CRESTVIEW — Gary and Doris Johnson of The New Way of Life Outreach Ministry are planning a free Thanksgiving feast for the community's homeless and hungry.

The meal will be served at 2 p.m. Nov. 23 at 398 Spring St. N., Crestview. They also invite all military members, EMS and law enforcement officers to attend.

"I know that there are a lot of us that know what it is like to be hungry and in need and without family at this time of year," Gary Johnson said. "Come out and participate with us on Thanksgiving Day."

All businesses and individuals in Okaloosa County and surrounding areas may assist with the effort.

Donations needed are: 20 turkeys; 10 hams, five roasts; turkey legs; turkey wings; celery; onions; bell peppers; cheese; macaroni; cream of chicken soup; cream of mushroom soup; cream of celery soup; eggs; white potatoes; sweet potatoes; pie crusts; whole milk; cans of Carnation milk; sugar; salad dressing; peanut oil; pickle relish; vanilla flavoring; water, sodas and juices; napkins; paper towels dinner trays; plastic forks; and spoons.

Donations are tax deductible. There is also a need for volunteers.

Last Thanksgiving, the Johnsons said, they fed 559 people, and expect to help 400 to 450 this year.

"May God bless you and your family during the holidays," Gary Johnson said.

Call the Johnsons at 229-379-1741 or 398-0431 for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Donations sought for Thanksgiving meal

CRESTVIEW — In 1955, a 35-year-old two-star South Korean general named Hong Hi Choi coined the term Taekwon-Do. About 10 years later he formed the International Taekwon-Do Federation, which would serve as a launching platform for millions to do the most popular martial art in the world. Before his death in 2002, seven men were promoted to the highest rank of 9th degree black belt. The second of those men is Kwang S. Hwang.

In the martial arts world, getting the opportunity to meet a first-generation martial artist is unusual. An opportunity to catch a seminar with one is even more unlikely. On Nov. 2, the students at Gordon Martial Arts were able to learn directly from Grand Master KS Hwang. During the seminar the students were taught in fundamentals of Taekwon-Do with principles of generation of power as went through all of the color belt patterns. Afterward there was opportunity for pictures and quick visits.

Hwang was born in 1942 and started his martial arts training at age 11. Graduating top of his class, in 1968–1969, he was one of the Taekwon-Do instructors dispatched to Vietnam during the war. While in Vietnam, as a captain in the ROKA, he taught the art to the Korean Tiger Division, the Korean Army, U.S. Army, U.S. Marines, and Vietnamese Army.

While in Vietnam, he received commendation medals from Korea and Vietnam. In 1971 he was service company commander of the 26th Infantry Division, which was also known as the Taekwon-Do Division. After leaving his military career, he moved to the USA and opened a martial arts school. Today he travels around the world teaching Taekwon-Do.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Gordon Martial Arts students learn from taekwondo artist

Here are upcoming Crestview Public Library-related events. The library's address is 1445 Commerce Drive.

AGES 0-2 LIBRARY CLASS: 9:15 a.m. Crestview library. Topics: Nov. 17, Thanksgiving; Dec. 1, On the Go; and Dec. 8 and 15, Christmas.

AGES 3-5 LIBRARY CLASS: 10:15 a.m. Tuesdays, Crestview library. Topics: Nov. 14, Giving Thanks; Nov. 28, On the Road; and Dec. 5 and 12, Wrap It Up.

FAMILY LIBRARY TIME: for ages 4 and up. Visit the library for details as the date nears.

• 6:30-7:15 p.m. Nov. 21 — Wild Things. Guess which wild animal left the waste. Dissect owl pellets.
• 6-7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 — Noel Night. Music, makings and munchies.

READ TO DOZER: First Saturdays, 10-11 a.m.; for children ages 4 and up.

COFFEE & CRAFT: 10 a.m. second Saturdays, Crestview library. Call 682-4432 to reserve your spot.

TEEN TIME: 2-4 p.m. Fridays in the meeting room, Crestview library. Featuring Wii and virtual reality games, etc. For sixth- through 12th-graders.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: UPCOMING

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

CRESTVIEW — Dominique Thompson is a senior at Crestview High School and one of nine females in Okaloosa County selected to join the 2017 Subway High School All-Star Volleyball team.

The Subway High School All-Star Series is a sequence of games between high school senior athletes from Okaloosa, Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. The main volleyball game is set Nov. 16 at the University of West Florida.

Here, we catch up with Dominique on making the all-star team, her everyday life and her aspirations.

How long have you been playing volleyball?

I have been playing volleyball for seven years.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I really enjoy going out and having a good time with friends and family, but if they're occupied, I would play a fun game of any sport (volleyball, basketball, football).

How much free time do you actually get between sports and school?

I don’t get a lot of free time anymore. On a daily basis, I get about 2-3 hours of free time, and time is something that all teenagers wish they had more of. We only get 24 hours in a day.

Do you play any other sports?

No, not at the school. Volleyball is the one and only sport I love.

How do you feel about making the Subway All-star team?

I am super excited about making the All-Star team. It is an honor to represent my school. I am glad I get so many opportunities because we always don’t get second chances.

What do you want to do as a career?

Law enforcement/criminal justice.

Do you plan on going to college? If so, where?

I do plan on going to college, but I’m deciding on whether or not I want to go South University or Hillsborough Community College.

What's some advice you live by?

Live as if you were going to die tomorrow, and learn as if you were to live forever. Tomorrow is not always guaranteed, so make the best out of today and always seek knowledge. Also try not to procrastinate, it hurts your future.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Catching up with all-star volleyball player Dominique Thompson

CRESTVIEW — Three Northwest Florida companies are banding together to assist the Crestview Area Shelter for the Homeless.

Synovus Mortgage, Coastal Bank and Trust (a Synovus branch) and Lori Zimmerman and Laurie Brady from Remax Agency One are using 100 percent of the proceeds from November mortgage applications and accepting donations to provide funding for the shelter. Coastal Vice President Karen Donaldson got the approval for a $25 match per application filed for the bank, as well.

Amber Ellis, mortgage loan originator for Synovus, said, "As I have been processing applications for new homeowners (around Thanksgiving), it occurred to me that Crestview has residents that have no home.

"I felt since Synovus culture is to impact the market in which we reside that fundraising for the homeless was a perfect fit."

That impact is already being made. On the first day, business participants presented donations totaling $102 to Ann Sprague, CASH president, according to Ellis. She said Zimmerman and Brady are challenging real estate agents to step up and match their donation of $25 per application.

"A big shout out to Dale Henderson, of Lee GMC. [He] donated his 50/50 winnings from the Chamber of Commerce breakfast. I received another pledge from Anderson’s Heating and A/C," Ellis said.

Area residents and real estate agents who wish to make a donation to CASH may go to any Coastal Bank and Trust and deposit into the account in the name of Crestview Area Shelter for the Homeless.

Ellis said all Coastal Bank and Trust locations will have the One Hopeful Place cans for people to donate to the homeless shelter in Fort Walton Beach as well.

"We're trying to get them as much money as we can, with them being in a temporary location. I encourage businesses and people in the community to step up and let’s help get a permanent (homeless shelter)," Ellis said. Anyone who can assist with land may contact Ann Sprague at 826-1770.

Contact Ellis at 865-4560 to participate in the match program; to apply for a purchase or refinance; or for additional information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Companies help support Crestview homeless shelter

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

HOLT — Elie’s Voice — a Holt-based non-profit organization — operates with the mission to help children in need and to promote suicide prevention.

The organization was founded in March 2015 by sisters-in-law Angela Meeks and Jennifer Oliver after the death of 13-year-old Elie, Meeks' son.

Elie and his other siblings, at their mother’s request, went to live with Meeks’ sister-in-law, Oliver, and her husband in Laurel Hill. This move caused challenges for Elie, who was a student at Shoal River Middle School.

Elie committed suicide on Dec. 18, 2014.

The Oliver and Meeks families formed Elie’s Voice to help remove Okaloosa County children’s risk of suicide and ensure kids feel loved. The name Elie stands for “Every Life Is Essential,” the organization’s slogan.

Elie’s Voice has no paid members, according to Oliver, and is run solely by volunteers and donations. The organization works to implement suicide-prevention programs and assemblies in local schools.

“We currently service the following schools in Okaloosa County: Walker Elementary, Riverside, Shoal River, Davidson and Laurel Hill,” Oliver said.

Elie’s Voice oversees the Back Pack Buddies program that provides packs of food to children in need of food assistance outside school.

“The back packs are food for the weekends to make sure they have enough food while not receiving the meals at school each day,” Oliver said. “They receive things in the back packs like oatmeal, grits, cereal, soup or spaghetti and meatballs, macaroni and cheese, fruit cups, applesauce, beef sticks, peanut butter crackers, fruit snacks [and other] assorted, individually wrapped, non-perishable food items.”

The organization also provides back packs and school supplies for each of the children in their program, as well as other children in need in the community.

“We packed over 250 back packs with school supplies this year,” Oliver said.

Elie’s Voice hosts a Christmas Stocking program each year and provides filled Christmas stockings for each of the students in their program and others in the community who may be in need.  

“We have some new things coming up in 2018 with our suicide prevention program,” Oliver said. “We are going to be doing a Christmas party for the Children In Crisis, Inc…. in Fort Walton Beach. We are also collecting non-perishable food items and household items for their pantry.”  

Elie’s Voice has a Facebook page where Meeks and Oliver update the community on the organization’s programs and volunteer opportunities.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Holt non-profit promotes teen suicide prevention

The College Football Playoff Ranking and the Associated Press Poll, and sports news media sites are all talking Alabama-Notre Dame or Georgia-Ohio State. But you see, the other teams do not have the same win-loss status.

Have you noticed that they have left out Wisconsin, but think Oklahoma State and Oklahoma are better teams? And do you see the scramble for the Bowl bids, lining them up to see who is going to be their opponent? Ahhh! to have a good working crystal ball.

Here are your 10 picks for the week plus a tie breaker for Nov. 11.

1. Florida State Seminoles versus Clemson Tigers: Just about all the teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference are beating up on Florida State. Why stop now? Clemson by 21.

2. North Carolina State Wolfpack vs. Boston College Eagles: This should be a great game to watch. Wolfpack by 10.

3. The Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: This was in line for game of the week, but everyone knows that the Hokies will walk away with this game by 13.

4. Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Miami Hurricanes: This “ACC game of the week” is the game everyone loves to see, because so many people hate these two teams, and they are picking the loser, not the winner. Hurricanes wins by 10.

5. Duke Blue Devils vs. Army Black Knights: It's an opportunity for the Blue Devils to redeem themselves, but the Army said this will be our best season in 10 years. Army by 6.

6. Tennessee Volunteers vs. Missouri Tigers: There is a possibility that the Vols could win this game, but that is said in each game. They're still not able to pull it off. Tigers in a close one by 3.

7. Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs: "The Train" is still running full steam ahead and nothing is going to stop them. Tide by 21.

8. Arkansas Razorbacks vs. LSU Tigers: There is a small, very small chance for an upset by Arkansas, but it's home for the Tigers, LSU win by 1.

9. Georgia Dawgs vs. Auburn War Eagles: This is the Southeastern Conference game of the week. Auburn needs to keep the eagle in its cage because the Dawgs will take big bite out of it. Dawgs by 21.

10. Florida Gators vs. South Carolina Gamecocks: The Gamecocks are really going to enjoy this game. There will be Gator meat for all the fans. South Carolina by 13.

Tie breaker: Michigan State Spartans vs. Ohio State Buckeyes: An upset is coming. Michigan State does what it did two years ago — beat Ohio State at home. Spartans by 2.

There's a good chance that the ACC will be in 10 bowl games this year. Eight will be all the SEC can fill, but that is not counting the playoffs.

Bill Everett is a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and lives in the Baker area.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: College football picks, week 11

CRESTVIEW — David Costa Enterprises will have a grand re-opening celebration for the second McDonald’s restaurant renovation in Crestview.

The event starts at 9 a.m. Nov. 10 at the south Crestview site in front of Walmart.

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

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

"This location, like all the Costa Family restaurants continues to create a positive economic impact in the Crestview area, as the restaurant will employ approximately 60 people, with many new job opportunities anticipated," a Costa media release states. The company operates 20 McDonald's restaurants in Northwest Florida.

Call 897-3169 or visit costamcd.com or their Facebook page for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: McDonald's location ready for grand re-opening

CRESTVIEW — Loomis Bros. Circus will bring their new “Twenty Years of Tradition Tour” to Crestview’s Old Spanish Trail Park. 

Performances will take place Thursday, Nov. 9 through Sunday, Nov. 12; Thursday, Friday and Saturday events are set 4:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday's finale is 3 p.m. at the Stillwell Boulevard Park.

The circus will feature a herd of performing elephants, White Siberian and Royal Bengal tigers, acrobats, performing poodles and live music, among other attractions.

“This year marks our twentieth year of presenting performances throughout North America and we’ve pulled out all the stops to celebrate this momentous occasion,” said Justin Loomis, the show’s producer and Ringmaster. “We have many surprises in store for you and your family in this year’s production, including an all new updated look and line-up of amazing acts from around the world.

"We are also very proud that we continue to present exotic animals in our show, and are the only touring circus in the United States where you can see a mixed herd of both Asian and African elephants!”

Full-priced admission to the circus is $20 for adults and $8 for children ages 2 to 12. Coupons for “Free Kids Tickets” are available at most merchants throughout Okaloosa County. There are also a limited number of discounted advance tickets available through the sponsor by calling 240-4053. Tickets may also be purchased, with cash only, at the circus box office on the day of show.

The annual event is sponsored by the Crestview Historic Preservation Board, which receives a portion of each ticket sold.

All seating for the circus is general admission and doors open approximately one hour before each scheduled showtime.

Patrons are encouraged to arrive early for best seat selection.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Loomis Bros. Circus returns to Crestview