Laurel Hill — Thirteen is a lucky number for North Okaloosa County residents. That’s the number of Laurel Hill Arts and Heritage Festivals hosted by the historic Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church — so far. Held on the spacious grounds of the historic 1902 carpenter gothic style church, Okaloosa County’s northernmost municipality’s annual spring festival is a showcase of regional arts, crafts, history, traditions, food and music.

During its forthcoming spring concerts, the Crestview Community Chorus is preparing to sweep its audiences around the world on the wings of song. The concerts, called “International Folk Songs,” are May 19, 20 and 21 In Warriors Hall. “We’re starting in America and then we’re going to Europe, and then we’re getting back on the ship and returning to America,” said chorus member Sharon Adams.

Housing Trust Group (HTG), one of the nation’s largest developers of affordable housing, and AM Affordable Housing, a non-profit founded by NBA Hall of Famer and Miami Heat legend Alonzo Mourning, have closed on financing and commenced construction on a new Crestview project.

The City of Crestview played a little catchup last week at the City Council meeting. “Crestview High School has a recognition program,” said Crestview Mayor JB Whitten. “They have a student of the month that they recognize and we just kind of got a little bit late to the picture, and so we wanted to recognize our students also so we’re going to catch up.”

During his remarks at the ribbon cutting ceremony dedicating the Crestview Fire Department’s new fire training tower, City Manager Tim Bolduc paraphrased author and former FBI chief hostage negotiator Chris Voss. Voss wrote that in times of pressure, people don’t rise to the pressure but instead fall back on their highest level of training. That need to be ready in pressure situations is what led Crestview to pursuing funding for and ultimately building the new fire training tower on Edney Avenue. Construction on the tower wrapped up earlier this year and the official ribbon cutting ceremony for the facility took place March 23.

America’s favorite frozen treat is the focus of a cool display currently at the Crestview Public Library through March. From cartons and root beer float mugs to just about everything else ice creamy, the library lobby is full of yummy memorabilia. From the vast collections of residents Wanda and Mark Hulion comes a diverse array of ice cream-related serving dishes, vintage packages, signs, churns and almost 70 assorted scoops.

The City of Crestview has a number of upcoming events designed to both entertain and inform the public through early April. All events listed below are in the city limits of Crestview.

A steady hum fills the air early on a Thursday morning on a plot of land not far from North Okaloosa Medical Center. One of the best kept secrets in town might also be one of the top recreation destinations. If you don’t already know, the City of Crestview has a remote-control racetrack that is open to the public at no cost.

Alaqua Animal Refuge recently announced the formal opening of its new, one-of-a-kind facility, located at 155 Dugas Way in Freeport, and invites the community to celebrate the momentous occasion with a month-long celebration of events titled “Celebrate! Alaqua” beginning March 4.

A donation by Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) will enhance the summer camp experience for rising fifth-graders to help spark interest in coding, construction, biomedical, automotive, welding, culinary, entrepreneurship, digital design and cosmetology.