Flomaton Christmas Parade Photo Gallery, Video
December 5, 2010
Hundreds enjoyed the annual Flomaton Christmas Parade “The Wonder of Christmas Morning” Saturday morning.
The parade rolled through the streets of Flomaton with the Flomaton High School band plus floats, twirlers and more from across the area. The parade was highlighted by appearance by Santa Claus.
The float from Faith Bible Baptist Church won first place.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the parade, click here. For a video, click below.
Pictured above: Santa Claus make an appearance Saturday morning during the Flomaton Christmas Parade. Pictured below: The Flomaton High School Band. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Support The Chiefs: Poster Contest Winners Named
December 3, 2010
Winners were named Thursday in the Support the Chiefs poster contest at Northview High School.
Kara Hardin’s “Let’s Go Chiefs: Get That Ring” was the winner in the non-computer enhanced division. There was a three-way tie for the winning poster in the digital publishing category: between Katie Wieborg’s “I Am A Chief”, Dixie Carnley’s “Show Some Spirit Northview Chiefs” and Heather Barrows’ “Go Chiefs”.
Pictured above: Katie Wieborg, Kara Hardin, Dixie Carnley and Heather Barrows. Winning posters are below. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Above by Heather Barrow.
Above by Dixie Carnley.
Above by Katie Wieborg.
Above by Kara Hardin.
Ernest Ward Names Students Of The Month For November
November 29, 2010
Ernest Ward Middle School has named their Students of the Month for November. They are (L-R) Elizabeth Wright, Ben Preston and Ashlynn McCall. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cut Your Own: Local Christmas Tree Farm
November 28, 2010
Many area residents will enjoy Christmas tradition again this year with a fresh, locally grown Christmas tree. The Country Pine Christmas Tree Farm near Bratt is now open daily until Christmas.
“You come here for the old time experience,” said farm owner Andy Bogdan. “This is so much more than just a plastic tree.”
Visitors to the Christmas tree farm stroll around the trees, which are located in an “L” shape field around a scenic pond with a fountain and ducks. Once the perfect tree is found, visitors can cut their own tree with a supplied saw, or have Bogdan cut it down.
The tree is then shaken to remove any loose needles (and bugs), then it’s ready to head home or it can be bagged for easier transport.
During the “experience”, visitors can also enjoy free cookies, apple juice, candy canes for the kids and lots of Christmas music. “The kids can run and play, and have the time of their lives looking for just the right tree,” Bogdan said.
Tree varieties include Virginia Pines, Leylend Cypress and Carolina Sapphires. If you have allergies, he said the Leylend Cypress is the perfect tree. It will not drop needles and has virtually no smell. The Carolina Sapphire has an intriguing aroma that is a mix of lemon, lime and mint. The Virginia Pine has that classic pine Christmas tree smell.
True fresh cut trees cut on the farm will last from before Thanksgiving until well after Christmas, Bogdan said.
Country Pine Christmas Tree Farm is one of the few remaining Christmas tree farms in Northwest Florida or South Alabama, and is the only one in the immediate area. There were a few more prior to hurricane Ivan and Dennis, Bogdan said, but most did not survive.
“You had the direct damage from the wind,” he said. “Then you have the delayed die back from damage to the trees. Exotic bugs and fungus that were not here before were blown in, and trees around here had no resistance.”
“”The trees have had good growth since the hurricane. An average seven or eight foot tall Christmas tree will grow from a seedling in about four years. “They grow much faster here in the South than they do up north,” he said.
With a little straightening and tender loving care, Bogdan’s trees post-hurricane are ready for a living room and a visit from Santa. Prices vary depending on the variety of tree and height, ranging from $18 to $50.
Bogdan and his wife moved to the Davisville area from Miami after he retired from Eastern Airlines. He was looking for a little something to do in his retirement and settled on Christmas tree farmer over 10 years ago.
“I’d never farmed before, but ended up with a Christmas tree farm,” he said. “But it’s a nice business. It’s not like being a doctor or a lawyer where people you deal with are not happy. At a Christmas tree farm, everybody is happy when they come here.”
For more photos from the Christmas tree farm, click here.
The Country Pine Christmas Tree Farm is located at 5001 Still Road, just south of Highway 4. A map is at the bottom of this page. The farm is open 9 a.m. until dark daily. Trees range is size from table-top to 12 feet. (850) 327-4600.
Pictured top: A few of the trees at the Country Pine Christmas Tree Farm near Bratt. Pictured middle: At the Christmas tree farm, you can use one of their saws to cut your own tree. Pictured below: The Country Pine Christmas Tree Farm stand with tree accessories plus goodies like free apple juice, cookies and candy canes for the kids. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Jay Celebrates With Christmas Parade, Festival
November 28, 2010
The annual Jay Historical Society Christmas Festival and the Jay Christmas Parade were held Saturday.
The parade featured about two dozen units, including bands from Jay and Central high schools. The Christmas Festival included live entertainment, photos with Santa, a pet contest and vendors that displayed their wares all day.
For a photo gallery from both events, click here.
Pictured above and below: Scenes from the annual Jay Christmas Parade Saturday morning. Submitted photos by Angi Baker for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Featured Recipe: Those Potatoes
November 28, 2010
This weekend’s featured recipe from Janet Tharpe is a “Those Potatoes”, a recipe with a mild-mannered name that has plenty of mealtime punch with creamy richness and pepper jack punch.
To print today’s “Just a Pinch” recipe column, you can click the image below to load a printable pdf with a recipe card.
A Bank Divided By The Iron Bowl
November 26, 2010
The rivalry of the Iron Bowl between Alabama and Auburn literally divided an area bank. At the FNB&Trust main office in Atmore, employees decorated one end of the bank’s lobby for Auburn, the other for Alabama. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: North Escambia Turkeys
November 25, 2010
These turkeys were spotted by our photographer last year near Barrineau Park. They were alongside South Highway 99 near Crabtree Church Road. There’s no word on how the turkeys spent their Thanksgiving.
Pictured above: A couple of turkeys next to Highway 99 in Barrineau Park. Pictured below: A face only a mother could love. Pictured below middle: Showing off. Pictured bottom of page: Why did the turkey cross the road? NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Camp Fire Kids Celebrate With Thanksgiving Feast
November 24, 2010
Camp Fire USA Century held a Thanksgiving feast Tuesday for children and their parents. The daycare’s children, many dressed as Pilgrims or Native Americans, enjoyed a full Thanksgiving meal and learned about the Pilgrims and their trip to the New World.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured: Children enjoy a Thanksgiving feast Tuesday at Camp Fire USA in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Turkey Time: Extension Service Offers Thawing Tips
November 23, 2010
It’’s Thanksgiving, time for family and friends to gather and give thanks. And time for cooks to ponder the correct way to prepare their turkey.
Today, we are taking a look how to make sure your turkey is properly thawed with tips from Dorthy Lee, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent for the Escambia County Extension Office. Tomorrow, we’ll take a look at the proper way to cook your turkey.
Following four simple food-handling practices—clean, separate, cook, chill—will ensure a delicious and safe meal.
Frozen turkeys should be thawed—at a safe temperature— prior to cooking. There are three safe ways to thaw a turkey — in the refrigerator at 40°F or less; in cold water; and in the microwave.
Frozen Turkeys
Allow 1 pound of turkey per person.
Keep frozen until you’re ready to thaw it.
Turkeys kept frozen in the freezer should be cooked within one year for best quality.
Thawing Your Turkey
In the Refrigerator (40°F or below)
Keep the turkey in its original wrapper. Place it on a tray or in a pan to catch any juices that may leak. A thawed turkey can remain in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days. If necessary, a turkey that has been properly thawed in the refrigerator may be refrozen. When thawing in the refrigerator, allow 24 hours thawing time for every 5 pounds of turkey.
4 to 12 pounds = 1 to 3 days
12 to 16 pounds = 3 to 4 days
16 to 20 pounds = 4 to 5 days
20 to 24 pounds = 5 to 6 days
In Cold Water
When thawing in cold water, allow 30 minutes per pound and change the water every 30 minutes until the turkey is thawed. Wrap your turkey securely, making sure the water is not able to leak through the wrapping. Submerge your wrapped turkey in cold tap water. Change the water every 30 minutes. Cook the turkey immediately after it is thawed. Do not refreeze. Allow approximately 30 minutes per pound.
4 to 12 pounds = 2 to 6 hours
12 to 16 pounds = 6 to 8 hours
16 to 20 pounds = 8 to 10 hours
20 to 24 pounds = 10 to 12 hours
In the Microwave
When thawing in the microwave, follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and plan to cook the turkey immediately after thawing because some areas of the turkey may become warm and begin to cook during microwave thawing.
For more information, call the Escambia County Extension office, (850) 475-5230.