Pearl Harbor Survivor Shares Memories During Molino Library Program
November 6, 2016
Francis L. Emond was lined up with his fellow Navy members for morning colors on December 7, 1941, when he watched the ships in front of him sink in the attack on Pearl Harbor. The 98-year old related his memories as a Pearl Harbor survivor Saturday afternoon at the Molino Branch Library.
He was part of the band lined up on stern of the USS Pennsylvania, which was dry docked with clear view of the harbor. His memories of that morning, December 7, 1941, are very poignant.
“We could look all over Pearl Harbor and see all the ships that were anchored,” he said. “It was a beautiful sight, a very clear and nice morning. The air was very fragrant in Hawaii; you smelled flowers there all the time. A very, very pleasant place to be.
“I looked up and coming in…was a line of planes. The first one made a turn off, and something come up off the airplane. I thought the plane was coming apart, so I watched it, and the object flew down across where we were and hit the air station on the island there.
“It exploded in smoke and flames and made a big noise and startled us all of course. Looked back up at the airplanes and you could see the big red spots on the airplanes. So we knew that the Japanese were attacking. About that time, you could look up and the sky seemed to be full of them.
“It looked like they were floating in the skies, not that the jets we see today and zooming everywhere…”
“We felt the ship shake…and we knew we had been hit a bomb…”
“All had smoke and multiple fires and smoke. It was a terrible site.”
Saturday’s event , commemorated the 75th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and was planned in conjunction with the Molino Mid-County Historical Society. The University of West Florida Historic Trust also provided a display of reproductions of WWII uniforms and other memorabilia for the event.
Courtesy images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview NJROTC Annual Inspection Held (With Photo Gallery)
November 3, 2016
Northview High School’s NJROTC Annual Inspection was held Wednesday at the school, with cadets undergoing face to face scrutiny with a retired Navy commander.
Commander Merlin Ladner, USN (Ret) conducted the inspection. The day’s events began with a personnel inspection, drill demonstration and a pass-in-review in the school gym. The commander also conducted a financial record review, briefings, administrative inspections, supply inspections and more.
One by one, Cmdr. Ladner went face to face with each cadet, asking them questions about their NJROTC experience and conducting a complete inspection of their uniform.
“Yes, sir,” the cadets answered as they faced the questions about their NJROTC service, their ribbons, the shine on their shoes and some less than expected questions about every day life and football that left some cadets trying not to crack a smile.
“Who pressed your uniform?” Ladner asked one cadet.
“My mother,” the cadet responded.
“You should have pressed your own uniform,” Ladner replied. “But your mom did a good job.”
“This is a great program” said Ladner, who conducts annual inspections at dozens of high schools in the Southeast, told the entire group following his inspection. “I want you to know how proud I am of you. You have set the benchmark for other programs this year.”
Northview’s NJROTC is under the command of Senior Naval Science Instructor Captain Charlie Code and Chief Jeffrey Simpkins. The unit is led by Company Commander Cadet LCDR Sara McCreary and Executive Officer Cadet LT Alyssa Borelli.
For a photo gallery from the inspection, click here.
Several cadets were promoted during Wednesday’s review:
For a photo gallery from the inspection, click here.
Pictured: Northview High School’s NJROTC Annual Inspection Wednesday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Thousands Attend Fall Festivals, Halloween Events (With Gallery)
November 1, 2016
Thousands of people attended fall festivals and Halloween events across the North Escambia area Monday night.
One of the largest was the annual community-wide fall festival at Victory Assembly of God. The festival was a combined effort of three area churches – Victory, Highland Baptist and Cross Faith Church. The interdenominational event was designed to provide a safe activity for attendees from across the community. The event featured a variety of games, bounce house, a hayride and lots of free food.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: A game of “Angry Birds” during a community fall festival Monday night in Molino. Pictured inset: Choosing that perfect prize. Pictured below: Trunk or Treating with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Kids Enjoy Halloween Carnival In Century (With Photo Gallery)
November 1, 2016
Kids of all ages enjoyed a Halloween Carnival Monday afternoon at the Century Health and Rehabilitation Center. From carnival style games, to hot popcorn, to a “fun hosue”, there were plenty of activities for all
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Home School Students Learn From Community Helpers
November 1, 2016
Home school students recently attended a Community Helpers Day at the Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Cantonment Ballpark. They had a chance to learn from firefighters, an Escambia County Sheriff’s K-9 officer, an Escambia County EMS crew and the crew of a Lifeguard helicopter
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Names Students Of The Month
October 31, 2016
Ernest Ward Middle School recently announced Students of the Month for August. They are Savannah Doremus, eighth grade; Shelby Cotita, seventh grade; and Drake Driskell, sixth grade. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Northview Band In Costume, Chief Cheerleaders
October 31, 2016
The Northview High School Tribal Beat Band dressed for Halloween last Friday night in Baker. For a photo gallery from the show, and the NHS cheerleaders in Baker, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Hundreds Dare To Attend Molino Library Halloween Program
October 30, 2016
Several hundred people attended attended a Halloween program at the Molino Branch Library Saturday night.
They enjoyed a frightfully funny short play with zombies going to the prom, a chance to trick or treat through the library where surprises lurked among the shelves, and a hair-raising took of the Molino Museum.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Football Star Trent Richardson Spotted At Girls Softball In Walnut Hill
October 29, 2016
Football star Trent Richardson was in Walnut Hill Friday night, enjoying girls softball action at Northwest Escambia’s Bradberry Park as the Diamond Divas hosted Perdido Key. Richardson was there cheering on his daughter who is playing her first year of softball for Perdido Key.
Richardson is pictured with Diamond Divas player Jamison Gilman.
Richardson, an Escambia High School grad, played college ball at Alabama where he was an All-American and member of two BCS National Championship teams. He went on to play for the Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts and signed with the Oakland Raiders before being released in August 2015. He signed with the Baltimore Ravens in April 2016 but was waived in August 2016. He is currently a free agent.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Thousands Attend Flomaton Fall Festival; Clown Costumes Banned
October 28, 2016
The population of Flomaton roughly doubled Thursday night for the town’s Harvest Festival and Trick-or-Treat Around the Block.
An estimated 3,000 people attended the annual event, many in costumes. But there were no clown costumes to be found among the princesses, superheroes, ghosts, goblins and at least one “unreal” Donald Trump. The town banned clown costumes due to a September evil clown scare that had schools on lockdown and led to arrests.
A 22-year old Flomaton woman was charged with making a terrorist threat in connection with “Flomo Klown” Facebook pages that prompted the lockdown of multiple schools in Escambia County (AL) in September. Several juveniles were also implicated.
The clown costumes were banned “due to security purposes”, according to a public post by the Flomaton Police Department.
Flomaton Police said Thursday night’s event was successful with just a few minor incidents. Three children lost their parents in the excitement and crowds, and there was a medical call. All children were safely returned to their parents.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
