CRESTVIEW — The Costa Enterprises’ McDonald’s restaurant on U.S. Highway 90 is the third Crestview location undergoing an extensive modernization remodel.

The renovation will be revealed at a grand re-opening, followed by a public McFamily celebration. The celebration starts 10 a.m. March 17 at 302 James Lee Blvd. W, Crestview.

Beginning from the exterior, and throughout the entire restaurant, there will be a great new look and feel with modern and sleek design, digital menu boards, digital self-ordering, free-standing kiosks, free Wi-Fi, comfortable seating areas and many more touches like added outdoor seating, activity tables and kidzpace gaming systems, according to a Costa Enterprises media release.

The self-ordering kiosks being put in all the modernized McDonald’s locations enable the restaurants to put a higher emphasis on hospitality and welcoming customers as table service and more customer service in the lobby is provided.

A space-age, indoor "Playplace" at that location will be "the only one of its kind," according to the release, and the restaurant, "like all the Costa Family restaurants continues to create a positive economic impact in the Crestview area, as the restaurant will employ approximately 80 people, with many new job opportunities anticipated.

Costa Enterprises owns and operates all three Crestview McDonald’s, and has 20 McDonald’s

restaurants in Northwest Florida. The organization has 22 years in business.

Call 897-3169, or visit costamcd.com or their Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter for more information.

This article was corrected May 9 to fix the McFamily Night date and time, and the number of Northwest Florida restaurants.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Local McDonald's remodel features technology, space-related play area

CRESTVIEW — A Crestview business offering unique custom woodwork creations is celebrating its store opening in Northview Plaza.

DaGeo Art sells custom awards, shadow boxes, plaques and other specialty items. Owner George Lebron tailors much of his work to the military community, but creates specialty woodworked items for everyone.

Lebron began woodworking during a 26-year career in the Air Force. He was able to turn the hobby into a full-time business after retiring from the military.

“As a young man, I liked doing art work. I was always an artist of some kind,” he said. “I was able to fulfill more of my artistic goals because I had more time now, whereas when we were in the military I only did it part-time to satisfy some requests and also satisfy myself with some work I did.”

Lebron has made custom awards for various military units, which are on display in the new store. He gets requests from customers who have seen one of the awards and want him to recreate it for them, but he declines to sell the awards to those outside of the units for which they are intended.

“They’re exclusive to that unit," he said. "This way they always have something unique.”

When Lebron does get a request for an award specific to a military unit, he offers to make something that is similar while preserving the individual character of each award.

The custom aspect of Lebron’s creations is an important part of his process, he said. Each design is uniquely tailored to the customer’s specifications.

“When we say custom, we mean really custom,” he said. “We sit down with the person and they’ll explain everything they’re looking for, and we’ll draw it out completely for them in every detail.”

Lebron said one of the most important things to him is the relationship he builds with his customers. He said it's important to build trust in those relationships.

The name “DaGeo” is a combination of the owners’ names, Daisy and George. Lebron said he put his wife’s name first because of how much she means to the team.

“It came to mind because for one, I wouldn’t be halfway this far if it wasn’t for her, so her name is first on DaGeo,” he said. “She’s the one that got us to the store. She’s the one that got us doing bigger work at the house. I needed her to do all this.”

DaGeo Art is open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 767 N Ferdon Blvd between Pizza Hut and New World Oriental Market in Northview Plaza.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: DaGeo Art offers custom woodwork, specialty items

In a part of the world dotted with posts and service organizations catering to active duty military and veterans, it may seem difficult to find a way to stand out. But a small Veterans of Foreign War post just outside of Crestview defined its own niche.

In a move that predates most of the current members, VFW Post 5450 apparently proclaimed itself the "Friendliest Post in Florida."

That was, until very recently, posted on its Facebook page. A sign on the building, which is on U.S. Highway 90, labels it the "Friendliest Little Post in Northwest Florida."

Current commander Warren Wiedemann is new to the area and to the post. He good-naturedly identifies himself as the commander of the friendliest post, while admitting that he's not sure how the post earned that designation.

"We've been asking some of the gentlemen who have been around for a while," he said. "We haven't come up with what the origin was.

"The ones who actually know the answer may not be around anymore."

Wiedemann, who is one of the youngest members at age 43, says his post has been reaching out to young families and even built a playground behind the post. They are friendly, he said, but stopped short of comparing his post to others in the Panhandle and the state.

"We try to live by it," he said of the motto on the building. "We're a very family friendly place."

Folks at other area posts say that while they don't want to be selfish, they're pretty sure their posts are just as friendly as 5450.

"We are friendly here," said a bartender at one in the south end of the county. "Everybody is just like a family over here. Everybody knows each other and tells their stories."

And out in Mary Esther, the Spectre Post commander, Mike Dorris, got on the phone personally to share his thoughts.

"I think I can speak for most VFW commanders in the state of Florida, everybody thinks they're the friendliest post in Florida," he said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Friendliest post in Florida? We'll see about that

NICEVILLE — Northwest Florida State College President’s Circle members received recognition Feb. 21 at center court of the Raider Arena before the start of the last home men’s basketball game. This year, 62 members and their families were recognized as the largest President’s Circle the NWF Foundation has had since the inception of the program.

Members of the President's Circle are committed to the future of higher education in the community. Through their contributions and membership in this program, President's Circle members demonstrate their commitment to improving lives at Northwest Florida State College. President's Circle gifts provide the college the flexibility to use the funds where they are needed most – for program support, instructional needs, support to the Foundation, and many other crucial expenses that benefit NWF State College students. The President’s Circle has provided $31,000 in unrestricted gifts this year. These gifts have been used for scholarships as well as to create a student emergency fund.

The 2018 Northwest Florida State College President’s Circle includes Shane Abbott, Ajax Building Corporation – Amy Bitterling, Cole Allen, Anchors, Foster & Grimsley, P.A. – Katherine and Jeff McInnis, Pauline Anderson, Charlotte and Bo Arnold, Eileen Arpke, Jean and Wendell Barbour, Scott Behrens, Brad Blalock, Anthony Boyer, Ira Mae and Gaius Bruce, Bethany Burke and Martin Owen, Susan and Wayne Campbell, Jack Capra, Trecia and Robert 'ChedBob' Chedister, CHELCO – Patty and Steve Wolfrom, Tracy and Lamar Conerly, Lauri and David Corkum, Julie and Byron Cotton, DAG Architects – William Floyd, David Costa Enterprises – Jennifer and David Costa, James Durham, Audrey Edwards, Sam and Larry Fincher, Paige Floyd-Hart and Kyle Hart, Charlotte Flynt, Deborah and Troy Fontaine, Jenny and Ross Hamilton, Nancy and Chad Hamilton, Patricia and Richard Harp, Stacy and William Head, Patricia Hollarn, Sasha and Steven Jarrell, Cristie and Arthur Kedroski, Don Litke, Michael Lucchesi, Lois and Mauri Lunderman, Roberta Mackey, Magnolia Grill – Peggy and Tom Rice, Beth and Mitch Mongell, Venita and Robert Morell, Nancy Murphy, Laura and J.D. Peacock, Kimberly and Brian Pennington, Stephanie Pettis, Ruth and Eddie Phillips, Melissa and Terry Pilcher, Raytheon – Bonnie and Steve Wills, Carla and Richard Reinlie, Sharon and Donald Richardson, Victoria and James Richburg, Kathy and Jene Robinson, Meagan and Ramsey Ross, Ann and Dennis Sherwood, Wanda and Stanley Siefke, Nathanial Slaton, Anne and Burle Southard, Judy and Devin Stephenson, Aimee and Tom Watts, Maria and Randy White, and Jerry Williams.

The President's Circle is open to any individual or organization contributing an unrestricted, minimum gift of $500 annually. Membership perks include a distinguished lapel pin, recognition on the NWF website and in other publications, newsletter subscription and VIP invitations to special college-sponsored events.  The membership form is available online or in our office. For more information, please call the NWF State College Foundation at (850) 729-5357 or visit our website at www.nwfscfoundation.org.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: NWF State College recognizes 62 President’s Circle members

CRESTVIEW — Army Aviation Center Federal Credit Union is officially open in Crestview following a Feb. 15 ribbon cutting.

Crestview Chamber Area of Commerce members and individuals from the community attended the ceremony along with the AACFCU Board of Directors, management and staff.

The grand opening celebration included remarks from Bobby Michael, president and CEO of AACFCU. 

"Army Aviation Center Federal Credit Union is pleased to join the Crestview community with the opening of our newest location," Michael said. "We look forward to sharing our financial expertise and high-quality products and services with current and future members as the branch grows and becomes an integral part of this area."

Crestview Branch Manager Candace Jones cut the ribbon, officially marking the opening of AACFCU’s 22nd branch. Robyn Helt, chairman-elect of the chamber's Board of Directors, presented Jones with a gift and welcomed the credit union to the Crestview business community. Attendees received refreshments and door prizes after the ceremony.

The new branch, at 1239 South Ferdon Blvd., Crestview, is open Monday through Friday.

AACFCU, headquartered in Daleville, Alabama, has two additional locations in Northwest Florida as well as branches in Mobile and the Wiregrass area of Alabama.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Army Aviation Center credit union has grand opening, ribbon cutting

CRESTVIEW — Sandra Dreaden, Crestview Public Library’s first and only reference librarian, died on Tuesday in Crestview. She was 62.

The cause was an incurable form of cancer that had metastasized to her liver.

Dreaden held her position at the library since 2001 and was a GED instructor prior to that. She was also active in the community and was the chair of the Crestview Chamber of Commerce’s Government Issues Committee from 2016-2017.

“She was a passionate advocate for the library and for this community,” Library Director Marie Heath said.  “The quality I most loved about Sandra was that she so freely shared her knowledge with all. I learned a lot from her and I’m sad that I won’t be able to turn to her for advice…During one of our last conversations I remember her saying that she was sad, but ‘had no regrets’ about life. She was proud that she raised four successful boys and loved her husband, Art Dreaden.”

Brian Hughes, Public Information Officer for Crestview Police Department, was a friend of Dreaden and her husband, Art. He remembers her advocacy for the library and the Crestview community.

“Sandra was a kind, enthusiastic and joyful lady; a truly Godly woman who loved her family, her community and the library to which she had devoted so much of her life,” Hughes said. “Her radiant, ever-pleasant smile is sorely missed.”

Hughes described her devotion to the library and its mission. “The library's mission of serving the community as a place that is so much more than a book repository was Sandra's passion,” he said.

Other librarians at the Crestview Library and other Okaloosa County Libraries described her as warm and cheerful, a force and a motherly figure.

Brian Corlew, who succeeded Dreaden as chair of the Government Issues Committee when her term expired, remembers her as being deeply devoted to the committee and the issues they discussed.

“You could tell she was invested,” Corlew said. “Any time someone came to speak, she would always have insightful questions. When she did something, she did it with compassion.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: "When she did something, she did it with compassion"

BAKER — home developer Randy Wise Homes and United Bank have pledged to donate proceeds from the sale of a Mill Creek Farms residence to both the Taylor Haugen Foundation and the Special Forces Association,

Chapter VII to give back to the community and to honor the memory of a special young person, the military and their families.

The groundbreaking ceremony starts at 1:30 p.m. March 6 at Mill Creek Farms, 1468 Mill Creek Drive, Baker. The event will showcase the plans to provide the proceeds to the Taylor Haugen Foundation and the Speical Forces Association, Chapter VII following the sale of the Baker residence.

Constructed according to the Live Oak II floorplan, the home will feature four bedrooms, three baths and 2,618 square feet.

"The groundbreaking heralds the rise of another Southern-style brick bungalow home in the rich, wooded area of Mill Creek Farms, where small-scale gardening, large 2/3 plus acre homesites, and a rural setting are enticing new home buyers. The development has earned industry recognition for high architectural standards and sets itself apart for conservation and energy reduction with its eco-friendly homes and landscaping," according to a RWH media release.

"Randy Wise Homes, Inc. has been a leading builder in Northwest Florida for 40 years. The company’s mission to offer "excellence in the construction industry with a strong ethical code that honors Godly principles in all aspects of life" is the basis for the donation to both foundations," the release stated.

The Taylor Haugen Foundation was created to honor the memory of the 15-year-old Niceville High School student who passed away after an injury sustained during a football game in 2008. In spirit of Taylor’s extraordinary character, the foundation's mission is to provide support and recognition to faith-based, athletic students and community organizations through awards, scholarships and funding. The foundation serves to recognize the following attributes and character traits: Christian faith, athletics, community service, academics and leadership.

The Special Forces Association, Chapter VII exists to support the soldiers and families of the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) “Green Berets.” The chapter assists the "Green Berets" in time of need with Wounded Warrior Support, memorial support for fallen heroes, financial grants to soldiers and families of the unit in times of catastrophic life-changing events. They also provide welcome home parties for those who are constantly deployed throughout the world on sensitive missions, and scholarship funds dedicated specifically to 7th Special Forces Group children.

Visit www.taylorhaugen.org or call 850-842-9093 for more information on the Taylor Haugen Foundation.

Visit www.sfa7.com or call 850-217-9371 to learn more about The Special Forces Association, Chapter VII.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Randy Wise Homes, United Bank to donate Baker home's proceeds

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 weekend in Northwest Florida

By most measures, 2017 was a pretty good year for investors. But what can you expect in 2018?

It's difficult to predict precisely the immediate future of the financial markets. However, many signs point to improved global economic growth and rising corporate earnings — both of which are important drivers of stock prices. In the United States, economic growth may be more modest than in other regions, which could result in international stocks outperforming domestic ones.

Here's another consideration: Low interest rates typically benefit the financial markets — and unless inflation jumps sharply, the Federal Reserve will probably remain patient, only raising short-term rates slowly throughout 2018.

Despite these positive signs, there's also reason for caution. Political uncertainty and changes in economic policies may lead to increased market volatility.

Another factor is the long-term history of the stock market, which includes a drop of 10 percent or more — technically called a "correction" — about once a year. We've gone two years since the last correction, so it would not be surprising if we saw one in 2018.

Given this outlook — which could be classified as moderately optimistic — what investment moves should you consider this year? Here are a few suggestions:

• Rebalance your portfolio — The market's gains may have increased the value of your stocks so much that they now represent a greater percentage of your portfolio than you had intended — and you may not be comfortable with this increased presence.

So, you may want to rebalance your portfolio to achieve a suitable mix of stocks and bonds, based on your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon. As part of this rebalancing, and in an effort to help reduce the impact of market volatility, you may need to add investment-grade bonds and cash investments. (Of course, bonds carry some risks, too, including interest rate and credit risk.)

The availability of cash will also make it easier for you to purchase stocks during a market downturn, when prices may be lower.

• Look beyond U.S. borders — You may want to consider adding some international equity investments to your portfolio, if appropriate. As mentioned above, these stocks may do better than U.S. stocks in 2018, but regardless of performance, the presence of global stocks can help diversify your portfolio — and diversification can help decrease your overall risk level. (However, diversification can't guarantee profits or protect against all losses.)

Keep in mind that international investing carries some inherent risks, such as those related to currency fluctuations and foreign political and economic events.

• Be aware of "big" versus "little" — If you don't own many stocks of smaller companies, you might consider adding them to your portfolio. Smaller U.S. stocks have traditionally outperformed larger ones and may benefit from stronger economic growth and lower corporate tax rates.

Be aware, though, that small-company stocks tend to be more volatile than those of larger companies. And, as with all stock investments, you may risk losing some or all of your principal.

You may want to consult with a financial professional to determine which of these moves, or any others, may be right for you. You can't control the external factors affecting the financial markets, but you can take total charge of your own investment decisions — and in the long run, these decisions can help determine your success as an investor. 

This article was written by Edward Jones on behalf of your Edward Jones financial adviser.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: The investment outlook for 2018

Okaloosa Saves is celebrating America Saves Week Feb. 26 through March 3.

Okaloosa Saves encourages individuals to set a savings goal and take the America Saves Pledge during the event.

Taking the pledge is a promise to yourself that you will reduce debt and build wealth.

The Federal Reserve' Report on the Economic Well-Being of US Households (2015), stated that that “Forty-six percent of adults say they either could not cover an emergency expense costing $400, or would cover it by selling something or borrowing.”

Ready to start your savings journey? Here are a few of easy ways to get going:

1) Take the Okaloosa Saves Pledge at www.okaloosasaves.org or text “OKSaves” to 95577 (standard data and message rates may apply).

Studies have shown that setting a specific goal and writing it down may help you achieve your goal. As a bonus America Saves will send you all kinds of tips and information about saving, but don’t worry we won’t spam you!

2) Use a calendar to keep track of your income and expenses. Don’t forget to include your savings. Each week or month total up your income to compare to your expenses.

If you are spending more than you are making a buck or analyze your spending to see where you can save an extra buck or two. Can you bring lunch to work instead of buying out?

3) Save automatically. Work with your employer or bank to have a portion of your paycheck deposited directly into your savings account. Start with just a small amount if you must. Even $5 a week will turn into $260 after one year.

4) Split your tax refund. If you receive a tax refund, deposit some — or all — of it into your savings.

If you use form 8888 while filing your taxes to split your refund, you can also enter the 2018 Save Your Refund drawing. $100 prizes are available to winners, as well as a $10,000 grand prize. at Go to https://saveyourrefund.com/home/ to find out all of the details. 

Contact me at 689-5850 or jbreslawski@ufl.edu for more information.

Jill Breslawski 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: 4 easy ways to start your savings journey during America Saves Week