Council On Aging Distributes Over $30K In Gifts To Nearly 800 Clients
December 28, 2016
The Council on Aging of West Florida distributed $31,314 worth of gifts to 791 clients across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties this Christmas.
The crafts, blankets, clothing, decorations, household goods and hygiene products were given to the Council on Aging by 43 area donors and organizations.
This marks one of the most successful years for the Council on Aging’s annual drive to give presents to homebound aging adults in the area. Each year, the Council will begin receiving gifts in early to mid-November before distributing them at Senior Dining Sites, The Retreat, and other distribution points across the two-county region. Some volunteers, like those from Temple Beth El and Navy base-workers, even elected to play Santa Claus and go on dedicated gift-delivery routes, spreading joy to all they encountered.
“Seniors are neglected more than any other group,” said Debbie Manning, who hand-made many gifts this year. “During Christmas especially, kids are taken care of through Toys for Tots and other programs. Seniors are the least represented group.”
In addition to the presents that delivered holiday cheer to hundreds of aging adults, the Council on Aging helped distribute hundreds of blankets and dozens of heaters to senior citizens who are particularly vulnerable to the cold weather this time of year.
“I’ve seen moms with children, heads of companies, and retirees alike go out of their way to purchase that special gift they knew would warm the heart of someone they have never even met,” said Tricia Dixon, volunteer coordinator for the Council on Aging. “For some elderly adults, these are the only presents they receive. Many have family who no longer live here or have passed on, so it brings them a special kind of joy as they unwrap items meant especially for them. It reminds them that we still care, that we are happy to give back to those who have given us so much.”
“It took all of our staff cooperating throughout the month of December to make this program run smoothly,” said Margaret Jerauld, the Council’s activities supervisor. “From compiling master lists of clients, to pickup and delivery of gifts, to counting donations and getting thank you letters written, the great staff at the Council on Aging worked together to make the 2016 Christmas season special for seniors in our area.”
If you are interested in volunteering to help the Council on Aging, or if you would like to drop off any new heaters or blankets, call (850) 432-1475.
2016 In Photos: February
December 28, 2016
Today, we continue our look back at the year 2016 in photos with a look at February.
Gov. Rick Scott and other leaders toured tornado damage in Century.
Local legislative delegation members in Century sign a letter to Gov. Rick Scott thanking him for his efforts on tornado recover.
An EF-3 tornado ripped through Ferry Pass.
Kristy Imhof, the new Escambia County Teacher of the Year, received a surprise visit in her seventh grade language arts classroom at Ransom Middle School
Ernest Ward Middle School teacher Laura Chavers received the seventh annual “Golden Cow Dung Award” from members of the Ernest Ward FFA.
Fire destroyed a church van on Highway 29 in Century.
Over a dozen North Escambia railroad crossings were closed for repairs.
Northview principal Gayle Weaver face to face with BMX bike jumping over her during a motivational event before the student body.
The Pensacola Opera presented “Jack and the Beanstalk” at the Century Branch Library.
Three North Escambia area high schools — Tate, Northview and Escambia County (Atmore) — were surprised with golden footballs from the NFL to commemorate Super Bowl 50.
ECUA and Escambia County held a groundbreaking for a new recycling facility.
One family was evacuated after a chemical tanker accident in Walnut Hill.
At least three people were injured and dozens of homes were damaged or destroyed as a tornado ripped through the North Escambia area from McDavid and Century
The National Weather Service determined that the tornado that hit Century in February was an EF-3 with 152 MPH winds.
Two men pray together at the Abundant Life Assembly of God in Century during a food distribution event for tornado victim.
A food distribution was held for tornado victims in Century.
An Amtrak inspection train rolled into Atmore in advance of the possible return of rail service to the Gulf Coast.
Volunteers from the Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue visited Molino Park Elementary School’s after-school program to teach the students about fire safety.
The inside of the 114-year old Century United Methodist Church, complete shift off of its foundation by the Century tornado.
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When an EF-3 tornado slammed into Century last Monday, it not only damaged or destroyed dozens of homes, it also blew away a large part of Century’s economic development hopes for new jobs. The former Alger-Sullivan Lumber property just off Front Street was heavily damaged, including a collapse of the rear portion of the largest building.
Escambia County Fire Rescue first responders learned about getting out of a tight spot — a really tight spot – during training held at Ascend Performance Materials in Cantonment.
2016 In Photos: January
December 27, 2016
Today, we begin our look back at the year 2016 in photos with a look at January.
A Hazmat team was called to Cantonment to investigate a suspicious white power received by a resident in a package delivery.
Above: A close call between an 18-wheeler and a train near Atmore. The train was forced to make an emergency stop.
Molino Park Elementary School students celebrated the 100th day of the school year by dressing up like 100-year olds.
A Florida Department of Transportation Gateway Beautification project was underway in Century on Highway 29 at the Alabama/Florida state line.
Florida Forest Services teamed up with the Abundant Life Assembly of God Church in Century to provide free fruit trees to needy families during an Arbor Day event.
Escambia County Administrator Jack Brown was injured in a motorcycle crash in Ensley.
MLK Day parade in Atmore.
Cantonment MLK Day parade.
A jeep and gasoline tanker collided in Cantonment.
Storms knocked out power to large area in late January.
Peighton Dortch was crowned Miss NHS 2016 at Northview High School.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Waterfront Rescue Serves 68th Annual Christmas Banquet
December 26, 2016
The Waterfront Rescue Mission in Pensacola served hundreds of meals Christmas Day to those in need and those just looking for a little fellowship. About 160 volunteers worked to serve the meals at the mission or deliver the traditional holiday meals. Sunday’s event was the 68th Annual Christmas Banquet at the Waterfront Rescue Mission. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Santa Claus Visits Cantonment Senior Center (With Gallery)
December 25, 2016
Santa Claus paid a recent visit to the Cantonment Senior Center. He passed out gifts, listened to wishes and took photos with the seniors.
Pictured: Santa Claus visited the Cantonment Senior Center recently Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Dedria’s Gift Provides Christmas Presents For Nursing Home Residents
December 25, 2016
The Century organization “Dedria’s Gift” recently visited three area nursing homes and assisted living facilities, providing Christmas presents for less fortunate residents. The gifts were provided at the Century Health and Rehabilitation Center (pictured top), the Atmore Nursing Care Center (pictured below) and the Westgate Village in Brewton.
Dedria’s Gift honors the memory of Dedria Robinson who was killed 2005 in an automobile accident at age 11. The group annual provides school supplies for hundreds of children the Century area.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Santa Visits Camp Fire Kids
December 24, 2016
Santa Claus recently paid a very special visit to the Camp Fire USA Learning Center in Century to take some last minute Christmas wishes. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
UF/IFAS: Baking Blunders To Avoid
December 24, 2016
The way people get cooking advice has changed a lot over the years, due in no small part to the Internet, said Heidi Copeland, family and consumer sciences agent with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension.
“Before the Internet, people often took to calling their local Extension office for culinary advice, especially during the frenzy of holiday cooking,” Copeland said. “Fortunately, people still come to family and consumer sciences agents like myself to get answers to their culinary questions.”
“Folks are frequently concerned about baking,” Copeland said. “Many often wonder why their product isn’t turning out.”
Copeland has these tips for avoiding common baking blunders:
1. Take care with substitutions. “Baking isn’t as forgiving as cooking. Using the right ingredients is important because they strongly affect the taste and texture of baked goods,” Copeland explained. “For example, if a recipe calls for butter, don’t substitute a spread. Typical butter is 80 percent fat and 20 percent water, whereas a spread can be as little as 60 percent fat and 40 percent water,” Copeland said. “That bit of extra liquid in something like a pie crust could mean the difference between something deliciously flakey and a soggy mess.”
2. Measure it right. “Your measuring tools —cups and spoons— and how you measure can impact the final product,” Copeland said. “Flour, for instance, should be fluffed up a little with a spoon, swooped into a measuring cup and leveled with a knife or other straight-edged utensil—not packed and pounded into a cup. Brown sugar, on the other hand, should be packed into a measuring cup.”
3. Know your dimensions. “A recipe will tell you which pan size to use. Keep in mind that the recipe is design to fill pans of particular dimensions. For examples, the volume of a nine-inch cake pan is six cups, but that of a 10-inch baking pan is 11 cups,” said Copeland.
4. Get the right flour. “Which flour is best? It depends on what you’re making,” Copeland said. “Whole grain flours are higher in dietary fiber and overall nutrient content than white flour, but whole grain flours are not the norm for most traditional holiday recipes, nor is self-rising flour, which already has baking powder and salt added. All-purpose flour is the key to most basic recipes.”
5. When it comes to eggs, go large. “Unless otherwise noted, assume a recipe with eggs is calling for large chicken eggs at room temperature,” Copeland advised. “If a cookie recipe calls for two large eggs (about four ounces) and two jumbo eggs (about five ounces) are used, the cookies may turn out softer than desired.”
Jay Art Dept. Presents The Elf Shop Painting Party
December 24, 2016
The Jay High School Art Department recently hosted their first-ever “The Elf Shop Painting Party”.
Nearly 30 adults were assisted by Jay art students throughout the event. The students decorated, prepped canvases and all supplies, creating the culinary art refreshments, and assisted the participants. The Royal Outfitter Store, owned and operated by Jay Art Department, created a goody jar for each participant with their personalized vinyl initial.
The Jay Art Department is planning another painting party called “Spring Into Art 2017“, with two sessions available on March 4 and March 11, 2017. For more information, contact Teresa Dobson, Jay Art Department, at (850) 675-4507 in early January.
For more photos from “The Elf Shop Painting Party”, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cook Up A Christmas Gift Idea
December 23, 2016
by Dorothy Lee, Escambia Extension Agent
Christmas is a joyous season. It’s a time to remember friends and neighbors with small tokens of your love and appreciation.
Every holiday season is magical, but can also be a perplexing time. How do you choose gifts for your friends and loved ones that are unique, and sure to be cherished?
Remember Christmas when you were young? How the simplest projects—stringing lights, hanging icicles, baking cookies, gathering pine cones, or making ornaments for the tree—filled the season with fun and excitement. Bring back that special magic with your own holiday projects. These holiday projects are gifts from the heart.
If you have spent many hours in past seasons trying to find the answer to the perplexing question of what to give, perhaps this year you can find the answer in your own kitchen. Flavorful gifts you can create in an evening or two at home might be the just the solution. Most of us like to follow the pleasure of cooking with sharing the scrumptious results. So this holiday season prepare some delicious food gifts for friends and relatives.
A jar of homemade jam or jelly conveys a welcome sign of friendship to neighbors or coworkers. Besides being fun to make and share, oven-baked goods, snacks, and other savory items are attractive and often cost less than those that are store-bought. This is a gift that comes from the heart without breaking the bank. For a holiday touch, add a pretty ribbon or a note from a square of wrapping paper.
Fresh from the oven, a batch of pumpkin muffins or a loaf of whole grain bread will send warm holiday greeting to friends. Decorated with raisins and nuts, gingerbread men will appeal to anyone who fancies the spicy flavors of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. When invited to festive dinners take along a basket filled with your own gift assortment of cookies packaged in inexpensive containers with recipes and a personalized message included. You will find these gifts easy to transport and the hostess is sure to appreciate the gesture.
Another gourmet goodies idea to consider is sharing a decorative jar or tin packed with flavorful popcorn or a nutritious trail mix. Top a decorative tray with herbed cheese rounds. Herbs offer a delicious alternative to salt. Herb seasoning mixes can be packaged in a decorative glass jar or bottle and tied with festive ribbon. Be sure to attach a label with instructions for serving and a recipe for making more.
When making these gourmet goodies, you might want to prepare an additional batch so you will have a last minute gift on hand. The additional jar of jam or jelly can make a special gift for last minute visitors. These gifts are seen as thoughtful and well-prepared when they are in reality a last minute thought.
For more information, contact Dorothy Lee, UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County at (850) 475-5230 or email dclee@ufl.edu.