Eight Things You May Not Know About Watermelons
July 13, 2019
Watermelons mean summer in most places, but perhaps no more so than in Florida, the country’s number one producer of this quintessential summer fruit.
They may be 92 percent water, but there’s more to growing and eating watermelon than you might think, say experts with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
Florida grows A LOT of watermelon
Florida watermelon farmers sold 800 million pounds of watermelon last year, said Bob Hochmuth, assistant director of the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center, Suwannee Valley.
“Watermelons are grown throughout the state, with concentrated acreage near Immokalee, Belle Glade, Arcadia and the Suwannee Valley. The Suwannee Valley produces a third of Florida’s watermelon crop,” Hochmuth said.
Watermelon plants love sand
We’re not talking sandy beaches. “Watermelon grows best in well-drained sandy soils, which are common in areas with a lot of watermelon production,” Hochmuth said.
Watermelons need pollinators
Like many fruits and vegetables, watermelon need pollinators to pollinate their flowers in order to reproduce. Without honeybees, native bees, wasps and the like, we would not have watermelon to enjoy, Hochmuth said
Watermelon farmers need science to do well
“UF/IFAS provides several key education programs for watermelon farmers throughout the year,” Hochmuth said. “Most importantly, UF/IFAS Extension agents make farm visits during the growing season to help with disease and pest identification, and other irrigation and fertilizer management decisions.
Watermelon is good for you
Watermelon generally considered a healthy food because of its high water content, which means each serving is relatively low in calories, said Samantha Kennedy, family and consumer sciences agent with UF/IFAS Extension Wakulla County.
“Most are unaware that it contains any protein or fiber, but it does, and many are surprised to learn that it has a decent amount of potassium,” Kennedy said.
It’s a versatile ingredient
While most are familiar with eating watermelon by the slice, there are many ways to include the fruit in your snacks and meals, Kennedy said.
“Add chunks of watermelon to a fresh summer salad for a bit of sweetness, or combine pureed watermelon with frozen lemonade and lime juice for a refreshing drink. You can also throw watermelon slices on the grill for a few seconds for a different twist on a familiar flavor,” she said.
Get them while it’s hot
Watermelon is in season during the hot summer months, Kennedy said. In season produce is generally cheaper and of better quality because it doesn’t have to travel as far to get to the consumer.
Look for heft, balance and a yellow spot
“The Watermelon Board recommends that consumers look for a melon that feels heavy for its size, and looks and feels symmetrical,” Kennedy said. One side of the watermelon should have a creamy, yellow spot—this is where the melon rested on the ground as it ripened.
Pictured: Watermelons for sale on Highway 97 near Pine Forest Road in Davisville. NorthEscambia.com photo.
Photos: Animal Tales At The Molino Branch Library
July 12, 2019
The Summer Reading Program continued this week with Animal Tales at the branches of the West Florida Library.
Participants had a chance to get up close and personals with animals in a fun learning environment.
For more photos from the Molino Branch Library, click here.
Pictured: Animal Tales at the Molino Branch Library Thursday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Deputy Adopts Kitten He Rescued From Storm Drain
July 11, 2019
An Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy has a new furbaby that he rescued from a storm drain.
Deputy C. Bowling was working patrol last week and stopped at a Tom Thumb near Pace and Navy Boulevards. As he returned to his vehicle, he heard crying in dark and took off to find the source. After some searching, his flashlight caught some movement in the storm drain.
His flashlight revealed two tiny eyes staring back at him. He tried to use some tuna to lure the kitten out but the kitten was so young he wasn’t interested. Deputy Bowling was finally able to get close enough to the kitten to grab it. The poor thing was dirty and flea-covered and no mother could be located.
When Deputy Bowling took the kitten to the vet to get him medical attention, the vet said had he not rescued the kitten when he did that the kitten would have not made it. Deputy Bowling and his wife adopted the little kitten and named him Rambo.
Rambo is doing well, now clean and flea-free. Rambo, as pictured below, is definitely enjoying his new home and snuggle time with his new family.
Tales for Tails: Volunteers Read To Dogs, Cats At Shelter During Fireworks
July 6, 2019
Ten-year old Jubilee Lampron of Cantonment spent her Fourth of July night with about 75 other volunteers reading to the dogs and cats at the Escambia County Animal Shelter to help keep them calm as fireworks boomed.
The animal shelter hosted Tales for Tails for two hours Thursday night.
“I felt like it was important to read and talk to the shelter dogs because they needed a comforting distraction from the loud noises of the fireworks,” Jubilee said. “They are already in an unfamiliar environment so I wanted to spend my Fourth of July loving on them and giving them good memories. They were all so sweet and I hope people come down and find a new family member.”
Jubile was joined by her mother, Miranda Lampron, during the event. The family adopted their dog Liberty five years ago on July 3.
Pictured top: Jubilee Lampron of Cantonment reads to a dog the night of Independence Day at the Escambia County Animal Shelter for “Tales for Tails”. Also pictured: Other volunteers read aloud at the shelter. Photos for NorthEscambia, click to enlarge.
Escambia County 4-H Wins State 4-H Horticulture Contest
July 3, 2019
The junior and senior Escambia County 4-H Horticulture teams placed first and two intermediate 4-H teams placed second and third at the 2019 Florida 4-H Horticulture ID and Judging Contest held recently in Marion County. Several individuals also placed.
The contest provided an opportunity for 4-H members to acquire knowledge and skills in identification and selection of horticulture products such as vegetables, fruits, flowers and ornamentals, and then apply these basic skills to consumer decision making.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Doughnut Strike: First Responders Collect Food For Manna
June 29, 2019
First responders spent the last three days at area stores working to collect food for those in need in our communities.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Escambia Fire Rescue, Pensacola Police Department and Pensacola Fire Department were on strike against their beloved doughnuts in an effort to collect 20,000 pounds of food.
Pictured: Escambia Fire Rescue collected food for Manna Friday afternoon at Grocery Advantage on Highway 29 in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Summer Reading Program Continues At Your Local Library
June 28, 2019
Library patrons enjoyed juggling, magic, plate spinning and more fun during this week’s Summer Reading Program at the West Florida Library.
The series will take a break next week due to the Fourth of July holiday and will return the following week with Animal Tales — up close and personal with animals in a fun learning experience. The schedule is as follows:
– Tuesday, July 9, 11 a.m. – Southwest Branch (held at Big Lagoon Park)
– Tuesday, July 9, 3 p.m. Tryon Branch Library
– Wednesday, July 10, 11 a.m. – Century Branch Library
– Wednesday, July 10, 3 p.m. – Pensacola Library
– Thursday, July 11, 11 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
– Friday, July 12, 11 a.m. – Tryon Branch Library
Pictured: Maksat “Maks” Annaev performed this week at the Century Branch Library. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Students Head To Washington For Youth Tour
June 28, 2019
Three local students took part in the Washington Youth Tour.
Keaton Brown of Northview High School, Hannah Morris of Jay High School and Kylie Schwarz of Central High School joined more than 1,800 youth leaders representing electric cooperatives from across the country for a weeklong tour of the nation’s capital.
Highlights of the tour for delegates included the World War II, Lincoln, Vietnam, Korean, Martin Luther King, Jr. and FDR memorials; Arlington National Cemetery; Holocaust Museum; and visiting many other places of interest in Washington
Youth Tour delegates also met with Congressman Matt Gaetz and visited the U.S. Capitol, where they learned more about how government works. During the Rural Electric Youth Program, they were able to gain a better understanding of rural electric cooperatives’ history and their importance in the communities they serve.
Camp Fire Kids Learn Local History
June 26, 2019
Summer campers at the Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Century learned a lot about local history Tuesday with a visit to the James Houston Jones Historic Park operated by the Alger-Sullivan Historical Society in Century. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Magical Moogician In Molino, And Next Week’s Summer Reading Program Schedule
June 21, 2019
During the Summer Reading Program this week at the Century and Molino branch libraries, kids saw The Moogician, whos does every dairy with magic and songs.
The Summer Reading Program continues next week with Maks Annaev with juggling, magic, plate spinning, cirque style performance and physical comedy.
- Tuesday, June 25, 11 a.m. – Southwest Branch (held at Big Lagoon State Park)
- Tuesday, June 25, 3 p.m. Tryon Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 26, 11 a.m. – Century Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 26, 3 p.m. – Pensacola Library
- Thursday, June 27, 11 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
- Friday, June 28, 11 a.m. – Tryon Branch Library
The Summer Reading Program will then take a break the week of the Fourth of July and return the following week with Animal Tales.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
