Century Honors Veterans
November 8, 2014
The Town of Century held a special Veterans Day observance Friday to honor their local veterans.
“Hero — we throw that term around a lot, but they really are the superheroes of this world that keep us safe and allow us to enjoy the freedoms that God intended us to have,” guest speaker Rep. Clay Ingram told the small crowd at Century’s Nadine McCaw Park.
The event included other speakers and patriotic music from Byrneville Elementary School fourth and fifth grade students.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Weekend Events: VFD Fish Fry, Benefits For Cooper And McMorris, Harvest Festival
November 8, 2014
Here are some events in the North Escambia area today:
Walnut Hill VFD Fish Fry
The Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department annual fish fry will be held Saturday, November 8, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the fire station. Plates are $7 each and include catfish or grilled chicken, hush puppies, baked beans, cole slaw, dessert and drink. Enjoy baked goods and TCBY. The bloodmobile will also be onsite.
Bryant Cooper Benefit
There will be a benefit car wash Saturday from 9 am until noon at the First Baptist Church in Bratt for cancer patient Bryant Cooper sponsored by the FBC Youth. All donations will go toward travel expenses to MD Anderson in Texas. T-shirts will be available
Jennifer McMorris Benefit
Benefit for Jennifer McMorris on Saturday, November 8 at 11 a.m. at Heritage Park in Atmore. Live music, food and more.
Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church Harvest Festival
Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church will hold their annual Harvest Festival on Saturday, November 8, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the church. Games, hayrides, antique car show, chili cookoff and desert auction. Free soup and chili available. The church is located at 170 West Bogia Road in McDavid. Everyone is welcome.
Tate Beats Escambia
November 8, 2014
In a battle of local powerhouses, the Tate High School Aggies beat the Escambia Gators 27-24 Friday night in Cantonment.
The Aggies took a sizable 20-0 lead, beginning with 70-yard touchdown run with 7:53 on the clock in the first quarter.
The Aggies hit the road next Friday night for the first round of the state playoffs against Lincoln High School in Tallahassee.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Keith Garrison, click to enlarge.
Chiefs Drop Non-District Game To Blountstown (With Photo Gallery)
November 8, 2014
The Northview Chiefs finished out their regular season with a non-district 28-27 loss to the Blountstown Tigers Friday night at Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium in Bratt.
The loss was, simply, due to too many mistakes, said Northview head coach Sid Wheatley
“We just had too many mistakes down the stretch. Two different times, we had a two possession lead. That’s when you’ve got to go finish things off, and we didn’t do it,” said Wheatley. “And that absolutely killed it.”
The Chiefs took an early 7-0 lead with 9:31 to go in the first quarter on an eight-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Gavin Grant to Cameron Newsome in the end zone. Blountstown tied it up early in the second with the Chiefs making it 13-7 with 8:19 to go in the second with a 25-yard Nick Lambert touchdown.
Lambert scored again for the Chiefs with 7:57 to go in the third. And the final score of the cold night in Bratt come from Grant with a 60-yard quarterback keeper.
The Chiefs are looking to move on quickly, putting the loss behind them and looking forward to next week and round one of the 1A state playoffs.
“We’ve got to get better and our minds have to get better, because our second season begins now,” Wheatley said. “This game tonight has no bearing on what’s going to take place in the future.”
Next up in the future of the Chiefs are the Vernon Yellowjackets next Friday night on the road.
Wheatley said the team was looking toward a really good week of practice, “we are going to prepare them hard”, and we are going to on the road and get things done at Vernon.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
Senior Night, band and cheerleaders photos will be published in upcoming stories.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
BBB Warns Of Asphalt Paving Scam
November 8, 2014
The Better Business Bureau serving Northwest Florida is warning local consumers to watch out for unethical asphalt paving contractors. Numerous consumers have alerted BBB of an individual soliciting paving work door-to-door, the organization said.
According to the BBB, a local couple hired the individual and paid $3,000 before any work was done. Unfortunately, the check was cashed and the worker never returned. The consumers are now working with local police to track down the individual. Watch for these common signs of an asphalt scam:
- They claim to have leftover asphalt from another job. Be aware of paving companies that approach your home, stating that they are “in the area” and have extra asphalt or concrete to repair your driveway for a minimal cost. Professional asphalt contractors know, with great accuracy, how much paving material is needed to complete a project. Rarely will they have leftover material.
- High pressure sales. Never hire someone on the spot. Trustworthy contractors provide a written estimate that will be valid for days or weeks. Ask for local references and verify that the contractor is in compliance, current and up-to-date with all local licensing, bonding and insuring requirements.
- Deals that seem too good to be true. If the quoted price seems very low, chances are the quality of work will also be quite low. Many times the company will quote a low price for their work and upon completion overcharge the customer.
- No contract is offered. Insist on a written estimate specifying in detail the work to be performed and the agreed total price, not just price per square foot. Then get at least two more quotes before hiring a contractor.
- Unmarked trucks. Often the trucks they travel in are unmarked or they have an out-of-town license plate, address and phone number. A little research will reveal that they have no permanent address and the phone number is often an answering machine or answering service.
High School Football Scoreboard
November 8, 2014
Here are scores from the final week of the regular season in Florida and the first round of the playoffs in Alabama
FLORIDA
- Blountstown
- Tate 27, Escambia 24
- West Florida 28, Washington 6
- OPEN: Pace, Milton, Pine Forest, Jay
ALABAMA – PLAYOFF GAMES
- T.R. Miller 35, Greensboro 6
- W.S. Neal 51, Northside (Tuscaloosa) 34
- Flomaton 35, Pickens County 20
- Escambia Academy 54, Glenwood 0
Blue Angels Homecoming Show This Weekend (With Complete Schedule)
November 8, 2014
The Blue Angels will close the 2014 season at their annual Homecoming Air Show aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola today and Sunday.
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the air station, this year’s show days will include two full show days Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. (gates open at 8 a.m.)
Prior to the world-famous Blue Angels F/A 18 Hornet performances, the Blues’ C-130 Hercules transport known as “Fat Albert” will thrill the crowd with its short field take-off and low level passes at 2 p.m. followed by the Blues.
Tentatively scheduled for all both days will be extraordinary aerobatics by performers such as John Klatt in his “Screamin’ Sasquatch’ Jet Waco and David Martin will pilot his Brietling CAP 232. Roger Buis will amaze the crowd in “Otto the Helicopter” and Matt Younkin will excite everyone with aerobatics in his Beech 18. Neal Darnell will also be on hand to impress visitors in his Shockwave Jet Truck.
The crowd can marvel at the grace and beauty of the renowned Budweiser Clydesdales on Saturday. The Clydesdales were first introduced to the public in April 1933 and since have awed audiences all over the world.
Visitor may also stroll around more than 50 static display aircraft, from early aviation vintage planes to state-of-the-art modern fighters and more. There will also be a “Kids Zone” for children.
Admission and parking for all shows are free. Areas will be reserved for the physically challenged. Food and memorabilia will be available at numerous concession stands. Pets and coolers are not permitted. Security personnel and signs will direct spectators to parking areas near the show site.
2014 Air Show Schedule
Saturday and Sunday
Gates Open: 8 a.m. / Air Show begins 9 a.m.
- NASP Parade of Trainers
- Otto the Helicopter
- Stearman Team
- Gene Soucy
- Kevin Coleman
- John Klatt – Air National Guard
- Air National Guard with Shockwave Jet Truck
- Mike Rambo – Beechcraft
- Opening Ceremony
- United States Air Force Academy Wings of Blue Skydiving Team with the National Anthem
- Matt Younkin
- Bob Carlton – Vertigo Airshows
- Air National Guard with Shockwave Jet Truck
- Budweiser Clydesdales (Saturday only)
- Gene Soucy with Teresa Stokes wing walker
- Team AeroDynamix
- Mike Goulian – Goodyear
- Screamin Sasquatch
- David Martin – Breitling
- Fat Albert Demonstration- 2 pm
- USN Blue Angels
Local Tradition: Walnut Hill Vol. Fire Dept. Holding 45th Fish Fry
November 7, 2014
Saturday will mark the 45th anniversary of what has become one of the biggest events in Walnut Hill and surrounding communities — the annual fish fry at the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department.
The fish fry has been held annually since 1969, according to Assistant Chief Kevin Mininger. The first fish fry on record was held about a month after the department was chartered.
The fire department’s first fish fry was held on Saturday, April 10, 1965, just after the Walnut Hill Fire Department was officially chartered on Monday, March 8, 1965, during a meeting held at the Ernest Ward High School.
Adult plates were sold for $1, and plates for children under 12 were 50 cents. According to minutes from the fire department’s charter meeting, the fish fry was suggested by O.D. Gibson. It was organized as a fund raiser, and “to let the community know what had been accomplished” with the new department. It was a two hour community event.
That first fish fry cost the department $87.62, including $43 for fish and $13.23 to Lawrence Cooper’s Grocery. The total income was $256.50, netting a $168.88 profit for the Walnut Hill Fire Department’s first fund raiser.
The fire department was organized by the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club, under the leadership of Ruritan President Royce Ward.
In 1968, the Walnut Hill Fire Department held an open house at their first building on November 16, 1968. The first firehouse was located under the water tower at Highway 97 and Arthur Brown Road. Before the building was completed, fire trucks and other equipment was stored in members’ sheds and barns.
According to Mininger, there are no records indicating that a fish fry was held each year between 1965 and 1968, but the fish fry events have been held annually since 1969.
The department’s first truck was about a 1957 model GMC 2 1/2 ton 4×2 fuel service truck loaned from the Florida Forest Service.
Mininger has also compiled a list of the department’s fire chiefs as follows: E. C. (Chuck) Church, 1965 to September 1966; Bob Holdeman, September 1966 to August 1968; Vern Peters from August 1968 to 1983; Jack Brown from 1983 to December 1984; Ervin Schneider, 1985 to 1987; Dennis Rigby, 1988 to 1989; Bill Jackson, 1990 to February 1991; Al Bradley, March 1991 to 1992; Robert Stewart, 1993 to September 2008; and Chris Brown October 2008 to present.
The department’s first board of directors were: C.L. Byrd, Robert E. Holdeman, Kenneth Brown, W.H. Corley, Chief E. C. Church, Assistant Chief Buddy Sharpless, Assistant Chief Therman Raines, Captain Don Strickland, Captain James Pierce, Lt. roger Johnson, Lt. Glenn Thrower, J.H. Morgan, Sam Jantz and Harvey Bradberry.
To read original fire department minutes from December 2, 1968, click here (pdf).
The Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department’s 45th Annual Fish Fry will be held Saturday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Walnut Hill Fire Station on Highway 97. Plates will be $7 each with your choice of catfish fillets or grilled chicken, plus baked beans, cole slaw, hush puppies, homemade bread and cake. There will also be drawing for door prizes beginning at 1 p.m. and a live auction.
Pictured top: This undated photograph from the early days of the Walnut Hill Fire Department shows Robert Mininger, an assistant chief; Bob Holdeman, the department’s second chief; Royce Ward, president of the Ruritan Club; and Vern Peters who served 15 years as the department’s third chief. Pictured inset: The original handwritten minutes from the department’s first meeting. Pictured below: Former Chief Robert Stewart (left) was honored in 2008. Stewart is being presented a framed uniform shirt by current Chief Chris Brown. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Cooler Weather Forecast
November 7, 2014
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Friday Sunny, with a high near 64. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 37. North wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning.
- Saturday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. North wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday Sunny, with a high near 68. North wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 41. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Monday Sunny, with a high near 72. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 50. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
- Veterans Day Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.
- Tuesday Night A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.
- Wednesday A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 63.
- Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.
- Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.
Ernest Ward Middle Honors Veterans (With Photo Gallery)
November 7, 2014
Ernest Ward Middle School paused to honor veterans from the across the area Thursday afternoon.
“It’s a great day to be here, in the United States of America,” guest speaker retired Navy Capt. Frank Smith told the student body and their veteran guests. “Because we truly do live in the land of the free.”
During an emotional display. the students prepared a small, white table with a place setting for one in front of an empty black chair. The ceremony represented the never-ending hope for the return of MIA soldiers. The program also included patriotic music, an armed forces salute and the presentation of colors from the Northview High School NJROTC.
The annual Veterans Day program at Ernest Ward is a longstanding community tradition, held annually for over 20 years.
Pictured top: Retired Navy Capt. Frank Smith recalls taking his Oath of Enlistment into the U.S. Navy. Pictured inset: The Ernest Ward Middle School Advanced Chorus performs. Pictured below: The “MIA Table”. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
