For The Love Of Baby Blaze
May 3, 2012
Baby Blaze Johnson will be eight weeks old Friday — just days before he faces his third open heart surgery. It’s a surgery that is not without tremendous risk, but without it, he will likely die.
His story began early March, born six weeks early to Katherine Johnson, an RN at Sacred Heart Hospital, a Chris “Squeaky” Johnson, a videographer for WEAR TV 3.
“He was the cutest little thing,” Chris said, his voice rising into the squeaky tone that earned his nickname. “He had big fingers and toes.”
The couple knew their first child, due to his premature birth, would spend a few weeks at Sacred Heart Hospital’s NICU, receiving oxygen as his lungs matured. It was mountain that knew they could climb.
But by the time Blaze was five days old, the nurses at Sacred Heart knew that something just wasn’t right. And his oxygen levels began to plummet; his heart fell into a dangerous rhythm.
“They were about to shock him; they were about to shock our baby,” Chris said. He understood the gravity of the situation, and Katherine, an RN in Sacred Heart’s emergency room, was more than aware where they stood at that moment.
Doctors ordered an ultrasound. The results were frightening.
“My heart fell into my chest,” Chris said. “Everything was suppose to be fine. All the ultrasounds before he was born said he was healthy. This wasn’t suppose to be happening. We were OK with the breathing problems, and then were suppose to take him home and we would be fine. There are no words to describe it.”
The couple was forced to choose which of a handful of major children’s hospitals in the south would see Blaze. They choose Emory in Atlanta because Katherine had relatives that lived not to far away. Blaze and Katherine were quickly flown to Atlanta; Chris drove behind them.
Heart abnormalities had thrown a major curve ball into the lives of the young family, as their youngest was in real jeopardy.
Surgeries were performed; there were some successes, some failures. And this week the couple was faced with the decision on a risky surgery that could certainly mean life or death for their baby.
“We were given three choices: do nothing and he would die; stents that he would outgrow; or another surgery,” Chris said. Doctors will, on Friday, perform the surgery if all goes as planned.
Essentially, Blaze is without one of his heart chambers. Doctors will work to create a “well” in tissue that will replace the chamber. It’s a rarely done procedure, not something from a medical textbook.
“Please keep praying that God keeps this little boy in his hands, heal him and be with the doctors as they make their decision and assist God in this very difficult surgery,” Katherine wrote on the Baby Blaze Fan Club page on Facebook.
As he describes Blaze’s condition, Chris speaks with little emotion, sounding almost distant from the past seven weeks have been something of nonstop blur.
“I’m the father. I have to stay strong for Blaze and for Katherine. It’s my duty. You do what you have to do for your children.”
“But it does bother me,” he said, “I’ve shed many tears, but I must remain strong for my family.”
The Johnsons are not in their battle alone. Communities across the area have rallied behind them; over 1,100 people have joined the Facebook fan club for Blaze.
“The words of others on the Facebook page, the calls, the text messages, the prayers from people that don’t even know us that tell us how his story has touched them — it’s all given us strength,” he said. “But it’s also brought us closer to God and His strength.”
Chris’ father — Henry Franklin Johnson, a former chief of the Flomaton Fire Department — died of cancer in 2000. The name “Blaze” is a tribute to him, and a tribute to Katherine’s father Henry Page, who was also a volunteer fireman. Shortly after the death of Chris’ father, his brother died.
“God was preparing me for this with Blaze,” Chris said, emotion returning to his voice. “You can’t tell me there’s no God. I could not see it then when my father and brother died. But you can’t tell me God does not have a purpose. He was preparing me, making me strong for Blaze.”
For now, it’s about the little milestones in Blaze’s life. The tiniest baby steps of sorts. The couple realized a major milestone Wednesday as they were able to hold their baby Blaze for the first time in about seven weeks.
“Oh how I wish I could just make him whole,” Chris said. “I just want to hold him and know that he’s OK. It’s in God’s hands and God’s time.”
A benefit yard sale and bake sale will be held this Saturday at Flomaton First Baptist Church from 8 a.m. until for the Johnson’s expenses for baby Blaze. For information or to donate yard sale items, contact Renee Merchant at (850) 791-4106. There is also a benefit account under the name “Baby Blaze Fan Club” at Region’s Bank.
To join the Baby Blaze Fanclub on Facebook, click here.
Pictured top: Mom Katherine Johnson holds her son Blaze Wednesday for the first time in seven weeks. Pictured additional photos: Baby Blaze Johnson. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Jim Allen Presents ‘To Bee Or Not To Bee’
May 3, 2012
Jim Allen Elementary School was “abuzz” recently as second graders presented the musical “To Bee or Not to Bee”.
In the musical, the Wanna Bees were helped by the Queen Bee to decide which kind of bees they wanted to be — Spelling Bees, Quilting Bees, Drones, Busy Bees or Honey Bees.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Special Feature: Along The North Escambia Trail With A Wagon Train
May 2, 2012
The scene Tuesday very well could have been a postcard snapshot of the dawning of Walnut Hill in the 1800’s. Freshly plowed fields stretch across the flat land, blue skies with a few puffy white clouds floating along in a gentle breeze, piney woods in the distance. Nearby, railroad tracks sat empty, awaiting the next freighter’s horn to break the melody of birds singing.
In the distance, the outline of a wagon train could be seen approaching, a baker’s dozen strong with outriders for protection. Moving nearer, the sound grew louder of horseshoes — clump, clump, clump — and of chains rattling used to connect horses, mules and tack to handcrafted wagons.
For a photo gallery, click here.
But this was May 1, 2012. And in our modern zip-zip fast paced world, wagon trains tend to draw a bit of attention. And that was the point on the annual wagon train ride to the Tate High School FFA Rodeo. The ride started Saturday morning in Barnett Crossroads, just north of I-65 in Escambia County, Ala. It ends Friday night at the Escambia County Equestrian Center in Pensacola for Tate FFA Rodeo’s grand parade.
It’s a 20 year old tradition started by the late Selmer Thompson with a ride from Barrineau Park to Pensacola. This year is the first annual week long event.
At one to four horsepower, or mule-power each, it’s slow ride with a top speed of about 3.5 mph that provides the opportunity to take in the surroundings. And to be neighborly, speaking and waving to the bystanders that gather along the highways or in their yards to watch the unique picture of Americana pass by.
“It’s just an amazing thing,” participant Tina Martin said. “There’s nothing like it.”
“When you ride in a car, you can see what man has made,” wagon owner James Smith said. “But when you ride in a wagon or on a horse, you stop and have time to see what God made.”
Catching up with the ride Tuesday afternoon on Corley Road for the photos on the page, our photographer discovered that the only way back to his car from a ride along with the wagon would be a horse. There were no escort vehicles, no trucks full of supplies. This was a real deal, old-timey wagon train through the countryside.
But it’s not a total step back into time — some of the wagons have battery powered lights, fans and radios — country music, of course. And a few wagons were equipped with BBQ grills mounted at the rear. No need for a drive-thru when the ride is a self-contained, on the move BBQ house.
The actual ride Tuesday was our second encounter with the die hard wagoneers. Modern life, roughing it style, was more evident at the group’s camp Monday night on Highway 164 at Velor Road.
They had just finished a 13 mile trek from Canoe, Alabama. The horses and mules were grazing and resting.
“They eat before we do,” Smith said, gesturing toward the animals.
The wind rustled through the campsite beneath tall pecan trees. A welcomed cool breeze following a hot last day of April with a high in the 90’s — made worse by the open air ride over asphalt.
In the old days of the Tate FFA ride, trail riders would sleep on the ground, or air mattress popped up in the back of a pickup. But this is 2012, after all. The generators hummed outside dual purpose trailers — part horse trailer part in the front and part comfy RV in the back. It’s chance to rest in the A/C or watch a little TV while getting ready to hit the highways again in the morning.
“I just love it,” Martin said. “It’s an experience you’ll never forget.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Family Appeals To Community To Donate Platelets For Robert Stewart
May 1, 2012
The family of a Bratt man is appealing to the North Escambia community to donate the blood platelets he needs at a critical stage in his battle against cancer.
Robert Stewart, the former chief of the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department, is in the ICU at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola. According to his daughter, Kelly Stewart Kennedy, Robert is in need of A-positive platelets.
Potential platelet donors are asked to call Northwest Florida Blood Services at (850) 473-3853 to schedule an appointment time. According to Betty Roberts, spokesperson for Northwest Florida Blood Services, an appointment is necessary to make a platelet donation because the process takes about an hour and 45 minutes.
Donors should mention that their donations are for Robert Stewart. If the platelets are unneeded by Robert or are of the wrong blood type, they will still be used to help in the community, Roberts said. Platelets, with a shelf life of just five days, are often used for cancer patients and premature babies.
Donors must be 18 or older (16 or 17 with parental permission), at least 110 pounds and generally in good health.
Pictured top: Robert Stewart teaches fire safety to students at Bratt Elementary School in October, 2011. Pictured inset: Robert Stewart speaks at a 2009 Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department event. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Fence Artwork Shows Ernest Ward Eagles Spirit
April 30, 2012
The National Junior Honor Society at Ernest Ward Middle School surprised Principal Nancy Gindl-Perry Friday with a piece of fence art.
The group purchased and installed artwork depicting the school’s eagle mascot on the chain link fence in front of the school using specially manufactured plastic cups that snap into the fence.
The eagle artwork was installed by honor society officers Savanna Roux, Bethany Reynolds, Ben Preston, Bradley Van Pelt, Trevor Levins, Thomas Moore and Hunter Connell.
Pictured top: Fence art shows Ernest Ward Middle School Eagle spirit. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Photos: A Black Tie Affair
April 29, 2012
Residents at Century Care Center enjoyed their third annual Black Tie Ball Friday afternoon with good music, great food and good times with friends.
Dressed in formal attire, the residents were escorted into a ballroom setting where they were served a “formal” dinner.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured: The third annual Black Tie Ball Friday afternoon at Century Care Center. Pictured inset: Robert and Diane Shanks celebrated their 46th anniversary during the event. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jones, Wetzel To Wed
April 29, 2012
Duane and Melanie Hines of Brewton and Doug Jones of Gulf Shores are proud to announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Ashleigh Elizabeth Jones, to Travis Michael Wetzel, son of Mike and Karen Wetzel of Pensacola.
The bride elect is the granddaughter of Evelyn Riley and the late Gordon Riley of Brewton and Nick and Melba Jones of Gulf Shores.
Ashleigh is a 2008 graduate of T. R. Miller High School where she served as valedictorian. She is graduating Summa Cum Laude from the University of Montevallo in May with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and a minor in chemistry. Ashleigh will be attending the University of West Florida in Pensacola to pursue a Master’s degree in mathematics with a concentration in statistics.
The prospective groom is the grandson of Paul and Shirley Wetzel of Pensacola and the late Geraldine Morris of Jay.
Travis is a 2006 graduate of Jay High School, graduated from Pensacola State College in Pensacola with an Associate of Science degree and is currently attending Global University, majoring in ministerial studies. He is currently employed with David Bowen Sporting Goods in Pace and as associate pastor and worship pastor at Courts of Praise Fellowship in Pensacola.
The wedding is planned for May 26, 2012, at Courts of Praise Fellowship in Pensacola.
Photos: Atmore Walks For A Cause
April 28, 2012
The 2012 Atmore Relay for Life was held Friday night at Tom Byrne Park. The six-hour event, ending at midnight, raised almost $60,000 for the American Cancer Society.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: The Survivor’s Lap at the 2012 Atmore Relay for Life was held Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Flag Flying Again For The First Time Since Hurricane Ivan
April 25, 2012
Old Glory is once again flying over the Byrneville Community Center, the first time since the county-owned facility’s previous flagpole was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan.
Walt Porz, president of the Byrneville Community Center’s board of directors, said a replacement had been requested numerous times since 2004. He said the newly installed flagpole is not actually new; it was moved from a county facility were it was no longer being used.
“It’s good enough,” Porz said. “We are very grateful for what we can get from out tax dollars at work.”
Gopher Tortoises Emerging, New Wildlife Conservation Efforts Aim To Protect
April 25, 2012
As gopher tortoises are emerging across the North Escambia area, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is offering information and tips to protect the species, while the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida is taking applications from landowners for technical and financial assistance to restore and protect the gopher tortoise habitat.
Gopher tortoises move slowly through ‘spring training’ of grazing, burrow-digging
The gopher tortoise is emerging from winter dormancy and moving slowly and steadily through the landscape in search of greenery to eat and a new place to dig its burrow.
Look for gopher tortoises’ distinctive domed brown shells and stumpy legs, as these land-dwellers make their way through Florida’s open canopy forests and sandy areas. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) asks people to remember that gopher tortoises are good neighbors, so leave them and their burrows alone.
“The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission works with, and is grateful to, the homeowners, landowners, businesses and public agencies willing to share their lands with gopher tortoises and their burrows,” said Deborah Burr, the FWC’s gopher tortoise plan coordinator. “This state has made progress in reversing the decline of gopher tortoises by providing direction to developers, including re-locating tortoises if necessary, and help to people interested in making room for tortoises.”
Since the Gopher Tortoise Management Plan took effect in 2007, an annual average of 36,000 acres of gopher tortoise habitat has been restored and managed; protected tortoise habitat expanded by more than 6,500 acres; and more than 4,000 gopher tortoises were humanely relocated from development sites.
“In addition to changes in Florida’s economy, the needs of the gopher tortoise have changed since the plan was first approved in 2007,” Burr said. “The proposed revisions to the plan include new actions that the FWC and our partners can implement together to improve the status of the species, and help secure viable populations well into the future.”
In Florida, it is illegal to harm gopher tortoises or their extensive burrows, which provide shelter to more than 350 other native species. Generally, the only time people should pick up and move a gopher tortoise is to help it get across a road. Remember, though, not to put the tortoise in your car. Do point the tortoise in the same direction it was going when you picked it up, but never put it in the water because it is a land animal.
The gopher tortoise can live 40-60 years in the wild.
New Wildlife Conservation efforts to protect gopher tortoise habitat
The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida is currently taking applications for technical and financial assistance on a new innovative partnership approach to restore and protect the habitat for targeted threatened and endangered species, while also helping other vulnerable and game species. Florida landowners can sign-up for assistance to help manage and restore habitat for the gopher tortoise.
Interested producers and landowners in Florida can enroll in the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) on a continuous basis at their local NRCS field office. NRCS funds from WHIP will share the cost of conservation practices with landowners. All eligible applications received by the application cutoff date of April 30, 2012 will be assigned a priority and ranked as needed. If funds are available a second ranking cut-off date will be May 30, 2012.
Escambia County’s NRCS field office is located at 151 Highway 97 in Molino. For more information, call (850) 587-5345. In Santa Rosa County, the NRCS field office is located at 6277 Dogwood Drive in Milton, call (850) 623-2441.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.