Molino Stories Of ‘The Way We Worked’ Thursday Night
March 29, 2016
The Molino Mid-County Historical Society, along with the West Florida Public Libraries, will host video stories of Molino’s rich work history on Thursday, March 31, at 6 p.m. at the Molino Community Complex (6450 Highway 95-A North). At one time Molino had a lumber mill, canning factory, brick yard and its own phone company. Watch video interviews of longtime Molino residents who recount memories of growing up and working in North Escambia. Several of the interviewees will be present for a question and answer session after the presentation.
“Molino’s Story” is hosted in concurrence with “The Way We Worked,” a Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition, which celebrates the history of our nation’s diverse workers and industries. The exhibit is on display in the Lillian F. King Museum, located in the Molino Community Complex until April 30. Viewing hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekly, closed Sundays, and open during “Molino’s Story” from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Pictured: The original switchboard for the Molino Telephone Company. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Easter Sunset Photos: Amazing Beauty
March 28, 2016
Easter morning may have started out cloudy and wet, but the day ended across the North Escambia area with an amazing array of colors, cloud formations and even what looked like a tornado (you’ll see that one below).
These photos were all taken over about a 30 minute period in the Walnut Hill area, mostly along Kansas Road, Pine Forest Road and Highway 97.
For more amazing Easter sunset photos from North Escambia, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Vietnam Veterans Get Long Overdue ‘Welcome Home’ (With Gallery)
March 27, 2016
It was an emotional welcome home Saturday for a small group of Vietnam veterans….a welcome home decades overdue.
The Atmore Memorial VFW Auxiliary hosted a “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day” ceremony at Atmore’s Heritage Park.
Yellow ribbons were tied to trees around the park for the event which included the patriotic music, food and fanfare of a welcome home ceremony most of the Vietnam veterans in attendance had never received.
The ceremony concluded with VFW Auxiliary members giving each Vietnam veteran a gift — and sometimes a quick kiss on the cheek — to thank them for their service. It was a scene reminiscent of a welcome home ceremony that has played itself out over and over for other American wars.
And tears that were decades overdue fell from the eyes of several veterans as they were finally welcomed home.
Organizers are already planned a ceremony for the last Saturday in March 2017.
For a photo gallery click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Kids Scramble For 50,000 Easter Eggs
March 27, 2016
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos hosted “Egga-Wahooza” Saturday. The free Easter egg hunt had 50,000 eggs and was divided in age categories for children from age to fifth graders. There was also an egg hunt for special needs children. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Despite Rain, Kids Enjoy Cantonment Egg Hunt
March 27, 2016
Saturday’s rain did not stop the children at Pine Forest Assembly of God in Cantonment from having a great time. The kids were able to enjoy and indoor egg hunt with prizes and loads of candy. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Happy Ending: Missing Veteran Found Safe
March 25, 2016
Two Santa Rosa County deputies had the opportunity to go above and beyond the call of duty Wednesday night when they located a missing elderly man from Atmore.
George Haley, an 83 year old dementia patient, left his home on Freemanville Drive north of Atmore about 5:00 Wednesday morning in a 2002 pickup truck. An Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Senior Alert was issued when friends and family were unable to find him.
Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Deputy Brian Middleton and Sgt. Todd Reaves conducted a traffic stop on Haley’s pickup near the Pace Assembly of God Church Wednesday night. He had been reported as a possible drunk driver.
“My husband found him and called police actually thinking he was a drunk driver,” Gina Riela posted on the NorthEscambia.com Facebook page.
Once the deputies realized they had located the missing senior, they contacted and waited for his family to arrive from Atmore to pick him up. They began to talk and discovered that Haley is a veteran with plenty of stories to tell.
“We exchanged stories about life,” Middleton said. The deputies bought Haley a burger and fries since he had not eaten all day.
“Mr. Haley, it was a pleasure meeting you sir, thank you for you’re service in the military and God Bless you,” Middleton said.
Haley is safely back home with his family.
Pictured: Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Sgt. Todd Reaves, George Haley of Atmore ,and Deputy Brian Middleton. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Angels Return Home For 70th Season
March 22, 2016
The Blue Angels returned to Pensacola Monday afternoon for their 70th anniversary season.
The 2016 team roared back into town with a special flyover over downtown Pensacola before a welcome back event at NAS Pensacola.
Pictured: The 2016 Blue Angels in a special flyover above downtown Pensacola on Monday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ditto Gorme, click to enlarge.
Camp Fire Century Students Are ‘Absolutely Incredible Kids’
March 21, 2016
The Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center recently celebrated Absolutely Incredible Kid Day. Each child’s parent wrote a letter to their child letting them know why they are an Absolutely Incredible Kid.
“You are such a funny kid. Never know what you are going to say. You can be the most sweet and loving kid ever. The most incredible this is you’re ours,” one letter said.
“I am a loving, caring, smart young man who loves helping mommy do chores around the house. I am absolutely incredible kid because my beautiful smile always makes mommy smile,” another letter stated.
Pictured: Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center celebrated Absolutely Incredible Kid Day. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Names Students Of The Month
March 21, 2016
Ernest Ward Middle School has named Students of the Month for February. They are (L-R) Nevaeh Brown, sixth grade; Amber Gilman, seventh grade; and Ashlyn Harigel, eighth grade. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Creating Good Woods
March 21, 2016
by Cathy Hardin, Escambia County Forester
Richard Winkler showed off his little piece of heaven recently . He is proud of his nearly 300 acres on Nokomis Road.
When asked what the name on his Forest Stewardship plaque will say, with a twinkle in his eye, he admits he calls it the Hillbilly Hunt Club. The Forest Stewardship Certification and Tree Farm Certification Winkler is receiving show he has met certain standards of forest management. His dedication to the land gives him the motivation to manage the property to such standards.
Certified landowners like Winkler are honored with signs to display on the property. The Forest Stewardship program was created to encourage active, long-term management of private forest. The American Tree Farm System was designed to promote sustainable land management and recognize landowner commitment to do the best for their land.
To qualify for certification, Winkler has thinned timber, conducted prescribed burns, treated cogongrass and maintained food plots. To make these management practices happen, he worked with private contractors, the Florida Forest Service and the USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service. Why he does all this for a patch of woods is simple: He wants to see his forest live up to its ultimate potential.
Not only does his managed land benefit him, it also benefits his neighbors. Thinning timber helps prevent outbreaks of devastating pests; prescribed burning has numerous benefits including lowering wildfire risk and increasing wildlife habitat; treating cogongrass helps slow the spread of a crippling invasive species to neighboring properties.
Then there are benefits to the greater community from having trees. For instance, trees help remove pollution from the air and protect water quality. These and other benefits provided by trees are known as ecosystem services and have been valued at roughly $5,000 an acre.
If Winkler had one recommendation for other forest landowners it would be to make sure to get any professional help you need. For landowners who want to do something for their land, a first step is simply to know your property. Know where your property lines are and walk the property watching for signs of problems or potential problems such as trespassers, invasive or harmful pest or plant species and potential for damage by wildfire, flood or hurricane. If you are not sure what to look for or how to take care of what you see, take Winkler’s advice and call for help from a professional forester.
If you are interested in creating your own good woods, please contact the Escambia County Forester at (850) 587-5237 for more information.
The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages 37 state forests on more than 1 million acres of public forest land while protecting 26 million acres of homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire.
Pictured top: Escambia County Forester Cathy Hardin and Richard Winkler. Pictured inset: Winkler with his Stewardship Forest sign. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.