Survivor Reception To Be Held Before Jay Relay For Life
April 18, 2013
Cancer survivors are invited to a Survivor Reception and Lap Friday evening at the Jay Relay for Life.
The complimentary reception will take place at 4 p.m. Friday in the Jay High cafeteria. Survivors are asked to call Cathy at (850) 675-2448 to reserve seating for the survivor and a caregiver. Survivors should sign in at the registration table at the back entrance to the cafeteria off Escambia Avenue.
A survivors lap will begin the Jay Relay for Life at 6 p.m. The all-night event will continue until closing ceremonies at 9 a.m. Saturday.
Pictured: Participants in the 2012 Relay for Life at Jay High School. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Moye, McCall Named Northview Prom King And Queen
April 17, 2013
Seniors Blake McCall and Maranda Moye were named the 2013 Junior-Senior Prom King and Queen last Saturday night for Northview High School. Courtesy photo by NHS Tribal Spirit for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Area Remembers, Prays For Boston
April 17, 2013
Residents across the area remembered Boston Tuesday and the tragic bombing at the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday. Pictured top: The 17th Avenue train trestle in Pensacola, commonly known as “Graffiti Bridge”, was painted with the message to “Pray for Boston”. And flags across the area were lowered to half staff upon an order from Gov. Rick Scott, including the Byrneville Community Center (pictured below). NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Heli-Chopper: Giant Saw, Helicopter Used For Big Trim Job
April 16, 2013
Call it a heli-chopper? Numerous residents spotted a helicopter using a giant saw to trim trees along a high voltage power line in the Walnut Hill and Bratt area Monday.
The giant patented aerial saw — with 10 gas-powered rotating 24-inch blades, hangs beneath a 1980 Hughes 369D helicopter on an 80-foot fixed pole that has swivel points at the copter and at the saw. Weighing in at over 800 pounds, the saw can swing forward and backwards, but not side to side as power line right of ways are trimmed.
Pictured: A helicopter and and a giant patented aerial saw are used to trim along high voltage power lines near Walnut Hill on Monday. Pictured top: The gas powered saw is refueled in a field near the intersection of Lambert Bridge Road and Pine Barren Road. Submitted photos by Gayle Brewton for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Care Center Honors Volunteers With Appreciation Party
April 16, 2013
Century Care Center recently held a party to honor scores of volunteers that lend a hand at the facility.
About 50 volunteers were on hand for the party — including members of church groups, singers, sewing groups, “Elvis”, a clown, general helpers and individuals.
“We are blessed to have such a large number of devoted souls. We live in a caring and giving community,” said Mae Hildreth, Century Care Center’s activities director.
Pictured: A volunteer appreciation party held Sunday at the Century Care Center. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Area Student Wins 2013 Congressional Art Competition
April 15, 2013
U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller has announced the winners of the annual Congressional Art Competition, “An Artistic Discover”. The Best of Show was “Self Portrait of “Innocence”” by Abby Harrison of Jay High School.
Harrison will be flown to Washington, D. C. to attend the National Congressional Art Competition to be held in June. She is also eligible for a scholarship to the Savannah College of Art and Design.
The First Runner Up was “Granny” by Isabella Jenkins of Niceville High School. The Second Runner Up was “Lion’s Teeth” by Audrey Stevens of Rocky Bayou Christian School. The Third Runner Up was “Alter-Ego by Robin Elizabeth Berntsen of Niceville High School. “Rage” by Jessica Taylor of West Florida High School and “Fearfully and Wonderfully Made” by Amanda Hart of Rocky Bayou Christian School received Honorable Mention.
The event, which was initiated by House members in 1982, is a nationwide annual art competition that allows high school students, from all fifty states, the District of Columbia, and US territories to showcase their artistic ability. The winning work from each Congressional district is displayed in an eleven month exhibit in the Cannon tunnel that leads into the US. Capitol.
Pictured below: Pictured top: Abby Harrison of Jay High School with her Best of Show winner “Self Portrait of ‘Innocense’”. Some of the other submissions in this year’s contest. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photo: Sunset Sailing Away
April 14, 2013
Saturday ended on a sunny note across the North Escambia area, but Sunday was mostly cloudy and wet.
Pictured above: A powered paraglider trike and the sunset as seen along Highway 97 near Nokomis Road Saturday in Davisville. Photo by Ditto Gorme for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NHS Graphics Arts Students Design Winning Posters
April 13, 2013
Graphic Arts Academy students at Northview High School participated in a recent Century Sawmill Pageant Poster contest.
Winners were as follows (click on a student’s name to view their poster design):
- Steven Gregory, first place;
- Kasie Braun, second place;
- Alisha Grice, third place; and
- Kassey Redmond, honorable mention.
Gregory was awarded $25 for his winning entry.
Pictured top: First place winner Steven Gregory with Northview Graphic Arts Academy Instructor Donna Smith. Pictured below: The first and second place winning posters. (To view each winner’s poster, click their name above). Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weekend Gardening: Plant Your Own Butterfly Garden
April 13, 2013
Butterflies are not only beautiful to look at in your landscape; they serve as important pollinators of your fruiting plants. Attracting them to your garden and incorporating some features to get them to stay and reproduce involves a little planning ahead of time for optimum results.
Choose a location that provides some protection from wind. Trees and shrubs that provide wind protection also serve as a safe harbor from rain and predators. The garden should be mostly sunny with some part sun areas. Ensure that any new plantings have access to a convenient irrigation source so they can be successfully established and maintained in good health.
Now you’ll need to choose the plants. Adults feed on the nectar of many flowering trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals and, fortunately, there are usually many choices that will meet your site requirements and your taste preferences. In order to keep the butterflies in your garden, certain plants need to be available to serve as host plants for their young. Determine which species of butterfly is common in your area and that you want to attract. Most species have very few plants on which the caterpillars can feed so those host plants need to be chosen wisely. Determine whether any of the plants you already have are host plants and they can be integrated into your butterfly garden. For example, cassia is a host plant for the Cloudless Sulphur and citrus is a host plant for the Giant Swallowtail.
In choosing your nectar plants, select those that are native or Florida-Friendly as they are lower maintenance, giving you less trouble in the long run. Choose plants that have flowers in a variety of color, size, and shape. Different butterflies like to feed at different elevations, so choose trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals of varying heights. In order to have nectar available throughout the time when the butterflies occur, include plants that bloom at different times of the year. And include some plants that bloom all the time, like pentas or moss verbena.
Larger plants should be placed in the background with smaller plants layered in the foreground. When you plant smaller annuals and perennials, place them in masses to better attract the butterflies. Consider placing host plants in an area that is in close proximity to the nectar plants, but in an area of your garden that is not a focal point. Host plants can get quite ragged looking from hungry caterpillars!
Good maintenance practices will enhance the health of your garden. Regular fertilization and irrigation if needed will help keep your plants in bloom and healthy – healthy plants are less susceptible to disease and pests. Avoid pesticides as they may harm the very creatures you are trying to attract. Never use a Bt or systemic pesticide. If you must, target a pest with lower risk oils or soaps and then only treat the affected plants. Lastly, be aware of beneficial insects that will help you achieve satisfactory control of a pest.
Now that your plants are placed there are several things to do to make your butterfly garden complete. Add a spot where water can puddle on the ground for the adult butterflies to drink. They require minerals from the soil that get dissolved in the water. Also add a rock or log in a sunny spot where butterflies can rest and sun themselves. And consider placing a comfortable place for you to sit and enjoy the beauty of your garden and its inhabitants.
Mary Derrick is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent UF/IFAS Santa Rosa County Extension
Pictured top: A buckeye butterfly. Photo courtesy David Davidson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tim Tebow Named ‘Great Floridian’
April 13, 2013
His professional football career remains up in the air, but Tim Tebow was named a “Great Floridian” Friday by Gov. Rick Scott. The former Florida Gator quarterback is one of only 66 people since 1981 to get the award.
The “Great Floridian” designation is given in recognition of the outstanding achievements of men and women who have made significant contributions to the progress and welfare of Florida.
“It is an honor to present one of our first of 2013 ‘Great Floridian’ awards to football legend and Florida native Tim Tebow. Tim is a great role model for young athletes, and throughout his career, he has proven to be a true competitor and humanitarian. Tim is not just an athlete, he is a true example of someone who lives to serve others. It is my distinct honor to recognize football legend, proud University of Florida Gator and humanitarian Tim Tebow with the ‘Great Floridian’ Award,” Scott said.
Tim Tebow said, “I am so honored to be selected by Governor Scott for the Great Floridian award. It has always been wonderful to call Florida home.”
Two “great Floridians” are chosen each year by the secretary of state from a list of nominees. Scott presented Tebow with the award at an event at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach. Tebow was a backup quarterback this past year for the New York Jets, and they’re looking for a taker on a trade deal.
Pictured: Gov. Rick Scoot named Tim Tebow a ‘Great Floridian” Friday. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.