CRESTVIEW — Here’s a calendar of upcoming events in North Okaloosa County and surrounding areas. 

HOME BUYERS BOOTCAMP SEMINARS: 9-11 a.m. Nov. 4, 1-3 p.m. Nov 4, or 1-3 p.m. Nov. 5 at Comfort Inn & Suites, 900 Southcrest Drive, Crestview. First-time homebuyers may attend free seminar for details like where to start, the steps in the process and other information from industry experts including lenders, title agents and real estate agents. Contact Andrew Tveit, 603- 9088 or Andrew.tveit@floridamoves.com, to RSVP due to limited seating.

BLUE ANGELS HOMECOMING AIR SHOW: 9:30 a.m. Nov. 10 and 11 at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Sky Hawk Drive. Gates open at 8 a.m. both days. Admission, parking and blanket seating are free. Other seating tickets may be purchased at www.naspensacolaairshow.com/. The Friday Night Air Show is 4-6 p.m. Nov. 10 at NAS. The non-Blue-Angels event features aircraft that light up the sky with full afterburner and pyrotechnics. Performances include Bob Carlton in a Vertigo Air Shows Jet Glider;  Paul Wood in an A-4 Skyhawk; a Mig-17 with pilot Randy Ball; the Super Stearman, with Greg Shelton and Wing Walker Ashely Shelton; and John Klatt in the Screamin’ Sasquatch Jet Waco. The Navy Leap Frogs Parachute Team; Chris Darnell, driving the 300-plus-mph Shockwave Jet Truck; and other acts will perform. Food and memorabilia will be available at numerous concession stands. Pets and coolers are not permitted.

 HISTORY SANDWICHED-IN: noon Nov. 10, Heritage Museum, 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso. Free to attend. Edward L. Hubbard, author and artist, will discuss the "Human Potential: A State of Mind." He'll share life experiences and lessons learned while in captivity for six and a half years in North Vietnam, to help create a new attitude where people become passionately committed to the revitalization of America. Bring a sandwich. Call 678-2615 to RSVP due to limited space.

PINE FOREST UNITED METHODIST FESTIVAL & CAR SHOW: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 11, Pine Forest United Methodist Church, 2800 Wilde Lake Blvd., Pensacola. Over 160 arts, crafts and other vendors, food, and live music. Free admission and parking. Door prizes. Proceeds used for community ministries. www.pineforestumc.org or 944-0170.

RELAY FOR LIFE PRINCESS BALL: 6-9 p.m. Nov. 11, Crestview Community Center, 1446 Commerce Drive. Father-daughter dance for girls age 13 and younger and their escorts. Moms may take pictures of the official entrance of their princesses. Only princesses and their escorts may dine and dance. Tickets are $40 for each princess and her escort, and $15 for each additional princess in the family. There are only 300 tickets available for the event. All net proceeds benefit the Crestview Relay For Life. Details: Chris Cox, 902-1075, or Loney Whitley, 537-4654 or 603-3500. Ticket pick-up is 5:30-6:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, and 9-10 a.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at Panera Bread in south Crestview.

PIONEER DAY: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 18, Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park, 4281 State Road 20, Niceville. Family-oriented event. Activities include making rag dolls, dipping candles, churning butter and learning pioneer survival skills. Demonstrations include campfire cooking, blacksmithing and beekeeping. A 19th century chuck wagon will be on display, as well as toys and fishing tackle from days gone by. Children will enjoy the storyteller. Food concessions available. Admission costs $5 per car with up to eight people. No pets allowed. Rain date, noon to 3 p.m. Nov. 19. Details: 833-9144.

EMERALD COAST HONOR GAMES BREAKFAST: 7:15 a.m. Nov. 11, LuLu's restaurant, Destin. breakfast,  $10 per person. Honor game event proceeds go toward $100,000 goal for suicide prevention for veterans. ECHG events include a Ruck 22 march, national anthem, raising of the colors, military demonstrations and vehicle displays, a raffle, prizes and the honor games competition. Attendees include Congressman Matt Gaetz and Representative Mel Ponder, who will listen to members of the Special Operations Survivors. Attendees may also register to walk in the Ruck 22 march, which is 9:30 a.m. Nov. 11 at Destin Middle School. They'll walk 22 honorary laps around the track with soldiers in honor of veterans who have committed suicide. All ages and abilities welcome. Cost is $22 at the event or www.emeraldcoasthonorgames.com/copy-of-competition-1.

PUBLIC MEETINGS

TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION MEETING:

3 p.m. Dec. 14, training room of the Okaloosa County Administration Building, 1250 Eglin Parkway, Shalimar.

Meeting schedule and location are subject to change. For updates and agendas, visit www.wfrpc.org or email tiffany.bates@wfrpc.org, or 332-7976, extension 217.

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.

MAC COMMITTEE: 11 a.m. Nov. 14, Samuel's Roadhouse, Crestview. Membership fees apply to this committee. Marian McBryde, Committee Chair, MAC@crestviewchamber.com.

GOVERNMENT ISSUES COMMITTEE: 8:30 a.m. Nov. 8, Crestview chamber office, 107 Commerce Drive, Crestview.

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS: 5:30-7 p.m. Nov. 9, Lee Buick GMC, 4300 Ferdon Blvd. S., Crestview. For chamber members and their employees. Network with local professionals for free.

PILOT COMMITTEE: 3 p.m. Nov. 17, McAlister's Deli, 2100 Ferdon Blvd. S., Suite 110, Crestview. Young professionals ages 21-41 meet to encourage and enhance professional development in young leaders of the Crestview community.

MCDONALD'S RIBBON CUTTING, GRAND RE-OPENING: 9 a.m. Nov. 10, at McDonald's, 3201 South Ferdon Blvd. S., Crestview (in front of Walmart).

AMBASSADORS 'LET'S DO LUNCH' & WAFFLE HOUSE RIBBON CUTTING: 1 p.m. Nov. 14, Waffle House, 1130 Ferdon Blvd. N., Crestview. Network, socialize, and enjoy lunch in a very informal, no-pressure setting. Meeting followed by 2 p.m. ribbon cutting. Invite a new member, a friend, a co-worker, or someone who is thinking about joining the chamber to have lunch with you. RSVP to ambassadors@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 — A local restaurant wrapped October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with donations to further the cause.

Last year during this month, Crestview’s Beef 'O’ Brady’s, along with 21st Century Oncology, held their first cancer fundraiser in memory of Crestview resident Serstin Lango, who died from breast cancer two years ago.

The fundraiser brought in $1,500, which went into the 21st Century Oncology nonprofit organization C.A.R.E. fund. This organization keeps all monies raised in the community and helps local cancer patients with medical expenses.

The cancer fundraiser was held for the second year on Saturday at the Crestview Corners Shopping Center restaurant on Ferdon Boulevard South.

General Manager Crystal Pena had been planning this event for the last 10 months.

“Most of our sponsors helped us out for free and we have gotten all types of prizes from the community,” she said.

Mike Lango, Serstin’s husband, and one of her sons, Brandon, were at the event. Their other sons, James and Patrick, could not be there.

The Langos were married for 29 years and came to Crestview in 1992. Mike spoke highly of the family’s experience with 21^st Century Oncology.

“Serstin was diagnosed with breast cancer in May of 2013 and passed away in September of 2015. The staff at 21st Century Oncology was awesome. They made personal calls to see how our family was doing. One of her surgeons even came out to the house,” Mike said.

Brandon remembers his Mom’s infectious personality.

“The world would be a better place with her in it,” he said.

Cliff Longshore is the owner of the Crestview Beef 'O’ Brady’s. He said, “We love giving back and being a part of the community. The community came together so well for this annual event.”

“Crystal, Cliff and Bill Ellison, the area manager for Beef 'O’ Brady’s have been amazing! When a local company takes care of local people that really means so much!” Mike Lango said.

Saturday’s fundraiser featured pink T-shirts with Serstin’s name and the names of local businesses that donated prizes were on sale for $10 in support of the cause.

The event featured live music from two local bands and their services were donated. For every $5 donation, participants received raffle tickets for prizes donated by local businesses. Plus, Beef 'O’ Brady’s donated 10 percent of all sales for the day to the fundraiser.

Some of the prizes donated for this year’s fundraiser were massages, gift baskets, dinners, gift certificates and trips. The prizes came from many local Crestview businesses.  So far, the donations for this year’s event have reached $2,200.

When asked what Serstin would think of this fundraiser, Mike Lango said, "My wife would probably be mad that her name is on the top of the T-shirt. She was always worried about everyone else.

“But, she would be happy that others are being helped.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'We love giving back'

CRESTVIEW — There were no tricks, just treats, from Levi Knutson Oct. 27.

The 4-year-old and some of his buddies at a Crestview homeschoolers group decorated brown paper bags with colorful motifs and loaded them with cookies.

Levi dropped them off the Friday morning before Halloween, then he and his mom took some to the Police Department’s friends at the Crestview Fire Department and Okaloosa EMS.

“We sure appreciate kids like Levi and their parents who find such sweet — literally! — ways of saying thanks to our officers,” Chief Tony Taylor said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: North Okaloosa child brings sweet treats — no tricks

CRESTVIEW — The Main Street Crestview Association will honor all military service members with a Veterans Day observance.

The event starts with a 9 a.m. parade Nov. 11 on Main Street; it's followed by an 11 a.m. remembrance ceremony beside the Veterans Memorial Wall at Main Street and Courthouse Terrace.

The parade will begin on Main Street south of Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. To be a parade participant, go to www.mainstreetcrestview.org/msca/events for an application.

Call Sandra Wilson, 850-810-6722, for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview sets annual Veterans Day observance

CRESTVIEW — Rain came first, and then the temperature dropped into the 60s, but that did not stop hundreds of people who attended the Crestview Fall Festival on Saturday. 

The annual Main Street Crestview Association event took place 1-6 p.m. downtown. People of all ages, along with animals, many dressed in costumes, were out in full force enjoying the festivities.

The Fall Festival offered a variety of games, booths and food. There was Knockerball, a type of soccer in a bubble, and Pick a Duck and Ring Toss where participants could win prizes. Cupcake walks, photo booths and a cornhole toss were also on hand as well as horseback riding and soccer.

Smells of popcorn and funnel cakes mixed with the aroma of barbecue coming from Hub City Smokehouse and Grill. Hot apple cider was available for this chilly day as well as chicken on a stick.  Candy was abundant as each booth’s volunteers handed it out to attendees.

Children dressed for the costume contest as princesses, Power Rangers and other superheroes, “Harry Potter” characters, firefighters, police officers and skating dinosaurs. Dogs were not to be outdone. Canines were there for the costumed pet contest dressed as pirates, hotdogs and pumpkins.

Whole families dressed up as well. The Bowser family dressed up and brought their lab, Capt. Jack Sparrow, who came as a lion. Dimitri Sanchez and his mom, Jessica Lorkowski, brought their dog Champ dressed as a shark. Angie Nousiainen was there with her Great Dane who was dressed as a school bus. There was even a pet pig dressed as a lobster. 

Many booths offered crafts and homemade items such as canned jellies and cookies. There was a Wax Impressions booth where a wax mold could be created from hands. Many booths were sponsored by groups such as local real estate agents, the Crestview Rotary Club, Bob Sikes Elementary School Safety Patrol, and by many local churches.

Small businesses such as Scentsy and LuLaRoe had booths as well as the Air Force. Local high school students staffed the booth supporting Students Working Against Tobacco. Martial arts demonstrations and palm readings were also given. There was also a rock swap where people could exchange rocks they had painted and signed.

A special guest at the Fall Festival was Travis Charpentier, a local actor who has played numerous zombies in AMC’s “The Walking Dead.” He had helped support his niece, Katelyn Meinert, a senior wrestler at Crestview High with a zombie walk fundraiser on Saturday.

In addition, the association sold engraved bricks that could be placed in downtown Crestview. They were $35 each. The association also sold Crestview cookbooks.

“I am so impressed with the crowd… It is fabulous!” Alisa Burleson, with the Main Street Crestview Association, said. “Plus, Sandra Wilson and others in our group did a great job pulling all of this together!”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'It is fabulous!'

CRESTVIEW — Mae R. Coleman will host an open discussion about issues facing youths in the Crestview community.

The brief meeting is set 10 a.m. Oct. 28 in front of Mount Zion AME Church, 502 McDonald St., Crestview. The block between Edney and School Avenues will be blocked off temporarily for the event.

Parents and teenagers may attend the event hosted by Coleman, who is a community leader and activist.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Discussion on youth issues scheduled

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 — Haylee Turnage is a 16-year-old on a mission.

The Crestview High School student is working to collect 800 stuffed animals for children from Oct. 27 to Dec. 1.

The toys will be donated to kids at the hospital who can't celebrate Christmas.

"I love kids and I've always wanted to help the ones in need. Plus, it breaks my heart knowing that kids will be in the hospital on Christmas, so I really want to help out and make them happy. I believe every kid should get a chance to celebrate it and/or get something, and I am going to try and make that happen," she said.

The toys can be new or used, as long as they're in good condition.

People who wish to donate may contact her at Haylee Turnage on Facebook, or email hayleet@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'I really want to help'

CRESTVIEW — Two days before her 104th birthday, Mary Richardson was surrounded by relatives, friends and staff members at the Crestview Rehabilitation Center. Attendees also included Crestview Mayor David Cadle.

The celebration was the first of three parties in her honor, according to her son, John Richardson of Baker. Her fellow church members at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Baker held a party for her the weekend of Oct. 22, followed by a family get-together at a relative's home.

"I never thought it would happen — 104 years old. She didn't either," John Richardson said.

That doesn't stop him giving her a challenge every now and then though.

"I tell her we should race up and down the halls, but she won't give me a head start," he said.

See more birthday celebration videos

Born in Iowa, Mary and her family moved to Colorado when she was 15. She met her husband, John Richardson, there, after his family moved up from Mississippi. The two ranched and raised their four sons in their 65 years together. Her husband died at age 90 in 2004.

When the center began planning Richardson's birthday celebration, they requested people turn in 104 birthday cards to surprise her with. School and youth groups, and individuals sent in approximately 515 birthday cards to her. Baker School's leadership students brought 104 of their own. Girl and Boy Scout troops also contributed several cards to the total amount.

"These are going to take me a while to get through," Richardson said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Area residents send over 500 cards to Crestview 104-year-old

CRESTVIEW — A memorial ceremony was held on Saturday at Floral Designs recognizing one year since the death of Keith Crum, the son of the business’ owners.

Crum died Oct. 21, 2016 from a heroin overdose. His lifetime friend, Rhiannon Reiss, died from a heroin overdose on Sept. 29 of this year. The parents of both Crestview residents joined together to hold a memorial and to bring awareness to the disease of drug addiction.

According to Crum’s mother, Corrin Mohon, they want to bring drug dealers off the streets and try to raise money to provide rehabilitation for those who can’t afford it but need the help.

“We had no idea,” Michael and Rhonda Reiss, Rhiannon’s parents, said of the problem.

The families and numerous friends gathered in front of Floral Designs, dressed in purple for heroin awareness, and released purple balloons with messages on them.

Currently, the families are focused on raising awareness, but will begin trying to raise funds to go toward the cause, as well as making the balloon-release ceremony an annual event.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'We had no idea'