Poland To Pensacola Bike Ride Hits North Escambia
June 2, 2012
In 2008, Chuck Campbell’s wife Carol spent her final days under hospice care Ohio. And Friday he crossed the Florida state line in Century just ahead of a finish for a 1,000 mile bike ride in memory of his late wife — from Poland, Ohio to Pensacola Beach — to benefit Covenant Hospital in both Ohio and Pensacola.
Chuck and is daughter, who lives in the Pensacola area, were impressed with hospice and began to volunteer. And then came the idea for the bike ride.
He pedaled out of Poland, Ohio, on May 3 with plans to arrive in Pensacola on Memorial day, but weather caused a few delays along the way.
Chuck has had a stowaway on his trip…a young “Flat Stanley”. Along the entire trip, he’s carried along a drawing of the popular traveling book character. This particular Flat Stanley was first mailed to Ohio by Jordan Stranec, a first grade student at S.S. Dixon Primary School in Pace. Flat Stanley hitched a ride back to Florida with Chuck. Due to weather delays in the trip, his plans to visit Mrs. Grant’s first graders at S.S. Dixon were ruined due to the end of school.
Pictured: Chuck Campbell crossed the Florida state line in Century Friday morning as he nears the end of a 1,000 mile bike ride from Poland, Ohio, to Pensacola Beach. Accompanying Campbell (seen in his hand) is the popular children’s character Flat Stanley. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
School’s Out (With 2012-2013 School Calendar)
June 2, 2012
Escambia County schools were dismissed for the summer Friday as students began their vacation break. The final day for teachers will be June 5.
Students will return to class in Escambia County on Monday, August 20, 2012.
Holidays for the 2012-2013 school year are as follows:
- September 3 — Labor Day
- November 12 — Veteran’s Day
- November 21-23 — Thanksgiving/Fall Break
- Christmas Break — December 22 — January 6
- MLK Day — January 21
- Spring Break — March 25-29
- Memorial Day — May 27
- Last Student Day — May 31
Pictured top: Eighth grade students at Ernest Ward Middle School take a traditional “Final Walk” Friday afternoon to end the school year. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
High School Graduation Schedule; Submit Your Graduation Photos
June 2, 2012
Here is schedule of remaining high school graduations across the area.
You can submit photos of area graduates, from them receiving their diploma to even candid shots with friends, to news@northescambia.com for possible inclusion in an upcoming photo gallery.
- Central High School, 6 p.m. June 4, Central High School
- J.M. Tate High School, 1 p.m. June 4, Pensacola Civic Center
- Pine Forest High School, 7 p.m. June 4, Pensacola Civic Center
- West Florida High School, 4 p.m. June 4, Pensacola Civic Center
- Booker T. Washington High School: 1 p.m. June 5, Pensacola Civic Center
- Escambia High School, 7 p.m. June 5, Pensacola Civic Center
- Pensacola High School, 4 p.m. June 5, Pensacola Civic Center
We Have A Winner: North Escambia Fantasy Five Ticket Worth $81,429.14
June 2, 2012
A Fantasy 5 ticket purchased Friday in North Escambia is worth $81,429.14.
The winning ticket, with numbers 09-19-23-26-29 — was sold at the State Line Gift Shop at 11208 Highway 97 in Davisville. It was one of three winning tickets sold in the state. The other winning tickets were sold in Jacksonville and Lake Alfred.
The $81,429.14 ticket sold in Davisville was not a “Quick Pick”, meaning the winner choose the correct numbers when purchasing the ticket rather than relying on computer generated numbers.
There were also 439 tickets with four correct numbers worth $89.50 each, and 11,949 with three of five numbers worth $9.00 each.
Great Weekend Weather
June 2, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. Calm wind.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming southwest between 10 and 15 mph.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69. Southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. West wind between 5 and 15 mph.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. West wind around 10 mph.
- Tuesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. West wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Tuesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. West wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Wednesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Wednesday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming north. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Thursday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Friday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Saturday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Ernest Ward Middle Holds Graduation (With 200 Photos)
June 2, 2012
The Ernest Ward Middle School Class of 2012 held a graduation program Friday at the school.
The students took part in the ceremony that had a slightly more casual and fun theme than a traditional high school pomp and circumstance graduation exercise.
Several students were honored with Superlative Awards with fun categories like Top Chef, Most Creative, Class Clowns, Loudest, Most Sarcastic and Mr. And Miss Perfectionist.
Superlative Award Winners were:
- Best Mathematician — Tristan Barrett
- Biggest History Buff — Ladarrius Thames
- Future Scientist- Jordan Taylor
- Top Chef — Emily Walston
- Best Author or Authoress — Madison Weber
- Biggest Computer Geek — Tyler Houston
- Avid Reader/Book Worm — Renee McGahan
- Most Creative — Meagan Ogle
- Highest Vocabulary — David Thorpe
- Class Clown(s) — Mark Lee, Kris Reber,
- Mr. Fashion and Miss Fashionista — Lillie Allen, Tyler Berry
- Biggest Flirt — Sharnice Spears, Jacob Dunsford
- Shyest — Elizabeth Sanders
- Loudest — Wykeyiah Barton and Sonya Dixon
- Most Hardworking — Haley Brown, Harmoni Till
- Mr. and Miss Perfectionists — Bethany Reynolds, Bradley Van Pelt
- Most Sarcastic — Jason Perritt and Lorri Harrell
Students participating in the graduation activities Friday at Ernest Ward Middle School were:
TOP TEN
- Haley Denenne Brown
- Abbie Elizabeth Johnson
- Moriah Renee McGahan
- Bethany Cheyenne Reynolds
- Savanna Brianne Roux
- David Franklin Thorpe
- Harmoni Faith Till
- Bradley Andrew Van Pelt
- Haylee Alease Weaver
- Madison Paige Weber
- Kaitlyn Noelle Abbott
- Jadlyn Skye Agerton
- Lillie Kathryn Allen
- James Austin Ates
- Shnala O’Daija Banks
- Olan Travis Barlow
- Nathan Andrew Barnes
- Tristan Michael Barrett
- Jessica Renee Barrows
- Tamara Lee Barrows
- Wykeyiah Sinclair Barton
- Olivia Antoinette Bellamy
- Matthew Dyllan Berry
- Tyler Christopher Berry
- Izaiah Malique Bivins
- George Dylan Bodie
- Jalyn Maddisen Bodiford
- Katelyn Michelle Born
- Alan Robert Brown
- William Christopher Brown
- Alexandria Lachelle Burt
- Demeteris Dontaye Burt
- Zachary Thomas Calloway
- Breanna Charmaine Campbell
- Ciara Ann Campbell
- Johna Monae Carter
- Colby Lee Clark
- Ureil Neil Codrington
- Judson Billyjoe Conatser
- Hunter Drew Connell
- Gavin Aubrey Coon
- Sonya Tameca Dixon
- Kasey Ray Dorch
- I’siah Lydell Dunn
- Jacob Wade Dunsford
- Sarah Elizabeth Dutton
- Leah Grace Fischer
- Amber Renee’ Freeman
- Bryce Ray Fugitt
- Ramsey Wade Gafford
- Nathan Anthony Galvan
- Ariel Danielle Garner
- Kaylyn Sierra Garnett
- Jamie Ray Garrett
- Hanna Nicole Ging
- Robert Zachary Glenn
- Jaelyn Kieran Goldsmith
- Christopher Gavin Grant
- Cheyenne Raven Gray
- Tristan Gregory Blake Green
- Dariane Breeze Guy
- Magen Marie Hardy
- Kuper Ray Harkness
- Lorri Hope Harrell
- Samuel Eugene Hassebrock
- Michael Heaton
- Jordan Noelle Helmeken
- Zachary Tyler Holland
- Tyler Ray Houston
- Brayden William Hubbard
- Jakeyia Vonshae James
- Aquarius Sharda Jay
- Angel Celeste Johnson
- Jacob Adam Johnson
- Tonie Breanna Johnson
- Richard Allen Jones
- Amy Ann Kite
- Kaitlyn Nicole Kleinatland
- Haley Marie Lambert
- Kendral Autumn Mae Langford
- Trevor James Lassitter
- Charles Mark Lee
- Trevor Dale Levins
- Madison Juanita Lundy
- Yhsyionia Shardez McConico
- Sykeema Anastasia McConico
- Cody Eugene McNeil
- Bethany Anne Merchant
- Kerri Cheyanne Merchant
- Hadiya Noelle Mitchell
- Thomas Monroe Moore
- Steffon Makyris Murphy
- Cody Carl Nellums
- Meagan Nicole Ogle
- Brianna Nicole Parker
- Kelly Oasis Payne
- Liberty Danielle Peebles
- Jason Andrew Perritt
- Eric Younge Phillips
- Kevin Ashton Pippins
- Joshua Nicholas Poston
- Benjamin Tate Preston
- Olivia Simone Price
- Terrance Malachi Prime
- Laurie Elaine Purdy
- John Triston Reaves
- Kristofer Todd Reber
- Courtney Nicole Reid
- Grady Bryant Rigby
- Darion Taylor Riley
- Danielle Chanel Robinson
- Elizabeth Anne Sanders
- Julian Carter Satterwhite
- Lindsey Nekole Sims
- Nathan James Singleton
- Jamilia Nicole Smiley-Knight
- Kyle David William Smith
- Levi Godwin Solomon
- Sharnice Labraishia Spears
- O’Neshia Kuina Spencer
- Kayla Nichole Stalvey
- Zachary Thomas Steele-Reich
- Warren Lamar Suggs, Jr.
- Colten James Sunday
- Brianna Monique’ Taylor
- Jordan Caroline Taylor
- Ladarrius Deante Thames
- Joshua Edward Thomas
- Jared Elijah Townley
- Asja Mo’na Trotter
- Olivia Danielle Trump
- Miranda Marie Vidak
- William Mcdonald Walker
- Emily Brooke Walston
- Brittney Christina Ward
- Carly Marie Ward
- Jensyn Lillian Troy Warner
- Brianna Letricia Weaden
- Courtney Bryce Weekley
- Austin Ray Whitehead
- Morgan Cheyenne Wiggins
- Timothy Robert Wiggins
- Sabrina Rena Wine
- Allison Joy Woodfin
Every Wondered Which Daylilies Will Work In Your Garden?
June 2, 2012
Have you ever wondered which daylilies to plant in your garden? “Mondays in the Gardens“ will feature “Dazzling Daylilies” on June 11 at 10 am at the UF/IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center Gardens. Find out everything you need to know about collecting and growing these beautiful flowers. The program is under the direction of UF/IFAS Santa Rosa County Master Gardeners. Tina Tuttle will deliver the presentation. It is free and open to the public.
Tina is a National Garden Club Horticulture Instructor. She serves as President for the Florida Flower Show Judges and Assistant District Director for FFGC District I. Additionally she currently serves as vice president for the Friends of the Gardens of Northwest Florida.
The UF/IFAS WREC Gardens are located on the Milton campus of Pensacola State College. Follow the signs on campus to find the gardens. The program will be in the Shade Garden.
Two Escambia Men Arrested In Armed Burglary
June 2, 2012
Two men were arrested Friday for armed burglary after they entered the apartment of two females on Michigan Avenue.
The victim told 911 dispatchers that two black males had pushed their way into her apartment and began fighting with her and her mother. The victim later told deputies during the altercation one of the suspects had pulled a handgun. The victims were able to push the suspects out of the apartment and contact law enforcement.
A description of the suspects and their vehicle was provided to dispatchers. A deputy spotted the suspected vehicle and followed it to an address in the 5200 block of Charbar Drive. The suspects ran from the vehicle into the house where deputies later took both into custody.
A search of the suspects and the area failed to yield the gun that was allegedly used in the crime.
Dealex M. Sumler, 19, was charged with armed burglary of an occupied dwelling and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Tywan C. Bedgood, 18, was charged with armed burglary of an occupied dwelling and battery.
Mary Evolyn Kittrell Whitson
June 2, 2012
In the quiet morning hours on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, our beautiful spirited mother Mary Evolyn Kittrell Whitson slipped gently from her earthly home into the arms of her Heavenly Father and was joyously welcomed by many loved ones.
She was born May 10, 1916, in the thriving sawmill town of Muscogee to Floyd Western Kittrell and Maud Evolyn Arnold Kittrell. In her early years she attended Muscogee School and enjoyed the camaraderie of siblings and classmates; some of whom remained lifelong friends. She was christened in the Knox Presbyterian Church in Muscogee where she remembered vividly seeing as a child the beautiful stained glass windows.
At age nine her parents moved to Pensacola where she enjoyed being a city girl. A few years later her family returned to the country settling in the Farm Hill community in Cantonment. During her teen years she attended J.M. Tate School where she participated in various school activities; she especially loved playing on the girls basketball team.
While attending a baptism on Perdido River at Muscogee her pretty red hair caught the eye of a very handsome Carl R. Whitson, Sr. from Gonzalez. After a whirlwind courtship, and a few months shy of her 18th birthday, they were married on January 25th, 1934, by family friend Rev. A.J. Townley.
They settled in Pensacola and the following year began a wonderful family with the birth of their first child. In 1947 they relocated to a home in the Cantonment Farm Hill community where they would spend the remaining years of their lives. They were married 49 years before Carl went to be with his Lord and Savior.
God gave mother many talents and she generously shared them with family and friends. She possessed and inner strength and “can do” spirit that was evident to anyone who knew her. As our first teacher, we learned from her that “God is Love and He is always with us”. She taught us the meaning of charity and to and to always think of others in need.
Having joined Lathram Chapel Methodist Church, she worked tirelessly with her mother and others to keep the small church alive, all the while serving 27 years as church pianist.
In 1948, mother’s journey led her to St. Regis Paper Company in Cantonment where she gained employment and worked for the next 33 years. Following retirement from St.Regis, she began volunteer work. One of her favorite projects was tutoring at Jim Allen Elementary School in early childhood classes. She continued a family tradition of volunteering as a poll worker on election day, serving for many years at Precinct 21 in Cantonment.
An opportunity to sell beautiful Tiara glass was presented and soon she became a top saleswoman for the company, winning many awards and premiums.
Traveling around her wonderful country was truly a blessing for her, especially enjoying trips with family to the West, Washington D.C., Chicago, the Black Hills of the Dakotas, the mountains of Tennessee and Kentucky, and South Florida .
Gardening was one of her favorite hobbies and she had a very green thumb. Always eager to share cutting, plants from her yard are blooming all over the country. Other hobbies included reading, sewing and playing a weekly game of Bunco with special friends. These Bunco parties began in 1960 and continued for over 40 years. We often teased her about her “gambling” habit.
But her absolute favorite activity was spending time with her family. She especially loved our large gatherings for holidays and birthdays. Her love of family and pride in them was never ending. We loved her so and we’ll miss her always.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years , Carl Rushing Whitson, Sr. and two infant children, Nancy Karen Whitson, and Gary Dean Whitson, parents Floyd Western Kittrell and Maud Evolyn Arnold Kittrell, brothers Carl Dane Kittrell, John Daniel Kittrell, Floyd Arnold Kittrell, Eugene Otis Kittrell, and James Western Kittrell; father -in-law, Gilbert Wesley Whitson, mother-in-law, Lelia Bowman Whitson, sister-in-law, Lulu Ruth Whitson Levy, and sons- in law Herman Conley and William(Sonny) Benefield, and many friends.
She is survived by sons Carl Rushing Whitson, Jr. (Beth) , and Paul Maurice Whitson ; daughters Mary Gwen Whitson Conley, Joyce Carol Whitson Robbins (Jim), Jackowyn Emile Whitson Benefield; sister Olivia Delorious Kittrell Hamilton; 10 grandchildren, Michael A. Conley (Faye), Keith W. Conley (Shan), Jeffrey K. Robbins (Kelly), Jamie D Robbins-London (Don), Joanna R. Robbins Hayes (Rob), Carl R. Whitson, III (Julia), Mona Lynn Whitson Baker, William Bryan Benefield, Darla Ann Whitson Shiver, and Paul Reese Whitson (Angie) and 19 Great Granchildren:, Kady Robbins, Lauren and Ashton Conley,Levi and Rena Whitson, Ali, Anna and Riley Hayes, Tegan and Eric Shiver, Marcus, Tristan Ian, Evan, & Elizabeth Baker, Stella London, Bryanna and Mckala Benefield.
Visitation and services will beheld at Faith Chapel North Cantonment. Visitation Saturday June 2nd, 5-7 p.m., and services Sunday, June 3 at 2 pm. Officiating will be Rev. John Kuritz and Rev. Pam Avery with grandsons serving as pallbearers. Interment will follow services at Lathram Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery in Cantonment.
Memorials may be made to one of her favorite charities — The United Methodist Children’s Home, 3140 Zelda Court, Montgomery, AL 36106 , (800) 239.3575. Family would like to thanks Dr. Gary Gotthelf and staff for many years of caring for mother, and Emerald Coast Hospice, especially Julie Brigham, R.N., and Evelyn Fields for their kindness and loving care, and her special niece Mary Elizabeth Kittrell Deese.
Faith Chapel North is in charge of arrangements.
Northview Names Honor Grads
June 2, 2012
Honors graduates for Northview High School’s Class of 2012 were recently named.
They are as follows:
Pictured top: Northview Class of 2012 Summa Cum Laude graduates (4.0 and above) are Valedictorian Elizabeth Ashley Wright, Salutatorian Holly Nicole Dickson, Joel Nathaniel Wetzel, Amber Dianrie Francis, Josie Britt Doucette, Caleb Wesley Leonard, Jamila Akilah Codrington, Lydia Ann Weaver. Not pictured: Lindsay Beth Hedgepeth.
Pictured inset: Northview Class of 2012 Magna Cum Laude graduates (3.85 or higher) are (L-R) Brian Jeffrey Ross, HenryJoseph Baldwin, Charla Suzanne Stark and (not pictured) Taylor Leigh Ann Dukes
Pictured below: Northview Class of 2012 Cum Laude (3.5 and above) graduates are: Arthur Jacob Baldwin, Austin Randall Albritton, Timothy Lucas White, (not pictured) Camilah Joy Goetter, Chelsea Grace Parham, Melissa Jayne Moretz, Alexander Dewayne Payne, Lauren Ashley McCall, Caroline Lindsay Prater and Savannah Dyan Singleton.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
