson St., Crestview.

CRESTVIEW HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD: 5:15 p.m. third Mondays, 371 Hickory Ave. W, Crestview. Open to the public.

CRESTVIEW CITY COUNCIL: 6 p.m. second and fourth Mondays, City Hall, 198 N. Wilson St., Crestview.

MILLIGAN WATER SYSTEM BOARD: 6 p.m. second Tuesdays, 5340 U.S. Highway 4.

BAKER FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSION: 7 p.m. second Tuesdays in the Baker Area Public Safety Building, 1375 19th St.

REP. JAYER WILLIAMSON OFFICE HOURS: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. first and third Thursdays, Okaloosa County Extension office, 3098 Airport Road, Crestview. Call 995-3698 for an appointment.

LAUREL HILL CITY COUNCIL: 6 p.m. first Thursdays, City Hall. 

DORCAS FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS: DFDC now meets 7 p.m. first Thursdays, 5232 Deer Springs Drive, Crestview, off Highway 90.

HOLT FIRE DEPARTMENT: 7 p.m. second and fourth Thursdays, fire station, 490 W. U.S. Highway 90, Holt.

ALMARANTE VOLUNTEER FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS: 7 p.m. second Thursdays, Almarante Fire Station, 3710 Old California Road, Laurel Hill.

OKALOOSA-WALTON NORTH OKALOOSA FIRE DISTRICT: 6 p.m. third Thursdays, fire station 82, 5549 John Givens Road, Crestview.

HOLT FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSION: 6:30 p.m. third Thursdays, 490 W. U.S. Highway 90.

HOLT FIRE DEPARTMENT: 7 p.m. second and fourth Thursdays, fire station.

LAUREL HILL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT: 7 p.m., second Fridays, in Laurel Hill City Hall's fire department office.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

CRESTVIEW AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EVENTS: for chamber members and their employees. Details: 682-3212 or info@crestviewchamber.com. http://www.crestviewchamber.com.

AMBASSADORS 'LET'S DO LUNCH': 11:30 a.m. April 17, Cracker Barrel, Crestview. This is a "pay your own way" event with all menu items will be offered. RSVP to ambassadors@crestviewchamber.com.

RIBBON CUTTING: 4 p.m. April 17, Gulf Coast Home Health, 2207 Ferdon Blvd. S, Crestview. Celebrating the organization's new location.

AMBASSADOR COMMITTEE: 8:30 a.m. April 25, Crestview chamber, 1447 Commerce Drive. Amber Ellis, ambassadors@crestviewchamber.com.

HEALTH FAIR: Visit the events tab at www.crestviewchamber.com or call 682-3212 to sponsor or purchase a booth for the chamber's 2018 Annual Health Fair. The event is 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 4 at the Crestview Community Center, 1446 Commerce Drive.

HERITAGE MUSEUM ACTIVITIES

The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida is located at 115 Westview Ave. in Valparaiso.

SATURDAY IN THE PARK FESTIVAL: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 28. Festival includes a 5k run/walk and fun run. Registration is required for the 5k. Vendor space is available. Call 678-2615 for information.

PINE NEEDLE BASKETRY: 5-8 p.m. May 1 and May 8, Heritage Museum. Two-part class by Joy Stoy. Learn to weave longleaf pine into baskets using the original Seminole techniques $60 or $55 for museum members. All materials included. RSVP due to limited space:678-2615.

WATERCOLOR PAINTING: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 4, Heritage Museum. With Carol Dickson. $45 per person ($40 for museum members). 678-2615 or info@heritage-museum.org to register. All materials included.

INTRO TO BLACKSMITHING: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 5, Heritage Museum. $60 per person ($55 for museum members). All materials included.  Reservations required. 678-2615 or info@heritage-museum.org. All materials included.

MOTHER'S DAY VICTORIAN TEA: 2 p.m. May 12. Cost is $20 per person. Attendees will experience a history program about Victorian tea etiquette, costume and traditions while sampling a variety of teas and light refreshments. Space is limited. Call 678-2615 to make a reservation.

'CAN YOU DIG IT?' HOME SCHOOL FRIDAY: 1-2:30 p.m. May 18, $7 per student, one adult is free but $3 per additional adult, In "Can You Dig It?" Students will uncover the past and engage their critical thinking skills in a hands-on simulated archaeology dig. Working with a real archaeologist, students will learn the basic principles and techniques of archaeology. 678-2615 to register.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: What's happening in North Okaloosa County

FREE CLOTHING GIVEAWAY POSTPONED: The building at 247 S. Booker St., Crestview, is currently under construction due to a flooding incident. The Concerned Citizens of Crestview group will give an update when the giveaway resumes.

SHINE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders, a Department of Elder Affairs program, seeks volunteers to help elderly residents answer Medicare questions and resolve problems, help them make informed choices about their health insurance, save money on prescription medications and learn about their eligibility for helpful programs. There is no charge for seniors to use the program. Bilingual volunteers are also encouraged to call. Dial 1-800-963-5337 for details.

SUPPORT CIRCLE FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS: Meetings take place as follows.

—5-6 p.m. Tuesdays at Shelter House, 120 Woodruff Ave., Suite A, Crestview. This is a Shelter House survivor-led support group. Walk-ins are welcome. 683-0845. 

—6-7 p.m. Wednesdays, Shelter House, 16 Ferry Road SE, Fort Walton Beach. A Shelter House survivor-led support group. Walk-ins are welcome. 243-1201.

—noon to 1 p.m. Wednesdays, Shelter House, 3590 U.S. Highway 331 S., Suite 102, DeFuniak Springs. A Shelter House survivor-led support group. Walk-ins are welcome. 362-7190.

EMPLOY FLORIDA WORKSHOPS: 9-11 a.m. fourth Thursdays of the month at CareerSource Okaloosa Walton, 409 Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach. Learn to conduct job searches on the state system, create a resume, access labor market data for wage, job experience and education requirements for a specific occupation. Learn about Training Grant opportunities, online training courses, and the organization's virtual recruiter.

EMERALD COAST HOSPICE VOLUNTEERS WANTED: ECH provides compassionate care through a team of professional staff members and volunteers. Volunteers are thoroughly trained and provided ongoing education. They can serve in a variety of areas from administrative help to offering support to a hospice patient through visits or weekly phone calls. Just a few hours a month makes an impact. Details: Ann O'Connor, 689- 0300.

SENIORS VS. CRIME VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Seniors vs. Crime's Crestview office, which assists senior citizens whom someone scammed or took advantage of, needs help. Hours are 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Thursdays at 296 S. Ferdon Blvd., Suite 8. To volunteer, contact Office Manager Joe Loria, 306-3176, or Region 5 Deputy Director JB Whitten, 813-489-5657. Contact 306-3176 or 800-203-3099, or see　www.seniorsvscrime.com　for more information.　

REPORT ELDERS ABUSE: Call the Northwest Florida Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-96-ABUSE (800-962-2873) if you suspect elderly friends and neighbors are being abused. Many elders may suffer from financial exploitation, neglect or physical or emotional abuse, often caused by family members. The NFAAA is a private, non-profit agency supported by the federal Older Americans Act and the State of Florida General Revenue Fund through the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. Gwen Rhodes, 494-7100 or rhodesg@nwflaaa.org

UWF ACADEMIC ADVISING: The University of West Florida offers assistance with admissions, academic and degree advising and registration in Crestview. Contact Deborah Cluff, 863-6550, to schedule an appointment for first Thursdays at the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce, 1446 Commerce Drive.

HOMELESS ASSISTANCE: Need help? Contact the Okaloosa Walton Homeless Continuum of Care, 409-3070, www.okaloosawaltonhomeless.org; Opportunity Inc., 659-3190; or Helping Hands of Crestview, 428 McLaughlin St., behind First United Methodist Church. Helping Hands is open 1-4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

ENERGY ASSISTANCE AND SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, Tri-County Community Council, 290 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Crestview. 306-1134.

CRESTVIEW SOUP KITCHEN NEEDS VOLUNTEERS: Serves Mondays through Saturdays. To volunteer at Central Baptist Church, call 682-5525; Our Savior Lutheran Church, 682-3154; LifePoint Church, 682-3518; Community of Christ, 682-7474; First Presbyterian Church, 682-2835; or First United Methodist Church, 682-2018.

WOMEN AND FAMILY INTERVENTION SERVICES AND EDUCATION: a Crestview-based Community Drug and Alcohol Council program that helps pregnant women with substance abuse. 689-4024.

CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE: Eligible low-income families can receive financial assistance through the Early Learning Coalition of Okaloosa and Walton Counties. Apply at www.elc-ow.org. Hover over "Services" and click "School Readiness" to register.

FREE MEDICARE COUNSELING: By appointment, Crestview Public Library and Elder Services of Okaloosa County, in Crestview, 494-7101 or 1-866-531-8011.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY: Nonprofit seeks Crestview area lots for families needing housing. 758-0779 or 315-0025.

VA VETERANS CRISIS LINE: Veterans in crisis, their families and friends can call 800-273-TALK (8255), and press 1 to talk with qualified, caring VA responders. Confidential. www.veteranscrisisline.net.

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF NORTHWEST FLORIDA NEEDS MENTORS: Adult volunteers spend two hours weekly mentoring children. Pairs go to the library, museum, park or beach, hike, roller-skate or play sports. 664-5437.

VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS ACTIVE IN DISASTERS: Group needs people to work in the Emergency Operations Center assisting county personnel. Contact: Yvonne Earle, 863-1530, extension 230.

FREE HAZARDOUS HOUSEHOLD WASTE DROPOFF: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, Okaloosa County Recycling Office, 80 Ready Ave., Fort Walton Beach. Okaloosa residents may drop off paints, pesticides, pool chemicals, used oil, gas, antifreeze, computers, televisions, fluorescent lamps, car batteries, rechargeable batteries, cleaners, solvents, aerosols and printers.

MUSEUM SEEKS VOLUNTEERS: Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida seeks friendly, reliable volunteers to greet guests and answer phones in its gift shop 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 1-4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Details: 678-2615, stop by 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso, or email info@heritage-museum.org.

CARS NEEDED: Opportunity Inc. accepts donations of cars, boats and other vehicles to support Opportunity Place, an emergency shelter for families. Shelley Poirrier, 409-3070 or shelley@okaloosawaltonhomeless.org.

SHELTER HOUSE FINANCIAL SUPPORT: It costs just more than $100 a day to shelter a domestic violence victim. Every little bit helps. 683-0845.

DRIVE VETERANS: Help veterans attend appointments at the VA Outpatient Clinic in Pensacola two days a month. Veterans Service Office, 689-5922.

VEHICLES NEEDED: Covenant Hospice accepts cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, boats and RVs. Qualified professionals pick up vehicles from Pensacola to Tallahassee at convenience. Rachel Mayew, 428-0605.

LAKEVIEW CENTER'S FAMILIES FIRST NETWORK NEEDS BEDS: Donations wanted for local children in protective services. Cribs and beds for children must be in good condition. 833-3840.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: North Okaloosa County services calendar

UPCOMING

EMBROIDERERS GUILD OF AMERICA: 1:30-4:30 p.m. April 22 program, in the Religious Education building of Holy Name of Jesus Catholic  Church, 1200 Valparaiso Blvd., Niceville. Celebrates various forms of hand embroidery. 496-3466.

GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF OKALOOSA COUNTY: 10:30 a.m. April 28, Fort Walton Beach Library, 185 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE. The speaker has changed for the April meeting. Joe Meyer will give a brief overview of Eglin cemeteries. Val Moreland, 243-0352. 

DOGWOOD GARDEN CLUB: 10:30 a.m. May 7 at a member's home, salad luncheon. Bring one to share. Call President Ruth Herington, 683-0839, for address.

MAC USERS GROUP: 6:30 p.m. May 7, Student Services Center, Room 308/309 at Northwest Florida State College, 100 College Blvd., Niceville. Frank Berte: Using Mac File Structure, Photo Editing/Photo Enhancement PSD files and Introduction to Facebook. Bring Mac devices. FWBMug.com, or Jean Dutton, 862-3327 or jeancdutton@mac.com.

RECURRING　

MONDAYS

YOUTH NIGHT: 6-8:30 p.m. Mondays, Convergence Coffeehouse, 498 Wilson St. N. Visitors may enjoy free refreshments, play games, watch old movies, or fellowship.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: 8 p.m. Mondays, the clubhouse at 704 Robinson St., Crestview, for beginners and newcomers. Details: Jerry, 830-6218. www.fwb-area-aa.org.

DOGWOOD GARDEN CLUB: 10:30 a.m. first Mondays, September through May, location to be announced. Details: 683-0839.

COUNTRY PATCHERS QUILT GUILD: 9:30 a.m. second Mondays, Antioch Baptist Church, 4824 Antioch Road, Crestview. Yearly membership: $20.

FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS: 7 p.m. second and fourth Mondays, Mt. Ewell Lodge 131, U.S. Highway 198, Baker.

COUNTRY PATCHERS QUILT GUILD: 9:30 a.m. fourth Mondays, Antioch Baptist Church, 4824 Antioch Road, Crestview. Sit-n-sew and workshop meeting.

CRESTVIEW WRITERS GROUP: 6-7:30 p.m. every fourth Monday, Crestview Public Library. Online: http://www.cityofcrestview.org/library.php.

THE OKALOOSA COUNTY COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN: fourth Mondays. Details: info@occsw.org.

FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS: 7 p.m. second and fourth Mondays, Mount Ewell Lodge 131, U.S. Highway 198, Baker.

TUESDAYS 

CRESTVIEW LIONS CLUB: 7 a.m. second and fourth Tuesdays, Hub City Smokehouse, 168 Main St. S, Crestview. Details: crestviewlions@hotmail.com, secretary Charlotte Jones, 533-9931.

TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY:

●8 a.m. Tuesdays at First Baptist Church of Garden City, 3140 Haskell-Langley Road, Crestview. Details: Mary Cole, 683-1899.

●5 p.m. weigh-in; meeting starts from 5:25-5:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church fellowship hall, 599 Eighth Ave., Crestview. Brooke Bratton, 225-8197. www.TOPS.org.

SENIORS VS. CRIME: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, except holidays, 296 S. Ferdon Blvd., Suite 8, Crestview. Call 306-3176 to report incidents. okaloosacountysvc@yahoo.com.

STORY TIME: 10:15 a.m. Tuesdays, Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive. Children ages 3 to 5 can enjoy stories and activities, and make a simple craft.

CRESTVIEW KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS BINGO: Quarterly games 4:30-6 p.m.; regular games 6-9 p.m. every Tuesday at 701 James Lee Blvd., Crestview.

BAKER GARDEN CLUB: 10 a.m. first Tuesdays September through May at different locations. Liz Davis, 537-4512.

OSTOMY SUPPORT GROUP: 1 p.m. first Tuesdays, Wellness Center at Twin Cities Hospital, Niceville. A Registered Nurse is present, and meetings include details of specialty care and product innovations that may be helpful. Details: 389-7071.

CARVER-HILL MEMORIAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY: 5:30 p.m. first Tuesdays, Allen Park, 895 McClelland St., Crestview.

OPEN MIC POETRY AT THE LIBRARY: 6 p.m. second Tuesdays, Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview. Free. Esther Hurwitz, 682-4432 or ehurwitz@okaloosa.lib.fl.us; Rick Sanders, 585-6399. Read poetry or play music. http://cvwlibrary.tumblr.com/.

SHOAL RIVER REPUBLICAN CLUB: 6 p.m. second Tuesdays of each month at Hideaway Pizza, 326 Main St., Crestview. Meeting starts at 6:30 p.m.

CRESTVIEW TOASTMASTERS: 6-7 p.m. second and fourth Tuesdays, Greater Federation of Women's Club building, 150 Woodlawn Drive, Crestview. Visitors are welcome. Details: Kathy Morrow, 974-3662.

AMERICAN LEGION POST 395: 5:30 p.m. third Tuesdays, Carver-Hill Museum, 895 S. McClelland St., Crestview. Cmdr. Raymond Nelson, 420-0706.

NORTH OKALOOSA PATRIOTS: 6:30 p.m. third Tuesdays, 150 N. Woodlawn Blvd., Crestview. www.panhandlepatriots.com.

WEDNESDAYS

CRESTVIEW KIWANIS CLUB: 11:45 a.m. Wednesdays, Samuel's Roadhouse, 114 John King Road, Crestview.

KNITTING GROUP: 5-7 p.m. Wednesdays, Casbah Coffee Company, 196 Pine Ave. W, Crestview.

PANHANDLE SADDLE CLUB: 6 p.m. first Wednesdays, David’s Catfish House, 1296 N. Ferdon Blvd. Crestview. Includes socializing, dinner and a meeting. November topic: how to keep your horse healthy. Details: Donna Curry, 830-6403 or donna@embarqmail.com.

SONS OF ITALY, CRESTVIEW CHAPTER 2865: 6 p.m. third Wednesdays. All people of American-Italian heritage may join. Group president Thomas Hughes, 682-3597, thomasjhughessr@hotmail.com.

THURSDAYS

GRIEFSHARE SUPPORT GROUP: 10 a.m. Thursdays, Crosspoint, in portable 2, 2250 PJ Adams Parkway, Crestview. For people grieving the death of a loved one or other losses. 678-4411 extension 109.

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS: 10-11 a.m. Thursdays, 704 E. Robinson Ave., Crestview. 689-1842.

SENIORS VS. CRIME: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, except holidays, 296 S. Ferdon Blvd., Suite 8, Crestview. Call 306-3176 or email okaloosacountysvc@yahoo.com to report incidents.

CRESTVIEW AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MONTHLY BREAKFAST MEETING: 7 a.m. first Thursdays, Crestview Community Center, 1446 Commerce Drive, Crestview.

CONCERNED CITIZENS OF CRESTVIEW: 5:30 p.m. first Thursdays, Allen Park, 895 McClelland St., Crestview.

FLYING NEEDLES QUILT GUILD: 9:30 a.m. second Thursdays at Niceville Church of Christ. Visitors and quilters are welcome.

CRESTVIEW PHOTO CLUB: 6:30-8:30 p.m. first Thursdays, Northwest Florida State College Robert L.F. Sikes Education Center, room 306, 805 U.S. Highway 90 E., Crestview.

NORTH OKALOOSA AMATEUR RADIO CLUB: 7 p.m. second Thursdays, Live Oak Baptist Church, 4565 Live Oak Church Road, Crestview. Call 398-7524 for details.

MAINSTREET CRESTVIEW ASSOCIATION: 8 a.m. third Thursdays, FAMU College of Pharmacy in downtown Crestview. Group improves and promotes Main Street and Crestview Community Redevelopment Agency businesses.

CRESTVIEW EXCHANGE CLUB: fourth Thursdays, Covenant Hospice, Crestview. Sharlene Cox, 682-6824.

FRIDAYS

TEEN WII: 2-4 p.m. Fridays, Crestview library, 1445 Commerce Drive. Wii playing for students in sixth through 12th grades.

STEAK NIGHT: 6 p.m. first Fridays. American Legion Post 75, 898 E. James Lee Blvd., Crestview. Cost: $15 per person; includes T-bone steak, baked potato, salad, bread and dessert. 689-3195.

SATURDAYS

ADULT/FAMILY NIGHT: 6-9 p.m. Saturdays, Convergence Coffeehouse, 498 Wilson St. N., Crestview. Free refreshments, play games, watch old movies, or just fellowship.

KARAOKE: 8 p.m. Saturdays, American Legion Post 75, 898 E. James Lee Blvd., Crestview. 689-3195.

READ TO DOZER: 10-11 a.m. first Saturdays, Crestview library, 1445 Commerce Drive. For children ages 4 and up.

BOBBIN LACE GROUP: 11 a.m. first Saturdays, Heritage Museum, 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso. Anyone may attend to inquire about the craft. 678-2615.

GOLD WING ROAD RIDERS ASSOCIATION: 9 a.m. to eat and 10 a.m. meeting third Saturdays of the month. Dwayne Hopkins, 217-1001. All motorcyclists are welcome.

VFW HORSESHOE TOURNAMENT: 12 p.m. third Saturdays, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5450, 2240 W. James Lee Blvd., Crestview. Lynn Mobley, 682-5552.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa County clubs and organizations

CRESTVIEW — Strawberries are coming to downtown Crestview next weekend.

The 2nd annual Strawberry Festival will take place 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 28 on Woodruff Avenue between Main Street and Wilson Street.

“We’re really excited. We have over 30 vendors already,” Sandra Wilson, Main Street Crestview Association program manager, said.

Wilson said they are only taking vendor applications for those who make their products locally, to try to highlight local vendors.

“We have a lot of fun stuff,” Wilson said. “It’s a lot of different things, handmade soaps, birdhouses, jewelry, purses. There’s a big variety.”

There will also be live music and activities for kids such as balloon twisting and face painting. And of course, there will be strawberries.

Wilson said the event serves as a way to get people into the downtown area to check it out.

“We want people to kind of discover downtown at the same time,” Wilson said. “We want them to go to Tom’s Ice Cream Place and to our restaurants downtown and to Main Street Eats, to those food trucks.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Strawberry festival returns to Crestview

CRESTVIEW — James Lewis was due for a midlife crisis.

The former Crestview resident – who now lives in the Tallahassee area – was approaching 50 and starting to think about things to check off his bucket list.

“I started warning my family that one of the things I had always wanted to do was run into the woods with virtually nothing, maybe just a knife, and be like Rambo,” Lewis said. “It was going to be my planned mid-life crisis. I’m too busy to have a mid-life crisis, so I’d have to plan it out.”

It was around that time Lewis became aware of a new show on The Discovery Channel called Naked and Afraid. The show takes two people, one male and one female, drops them into a harsh environment without clothing and challenges them to survive for 21 days. It was the perfect opportunity.

“As soon as I saw it, I was like, ‘Gosh, they have been watching my dreams.’ That is the challenge I’ve been wanting to do for 30-plus years.”

Lewis began training for the show shortly after that. He hiked a total of more than 500 miles barefoot through gravel, dirt and hot asphalt to prepare his feet for what they would endure. He practiced starting friction fires, more than 600 by his count, using hand drills and bow drills.

“I was just bound and determined I was going to go.”

In 2017, when Hurricane Hermine was barreling toward Tallahassee and his office shut down, he jumped at the opportunity to put his survival skills into practice.

“I immediately stripped down to my shorts, ran into the woods, and I acted as if I was on the show. I spent the next four days building a shelter and looking for food. I own 20 acres in a rural area, so a lot of the time I literally did strip down and reenact the show.

“I can tell you what, when you’re laying in a shelter and the wind is blowing at 80 miles an hour and trees are crashing down around you, and you’re cold and laying in the mud, wow that was challenging.”

Local roots

Lewis came to Crestview in 1978 when his father was stationed at Eglin Air Force Base. He spent his middle and high school years here and received a scholarship from the Crestview News Bulletin in 1985.

“Coming up from a farming community and a farming family, money to go to college was not readily available. So when the scholarship was awarded to me, it was just that little help, that little spark to get me started on a college career.”

Lewis used the scholarship to spend a year at Okaloosa-Walton Community College, now Northwest Florida State College, before moving to Alabama to study architecture at Auburn University. It was not an easy move to make.

“I didn’t have money when I went up there, did not have a place to live. I just drove the truck over to a spot in the woods and set up camp. For the first couple weeks of school, I was actually living out of the woods.”

It was during those couple of weeks that Lewis learned some of the survivalist skills that he would put to use years later when training for Naked and Afraid.

“In the evenings, I was running down to the creek, no fishing pole, just cut a spear and chased fish down and speared them. Growing up on a farm and learning to make things work turned out to be valuable my first few weeks at Auburn.”

Eventually, he was taken in by a fraternity that found out about his unusual living arrangements. He eventually found work and his own place and graduated in 1991 with degrees in architecture and building sciences. He took a job with an architectural firm in Tallahassee where he was worked ever since.

Confronting nature au naturale

Lewis made the cut for Naked and Afraid, and will appear in a 2-hour episode airing at 9 p.m. Sunday on The Discovery Channel.

For his episode, Lewis was dropped into the rainforests of Nicaragua, a Central American country dotted with lakes and volcanoes. It’s also home to a variety of potentially dangerous wildlife.

“There was more than one occasion where predators were so close you could reach out and touch them. That’s when reality hits home.”

Participants on the show have the option to “tap” if they can no longer handle the stresses of the environment and wish to end the challenge prematurely.

“When things are so close that you can reach out and touch them, it really gets to your psyche. Emotionally, that alone can make you tap. There’s nothing you can do.”

But fear is only half of the show’s premise. Being naked presents its own set of challenges.

“Being stripped of clothes, it’s amazing how much it exposes you. And I don’t mean just your skin. It exposes who you are as a person. It removes the clothes. It removes the status. It removes the money. You’re going into nature and nature doesn’t care what your background is. It’s going to treat you exactly the same, and if you’re not prepared, it’s going to beat you up.”

Then there’s the initial awkwardness of being naked in front of a complete stranger, not to mention the camera crew and viewers all over the world.

“You gotta get over it and move on,” Lewis said. “Not to say that I’m comfortable and used to being naked. I’m not. I’ve never been naked outside the house.”

A new perspective

For people accustomed to modern amenities, it may be hard to imagine spending three weeks in a hostile environment without them, let alone basic needs like shelter and a reliable source of food. It’s easy to see how that kind of experience can change a person’s perspective.

“Going through a challenge like that changes your view on certain things, and one of them may be just how you look at your environment, your surroundings. It also affects how you may look at people.”

He said it particularly affects the way he now views people here at home who don’t have those basic needs.

“There’s true empathy there. You can feel their suffering because you’ve experienced it, at least the discomfort of being where you’re at.”

Overall, the experience was a positive one for Lewis, an opportunity to look inside himself without the distractions of modern day life.

“For me, it was everything I wanted it to be. I like things that really push your limits, test you, and it gave me all of that and more. Even though there were times where it was absolutely brutal, painful, miserable, we also had those times where it was enjoyable, it was pleasant.

“It was an adventure of a lifetime.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'It was an adventure of a lifetime'

CRESTVIEW — A longtime member of the home medical care community has moved to a new location.

Gulf Coast Home Health held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house at its new location at 2207 South Ferdon Boulevard in Court Plaza. It was previously located on Pine Street behind CVS.

The company, which was previously known as Okaloosa Regional, merged with LHC Group, Inc. earlier this month.

“We’ve been in the community for a long time,” administrator Tammy Suggs said. “Some of the nurses have been working here for 14 years. We’ve had three different names, so we felt like we needed to reintroduce ourselves to everybody.”

The company is going through a two-year transition into the LHC family, but will retain the Gulf Coast Home Health Care name. GCHH serves the four westernmost counties in Florida.

The open house showcased the different ways in which GCHH fills the needs of the community, including occupational and physical therapy, nurse care and other educational services.

Office manager Brandi Churchill talked about some of the important roles the nurses play.

“They teach you about all your medications, how to take them properly, how to fill your med box,” Churchill said. “They teach you if you have heart failure, don’t eat certain things, don’t do certain things. A lot of the nursing is educational.”

Another benefit GCHH offers is an on-site medical social worker. Kendall McDonald helps link patients with programs and resources the may not even know they qualify for.

“A lot of people don’t think they’re eligible for anything, even home health,” McDonald said.

She assists patients with safety issues, financial resources, insurance concerns and other areas that may be difficult to navigate, all while trying to keep the cost to the patient as low as possible.

“With home health, you really want the patient as independent as possible. That’s the goal, to make them safe in their homes so they don’t have to go to a facility somewhere,” Churchill said. “That’s what we’re here for is just to help anybody that we can.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Home health care service holds open house

CRESTVIEW — If you have an event you would like to submit, send your first and last name and information about the event to news@crestviewbulletin.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 3 things to do this week in Northwest Florida