Books are weird. I’ll be one of the first to admit it. Our collective fascination with encapsulating our thoughts into words, printing them on tree slivers, and then sharing, analyzing, gushing, blogging, ranting, or raving about them is, frankly, a bizarre ritual of the human race. And yet.

Perhaps you read Madeliene L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time for the first time and find it to be washed up tripe, so much so that you barely bat an eye when you accidentally splatter a bit of murky, lukewarm decaf in the corner of a page. Perhaps the librarian won’t notice it when you turn it back in (we will.)

And yet, the next patron to borrow the book from the library is utterly enraptured by the novel. Each page is a newly unearthed precious artifact, a treasure to cradle under the halo of light from the reading lamp. Each twist and turn of the plot inspires and drives, so much so that said patron barely registers the decaf stain. He can’t wait to return it and ask for further recommendations. Maybe he’ll download the mp3 audiobook while he’s at it, or the graphic novel version, and get tickets to take his kids to see it in theaters.

Maybe the next patron after him will adore it. Maybe she’ll hate it. Maybe she’ll find it, as I do, to be just "meh." Nevertheless, across a strangely woven bridge through time, they were all unified in the passing of a story.

And yet, indeed. My point is this: we share one world, we share the great unifiers of birth, life, and death. But we cannot ignore a subtler tie that binds us together: we all have stories.

In a time when our divisions are poignantly and violently apparent, and the only thing we may share with our neighbor is a fear of the future, libraries and their hallowed stories are more necessary than ever to bring people together.

So here’s the plug: library cards are free for Okaloosa residents, and we literally have thousands of options between books, movies, audiobooks, and digital formats. Come and borrow a story with a potential coffee stain. Maybe you’ll love it, maybe you’ll loathe it.

And yet, you’ll be sharing in something far bigger than any of us can even imagine.

Emily Knie is the Crestview Public Library's adult services librarian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CHECK IT OUT: Books are a unifier

Spring has sprung, and it is time to get outside and explore this great Florida Panhandle area.

In neighboring Santa Rosa County, a terrific destination for a variety of outdoor activities is Blackwater River State Park. Visitors can canoe, kayak, tube, fish and swim the river.

Hikers can enjoy trails through nearly 600 acres of undisturbed natural communities. Bring a picnic and hang out at one of several pavilions or white sand beaches that dot the river (restroom facilities available). Near the pavilions, stop and see one of the largest and oldest Atlantic white cedars, recognized as a Florida Champion tree in 1982.

The park also offers 30 campsites for tents and RVs. Park entry is $4 per car, payable at the ranger station or via the honor system (bring exact change, please).

The Blackwater River is considered one of the purest and pristine sand-bottom rivers in the world. The water is tea-colored from tannins and organic matter that color the water as it weaves through the predominantly pine forest. The river is shallow with a beautiful white sandy bottom, a nice feature for those tubing or paddling the trail.

The river flows for over 50 miles and is designated as a Florida canoe trail. Multiple small sand beach areas line the river and provide plenty of space to hang out, picnic, or throw a Frisbee.

Blackwater eventually flows into Pensacola Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, bringing high quality fresh water into this important estuary.

A favorite trail in the park is the Chain of Lakes Nature Trail. Parking for this 1.75-mile loop trail is at South Bridge on Deaton Bridge Road. The trail head is well marked and has a boardwalk that leads into the floodplain forest. The trail winds through a chain of shallow oxbow lakes and swamp that dot the former route of the river.

If you are lucky and it is a clear, blue-sky day, you may see a beautiful rainbow effect as the sun hits the water. We call this the pastel swamp rainbow effect. This is a result of the natural oils from the cypress cones settling on the surface of the water and associated trapped pollen.

The trail then turns to sneak through the sandhill community in the park with giant longleaf pines, wiregrass and turkey oak. Evidence of prescribed burning shows management efforts to maintain the forest. Cinnamon ferns, bamboo and other native plants appear in pockets along the trail. The trail in this section is blanketed with a mosaic of exposed root systems, so be careful as you step. Finally, pack some bug spray and a water bottle for this fun hike.

Visit https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Blackwater-River for more information.

Laura Tiu is an agent at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: An introduction to Blackwater River State Park

CRESTVIEW — U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Taylor L. Carlisle graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Carlisle is the son of John and Tracy Carlisle of Milton, and husband of Lindsay Carlisle of Baker.

He is a 2013 graduate of Baker School, Baker. He earned an associate degree in 2016 from the University of West Florida, Pensacola.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Carlisle graduates from basic military training

As some are aware, this column that I call, “Southern Perspective,” is in its 11th year. I must admit that when I began writing for the local newspapers in 2007 I never expected to be still writing it in 2018. Some might say, “Why Not?” didn’t you think politics and national issues would be as serious in 2018 as in the midst of the recession of the Bush administration back in 2007? In truth, back then I didn’t think that far ahead. It was enough to pick up the newspaper each day and find the subject of tomorrow’s commentary.

I teach a Sunday school class each week and about once a month I bring in a substitute. I am convinced my people need some relief from time to time. I have felt that way about the column, though there continues to be no dearth of subjects that seem to need commentary.

This time, it is me who needs some relief. I am going to take a vacation from writing for a while. That is not because I am tired and need to rest. Instead, my wife has developed some medical problems that are dominating our lives right now. We are going to focus totally on getting her well and back on her feet. Writing occupies my mind every day and I need to use my mental energy on more important things. Any prayers you can send our way will be greatly appreciated.

Will I be back down the road? I anticipate that I will, that is if the local newspaper and GateHouse Media syndication will have me. My best thought for you is to keep reading your newspaper. In these troubled times, it is still the best source of in-depth news available.

Until we meet again, I sincerely wish you well.

Dr. Mark L. Hopkins writes for More Content Now and the Anderson Independent-Mail in South Carolina. He is past president of colleges and universities in four states. Contact him at presnet@presnet.net.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: We all need some time off

CRESTVIEW — The city is one step closer to building a new shooting range for the police department, but not everyone is happy with the proposed location.

The city council unanimously voted to annex a 100-acre area of land between Arena Road and Raspberry Road at its April 9 meeting. The city already owned the land prior to the meeting, but was still under county jurisdiction.

A section of the newly-annexed property is being set aside for a proposed shooting range for the Crestview Police Department.

Mark Anderson lives next to the area being proposed for the shooting range. He made a scheduled presentation to the city council on behalf of several of his neighbors after the annexation vote.

He claimed a shooting range would pose safety concerns for his family, lower their quality of life due to noise concerns, and drive down property values in the area.

“None of us are very happy with it,” Anderson said

Police Chief Tony Taylor addressed those concerns, stating that the range would not be open to the public and therefore will not be in use every day. He also said the department will be installing 24-foot protective berms to prevent property damage, four feet taller than the 20-foot requirement.

Taylor said that the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has a range nearby that has not generated any noise complaints. That facility is located on Grimes Avenue near the Ferdon Heights neighborhood.

City councilman Doug Faircloth talked about the difficulty in trying to build an outdoor shooting range in a location that does not disturb anyone.

“I live probably three miles from (the sheriff’s department shooting range) at least, maybe farther,” Faircloth said. “I can sit on my patio and hear every shot fired. It’s going to be difficult to put a firing range in a place where nobody can hear.”

Anderson also said that the police department started clearing the land in late February, and that he and neighbors were not notified in advance.

“Nobody came out and discussed it,” Anderson said. “Nobody came out to speak to us until after everything was in the works. I don’t believe that’s very transparent.”

Faircloth questioned police commander Andrew Schneider, who was providing the council more information on the berms and noise reduction measures, as to whether the property owners were notified.

“When I toured the property, I was told that the neighbors had been checked with, advised what was going on out there and really didn’t have any objections,” Faircloth said.

Schneider said that was the case.

Anderson, however, disagreed with the claim that the property owners had been notified.

“I see how we’re spinning around a few things,” Anderson said. “The land owners were not notified, as was said right here. I was not notified. I’m not going to call anyone a liar, but I was not notified.”

Wayne Steele, director of public services for the city, attempted to clear up any confusion on the issue.

“We had not reached the process for public notification yet. That’s the reason that ball was dropped,” Steele said. “We didn’t intend for someone to go out there and start clearing the property yet.”

Steele explained that the city had not yet annexed the property, and therefore it was not in city jurisdiction. Chief Taylor had received permission from Okaloosa County to begin clearing the site.

“I think it’s just a little misunderstanding on everyone’s part,” Steele said. “We didn’t intend to upset the property owners with our process of trying to provide a shooting range for the police department. We were just going forth in good faith thinking we were accomplishing a much-needed project.”

Anderson raised the prospect of moving the proposed location to a nearby wastewater spray field. That location is already owned by the city and lies within the city limits.

Steele could not say whether it would be possible to build the shooting range on that site, noting that there could be issues with building the range so close to a proposed western bypass around the city.

“There’s not a good location that the city already has, that we already own property, for a desirable location … that I can think of,” Steele said.

Mayor David Cadle suggested a further meeting with city officials to look at other potential sites. The council agreed that more discussion was needed and all work on the current site would be put on hold until further notice.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Council reconsidering proposed shooting range site

CRESTVIEW — The City Council and Community Redevelopment Agency agreed to enter into an agreement with Okaloosa County governing the redevelopment board at their respective April 9 meetings.

The agreement, which the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners also approved at its March 27 meeting, extends the CRA’s mandate for another 15 years, until 2040.

Crestview’s CRA deals with revitalization projects primarily in the Main Street and downtown areas of the city. The board is composed of the five city council members and two appointed citizen board members.

The agreement will also add an eighth member to the board. That member will be a county commissioner to be appointed by the commission.

Board member Shannon Hayes said he wanted to clarify that the new board member will be a non-voting member.

The city council and board of county commissioners held a joint meeting Feb. 3 at Warrior’s Hall to discuss details of the agreement.

At that meeting, commissioner Nathan Boyles discussed the need for further cooperation between the county and the CRA in the form of county representation on the board. He also addressed the need to extend the CRA due to developments at the state level that may make it impossible to do so in the near future.

Hayes said any representative from the county would need to be a County Commissioner, and proposed the 15-year extension for the CRA instead of the previously proposed 10-year extension.

The increase in the number of board members also requires a change in the city’s ordinance. The first reading of that ordinance was also agreed to unanimously by the council on Monday night, but will need to be approved on a second reading before it can take effect.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CRA, City approve agreement with County

CRESTVIEW — U.S. Air Force Airman Michael A. Snell graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Snell is the son of Tabitha S. Snell and husband of Dionjenae K. Snell, both of Crestview.

He is a 2017 graduate of Crestview High School, Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Snell graduates from basic military training

This column is about something I've thought about doing before and that's just saying the heck with it. Some of you might say it a bit differently.

When I was a pastor I would get so sick and tired of the same old people whining and complaining about the same old stuff that never amounted to anything. Yet, they seemed to relish in having something to complain about. Most of us have been there and done that. We have whined or just got tired of hearing others whine.

Chances are you are there right now. You've done all you can to help somebody and you can't do it anymore. You've hung onto something that you wished you had walked out of a long time ago. You've showed up at a job that you've hated for years. You've carried on in different tasks that you are tired of doing because it all seems so futile. Nobody would probably blame you much if you made a change. For good or bad the person you always have to deal with is you. You have to decide if you can live with your decision to give up.

Fifteen years ago I didn't know how I was going to eat let alone pay the mortgage. I was trying to start a practical way for ministers around the planet to study the Bible and earn a ministry degree at home. After two years it was pretty dead and going zero. I was so jobless that I was interviewing with a nursing home for a job that paid really nothing. The interviewer wanted to know what my current job was and I said, "President of Newburgh Theological Seminary, Newburgh, Indiana." She said, "That sounds like a better job." I replied "I would like it more if it at least paid a little something." I was ready to quit but one tiny small success eventually led to another and that was fifteen years and at least 6000 students ago. I'm glad I didn't quit but nobody would have blamed me if I had.

I'm certainly by no means saying life is roses. Not everything turns out pie and cream in life. I've had plenty of failures. I have failures going on right now. I suppose the only way I can escape failing at stuff is to stop trying to do anything. I've thought about giving up this column. About the time I start having this thought I'll get email from different people telling me that something I wrote was meaningful to them. An editor will write me and thank me or somebody will hate something I wrote and write something ugly. At least then I know I'm being read. So, I'm going to stay with it for awhile. Who knows what will happen?

Today, maybe the whole point of all of this is to help you stay with it a little longer or maybe just one more day. When you look back you never feel that great about anything if you just quit.

Glenn Mollette is an American syndicated columnist and author. 

What’s your view? Write a letter to the editor.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: If You Quit

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Fortune cookie

CRESTVIEW — A trio of robotics teams from Crestview will be making a trip to the East Coast this weekend.

The Florida FIRST LEGO League’s State Invitational will take place April 8 in St. Augustine. Teams from Davidson Middle School, Shoal River Middle School and Hub City Robotics received invitations to compete in the tournament.

In addition to receiving an invitation to the state tournament, the Davidson LabRatz won the Robot Performance Award at the Northwest Florida Regional FLL Tournament. They are one of three teams Tim Sexton coaches, a science and technology teacher at Davidson.

Sexton has been coaching robotics teams at the school for seven years, and has coached teams that won county championships two years in a row.

“When we say Davidson robotics, now we have a reputation about us,” Sexton said. “They expect a certain level of expertise.”

Rachel Pridgen also helps coach the LabRatz. She said the first-year team stuck to the basics, but was still able to compete at the same level with teams that incorporated more complicated technology.

“We just really wanted to build a good, strong foundation in basic programming and basic simple machines,” she said.

The LabRatz also received an invitation to the Razorback Invitational May 17-20 in Fayetteville, Ark.

Laurie Allen is in her 11th year of coaching robotics teams for Shoal River Middle School. This year, her Lethal Legos team secured a bid to the state invitational. They also won the Gracious Professionalism Core Values award at the regional tournament.

Allen talked about how youth robotics in Crestview has grown over the course of her 11 years of involvement.

“The first year that I went to competition, it was Shoal River and Meigs (middle school), and that’s it,” she said. “Now, to see it grow to this size, it’s pretty amazing. We want it to grow. We want it to be huge.”

Allen said all of the Crestview teams embrace the spirit of coopertition, an FLL core value that balances cooperation and competition.

“We’re very much a family and a team,” she said.

Hub City Robotics, a team comprised of students from multiple Crestview schools, also received a bid to the state invitational. The team won overall Tournament Champion at the regional tournament, earning them a spot in the FIRST Championship in Houston the following weekend, April 18-21.

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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview kids take robotics on the road