Grand Champions Named In Annual Livestock Show
April 15, 2012
The 19th Annual 4-H and FFA Youth Livestock Show and Agricultural Exposition wrapped up Saturday at the Langley Bell 4-H Center in Beulah.
The show provides an opportunity for local 4-H and FFA members to show their steers, swine, goats, lambs, heifers, rabbits and poultry. In addition, many of the steers and swine in the program were auctioned off.
This year’s Grand Champion Steer was exhibited by Donald Cunningham (pictured left). The 1,233 pound steer sold at auction for $4,007.25 ($3.25/lb) to Dr. Tom Lampone. Donald, age 14, is a member of the Barrineau Park 4-H Club. In addition to showing steers, he enjoyes swimming, NJROTC, basketball, football, working and being a Boy Scout. He is the son of Lewe and Beth Cunningham. He attends Pace High School.
The Reserve Champion Steer belonged to Ashley Cunningham, a 16-year old Northview High School Student and member of the Northview FFA. Her steer, at 1,250 pounds, sold at auction for $4,500 ($3.60/lb) to Hill Kelly Dodge. Ashley is the daughter of Andy and Christina Cunningham. She is a Northview High cheerleader and a member of the Northview dance, weightlifting and track teams. She enjoys going to the beach and Harry Potter movies.
The Grand Champion Market Swine was exhibited by Matthew Smith (pictured left), a 13-year old seventh grader at Ransom Middle School. Matthew, the son of Randal and Ginjer Smith, also enjoys band, hunting, fishing and trail raiding. The Barrineau Park 4-H Club member’s 260 pound pig sold for $962 ($3.70/lb) to Gulf South Automotive.
This year’s Reserve Champion Market Swine belonged to Dylan Livingston, a seventh grader at Ransom Middle School. The 13-year old 4-H club member’s 237 pound pig sold for $592.50 ($2.50/lb) to Todd Timko and Blooming Geri. Dylan enjoys video games and basketball. He is the son of Patty and Erick Livingston.
Complete and final results from the 19th Annual 4-H and FFA Youth Livestock Show were not available Saturday night; NorthEscambia.com will publish complete results and more photos later in the week.
If you have photos from events other than the swine and steer sales, please email them to news@northescambia.com for inclusion in a photo gallery.
Pictured top and top inset: Donald Cunningham and his $4,007.25 Grand Champion Steer. Pictured bottom inset: Matthew Smith and his 260 pound Grand Champion Market Swine. Pictured below: Dylan Livingston and his 237 pound Reserve Champion Market Swine. Not pictured: Ashley Cunningham was not available for a photograph with her Reserve Champion Steer. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Special Olympics Held At Tate (With Gallery)
April 14, 2012
The big race was almost over. Everyone had crossed the finish line, except for a young lady named Kailee that had not even started. Kailee just sat in her wheelchair, not going along with plans of her Special Olympic “buddies”. They wanted her run the race. She wanted no part.
But the crowd began to chant her name. “Kailee, Kailee.” The confidence begin to build. Over and over, the crowd called her name louder and louder. “Kailee, Kailee!”
She, albeit cautiously, stepped up from her wheelchair with the help of a buddy.
She tapped her white cane on the track. That confident look disappeared from her face. Visually impaired, Kailee could not see what was ahead; she latched onto a buddy. Fear in her wandering eyes. The crowd continued their encouragement. “Kailiee! Kailee!”. She was center of attention in her corner of Pete Gindl Stadium.
Kailee picked her foot up high and stepped ahead. She felt around with her white cane. Solid ground, perhaps not so bad. She began to smile and went ahead. As she gained speed, her smile grew.
Her blond hair began to wave in the wind and she headed step after step toward the finish line. Beaming and grinning, she crossed the finish line. The crowd roared, smiles everywhere. A man watching the race wiped a tear from the corner of his eye.
Kailee’s total time in the 30 meter? It really didn’t matter that it was probably five minutes. She was a big winner.
That’s the special part of the Escambia County Special Olympics held Friday at Tate High School — everybody, no matter their physical or mental disability, was their own winner.
Over 500 athletes from 18 schools took part in Friday’s event, showing off their competitive skills in a variety of events. Hundreds of Tate High students also took part, running event and serving as volunteer “buddies” for the athletes.
The day included track and field events, softball and tennis ball tosses, and other competitive events — plus fun events like fishing games, Pin the Tail on the Donkey, face painting and more.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top series: Kailee, a visually impaired student, takes part in the Escambia County Special Olympics Friday morning at Tate High School. Pictured inset and below: More scenes from the event. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
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On The Menu: ‘Fresh Kittens Here’
April 13, 2012
A menu board type sign in Cantonment caught a little bit of attention Thursday. The”Fresh Kittens Here, Ask to See” signs had drivers looking twice along Highway 29 while sign photos made the rounds on Facebook.
But not to worry, the sign was not for a restaurant, but for the Companion Animal Clinic, which had several newly arrived kittens up for adoption.
Interested in adopting one of the “Fresh Kittens”? Call the Companion Animal Clinic at (850) 968-0226 or visit them at 470 South Highway 29, in the old Winn Dixie shopping Center.
Pictured: “Fresh Kittens” were available in Cantonment Thursday. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Want To Raise Chickens? This Program Is For You
April 10, 2012
Are you interested in having fresh eggs on your table and raising chickens on your property? Then an upcoming class has the information you need to know.
A “Small Flock Egg Production and Management” meeting will be held Monday, April 16 in Molino and Tuesday, April 17 in Jay.
The event will include information on local laws and resources, important facts to know about feeding chickens, housing, egg production, breed selection, health management and food safety. Guest speakers will be Dr. Gary Butcher and Dr. Richard Miles, both UF IFAS poultry specialists.
Cost for the event is $5. The class will be presented Monday, April 16 from 6-8 p.m. at Highland Baptist Church in Molino and Tuesday, April 17 from 6-8 p.m. at the Jay Community Center.
To register, call Escambia County Extension at (850) 475-5230 or the Santa Rosa County Extension at (850) 675-3701.
Camp Fire Century Scores Perfect 100 On VPK Test
April 9, 2012
Camp Fire USA Century Youth Learning Center received a perfect score of 100 for the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten School Readiness Rate for 2010-2011 school year.
Children were tested on the Echo and Fair test two weeks after they begin kindergarten. The children’s scores that attended a VPK program are calculated, and that determines the school’s or center’s grade.
Camp Fire USA is presently accepting enrollment for the 2012-2013 school year. For more information, contact Pam Townson at (850) 256-0953.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Honors Creative Seniors
April 9, 2012
The Escambia County Public Schools Foundation hosted the 2012 Mira Creative Arts Awards program recently, honoring 69 of the county’s most creative high school seniors.
Northview High recently honored their award winners. They are: Jacob Baldwin, Instrumental Music; Joseph Baldwin, Instrumental Music; Josie Doucette, Journalism; Alissa Fiellin, Graphic Art; Cory King, Instrumental Music; Melissa Jayne Moretz, Instrumental Music; Kiani Okahashi, Visual Art; Chelsea Parham, Theatre; Justin Purvis, Theatre; and Darwin Eugene (D.J.) Robinson, II, Graphic Arts.
For a list of winners from other schools, click here for an earlier story.
Pictured: Northview MIRA Creative Art Award winners (L-R) Chelsea Parham, Melissa Moretz, Joseph Baldwin, Jacob Baldwin, Cory King, DJ Robinson, Justin Purvis, Kiani Okahashi, Josie Doucette, and Alissa Fiellin. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Thousands Attend Sunrise Service At New Wahoo’s Stadium
April 8, 2012
Over 2,000 people attended a sunrise Easter service Sunday morning at the new Community Maritime Park stadium.
The service was conducted by Marcus Pointe Baptist Church and was the first sunrise service in the church’s 21-year history. In addition to a praise and worship service, and special Easter message was delivered by Senior Pastor Gordon Godfrey Jr.
Pictured: A sunrise Easter service Sunday morning at the new Community Maritime Park stadium. Submitted photos by Dale Johnson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Camp Fire Kids Easter Egg Hunt
April 5, 2012
Children from the Camp Fire USA Century Youth Learning Center made their annual visit to Century Care Center for an Easter egg hunt Wednesday. The residents prepared a bag of treats for each child and over 300 eggs.
For a photo gallery, click here.
“The children had a wonderful time and we would like to thank the Century Care Center and their staff for all of their hard work in making this annual event wonderful for the
residents and children,” said Pam Townson, Camp Fire Century director.
Pictured: The annual Camp Fire USA took part in an annual Easter egg hunt Wednesday at Century Care Center. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sandra McMurray Jackson Named To BRACE Board
April 5, 2012
Sandra McMurray Jackson of Century has been appointed to the board of directors of BRACE , the Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies.
Jackson, a member of the Century Town Council, recently became a member of the Century CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), which is coordinated by BRACE.
Jackson is a 1977 graduate of Century High School and attended Jefferson Davis Community College in Brewton. She is an active member of First Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church. She retired after 20 years as a corrections officer with the Florida Department of Corrections. She currently owns Jackson-McMurray Funeral Services in Century.
A Century native, Jackson is the daughter of the late James and Marie McMurray. She was married to the late Rev. Dr. G. Jackson and has two children, Ketric Washington and Demetric Washington.
Pictured top Sandra McMurray Jackson (left) and another CERT volunteer held a disaster “victim” during a disaster drill last October in Century. Pictured inset: Sandra McMurray Jackson at a recent Century Town Council meeting. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Middle Schoolers Compete In Math Tourney
April 1, 2012
About 200 middle school students from four counties took part in the Pensacola Invitational Middle School Math Competition Saturday at Pensacola High School.
From North Escambia, both Ernest Ward and Ransom Middle schools took part in the four-hour competition sponsored by the Math Honor Society of Pensacola High School’s International Baccalaureate program.
Pictured top: The Ernest Ward Middle School Algebra Team (L-R) Haley Brown, Deedee Mitchell, Bethany Reynolds and Abbie Johnson. Pictured below: Algebra I honorable mention award winners in the Pensacola Invitational Middle School Math Competition Saturday at Pensacola High School. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
