Ready To Ride: Panhandle Equine Rescue Receives ASPCA Grant
September 14, 2012
Panhandle Equine Rescue in Cantonment has received a $1,500 grant from ASPCA to assist their efforts in preparing rescued horses to be ridden by their new owners.
“With the current economic downturn, more horses are in need of rescue than ever before,” said Diane Lowery, president and co-founder of Panhandle Equine Rescue. “Horseback riders are looking for a good, sound, riding horse for a reasonable price. Many people don’t realize that you can find that perfect horse by adopting one. With this grant money, we hope to help potential horse owners realize that these animals are ready to ride, and waiting for their forever home.”
The grant will allow three rescued horses with riding potential to start working with a natural horsemanship trainer, which will help them be safe for humans to handle and ride. Once training is complete, the rescue horse becomes more adoptable to those looking for a ‘ready to ride’ horse. Te grant will encourage riders to adopt rescue horses and allow PER to find permanent, loving homes for more rescue horses, according to the group.
The only horse rescue in Escambia County, Panhandle Equine Rescue was founded by a small group of concerned citizens and became incorporated on February 1, 2005 as a non-profit organization. Shortly thereafter, PER became authorized by the county court system to investigate reports of equines in trouble. PER’s mission is to “rescue, rehabilitate and provide adoption services for abused, neglected and abandoned equines”.
PER currently has two investigators to take reports about violations of state laws for the purpose of protecting animals or preventing any act of cruelty to animals. PER then investigates the reports and to verify if there is a problem or violation.
Once the investigator confirms a violation, PER works to educate owners to enable them to resolve the problem so they can take full responsibility for their horses. Many owners
voluntarily surrender their horses, some horses are seized by Panhandle Equine Rescue or PER is awarded custody in a civil case.
Panhandle Equine Rescue is run entirely by volunteers with no paid staff or board members. For more information, visit www.panhandleequinerescue.org.
Baby Shower Saturday For Wife Of Late Paramedic
September 13, 2012
A baby shower will be held this Saturday at the Century Fire Station for the wife of a paramedic and fire department member killed recently in a traffic crash.
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.
The baby shower for Tiffany (Hanks) Berry will be held from 2-4 p.m. at the Century Fire Station, 10 Tedder Road, just off Highway 29, for the Berry’s unborn son Mason.
Mason will need any and all baby items, including clothing for 0-12 months, according to event organizers. Gifts are also welcome for Mason’s big sister, Anna Claire. Her clothing size is 18-24 months and her shoe size is 5.
Gifts from those unable to attend can be dropped off at the Lifeguard EMS office at 4340 Avalon Boulevard in Milton from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. through Friday or the Century Fire Station from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. through Friday, or the Flomaton City Hall at 2125 Ringold Street from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. through Friday.
Those attending are asked to call (850) 619-0729 or email shaunmoye@att.net in advance so that an accurate count can be obtained for food.
Century Correctional Donates Supplies To Three Area Schools
September 12, 2012
Century Correctional Institution recently held a school supply drive and distributed donations to partners in education Bratt Elementary, Byrneville Elementary and Camp Fire USA in Century. A variety of items were collected from employees, including crayons, folders, paper, scissors, glue sticks, tissue, paper towels, zip lock bags and hand sanitizer.
Pictured above are CCI employees Sgt. Yetzer, Warden Whitehurst, Sgt. Dixon, Michele Edwards, Carrie Bryan, Officer Guice, Assistant. Warden Flores and Officer DeGraaf with some of the collected school supplies.
Scroll down for more photos.
Pictured above: Bratt Elementary students with Assistant Warden Flores, Michele Edwards, Principal Karen Hall, Carrie Bryan and Willie Hicks.
Pictured above: Donations at Byrneville Elementary School with Willie Hicks, Carrie Bryan, Michele Edwards, Principal Dee Wolfe-Sullivan and Assistant Warden Flores.
Pictured above: Campfire USA Century Pre-K students with donated supplies, along with teacher Misty Lambeth and Director Pam Townson.
Congressmen Stuff Special September 11 USO Care Packages
September 12, 2012
Members of Congress crossed party lines on Tuesday, September 11, to stuff thousands of Operation USO Care Packages to be distributed to service members overseas in an effort to provide them with a “piece of home”.
“Every time I go overseas to Iraq, Afghanistan, and any other areas of operation around the world, the men and women tell me all the time how much they appreciate getting the USO care packages and the notes and letters from home,” said Congressman Jeff Miller of Chumuckla. “The USO continues to be one of the most important morale boosters to our men and women serving overseas.”
The event took place in the foyer of the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington where Miller (R-FL) and Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) kicked off the event. During the event, Members of Congress and staff assembled more than 3,000 care packages for deployed troops.
Special cards were inserted in each care package noting the significance of September 11.
“We must never forget September 11, 2001, nor your selfless service to our nation. This special USO care package was assembled on September 11, 2012 on Capitol Hill in appreciation of your continued service and commitment to our country,” the cards read.
Since the program’s inception, the USO has distributed more than two million care packages to troops deploying to Afghanistan, Iraq, and other overseas locations. The Operation USO Care Package program enables the public to directly support our soldiers. These packages improve the lives of deployed troops around the world by providing recipients with, at a minimum, one prepaid international phone card, sunscreen, snacks, playing cards, toiletries and other items requested by service members.
For more information about Operation USO Care Package and other USO programs, please visit www.uso.org.
Pictured top: Congressman Silvestre Reyes of Texas (left), Congressman Jeff Miller of Florida and his wife Vicki Miller stuff USO care packages Tuesday, September 11 on Capitol Hill. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Atmore Remembers 9/11
September 11, 2012
The Woodman of the World Lodge 1872 presented an American flag to the city of Atmore Tuesday morning to honor those who lost the lives on September 11, 2001. Pictured are Atmore Police Chief Jason Dean, Mayor Howard Shell and Samantha Bennett, Woodman of the World Lodge 1872 secretary. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Honors Area First Responders On 9/11
September 11, 2012
A breakfast Tuesday morning at the Little Escambia Baptist Church in Flomaton remembered 9/11 and honored first responders from Escambia counties in Alabama and Florida.
The Friendship Learning Lodge, a Flomaton preschool, recently made a sign for the nearby Friendship Volunteer Fire Department to thank them and all first responders on 9/11. The was presented to the department today. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Northview Cheerleaders, Mini Cheerleaders, Band And Dance Team
September 9, 2012
For a a game summary and action photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Weekend Gardening: Now’s The Time To Plant Onions
September 9, 2012
Onions are sold in every grocery store, served at many meal and featured at sporting events across the United States. Onions are everywhere. If you’ve ever wanted to try to grow them, now is the time to plant.
Edible onions have been cultivated for so long that it is difficult to trace their origin. Onions were first introduced to America around the turn of the century when a retired French soldier brought some onion seeds from Corsica to the Walla Walla region of the Pacific Northwest. But it wasn’t until the farmers in Georgia realized what a special thing they had in the Vidalia onion and began spreading the news that the sweet onion finally got the attention it deserves.
Onions have different requirements as to the number of hours of daylight required for bulb formation. The types that require 15 to 16 hours of light daily are referred to as “long day” varieties and not adapted for the South. Types that grow best in Florida are the “short-day” varieties. They must be started in the fall so that bulbing is induced by the short days of winter. However, the subsequent harvest of bulbs follows in the spring or early summer.
Onions are often grouped according to taste (mild and strong flavored), color (white, yellow, and red) and use (storage or freshly eaten). Some suggested bulbing onion varieties for Florida include Excel, Texas Grano, Granex, White Granex and Tropicana Red.
Yellow onions are gardeners’ most popular choices. Granex 33 is the early Texas hybrid grown in Vidalia, Georgia. Texas Grano 1015Y Aggie Sweet produces a large, mild bulb that is very sweet under the right growing and soil conditions. The Texas Grano 502 is well known for large, mild bulbs with fair storage potential.
Onions are grown either from seed, sets (tiny immature bulbs) or transplants. The planting method selected is based on cost, use, availability, and planting ease.
Onions grown from sets do not make the best bulbs, and are rather costly. Specific onion varieties are usually not available. They are sold simply as red, white, or yellow onion sets. Since the variety is unknown, the flavor, use, and keeping quality of onions grown from sets varies considerably. Avoid sets more than an inch in diameter, as they are likely to bolt. Late plantings are more susceptible to cold or freeze injury. Planting too early can result in increased seed stem production.
Growing onions from seed may be the most difficult planting method. However, it is the least expensive and offers the greatest variety. Germination may be sporadic and plant growth can be slow. Be aware that onion seed does not remain viable long, and should not be planted when more than one year old.
In North Florida, onions can be started between mid-September and mid-November. Onion seed can be planted directly in the garden or in flats. Sow eight to 12 seeds per foot of row ½ to one inch deep. If larger bulbs are desired, thin to a final spacing of four to six inches apart.
Set out transplants from late December through February. Plants should be about 6 inches high and about half the thickness of a lead pencil at the time of transplanting. Set plants with the bottom of the plant about 1 to 1½ inch below the surface of the soil. Transplants should be spaced 3 to 4 inches apart in the row.
Onions have a shallow, poorly developed root system, so regular fertilization and watering are essential. Inconsistent watering may lead to splits, doubles and small bulbs. Fertilize the crop monthly with a nitrogen fertilizer. Be sure to keep the fertilizer from contacting the plants directly.
Good weed control is a must. Since young onions are small and grow slowly at first, they can be taken over by weeds that reduce yield. Look out for diseases before they become established. Leaf blight diseases can seriously reduce yields. Monitor for insects twice each week, and use appropriate management techniques. Contact your local Extension Office for the latest information on pest management recommendations.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Two Escambia Farmer’s Markets Named Among America’s Favorites
September 7, 2012
Two of the top 10 farmer’s markets in the country are located in Escambia County.
The Market at Saint Monica’s in Cantonment was named the number 10 small market in the country by the group American Farmland Trust. The Palafox Market, held in downtown Pensacola, was named the number 10 large market in the U.S. The Palafox market was also named the Florida’s second favorite.
The goal of American Farmland Trust’s fourth annual America’s Favorite Farmers Markets contest was to highlight the role that farmers markets play in keeping family farmers on the land. The summer long contest was a nationwide challenge to see which markets can rally the most votes from their customers.
The bi-monthly Market at Saint Monica’s will be open again on September 15.
The Palafox market is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Palafox Street between Garden and Wright streets in downtown Pensacola.
Pictured top: The Palafox Market in downtown Pensacola. Pictured inset and below: Items for sale earlier this summer at the Market at Saint Monica’s in Cantonment. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Barrineau Park Community Center To Host Music Night, Swing Dance
September 6, 2012
The Barrineau Park Community Center will play host to two big events Friday and Saturday nights — a bluegrass music night and swing dancing.
Friday — Barrineau Park Music Night
The monthly Barrineau Park Music Night will be held Friday night at the Barrineau Park Community Center. The featured local groups are Southern Sounds and bluegrass group Trugrass.
The singing starts at 6:30 p.m. Food and refreshments will be available beginning at 6 p.m. The event is a family-friendly — no alcohol is permitted on the property, and no smoking is allowed in or near the building.
Admission is free, but donations are accepted for musicians’ expenses.
For more information, call (850) 572-4433. The Barrineau Park Community Center is located on Barrineau Park School road, about three miles west of Molino.
Saturday — Swing Dancing
“Swing Molino Swing”, a family oriented event, will be held at the Barrineau Park Community Center Saturday night.
The event begins at 6:30 p.m. with lessons. There will be a $5 charge to cover costs, and there will be a $5 meal available with a hot dog, chips, dessert and drink. Spike heels are not allowed, and females that plan to wear a dress and practice the dip moves will need a pair of shorts underneath.