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

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

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

CRESTVIEW — American Legion Post 75's push to increase awareness of the Kids for Toys program this past fall resulted in over $15,000 in toys, cash and gifts for Okaloosa foster children.

Event organizers presented the toys and an $11,000 check to the Families First Network of Lakeview foster care program.

"(The) run was phenomenal; it went really, really well. We were able to serve the kids in our local agency, but were able to help with some other counties as needed. In North Okaloosa alone, we served over 200 children, and so it certainly greatly benefited all of our kids," Alice Cheslock, FFN team manager in North Okaloosa and Walton County, said.

The nonprofit agency assists Northwest Florida families from Escambia to Walton counties.

"I'm just very grateful and thankful for the American Legion, because without them Christmas is always hard because we serve both kids in the home and kids that are in foster care. And they kind of led [the event] this year; and to see the community rally behind it … was a blessing for all of us," Cheslock said.

Juan Hernandez of Post 75, who served as road captain, said the post partnered with two other Crestview veterans groups, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5450 and Amvets Post 35, to organize the December motorcycle run.

This year, 197 motorcyclists participated in the event, compared to just 40 bikers in 2017. Donors purchased games, stuffed animals, and gift cards. Okaloosa County bus drivers provided a fleet of bicycles.

Area businesses provided raffle prizes. Winners received vehicle services at Precision Tune Auto Care, Crestview Tire & Wheel; and meals at Beef O' Brady's, Cracker Barrel, David's Catfish House, New York's Famous Pizza, Uncle Bill's, Emerald Isle Seafood Restaurant, and Wayne's Catfish House.

There were also gift cards from Tractor Supply Company, Winn-Dixie, It's Magic Day Spa and Salon and Precision Tactical. Two Harley Davidson jackets, a vest contributed by the VFW, and a custom motorcycle helmet from BDB Custom Motorcycle in Niceville were among prizes.

American Legion Post 75 is already accepting items for the 2018 Kids for Toys run.

Contact Post Commander Shelby Windham, 305-3635, for details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'It greatly benefited all of our kids'

CRESTVIEW — Five of Crestview High School's varsity wrestling team members placed in the Dec. 30 tournament at Tate.

Noah Kryfka, Angel Ortega, Coleman Young and Xavier Molina placed first in their bouts, and Kenard Menard placed second. Ortega was also winner of the Overall Outstanding Wrestler Award.

"It was an awesome day for our Bulldogs," a team spokesperson said.

The Crestview varsity team also went undefeated against five other teams and placed second overall at a Gulf Breeze wrestling tournament in early December.

They wrestled Rocky Bayou, Mosley, Rutherford, Milton and Bay students.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview wrestlers place in area tournaments

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

MARDI GRAS PARADE AND STREET FESTIVAL: 11 a.m. Jan. 20, Circle Drive, DeFuniak Springs. Krewe de Yak's fifth annual event includes a street fair, family-friendly entertainment, a car show, parade and after-party. Contact Samantha Graves, 419-5977 or krewedeyak@gmail.com, for details. See complete schedule at www.krewedeyak.org.

HOME SCHOOL TOUR AT MUSEUM: "Historic Technology," Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida’s quarterly field trip for home-school students and their families, is set Feb. 16, 1-2:30 p.m. at 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso. Students will learn how technology has evolved through the years, what a simple machine is, and how machines are used to push and pull, making work and other tasks easier for humans. To reinforce the lesson, students will make and demonstrate catapults. Cost is $8 per student (or $6 for Museum Family Members). One parent/teacher per family is admitted free; $3 cost per each additional adult. Children 4 and under get in free; cost for each is $3 to participate in a hands-on activity. Pre-registration is required. Details: 678-2615.

PUBLIC MEETINGS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

DORCAS FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS: 6 p.m. first Thursdays, 5232 Deer Springs Drive, Crestview, off Highway 90.

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

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

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

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

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

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

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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

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

UPCOMING

GENEALOGY GROUP FORMING: 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 6, Fort Walton Beach Public Library. This will be an organizational meeting followed by open forum. Experienced members of the Genealogical Society of Okaloosa County are forming a free Genealogy Special Interest Group. The group is dedicated to helping new and experienced genealogists advance their research and explore genealogy-related subjects. The group will then offer individual guidance. Email GSOCGSIG@gmail.com for details.

MAC USERS GROUP: Jan. 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the Northwest Florida State College Student Services Center, Room 308/309. Anne Hornstein will present "Back to the Basics and Beyond," with a focus on photos — shared, and group texts. Attendees are encouraged to bring their Mac devices. For more information, visit FWBMug.com, or contact Jean Dutton at 862-3327 or jeancdutton@mac.com.

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.

•Jan. 8, member's home, "Seeds on Ice."

•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 

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.

CRESTVIEW LIONS CLUB: 5:15 p.m. every first and third Thursday, Samuel's Roadhouse, 114 John King Road. Details: BJ Thomhave at Foxwood Country Club, 682-2012.

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

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

Okaloosa collecting delinquent business tax receipts

SHALIMAR — The Okaloosa County Tax Collector’s Office is collecting delinquent Business Tax Receipts in January.

Tax Collector Ben Anderson says, "BTRs, formerly known as an occupational license, are required for businesses that provide merchandise, entertainment, or services to the public, even if only a one-person company or home-based business."

"We want the public to know this is not a scam. Agents will only call during business hours, Monday through Friday, and identify themselves as Tax Collector employees."

If business owners have questions concerning the call or any other Tax Collector issue, they can call 651-7310.

BTRs are renewed annually and should be paid by Sept. 30 to avoid any penalties. Business owners can initiate, renew or pay for BTRs at www.OkaloosaTax.com. When paying online, E-Check is free.

Payments can also be made at any Tax Collector branch office, or by phone at 651-7300.

Library sets next open-mic poetry night 

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Public Library’s next monthly open-mic night for poets and musicians to read, perform, improvise and play together is Tuesday, Jan. 9 at 6:30 p.m.

This month's poetry topic is, "Every Word is a Bird We Teach to Sing."

Admittance is free, and everyone is welcome, even if you don't write poetry or play music.

Arrive at 6 p.m. for conversation and snacks; the poetry starts at 6:30 p.m.

The Robert L.F. Sikes Crestview Public Library is located at 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview.

CareerSource Okaloosa sets 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. 10, 1-4 p.m., CareerSource Okaloosa Walton, 409 Racetrack Road NE, Fort Walton Beach

•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

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     

Florida Chautauqua Assembly to feature paranormal investigators 

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 to those attending on Friday, Jan. 26 at Walton High School. Four-day all-inclusive passports for the entire event are on sale now 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.

Act4Mystery sets Crestview dinner theatre 

CRESTVIEW — Act4Mystery (formerly Act4Murder) in January will perform two nights of Northwest Florida dinner theatre featuring comedy, mystery and murder.

The local professional comedy troupe, which has performed together since 2003, has a fundraiser planned Jan. 20 for the Greater Federation of Woman’s Clubs’ Fort Walton Beach chapter.

Tickets for "Bebopped at the Sock Hop" — to be held at the Elks Lodge, 1335 Miracle Strip Parkway — cost $40 and can be purchased by calling 582-2511, 974-3899 or 461-1471, or visit PS Gifts in Fort Walton Beach. 

The troupe will perform "Killer in the Kitchen" 6:30 p.m. Jan. 27 at Samuel’s Roadhouse, located at 114 John King Road in Crestview. Seating begins at 6 p.m.; the price is $38 and includes a three-course meal. Reservations can be made at www.act4murder.com.

V.I.P. packages with special merchandise and recognition are also available online. Call Act4Mystery at 862-2885 for additional information.

"Our shows are nothing but fun and games, but remember, someone is going to die!" the troupe stated in a media release. "Will you and your table of sleuths win a prize for guessing whodunit?"

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 — A year-long Habitat for Humanity in Okaloosa County campaign is poised to benefit a number of families.

Proceeds from Miles of Quarters, the $300,000 Pave the Way Home campaign's first fundraiser, will help construct a road and provide utilities for a future Crestview neighborhood.

"Since we need to raise the funds for the infrastructure — meaning the power, water and sewer lines, the fire hydrant, curbs and the road itself — we came up with 'Pave the Way Home,' because without the road the homes cannot be built," Melissa Litscher, Habitat for Humanity in Okaloosa County’s Community Outreach director, said. "So to enable families to get 'home,' we need to pave the way. The 'Miles of Quarters' is just one of the fundraisers we will have to help move this campaign forward.

"We continue to build homes on land we currently own and that are already on accessible property, so home sponsors are always welcome."

The dedication of home 59 in Okaloosa County took place in December in Crestview, and volunteers raised the first walls of home 60 on Jan. 2.

Gulf Power is sponsoring construction of home 60, located on Lincoln Street in Crestview. Some of the families helping in its construction are building "sweat equity," and may later be able to help construct their own homes through Habitat Okaloosa.

The housing will benefit more than just families who live there, according to Litscher.

"Communities are improved by adding to the tax rolls; parents are more involved in the schools, churches and civic organizations in communities where they own a home," she said. "Students of homeowners are more stable, less likely to have teenage pregnancy and more likely to graduate high school and go beyond in their education.

"These students typically have fewer discipline issues at school and are more involved in extracurricular activities."

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'We need to pave the way'

CRESTVIEW — Over six weeks after being critically injured in a car accident, two Crestview children are coming home. 

But, not to the home in Covington, Tennessee, where they used to live with their mother and father. The children will instead start a new life back in Crestview with their uncle and aunt — Michael and Misty Gibson.

"The two of them have a long road ahead and they'll never be the same" Michael said Wednesday.

On Nov. 18, 5-year-old Skyler Sims sustained major brain damage and 12-year-old Bartly Sims Jr.'s arm was amputated after a head-on collision in Covington, Tennessee. 

The children's father, Bartly Sims, Sr., drove into the opposite lane of traffic and hit a Jeep Wrangler, according to a Tennessee traffic crash report.

Sims was charged with driving under the influence, child abuse and neglect, driving with a revoked or suspended license, driving without exercising due care and vehicular assault.

The children's mother was also in the car and received major injuries. Their third child, 10-year-old Leland, was not in the vehicle during the crash and is already in Crestview with the Gibsons.

"They didn't expect Skyler to live," Michael Gibson said. "She's not brain dead, but they haven't noticed any forced movements. They never expect her to be able to walk and she'll be on a feeding tube for the rest of her life."

Michael Gibson said he and his wife asked his sister for custody of the three children right before the accident, but were denied. The Simses had been living in Crestview until a few weeks before the crash.

"It feels horrible because I feel like I let them down," Gibson said. "There they were, right in my grasp, as three healthy children. I can never give them the life they should have had."

Skyler and Bartly are still receiving treatment at a hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. They will be transported to Crestview in about three weeks after Bartly finishes receiving skin grafts for his reattached arm. 

Misty Gibson is with the children in Tennessee until they return home, while Michael is in Crestview with Leland and his own teenage children.

Michael said the family recently purchased a two-bedroom home, but they will likely sell it to purchase a larger, handicap-friendly house. They said they will also need to purchase a van with a wheelchair lift to bring Skyler back and forth to doctors appointments.

"It's hard because it was a struggle just trying to make ends meet beforehand," Michael Gibson said. "Now I have three extra children, two who have special needs. One will never use his arm again and the other will never get out of bed again.

"It's a terrible thing to know that a 5-year-old will have that life."

Want to help? The family has started a gofundme.com account at https://www.gofundme.com/its-always-the-innocent-ones.

LISTEN: Newscycle

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'They'll never be the same'

CRESTVIEW — A retired chef is gathering verbal stories for a 10-year project on food. He is currently accepting food stories from Northwest Florida residents that will be archived at the Baker Block Museum.

Over the past three years, Jim "Oso" Wallman has been recording people's stories about the food their families grow, eat and prepare. As a chef, he has traveled to seven countries, approximately 24 states and lived in about 50 different homes during his career.

"This gave me keen insight into how people would eat, how they cooked their food at home. I would stay in people's homes for two to four months at a time as a guest, and document and study their cuisine and culture and how they lived.

"I collected a lot of stories along the way and I wanted to continue that here," the Crestview resident said.

Today the farm, tomorrow the world

Wallman, his sister, and late brother, Joe, grew up on a farm on Airport Road in Crestview, where their mother still lives today. His sister is Shirley Chestnut of Crestview.

"My mom is Mexican, and my dad (the late Don Wallman) was German-Hungarian, so we had different cuisines in the house," James Wallman said.

They raised animals, foraged in the woods, and gardened.

"We made everything from scratch. We had three big gardens, so you learned how to really prepare food from scratch, and canning it and preserving it. And from that, I just naturally went into becoming a cook locally," he said.

The family cooked a lot of food to raise money for their church as well, he said, "… so I learned from age 13 on how to prepare 5,000 burritos … 1,200 tacos for a weekend at the Mullet Festival. And from that I was able to go and travel around the world, and because everybody has to eat, I can get a job anywhere."

A history of food

Wallman has already recorded some stories from Okaloosa residents, and will interview people of all ages 11 a.m. to noon each Friday in January at the Baker Block Museum. The talks will be saved to archives at the Baker Block Museum, and senior citizens will get a free copy of the stories they share.

What kind of stories are wanted?

One story Wallman mentioned is the 2003 visit he had with a then-112-year-old woman in Senegal, West Africa. She told him how the French-style breakfast she eats every day — bread with a chocolate peanut spread and hot tea — hearkens back to when France colonized the region. He said fish and rice dishes are a major part of the family's every day diet as well.

While in Senegal, he also learned an interesting cooking method he hadn't seen before.

"I enjoyed roasted peanuts a lot and I saw a lady using a wok-type cooker over charcoal, filled with sand, and she was roasting the peanuts in the sand — like beach sand — as a temperature medium that would provide even heat. When the skins popped, the peanuts were done and (the skins could be used to) keep the sand off. I thought that was genius," he said.

And that ingenuity, the foods people eat, forgotten food words and techniques that may not be well known in other parts of the world, who does the cooking at home — these are some of the things Wallman and the Baker Block Museum are hoping to preserve.

He wants to know about people's food sources, travel, visitors, holidays, potlucks, special dishes and family gatherings with loved ones.

Another thing of interest is this. "If you have a really unusual kitchen tool, please bring it with you. I can photograph those to go with stories," he said.

Wallman is hearing about other things as well.

As an icebreaker, he asked a 94-year-old about the first memory he recalls having. The man said he remembered his father holding up a newspaper with a huge headline — "Aviator Charles Lindbergh Crosses The Atlantic" — about Lindbergh completing the first solo airplane flight from the United States to Paris in the 1920s.

Call the Baker Block Museum, 537-5714, to schedule a Friday museum appointment. Other arrangements are available for senior citizens or residents who may be unable to travel.

James "Oso" Wallman's food story recordings will be a feature of a weekly radio magazine currently in development. The show will cover topics such as nutrition, food science and security, policy, sanitation, etc. It will also serve as an educational tool.

What's next?

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: What's your food story?

CRESTVIEW — Crestview Pregnancy Center is accepting participant and team registrations for its upcoming fundraiser.

The Walk For Life is 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 7 at the Old Spanish Trail Park pavilion, located on Stillwell Boulevard in Crestview.

Activities include the hour-long walk, rock painting for kids and bounce house equipment. Dance group performances inspired by rain and fine arts are also part of the event. Various church groups also will perform.

The center will provide lunch for registered participants, and food vendors will be at the site.

The center has raised 35 percent of its $50,000 goal as of this writing. All proceeds will help pay for additional personnel and community outreach classes to meet increased needs, according to a center spokesperson.

See www.cpcwalk2018.com to sign up or form a five-person team.

Sponsorships are also available. Contact Huguette Pitts, hugpitts@cox.net or 582-2427, for details.

Visit www.crestviewpregnancycenter.org for more information about available services.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Pregnancy Center sets walk fundraiser