Crews Work To Uncover History Of Old Muscogee Cemetery
May 15, 2016
Using trimmers and saws and a lot of brute force yanking on vines, a team of Gulf Power volunteers from Plant Crist and Environmental Affairs carved a path into a patch of densely overgrown woods to uncover a section of the Old Muscogee Cemetery, forgotten by society and families alike.
At the same time, a smaller group fanned out to collect garbage — a whopping one ton of discarded fuel tanks, a broken toilet, paint cans, tires, clothes, a cooking pot, drink cans and pounds and pounds of beer bottles.
“My bachelor’s degree is in environmental, so I feel a strong sense of responsibility when it comes to participating in stewardship events,” she said. “But it’s really sad that people who come here have to look at so much trash when they visit their loved ones. Not only is it sacrilegious to pollute hallowed ground, but it’s also extremely thoughtless and cruel when the Perdido Landfill is literally five minutes away.”
The cleanup was a partnership between Gulf Power Environmental Stewardship and Northwest Florida Water Management District to help begin restoration of the late 1800s cemetery, located a stone’s throw from the Perdido River in west Cantonment.
Steve Brown, senior land manager for the Water Management District, said it would have taken him and his three-member team weeks to do what 18 Gulf Power volunteers did in half a day.
“This has been a project we’ve wanted to do for some time, but it’s very sensitive,” he said of the fragile condition of the historic gravesite. “We can’t go in with large equipment. The only way to do the brushing back and clearing out is to use hand labor. It’s tedious and labor-intensive. We are thrilled that Gulf Power employees came out to help with their expertise.”
Jeff Cole, who leads the Environmental Affairs Stewardship program, said the project was a great opportunity to help out the community.
“Cleaning up the cemetery is key for this area because a lot of historic sites in Northwest Florida are being lost to time and a lack of money and materials to get them restored,” he said. “When we can come out and help, it adds another shining star to the community and historic value of the region.”
By the end of the workday, the team revealed six headstones and numerous indentations that are believed to be unmarked or vandalized graves.
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Among the graves are three marked sites of the Owens family — Elise Owens, 1885-1961; Sam Owens – 1880-1957; and what may be a son or relative, Huston Owens, 1927-1962. Huston’s head stone indicated he served as a steward’s mate 2nd class in the United States Navy Reserve.
When volunteers carefully brushed away layers of decaying leaves from his cracked, concrete tomb, they discovered a weathered U.S. flag, dusted it off and gently draped it over his headstone.
As the cleared circumference expanded, a marble monument was released from saplings and vines. Deeper in the woods the small headstone of John Brown emerged from a thick blanket of decaying leaves with hard-to-read lettering that identifies him as a war veteran.
Monuments and marble headstones that still exist are testaments to the story of Muscogee, a once a thriving timber town-turned-ghost-town. Founded in 1857 it once boasted four mills, a school, post office, train depot and fire station before the lumber industry pulled up stakes and moved on.
Eventually, many of the estimated nearly 500 citizens moved on too, leaving behind their family plots.
About two decades ago, a citizens group began restoring the neglected white section of the cemetery but many of them passed on or become too old to do the work, according to local historian Helen Allen, who has championed the restoration of the cemetery.
At the time, with no apparent family members to tend to the black section, the woods reclaimed that land. And no one had any idea how many graves rested underneath the brush and vines.
Because of its location on the Perdido River, the Water Management District purchased the land encompassing the cemetery from International Paper Company in 2006 and took over maintenance.
Northview’s Perritt Places In Law Week Student Essay Contest
May 13, 2016
Northview High School student Sarah Perritt won third place in this year’s Law Week Student Essay Contest. Her prize included a $50 award and a certificate from the Northwest Florida Paralegal Association.
Perritt was encouraged to enter an essay by James Moretz, who teaches U.S. government, economics, sociology and physiology at Northview.
This year’s Law Week Essay Contest centered on the 50th anniversary of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case, Miranda v. Arizona. Students were tasked with preparing a case brief essay which focused on the factual findings in the juvenile case of J.B.D. v. North Carolina and “Miranda.”
Moretz said Perrittis a highly motivated self-starter and is very deserving of the recognition she earned from the Northwest Florida Paralegal Association. Additionally, Moretz said he is encouraged that her success will inspire others to participate in next year’s contest.
Pictured: Law Week Student Essay Contest third place winner Sarah Perritt and teacher James Moretz. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weekend Play: ‘You Can’t Take It With You’
May 13, 2016
The Greater Escambia Center for the Arts (GECA) will present “You Can’t Take It With You” this weekend.
Showtime are 7 p.m. Saturday, with a Sunday matinee performance at 2 p.m.
Set in pre-World War II 1930’s, the story is about two very different families with one thing in common – their youngest members are in love. It is up to the lovers to bring the two families together and find common ground. In the process, chaos ensues and both tempers and fireworks flare as a compromise is sought.
Admission is $10 per person, $7 for GECA members, at 100 South Trammel Street in Atmore. Advance tickets are available at the Atmore News Office on South Main Street, call (251) 368-6397.
Pictured: (L-R) Pam Dees, Sandy Helton, Tom Wolfe and Sharon Poulsen in “You Can’t Take It With You”. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Required Tdap Vaccine Offered At Ernest Ward, Ransom Middle Schools
May 12, 2016
The Escambia County School District is making it easier and cost-free for students to receive a required vaccination before school starts next fall.
Incoming seventh grade students in Florida are required to have a Tdap immunization before starting the school year.
The Escambia County School District has teamed up with Healthy Schools to offer the Tdap vaccine on May 18 at Ernest Ward and Ransom middle schools with no out of pocket cost. Consent forms have been sent home with current sixth grade students. Parents should return the completed form with either “Yes” or No” marked.
Tdap is a combination vaccine that protects against three potentially life-threatening bacterial diseases: tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough).
Northview’s McGahan Named ‘Top Senior’ Out Of 48 NJROTC Programs In Five States
May 10, 2016
Northview High School NJROTC Company Commander Cadet LCDR Moriah McGahan has been selected as the Navy JROTC “Top Senior” in the Area 8 Region. She was named the Top Senior from 48 high school NJROTC programs in Northwest Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Panhandle Equine Rescue Presents Library Program On Horses
May 9, 2016
Area residents interested in getting their own horse, or just curious about horses, attended a special program with Panhandle Equine Rescue Saturday at the Molino Branch Library. PER President Diane Lowery and the group’s mascot, “Lightning Bug”, provided information on basic horse are and sheltering. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Park Holds Muffins For Moms (With Gallery)
May 8, 2016
Molino Park Elementary School recently held a “Muffins for Mom” event.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Quintette Community Park May Day (With Photo Gallery)
May 8, 2016
The Quintette Community Park May Day Festival was held Saturday. The event including entertainment, arts, crafts, activities and games for the children and several food vendors.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate FFA Holds 25th Annual Rodeo (With Photo Gallery)
May 8, 2016
The Tate FFA Alumni Foundation presented their 25th annual rodeo at the James C. Robinson Escambia County Equestrian Center Friday and Saturday nights.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Celebrating Mayfest
May 8, 2016
From beautiful babies, cute dogs, arts and crafts, entertainment and plenty of fun, Mayfest 2016 had a little bit of something for everyone Saturday at Tom Byrne Park in Thousands attended the annual event.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
