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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Making pasta art and singing

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Police Department and Dunkin' Donuts will participate in a Special Olympics Cops on Donut Shops fundraiser this week.

Officer Sam Kimmons and another CPD representative will work for tips and donations from 5-11 a.m. Sept. 29 at the store, 2408 Ferdon Blvd. S., Crestview. All tip and donation proceeds go to Special Olympics Florida.

The store is also celebrating National Coffee Day on Sept. 29, and customers who purchase a medium or larger sized cup of DD's signature hot coffee will receive an additional medium-sized hot coffee for free.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Special Olympics fundraiser is soon

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

Coach Lane Kiffin (1-3), of the Florida Atlantic Owls, needn’t worry, Coach Butch Jones of Tennessee is on his way to help you out.

What a team you two will make, but is there room for Coach Mike Rilec of Nebraska, who is hanging on by his fingernails looking to come and join y’all?

Both Alabama and Clemson did what was expected of them, and both are looking over their shoulders at the Georgia Dawgs and Duke Blue Devils — yes, I said Duke.

Here are your 10 picks for the week, plus a tiebreaker for Sept. 30:

1. Clemson Tigers vs. Virginia Tech Hokies, ACC game of the week, at Lane Stadium on Grass. Spot Va. Tech with a 7-point field advantage, but it’s not enough to win — Clemson by 3. (Va. Tech is looking to upset them big time)

2. Miami Hurricanes vs. Duke Blue Devils: Blue Devils are still in the hunt for ACC Champs; Miami cannot keep up — Duke by 3.

3. Florida State Seminoles vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons: Can another North Carolina team beat Florida State? Yes, they can, but not Wake Forest — Seminoles by 2.

4. Syracuse Orangeman vs. North Carolina State Wolfpack: This could be a very good game and very close — NC State by 3.

5. North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: Fans will be happy as the Yellow Jackets put their sting to the Tar Heels — Ga. Tech by 10.

6. Ole Mississippi Rebels vs. Alabama Crimson Train: After last week’s game, Alabama over Vandy was the first time you got to see Coach Nick Saban smile during his interview; expect a big smile coming up again as the Crimson Train runs over Ole Miss. By 21.

7. Miss. State Bulldogs vs. Auburn War Eagles: Here we are, the battle of the SEC wannabe teams who are still in the shadows of teams’ past — Auburn War Eagles by 10.

8. Georgia Dawgs vs. Tennessee Vols.: Past years, this would have been the game of the week in the SEC. At Tennessee, who last week played as the High School on the Tennessee River, sloppy was the word for the day at Neyland Stadium, along with 85,000 birdcalls for Coach Jones’ head. It will be the same at this game — Dawgs big time by 21+.

9. South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Texas A&M Aggies: The 12th man will be plucking all the feathers off the Gamecocks — Aggies by 21.

10. Vanderbilt Commodores vs. Florida Gators: Can the Gators do it again, with a win over a team who should have won in the first place? Where would Florida be without the Luck in the game — Gators by 3. 

TIE BREAKER: Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders — this is going to be a good game to watch: plenty of good food, drink, both cowboys and cowgirls and a good football game. Texas Red Raiders by 1 in a high-scoring game.

It’s always been said that to win the SEC Eastern Division you had to go through Florida to get there; things have changed. Now, you must go through Georgia.

As for the SEC West, it never changes; it’s Alabama, and for the ACC, wow! What a change — it’s still Va. Tech and Clemson but now it’s also Wake Forest and Duke.

This week will have a big geographic change in all but one — SEC West. Just don’t be standing on the train tack, you’ll get run over by the  Alabama Crimson Train.     

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 five

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

CRESTVIEW — One of the Friends of the Crestview Library’s last official acts in the months before disbanding Sept. 21 was to purchase over $29,000 worth of books and equipment for the library, North Okaloosa County schools and school children.

"One of our goals is to make sure that the reading programs on the North Okaloosa end are all in sync and that the children are supplied with books that they can read," Lucy Smith, former Friends president, said.

A minimum of 10 books chosen by Crestview Public Library Director Marie Heath are now in the library and all North Okaloosa County public schools with third- through sixth-graders.

Along with those purchases, the organization provided Antioch, Baker, Bob Sikes, Laurel Hill, Northwood, Riverside, Richbourg and Walker Elementary schools with their top 10 book requests.

The Friends also honored former reference librarian Sandra Dreaden by purchasing two full boxes of the "The Lemonade War" for each school. Each student in grades three through six will get a copy of it that they can take home. The Jacqueline Davies book tells the story of a brother and sister who don’t get along. They fight by trying to sell more lemonade than their sibling does.

"That book is particularly good for math for children and it teaches them how to run a business, for instance, and to be an entrepreneur … through their math skills and thought processes, and they retain these learning experiences their whole lives," Smith said.

"[Dreaden] and her entire family read that book when they were in school in the fourth, fifth or sixth grade, including her husband, Art," Smith said.

The group also purchased:

•Every book on the library's Amazon wishlist through Sept. 13. Topics include travel, fiction and nonfiction for adults and children.

•A new television

•A document camera that doesn't require film

•A wall-sized map of the U.S. with labeled state capitals and information about each state

•A tabletop world globe

•New book carts and storage containers

•A new couch and attached table and chair sets for the Friends Reading Area underneath the Sandra Saltness Parks commissioned mural. Some of the seating is Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant.

•Art supplies (such as easels)

•Supplies for library programs

In previous years, the group funded the Whiz Kid Statue in front of the library, designed and purchased the art gallery hanging system on the library walls, and the foyer display cases.

Former Friends treasurer Bonny Crews said supporting the group was a family community-service project for her and her husband, Steve; her parents, Dot and Bob Moxcey; and her sister-in-law, Nancy Moxcey.

"We all worked together with the Friends of the Crestview Library, first writing letters, then helping with the twice-yearly book sales and becoming board officers," she said.

And they will continue "to help keep the library books current and promote community reading activities," such as the Noel Night program the Friends assisted with every year.

She said the Friends’ biggest accomplishment was filling the library with all the extras required for the services it provides.

"I want to thank the community for supporting our book sales all these years, as [they] raised all the funds spent directly on the Crestview library," she said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Last official acts

CRESTVIEW — A nonprofit with over 15 years of service to the Crestview community is bringing its prolific work to an end.

The Friends of the Crestview Library reportedly spent over $29,000 on books and equipment for its namesake, as well as book purchases for North Okaloosa schools. Some of the books have been gifts students can take home. The money stemmed from its twice-a-year book sales — which over the years became a Crestview tradition and provided up to $6,000 a year for the library — and reserved donations.

Friends president Lucy Smith said the group had their last meeting Sept. 21.

What caused the closure?

"A lack of participation. No one wanted to step up and be an officer. Without officers you cannot run an organization," Smith said.

The group had some dedicated volunteers, but without officers and declining membership, the nonprofit no longer qualifies for 501(c)(3) status.

"The board made a lot of decisions: that's why without officers, the board can't operate,” Smith said. “You can't operate a business or an organization of any kind … It's a lot of work. There's no getting around that.”

Despite disbandment, the Friends’ members still serve the library individually and each hopes to reorganize later, as they have heard from several people interested in maintaining the group, according to Smith and the group's former treasurer, Bonny Crews.

"We hope to become active as a group again when there are enough people to serve on the board," Crews said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Friends of the Crestview Library group disbands; cites lack of interest

The Okaloosa County Clerk’s Office presented its first Employee of the Year and Outstanding Supervisor of the Year Awards to two deputy clerks.

Sandra Stevens earned Employee of the Year 2017 for her “brilliant contributions to her department of Data Integrity and Reporting as well as to numerous interconnected departments within the Clerk's Office,” a media release states. “Sandra has worked diligently, and with dedication to help create the Data Integrity and Reporting team that started as an idea and transformed into an integral department of the Clerk’s Office.

“Sandra’s input and expertise has helped to create a department that tackles time-involved projects, corrects and detects issues and problems, and is constantly working to improve the quality of the data that our office maintains.”

Tanishia Childres earned Outstanding Supervisor of the Year 2017 for her leadership capabilities and communications within the Clerk's Office as well as the Judiciary.

Childres, also known as Toy, is the Court Services Manager. She develops “efficient, effective work processes that lead to modern, productive processes,” the release states. “Toy resonates strong moral leadership and she actively demonstrates the very essence of the stated beliefs of this office.

“She is the personification of professionalism, and has care and respect for customers and co-workers.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa Clerk’s Office names Employee, Outstanding Supervisor of the Year

Pfc. James Alan Joiner, 18, of Baker, graduated from United States Marine Corps boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island on Sept. 22.

Joiner successfully completed 13 weeks of intensive basic training at MCRD Parris Island as one of 90 recruits in Training Platoon 1069.

While in recruit training, Joiner achieved the requirements of a platoon artist and sharpshooter.

Following 10 days home on leave, he will report to Camp Geiger for one month at Military Combat Training and then Military Occupation Specialty school.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker man completes Marine Corps Boot Camp

CRESTVIEW — Need help or want to volunteer for a worthy cause? Here are some local services and organizations for consideration. 

MEDICARE HELP FOR SENIORS: Florida Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders, or SHINE, provides free, unbiased, confidential counseling to help elderly residents with their yearly Medicare, Medicaid and health insurance plan reviews. Medicare open enrollment takes place Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. Call 1-866-531-8011 or visit www.FloridaSHINE.org to make an appointment with a counselor, or to volunteer. It is a Florida Department of Elder Affairs and Area Agency on Aging program.

EMERALD COAST HOSPICE VOLUNTEERS WANTED: ECH provides compassionate care through a team of professional staff members and volunteers. Volunteers are thoroughly trained and provided ongoing education. They can serve in a variety of areas from administrative help to offering support to a hospice patient through visits or weekly phone calls. Just a few hours a month makes an impact. Details: Ann O'Connor, 689- 0300.

SENIORS VS. CRIME VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Seniors vs. Crime's Crestview office, which assists senior citizens whom someone scammed or took advantage of, needs help. Hours are 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Thursdays at 296 S. Ferdon Blvd., Suite 8. To volunteer, contact Office Manager Joe Loria, 306-3176, or Region 5 Deputy Director JB Whitten, 813-489-5657. Contact 306-3176 or 800-203-3099, or see www.seniorsvscrime.com for more information. 

REPORT ELDERS ABUSE: Call the Northwest Florida Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-96-ABUSE (800-962-2873) if you suspect elderly friends and neighbors are being abused. Many elders may suffer from financial exploitation, neglect or physical or emotional abuse, often caused by family members. The NFAAA is a private, non-profit agency supported by the federal Older Americans Act and the State of Florida General Revenue Fund through the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. Gwen Rhodes, 494-7100 or rhodesg@nwflaaa.org

UWF ACADEMIC ADVISING: The University of West Florida offers assistance with admissions, academic and degree advising and registration in Crestview. Contact Deborah Cluff, 863-6550, to schedule an appointment for first Thursdays at the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce, 1446 Commerce Drive.

HOMELESS ASSISTANCE: Need help? Contact the Okaloosa Walton Homeless Continuum of Care, 409-3070, www.okaloosawaltonhomeless.org; Opportunity Inc., 659-3190; or Helping Hands of Crestview, 428 McLaughlin St., behind First United Methodist Church. Helping Hands is open 1-4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

ENERGY ASSISTANCE AND SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, Tri-County Community Council, 290 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Crestview. 306-1134.

CRESTVIEW SOUP KITCHEN NEEDS VOLUNTEERS: Serves Mondays through Saturdays. To volunteer at Central Baptist Church, call 682-5525; Our Savior Lutheran Church, 682-3154; LifePoint Church, 682-3518; Community of Christ, 682-7474; First Presbyterian Church, 682-2835; or First United Methodist Church, 682-2018.

FREE CLOTHING GIVEAWAY: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays; 1-3:30 p.m. Thursdays; and 9 a.m. to noon second and fourth Saturdays of the month at 247 S. Booker St., Crestview. Free items include shoes and other accessories. Presented by Concerned Citizens of Crestview. Details: 689-1582 or 428-6997.

FREE FOOD DISTRIBUTION FOR NEEDY RESIDENTS: 9 a.m. second Saturdays, 383 Texas Parkway, Crestview. Dry goods and fresh produce available while supplies last. Hosted by House of Restoration, a partner agency of Feeding the Gulf Coast. Details: Ruby Chatman, 398-0577.

WOMEN AND FAMILY INTERVENTION SERVICES AND EDUCATION: a Crestview-based Community Drug and Alcohol Council program that helps pregnant women with substance abuse. 689-4024.

CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE: Eligible low-income families can receive financial assistance through the Early Learning Coalition of Okaloosa and Walton Counties. Apply at www.elc-ow.org. Hover over “Services” and click “School Readiness” to register.

FREE MEDICARE COUNSELING: By appointment, Crestview Public Library and Elder Services of Okaloosa County, in Crestview, 494-7101 or 1-866-531-8011.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY seeks Crestview area lots for families needing housing. 758-0779 or 315-0025.

VA VETERANS CRISIS LINE: Veterans in crisis, their families and friends can call 800-273-TALK (8255), and press 1 to talk with qualified, caring VA responders. Confidential. www.veteranscrisisline.net.

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF NORTHWEST FLORIDA NEEDS MENTORS: Adult volunteers spend two hours weekly mentoring children. Pairs go to the library, museum, park or beach, hike, roller-skate or play sports. 664-5437.

VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS ACTIVE IN DISASTERS: Group needs people to work in the Emergency Operations Center assisting county personnel. Contact: Yvonne Earle, 863-1530, extension 230.

FREE HAZARDOUS HOUSEHOLD WASTE DROPOFF: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, Okaloosa County Recycling Office, 80 Ready Ave., Fort Walton Beach. Okaloosa residents may drop off paints, pesticides, pool chemicals, used oil, gas, antifreeze, computers, televisions, fluorescent lamps, car batteries, rechargeable batteries, cleaners, solvents, aerosols and printers.

MUSEUM SEEKS VOLUNTEERS: Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida seeks friendly, reliable volunteers to greet guests and answer phones in its gift shop 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 1-4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Details: 678-2615, stop by 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso, or email info@heritage-museum.org.

CARS NEEDED: Opportunity Inc. accepts donations of cars, boats and other vehicles to support Opportunity Place, an emergency shelter for families. Shelley Poirrier, 409-3070 or shelley@okaloosawaltonhomeless.org.

SHELTER HOUSE FINANCIAL SUPPORT: It costs just more than $100 a day to shelter a domestic violence victim. Every little bit helps. 683-0845.

DRIVE VETERANS to appointments at the VA Outpatient Clinic in Pensacola two days a month. Veterans Service Office, 689-5922.

VEHICLES NEEDED: Covenant Hospice accepts cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, boats and RVs. Qualified professionals pick up vehicles from Pensacola to Tallahassee at convenience. Rachel Mayew, 428-0605.

LAKEVIEW CENTER'S FAMILIES FIRST NETWORK NEEDS BEDS for local children in protective services. Cribs and beds for children must be in good condition. 833-3840.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: North Okaloosa County services calendar