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

CRESTVIEW — An event at the Crestview Public Library ended with a picnic for teddy bears and guests.

Have a cute photo of your kids out and about? They could be our next The Bulletin Kid! Email a photo with your child's name, age, hometown and a description of the action to news@crestviewbulletin.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Teddy bear picnic at Crestview library

NICEVILLE — The Terri Lynne Lokoff Child Care Foundation has recognized a Crestview business owner as a recipient of the 2018 Terri Lynne Lokoff/Children’s Tylenol National Child Care Teacher Award.

The winner, Northwest Florida State College student Tawanda Brown, owns the Brown Family Child Care Home in Crestview.

The foundation chooses from a nationwide pool of applicants for the early child care and education honor. Brown will receive an award of $1,000 at 7 p.m. on April 14 at a special ceremony at Marriot Courtyard Downtown in Philadelphia, Penn.

There are a total of 50 National Child Care Teacher Award recipients for 2018. Each designed an enhancement project that illustrates the educational, social and emotional benefits for the children in their care. With a grant from the awards program, Brown will implement her project, Explore More. 

“My project is based on the idea of supporting extended playing and learning across multiple domains," Brown said. "I envision boxes, which would include one or more components in each of these areas: math, science, social-emotional, physical movement (and) the arts.

"Because my children are a mixed-age group, I try to provide materials that are open-ended and adaptable for various developmental stages from simple to complex. My first box will feature 'The Mermaid' by Jan Brett and 'Big Al' by Andrew Clements," she said.

Brown previously won the SkillsUSA college competition, regional competition and state competition in Early Childcare and she was the college’s first national gold medalist at the SkillsUSA national competition.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Brown wins $1,000 child care teacher award

I never had the opportunity to shake hands with Billy Graham.

A few years back my wife and I were in the Asheville, North Carolina area and had a couple of free hours. We decided to drive to Montreat to see the area where Billy Graham lived. We roamed around the quaint little community for awhile. I asked numerous people "Where does Billy Graham live?" I was amazed at how many people either did not know or were just keeping the community secret from outsiders like us.

We had good friends in Asheville who had told about us about a road leading up a North Carolina mountain and that on the way we would pass George Beverly Shea's house. Shea sang right before Billy Graham preached for many, many years.

I finally found the post office in Montreat and went in and found someone to talk to about my search. He gave me the information I needed. He told me where to go to find the very quiet road that went a long winding way up a steep mountain. We found it and on the way up we saw a house that looked like the one my friend had described as George Beverly Shea's house. I pulled over and my wife said, "Where are you going?"  I told her, "I'm going to knock on George Beverly Shea's door. I would give anything to shake hands with him."

I had heard that Franklin Graham had bought Shea a new Chevrolet Suburban. I had also heard that the 95 year old Shea was pulled over for speeding in that new Suburban. I was told the police officer refused to give Shea a ticket saying, "My mother would never forgive me if I gave a speeding ticket to George Beverly Shea." Low and behold there was a shiny looking new Suburban sitting out behind the house. Only a dummy like me would knock on a famous person's door in hopes that he would actually come to the door. No one came to the door and I suspect that Shea and his wife didn't make a practice of opening their door to strangers. I don't know what I would have said. I probably would have stuttered and said, "Hello, I'm Glenn Mollette. I love hearing you sing," duh.

I gave up knocking on Shea's door and we proceeded up the winding mountain road. It was a very long way and I was about to give up when suddenly we came to a gate and I knew we were at the entrance to Graham's mountain home. A friend who actually visited Graham's home said, "Yes, there is a gate but once you drive past that gate you come to a real gate and fence." We didn't drive through that gate but parked the car and walked around a bit. There was nothing to see but beautiful mountain trees and scenery. We were about ready to leave and I said to my wife, "I want to pause a moment and touch this gate for just a bit." The longer I stood there touching that gate, the more tears filled my eyes. My thoughts were, "Oh God if I could just be one percent of the person that Billy Graham is then I would be hundred times more and better than I am today." I have to say it was a profound moment of my life. Finally I backed away from the gate, got in the car and we drove quietly down the mountain road.

What was it about Billy Graham? He was one single person who impacted the planet by everything that he said and did. Many years ago, there was another great preacher by the name of Dwight L. Moody. Moody was said to have shaken two continents for Jesus Christ. Moody is often remembered for saying, "The world has yet to see what God can do with a man fully consecrated to Him. By God's help, I aim to be that man. By God's grace I will be that man," he said. I believe history will attest that Moody became that man. Graham in every way, and even more, became that man Moody aspired to be as well. The Bible tells a story of a woman who had been sick for many years. She had heard that Jesus would be passing by. She did everything to get close to Jesus because she just wanted to touch him. When she did, she was healed and Jesus knew that power had gone out of him to heal the woman. Jesus said, "Your faith has made you well."

Millions of people have had life changing experiences because of Billy Graham. Yet, Graham would be the first to declare that he was simply the messenger. He had a message of pointing people to Jesus Christ. In essence what made Graham so attractive was that he pointed people to the one far greater than he. He preached a simple Bible message of God's love and about an old rugged cross where Jesus died for the sins of the world. He preached about a wonderful place called heaven. Because of Graham's simple message and beautiful Christ-filled life he became America's pastor who many of us grew up loving to hear.

I heard Graham preach several times in Cincinnati, Louisville and Atlanta. My oldest son and I heard him right after he had a fainting spell in Toronto. Word about his failing health was spreading. Graham came on to Atlanta to preach where about 8,000 of us where gathered in the Georgia Dome. He was 80 years old when he marched into that stadium and strongly stood on that platform and powerfully brought his inspiring message. What a day, what a day that was.

What a day it will be when Jesus we shall see. What a day it will also be whenever I get to meet Billy Graham. If anybody is in heaven it surely is Billy Graham. By God's grace and mercy, when I get to heaven I'm going to try again to find him and shake his hand. Of course I will try to find his famous singer George Beverly Shea and also shake hands with him.

Glenn Mollette is an American syndicated columnist and author.

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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Shaking hands with Billy Graham

CRESTVIEW — Habitat For Humanity has received a sizable donation for the construction of a Crestview family's house. Publix donated $15,000 toward the project.

Nitsi Bennett, CEO of Habitat Okaloosa County, accepted the donation during a Feb. 26 check presentation-event at the site of the house.

“They have built an entire house, financed an entire house, about two years ago,” Bennett said, “and every single year for the past 15 years, they have given us a partial sponsor on every single house that we’ve ever built, so we love them.”

The house is for a woman who has custody of her granddaughter. Bennett said the house they were previously living in was old and in poor condition. As with other houses built by Habitat for Humanity, the family is required to participate in building the home.

“The guys are taking care of her, making sure that she doesn’t overdo it,” Bennett said. “But she’s become almost everybody’s grandmother here. She’s wonderful, and she’s got almost all of her sweat equity hours done.”

Once completed, the house will be the 60th Habitat Okaloosa County has built, including some in the same neighborhood. The house will include three bedrooms and two bathrooms, and is expected to be completed in late April or early May.

Anyone interested in helping Habitat Okaloosa County can visit www.habitatfwb.org, its Facebook page, email volunteer@habitatfwb.org or call 315-0025.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Publix donates $15,000 for new Crestview home