The 188th Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany ends on Oct. 3, but the festival of German food, drink and frivolity continues on this side of the Atlantic.

In scenes reminiscent of battles fought in the Netherlands and Low Countries almost 80 years ago, German and Allied troops will invade Crestview over Labor Day weekend and fight periodic skirmishes at Spanish Trail Park. But there’s no need to dash for the nearest air raid shelter: The Sept. 1-3 event is an educational World War II reenactment program sponsored by the city’s Cultural Services Division, its Living History Corps, and the Historic Preservation Board.

There’s more than one way to swing on a front porch, and a new porch swing is just one of them. Another is to jitterbug to the irresistible music of a lively big band. On Aug. 12, Crestview’s historic Bush House’s front porch has both.

The 80th anniversary of one of the greatest undercover operations of World War II will be observed at the Crestview Public Library at 5 p.m. Monday, May 1, including a brief introduction and a screening of the film “The Man Who Never Was.”

There are many remarkable stories of fortitude, bravery and triumph that have come out of World War II. As a young boy, Rudy Timmerman lived one of those stories.

Timmerman will share his saga of survival at the Crestview Public Library Friday, April 21.

Laurel Hill — The congregation of one of Okaloosa County’s oldest churches invites its friends, neighbors and former members to celebrate its 125 years of ministry.

The Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church will welcome all to a special worship service scheduled for 11 a.m., Sunday, April 23.

It takes more than mastering the skills in a martial art like Taekwon-Do to advance to the next belt level. As students at the Gordon Martial Arts recent advancement ceremony proved, dedication is also required.

The five candidates for black belt spent many an arduous hour perfecting their craft — and that was before they tackled the belt test. One challenge they faced was that academy owner Master Tom Gordon and his instruction team don’t hand out gimmes.