Escambia Extension: Egg Safety At Easter
April 5, 2015
by Dorothy C. Lee, C.F.C.S., Family & Consumer Sciences Agent
UF IFAS Extension Escambia County
Easter activities often include eggs. During the Spring holiday, eggs are both a decorative craft object and an inspiration for springtime fun and games, and, they are fun to eat too.
Eggs and egg products are an important part of your diet. Although there are many myths and misconceptions about how to safely cook and handle eggs, all it really requires is care. By following a few simple guidelines, eggs and egg products can play a valuable and economic role on your holiday menu.
To avoid the possibility of foodborne illness, fresh eggs must be handled carefully. Even eggs with clean, uncracked shells may occasionally contain bacteria called Salmonella that can cause an intestinal infection. The FDA is working to prevent this problem in eggs by requiring that egg producers obtain chicks that are certified Samonella-free, that the hens are kept in houses that are free from rodents and other Salmonella carrying sources, that the houses are continually tested for Salmonella, and that the eggs are stored at temperatures that retard Salmonella growth. Consumers play a large role in this prevention strategy. In fact, the most effective way to prevent egg-related illness is by knowing how to buy, store, handle and cook eggs—or foods that contain them—safely.
Following these instructions is important for everyone, but especially for those most vulnerable to foodborne disease—children, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems.
Buy Right
- Buy eggs only if sold from a refrigerator or refrigerated case.
- Open the carton and make sure that the eggs are clean and the shells are not cracked.
- Refrigerate promptly.
- Store eggs in their original carton and use them within 4 to 5 weeks.
Keep Everything Clean
- Before preparing any food, remember that cleanliness is key!
- Wash hands, utensils, equipment, and kitchen work surfaces with hot, soapy water before and after they come in contact with eggs and egg-containing foods.
Cook Thoroughly
- Cook eggs thoroughly. Thorough cooking is perhaps the most important step in making sure eggs are safe.
- Cook eggs until both the yolk and the white are firm. Scrambled eggs should not be runny.
Serve Safely
- Bacteria can multiply in temperatures from 40°F (5°C) to 140°F (60°C), so it’s very important to serve foods safely.
- Serve cooked eggs and egg-containing foods immediately after cooking.
- For buffet-style serving, hot egg dishes should be kept hot, and cold egg dishes kept cold.
- Eggs and egg dishes, such as quiches or soufflés, may be refrigerated for serving later but should be thoroughly reheated to 165°F (74°C) before serving.
Chill Properly
- Cooked eggs, including hard-boiled eggs, and egg-containing foods should not sit out for more than 2 hours. Within 2 hours, either reheat or refrigerate.
- Use hard-cooked eggs (in the shell or peeled) within one week after cooking
On the Road
- Cooked eggs for a picnic should be packed in an insulated cooler with enough ice or frozen gel packs to keep them cold.
- Don’t put the cooler in a hot trunk — carry it in the air-conditioned passenger compartment of the car.
Safe Handling Instructions
- To prevent illness from bacteria: keep eggs refrigerated, cook eggs until yolks are firm, and cook foods containing eggs thoroughly.
- Hard-cooked Easter eggs can help stretch your food dollars. Packed with high-quality protein, vitamins, and minerals, they add good nutrition when included in casseroles, sandwiches, and salads.
- Remember, hard-cooked eggs should be refrigerated as much as possible between cooking, decorating, and the hunt or the display.
However they are used, eggs are delicious, nutritious, and economical.
For more information, contact Dorothy C. Lee, C.F.C.S., Family & Consumer Sciences Agent, UF IFAS Extension Escambia County at (850) 475-5230 or dclee@ufl.edu.
Easter Services Planned (With List)
April 5, 2015
Here are area Easter related services and events from the NorthEscambia.com “Events” page:
To submit your event, email news@northescambia.com, or click here for our contact form
Walnut Hill Easter Services
Walnut Hill Baptist Church e Adult Choir will present “Jesus Saves” at 10:30 a.m., with an Easter Message to follow.
Lathram Chapel UMC Sunrise, Easter Services
Lathram Chapel United Methodist Church at 2690 Jacks Branch Road will have an Easter worship service at 10 a.m.
St Monica’s Episcopal Sunrise, Easter Services
Easter Sunday, April 5, Holy Eucharist and Baptism at 10 a.m., Easter Egg hunt at 11 a.m.
Gonzalez Methodist Services
Gonzalez United Methodist Church will hold a a special combined Easter Service and Communion at 10 a.m. on Easter Sunday.
Atmore First UMC Easter Services
Atmore First United Methodist Church will hold a Easter Service, Sunday at 11 a.m.
Aldersgate UMC Molino Easter
Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino will hold Easter morning service at 11 a.m.
Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church Easter
Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church will hold Easter Sunday services will be held at 11 a.m. 170 West Bogia Road in McDavid.
West Florida Baptist Easter
West Florida Baptist Church will present their 2015 Easter cantata, The Sacrifice, on Resurrection Sunday, April 5, at 10:30 a.m. 5621 Hwy. 90 in Milton. Call (850) 623-8984 for more information or www.westfloridabaptist.com.
Enon Baptist Easter Events
Enon Baptist Church will hold a Sunday Easter Service with “Jesus Saves” from adult choir at 11 a.m.
Highland Baptist Easter
Easter at Highland Baptist Church in Molino Easter Worship at 10:45 a.m. Kids egg hunt at 9:30 a.m.
Bratt Assembly Easter Service
Easter Service begins at 11 a.m. at the Bratt Assembly of God, 5150 West Highway 4, with special music, children’s church choir and a special message.
Unity Baptist Church
Unity Baptist Church will celebrate with a Resurrection Celebration at 10:30 a.m. 10310 Highway 31 in Atmore.
Hillcrest Baptist Easter
Hillcrest Baptist Church on Nine Mile Road will hold an Easter Worship Gathering on Sunday at 11 a.m.
Byrneville Mennonite Church Easter
Byrneville Mennonite Church on West Hwy 4 between Century and Bratt will hold an Easter Sunday Service begging at 9:45 a.m.
Atmore First Baptist Easter
The First Baptist Church will present an Easter Cantata by the Sanctuary Choir and observe the Lord’s Supper on Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
Burgess Road Baptist
Burgess Road Baptist Church will present their special Easter music on Sunday beginning at 10:30 a.m. with a performance by the children’s choir. Special guest Ben Everson will sing in the morning service. There will also be a musical concert in the evening service at 6 p.m. 250 West Burgess Road in Pensacola.
New Beginnings Easter, Brewton
New Beginnings Worship Center will celebrate Easter at Jennings Park in Brewton Sunday at 10 a.m. with a praise and worship band, sermon, food, games, egg hunt and lots more.
Not As Warm Today
April 4, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming north in the afternoon.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. Southeast wind around 10 mph.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84.
Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66.
Thursday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 84.
Thursday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66.
Friday
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82.
License Free Freshwater Fishing This Weekend
April 4, 2015
Free fishing days provide an excellent opportunity for parents who don’t yet have licenses to take youth fishing, or avid anglers to introduce a friend to fishing without having to purchase a license. On these days, the fishing license requirement is waived for all recreational anglers (residents and non-residents).
All other rules (e.g., seasons, bag and size limits) apply.
License-free freshwater days for 2015 and beyond
- First Saturday and Sunday in April
- Second Saturday and Sunday in June
License-free saltwater days for 2015 and beyond
- First Saturday and Sunday in June
- First Saturday in September
- Saturday following Thanksgiving
The saltwater waiver applies to any recreational harvest requiring a saltwater fishing license (e.g., crabbing, lobstering, scalloping, etc.) as well as fishing from shore or a boat. A snook or spiny lobster permit are not required on these days.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Good Friday Holiday Closures
April 3, 2015
Escambia County offices and departments closed for the Good Friday holiday are below. Normal operations resume on Monday, April 6.
- Escambia County Board of County Commissioners
- West Florida Public Library System, also closed on Sunday, April 5
- Escambia County Property Appraiser
- Escambia County Tax Collector
- Escambia County Supervisor of Elections
- Escambia County Clerk of the Court & Comptroller
Escambia County Exceptions:
- 911 Dispatch, EMS and Fire Services will all be open
- Perdido Landfill, excluding the administrative offices, will be open
- Oak Grove Convenience Center, excluding the administrative offices, will be open
- Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT):
- Administrative offices closed
- ECAT Buses will run regular service
- No service will be available on Sunday, April 5
- UWF Trolleys will run regular weekday service
- For more information visit, goecat.com
Town of Century — all offices and departments will be closed on Friday.
Santa Rosa County -
The following offices and departments are closed Friday, April 3 in observance of Good Friday. Regular hours of operation resume Monday, April 6.
- Santa Rosa County Board of Commissioners, with the following exceptions:
- The animal shelter is closed Friday, April 3 and open Saturday, April 4
- The library system is closed Friday, April 3 and Saturday, April 4
- The Central Landfill is open Friday, April 3 and Saturday, April 4
- Santa Rosa County Clerk of the Court
- Santa Rosa County Property Appraiser
- Santa Rosa County Supervisor of Elections
- Santa Rosa County Tax Collector
Story Time With The Easter Bunny At The Molino Library
April 2, 2015
Children are invited to wear their comfy, cozy pajamas, bring their blankets and enjoy stories with the Easter Bunny this evening at the Molino Branch Library.
The story time begin as 6 p.m.; the library is located in the Molino Community Center at 6450-A Highway 95A.
Parents are encouraged to bring their cameras for the photo opportunity.
Fog Possible Overnight
April 1, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday Night
Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Thursday
Partly sunny, with a high near 83. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind around 5 mph.
Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. South wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. South wind around 10 mph becoming west after midnight.
Saturday
Partly sunny, with a high near 68. North wind 10 to 15 mph.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.
Sunday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Monday
A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80.
Monday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60.
Tuesday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 84.
Patchy Fog Tonight, Partly Sunny Wednesday
March 31, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight
Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. West wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night
Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Thursday
Partly sunny, with a high near 83. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind around 5 mph.
Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. South wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. South wind around 10 mph becoming west after midnight.
Saturday
Partly sunny, with a high near 68. North wind 10 to 15 mph.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.
Sunday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Monday
A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80.
Monday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60.
Tuesday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 84.
Deadline Is Tomorrow For $25K Century Business Challenge
March 30, 2015
Tuesday is the deadline to apply to win $25,000 to start a business in Century. At last report, there were five applications already submitted.
Prizes for the winner of the Century Business Challenge include space at the Century Business Center at a lease rate of $1 per year, with the possibility of an extension of that rate for two more years based on the company’s performance. They will also receive $25,000 in operating funds from the Studer Institute. And the Century Town Council has recently approved offering the same $1 per year lease rate at the Century Business Center for the second place finisher.
The five submitted applications cover such business types as education, medical, music, sports and technology.
After applications are submitted, there will be workshops for participants before a business plan and personal financial statements are due at the end of May.
The Century Business Challenge is part of an economic development partnership of the Haas Center, the Town of Century and the Studer Institute. Applications and more information about the business challenge can be found at www.CenturyBusinessChallenge.com.
Pictured top and below: Century Business Challenge winners can chose space in the Century Business Center for $1 per year.
Slight Chance Of Tonight, Sunshine And 84 Tuesday
March 30, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 9pm. Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. West wind 10 to 15 mph becoming light southwest after midnight.
Tuesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 84. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night
Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind around 5 mph.
Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. South wind 5 to 15 mph.
Friday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west after midnight.
Saturday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 71
.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.
Sunday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52.
Monday
A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77.