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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Marching to the beat

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

NICEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1972 REUNION: Oct. 20-22, Niceville. The 45th reunion includes the following:

●5:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at LJ Schooners Dockside, 290 Yacht Club Drive, Niceville (pay for yourself, bluewaterbaymarina.com).

●Barbecue buffet, 6-10 p.m. Oct. 21, Eglin Golf Course Clubhouse, 1572 Fairway Drive, Niceville. $35 per person, cash bar.

●Potluck picnic, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 22, Turkey Creek, 340 W. John Sims Parkway, Niceville. Bring something to share.

Contact Mary Ann Aldridge Rierson, maryannri54@gmail.com for details.

KIWANIS PANCAKE BREAKFAST, AUCTION: 7:30-10:30 a.m. Oct. 21, Samuel's Roadhouse, John King Road, Crestview. Silent auction items include something for everyone, including sportsmen. Supports local Kiwanis projects. $5 per person and free for children 7 and younger.

DAVIDSON 5K RUN: 9 a.m. Oct. 21, Davidson Middle School, 6261 Old Bethel Road, Crestview. The school's Dance & Cheer team will have Paint the Panther 5K. Registration costs $25 for 5K runners, $15 for the one-mile kids run, and $2 for a prize drawing ticket. Limited T-shirts are available on a first-come, first served basis for $15. Registration package pick up: 4-6 p.m. Oct. 20 or 7:30-8:30 a.m. Oct. 21 at the DMS gym. No refunds.

HOLLY FAIR: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 21, Shalimar United Methodist Church, 1 Old Ferry Road, Shalimar. Free annual arts and crafts Fair features over 70 vendors, a bakery, a pasta, hamburger or bratwurst lunch. All proceeds benefit local charities and church projects. www.shalimar-umc.org.

OKALOOSA ALL-COUNTY HONOR CHOIR CONCERT: 7 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center, Northwest Florida State College, 100 College Blvd., Niceville. A choir featuring students from Okaloosa County middle and high schools will perform in a free concert.

OPPORTUNITY PLACE WINE & CHEESE FUNDRAISER:  2-4 p.m. Oct. 29, Magnolia Grill Restaurant, 157 Brooks St., Fort Walton Beach. "Raise Your Glass" fundraiser benefits Opportunity Place, a temporary shelter for homeless Okaloosa women and families. Includes a variety of wines, a large selection of food, silent auction, with sponsorship baskets available. Volunteers also needed. Tickets: $25 at www.opifwb.org or 659- 3190. Mail donations to: Opportunity Place, 305 Lovejoy Road, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547.

MCTEACHER NIGHT FUNDRAISER: 5-7 p.m. Nov. 2 at the McDonald's close to Crestview High School. A percent of all drive through and lobby sales will go to the school safety patrol program.

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.

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.

TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION MEETINGS:

• 3 p.m. Oct. 19, Robert L.F. Sikes Center, Northwest Florida State College, 805 E. James Lee Blvd., Crestview.
• 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.

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

HEALTH & WELLNESS COMMITTEE: 8:30 a.m. Oct. 18, chamber office, 1447 Commerce Drive, Crestview.

PILOT COMMITTEE: 3 p.m. Oct. 20, Casbah Coffee Company, 196 Pine Ave W., Crestview.

EMERALD COAST BAR & GRILL RIBBON CUTTING: 4:30 p.m. Oct. 24, Emerald Coast Bar & Grill, 1701 State Road 85 N, Eglin Air Force Base. It is a full-service restaurant and bar at the Destin-Fort. Walton Beach Airport (VPS).

AMBASSADOR COMMITTEE: 8:30 a.m. Oct. 25, Crestview chamber office, 1447 Commerce Drive. Get more involved in the Crestview chamber by joining the Ambassadors Committee. 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 — Winn-Dixie recently completed a remodel on its Crestview store in response to requests from customers for an improved shopping experience.

As part of the grand opening ceremony and to officially re-introduce the community to the store, a ribbon cutting was Oct. 12 at 1326 N. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview.

Enhancements include:

•New facade signage and a fresh, contemporary color palette with modern store signage inside.

•Newly updated farm-fresh produce department set on fresh ice daily, with new expanded organic offerings.

•Improved deli with expanded grab and go meal options for added convenience.

•Sandwich station offering hot and cold sandwich assortments.

•Easy lunch and dinner options, including a hot bar with rotisserie chicken, pizza, wings and BBQ.

•Seafood department, offering shoppers a variety of seafood assortments and the option to select a “Seafood Made Easy” meal to cut down on cooking time at home.

•Meat department with a butcher on-site that will make fresh cuts of meat by request.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Winn-Dixie celebrates remodeled Crestview store

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

POKER RUN FUNDRAISER: 9 a.m. Oct. 14, Hooters restaurant, 180 Cracker Barrel Drive, Crestview. Third annual Emerald Coast Breast Cancer Awareness Poker Run by Wingmen Motorcycle Club. All proceeds go the American Cancer Society. Motorcyclists, car and truck drivers are welcome. Cost: $20 donation and $10 per extra hand. Cash prizes awarded and a 50/50 raffle included. Stops include The Edge in Niceville from 10 a.m. to noon; Crestview Amvets Post 35 from 1-2 p.m.; and Crestview Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5450 from 3-4 p.m. The final stop is 4 p.m. to midnight at the Wingmen's club house at 160 Cayson Ave., Crestview, where Juke Joint Willie will provide live music. Contact Joe Hernandez, 910-689-6901, for more information.

EMERALD COAST AVIATION FLY-IN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 14, Bob Sikes Crestview Airport, 5535 John Givens Road. Local vendors, air rides, Redbird Simulator rides, kids' activities and door prize drawings at 1 p.m. A $1 per gallon fuel discount applies during event. 398-6749.

FIESTA @ THE PARK: 11 a.m. to sunset Oct. 15, The Landing, Fort Walton Beach. Family-friendly, Latin-flavored party with food vendors, music, games, piñatas, contests, and door prizes. Closeout event for the area’s annual Hispanic Heritage Month observance, which is Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. Benefits Samaritan’s Purse and Giving Children Hope this year. For more on these international organizations, go to www.samaritanspurse.org and www.givingchildrenhope.org. Details: David, 368-3505 or conexionflorida@gmail.com.

NICEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1972 REUNION: Oct. 20-22, Niceville. The 45th reunion includes the following:

●5:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at LJ Schooners Dockside, 290 Yacht Club Drive, Niceville (pay for yourself, bluewaterbaymarina.com).

●Barbecue buffet, 6-10 p.m. Oct. 21, Eglin Golf Course Clubhouse, 1572 Fairway Drive, Niceville. $35 per person, cash bar.

●Potluck picnic, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 22, Turkey Creek, 340 W. John Sims Parkway, Niceville. Bring something to share.

Contact Mary Ann Aldridge Rierson, maryannri54@gmail.com for details.

KIWANIS PANCAKE BREAKFAST, AUCTION: 7:30-10:30 a.m. Oct. 21, Samuel's Roadhouse, John King Road, Crestview. Silent auction items include something for everyone, including sportsmen. Supports local Kiwanis projects. $5 per person and free for children 7 and younger.

DAVIDSON 5K RUN: 9 a.m. Oct. 21, Davidson Middle School, 6261 Old Bethel Road, Crestview. The school's Dance & Cheer team will have Paint the Panther 5K. Registration costs $25 for 5K runners, $15 for the one-mile kids run, and $2 for a prize drawing ticket. Limited T-shirts are available on a first-come, first served basis for $15. Registration package pick up: 4-6 p.m. Oct. 20 or 7:30-8:30 a.m. Oct. 21 at the DMS gym. No refunds.

HOLLY FAIR: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 21, Shalimar United Methodist Church, 1 Old Ferry Road, Shalimar. Free annual arts and crafts Fair features over 70 vendors, a bakery, a pasta, hamburger or bratwurst lunch. All proceeds benefit local charities and church projects. www.shalimar-umc.org.

OKALOOSA ALL-COUNTY HONOR CHOIR CONCERT: 7 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center, Northwest Florida State College, 100 College Blvd., Niceville. A choir featuring students from Okaloosa County middle and high schools will perform in a free concert.

OPPORTUNITY PLACE WINE & CHEESE FUNDRAISER:  2-4 p.m. Oct. 29, Magnolia Grill Restaurant, 157 Brooks St., Fort Walton Beach. "Raise Your Glass" fundraiser benefits Opportunity Place, a temporary shelter for homeless Okaloosa women and families. Includes a variety of wines, a large selection of food, silent auction, with sponsorship baskets available. Volunteers also needed. Tickets: $25 at www.opifwb.org or 659- 3190. Mail donations to: Opportunity Place, 305 Lovejoy Road, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547.

MCTEACHER NIGHT FUNDRAISER: 5-7 p.m. Nov. 2 at the McDonald's close to Crestview High School. A percent of all drive through and lobby sales will go to the school safety patrol program.

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.

TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION MEETINGS:

• 3 p.m. Oct. 19, Robert L.F. Sikes Center, Northwest Florida State College, 805 E. James Lee Blvd., Crestview.
• 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.

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

HEALTH & WELLNESS COMMITTEE: 8:30 a.m. Oct. 18, chamber office, 1447 Commerce Drive, Crestview.

PILOT COMMITTEE: 3 p.m. Oct. 20, Casbah Coffee Company, 196 Pine Ave W., Crestview.

EMERALD COAST BAR & GRILL RIBBON CUTTING: 4:30 p.m. Oct. 24, Emerald Coast Bar & Grill, 1701 State Road 85 N, Eglin Air Force Base. It is a full-service restaurant and bar at the Destin-Fort. Walton Beach Airport (VPS).

AMBASSADOR COMMITTEE: 8:30 a.m. Oct. 25, Crestview chamber office, 1447 Commerce Drive. Get more involved in the Crestview chamber by joining the Ambassadors Committee. 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 — 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 weekend in Northwest Florida

CRESTVIEW — Construction of the North Crestview Publix Supermarket is on track, according to the company’s media relations department, and should be opening before 2018.

The grocery store's construction and that of six additional storefronts began in August 2016 on North Ferdon Boulevard at the corner of Airport Road — a plaza called Northcrest.

According to Dwaine Stevens, media and community relations manager for Publix, the project is on schedule. In a June interview with the News Bulletin, Stevens said the location was set to open in the late third quarter or early fourth quarter, meaning they originally projected a September or October completion.

According to a presentation done by Crossman and Company, the regional real estate company overseeing leasing of the Northcrest storefronts, the Publix grand opening is scheduled for November 2017.

The store will be 45,600 square feet with all traditional departments and a drive-thru pharmacy. The adjacent storefront, measuring 1,400 square feet, will be the Publix Liquors store. The plaza will also include a Wendy’s fast-food burger chain separate from the conjoined storefronts.

Of the five additional 1,400-square-foot facilities, three are available to rent through Crossman and Company. The properties are available immediately, and the company has the prices listed as negotiable.

Two tenants will soon occupy the other properties, but Crestview Public Works Director Wayne Steele said he is not authorized to comment on the status of private developments.

According to the Okaloosa County Property Appraiser’s website, a company called Crestview North, LLC purchased the parcel of land where Northcrest sits on Jan. 27, 2017 for $3,144,000. White Development Company is the real estate developer overseeing the project.

According to their business profiles, Crestview North and White Development share the same address in Clearwater, Florida. White Development has overseen several Publix locations in the southeast; of the nine retail centers developed by White, eight are Publix-centered, like Northcrest.

Neither the Crestview Public Works Department nor the Publix corporate office were able to share the cost of the project, and White Development has not replied to requests for the cost as of this writing.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Publix, Northcrest plaza to open soon

FORT KNOX — The future leaders of ROTC are expected to live all Army values. Recently, the values of personal courage, duty and selfless service were tested by Cadets and Cadre members as they were activated to take part in hurricane relief efforts.

More than 200 Cadets in the Simultaneous Membership Program and ROTC Cadre from various programs were activated to support relief efforts for both Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Missions ranged from search and rescue operations, evacuating numerous families, to providing humanitarian aid to the families forced into shelters by damaging winds and flood waters.

University of West Florida Cadet Isaac Kimbrell activated with the 53rd Brigade Support Battalion, of Chipley, which distributed supplies to those hit by the hurricane.

“It was very humbling, but also very educational. I was both amazed and disappointed by what people can do when they're desperate,” he said. “The way that people worked together despite language, culture, or race barriers was amazing.”

“I learned a lot about expectations versus reality. I also learned a lot about the differences between soldiers. These lessons will forever remain with me,” Kimbrell said. “I was there with the enlisted soldiers throughout this whole process, and I will remember what we needed, what was too much, and what was effective. It was very enlightening to see leadership from the point of view of a subordinate.”           

Cadet Michael Elder, from the University of West Florida, activated with the 870th Engineer Company (SAPPER) from Crestview.

He assisted with relief efforts in Tallahassee, by working with the Red Cross to help manage multiple shelters for people affected by the storm. His unit also helped in route clearance operations in Tallahassee.

“It made me feel good to be a part of such an effort because it is nice to be out there helping people in need,” he said. “I feel my experience with the storm relief efforts will help better me as a leader in the future because I received some great experience with helping people in the field.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'It was very humbling, but also very educational'

CRESTVIEW — Okaloosa County Master Gardeners will host the final free gardening education lecture of the year soon.

The free program is 10-11 a.m. Oct. 18 at the Okaloosa County Extension office, 3098 Airport Road, Crestview. Participants may stay after the lecture and enjoy the nature trail Master Gardeners have planted behind the office. Call 689-5850 to register due to limited seating.

Maria Wilson, guest speaker, will recommend 10 trees for Northwest Florida landscapes at the event. This includes the Red bay; the White Fringetree; and the Sweet Olive. She will also address the current spread of the “laurel wilt,”a fungal disease spread by non-native red bay ambrosia beetles. It affects red bay and other trees in the laurel family, kills avocado trees and is rapidly expanding.

A Senior Forester for Okaloosa County, Wilson spent this summer and fall working on the Norse Peak fire in Washington, and recently visited some of the hurricane-affected locations to help with the devastation done to the trees.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Master Gardeners to recommend trees at lecture

CRESTVIEW — The News Bulletin is compiling a list of fall and Halloween activities in Crestview, Baker, Laurel Hill, Holt and Milligan.

To share an event, email the typed information — with the time, date, street address and cost per person — in a text-based document to news@crestviewbulletin.com.

For now, here's what we know:

•The city of Crestview will observe Halloween 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31. The city no longer considers moving the event to a Saturday to reduce confusion, as two previous attempts resulted in trick or treaters on both nights.

•Trick or Treat with Gray Beard the Pirate is 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31 at 2754 Lake Silver Road, Crestview. Ronald Medlock said the pirate's display includes a new item each Halloween. This year, it's a cannon.

•The annual Fall Festival is 1-6 p.m. Oct. 28 on Main Street in Crestview. Visit www.mainstreetcrestview.org for an application.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Fall festivities around the corner

CRESTVIEW — A Crestview Rehabilitation Center resident will be 104 years old Oct. 22.

The center is accepting birthday cards for Mary Richardson until Oct. 18 in hopes of surprising her with 104 of them during a party in her honor. Those who'd like to send a card may mail it to: Crestview Rehabilitation Center, c/o Susan Brannon, 1849 First Ave. E., Crestview, FL 32539.

A friend's words

Tracey Dollar, a friend of the Richardson family, has known Mary Richardson all her life. She and others refer to Richardson as "Granny."

This is what she had to say about the senior.

"When I was little, my family purchased milk from the dairy that she and her husband, John, had. However, it was not until I became an adult that I truly appreciated her to be who I like to call 'my personal angel on earth.'

"I have watched her go through many trials in her life, from the loss of children, her husband, and many close friends, as well as a lifestyle change of moving to a nursing home. Through all of these trials, she has relied on her faith in God to make it one day at a time. She starts every day off with her Bible study and devotion. You can drop by any time during the day and if she isn’t playing bingo then she is usually reading her Bible," Dollar said.

"She has said many times that she does not know why the Lord has kept her on this earth for so long, but I tell her it is because she is diligent to pray for so many every day. She makes sure to pray for not only her family members and friends but also for the workers at the nursing home where she stays because they help so many people," Dollar said.

Richardson talks to her sons, Jim and John, every night, which she says helps her sleep better, according to Dollar, and friends like Stan and Cathy Bacon visit Richardson regularly.

"Granny loves the 'little things' that most of us take for granted…We take what we call 'mini-vacations' that can be as simple as a trip to Walmart, where she is amazed at all of the products that are available, or I can take her to the farm and let her feed the chickens. If she can get her hands on a cat then she has had a wonderful day. She is still able to visit with her dog Shorty, who is close to 18 years old (126 in dog years) and still has a spring in his step like Granny," Dollar said.

She said Richardson has a great sense of humor, loves to laugh, and  is an active senior. "She is still hard to keep up with, and a few months ago she actually got on to me for holding onto her walker and trying to slow her down! I almost died laughing! She assured me that she walked every day without my assistance," Dollar said.

"Everybody loves her…Everyone seems to think that I am blessing her with spending time with her, but I am the one that gets the true blessing."

Note: A previous version of this article contained the Zip code, which was incorrectly typed, and incomplete title for Crestview Rehabilitation Center. The address to send birthday cards to is Crestview Rehabilitation Center, c/o Susan Brannon, 1849 First Ave. E., Crestview, FL 32539. The News Bulletin staff apologizes for these errors.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Richardson to celebrate 104th birthday