Photos: Go Inside The Tornado Damaged Century Methodist Church
February 21, 2016
Someone joked to the Rev. Janet Lee that a great hymn for this Sunday morning would be the great classic “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”. She didn’t seem amused.
The community has leaned on the Century United Methodist Church for about 114 years. A simple, but beautiful wooden church that’s stood strong on Church Street since just after the turn of the Century. Notably, a couple of years longer, we’re told, than the Baptist church next door.
Now the church building is precariously leaning after last Monday’s tornado lifted it off it’s foundation and shifted the entire building about two feet away. The building, according to a structural engineer, is a total loss and in danger of possible collapse. It will have to be torn down.
Since Monday, church members and volunteers have worked, despite the danger, to remove stained glass windows, pews and other furniture, and chandeliers from the building. Members have former members have stopped by, some posing for pictures on the porch, and reminiscing about the weddings and funerals and special services — the important moments in their lives and the in the lives of their families — that took place in the little wooden church.
Some are quick to point out that Church is the gathering of the Lord’s people, not the physical building. That Century UMC body, for now, will be holding services in a house they own just across the street for the tornado damaged church.
NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Reimagine Flomaton Touches Communities In Need
February 21, 2016
The goal of Saturday’s Reimagine Flomaton event was to breathe new life into Flomaton where the faithful reached out to touch the hearts and lives of area residents in need. The event was planned months ago, and suddenly took on a new importance after tornado ravaged areas of Century and Flomaton last Monday.
The event at Hurricane Park included a 15,000 pound food distribution, as well as other free activities and giveaways including clothing, diapers, pillows and laundry detergent. A free lunch was also available.
There were free children’s activities including face painting, bounce houses and a coloring contest in which three children won new bicycles. There was also live Christian music, dance and more.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Showband Members Raising Hawaii Trip Money
February 21, 2016
The Tate High School Showband of the South has a variety of fundraisers planned for the next several months to benefit the band’s trip to Hawaii next December to play at the 75th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. Saturday, a group of band students were raising money outside Tractor Supply on Nine Mile Road. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Park Elementary After School Students Learn Fire Safety
February 20, 2016
Volunteers from the Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue visited Molino Park Elementary School’s after-school program Friday afternoon to teach the students about fire safety. Photos by Kayla Bedell for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Two Days Later: Century Pharmacy Back Serving The Community
February 18, 2016
The Century Pharmacy was finally able to open their doors Wednesday, two days after the devastating EF-3 tornado hit Century.
The pharmacy on Mayo Street was in the hardest hit area of Century, an area that was closed to residents and business owners until Wednesday. The tornado blew out the store’s windows and caused other exterior damage like a torn-off awning. A downed tree cut natural gas service to the store’s generator.
By late Wednesday morning, the gas was back on and the store was running on generator power, and Gulf Power was able to make repairs and restore electric power by late afternoon.
“We have always been able to open the day after the storm in the past,” pharmacist and owner Julie Booth-Moran said, “even after the hurricanes. People depend on us for their medications. This was very hard to accept.”
Moran and her employees spent their morning cleaning up and getting ready to open as a steady stream of area residents stopped by to make sure that everyone was OK.
Pictured top: Century Pharmacy owner Julie Booth-Moran talks to a customer on the phone as she watches as Gulf Power work to restore electric service to the Mayo Street business in Century late Wednesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tornado Recovery: The Power Of Prayer
February 18, 2016
Pictured: Two men pray together at the Abundant Life Assembly of God in Century during a food distribution event for tornado victims Wednesday morning. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Tate High FBLA Members Raise Funds For Gulf Coast Kids House
February 17, 2016
A special group of Future Business Leaders of America from Tate High School in Cantonment recently presented a check to Gulf Coast Kid’s House for funds raised during a Christmas event.
The students wanted to bring some holiday cheer to child abuse victims in Escambia County. Over the holidays they made small paper trees and asked for donations to sponsor a tree and write a special note to a client at the Gulf Coast Kid’s House.
“Feliz Navidad” and “We love you!” were some of the messages written by parents, students, and other sponsors. The campaign produced over $400 and a check was presented by the students to GCKH staff members at their February monthly member meeting.
The students will soon be on their way to state competitions in Orlando compete against other members of FBLA from all over the Florida. Each student has a project to present and take first place in their regions before moving on to state.
“One student designed an entire video game as her project,” shares Erika Cooper, one of the teacher sponsors of FBLA, “some of the schools we are up against have whole departments dedicated to gaming technology.”
Church To Host ‘True Beauty’ Young Women’s Conference
February 14, 2016
Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church will host “True Beauty”, a young women’s retreat, this Friday night.
The keynote speaker will be Beth Harris, and small group leaders that will lead participants in a study based upon the “True Beauty” by Carolyn Mahaney and Nicole Whitacre. Young women high school through college/career are welcome to attend.
Tickets are $20 with a t-shirt, or $10 without a t-shirt. The event will be held 5-10 p.m. at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church at 170 West Bogia Road in McDavid. Dinner is included.
For more information, call (850) 375-4652 or visit Facebook.com/TrueBeautyYoungWomensRetreat/
Wilson Robertson Boat Ramp Opens Honoring Longtime Public Servant
February 12, 2016
More than 50 local, regional and state representatives joined Escambia County in celebration of the new Wilson B. Robertson Boat and Canoe Launch ad at 11800 Mobile Highway Thursday. The special ceremony also recognized Vice Chairman and District 1 Commissioner Wilson B. Robertson for his years of service and dedication to Escambia County, including his years of service as District 5 commissioner.
The boat ramp area, which sits on a 4.8 acre parcel near the Perdido River, features two boat ramp launch lanes, an ADA compliant dock, a paddle craft launch, 31 parking spaces for vehicles with trailers and a covered picnic table. Funding sources for the project included a Natural Resource Damage Assessment grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Escambia County Local Option Sales Tax and vessel registration fees for a total of $2.65 million.
“Fishing and boating are just some of the many recreational activities that continue to serve as great outdoor experiences in Escambia County,” said Robertson. “This new facility provides opportunities for citizens and tourists of all ages to enjoy, and I am very grateful to all of the local, regional and state partners that helped bring this project into fruition.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
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NJROTC Annual Inspection Held (With Photo Gallery)
February 11, 2016
Northview High School’s NJROTC Annual Inspection was held Wednesday at the school, with cadets undergoing face to face scrutiny with a Navy captain.
Captain Mark Truluck, Commanding Officer, Naval Aviation Schools Command, NAS Pensacola, conducted the inspection. The day’s events began with a personnel inspection, drill demonstration and a pass-in-review in the school gym. The captain also conducted a financial record review, briefings, administrative inspections, supply inspections and more.
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 Moriah McGahan, Executive Officer Cadet LT SJohn Reaves and Command Master Chief Cadent CMC Uriel Codrington.
For a photo gallery from the inspection, click here.
The follow cadets earned an Exemplary Personal Appearance award/ribbon at Wednesday’s inspection:
- Kris Baxter
- Haley Black
- Emily Brown
- Leona Courtney
- Crystal Douglas
- Jasmine Elliott
- Victoria Grammer
- Triston Long
- Hannah McGahan
- Wyatt Morris
- Audriene Odom
The following cadets were promoted in rank during the ceremony:
- Rebekah Amerson
- James Ates
- Kris Baxter
- Hayley Black
- Rheanna Black
- Alyssa Borelli
- Jacob Borelli
- Katie Cmehil
- Crystal Douglas
- Lawrence Douglas
- Jasmine Elliott
- Victoria Grammer
- Jacob Harrison
- Mya Henderson
- Maggie Lane
- Triston Long
- Sara McCreary
- Hannah McGahan
- Wyatt Morris
- Audriene Odom
- Orelblis Rodriguez
- Zachary Sheldon
- Kyle Smith
- James White
Pictured: Northview High School’s NJROTC Annual Inspection Wednesday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
