Rev. Fil Enfinger Retires After 38 Years In Ministry
February 3, 2008
The retiring Rev. Fil Enfinger and his wife Mary were honored with a reception Saturday at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church in Bogia. Enfinger has been in the ministry for 38 years.
He first spent three years and eight months at Ray’s Chapel, beginning in 1970. Then he pastored Cottage Hill Baptist Church for 24 years. Then he returned to Ray’s Chapel doing “pulpit supply”–just filling in on a temporary basis. He’s been back at Ray’s Chapel for 10 years.
“I love to preach,” Rev. Enfinger told NorthEscambia.com Saturday afternoon, surrounded by church members, family and friends. “It’s been a good ministry.”
“There have been a lot of baptisms over the years. The Lord has truly blessed,” Rev. Enfinger said.
When asked about the funniest thing that ever happened during the 38 years, he started to tell a story. But his wife Mary interrupted with a “you can’t tell that one” kind of look. So we got the Kleenex wedding story instead.
“I was doing this wedding one time with a young couple. Just as they played the song for me to go out, I got this bad nose bleed,” he said. Acting quickly, he grabbed Kleenex and stuffed them into his nose to stop the bleed. “I did this entire wedding with the Kleenex hanging out of my nose.”
The Rev. and Mrs. Enfinger were honored with a reception and video slide show Saturday afternoon at Ray’s Chapel.
And the best part of the 38 years? “Getting to serve the Lord,” Rev. Enfinger said. “It’s all about Him.”
Click here for a complete photo gallery from Saturday’s reception Rev. Phil and Mary Enfinger at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church.
Sunny And A High Of 80 Monday And Tuesday
February 3, 2008
Monday is forecast to be sunny with an afternoon high of 80. The low Monday night is expected to be 58. A 20 percent chance of rain is back in the forecast Tuesday with a high once again of 80.
A cold front sweeps past Tuesday night and Wednesday with rain, then daytime highs return to the 60’s and overnight lows to the 30’s.
Pictures above and below: It looks like spring around NorthEscambia.com with our amaryllis in full bloom here in the office. We just had to share them with you; we hope you enjoy them as much as we have.
Burn Awareness Week Begins Sunday In Escambia County
February 3, 2008
February 3-9 is Burn Awareness Week in Escambia County. This year’s campaign theme is “Preventing Gasoline Burns.” Escambia County Fire Rescue would like remind all Escambia County residents that most gasoline injuries are avoidable through proper use and storage.
Please remember the following tips when using, handling, and storing gasoline:
DOs
• Use gasoline only to fill the gasoline tank of a car, motorcycle, lawn mower, etc.
• Watch for any source of heat that can ignite gasoline vapors such as sparks or flames, even if it is located many feet away.
• Handle gasoline responsibly at all time and for kids, only under adult supervision.
• Add gasoline only after an engine has completely cooled, an engine that is still warm can ignite gasoline vapors.
• Store gasoline only in an approved gasoline container
• Store gasoline in a well-ventilated outside storage area that is not attached to your home, such as a shed or garage, preferably in a locked cabinet. Be sure there are not ignition sources nearby.
• Make sure gasoline containers are out reach of children
• Keep only the minimum amount of gasoline required (generally, no more than a gallon).
DON’Ts
• Don’t use gasoline anywhere near a barbeque grill.
• Don’t use gasoline to light a barbeque grill or to start or accelerate any kind of fire.
• Don’t use gasoline as a cleaning fluid or solvent.
• Don’t experiment with gasoline in any way. A few minutes of experimentation could result in a lifetime of painful surgeries, disfiguring scars, or even death.
• Don’t sniff or huff gasoline; it can cause brain damage or death.
• Don’t allow children to touch gasoline or a gasoline container, even under supervision
• Don’t handle gasoline near a flame source, such as matches, lighters and pilot lights on stoves and water heaters.
• Don’t use gasoline indoors.
• Don’t siphon gasoline by mouth, as it is harmful or fatal if swallowed.
• Don’t induce vomiting if gasoline is swallowed. Instead seek medical attention.
• Don’t store gasoline in a glass jar, milk jug or any other non-approved container.
• Don’t store gasoline near a source of heat or sparks, such as a hot water heater, furnace, clothes dryer or any appliance that uses a pilot light.
• Don’t keep gasoline anywhere inside a home or vehicle.
Escambia County Fire Rescue encourages everyone to follow these safety tips. For additional information, please visit the following website: www.burnawarenessweek.org.
Catholic Downs Northview Girls In 1-3A Semifinal
February 2, 2008
The Northview Chief girls were defeated by Catholic 60-33 Friday in Bratt.
The game got off to an uneven start, with Catholic up 25-12 in the first period. Gabe Wesley sank 12 points for the Chiefs. Other scorers were: Melissa Garrett 8, Timeka Marshall 6, Karissa Lee 2, Shiniqua Jones 2, Brittney Thompson 2, and Angela Rodriguez 1.
The Changing Face Of The Homeless Right Here In North Escambia
February 2, 2008
There’s a changing face to the homeless population in Escambia County, and many of those homeless people are right here in North Escambia.
The word “homeless” usually brings to mind an image of a pour soul sleeping on park bench, under a bridge or begging for money at a busy Pensacola intersection. But there is a much larger segment of homeless people in our county, many of them sitting in North Escambia classrooms during the day and going home…well, not actually going home anywhere.
“The fastest growing segment of the homeless population is families with kids,” said Lon Roberts, a homeless advocate with the Escarosa Coalition on the Homeless. “The average age of these is nine.”
A homeless person is not just one sleeping outside, he said. A homeless person many be a family forced to stay in a motel, or live with relatives because they have no other place to go.
“Being homeless does not mean that you are living in a tent somewhere,” Brunie Emmanuel, coordinator for the Escarosa Coalition on the Homeless, said.
“I work with the school system to help determine the need,” Roberts said. “Schools don’t always know. They don’t think of doubling up as homelessness.”
Friday, the homeless coalition teamed with many other community and faith based organizations to hold a free fish fry in Century. Participants were fed a catfish meal with all the fixings. They were asked, but not required, to respond to a questionnaire about their home situation.
Questions like “where did you sleep last night” and “how long have been homeless” were asked as the men, women and children ate.
The purpose of the survey is to determine the need for homeless services in North Escambia, and determine the best response to those need. Then the group plans to determine how to fund that response.
“My project has no money,” Roberts said. But sometimes he is able to match a need with a provider such as a church that might have a clothes closet or a food closet.
He did have a $15,000 grant to buy underwear, a very basic need among people. When that money ran out after three years, he received a few thousand more in donations.
“I just take one day at a time,” he said. “God is good. He provides.”
Faith plays an important part in the homeless coalition’s efforts, with many churches supporting the organization.
The homeless fed on Friday were given the opportunity to leave with socks, blankets and flashlights.
In addition to the EscaRosa Coalition on the Homeless, other participants in Friday’s lunch in Century included the Pensacola City Housing Board, the Florida Department of Children and Families, Gonzalez United Methodist Church, Hillcrest Baptist Church, the Town of Century, Brownsville Baptist Church and United Ministries.
Other churches and organizations that would like to become involved in the project, or persons needing assistance, can contact Rita Icenogle or any of the volunteers at the United Way at 595-5905.
Picture above: One of the children at Friday’s lunch. Pictured below: Blankets and socks were available.
Going Absolutely Nowhere
February 1, 2008
The railroad crossing arms on East Bogia Road were stuck in the down position for several hours on Friday. The crossing is located just east of Highway 29 in the Bogia community.
CSX railroad officials were expected to have the crossing opened in a few hours. East Bogia Road comes to a dead end less than half a mile past the crossing. There are just a few houses located on that section of the country road.
A Hot, Sticky, Stinky Mess
February 1, 2008
It took over two hours to clean up a hot, sticky mess following an accident Friday morning on Highway 97.
The accident happened when a concrete mixer trailer being towed southbound came loose and was struck by a northbound dump truck hauling load of hot asphalt, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The dump truck skidded off the highway, spilling a large amount of hot asphalt into the ditch.
The driver of the dump truck and a passenger received minor injuries in the accident, which was reported at 9:18 on Highway 97 just north of Pelt Road in front of the Emmanuel Faith Center.
A bobcat loader and another dump truck were brought into remove the asphalt.
Picture above: The front of the dump truck that struck the concrete mixer trailer. Pictured below: Hot asphalt steams as it is loaded into another dump truck. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos.
Ray’s Chapel Honors The Retiring Rev. Enfinger Saturday
February 1, 2008
Saturday afternoon, Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church honored retiring pastor F.L. Enfinger and his wife Mary.. Enfinger is retiring after 38 years in the ministry. NorthEscambia.com will have a complete story and photos Sunday morning.
Funeral Services Held Friday For Father And Son
February 1, 2008
A father and son who died in a tragic accident in Walnut Hill were laid to rest Friday.
Funeral services for Danny Marlow, 40, and Drew Marlow, 2, were held Friday morning at the Pace Assembly of God in Pace, FL. Visitation was held Thursday night at the Pace Assembly of God.
Funeral services for Joyce Marie McGahan, 70, of Cantonment were held at Thursday morning at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North In Cantonment. Visitation was held Wednesday night at the funeral home.
The Marlows died instantly in the accident on Highway 97 Monday afternoon. McGahan died a few hours later as a result of injuries sustained in the accident.
Click here to read the accident story.
Click here for our Memorial Message Board.
Thursday Night Thunderstorms Hit North Escambia, One Injured In Rollover Accident
January 31, 2008
Fast moving thunderstorms caused relatively few problem across North Escambia Thursday night. The line of showers began moving through the area before 6:00 and had cleared the North Escambia area by 11:00.
One person was seriously injured in an accident during the storms, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. A single vehicle rollover accident was reported outside Century on Highway 4 near Lake Stone just after 8:00. At least one person, who had to be extricated from the vehicle, was injured. Further details were not available from the Florida Highway Patrol late Thursday night. Fire departments from Century, Flomaton, McDavid and Molino were dispatched to the scene.
The entire area was put under a tornado watch until 11:00, but that watch was canceled about 45 minutes early. A severe thunderstorm warning and a flash flood warning were both issue during the evening.
Minor street flooding was report throughout the area. There were also reports of scattered power outages.