Relay For Life Team Captain Party Tonight; Great Time To Register a Team
October 26, 2009
It’s never too early to work on planning for an American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.
A Century Relay for Life Team Captain Party will be held at 7 p.m Monday at the Ag Building at the corner of West Highway 4 and Industrial Boulevard in Century. It will be a chance for Relay volunteers to talk about next year’s relay and begin the all important planning for the Relay.
Anyone interested in forming a team for the Century Relay for Life is invited to attend the meeting. Teams are welcome from Century, Walnut Hill, Bratt, McDavid, Flomaton and surrounding areas — not just Century.
The 2010 Century Relay for Life will be the fourth in North Escambia supporting the American Cancer Society.
For more information visit, www.CenturyRelay.com.
Pictured above: Last year’s Century Relay for Life gets underway. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Cool Tonight; Rain And Warm Air To Return
October 25, 2009
Nice fall temperatures will continue in the North Escambia area today, but warmer weather and rain will creep back into our forecast this week.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 44. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. South wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52. West wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. North wind around 5 mph becoming south.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. South wind between 10 and 15 mph.
- Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind between 10 and 15 mph.
- Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75.
- Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51.
- Saturday: A slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a high near 75. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49.
Churches Plan Homecomings
October 25, 2009
At least three churches have Homecomings planned for today, and another will host an evening singing:
Walnut Hill Assembly Homecoming
Walnut Hill New Life Fellowship Assembly of God will have Homecoming on Sunday, October 25 beginning at 10:45. Fellowship meal to follow. Rev. Bobby Carnley will bring the message. Everyone is invited.
Century First Baptist Homecoming
Century First Baptist Church will celebrate Homecoming 2009 with guest pastor Henry Willett on Sunday, October 25 at 11 a.m. Sunday School will be at 10 a.m., and dinner on the grounds will follow. Special music from CrossRoads. Everyone is welcome.
Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church Homecoming
Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church will celebrate Homecoming on Sunday ,October 25, with Rev. Fil Enfinger bringing the message. Sunday school begins at 9:45 a.m. and the morning service begins at 10:30. Lunch will follow in the Christian Activities Building. Everyone is invited to attend for a special time of worship and fellowship.
Singing, The Hendersons
Singing with The Hendersons, Saturday, October 24 at 6 p.m. Ebenezer Assembly of God, 4200 Ebenezer Church Road in Jay. Everyone is invited. (850) 561-2953
Williams Station Day Going On Today In Atmore
October 24, 2009
Atmore will celebrate Williams Station Day today with a day-long arts, crafts, music and more festival. Williams Station Day takes its name from Atmore’s early history when in 1866 the community was a supply stop along the Mobile and Great Northern railroad.
For train enthusiasts, there are trains – big and small. One block west of the festival, Alabama & Gulf Coast Railway will park a locomotive (GP 40-2) for boarding. There will also be a model train show inside the Atmore Area YMCA where vendors will display railroad memorabilia.
For lovers of original artwork, the Williams Station Day Arts and Craft Show offers a great opportunity to browse the various works of art and visit with talented regional potters, painters and folk artists in a relaxed outdoor setting.
On the Center Stage at Williams Station Day, the entertainment schedule is both full and varied. For the blues enthusiast, Microwave Dave and the Nukes have everything a blues fan could want: impeccable taste; a steady no-frills rhythm section and in Microwave Dave Gallaher, a first-rate guitar individualist.
Also performing on Center Stage are The Four Kicks who relish a classic rock sound while still fully equipped to appeal to the modern masses. The voice of Atlanta born Jordan Phillips can emulate any artist you can think of, but the real magic is made when he unleashes on original tunes like “Shake it Loose” and “We Don’t Have to be Alone.”
Roger “Hurricane” Wilson who has been described by Living Blues Magazine as having a “takes no prisoners approach to blues/rock,” Roy Harper, who sings railroad songs in the style of Jimmie Rogers will also entertain the crowds at Williams Station Day.
For children and adults, there is a Storytelling Tent where Paula Larke, nationally renowned performer/lecturer will utilize her music, poetry, and stories of real life heroes and “she-roes.” Joining her is Magician Gary Ledbetter, a terrific entertainer who has performed magic nationally and internationally.
The Old time Fiddler’s Tent will provide an opportunity to sit and listen to an all day jam session featuring Winkie Hicks’ Frontier Bluegrass Group. From waltzes to hoedowns, these musicians will definitely impress you with their talent.
But that’s not all there is to see at Williams Station Day. Other venues include a children’s art village, pony rides, hay rides, the Williams Station “Express,” a pumpkin painting & carving contest and a car show. At the car show, folks are able to vote for their favorite antique car and then trophies will be awarded to the top three vote getters. There will also be a cane mill, where Steve Reynolds and his horse Montgomery will be squeezing sugar cane the old fashioned way.
For a great outing for the whole family, visit Williams Station Day on Pensacola Avenue in Atmore, AL on Saturday, October 24. Festival hours are 9 am to 5 pm, no admission charge.
For more information about Williams Station Day, contact the Atmore Chamber at (251) 368-3305 or visit Williams Station Day at www.atmorechamber.com.
Pictured: Last year’s Williams Station Day in Atmore. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Northview NJROTC Holding Car Wash Today In Century
October 24, 2009
The Northview High School NJROTC unit will hold a car wash fundraiser this Saturday in Century.
The car wash will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Whataburger on North Century Boulevard, just south of East Highway 4. All proceeds will benefit the Northview NJROTC unit and support their activities for the remainder of the year.
Pictured: Northview ROTC students are ready for their car wash Saturday at the Whataburger in Century. Submitted photo for NorthEsambia.com.
Escambia To Host Barn Bash
October 23, 2009
Looking for a spooktaular event this weekend?
Escambia County will host the third annual Barn Bash on this Friday night at the Equestrian Center, 7750 Mobile Highway. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Admission is $5 per car. Haunting begins after dark.
Fall festivities include a haunted barn even scarier than before, ghostly hayrides, bounce houses, children’s games and scarecrow making. Some clothes are available to make a scarecrow; however, to ensure that you get to make one, bring your own old clothes. Concessions will also be available.
Wear your own costume for the costume contest. Costume judging will begin at 7 p.m. Prizes will be given for scariest, prettiest, best group, best couple and most original.
Organizers will also be collecting toys, treats, dry puppy and dog food, dry kitten and cat food, bleach, paper or cloth towels and newspaper for the animals at the Escambia County Animal Shelter.
For more information on Barn Bash 2009, contact the Escambia County Public Information Office at 595-3476, or visit www.myescambia.com.
Application Deadline Next Week For Several Conservation Programs
October 22, 2009
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida has set a cutoff date of October 30 to submit applications for several voluntary conservation programs that may help eligible participants pay for conservation practices to prevent soil erosion, improve water quality, restore wetlands and provide habitat for wildlife.
- The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a conservation program that provides financial and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers who face threats to soil, water, air, and related natural resources on their land. Through EQIP, NRCS develops contracts with agricultural producers to voluntarily implement conservation practices to address environmental natural resource problems. Persons engaged in livestock or agricultural production and owners of non-industrial private forestland are eligible for the program. Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, pastureland, private non-industrial forestland, and other farm or ranch lands.
- The Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) is a voluntary program for developing or improving high quality habitat that supports fish and wildlife populations of National, State, Tribal, and local significance. Through WHIP, the NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to private and Tribal landowners for the development of upland, wetland, aquatic, and other types of wildlife habitat.
- The Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) provides technical and financial assistance to private landowners and Tribes to restore, protect, and enhance wetlands in exchange for retiring eligible land from agriculture.
- The Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) is a program for landowners and operators to protect grazing uses and related conservation values by conserving grassland, including rangeland, pastureland, shrubland, and certain other lands.
NRCS encourages interested parties to visit with their staff as soon as possible because applicants who apply early have more time to resolve any program or land eligibility issues.
Interested landowners should visit their local USDA – NRCS field office at 151 Highway 97 in Molino or click here for more information on these programs. Landowners can also call Josh McElhaney, district conservationist, at (850) 587-5404 ext. 3.
Updated: Local Veterans On Today’s Emerald Coast Honor Flight
October 21, 2009
(Updated 4:40 p.m.) The Emerald Coast Honor Flight departed Washington’s Reagan National Airport at 4:40 this afternoon and returned to Pensacola a little before 7:00.,
Veterans on today’s Emerald Coast Honor Flight visited the Vietnam and Korean war memorials this afternoon.
The World War II veterans on the Honor Flight arrived in Washington at 9:18 this morning. They headed to the World War II Memorial. At noon our time, Billy G. Ward of Walnut Hill said they enjoyed a nice lunch at the World War II Memorial. Afternoon events include a visit to the Korean and Vietnam war memorials.
This afternoon, the veterans visited with former U.S. Senator Bob Dole of Kansas. Dole was severely injured during his World War II service, thanked the veterans for their service to the country.
“It’s real nice,” Ward said from Washington about today’s trip. “They are treating us very well.”
Veteran Billy G. Ward of Walnut Hill has a NorthEscambia.com camera on today’s Emerald Coast Honor Flight to Washington. We will have exclusive photos from the trip to share with our readers Thursday morning. Below is an earlier story about the Honor Flight.
Billy G. Ward thought he would be building bridges across Europe as an engineer during World War II. Uncle Sam had different plans for the young man from Walnut Hill.
Drafted in July 1943, Ward was shipped off to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, for basic training. He had hoped to spend time in combat engineer school. Instead, he had a one week crash course on building bridges. Then it was off to Europe and battles at Omaha Beach, Paris and Berlin.
“It was two years, six months, 29 days and 30 seconds,” he said.
He returned with his wife of more than 50 years, Lois, to Europe in 2001. He and Lois have been to Washington, but their trip was prior to the opening of the World War II Memorial.
Today, that will all change for Ward. He is one of about 100 WWII veterans on the Fifth Annual Emerald Coast Honor Flight headed to Washington. The flight will take the veterans from across Northwest Florida to their memorial in Washington and return this evening.
“I’m so excited, I don’t think I will sleep tonight,” Ward said Tuesday afternoon.
Ward, who served as Escambia County’s probate judge from 1973 to 1989, said he is looking forward to the trip and reminiscing with other veterans. And he is looking forward to seeing the War War II Memorial.
Other North Escambia area veterans expected to be on today’s Emerald Coast Honor Flight include Robert Joiner of Molino, John Clarence Smith of Jay, James Ward of Jay, and Morris Clarence Ward of Jay.
Red Flag Warning Today; Cold Tonight Followed By Warming Trend
October 19, 2009
Tonight, we’ll be cold again, and then we will begin warming trend that will lead to lows in the 60’s and highs in the upper 70’s. It will stay dry until Thursday, when a good chance of rain creeps back into our forecast.
There is a red flag warning in effect for tomorrow due to low humidity that will lead to dangerous fire growth potential. Outdoor burning should be avoided.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Clear, with a low around 39. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 73. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47. East wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. East wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Thursday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a high near 79. South wind around 10 mph becoming west. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Friday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Northwest wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 74.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 76.
Earliest Freeze Ever? Not Quite Tonight, But Close; Frost Advisory In Effect
October 18, 2009
The earliest freeze ever recorded in the North Escambia area is October 20. If forecasters are correct, we will barely miss breaking that record tonight.
The official North Escambia forecast for tonight calls for a low of 35, with patchy frost possible after 1 a.m. Monday. The weather service has issued a front advisory for the entire area tonight.
According to the National Weather Service, the earliest freeze ever recorded in Atmore was October 27, 1957, and the earliest freeze ever recorded in Jay was October 20, 1989. Jay and Atmore are the closest cities to North Escambia for which the weather service keeps official records.
Here is your official North Escambia weather forecast:
- Today: Sunny, with a high near 63. North wind around 10 mph.
- Tonight: Patchy frost after 2am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 35. North wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: Patchy frost before 9am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 68. North wind around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 36. East wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 76. East wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46. East wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. East wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. East wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64.
- Friday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.
- Saturday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Pictured above: Saturday was a cold day for a car wash. Northview Tribal Beat Band members (L-R) Sandy Rainwater, David Ford, Johnny Robbins, and Devin Dries washed cars in a cold north wind as part of band fundraiser in Atmore. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.