‘Golden Cow Dung Award’ Presented To EWMS Assistant Principal
February 24, 2017
Ernest Ward Middle School Assistant Principal Virkeisha Palmer received the eighth annual “Golden Cow Dung Award” from members of the Ernest Ward FFA. The award presented Thursday afternoon featured a large piece of cow dung, painted a golden color and mounted on a board painted in school colors.
(Cow dung, in case you did not know, is what you are probably thinking it is. It’s that natural byproduct that cows drop in the field. The award is 100 percent real dung spray painted a golden color. The golden piece presented Thursday is actually the first award piece created and painted eight years ago.)
Palmer received the award from the school’s FFA members as a “thank you” for supporting FFA. The same Golden Cow Dung Award was presented last year to teacher Laura Chavers. Previous awards were presented to Barbara Ryals, Betty Coon, history teacher Kenneth Hicks, teacher’s assistant Lindsey Kelley, Family & Consumer Science teacher Kathy Ellis and Principal Nancy Perry.
More than half a million members around the nation participated in National FFA Week activities at the local and state levels this week.
Pictured: Ernest Ward Middle School FFA Golden Cow Dung Award presentation to Virkeisha Palmer Thursday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Celebrates FFA Week With Breakfast
February 23, 2017
FFA students at Ernest Ward Middle School did their part to celebrate National FFA Week with a Wednesday morning breakfast for faculty, staff and invited guests.
Students prepared a breakfast of French toast sticks, grits, biscuits, sausage, fresh fruit and more for the EWMS faculty and staff.
Pictured: FFA students at Ernest Ward Middle School provide breakfast for the school’s faculty and staff Wednesday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Miss NHS Pageant Set For Saturday Night
February 23, 2017
The annual Miss NHS pageant will be held Saturday night at Northview High School in the theater.
There are 11 young ladies competing for the crown this year.
Pre-sale tickets are available in the school office or at the door until sold out.
Contestants are (pictured above, front) Alyssa Borelli and Morgan Myrick, (back, L-R) Ashtyn Carnley, Autumn Albritton, Olivia Seals, Gabrielle Hawkins, Allison Rice, Hadley Woodfin and Ashlan Harigel. Not pictured: Brianna Smith and Jessica Stacey. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Honey Bee Workshop To Be Held Saturday In Molino
February 22, 2017
“Keeping Our Bees Alive” will be the main emphasis for the North Escambia Beekeepers Association’s Annual Honey Bee Workshop Saturday in Molino.
Aimed at helping prospective and experienced beekeepers succeed, the event will be held from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Molino Community Complex, 6450 Highway 95A North.
Considered the most successful beekeeper in the Pensacola area, Shelby Johnson, president of Escarosa Beekeepers Assn., will explain the necessity of annual re-queening, and how to prevent swarming. Most beekeepers are losing their bee colonies while Johnson continues to maintain his hives in good health. Johnson produces nucleus colonies for new beekeepers as well as to replace those which others have lost. He will discuss skills to keep bees alive while enjoying ever-increasing honey production.
Workshop speakers include Dr. Jamie Ellis, Associate Professor of Entomology at University of Florida, who will address what is killing bees, controlling honeybee pathogens, and nutrition. Andrew Finch, Florida State Apiary Inspector, will discuss Varroa mite and SHB control.
Last year over 165 people attended, so registration is required. Lunch and door prizes are included in the cost of $25 for adults; $12.50 for ages 13-18; and under 12 is free. Paypal accepted at www.northescambiabees.com or call Danny Woods at 850-777-4129 or dawoods@frontiernet.net.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Northview Celebrates National FFA Week With Breakfast
February 22, 2017
FFA members at Northview High School are celebrating National FFA Week with a variety of events.
Tuesday morning, the FFA officers and members prepared a homestyle breakfast for teachers, staff and invited guests that support the FFA program. Northview’s FFA program has been recognized as one of the top chapters in both the state and the nation.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Good Day! It’s National FFA Week
February 21, 2017
It’s National FFA Week in the Escambia County School District, according to a proclamation issued by the Escambia County School Board.
“Escambia County FFA and the agriscience programs in the Escambia County School District are tremendously successful and extremely valuable in improving the quality of life for Escambia citizens,” the proclamation stated.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Majorette Smith Is ‘Superior’ – Headed To State Next Month
February 19, 2017
Northview High School majorette captain Brianna Smith received solo superior ratings Friday afternoon in the Florida Bandmaster’s Association district competition at Escambia High School She will now head to the state assessment in March. Smith, a senior, received superior ratings at the FBA state level the past two years.
Pictured top: Smith performs during a Friday night football game last season, NorthEscambia.com photo. Pictured inset: Smith at Escambia High School on Friday. Submitted for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Friends Flip Beulah Home On DIY’s ‘First Time Flippers’
February 18, 2017
A couple of Cantonment best friends appeared on the DIY Network’s “First Time Flippers” Saturday night.
In the show, Ginger Solliday and Kim Hedgepeth purchased a house in Beulah (the show refers to it as Pensacola), made needed repairs and improvements and flippod — resold — it, for a financial windfall. Things don’t immediately go so well, as it was the first flip for the friends. When Solliday becomes concerned about their lack of experience, she and Hedgepath clash over whether they should hire a professional or finish the the rest of the renovations on their own.
“It’s pretty funny and the house turned out great,” Hedgepath told NorthEscambia.com.”We look dumb on the show, but it was so much fun.”
The friends decided they could completely renovate a house for profit while watching DIY TV shows, Hedgepath said. She “retired” a couple of years ago after working as a paralegal for 21 years, and Solliday is a part-time hair stylist. The needed some extra cash for vacations, and decided the house flip might be a good idea.
Their husbands also helped out along the way, but that’s not shown on the program, she said.
We won’t spoil the show and tell you how much, if anything, the duo made on the flip, but we do know they started on their second flip about two weeks ago.
And Hedgepath offers some advice for anyone considering a flip: “Go for it, as long as you are willing to put in some hard work. It was really fun. One more piece of advice…it really is OK to wear flip flops!”
The episode “Flip Flop Flippn’”, which was filmed last summer, airs again on the DIY Network on Sunday, 8:30 p.m on Saturday March 18, and 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 19.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Names February Students Of The Month
February 16, 2017
The following students (pictured above) were named Students of the Month for February at Bratt Elementary School.
Bentley Alexander
Troy Ard
Waylon Bell
Ethan Bingham
Camden Clarke
Jerick Cooper
Kylar Davis
Carson Eady
Mayson Edwards
Evelyn Esparza
Jamison Gilman
Logan Kaul
Kaylee Long
Adalynn Lowery
Anyla McNeir
William Plato
Colby Pugh
Madison Rice (not pictured)
Maggie Stewart
Avery Stuckey
Kennedy Ward
Mi’Kavion White
Mya Wilson
Jasmine Zisa
The students pictured below, Madison Rice and Mya Wilson, were chosen to represent Bratt Elementary School as Escambia County Students of the Month for February.
Animal Control Investigator Nowlin Named FACA 2017 Officer Of The Year
February 15, 2017
Sgt. Stephanie Nowlin of Escambia County Animal Control was recently named as the 2017 Animal Control Officer of the Year by the Florida Animal Control Association. She received this award for her outstanding achievements in fighting animal cruelty and for modernizing the way that her agency conducts investigations.
Nowlin serves as a field training officer, livestock officer and helps develop policies and protocols for investigating complaints of animal cruelty. Additionally, she is a trainer for the Florida Animal Control Association, helping to certify new officers.
Nowlin often works closely with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Office of the District Attorney and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. She is also the only animal control officer in the history of Escambia County to receive a medal of commendation from the sheriff’s office. The medal was presented to her by Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan on Oct. 6, 2016 for her successful work in investigating some of the largest equine cruelty and dogfighting cases in the county.