Over time, you will run into various suggestions for investing successfully, yet, upon closer inspection, many of these ideas turn out to be myths — which could cause you trouble if you treat them as solid advice.

Here are five of these myths, along with some reasons for ignoring them:

•You can find the next "big thing." All of us probably wish we could have "gotten in on the ground floor" of Apple or Microsoft or some other tremendously profitable company. And who knows? There may indeed be a similar other business out there, waiting to take off. But it's almost impossible for anyone to identify these potential "blockbusters." There's really no shortcut to investment success — you need the patience and discipline to invest for the long term, and you need to build a portfolio that's appropriate for your goals and risk tolerance.

•Investors should always seek to "buy low and sell high." This is actually good advice — or it would be, if were possible to consistently follow it. But how can you know when the market is "high enough" to sell or "low enough" to buy? You can't — and neither can anyone else. Trying to time the market rarely works. A more appropriate strategy is to invest regularly and to diversify your holdings among stocks, bonds, government securities and other vehicles, based on your goals and risk tolerance. Diversification can help protect you against market downturns that primarily affect just one asset class. Keep in mind, though, that diversification can't guarantee profits or protect against all losses.

•It's always smart to buy investments that have performed well recently. You may have read, in investment prospectuses, that "past performance is no guarantee of future results." These words are certainly true; just because an investment has had a good run recently, it doesn't mean its success will continue indefinitely. You need to evaluate each investment on its own merits and on how well it fits into your overall portfolio.

•International investing is too risky. In today's global economy, it may be more risky not to invest some of your portfolio internationally. U.S. stocks represent less than half of global stock market capitalization — so by stopping at our borders, you are depriving yourself of a world of opportunities. It's true that foreign investments carry some special risks relating to currency fluctuations and political and economic events, but you can help contain this risk by confining your international holdings to a relatively small percentage of your portfolio. A financial professional can suggest the best ways for you to add a global element to your investments.

•You need a lot of money to make a lot of money. Of course, it doesn't hurt to have a sizable amount of money to invest right away. But the world is full of people who started investing with small sums and ended up having enough money to enjoy the retirement lifestyle they had envisioned. If you're just beginning to invest, put in as much as you can afford each month; as your income goes up, increase your investments. As an investor, time is your greatest ally.

Sticking to a consistent investment strategy can help you write your own investment tale — and you can leave the myths to the storybooks. 

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Don't get swayed by these investment myths

When hunting, food safety begins in the field. The goal is to have safe meat for you and your family to eat.

Here are a few ways to keep your food safe:

1. Shot placement. That’s right, food safety begins with an accurate shot. Your goal should be to prevent the contents of the digestive tract from touching the meat. A gut shot can quickly ruin meat and make cleaning the animal harder.

2. The quicker you get the meat chilled, the better. Improper temperature is meat’s number one enemy. The recommended storage temperature to prevent bacterial growth is 35-40 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. Handle the knife with one hand and the carcass with the other. The hide can harbor dirt and pathogens, so care should be taken to prevent contamination of the meat.

4. Have vinegar water and chlorine water on hand. Vinegar water (50/50) can be sprayed on areas where hair or hide touch the meat. Rinse hands and tools periodically in a bucket of sanitizing solution of 1 tablespoon of chlorine per gallon of water.

5. Think food safety through the whole process. Prevent cross contamination by keeping anything from contacting the meat unless it has been sterilized. Keep the digestive tract intact and prevent the contents of it from contacting the meat. Chill the meat as quickly as possible. When further processing, continue to use sterile surfaces and tools.

Many hunters age deer meat to increase tenderness and improve flavor. This is safe if done properly.

There are two ways to safely age meat. Dry aging in a walk-in cooler or refrigerator is the best, but not feasible for all hunters. The walk-in cooler or refrigerator must be clean and have good air circulation and proper temperature control (34-38 degrees).

The meat can be aged for seven to 21 days, depending on the amount of moisture in the cooler. Too much moisture can increase microbial growth on the meat, which should be cut away before further processing. There will also be a layer of dry meat that will need to be cut away.

An ice chest can also be safely used to age meat. First, fill the clean ice chest with ice and water. Add meat immediately to ice water and soak for 12-24 hours. This will quickly cool the meat to the proper temperature. Then drain the water out of the cooler and add more ice. Keep cooler drained of water and full of ice for five to seven days. There may be freezer burn on the outside of the meat that can be cut away before further processing.

Remember food safety when further processing and storing. Wild game food safety begins in the field and ends with consumption.

Visit these websites for more information about the safe handling of venison:

•http://www.noble.org/ag/wildlife/propercareofvenison/

•http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/food/food_safety/handling/hgic3516.html

Jennifer Bearden 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: 5 tips for wild game food safety

SUPPORT CIRCLE FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS: Meetings take place on the following schedule.

—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.

FREE CLOTHING GIVEAWAY: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays; 1-3:30 p.m. Thursdays; and 9 a.m. to noon second and fourth Saturdays of the month at 247 S. Booker St., Crestview. Free items include shoes and other accessories. Presented by Concerned Citizens of Crestview. Details: 689-1582 or 428-6997.

FREE FOOD DISTRIBUTION FOR NEEDY RESIDENTS: 9 a.m. second Saturdays, 383 Texas Parkway, Crestview. Dry goods and fresh produce available while supplies last. Hosted by House of Restoration, a partner agency of Feeding the Gulf Coast. Details: Ruby Chatman, 398-0577.

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

CRESTVIEW WRITERS GROUP: 6-7:30 p.m. every fourth Monday — except May 26, Labor Day and Early Voting, Oct. 27, at the Crestview Public Library. The group, which did not meet in November or December, will pick up where they left off with the next meeting, which is Jan. 22. Teen author Noah Barfield will be the guest speaker at the meeting on Feb. 26. Online: http://www.cityofcrestview.org/library.php

DOGWOOD GARDEN CLUB: 10:30 a.m. first Mondays through May 7, 2018. Call President Ruth Herington, 683-0839, for non-listed locations at members' homes.

•Feb. 5, Sonshine Studios, 426 James Lee Blvd., Crestview, "Fairy Gardens."

•March 5, member's home, "Shapes and Shadows in the Garden."

•April 2, member's home, "Wacky Gardening Secrets"

•May 7, member's home, salad luncheon. Bring one to share. 

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.

HELP OTHER PEOPLE EFFECTIVELY: 6 p.m. third Mondays at Community of Christ, Crestview.

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

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. 2nd and fourth Tuesdays, Hub City Smokehouse, 168 Main St. S, Crestview. 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 event. 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 in downtown 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, Foxwood Country Club, Antioch Road. 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 

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

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

ADULT/FAMILY NIGHT: 6-9 p.m. Saturdays, Convergence Coffeehouse, 498 Wilson St. N. Visitors may enjoy 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, Ryan's restaurant, Crestview. 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

NICEVILLE — Northwest Florida State College's Film Club is kicking off its new year with the viewing of an animated film.

"Loving Vincent" begins 6:30 p.m. Jan. 22 at the 100 College Blvd., campus in Niceville. Go to Building 110, room 328 in the film and humanities room. The public may attend the free event.

This was the first animated film in which each frame was created as an oil painting on canvas.

An animation crew of 125 artists — chosen for their skill as classical artists rather than professional animators — produced 65,000 paintings in the style of Vincent Van Gogh to tell the story of the mysteries surrounding the celebrated impressionist painter's 1890 death in Auvers-sur-Oise, France, at age 37.

Discussion conducted by NWFSC film professor David Simmons will follow the screening. Free food, drinks and door prizes will be provided.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: NWFSC club to screen film on Van Gogh

CRESTVIEW — Here are upcoming events in North Okaloosa County and surrounding areas:

CareerSource Okaloosa sets additional job fairs

CRESTVIEW — Throughout the year, CareerSource Okaloosa hosts mini job fairs and hiring events to help Northwest Floridians secure employment.

Visitors have the opportunity to learn about the employers' job opportunities and request an on-the-spot interview.

These job fairs are scheduled:

•Mini Job Fair: Jan. 24, 1-4 p.m., Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview

•Health Care Mini Job Fair: Feb. 7, 1-4 p.m., CareerSource Okaloosa Walton, 409 Racetrack Road NE, Fort Walton Beach

•Administrative and Support Mini Job Fair: Feb. 21, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., CareerSource Okaloosa Walton, 409 Racetrack Road NE, Fort Walton Beach

•Public Administration Mini-Job Fair: March 7, 1-4 p.m., CareerSource Okaloosa Walton, 409 Racetrack Rd. NE, Fort Walton Beach

•Mini-Job Fair: March 7, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Dr. Crestview

Job seekers will be able to:

•Meet prospective employers

•Complete an online or hard-copy application and provide their resume

•Match a face with their application if they have already completed one

•Complete any required assessments

•Request a follow-up interview appointment

DeFUNIAK SPRINGS — Brad and Barry Klinge, of Everyday Paranormal, will headline the 2018 Florida Chautauqua Assembly.

The pair stormed onto the global paranormal scene with "Ghost Lab," a weekly American television series that premiered Oct. 6, 2009 on the Discovery Channel. The brothers will present how they conduct their investigations, discuss past investigations and provide proof of the paranormal activity.

They will help kick off the Chautauqua with their presentation on Friday, Jan. 26 at Walton High School. Four-day all-inclusive passports for the entire event are on sale for $120. Tickets for the Klinge Brothers presentation are $15 each.

Tickets and passports to the 2018 Florida Chautauqua Assembly are available through the event’s webpage, www.floridachautauquaassembly.org, or at 1290 Circle Drive, DeFuniak Springs.

Live Oak Baptist sets retreat on work as worship 

CRESTVIEW — Live Oak Baptist Church has scheduled their 2018 Work as Worship Retreat. The live event in Dallas will be streamed online to over 2,000 churches around the world.

The event features 11 influential business leaders and pastors who will discuss what it looks like to connect faith and work. The one-day retreat begins at 7:30 a.m. Feb. 23 at the church, 4565 Live Oak Church Road, Crestview.

A media release for the retreat states, "God has a purpose for us on this earth. That calling is to be on mission for God where He has placed us. And since many people spend the majority of their waking hours on the job, we have to stop compartmentalizing life into 'spiritual activities' and 'work activities.' How are we living examples of the gospel while we work?"

The cost is $25 per person. Go to www.workasworshipretreat.org or www.liveoakbc.net for more information or to register. 

Youths’ job training available 

CRESTVIEW — Local youths ages 16-24 looking for employment or job training who meet certain criteria may sign up for the Career Pathway to Success, a CareerSource Okaloosa Walton program.

Eligible candidates must meet the age requirement and have one of the following additional requirements apply.

They:

•May not attend high school or they are a high school dropout

•Are in ABE/GED prep classes

•Are homeless, a runaway, or in foster care

•Are pregnant or a parent

•Have a disability

•Live in an out-of-home placement

•Are an offender

Program participants receive Adult Basic Education and GED program classes and earn work-readiness incentives. They learn about job applications, how to create a resume, interviewing skills, employability skills and money management, and the opportunity to complete up to eight weeks of work experience.

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

CRESTVIEW — 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.

Local children are providing construction paper hands for a project being constructed at the state capital.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: In support of Children's Week

CRESTVIEW — Three regional organizations will give away tree seedlings in observance of Arbor Day.

The Arbor Day celebration is 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 19 at Twin Hills Park, 100 Hathaway St. S., Crestview. The event will take place at the pavilions near the playground on the far west end of the park.

Bare-root tree seedlings will be available as long as supplies last. Types include dahoon holly, shumard oak, pecan, river birch, fringe tree, crape myrtle, Florida flame azalea and sparkleberry.

University of Florida extension agents will conduct tree planting and pruning demonstrations and Master Gardeners will be available to answer questions.

Florida Forest Service, the Yellow River Soil and Water Conservation District, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the city of Crestview are event sponsors.

Call 689-5850 or 689-7838 for more information about the Crestview Arbor Day celebration.

•Arbor Day was founded in Nebraska on April 10, 1872 as a tree-planting day.

•Florida’s Arbor Day is the third Friday in January. Every state recognizes Arbor Day, but because of differences in climate, each state selects its own date to fit the best planting time for trees. Planting trees now allows young trees to become established by the time hot spring weather arrives.

•National Arbor Day is the fourth Friday in April. 

Visit https://www.arborday.org/celebrate/dates.cfm to learn more about Arbor Day.

FAST FACTS

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Arbor Day event includes tree giveaway

Editor’s Note: This continues our Celebrate Community series on nonprofit organizations that improve North Okaloosa County residents’ quality of life.

CRESTVIEW — The Lions Club is an international nonprofit service organization with 1.4 million members worldwide. The Crestview branch is looking to grow its membership roster and will soon have a dinner thanking its community partners.

The Lions Club dinner, which will feature Crestview High School Football Coach Tim Hatten, is set 6:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at Hub City Smokehouse, 168 Main St. S, Crestview. Area residents who attend must pay for their meals.

Four Lions stopped by the News Bulletin recently to discuss the organization's priorities.

They include:

•Providing eye care, glasses purchases and collections for people in need

•Fundraising for the services they provide

•Increasing membership

•Determining other ways to serve the Crestview community

•Increasing diabetes awareness

"Our motto is 'We serve,' and our goal is to provide more eye care than we have before. We've been challenged by Helen Keller to be the knights to the blind, and we try to help people with vision needs as much as we can," Chris Howard said.

In January, the Crestview Lions arranged eye exams for two individuals and will provide them with glasses if necessary. In 2017, they provided exams and eyeglasses for several individuals and assisted in procuring cataract surgery for a person who had lost most of his vision — and his job. With the Lions' help, the man is now employed and off welfare. 

The group's focus on vision care already aligns with two members' occupations. Howard and Edward Mitchell Jr. are both local optometrists. They own Eye Site of Crestview, P.A., and Cabana Eyes Optical, respectively.

Howard described the Lions' interest in vision care as a perfect fit for him. A friend invited him to join the Crestview organization in 2003, and Howard currently serves as president of the club.

Mitchell joined the Lions Club in 1989 in Kentucky.

"I've dealt with eyes for a long time, and saw a need, and it was an organization that I was familiar with, so I joined," Mitchell said. As "Tail Twister" for the local branch, the military veteran works to create harmonious group meetings and "make sure members are having fun in meetings and club events," according to Lion secretary Charlotte Jones.

Lou Jones, membership chair, became involved in the Lions when he and Charlotte, his wife, lived in Alaska.

"We went to Alaska for two years — stayed 32 — and there (were) all kinds of community needs up there that the Lions fulfilled," he said.

"You name it, they did it: hats, gloves, (keeping) people warm, eye care, purchasing glasses. One time in a community, we went around and replaced all the smoke detectors in homes, because there's a high fire rating."

When a Lioness Club formed in their community, he encouraged his wife to become a member as well.

Though reluctant to join at first, she learned things about herself in the process, such as the joy of helping those in need.

"I found out that I enjoyed working with other people. I enjoyed giving. It just feels good. I like that feeling," she said.

She said one of their goals right now is to boost their membership numbers (currently at 10) so they can increase the amount of services they provide.

"New members bring new perspective, new ideas," she said. "Our newest member has provided this homeless project need that we didn't know about, and another new member provided us information about a health fair."

The homeless project started when Deb Greenhalgh called a local organization for the homeless and asked about their needs. Because of that phone call, the club is collecting cold-weather item donations like hats, gloves and scarves. Donation boxes are located in area businesses, including Pic-n-Sav, Tractor Supply and Eye Site.

Group members attended a recent health fair at the Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University's pharmacy school in Crestview, and will have a booth at the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce's Triple B cook-off in March.

They accept monetary donations, 100 percent of which goes right back into the community. They are also looking for fundraising ideas to support their efforts.

Area residents may email crestviewlions@hotmail.com with suggestions on how Lions can assist the Crestview community.

"Better yet, attend a meeting," Charlotte Jones said. Meetings are 7 a.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays, at Hub City Smokehouse.

To join, there is a one-time entry fee of $35, and dues are $80 a year. The dues can be paid quarterly or annually.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'Our motto is 'we serve''

CRESTVIEW — On the living room floor of her home in Crestview on a dreary January day, 6-year-old Zoey Green works diligently to construct a snowman from a glob of white Play-Doh.

“It’s Olaf,” she explained, referring to a character from Disney's “Frozen,” an animated movie she estimates she’s seen “probably 100” times.

She squints her eyes to get a closer look at her work of art. A long, thick, pink scar zigzags its way from her chin to her cheek to her right eye, making it harder for her to shut it completely.

As she works on the floor, her mother, Paige Woody, sits on the sofa behind her, watching her every move as she has been for the past 10 months.

She can’t take her eyes off her. Ever since both Paige and Zoey were attacked by a neighbor’s pit bull last March, the pair have become inseparable, bound even closer by a shared trauma. Paige acknowledges their relationship now as a “codependency.”

“It’s just been awful,” she says of the past 10 months. “We’re stuck in an endless tragedy.”

‘A nightmare’

The day was March 25, a Saturday, and Paige and Zoey had gone over to a neighbor’s home on Villacrest Drive to learn how to care for two pit bulls Paige had agreed to watch. She and the neighbor were in the backyard of the home, and Zoey was inside.

Paige told the Northwest Florida Daily News last March that Zoey was tapping on the door because she was impatient, so Paige opened the door just a little bit so she could hear her better.

“I kept telling her, ‘Hold on, baby, hold on, baby,’” Paige said.

The next several minutes were a blur. The pit bull, Mandingo, lunged through the door and grabbed Zoey by the face before he dragged her into the yard. While the neighbor held back the other dog, Paige wrestled with Mandingo to try to free her little girl.

When he released her, Paige threw her body on top of her daughter’s and continued fighting with the dog, shoving her arm into his mouth and pushing him back as far as he would go before picking Zoey up, running into the home and calling 911.

Paige was taken to the hospital and received 28 stitches and around 40 staples.

Zoey was flown by medical helicopter alone to Sacred Heart Hospital Pensacola where she was underwent a grueling nine-hour-surgery — the first of many.

Both dogs were euthanized.

The dog had torn off Zoey’s right eyelid, broken her jaw and left her face essentially held together with staples and stitches. She’s since had to travel to Galveston, Texas eight times with her mother to undergo treatments, including three major surgeries to try to salvage her eyes and facial tissue, and extensive therapy for post traumatic stress disorder.

And she’s not finished. Paige and Zoey are traveling back to Galveston later this month for yet another surgical procedure, where doctors will put a titanium plate under her eye and sew her eye shut for three weeks to repair her destroyed tear duct. In March, she’ll have another surgery to have hard scar tissue removed from her face and her scar stitched back up.

Paige said the multiple trips have put a severe financial and emotional strain on her family.

“Financially, it’s a nightmare. The people who own the dogs haven’t given us a penny,” Paige said. “Then I’m uprooting from my two other daughters when we have to go on these trips to Galveston, so I’m taking that stability away from them … we’ve missed birthdays, holidays, things like that, and it’s just been a nightmare.”

No playing outside

Due to her scarring, Zoey can’t be in contact with UV light — which includes sunlight — for at least a year after each surgery. If she wants to play outside, she has to wear a special mask that slips over her head and covers her entire face. Paige decorated the mask with unicorn, butterfly and snail patches, but Zoey still resists it.

Zoey says she likes to play outside, but doesn’t often because “I don’t like to wear my mask, silicone or hats.”

Her silicone patches are applied to her scars to prevent them from getting worse, Paige says. The hats are an added protection.

“She has to wear a compression mask 16 hours a day because it helps push the scarring down and breaks up the scar tissue, and then she wears silicone because it helps to do the same thing,” Paige said. “She doesn’t like to wear those. She’s not supposed to be around any kind of UV light because it makes the scarring redder and more angry looking.

"She has to wear hats and can’t go outside during the day … we will go to a store quickly and that’s about it.”

Paige also had to pull Zoey out of school after the attack to deal with her surgeries and medical issues. The Okaloosa County School District has sent a tutor to help Zoey with homeschooling twice a week, and Paige hopes to put her back in school at Riverside Elementary in August to try to regain some sense of normalcy.

“It’s sad because she doesn’t have the friends that my (other) daughters have. She doesn’t have the sleepovers cause she doesn’t know anybody,” Paige said. “She doesn’t have play dates, so she doesn’t get to blossom like the other little kids do.”

‘I just want her to play in the sunshine’

In their Crestview home last Wednesday, Zoey was going about her day as she normally does. She made herself a slice of grape jelly toast, played video games on her smartphone — her “lifeline” to the outside world, as Paige describes it — and talked about how she had just learned the difference between “past, present and future” in her tutoring.

“What are we in now?” Paige asked her.

 Zoey thought for a minute.

“Um … future?”

“Not quite,” Paige said. “We’re in the present.”

That’s how Paige is having to live her life these days — day by day, minute by minute, always in the present. She still has flashbacks of the past and is now terrified of dogs. She won’t let her other two kids ride their bikes down the street because she is concerned about loose pets.

“Everywhere we go, you turn around and you see these pit bulls that are not service animals,” she said. “When I go outside I’m constantly looking for an escape route, or where can I put my kids if a dog jumps out. I was oblivious before to how bad it is.”

Paige said her $200,000 in medical debt weighs heavily on her mind most days. Zoey had insurance at the time of the attack, but Paige did not, and Medicaid wouldn’t pay for Zoey’s $100,000 medical helicopter bill when she had to be transported to Pensacola. Over $22,000 in GoFundMe donations have already been used for the eight Galveston trips.

“How do you climb out of that kind of debt?” Paige asked. “I mean, people say, 'sue,' well we’re on our fourth attorney trying to, but there’s not a whole lot we can do. If they don’t have anything, you can’t take it.

“I’m so thankful for everyone in the community who has donated anything at all,” she added.

As she looks toward the future, Paige hopes to regain some sense of a normal childhood for her daughter. Paige knows Zoey will probably always have scars, but one day Zoey will be able to do things other kids can do.

“It basically stopped our lives,” she said. “But I’m hoping that eventually she’ll be able to go outside and play, like normal, in the daylight with other kids instead of having to wear masks or patches to cover up scarring.

"I just want her to play in the sunshine.”

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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'An endless tragedy'