According to the dictionary, a pandemic is a disease that is prevalent over the world or an entire country. We, here in Crestview and in the United States, are in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

Although we may be having this pandemic, we don’t need to panic and hoard supplies.

Because of those who are older or may have compromised immune systems, we have been asked to stay home and keep our germs to ourselves. However, many of our older neighbors will need help getting needed supplies now that we have been asked to only go out when necessary.

The hoarding of supplies is getting out of hand. Many people can’t find everyday necessities to purchase as those in panic mode have purchased all the toilet paper, bottled water, hand sanitizer, bread, meats, frozen meals and so forth. We need to purchase what we need, not hoarding quantities, and leave some supplies for others.

There are many Americans who may not be able to get to the grocery store. We can show kindness by offering to take their list to the store and bring them needed groceries, or go to the drug store and pick up their prescriptions.

The book of Ephesians, states that we are to be kind to one another. We need to practice kindness to our friends, neighbors, strangers as well as our families.

This incident happened this week, and unfortunately this man didn’t practice kindness. A father was looking for his developmentally disabled daughter on a hot afternoon and got overheated. He asked a neighbor for a cold bottle of water. The neighbor offered to trade a bottle of water for a roll of toilet paper. I am still astounded by this response, where was the kindness in this man’s heart?

On the flip side, when my neighbor was at the hospital recently and was going to the parking lot in the pouring rain, an elderly woman offered to take my neighbor to her car with her umbrella. What love was shown by this woman? Isn’t this the way we should respond to those in need?

Truckers who are moving goods across the country so we have needed supplies have a problem. Many fast food restaurants have closed their lobbies and the big rig trucks are too large to go through the “drive thru” lane. If you see a big rig at a fast food place, offer to go through the fast food lane for them and get their order as many restaurants refuse walk ups to their drive thru lanes. Small acts of kindness go a long way.

If you can spare the supplies, make a care package with a couple rolls of toilet paper, hand sanitizer, a loaf of bread and some bottles of water to your elderly neighbors and offer to make a grocery run for them. There are many ways we can show kindness to one another. Let’s make this process as easy as we can on each other.

Janice Lynn Crose, a former accountant, lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: JANICE LYNN CROSE: Practice kindness

This July 4 is the 243rd birthday of the United States of America. What does Independence Day mean to you and your family? How do you plan to celebrate our nation's independence from England?

Here are three quotes to get us thinking about our freedom.

• “When the people fear the government there is tyranny, when the government fears the people there is liberty,” John Basil Barnhill.
• “I hope we once again have reminded people that man is not free unless government is limited. There's a clear cause and effect here that is as neat and predictable as a law of physics: as government expands, liberty contracts,” Ronald Reagan.
• “Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it,” George Bernard Shaw, Man and Superman.

Also, the Liberty Bell, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has this inscription: "Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof," from Leviticus 25:10. This bell has been an important symbol of our freedom. It was also used as the symbol for the abolitionists and the women suffragists.

What do freedom and liberty mean to us today? Are we thankful for those who bled and died so that we have the freedom to live our lives as we wish — to work hard, make our own decisions and run our lives the way we see fit?

Or, do we want government to make our decisions for us? How much freedom do we want in our lives? Do we want to choose where to live, work, worship, who to be friends with, or allow others to make these decisions?

Some feel life is easier when others dictate these decisions. That is not true freedom and restricts our lives. For myself, I want the freedom to choose my course in life, unhindered by government.

Crestview July 4 celebration 

The City of Crestview will host a fireworks show again this year. The festivities begin at 6 p.m. July 4 at Twin Hills Park, located at the corner of Highway 90 East and Hathaway Street North. At 7 p.m. there will be a watermelon eating contest with a homemade ice cream competition following. The fireworks will begin at 9 p.m.

This is always a fun community activity, and it is free. Be sure to get there early and bring chairs or a blanket to sit on. The fireworks display is always beautiful.

Go to https://www.cityofcrestview.org/256/City-Events for more information.

Happy Birthday America!

Janice Lynn Crose, a former accountant, lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: I want the freedom to choose my course in life

We have just celebrated Memorial Day, a time in which we remember those who gave their lives for our country and for our freedom. They deserve more than we can give them. Their memory should bring tears of gratitude to our eyes for their great sacrifice defending our liberty.

Liberty is defined by Webster's Dictionary as: "Freedom from restraint." Freedom is defined as: "A state of exemption from the power or control of another; liberty; exemption from slavery, servitude or confinement."

We take many of our freedoms for granted. We can get in our cars and drive to another state to visit our friends without having to ask permission of the government. We can own cars, homes and so forth; in many countries around the world, this isn't possible.

We need to thank our military for our civil freedoms, but also acknowledge that many of our freedoms come from the Lord. He has given us free will so that we can make our own choices, good or bad.

Edmund Burke, a British statesman, said: "Those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it." He is also the author of this quote: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

It is important to know our history. We need to remember those who fought for our freedoms and acknowledge that freedom isn't free. In many cases it cost someone their life.

Here's a quote from John F. Kennedy's inaugural address on Jan. 20, 1961. "In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility — I welcome it.

"I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it — and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.

"And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country."

What inspiring words we have from these statesmen. These are words we can and should live by. We should protect the freedoms of all American citizens and work hard to ensure these freedoms don't disappear.

Thank the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and acknowledge their loss.

Thank you, military members, for your dedicated service and willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice, should it be required.

Janice Lynn Crose, a former accountant, lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: I am grateful for our freedoms, liberty

This Sunday we pay tribute to our hardworking, dedicated, wonderful mothers. In a few weeks we will give honor to our fathers.

Does your family have certain traditions for Mother's and Father's Day?

In our family, Mother's Day began with the morning church service, wearing an appropriate colored rose, followed by a lunch that we prepared for our mom.

When we were younger, the lunch wasn't fancy, but it was nice. As we got older and had jobs, we children would take Mom and Dad out to lunch for Mother's Day. Father's Day was always a barbecue, steaks, hamburgers, chicken and so on, with lots of side dishes, especially corn on the cob – yum!

Dessert was always homemade ice cream, hand churned in our 6-quart White Mountain ice cream maker. Turning the handle was fun until the ice cream began to freeze and the turning became more difficult. At that point Dad usually took over.

We have friends here in Crestview that have a White Mountain ice cream maker too, which brings back so many memories for me. I was surprised to see that they are still made and for sale.

My parents had planted boysenberries along the fence and they ripen in June, so we would either have boysenberry ice cream or vanilla topped with fresh ones, a delicious dessert enjoyed by all.

We all have memories of holidays spent with our families. If your parents are now gone to heaven, perhaps you should write down these special memories so they don't get lost or forgotten. I remember making ice cream at my grandparents' home in Northern California.

We would churn the ice cream and have different, delicious flavors. Such fun memories of childhood. Dad taught his grandchildren how to turn the ice cream maker and sprinkle the rock salt on the ice, not on the can, so the ice cream would freeze. He told them salt was the key to good ice cream.

What childhood memories about these holidays come to your mind? If your parents are still with you, spend some time talking with them about memories, both theirs and yours. I truly recommend writing these memories down, so they don't get lost.

Our children may not be interested in them right now, but they will be in the future. My husband has his great-grandfather's diary from the Civil War and he treasures these memories.

Thank your parents for all of the sacrifices they made to give you and your siblings a loving, secure childhood.

Moms and Dads, we love you and thank the Lord for giving you to us.

Janice Lynn Crose, a former accountant, lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Honoring our wonderful mothers and fathers

It is obviously telephone scam time again. We are getting between six and 10 "unknown number" or "unknown name" calls per day right now.

This week we received four phone calls from our home phone number. They not only had our phone number, but the display also read, "Crose, James."

Jim, my husband, laughingly wondered why he was calling himself. We also receive an inordinate amount of unknown calls from the 850 area code, as well as 800 numbers.

Con artists are calling to attempt to get personal information from a potential victim. In most cases, they know your name and will use it as if they are a long-lost friend. No matter how friendly a stranger on the phone may seem, don't fall for false friendliness. Realize that these con artists are out to steal everything you have worked for.

Because of the skepticism from unknown 800 numbers, thieves now have devices that will change their phone number to a local phone number with your area code.

Apparently our innate curiosity and the idea we may know this caller, prompts many to answer these calls. For your safety, don't answer unknown calls.

The Reader's Digest warns, "If you receive a call and immediately hear the phrase 'Can you hear me?' hang up. The phrase is used to coax you into saying “yes,” a word that, if said in your voice, is as good as gold for con artists." (See https://www.rd.com/culture/four-word-phone-scam/.)

These thieves will use your voice to contact banks and credit card companies, and cause a great deal of damage. Don't fall for this scam.

As I have stated in the past, if a phone call is legitimate, the caller will leave a message on your voice mail. The "unknown" callers that don't leave a message are hoping that you will be curious enough to call them back, so they can try to get your personal information for their schemes.

The elderly are specifically targeted in these schemes, as they have generally saved their money, are lonely and more trusting.

Remember, the IRS doesn't call and demand money be paid immediately and Microsoft Windows licenses do not expire.

Keep your personal information safe. Don't give out your Social Security number or credit card number over the phone to someone that calls you.

If someone calls to request information and tell you they are from your bank or credit card company, thank them, hang up and call the financial institution back using the phone number printed on your statement.

Stay safe!

Janice Lynn Crose, a former accountant, lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: No, I'm not calling myself

Ladies and gentlemen of Crestview, I apologize for waiting so long to say hi — so hi! I’m Aaron Little, your editor of the Crestview News Bulletin. I wanted to give you some of my background and then let our newest reporter, Ashleigh Wilde, one of the most humble people I’ve met who also happens to be an excellent writer, introduce herself.

I took over for Thomas Boni just over a year ago doing the same daunting job that he did, editing both the Santa Rosa Press Gazette and the Crestview News Bulletin. I was with the Milton paper for four years before that.

My path into journalism wasn’t your typical one. I didn’t have dreams of interviewing a president or celebrities in high school, and I didn’t study journalism in college. My degree is in English literature and creative writing from the University of Arizona.

In school, I made the mistake of not looking for a solid career path while following my dream to write. It turns out most companies want something more than literary analysis and short-story writing abilities. So once I came to Florida, I had to find what I could get.

Long story short, I started as a travel agent for Expedia.com, got off the phone and on my feet as a floor tech for a Gulf Breeze nursing home, then finally decided to seek a job remotely related to my degree and stumbled into an opening at the Milton newspaper.

I work primarily out of the Milton office, but our new reporter, Ashleigh Wilde, lives and works in Crestview. Here's her introduction:

Hello everyone, I’m Ashleigh Wilde, your new Crestview Bulletin reporter. How did I get here? Great question.

I didn’t always want to be a journalist. I started college at the University of West Florida with my mind set on psychology. While I was finishing my general studies, I decided as much as I liked helping people and listening to their problems, I didn’t like science enough to study it for eight years. What did I want to do instead? I didn’t totally know.

All I knew was I loved sports and wanted to do something in sports. After talking with my adviser, I found that I could get the best of both worlds (cue the Hannah Montana song). I landed on a major in journalism, with a concentrated area of study in sports psychology.

Fast forward a couple of years, there I was with a degree, but no job in my career field. I knew it could take a while, especially when most places wanted three to five years of experience. So, I decided to become a substitute teacher for Okaloosa County School District. I thought I’d only have to do that for a couple of months. Man, was I wrong.

It took a year and a half from the day I graduated college to the day I finally started my career. It was a rough road, full of days where I felt defeated and like I should give up. I never did. I just kept trusting God and kept applying, until one day I was offered the job of the new Crestview Bulletin reporter.

Now, it’s been a month and I’m loving it. Crestview is home and I’m glad I get to stay near my friends and family. This is a great place to work and I can’t wait to see what exciting things will come our way. Stay tuned.

Aaron Little is the editor of the Santa Rosa Press Gazette and the Crestview News Bulletin. You can reach him at alittle@srpressgazette.com

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: A time for introductions

Being from the suburbs of Los Angeles, California, there are many things that don't bother me the way they do native Northwest Floridians. While I don't enjoy the heavy traffic we have during rush hour, I am more used to it.

It is with both anticipation and trepidation that I read Crestview is estimated to have a population of 43,000 by the year 2030.

The anticipation comes from new residents, meaning more potential friends and more businesses here in Crestview.

The trepidation is from foreseeing major gridlock unless the traffic issues get resolved. These new residents will not only need a place to live, but also need to be able to drive to the grocery store, church, jobs, schools, restaurants and so on.

Many of us read that the Crestview bypass has been approved, but when will this bypass be completed?

An article in the March 25 Crestview News Bulletin (https://bit.ly/2uAS3Hn) stated, "County officials plan to eventually spend a total of $25 million to $30 million on the bypass project, the overall cost of which is close to $200 million. County Public Works Director Jason Autrey recently said the county is leveraging its funding for the bypass with participation from the Florida Department of Transportation and Triumph to complete the upgrades."

Jim, my husband, and I have lived in Crestview for 15 years and have been told that traffic gridlock will be relieved "soon." Now that monies are available due to the half cent sales tax, apparently things can begin to move forward. How quickly can this project get started?

Crestview needs traffic relief now. Some days it is a nightmare to drive from one end of town to the other. Imagine what it will be like with more residents.

We don't need to wait years before this project is completed to help alleviate the daily congestion we face.

There are days it takes over 30 minutes to drive from Old Bethel Road south on State Road 85 down to Cracker Barrel, which is approximately 7 miles.

If the traffic situation doesn't change we will see people move away from the area because of it. Crestview residents don't want to have the gridlock usually associated with large metropolitan centers.

The charm of Crestview lies in our small town feel, which will be lost if we don't get a handle on the traffic issues.

Janice Lynn Crose, a former accountant, lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Better to fix traffic before future influx

CRESTVIEW — Numerous crestviewbulletin.com and Facebook readers shared their thoughts on local issues. 

Here are some of their comments. 

FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY

Gun control is a feel good, false sense of security for the ignorant. There are so many current laws on the books that cover weapons and use of; there are laws against murder and attempted murder, as well as assault.

But just as a law against speeding, these laws are only as good as the person abiding by them and the law prosecuting the offenders.

No criminal or criminally intent person is going to give a damn about a law. So, therefore, only the law-abiding citizens are affected by a law, and they are not the ones committing these acts.

Daniel Crawley 

REGARDING KNEELING

Perhaps we should look at ‘taking a knee’ as a form of allegiance to the anthem and flag? Many genuflect in church, why not the playing field?

E.S. Farrell

Crestview

HOPING FOR TRAFFIC CHANGES

Sure hope there is a plan to change the intersection at [State Road] 85 and John King. The backup there now is a hazard. Excited that Popeyes is coming, however.

TerryandKelly Hayes 

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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Readers' thoughts on gun control, NFL kneeling

CRESTVIEW — Numerous crestviewbulletin.com and Facebook readers shared their thoughts on local issues. 

Here are some of their comments. 

Talk of nuclear war

It's just sad that we're just talking about this like it's nothing at all. I'm scared and I don't want any of us to die like this. It's [B.S.] and we had better do everything in our power to make sure that we don't destroy our beautiful world in nuclear war.

Patty Stepro

Forecasting road improvements

Well, I really thought I would never see the Fairchild Road "pig trail" paved. But after officials talked about it since 1964 it finally happened this year and boy is it nice!

So at that rate, since SR 85 has only been talked about since around the year 2000 I'd say ya have about 36 years to wait yet to match the Fairchild wait.

Daniel Crawley 

About Crestview’s retiring reference librarian

Sandra [Dreaden] has always been a tireless advocate for education. Her energy, professionalism, and toughness are legendary.

Tricia Gould

Praise for Laurel Hill coverage

Thank you, Genevieve DiNatale, for taking time to come to Laurel Hill and attending our City Council meetings. It is refreshing to have [an] unbiased reporter that is always willing report the facts.

Even if we are a small city.

Taking the extra steps and representing North Okaloosa is very much appreciated. We look forward to reading [and] viewing your articles. Keep up the good work.

Kathy Moneypenny 

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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Readers' thoughts on nuclear threats, road improvements

CRESTVIEW — Numerous crestviewbulletin.com and Facebook readers shared their thoughts on local issues. 

Here are some of their comments. 

Join the conversation on crestviewbulletin.com — and your comment could be featured. >>

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Have more to say than a quick comment? Write a letter to the editor.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Readers' thoughts on Crestview Senior Center flap, Trump, marijuana