Tate Showband Peforms At NAS Event; Next Year It’s Off To Pearl Harbor
December 8, 2015
A Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremony was held Monday at the National Museum of Naval Aviation aboard Pensacola Naval Air Station. Monday was the 74th anniversary of the attack that pushed the United States into World War II.
The Tate High School Vocal Jazz Ensemble and members of the Tate Showband of the South performed at Monday’s event, a decade-long tradition.
Next year, on the 75th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, the Tate Showband won’t perform at the Pensacola ceremony — the Showband will be performing at Pearl Harbor.
The Tate High School Showband of the South is headed to Hawaii in December 2016 to take part in the 75th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Mass Band. They will join bands from around the United States and Japan in a concert commemorating the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
The mass band, including the Tate Showband, will perform on the pier of the U.S.S Battleship Missouri in a worldwide live webcast “Gift of Music” concert on December 7, 2016. The trip was announced more than a year in advance to give the Band Boosters and band members a chance to raise the funds needed for the 215 member band. The trip is estimated to cost from $2,000 to $2,500 per band member.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
4-H Cold Weather Clothing Drive Underway
December 7, 2015
Escambia County 4-H is collecting cold weather clothing donations for needy families.
Items are needed for adults and children, including coats, jackets, socks, scarves, gloves and hats.
Donations can be made at the Langley Bell 4-H Center at 3730 Stefani Road in Cantonment by December 20.
Northview Beta, FCA Spread Christmas Cheer
December 7, 2015
Member of the Northview High School Beta Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes recently went caroling around the Century area, with stops that included Byrneville Elementary School, the Century Health And Rehabilitation Center and the Century Town Hall. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Northview Christmas Variety Show
December 5, 2015
The Northview High School Christmas Variety Show was held Friday night in the school’s theater.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Gary Amerson, click to enlarge.
Molino’s Gilmore Girls Featured On Magazine Cover
December 3, 2015
The cover of this month’s FloridAgriculture magazine from the Florida Farm Bureau Federation features two local children know as the Gilmore Girls. They are the daughters of Carla Gilmore and Jacob Gilmore, granddaughters of Ronnie and Debbie Debra Gilmore. The picture was taken by Abbie Seales Rolph at Gizmo Angus Farm in Molino. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview To Present Christmas Program Friday Night
December 2, 2015
The annual Northview High School Christmas Program will be held this Friday at 7 p.m. in the school theater. The program will include the Concert Band, Beginner Theater, Advance Theater and special vocal performances. Admission is free of charge.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Molino Christmas Parade Is Saturday; Register Now
November 30, 2015
The 13th Annual Molino Christmas Parade is set for 11 a.m. this Saturday, and there is still time to register to take part.
The parade route starts at the west end of Crabtree Church Road and ends and the Molino Ballpark were Santa Will be waiting to visit with all the good little boys and girls.
To participate in the parade, preregister at Jimmy’s Grill or register the day of the parade. Registration fees are $30 for floats; $20 for vehicles, motorcycles, tractors or golf carts; and $10 each for horses. No 4-wheelers or go-carts. All proceeds go directly back to the community to help children in need.
For more information, contact Charity at (850) 324-4463 or Jimmy’s Grill at (850) 754-0041. Donations such as toys and non-perishable foot items can be dropped off at Jimmy’s Grill.
The rain date will be Sunday, December 6 at 2:30 p.m.
Pictured: The 2014 Molino Christmas Parade. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Forest Service Does Battle With Invasive Cogongrass
November 29, 2015
Listed as one of the world’s worst weeds, cogongrass is throughout Escambia County and the Gulf Coast. County, state and private landowners are attempting to stop its spread. Information and programs are available to those who are willing to join in the fight.
Cogongrass is not the only invasive plant in our area, but it is arguably one of the worst. For instance, cogongrass can easily choke out native plants and grasses and prevent the establishment of trees. It also changes fire behavior making prescribed burning more difficult and wildfires burn much hotter. It reduces habitat for native wildlife and is not normally used as a food source by wildlife or livestock.
Many private landowners are treating cogongrass using herbicides, disking and planting other vegetation. Some of these landowners have received treatment recommendations from a Florida Forest Service’s County Forester or other professional. Additionally, approximately 130 acres of cogongrass on private land was treated through state or federal cost sharing programs. Escambia County’s Division of Natural Resource Conservation recently received a grant to begin treating county rights of way. Florida Department of Transportation treats cogongrass on state rights of way.
Because of its aggressive, invasive nature, it is illegal to sell, transport or plant cogongrass. It is spread by seed or rhizomes and readily invades disturbed sites, such as construction sites, timber harvests, crop fields or road edges. In addition to natural means of dispersal, seeds and rhizomes are often unwittingly spread by equipment working in or driving through cogongrass.
Help prevent the spread of cogongrass by cleaning equipment before moving it to another location if it has been used in an infested area. Do not use cogongrass in landscaping and be careful about the source of fill dirt and mulch. Plant disturbed areas in native vegetation as soon as possible. More information about cogongrass can be found at http://bit.ly/1GLFXy4 .
If you have cogongrass and need help fighting, the Florida Forest Service is taking applications for the Cogongrass Treatment Cost Share program. For more information on that program, call the Escambia County Forester at (850) 587-5237.
Cathy Hardin works for the Florida Forest Service as the Escambia County Forester. She has 11 years of experience with the state and a degree in Forest Resource Conservation from the University of Florida. This article is part of a quarterly series highlighting forestry practices and programs focused on our area.
#AGGIENATION: Graffiti Bridge Proclaims ‘Tate To State’
November 28, 2015
Pensacola’s iconic Graffiti Bridge was painted in support of the Tate High School Aggies early Saturday morning, following Tate’s 21-20 win over Niceville to claim the 6A Regional 1 championship.
We are told that a few Tate Showband of the South Color Guard painted the bridge to show their love and support for the Aggie football team as they are just two games away from a state championship.
The bridge was painted with the hashtag #AGGIENATION, “Tate to State” and “Love, Your Showband”, along with numerous football player numbers.
(Editor’s note: If you are unfamiliar, it is an acceptable practice to paint the 17th Avenue Trestle, better known as Graffiti Bridge. Every day, there’s a new coat of paint and a new message. It’s been happening for years, and it’s considered a local landmark. It’s led to art exhibits and even a book project. It is Pensacola’s public canvas.)
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
.
Thanksgiving Dinner Cost Up Slightly This Year
November 26, 2015
The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 30th annual informal price survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table indicates the average cost of this year’s feast for 10 is $50.11, a 70-cent increase from last year’s average of $49.41.
The big ticket item – a 16-pound turkey – came in at a total of $23.04 this year. That’s roughly $1.44 per pound, an increase of less than 9 cents per pound, or a total of $1.39 per whole turkey, compared to 2014.
“Retail prices seem to have stabilized quite a bit for turkey, which is the centerpiece of the meal in our marketbasket,” AFBF Deputy Chief Economist John Anderson said. “There were some production disruptions earlier this year due to the highly pathogenic Avian influenza outbreak in the Midwest. Turkey production is down this year but not dramatically. Our survey shows a modest increase in turkey prices compared to last year. But we’re now starting to see retailers feature turkeys aggressively for the holiday. According to USDA retail price reports, featured prices fell sharply just last week and were actually lower than last year,” he added.
The AFBF survey shopping list includes turkey, bread stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a relish tray of carrots and celery, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and beverages of coffee and milk, all in quantities sufficient to serve a family of 10. There is also plenty for leftovers.
Foods showing the largest increases this year in addition to turkey were pumpkin pie mix, a dozen brown-n-serve rolls, cubed bread stuffing and pie shells. A 30-ounce can of pumpkin pie mix was $3.20; a 14-ounce package of cubed bread stuffing, $2.61; and two nine-inch pie shells, $2.47.
“Despite concerns earlier this fall about pumpkin production due to wet weather, the supply of canned product will be adequate for this holiday season,” Anderson said.
Items that declined modestly in price were mainly dairy items including one gallon of whole milk, $3.25; a combined group of miscellaneous items, including coffee and ingredients necessary to prepare the meal (butter, evaporated milk, onions, eggs, sugar and flour), $3.18; a half pint of whipping cream, $1.94; and 12 ounces of fresh cranberries, $2.29. A one-pound relish tray of carrots and celery (79 cents) and one pound of green peas ($1.52) also decreased slightly in price.
The average cost of the dinner has remained around $49 since 2011. This year’s survey totaled over $50 for the first time.
“America’s farmers and ranchers are able to provide a bounty of food for a classic Thanksgiving dinner that many of us look forward to all year,” Anderson said. “We are fortunate to be able to provide a special holiday meal for 10 people for just over $5 per serving.”