MILLIGAN — Among North Okaloosa County’s Christmas light displays is Dan and Trish Gartner’s feast for the eyes, which has become a holiday fixture.

The couple annually decorate their front yard on Ray Street, complete with a nativity scene, The Nutcracker, Santa Claus, reindeer, Christmas trees and Disney characters, among other cheerful sights.

The display takes three weeks to recreate, Trish, a retired Publix employee, has said.

"Our family needs to be credited with their huge help getting the yard ready this year," she said.

This year, "We have a huge helicopter, and a great big hugging bear," Trish said. "The children love [having] their picture with him; his arms move for a ‘bear hug.’"

You can see the lights from 5-10 p.m. seven days a week at 5206 Ray St., Milligan.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Milligan couple’s Christmas display returns

QUINCY — Okaloosa County Emergency Management and the Okaloosa County School Board recently teamed up with Walmart, which donated the use of two tractor trailers and drivers for Farm Share Quincy.

They were able to make the 141-mile journey to the Quincy Farm Share Facility and take back with them 7,250 pounds of water, 860 blankets and 41,040 meals for kids, the homeless and disaster relief. They planned to return with a couple of flat beds to get more.

"When I heard we would be receiving over a million and a half pounds of disaster relief meals, we had to think outside the box," said Dave Reynolds, the Quincy Farm Share facility manager. "I gave my assistant, Monica Owens, the task of contacting all the Emergency Managements and school boards in the 16 counties surrounding us.

"She really knocked it out of the park."

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa donations boost Farm Share Quincy

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: The Bulletin Kid

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

WASTE PRO HOLIDAY SCHEDULE: Waste Pro will be closed Dec. 25 in observance of Christmas Day. Residential waste collection will be on Dec. 28. Recycling for Monday customers will be picked up Dec. 26 due to the Christmas holiday. Waste Pro will also be closed Jan. 1, 2018 in observance of New Year's Day. Residential waste collection will be on Jan. 4. Recycling for Monday customers will be picked up on Jan. 2.

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

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

HOLIDAY VICTORIAN TEA: 2 p.m. Dec. 16, Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida, 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso. Experience a history program about Victorian tea etiquette, costume, and holiday traditions while enjoying a variety of teas and light refreshments. Cost is $18 per person, or $16 for museum members.  Recommended for ages 8 and up.  Reservations are required due to limited space. RSVP: 678-2615.

EMERALD COAST CHRISTMAS MIRACLE CHILDREN’S FIESTA: 1-7 p.m. Dec. 17, Emerald Coast Convention Center, 1250 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Fort Walton Beach. Free giveway for needy families. New toys for all who attend.  The 1-2 p.m. hour is only for families with kids with disabilities. The public will be allowed to enter at 2 p.m. Food, games, DJs, singers, church choirs, clowns, magicians, dance contests for bikes and more. Free coats courtesy of the United Way’s Coats for Kids program will also be given out. Business sponsorship opportunities, volunteers and monetary or in-kind donations welcome. Visit www.unitedforagoodcause.org for details, or see the group's Facebook page. David, 368-3505, or Estela, 305-3686 or e-mail united4agoodcause@gmail.com.

WASTE PRO HOLIDAY SCHEDULE: Waste Pro will be closed Dec. 25 in observance of Christmas Day. Residential waste collection will be on Dec. 28. Recycling for Monday customers will be picked up Dec. 26 due to the Christmas holiday. Waste Pro will also be closed Jan. 1, 2018 in observance of New Year's Day. Residential waste collection will be on Jan. 4. Recycling for Monday customers will be picked up on Jan. 2.

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.

AMBASSADOR COMMITTEE MEETING: 8:30 a.m. Nov. 29, Crestview chamber office, 107 Commerce Blvd. Become more involved in the Crestview chamber of commerce, network and grow your business. Amber Ellis or Karen Donaldson, ambassadors@crestviewchamber.com.

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

CRESTVIEW — Local author J.J. McDaniel is releasing a second version of his latest book, and this one includes something extra special.

The first edition of "Papyrophilia: The Story of a Baseball Card Collector" was published in August, but the new release includes a foreword by Bobby Richardson, who was second baseman for the New York Yankees in 1955. Among his teammates were Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle.

Richardson, 82, was recognized as an All-Star seven times; he was a three-time World Series champion, and the 1960 World Series Most Valuable Player. Additional awards include the Lou Gehrig Award and five consecutive Gold Glove Awards from 1960 to 1965.

He retired from professional baseball in 1966 — "I was missing out on what was the most important part of my life, which was spending time with my family," he said — and was head coach at University of South Carolina from 1970 to 1976.

The Yankees had "81 games on the road traveling, first by plane … Coaching was a good way I could do that. I could live in my home and coach at Columbia. You'd have the whole summer," Richardson said.

McDaniel met Richardson in 1999 when he was stationed at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina.

"While I lived in Sumter, I attended Bondovlove Baptist Church. The pastor was Bobby Richardson’s son, Ron. Thanks to my involvement at Bondovlove, I cultivated a friendship with Bobby," McDaniel said.

"(We) grew close during this time, thanks to our shared passion for baseball and mutual love for Jesus. I enjoyed numerous occasions at Bobby’s home with his family for meals and fellowship gatherings.

"When we were together, Bobby shared stories about his experiences as a New York Yankee and showed me precious memorabilia. In fact, I was able to wield the very bat Bobby used to earn Most Valuable Player honors in the 1960 World Series," McDaniel said.

"We remained friends when he went off and served his country," Richardson said. "We kept in touch and exchanged letters at Christmastime."

Those papers are among McDaniel's treasured possessions.

"I saved some of those handwritten letters for sentimental reasons. You see, Bobby is more to me than a three-time world champion, more than an eight-time All-Star, more than a Yankee great. He is my brother in Christ and my friend."

He wrote to Richardson after completing "Paphyrophilia" and asked him to write the book's foreword.

"In response, Bobby called me. Over two telephone conversations, word for word, we etched out Papyrophilia’s foreword," McDaniel said.

The book explains not only McDaniel's passion for baseball card collecting, but also the history of it, the psychology behind it, and the addictive tendencies of the hobby.

McDaniel's collecting began when his father, Jerry, gave him his first baseball card in the 1980s, but he was officially bit by the collecting bug when he got a 1984 Topps Don Mattingly Rookie Card (No. 8).

"For many years, that was my favorite baseball card," the author said.

In his book, McDaniel discusses his frequent visits to Tampa, the spring training home for the Yankees, his favorite team, and how closely interacting with the finer qualities of sports can influence behaviors like collecting.

"Papyrophilia: The Story of a Baseball Card Collector" is available on Amazon.

OTHER BOOKS

JJ McDaniel published "The Dansville Darling" (under "Johnathan Joseph McDaniel"), a tribute to his grandfather, who was a Crestview resident and U.S. military veteran. He is working on a western called "The Great Falls Gunslinger."

BASEBALL CARD COLLECTING TIPS:

•Pursue it for love of the game or admiration for a player. "Otherwise, you will quickly lose interest," McDaniel said. "If you enter the hobby with an investment attitude, you are likely to be disappointed." He said there's usually not a return on investments until three to four decades have passed.

•"If you insist on investing, you must be aware of the three pillars of value: 1. Subject, 2. Scarcity and 3. Shape. In other words, in order for a card to possess premium value it must display a popular player, it must be relatively rare, and it must be in great condition."

MORE FROM J.J. McDANIEL

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: A baseball fan's dream

CRESTVIEW — For almost two decades, the Crestview Police Department’s Cops for Kids program has assisted struggling local families by providing new, age-appropriate unwrapped toys for children between ages 2 and 16.

On the morning of Dec. 15, CPD officers, members of the Crestview Citizens Police Academy Alumni and employees of Allen Turner Chevrolet gathered at Crestview’s Wal-Mart to purchase toys. Parents and guardians of local youths could apply for the program through the police department.

A VOLUNTARY EFFORT

"Last year we shopped for more than 130 kids, filling at least 16 shopping carts," CPD Public Information Officer Brian Hughes said. "This year, it looks like we may double the number of children served."

In fact, almost 250 local kids will benefit from this year's program, according to a CPD media release.

This increase is attributed to Allen Turner Chevrolet, which presented the police department with a check for more than $15,000. The automobile dealer's employees voluntarily deducted donations from their paychecks throughout the year.

"We decided that when [Allen Turner] bought the dealership over here, we wanted to do something… and this was a program that was local… it would be local kids, and it looked like a good thing for us to support," Susan Vaughn, office manager of Allen Turner Chevrolet, said.

"The first year that we did it, we didn’t collect a whole lot of money, so this year we made a much more concerted effort to make sure we got plenty and could help lots of kids with it."

Many other residents donated toys, funds and clothes; toys and cash also came from area businesses, including Edward Jones financial adviser Yvonne Shanklin.

'PEOPLE HAVE BEEN REAL GENEROUS'

Friday morning, Crestview Police Community Services Officers Wanda Hulion and Sam Kimmons, along with a number of volunteers, visited Wal-Mart to buy toys and other items. Helping them were members of the alumni group, police officers and Crestview City Clerk Betsy Roy.

The store was happy to accommodate the volunteers.

"We have a long-standing history here in the [city] of Crestview and we’ve been supported by the community every single year, and we love to give back in the spirit of our founder, Mr. Sam Walton, who always said, ‘Give back everywhere that you go,’" Tracy Dickerson, Wal-Mart’s store manager, said.

"If we can open our doors up and allow the local law enforcement — who we also support and have great respect for — to come in, and just be gracious hosts to them while they … do a little shopping and spread some Christmas cheer, it’s our pleasure and it’s our privilege to be able to be involved in an event like this."

Twenty-five shopping carts contained 800 gifts for the Cops for Kids effort; the police department spent close to $10,000 for this year's shopping event, according to a CPD media release.

“People have been real generous this year,” Kimmons said. “These young ‘uns are going to be very happy Christmas morning.”

'WE JUST LOVE GIVING BACK'

Hulion said those requesting the program's assistance include "incapacitated parents, single parents on low incomes, families that recently moved to the area and have minimal financial resources, and even grandparents raising their own kids’ children on fixed incomes," the release stated.

"Some applicants were disqualified for having received assistance from the program last year or receiving assistance from another program," the release stated.

“We don’t allow double-dipping,” Kimmons said. “That’s not fair to other families.”

As for funds not used this year?

A portion will remain in the alumni group's Cops for Kids account for future Christmases. Some will help purchase toys to be distributed for the alumni group's annual Toy Run, during which police distribute toys in low-income housing areas just before Christmas.

“We just love giving back to our community,” Hulion said. “We sometimes have to deal with negative things.

"We look forward to doing this positive event.”

Here’s how Crestview’s Cops For Kids effort adds up for 2017:

250: Approximate number of children benefiting from the program

808: Number of toys bought Friday morning at the Crestview Wal-Mart

$9,630: Value of toys bought Friday morning

35: Bags of new, unwrapped toys donated by businesses and individuals

BY THE NUMBERS

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: For the children

CRESTVIEW — Area residents can celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa Dec. 19 at the Crestview Public Library. The 14th annual Noel Night begins 6 p.m. and wraps around 7:30 p.m.

Destiny from Crestview High School, led by Kevin Lusk; a group from Emmanuel Baptist Church; soloist J. R. Lewis; and New Life Worship Center choir, led by Sherrell Compton, will fill the library with Christmas music. Youth Royalty Dance Team from Kingdom Life Worship Center will dance. 

"We are making ornaments this year while supplies last! Scavenge the library for Kwanzaa symbols and win a prize!" an event media release states. "You can also win a prize by playing dreidel!

"We may even have a surprise visit from… Well, you’ll just have to see for yourself!"

All ages are welcome at Noel Night, and registration is not required. If you’d like to give back to your community, bring a nonperishable item, and library staffers will ensure it goes to Sharing and Caring. 

Call 682-4432 with any questions.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview library sets 'Noel Night'

What would Christmas be without fresh seafood? Well, in many parts of the world, including our beautiful Emerald Coast, it just wouldn’t be Christmas without preparing and consuming some treasure from the sea. Seafood and Christmas, it seems, have a centuries-long history of being celebrated together.

The long tradition of eating seafood on Christmas Eve originates from the Catholic tradition of abstaining from eating meat or dairy on Fridays or holy days. Christmas Eve was one such day, so in Catholic countries, like Italy, many would eat fish instead.

This tradition has come to be known as the "Feast of the Seven Fishes." This Christmas Eve meal typically consists of seven, or more, seafood dishes to celebrate the night before the actual feast on Christmas Day.

Many families in central European countries, like Poland and Czechoslovakia, feast on a Christmas carp for their Christmas Eve dinner. The wild-caught carp actually spends time in the family bathtub for a few days prior, in order to improve on its sometimes muddy flavor.

In Ireland, the Christmas Eve dinner features a simple stew made from a fish called the ling.

When Irish cooks immigrated to America and couldn’t find the salty, preserved, ling fish, they substituted oysters, which were bountiful during the winter months and had a similar taste and texture.

Speaking of oysters, oyster stuffing has been an American tradition since the country was founded. Northern oyster stuffing tends to feature breadcrumbs, while the southern version uses cornbread. There are many recipes available from the early 1900s including "oyster stuffing for roast turkey" from the famous Fannie Farmer’s Boston Cooking School.

A little closer to home, anyone visiting Louisiana during the holidays is sure to consume some seafood gumbo and grilled oysters. Local shrimp and oysters are readily available along the Emerald Coast during December. What is a Christmas party without a heaping platter for freshly steamed bay shrimp? Just visit your favorite local fish monger to get the freshest local product or get out and catch your own.

Don’t worry if you have not had much experience cooking seafood. There is a lot of help available. Check out this Fresh from Florida website from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: http://bit.ly/2knOizk. They have great recipes, charts indicating what is in season and even videos to help with your preparation techniques.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: We 'fish' you a Merry Christmas!