CRESTVIEW — The fictional Crump family's date with death approaches Saturday evening as Act4Murder prepares for its local dinner theater presentation.

Doors open for "Murder at the Monster Bash" 6 p.m. Oct. 21 at Samuel's Roadhouse, 114 John King Road in Crestview.

"Samuel's is a really good venue for us. We love coming there," actor and manager Chris Manson said. "We've been going there over the past several months and they're good people."

The comedy troupe is the brainchild of Paula Hilton, a Northwest Florida resident who moved here from California in 2002. Hilton acted in some murder dinner theater programs in California and started writing plays after that. She opened Act4Murder in 2003. Since then, troupe members have performed at several private and public venues in Northwest Florida, as well as fundraisers.

Saturday's show takes place at a fundraising bash called HOWSA. And what does HOWSA mean? Only Ivana Crump knows for sure. She's been pretty secretive up to this point, but tonight she'll have to spill the beans, according to the play's description.

"Ivana Crump is the hostess and I play her husband Clark. And his half-brother, Conner, has been married to my wife, her sister and their other sister — you should see the family reunion," Manson said.

When asked if there's a political bent to the show, what with Crump being a possible reference to the Trump family, Manson said, "No, this is a show we've been doing for years and update it (as needed). It has nothing political going on. Paula was trying to find a name that would kind of epitomize a well-to-do family with drama.

"I've been playing Clark for about eight years."

The cast of five also includes Joe Chase as Conner and Kay Yarbrough as Ivana, and Cynthia Bergquist and Sheila Boutwell as Ivana's sisters.

Manson couldn't say much more about the show to keep from giving it away, but welcomed the audience to wear Halloween costumes in support of its theme. They can even participate directly in the show with the purchase of a VIP ticket package.

Each Act4Murder performance sports the tagline, "but don't forget… someone is going to DIE! Will you and your friends win a prize for guessing WHODUNNIT?"

Tickets for this show start at $38, which includes a three-course meal, tax and a tip. Purchase at www.act4murder.com. Call 862-2885 for additional information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Dinner theater performance dishes up family drama

CRESTVIEW — Boy Scout Troop 30 will have a yard sale.

The sale begins 6:30 a.m. Oct. 21 at First United Methodist Church, 599 Eighth Ave., Crestview.

All proceeds go to the troop to fund summer camp and other upcoming camping trips.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Boy Scouts yard sale is today

CRESTVIEW — First-time home buyers may attend Crestview’s first Home Buyers Bootcamp.

Attendees can learn where to start, the steps in the process and other information from industry experts including lenders, title agents and real estate agents.

Choose one of three seminar times: 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.

Contact Andrew Tveit, 603- 9088 or Andrew.tveit@floridamoves.com, to RSVP due to limited seating.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Coldwell Banker sets home buyers bootcamp

CRESTVIEW — Club Challengers volleyball tryouts are scheduled for girls ages 6-11 and 12-15 for the club's 2017-2018 season.

An information meeting with the club's director and coaches is 3 p.m.  Oct. 22 at Davidson Middle School, 6261 Old Bethel Road, Crestview. The details are also available at www.facebook.com/clubchallengers.

Travel team tryouts are Oct. 26 at DMS. Times are as follows:

14U: 4:30-5:15 p.m.

13U: 5:15-6 p.m.

12U: 6-6:15 p.m.

The 15U ninth-grade tryouts will be scheduled after the high school season is complete. Players ages 6-11 do not require a tryout or experience.

Email ChallengersVolleyball@gmail.com for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Travel volleyball team sets tryouts

CRESTVIEW — When a local rehabilitation center launched an effort to collect 104 birthday cards for a resident, a Crestview Girl Scout troop was among those who wanted to help.

Troop 1318 members created and decorated several cards for Mary Richardson, 103, whose birthday is Oct. 20. The girls who participated in the service project are Angelina Foreman, Kirstin Mohr, Ava Wilson,Nora Karlan, Seralyn Welch, Amanda Lane, Kennedy Ward, Daphne Ramakka, Prynn Peterson, Autumn Patterson, Julianna Kelley,Natalia Baez, Sabrina McKee and Rilynn Bailey.

Troop leaders took the cards to Crestview Rehabilitation Center, where the staff will present them to Richardson at her birthday party.

The troop's sponsor is the Crestview Elks Lodge.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Girl Scouts prepare birthday cards for 103-year-old

CRESTVIEW — Two local groups worked together to donate towel sets to residents at Crestview Manor.

The recent donation consisted of bath cloths and towel sets from Ida Faye Powell's Sunday school class at First Baptist Church of Crestview, and the General Federation of Women's Club's Crestview chapter.

Women's club members hold bingo games at the Manor once a month, with some gifts consisting of toiletries and other items needed by residents, according to member Linda Parker.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Women's group, church donate towels

CRESTVIEW — The Duke It Out Relay for Life Team will have its annual Princess Ball, a father-daughter dance.

Girls age 13 and younger and their escorts may attend the ball, which is 6-9 p.m. Nov. 11 at the Crestview Community Center, 1446 Commerce Drive, Crestview. Moms are welcome to take pictures of the official entrance of their princesses. Only princesses and their escorts may dine and dance.

Tickets cost $40 for each princess and her escort, and $15 for each additional princess in the family. Net proceeds benefit the Crestview American Cancer Society Relay For Life. There are only 300 tickets available for the event.

Contact Chris Cox, 902-1075, or Loney Whitley, 537-4654 or 603-3500, to order tickets or for details. Leave a message if you get no answer. 

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.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Relay for Life Princess Ball tickets available

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

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.

AGES 0-2 LIBRARY CLASS: 9:15 a.m. Tuesdays, Crestview library. Topics: Oct. 20 and 27, Autumn and Halloween (wear non-scary costume if you like); Nov. 3 and 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: Oct. 24 and 31, Autumn and Halloween (wear a non-scary costume on Oct. 31); Nov. 7 and 14, Giving Thanks; Nov. 28, On the Road; and Dec. 5 and 12, Wrap It Up.

FIRST TUESDAY TALKS: 10:30 a.m. first Tuesdays at the library. Topic: Nov. 7, How to Love Your Wardrobe, by Anna Maria Garza, fashion designer and stylist.

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

We all know coaches and schools schedule games two to four years in advance looking at a win for — and easy for their team, a TV spotlight — what is going to get the most money for the school. Yes, we all understand that.

We also know the month of October from the first to the 30th is when all the spooky, grim goblins, black cats and witches are hiding in the dark shadows, along with all the horrible things you can imagine will happen to you until the 31st, when Halloween is over.

With all that information, why then would you tempt the hand of faith by scheduling an October game on Friday the 13th? Ask the staff at No. 2 Clemson, who lost to Syracuse. Or ask the staff at No. 8 Washington State, who also lost to California this past Friday night, Oct. 13.

Here are your 10 picks for the week plus a tie breaker for Oct. 21.

1. Boston College Eagles vs. Virginia Cavaliers: The Eagles pulled it out last Saturday. Can they do it again? Virginia clips the Eagles' wings by 10.

2. Pittsburgh Panthers vs. Duke Blue Devils: The Blue Devils, who fell asleep at the wheel, can still salvage a good bowl game, and it starts here with a win over the Panthers by 20.

3. Louisville Cardinals vs. Florida State Seminoles: Florida State came up with a win and they now feel they are on the same level as Louisville. Not really. Cardinals by 12.

4. Syracuse Orangemen vs. Miami Hurricanes: Miami has another Hurricane coming to town and they called it Syracuse. Orangemen by 6.

5. Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: It's a homecoming game for Georgia Tech, who will win by 13.

6. Tennessee Volunteers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide (Train): It’s the dreaded third Saturday in October and all the Vols fans are not looking forward to this game. Don’t look for many at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Crimson Tide with no mercy by 30 plus.

7. Auburn War Eagles vs. Arkansas Razorbacks: Both teams lost and are looking to regroup. War Eagles by 3.

8. LSU Tigers vs. Ole Mississippi Rebels: LSU pulls it out again over the Rebels by 12.

9. Kentucky Wildcats vs. Mississippi State: A Kentucky win here clinches a bowl game for the Wildcats. They do it by 21.

10. Missouri Tigers vs. Idaho Vandals, from Moscow Idaho: Wow! You would think the Tigers had an easy win here, but this one is too scary. Who is going against someone out of Moscow called the Vandals and three nights before Halloween? Idaho by 3.

Tie Breaker: Michigan Wolverines vs. Penn State Nittany Lions: This game should be called the game of the week with so many repercussions coming out on a win or lose. I pick Penn State. They're back, and it’s business as usual by 10.

Next week is full of nothing but tricks or treats for Halloween. This past weekend five top teams in the Associated Press Ranking fell out of the top 10. What witch's brew is in store for the other teams this coming weekend? "The shadow knows!"

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 8