Free Food, Math And Reading Help At Cantonment’s Carver Park
June 23, 2016
The first hot dog in the park event was held Wednesday at Carver Park in Cantonment, with kids able to enjoy a free meal and some educational time.
There will be free hot dog meals will be offered every Wednesday, beginning today, at noon in Cantonment’s Carver Park at 2058 Webb Street. The hot dog, chips and beverage meals are sponsored by Saint Jude Catholic Church for school-age children and served by the Cantonment Improvement Committee.
The Carver Park Resource Center will be open from 10 a.m. until noon on Wednesdays for children who want to keep up with their reading and math skills using computer games.
Pictured: Students work on their math and reading skills using the computer lab at the Carver Park Resource Center Wednesday morning. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate’s Grammer Receives State FFA Equine Proficiency Award
June 22, 2016
Tate High School FFA members Rachel Grammer received the Equine Proficiency Award at the Florida State FFA Convention last week in Orlando. She received first place out of four state finalists. She is pictured above (holding awards) with Tata FFA sponsor Austin Courson. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: The Strawberry Moon
June 21, 2016
The summer solstice coincided with a full moon Monday night — a rare event that last happened in 1967 and won’t happen again until 2062.
The strawberry moon is the nickname for June’s full moon and does not refer to the perceived color of the moon. The strawberry moon got its name from the Algonquin tribes, which interpreted it as a signal to gather ripening strawberries, according to the Old Farmers Almanac.
Pictured top: The strawberry moon shot from Walnut Hill. Pictured below: The strawberry moon rises over a field in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County FFA Students Receive State FFA Degrees
June 20, 2016
A dozen Escambia County FFA members received their coveted State FFA Degrees last Friday during the 88th Florida FFA Convention in Orlando. The State FFA Degree is highest honor bestowed upon any regular member of the Florida FFA Assocation.
2016 State FFA Degree recipients from Escambia County Schools were:
Northview High School: Kaitlyn Nicole Kleinatland, Bethany Cheyenne Reynolds, Haylee Alease Weaver, Courtney Bryce Weekly.
Tate High School: Owen Phillip Carter, Rachel Joy Grammer, Heath Haydon Herndon, Bricen Trace Iannone, Victoria Lynnne Kent, Patra Nicole Miller, Michael Austin Rising
West Florida High School: Miranda Marie Vidak
Pictured above and below are FFA members from Escambia County at the 88th Florida FFA Convention in Orlando last week, including those from Northview, Tate and West Florida high schools and Ernest Ward Middle School. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Birthday Party Held For Rescue Horse
June 19, 2016
Panhandle Equine Rescue in Cantonment held a 32nd birthday party for Sky, their second rescue horse, and an open house event on Saturday.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pensacola And Biloxi Battle Down To The Wire
June 19, 2016
In his five-year professional career with six different teams, Pensacola Blue Wahoos starting pitcher Rookie Davis has never made it to the playoffs and played on a winning team once.
After the Mobile BayBears jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning, it looked like his streak of bad luck might continue.
“Honestly, I knew what was at stake,” Davis said. “When I came to the dugout and looked my teammates in the eye, I thought everything they’ve done for me this year the least I could do for my team was give them the best chance to win. This is the best game I’ve had.”
Davis buckled down shutting out the Mobile BayBears over the last four innings, including the last 10 batters he faced and his teammates delivered a four-run second inning to help Pensacola to a 6-3 victory in front of a sellout crowd of 5,038 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
In the first game Saturday that was resumed from the night before because of rain, Pensacola won, 3-2, over Mobile in the eighth inning, thanks to a single by shortstop Zach Vincej. He smacked a line drive to right center that scored Pensacola second baseman Brandon Dixon from second base with the game-winning run.
With the two victories Saturday, Pensacola improved to 40-29 – the most victories by the Cincinnati Reds Double-A affiliate in its five-year history. The Blue Wahoos play their final game of the first half Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Biloxi Shuckers, who are 38-29, play two games against the Jacksonville Suns on Sunday after the teams’ game on Saturday was rained out.
If Pensacola defeats Mobile Sunday, they will win the first half title. If Biloxi loses one game Sunday, Pensacola will capture the title, the second in its history.
Blue Wahoos manager Pat Kelly said he’s confident his team can get the job done. Pensacola leads Mobile, 3-2, in this six-game series.
“You always want to be able to claim the title yourself,” Kelly said. “If we go out and win the game, it’s ours. They’ve played hard all year. I’m looking forward to playing tomorrow.”
The start falls on the Blue Wahoos opening day starter, Nick Travieso, who is 3-3 with a 5.27 ERA on the season.
“He’s one of our best competitors,” Kelly said. “He’s the perfect guy in this position.”
Davis, who improved to 5-1 with a 2.39 ERA this season, also trusts Travieso in the final game of the year with title implications on the line.
“I know he’s ready,” Davis said. “I wouldn’t have anyone else going. He’s going to work his ass off to do everything he can to win the game.”
Davis got the most offensive support he’s had this season with the Blue Wahoos scoring six runs.
Leading the way was left fielder Tony Renda, who is now 36-88 or .409 and has 12 multi-hit contests in his last 21 games. He’s now batting .323 on the year, which is second in the Southern League.
Renda had the big hit to help Pensacola come from behind to take a 4-3 lead in the second inning. Renda came to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs and smacked a two-out double that bounced off the left field wall to score Blue Wahoos catcher Kyle Skipworth, shortstop Zach Vincej and third baseman Alex Blandino.
Pensacola first baseman Kyle Parker scored the first run of the inning when Blandino got hit in the hand by a pitch.
The 24-year-old Renda was added to the Southern League All-Star team but declined, so that he could support his wife, Samantha, who is opening a home furnishing store in California. The couple has been dating for nine years and were married in December.
“She’s fired up,” Renda said. “She’s supported me throughout my entire baseball career.”
Mobile scored three runs in the first inning to jump out to a 3-0 lead. BayBears right fielder Gabriel Guerrero hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score center fielder Evan Marzilli, who walked to start the game. Then BayBears first baseman Kevin Cron clobbered a two-run homer over the left field wall that also brought in shortstop Ildemaro Vargas, who had singled.
In the first game Saturday that was resumed from the night before because of rain, Pensacola won, 3-2, over Mobile in the eighth inning thanks to a single by shortstop Zach Vincej. He laced a line drive to right center that scored Pensacola second baseman Brandon Dixon from second base with the game-winning run.
Raisel Iglesias started the sixth inning of the suspended game Saturday when the game picked up where it left off. He pitched one inning, allowed one hit, walked one and struck out one. The Cincinnati Reds opening day starter pitched three rehab games for Pensacola in his recovery from a shoulder
impingement in his throwing arm. In those three games, he threw five scoreless innings, allowed three hits, walked one and struck out five.
“There’s a lot of fight in this team,” Renda said. “We’re never out of any ball game. We just have to go out and play our game.”
ECUA Helps Prepare 4-H Students For Mock Legislative Session
June 17, 2016
Escambia County 4-H students are scheduled to take part in a mock legislative program at the state capitol late this month. In preparation for that week, Larry Walker, ECUA District 5 board member, hosted the students Thursday in the ECUA board room to allow the students to practice their legislative skills in a governmental chamber environment.
The training prepared the students for the upcoming 4-H Legislature and gain an understanding of board proceedings similar to legislative committees that happen in organizations in all forms of government and private corporate enterprise.
The local students have participated in an intensive five-part training program, which was directed by 4-H agents and adult volunteers, who contributed their knowledge of parliamentary procedure, research, debating, the art of persuasion, and formal presentation in committee and chamber sessions.
This year’s 4-H Legislature is set for Monday, June 27 through Friday, July 1.
The civic education event allows students to write bills, act as lobbyists, pass the bills through various committees and debate the potential laws on the Capitol House and/or Senate Floor as acting representatives and senators. This exercise provides the 4-H’ers an opportunity to debate issues and experience the legislative process first-hand. This year, 14 students will represent the Escambia County 4-H Program.
Pictured: Escambia County 4-H mock legislative students practice their skills in the ECUA board room Thursday. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
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Cantonment Church Builds Courtyard For Waterfront Rescue Mission
June 13, 2016
Pinewoods Presbyterian Church of Cantonment worked last week to construct a courtyard for the men in the Waterfront Rescue Mission program. The project was part of the church’s annual local missions outreach. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Market In The Park
June 12, 2016
The Atmore chamber held their first in a series of “Market in the Park” events Saturday morning at Heritage Park on South Main Street.
The market featured local produce, baked goods, breads, handmade furniture and more.
Additional Market in the Park events are set for June 25, July 9 and August 13 from 7:30 until 11 a.m. For more information or to register as a vendor, call the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce at (251) 368-3305.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Yard Sale Helps Tate Showband Raise Funds For Hawaii Trip
June 12, 2016
The Tate High School Showband of the South held an indoor multi-family yard sale in the school’s Fryman Gym Saturday. All proceeds will benefit the band’s upcoming trip to Hawaii. The Tate Showband is raising funds to perform in Hawaii in a mass band to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 2016. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
