Sammy Day Named Northview Teacher Of The Year
December 14, 2011
Northview High School Athletic Director Sammy Day has been named the school’s Teacher of the Year.
Day, who will retire at the end of this school year, has been a teacher and coach for 37 years in the Escambia County School District and has served as athletic director and coach at Northview High School since the school opened. He also currently teaches driver’s education at Northview.
Teachers of the year are chosen by the faculty and staff at each school in the county. The Escambia County Teacher of the Year will be announced at the annual Golden Apple Awards Dinner in February 2012.
Alabama’s First County High School Recognized
December 14, 2011
The first public county high school in the state of Alabama is being recognized. A new historical marker at the Atmore YMCA Community Center marks the site of the original Escambia County High School building.
Plans for the school began in the last 1800’s with the school completed in 1909. That building later burned.
The current 1926 building was acquired by the Atmore Lions Club in 1989 and later dedicated as the Atmore Lions Community Center in 1991. In 2004, the building was donated to the Atmore Area YMCA.
The marker placed by the Escambia County (Ala.) Historical Society; the second marker to be placed in the county by the group. The first marker placed at Pollard Methodist Church, the oldest church building in Escambia County, Ala.
Pictured: The Atmore YMCA Community Center building, constructed in 1926, was the first public high school building in Alabama. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cat’s Hat: Bid On Autographed Country Star Hat For Manna Food Pantries
December 13, 2011
The annual Cat Country 98.7 Manna Hat Auction is underway to raise much needed funds for Manna Food Pantries.
The hat is autographed by a long list of country stars, including award winners like Little Big Town, Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean, Chris Young, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Erick Church and Toby Keith.
The autographs were collected at various concerts and events by Cat Country’s Brent Lane.
“This year the need is particularly great,” Brent Lane said about the need at Manna Food Pantries. “There has been an increase of 24 percent in services.”
One hundred percent of the auction proceeds will be donated by Cat Country to the Manna Food Pantries. That hat is listed on ebay in an auction that ends Friday morning.
To view the auction and make a bid, click here.
Weekend In Photos: Parades, Santa Takes A Harley, Animal Seizure
December 12, 2011
If you missed NorthEscambia.com over the weekend, you missed over 300 photos from several community and news events. Click an item below to view the corresponding story and/or photo gallery.
Toyz For Kidz Bike Ride Provides For Needy Kids (With Gallery)
December 11, 2011
Santa had some very special helpers Saturday as the LA Bikers rolled through Bratt, Flomaton and Atmore making sure that needy kids had presents for Christmas this year.
It was the 11th annual toy ride organized by the LA Bikers.
Dozens of children received new bicycles and helmets, clothes, shoes and lots of toys. About 75 bikers took part in the event with stops at Bratt Elementary, Arrington Auto Parts in Flomaton and Atmore City Hall.
- For a photo gallery from Bratt Elementary, click here.
- For a photo gallery from Atmore City Hall, click here.
Pictured top: Santa Claus helps unwrap presents Saturday morning in Bratt from the LA Bikers Toyz for Kidz program. Pictured inset: Santa helps with a quick test drive on a new bicycle. Pictured below: Santa wheels into Bratt Elementary. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Molino Holds Annual Christmas Parade
December 11, 2011
The annual Molino Christmas Parade was held Saturday afternoon on Crabtree Church Road. After the parade, Santa Claus met with lots of good boys and girls at the Molino Ballpark.
Sponsored by the Molino Recreation Association, proceeds from the parade are used to benefit needy children in the Molino area during the Christmas season.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: The annual Molino Christmas Parade Saturday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Thousands Attend Atmore Twilight Christmas Parade
December 11, 2011
Thousands attended the annual Atmore Twilight Christmas Parade Saturday night. The parade featured nearly 30 lighted floats, twirlers, antique cars, bands, marchers, Santa Claus and more.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: The annual Atmore Twilight Christmas Parade. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Blue Angels Send Off Fallen Soldiers’ Families On Snowball Express
December 11, 2011
The Blue Angels welcomed seven local families of fallen military heroes to the Pensacola International Airport Friday before their flight to a Snowball Express event in Texas.
Snowball Express is a charity organization for children of America’s fallen military heroes, and the team was honored to support this event, said Blue Angel #7 Lt. Mark Tedrow.
Blue Angels team members signed autographs, presented each child with a personalized lithograph, and spent time with the children in the USO center before their flight to North Texas to join nearly 1,700 other children and surviving spouses.
“It was a truly humbling and rewarding experience to be able to spend time with the sons, daughters and spouses of those service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Tedrow.
The event is a time for the families to do something fun, said April Lyons, whose husband, Niall, died in 2009. April’s son, John Patrick, was excited to interact with other children in a similar situation.
“I think they’re just excited to know they’re not alone,” said Sarah White, a mother of three.
White’s son, Seth, although it was his first time at Snowball Express, said he knew just what the event would be like.
“I know what to expect,” he said, giggling. “I’m gonna have fun.”
Blue Angels C-130 Pilot Marine Capt. A.J. Harrell said he hoped being part of the event helped the families’ healing process.
“I know the kids were excited,” Harrell added. “It meant a lot to be a part of that.”
Tedrow said the experience was special to him because it is important to remember the sacrifices of not only our fallen soldiers, but also their families.
“Our job as Blue Angels is to credibly represent the Sailors and Marines who are forward deployed all over the world,” he said, “but today was a great opportunity to honor and represent the fallen servicemen and women that are no longer with us.”
American Airlines provides transportation annually for families across the world to the Snowball Express event, where children and surviving spouses meet for a weekend of enjoyment. This year, the schedule includes visits to Six Flags Over Texas and the Mesquite Championship Rodeo.
Pictured: Seven families of fallen military heroes flew from Pensacola to Texas Friday on the “Snowball Express”. Photos and article submitted by Rachel McMarr, Blue Angels Public Affairs, for NorthEscambia.com, click photos to enlarge.
Malone, Meacham To Wed
December 11, 2011
Allen and Shelly Jay of Atmore and Blake and Jackie Malone of Pass Christian, MS, announce the engagement of their daughter, Kaysie Antoinette Malone, to Norvelle Alexander Meacham of Perdido, AL, the son of Tom and Bobbie Meacham.
Kaysie graduated in 2010 from Atmore Christian School. She is a full time student at University of Mobile studying elementary education and works with Atmore Ambulance.
Alex graduated in 2008 from Atmore Christian School. He is the intern assistant to the Director of International Ministries and Church Planting for the Mobile Baptist Association and is a sales associate at Kohl’s. Alex is also a student at University of Mobile majoring in intercultural studies.
The wedding will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 17, 2011, at Brooks Memorial Baptist Church on McRae Street in Atmore. Family and friends are welcome to attend.
Jay Native, Century Correctional Employee Serving In Afghanistan Receives Awards
December 9, 2011
An Jay native assigned to NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan was recently awarded for actions taken in early August when his team successfully combated an insurgent attack in Kabul.
U.S. Army Sgt. Chester Tolbert helped defeat a multiphased attack in which insurgents used small-arms and improvised explosive devices to attack the British Council Building, a base located in a relatively upscale area of the country’s capital used for education and helping Afghanistan’s civil society groups. Although no U.S. service members were harmed, 12 people died in the attack.
Stateside, Tolbert was employed by the Florida Department of Corrections at Century Correctional Institution.
Commander Task Force Yankee Army Brig. Gen. John Hammond presented Tolbert with Joint Service Achievement Medal and combat action badge.
“I’m extremely proud of the soldiers,” said Hammond. “Our medics responded to the wounded while the remaining soldiers worked toward assisting the Afghan partners and special operations forces in neutralizing the insurgents … they all worked hard and came together extremely well.”
Pictured top: U.S. Army Sgt. Chester Tolbert, from the 1165th Military Police Unit assigned to Task Force Yankee in Kabul, receives a Joint Service Achievement Medal and a combat action badge for actions taken in early August when his team successfully combated an insurgent attack on the British Council Building. Picture inset: Sgt. Tolbert helps an Afghan National Police officer detect vehicle threat indications in the heart of downtown Kabul last early last month. Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Chris Fahey for NorthEscambia.com click to enlarge.