Getting Ready: Youth Attend GCA & NRA Grooming Clinic
February 19, 2013
The Gulf Coast Agricultural and Natural Resources Association held their annual Grooming Clinic recently.
Youth exhibitors were able to learn how to better feed, groom and show their animals in preparation for the upcoming GCA & NRA Livestock Show.
The 4-H and FFA youth received information from experts in the various areas of animal exhibition. The swine clinician was Chris George from Eclectic, AL; the cattle clinicians were Logan and Spencer Williamson from Brewton; and the goat clinician was Lorie Kent. The exhibitors were able to gather valuable information from each of the experts.
The GCA & NRA Livestock Show will begin at 9 a.m. on April 6 at the Langley Bell 4-H Camp on Nine Mile Road. Youth ages 8-18 will exhibit rabbits, poultry, goats, swine and cattle.
Pictured: A recent GCA & NRA Grooming Clinic at the Langley Bell 4-H Center on Nine Mile Road. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Food For America: Northview FFA Officers Share With Elementary Students
February 18, 2013
Members of the Northview High School FFA officer team recently visited several area elementary schools to read ag-related books to students.
The FFA officers visited Bratt, Jim Allen and Molino Park elementary schools. Reading to the students and sharing information about food-related agriculture is part of the events leading up to Northview’s award-winning Food for America program in March.
Northview’s Food for America program has been name the best in the state . Each year, the program gives hundreds of elementary school students a chance to learn about agriculture firsthand up close and personal with farm animals, farm equipment and more as they visit displays on the Northview campus.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hidden Surprise In The Garden: Terrestrial Orchids
February 17, 2013
by The Escambia County Extension Service
A hidden surprise in many gardens this time of year are the delicate blooms of terrestrial orchids. One species that is a consistent bloomer along the Gulf Coast is the Chinese ground orchid, Bletilla striata.
Although foliage and flowers may be sensitive to cold weather, the preferred growing conditions under tree canopies often offer this plant protection during many winters. Flower spikes emerge from the underground structure and hold numerous bright pink flowers about 12-15 inches high.
Strap-like foliage is bright green and makes an effective groundcover for the remainder of the season. It is important that the ground orchids have rich soil with some moisture. Local sandy soils may need amendments with composted materials.
Each season, the clump of ground orchids will continue to expand so they can be divided in late summer for a new planting or to share with friends.
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Higher Learning: Firefighters Train In McDavid With Tower Truck
February 17, 2013
Twenty volunteers are currently in the midst of a 160-hour Firefighters I class for Escambia Fire Rescue that is being conducted at the McDavid fire station. Saturday, the crew from Tower 7, stationed at Ferry Pass, demonstrated the 105-foot tower truck’s capabilities in McDavid. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Holds Valentine’s Dance, Names Court (With Photo Gallery)
February 16, 2013
Ernest Ward Middle School held its annual Valentine’s Dance Friday night, naming a queen and her court based upon student votes.
Eighth grader Morgan Myrick was named queen, and Jacob Weaver was named king. From the seventh grade, Anna Nelson was named maiden, and Logan Calloway was named knight. Sixth grade maiden was Shelby Bashore and sixth grade knight was Brandon Santos.
For a photo gallery with the complete court, click here.
Other sixth grade court members were: Ashtyn Carnley, Catherine Casey, Nikoal Creamer, Madison Sherouse, Zachary Hilton, Tanner Levins, Cameron Long and Noah Moore. Seventh grade members included: Abby Hammond, Celeste North, Olivia Reber, Tori Smith, Korbin Bryan, Eli Deese, Triston Long and Trevor Singleton. Additional eighth grade court members were: Autumn Albritton, Peighton Dortch, Lenora Hall, Daysha Kite, Dustin Bethea, Dillon Clary, Desmone Knight and Luke Ward.
Pictured top: Ernest Ward Middle School Valentine’s Court sixth grade Knight Brandon Santos and Maiden Shelby Bashore, Queen Morgan Myrick and King Jacob Weaver, seventh grade Maiden Anna Nelson and Knight Logan Calloway. Pictured below: Queen Morgan Myrick and King Jacob Weaver. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
EREC Sends Area Juniors On Tallahassee Youth Tour
February 16, 2013
Ten area high school juniors were guests of Escambia River Electric Cooperative last week in Tallahassee as they learned more about their state legislature and electric cooperatives.
Participants were Garrett Peirce from Central High School; Kayne Caraway, Kayla Flowers, Dakota Mack, Chassity McCranie, Tate Upton and Dylan Wolfe from Jay High School; and Taylor Brook, Shelena Dukes and Victoria Wright from Northview High School.
While in Tallahassee, the students met with nearly 120 other high school juniors from electric cooperatives throughout the state of Florida. EREC delegates enjoyed visiting the Challenger Museum and viewing the IMAX movie, Space Junk (3D). The group took part in a mock session in the Florida Supreme Court and participated in a mock session in the House chambers where various members of the Legislature addressed the group.
The Youth Tour program provided students an opportunity to learn more about their state government and electric cooperatives and also gives them a chance to interact
with other students from co-ops throughout the state.
“It was a great educational experience and a lot of fun for the entire group,” according to Sabrina Owens, EREC’s marketing director.
EREC Youth Tour delegates with Representative Clay Ingram. (L-R) Garrett Peirce, Dylan Wolfe, Chassity McCranie, Victoria Wright, Dakota Mack, Representative Clay Ingram, Tate Upton, Kayla Flowers, Kayne Caraway, Taylor Brook and Shelena Dukes. Pictured inset: Tate Upton enjoys the batting cage at Tallahassee’s Fun Station. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge. Pictured below: The group with Sen. Greg Evers. Pictured bottom: Taylor Brook, Victoria Wright, and Shelena Dukes look for clues to the scavenger hunt in the Challenger Learning Center.
Weekend Gardening: Best Time to Prune is Now
February 16, 2013
Now until buds break is the best time to prune, according to the UF/IF Extension Service.
Why Prune?
- Control plant size or form
- Remove damage (mechanical, disease, etc.)
- Prevent potential damage (overlapping branches, poor crotch angles, diseases, etc.
- Stimulate new growth (rejuvenate old plants, fill bare areas, increase flowering, etc.)
When to prune:
- Corrective pruning due to injury or dead tissue should be done as soon as evident.
- Avoid pruning from August 15 until plants are dormant.
- Most pruning should be done during the dormant season or immediately after flowering.
Rules of thumb – The “May Rule”:
- May defined if the plant blooms before May 1, prune immediately after flowering has ended (flowers produced on old wood or last year’s growth: Azaleas, Forsythia, etc.)
- If the plant blooms after May 1, prune during the dormant season (flowers produced on new growth: Crape Myrtles, Lilac Chaste tree, etc.).
- As with any rule there are exceptions: Oak leaf Hydrangea.
General rules of Pruning:Eddie Hand Pruners
- Local in affect (usually within 6” of cut).
- Cuts should be made ¼” above a bud or to a crotch (Lateral branch).
- Cuts should be made at angles.
Pruning Equipment: (Make sure blades are sharp)
- Hand Snips (for small branches)
- Loppers (branches > 0.75” in diameter)
- Pruning Saw (limbs > 1.5” in diameter)
- Shears (for a more formal look)
- Pruning Knife (for clean-up)
Safe Pruning Principles:
- Keep equipment clean and in good repair.
- Appropriate, properly fitted safety equipment for job (eye and ear protection, no loose fitting clothes, etc.)
- Keep equipment within your control zone. Don’t over extend, know the limitations of your equipment and yourself.
- Know your surroundings (overhead utilities, other workers, etc.).
- Be able to identify Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and other skin irritants.
Quick Tips to Remember:
- Pruning: Remove dead wood and seed pods annually during the dormant season.
- Size control should be done by cultivar selection, not by pruning.
- To promote a second set of flowers, prune away faded or spent flowers throughout the season.
Tate High FBLA Members Place At Districts, Headed To State
February 15, 2013
Fourteen Tate High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) members placed in the recent District I FBLA Competition.
District I is comprised of chapters including Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties. Competition included categories such as written, skilled and performance events. The following students placed in their respective category and are eligible to attend the state competition which will be held in Orlando in April”
- Business Calculations: Jansen White – 1st place
- Website Development: Connor Doten, Chase Green, Keenan Williams – 1st place
- Game Development: Zachary Gravitt and Andrew Stark – 1st place
- Business Decision Making: James Wright – 2nd place
- Game Development: Louis LeDue – 2nd place
- Computer Problem Solving: Darren Gulsby – 2nd place
- Computer Problem Solving: Wesley Sapp – 4th place
- Sports Management: Heath Herndon – 3rd place
- Cyber Security: Hailey McQuaid – 4th place
- Job Interview: Sayra Mauldin – 4th place
- Business Math: Kyle Dibattista – 4th place
The Tate High FBLA advisors are Janice Courson and Gene Seales.
Pictured top: Tate High School FBLA members. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Let The Good Times Roll: Seniors Celebrate Mardi Gras
February 13, 2013
Residents at the Century Care Center celebrated Mardi Gras Tuesday in grand style with both a parade and a party.
The parade featured lots of throws, including Mardi Gras beads and other trinkets. Residents in Mardi Gras costumes paraded and rolled through the hallways in their wheelchairs to the delight of other residents watching the parade.
Pictured: Celebrating Mardi Gras Tuesday at the Century Care Center. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Names Students Of The Month
February 12, 2013
Northview High School has named their Students of the Month from January. They are Courtney Peebles and Dustin Parker. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.