Taking Stock In Our Children
September 20, 2012
Three Ernest Ward Middle School students are setting clear goals for their futures, and thanks to a scholarship program they know college will be a reality.
Jason Fischer, Kayla Galvan and Sabra Stewart are among 17 students across the county accepted into the Take Stock in Children scholarship program. After the seventh graders graduate high school, they will be awarded a four year tuition scholarship as long as they maintain good grades, have a record of good attendance, display good citizenship, and remain crime and drug free.
“It means I will actually get to go to college without worrying how to pay for it,” Stewart said. “I will work hard because I can’t lose it.”
Donations from community businesses, organizations, individuals and foundations are used to purchase scholarships using matching funds from the Florida Prepaid College Foundation. The program includes weekly meetings at school with a community mentor.
“I won’t have to worry about getting to go to college,” Galvan said. “I will work hard to make sure I get it.”
“It feels good to know out of high school college will be open for me,” Fischer said.
The newest Take Stock in Children scholars in Escambia County are:
- Dezmond Booker, Workman Middle School
- Daizja Brazille, Warrington Middle School
- De’Shawn Brundidge, Brown Barge Middle School
- Armelle DeLouis, Brown Barge Middle School
- Jason Fischer, Ernest Ward Middle School
- Kayla Galvan, Ernest Ward Middle School
- Latavia Grace, Bellview Middle School
- Andrew Huyhn, Pensacola High School
- Charles Johnson, Woodham Middle School
- Savon Johnson, Bailey Middle School
- Markita Sapp, Workman Middle School
- Devin Searcy, Ransom Middle School
- Sabra Stewart, Ernest Ward Middle School
- Joshua Van Fleet, Workman Middle School
- Brianna Walker, Bellview Middle School
- Zachary Wallworth, Ferry Pass Middle School
- Jammie Yeldon, Pine Forest High School
Pictured: Ernest Ward Middle School’s newest Take Stock in Children scholarship and mentoring program recipients Jason Fischer (top), Sabra Stewart (above, inset), and Kayla Galvan (below). NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Church Holding Open Car Show, Pinewood Derby On Saturday
September 20, 2012
Highland Baptist Church in Molino will host an Open Car Show and a Pinewood Derby Saturday.
The car show will take place from 8 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Admission is free. Registration fee is $25 with all registered vehicles receiving an entry trophy. There are 38 possible trophy awards in several categories. For more details, click here.
A Pinewood Derby race will be held at 9 a.m.
Highland Baptist Church is located at 6240 Highway 95A in Molino. For more information, call (850) 587-5174 or email info@hbcmolino.com.
Pictured: This drag racer owned by Alan Lowery will be part of a car show this Saturday at Highland Baptist Church. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
At The Library: See Dancing Dogs And A Blue Kazoo
September 19, 2012
Children of all ages can see dancing dogs and a blue Kazoo at the Century Branch Library.
Dogs can be trained to sit, stay and roll over….but square dance? The Five Flags Dog Training Club will present a boot-slappin’ good time as they put their pups to the challenge Thursday afternoon at the Century Branch Library at 4 p.m.
On Saturday from 11 a.m. until noon, the Blue Wahoo’s mascot Kazoo will be at the Century Branch Library. September is National Library Card Sign-up month, and to celebrate the West Florida Library has teamed up with the Blue Wahoos. There will be lots of fun and frivolity for children of all ages.
The Century Branch Library is located at 7991 North Century Boulevard. For more information, call (850) 256-6217.
Northview To Host Mini-Majorette Clinic
September 17, 2012
The Northview High School majorettes will host a mini-majorette clinic.
Practices will be held September 29 and October 1, with the mini-majorettes performing during the pregame and halftime festivities during the November 5 Northview game at home against Jay.
For complete details and a registration form, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Photos: Molino Back To School Splash
September 17, 2012
Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino held a “Back to School Splash” Sunday afternoon with water and other activities for children of all ages.
Pictured: A “Back to School Splash” event Sunday afternoon at Aldersgate UMC in Molino Sunday. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Have news from your church? Email news@northescambia.com with the details.
Weekend Gardening: Irresistible Hummingbird Plants
September 16, 2012
This time of year, it’s nice to be able to sit outside on the cooler afternoons and enjoy the antics of the hummingbirds.
For many people, attracting hummers is as easy as hanging a feeder. But, that is not always successful because many hummingbirds are not accustomed to using feeders. I know from experience how frustrating it can be to put out a feeder and never see a hummingbird.
Numerous people have found that planting a garden full of hummingbird-attracting plants, in addition to maintaining feeders, is a more reliable method for successfully attracting hummingbirds.
One plant that is sure to attract the hummingbirds and the “oohs and ahhs” of fellow gardeners is the pagoda plant. The flowers grow in pyramid shaped clusters which are tiered, like a Japanese pagoda, thus its common name. This sizeable floral display sitting atop large leaves makes this such a visually-striking plant.
The red-orange flowers are funnel shaped and tubular, making it irresistible to the hummingbirds. Each slender, tubular flower is about a half-inch long with five small lobes, these usually being slightly paler than the tube.
Butterflies are the main pollinators. As they extend their long, thin proboscides into the flower tubes pollen adheres to their bodies from the long protruding stamens. Flowers of cultivated plants are usually sterile and typically do not produce fruits.
The pagoda flower is one of about 150 species of Clerodendrum, a large genus which is native to Africa and Asia. Known botanically as Clerodendrum paniculatum, it was first described in 1767 by the ‘father’ of modern biological nomenclature – the Swedish botanist, Carl Linnaeus. The species epithet refers to the large ‘paniculate’ clusters of flowers (inflorescences).
The leaves of the pagoda plant are bright green, rounded to heart-like in shape and can get very large. The shrub has an open branching habit and can grow up to eight feet tall. Their ability to produce root suckers allows pagoda flowers to spread vegetatively and they can form clonal stands of several plants together. Although an aggressive plant, it is not as invasive as other species of Clerodendrum.
It grows best in partial sun to light shade and prefers a moist, but well-drained soil. It does well with minimal fertilizer and requires little care. Insects may occasionally chew on the foliage, but this plant really has no major insect or disease problems. Plants grow rapidly and send up shoots that might need removal during the growing season.
The one shortcoming of this plant is that it is tender and will die back with a freeze. While it has returned reliably over several years in Northwest Florida, some years it takes a very long time to reappear the following summer. Be sure to remove the freeze-damaged foliage, or cut back to the ground entirely, only after you see new shoots begin to appear in the spring. This is one plant that I would suggest that you remove some rooted underground shoots and pot up to overwinter in a protected location.
Be patient if you don’t see hummingbirds the first year. Remember, a hummingbird garden is an invitation to these delightful creatures, not a command performance. The longer you stick with it the more likely they are to show up.
Theresa Friday is the Environmental Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
First Responders Throw Baby Shower For Widow Of Firefighter, Paramedic
September 16, 2012
Area fire departments and ambulance services held a baby shower Saturday in Century for the widow of one of their own.
Lt. Nathan Berry was a member of the Century Fire Department and the Friendship Fire Department, and he was a paramedic supervisor with Lifeguard EMS in Santa Rosa County and a former paramedic with Atmore Ambulance. Berry, 22, was killed in an off-duty traffic accident south of Jay in June.
Saturday afternoon, a baby shower was held for his widow, Tiffany (Hanks) Berry, formerly of Bratt, unborn son Mason, and 17-month old daughter Anna Claire.
Members of local fire departments, as well as Lifeguard and Atmore ambulance services, and members of the community gave the family gifts and donations to let them know that they are not alone and will not be forgotten.
Pictured top and below: A baby shower was held Saturday at the Century Fire Station for the widow of a firefighter and paramedic. Photos by Melissa Moye for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Northview NJROTC, Cheerleaders, Band And Dance Team
September 16, 2012
For a game summary and action photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Births: Amber Magdalene “Maggy” Dunsford, Angie Elaina “Lainey” Dunsford
September 16, 2012
Ashley Dunsford of Byrneville announces the birth of her twin daughters, Amber Magdalene “Maggy” and Angie Elaina “Lainey” Dunsford. They were born September 1, 2012, at Sacred Heart Hospital.
Maggy was seven pounds, six ounces and Lainey was five pounds, 10½ s ounces. Their proud grandfather is Danny Dunsford from Flomaton, and great grandparents Bill and Angie Weaver of Byrneville.
Birth: Bentley Myles Dudney
September 16, 2012
Adam and Monica (Hammac) Dudney, along with big sister Madalyn, are proud to announce the birth of Bentley Myles Dudney.
Bentley was born on May 14, 2012, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola at 6:07 p.m. He weighed eight pounds, eight ounces and was 21 inches long.
Proud grandparents are Bubba and Robbie Hammac of Bluff Springs and Doug and Denise Dudney of Berrydale.