Photos: Bratt Elementary Students Learn Fire Saftey
October 8, 2011
Students at Bratt Elementary School learned all about fire safety Friday morning from members of the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured above: Robert Stewart explains a fire engine and firefighting to a class at Bratt Elementary School Friday morning. Pictured below: Diann Stewart explains fire safety. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Health And Hope: New Clinic Offers Free Medical Care
October 6, 2011
A new clinic is providing health and hope for North Escambia residents unable to afford medical care.
The Health and Hope Clinic has opened in the old health department building at 501 Church Street in Century. It is the second location for the clinic, which was first established in Pensacola back in 2003 by the Pensacola Bay Baptist Association to meet the needs of uninsured and medically underserved in Escambia County. The clinic is entirely volunteer and donor supported.
“It’s a real blessing,” Tammy Lewis of Bratt said on a recent visit to the new Century Health and Hope Clinic. “I found out about it from the church. It’s great to see doctors and people that will see you anyway without insurance.”
Since 2003, the Pensacola Health and Hope Clinic has provided over $8.5 million in healthcare services and 12,000 patient-provider visits as it carries out its mission of “providing health and hope to the hurting”.
Through the primary Pensacola location, the new Health and Hope Clinic offers primary medical care, preventative care, specialty care – including rheumatology, neurology, women’s health, chiropractic services and minor office surgery, full laboratory services, prescription assistance and pharmacy services and referrals to community social services.
The new Health and Hope Clinic in Century is open on Tuesdays from 5-8 p.m. For appointments, call (850) 256-6200 or (850) 479-4456. For more information on the Health and Hope Clinic and services, visit www.healthandhopeclinic.org.
Pictured top: The new Health and Hope Clinic is located in the former Escambia County Health Department building in Century. Pictured top inset: Nurse Michelle Benauer checks the blood pressure of Tammy Lewis of Bratt on a recent visit to the new Health and Hope Clinic in Century. Pictured bottom inset: An exam room at the clinic. Pictured below: Executive Director Rick Hollis discusses clinic details with volunteer Billy R. Ward of Bogia. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Camp Fire Kids Visit Fire Station
October 6, 2011
Students from the Camp Fire USA Century Youth Learning Center visited the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue Wednesday to learn about fire safety and firefighting.
Pictured: Campfire USA students visited the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue on Wednesday. Submitted photos byMarion Miller for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Thousands Attend Jay Peanut Festival (With Photo Gallery)
October 2, 2011
The 22nd annual Jay Peanut Festival attracted thousands to the Gabbert Farm this past weekend.
For a photo gallery, click here.
For more than 20 years, the Jay Peanut Festival at the Gabbert Farm has been a fall tradition on the Gulf Coast — showcasing the history, agriculture, food and fun of Santa Rosa County. What started as a chance for local kids and farmers to show off their best of the season has become an annual event covering 15 acres and drawing about 70,000 people over two days.
The event included the 1930s Farm Museum, food booths, dozens of arts and crafts vendors, pony rides, games and fun. There were more than 150 vendors in all.
The Jay Peanut Festival was also a chance to try all varieties of peanuts – boiled, green, fried, candied and more.
Pictured top: Tens of thousands of peopled visited the Jay Peanut Festival on Saturday. Pictured inset: A Jay Volunteer Fire Department member serves up boiled peanuts. Pictured below: Bruce Byrd of YardenArt in Milton displays planter/party coolers made from recycled tires and rims Saturday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Homemakers Craft Flower Pens For Molino Park Teachers
October 2, 2011
The Molino Homemakers made flower pens at a recent meeting to present to the teachers at Molino Park Elementary School.
Club member Terri Brown explains how to make your own flower pens as demonstrated by club member Frances Cheney:
- Depending on how many pens you would like to make will determine how many bouquets of flowers to buy.
- Ink pens and green floral tape will also be needed.
- Cut the tops of the flowers off leaving about 3 inches of stem below the flower.
- Approximately nine inches of floral tape will be used to wrap the flowers to the pen.
- Starting at the top, place flower against the pen and start wrapping the stem with floral tap until the stem is covered.
The Molino Homemakers meet on the first Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino. The next meeting will be October 5 . Visitors are welcome; dues are $5 per year.
Pictured top: Flower pens created by the Molino Homemakers Club for teachers at Molino Park Elementary School. Pictured inset: Molino Park teacher Rachel Venable with her flower pen. Submitted photos by Terri Brown for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weekend Gardening: Time To Plant Those Fall Vegetables
October 2, 2011
The slightest hint of fall is in the air. But this doesn’t mean that the vegetable gardening season is over. Fall is an excellent time to grow cool-season vegetables.
Florida is unique in that we have multiple growing seasons. There is something that can be grown in the vegetable garden all year round. Knowing which vegetables to grow during which season is the key to having a successful harvest.
In the summer, gardeners are somewhat limited in the different types of warm-season vegetables that can be grown and will survive the heat. Now with cooler days approaching, we have a much wider selection of cool-season vegetables to plant.
In September many vegetables can be planted in the garden including beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, collards, kale, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, mustard, onions and radish. In October, you can plant Chinese cabbage, spinach and strawberries.
These vegetables are best started from transplants but many can be direct-seeded. If you seed them directly into the soil, keep the ground moist while it’s still warm to give them a good start. Keep them well watered if you transplant, too. The later you start, the smarter it becomes to transplant to cut the time to maturity. Preparing the garden properly is as important as selecting the right plants.
Choose a sunny location. Most vegetables perform poorly in shade. An area that receives at least eight hours of sunlight per day is best. Some vegetables such as broccoli, collards and spinach will tolerate partial shade. Avoid locating your garden near hedges or trees. They not only create too much shade but also compete with the garden for moisture and nutrients.
Locating the garden near the house will make it easier to periodically check the garden for insect pests and disease. And, it is easier to keep an eye on the garden for larger pests such as birds, squirrels and rabbits. Closeness to the house will make it convenient in tending to the garden chores.
Locate the garden near a water supply so it can be watered as needed. You’ll get only moderate results if you try to grow a garden without supplemental irrigation.
Of course, it’s important to prepare beds properly before planting. To do that, clear the site of all weeds or finished vegetable plants. Turn the soil with a shovel, fork or tiller to a depth of at least 8 inches, and spread a 2-inch to 4-inch layer of organic matter (leaves, grass clippings, aged manure or compost) over the tilled soil. This helps to maintain a high level of organic matter in the soil, which encourages a strong, healthy root system, improves drainage, retains moisture, provides nutrients and promotes vigorous plant growth.
Mix the organic matter thoroughly into the soil. Turn the soil by digging with a shovel, garden fork or a tiller until the materials you’ve added are evenly distributed in the soil. When using fresh organic amendments, it’s best to wait a couple of weeks before planting your transplants or seeds.
By this time of year, insects and diseases have had all summer to build up their populations. Insects such as whiteflies, stink bugs, aphids and caterpillars are commonly seen. Since insect and disease pressure often is greater in the late summer/early fall than in the spring, watch plants carefully for problems and use appropriate control measures promptly when needed. Contact your local Extension Office for control recommendations.
Birth: Lawyer James Sims
October 2, 2011
Wes and Kelly Sims of Uriah are proud to announce the birth of Lawyer James Sims. Lawyer was born on Wednesday, June 29, 2011, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola at 9:02 a.m. He weighed 8-pounds, 3-ounces and was 21 inches long.
Lawyer is the grandson of Billy and Dorthy Sims of McDavid, and Charles “Chuck” and Gayle Aldridge of Century. He is the great-grandson of the late Alton Thomas and Annie Lou Sims of McDavid, Mildred Croley and the late Raymond Croley of Century, the late Leon Aldridge of Prattville, AL, Louise Gardner of Prattville, and the late James Oliver “Pete” and Mary Mathis of Century.
Lawyer was welcomed home by his two big brothers Lane and Layton and his big sister Laurel.
Photos: Jay High Homecoming Parade
October 1, 2011
The Jay High School Royals held their annual Homecoming Parade Friday afternoon.
For a photo gallery from the parade, click here.
Pictured: Friday afternoon’s Jay High School Homecoming Parade. Photos by Kelly Archer for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Names Students Of The Month
September 30, 2011
Students of the Month for September have been named for Ernest Ward Middle School. They are (left to right) Kayleigh Linam, seventh grade; Sarah Dutton, eighth grade; and Celeste North, sixth grade. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
It’s A Bird, It’s A Plane – No, It’s Snoopy One
September 30, 2011
“Snoopy One” — one of three MetLife Blimps — was spotted over Atmore late Thursday afternoon.
According to the company, none of the MetLife blimps requires the use of a home base. Together, “Snoopy One” and “Snoopy Two” combine to travel approximately 120,000 miles a year throughout the United States. Traveling with each MetLife blimp is a dedicated 14 member crew: two pilots and twelve crewmen. The ground crew includes electronic engineers, mechanics, licensed radio technicians, and riggers. In addition to these highly specialized personnel, each MetLife blimp operation requires five ground support vehicles; to move the blimp and crew from one location to the next.
The primary focus of the blimp program is providing aerial coverage of sporting and special events. In a typical year, “Snoopy One” and “Snoopy Two” cover approximately 70 events for a variety of networks including NBC, CBS, ABC, ESPN and TGC. The blimps can be seen capturing shots of events ranging from the US Open and PGA Championship, to NFL football games across the country.
Pictured above: “Snoopy One” as seen over Highway 21 in Atmore about 4:30 Thursday afternoon. Photo by Kim McCullough for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.