Olivia’s Story: The Littlest Girl’s Biggest Birthday
July 25, 2010
Birthdays are a big deal for every little girl. For North Escambia resident Olivia Bush, her seventh birthday was a big deal in ways she might not realize.
We first introduced you to Olivia last December in a story titled “A Christmas Wish: A Cure For Olivia”.
Olivia Bush’s story started July 22, 2003, almost four months before there should have been a first chapter in her life. Born at just 22 weeks, she stayed in the neonatal intensive care unit three and half months, defying doctors and coming home two weeks before her due date. Olivia is the second youngest baby to ever survive at Sacred Heart Hospital.
She is blind, able to see just a little light with her left eye. And she suffered frequent seizures — until a portion of her brain was removed in February at Miami Children’s Hospital. During the surgery, doctors removed a seven centimeter portion of her brain — basically taking out the bad, non-functioning portion and leaving behind the good, healthy tissue.
She has been seizure-free since. And that was reason for the Bush family to celebrate a little more on the occasion of birthday number seven.
When the big birthday was winding down and the kids were in bed, mom Amber Bush took a quiet moment to go through some of the items from the Sacred Heart NICU and reflect on the days and weeks after the birth of their baby girl, who weighed barely a pound and a quarter.
Amber Bush, in her own words:
“We would just go in the waiting room and pray,” she said of one occasion in the neonatal intensive care unit. “We had no clue until after the fact, that she was so sick. The nurses told us that they couldn’t even look at us because Olivia was about to die. They knew what was coming and we had no clue. But, Olivia was a fighter and she slowly got better and better. I thank God that he shielded us from so much. I really don’t think I could have handled it.
“And, looking back, we really had no clue what we were going through. God shielded us from all the bad that was happening to Olivia and kept reassuring us that she would be OK. He was showing all of those doctors and nurses a true miracle right before their eyes.
“I thank God for these last seven years. They have been seven of the most rewarding years of my life. Not many people get to see their baby develop outside the womb. Not many people get to see a one pound baby fight for life after doctors wanted to abort her.”
It was, truly, a happy birthday.
Top photo courtesy Portrait Innovations.
Abundant Life Students Place Superior In Fine Arts Festivaln
July 25, 2010
Two youth from the Abundant Life Assembly in Century won superior in a recent Assemblies Of God Fine Arts Festival and were invited to attend Nationals. Zach Ingram won Superior for digital photography, and Victoria Creamer won Superior for voice.
Pictured above: Zach Ingram received a Superior for digital photography of “Ms. Brenda pulling her wagon”. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Have church news or an announcement you would like to share? Email news@northescambia.com
Gates, Levins To Wed
July 25, 2010
Jordan Alexandria Gates and Brady Ryan Levins announce their engagement and forthcoming marriage.
The bride-elect is the daughter of Chad and Alison Fournier of Atmore. She is the granddaughter of Billy and Linda Gates of Atmore.
The prospective groom is the son of Dale and Marie Levins of Byrneville, Fla. He is the grandson of Vera Presley of Byrneville and the late Wilson H. Levins and Robert A. Cawthon of Byrneville and Cecilia Morris of Jay, Fla.
Miss Gates is a 2008 graduate of Escambia County High School in Atmore, Ala. She also received an associates degree in science in 2010 at Faulkner State Community College in Bay Minette. She is currently employed by Portrait Innovations in Pensacola as a photographer.
The prospective groom is a 2006 graduate of Northview High School in Bratt. He also completed the law enforcement course at George Stone Criminal Justice Training Center in Pensacola in 2009. He is currently employed by TBH Construction, Inc. in Flomaton.
The couple will exchange vows Saturday, July 31, 2010, at 6 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, Atmore.
Following the ceremony, a reception will be held at the Wisteria in Atmore. All friends and family are invited to attend.
Submitted photo, click to enlarge.
Featured Recipe: ‘Famous’ Special Cheese Lasagna
July 25, 2010
This weekend’s featured recipe from Janet Tharpe is a Lasagna Made “Famous” By Special Cheese Sauce. It’s bursting with a wonder combination of sweet and tangy flavors instead of the normal ricotta cheese filling.
To print today’s “Just a Pinch” recipe column, you can click the image below to load a printable pdf with a recipe card.
Photos: Friendship Freewill Baptist Holds Vacation Bible School
July 22, 2010
Friendship Freewill Baptist Church near Flomaton is holding their Vacation Bible School this week. VBS continues from 6:30 until 8:30 each evening through Friday. Classes are for ages 3 to 12 and up. The church is located at 1234 Friendship Road.
Click here for more photos from VBS at Friendship Freewill Baptist in Flomaton.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Do you have church news or photos to share? Email news@northescambia.com
Giddy Up: Saddle Ridge Ranch VBS Photo Gallery
July 21, 2010
Saddle Ridge Ranch Vacation Bible School is underway this week at Highland Baptist Church on Highway 95A in Molino.
The VBS, for ages Pre-K through graduating fifth graders continues each evening from 5:30 until 8:30 through Friday. There will also be a Family Night Ranch Round-Up with games, a sing-along and a hot dog roast Sunday at 5 p.m.
About 250 took part in the first night of the VBS.
For more photos from the Highland Baptist Church VBS, click here.
Pictured above and below: VBS at Highland Baptist Church in Molino. Photos by Brad Johnson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge..
Do you have new or photos you would like to share from your church? Email news@northescambia.com
Photo Gallery: Northview FFA Officers Attend Leadership Retreat
July 21, 2010
The Northview High School FFA chapter held a leadership retreat Tuesday.
Chapter officers met at Pensacola Beach to learn about the oil spill’s impact on Escambia County from Eric Johnson from the county’s Neighborhood Redevelopment office. They also toured the T.T. Wentworth Museum.
“They took part in several team building exercises and learned what they expect of each other as officers,” said Perry Byars, FFA sponsor.
During the retreat, officers also worked to plan events for the upcoming school year.
Northview High School’s 2010-2011 FFA Officers are: Lydia Weaver, president; Allie Vidak, vice president; Stephanie Solari, secretary; Allyson Bullard, treasurer; Courtney Solari, reporter; Jessica Baldwin, sentinel; and Devin Bell, historian.
Pictures above and below: Officers from the Northview High School FFA during a leadership retreat Tuesday on Pensacola Beach. NorthEscambia.com photos by Lydia Weaver and Allie Vidak, click to enlarge.
Nokomis Habitat Home Dedicated
July 21, 2010
In just two months, an army of volunteers constructed Escambia County Habitat for Humanity’s 17th home.
Construction workers, teachers, bankers, business owners, high school students, ordinary people — over 100 people from all walks of life volunteered their time and skills to make Jennifer Dorriety’s dream of home ownership a reality.
“It’s a dream come true,” Dorriety said recently.
“It’s fun to help and advance the Kingdom of God,” said volunteer Shinora Redmond from Alto Products, one of Habitat’s sponsors for the Nokomis home, as she worked on the first construction weekend back in May.
Many of the volunteers, like Brittany Thompson, 16, had never had in part in building a house.
“I’m here because I wanted to help the people,” said Thompson, one of 14 students from Northview High School that spent part of a May Saturday working on the two bedroom home. “They never had a home of their own, and the home they are living in now is falling apart.”
Dorriety’s new home, which was dedicated Sunday, will continue to save her money for years to come, said Escambia County Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Alecia Glaize. It incorporates many “green” and sustainable features, like Hardiplank siding, a composite concrete and wood fiber board; bamboo flooring and a long list of energy efficiency features.
Houses constructed by the non-profit Habitat group are not free for recipients like Dorriety. The homes are sold to families at cost — there’s no profit for Habitat. The 20 year mortgages are at zero percent interest, providing much needed savings for those are unable to afford a conventional mortgage. And new homeowners are required to invest 400 “sweat equity” hours working for Habitat.
The Nokomis Habitat build was a change for the group that has constructed 16 homes in Brewton. It’s the first outside of Brewton, the first in a rural area, the first on a raised foundation, and the first on the future homeowner’s land. But it won’t be the last; plans are underway for an additional home near Atmore.
Pictured top: (L-R) Jennifer Dorriety, her daughter Kaylee and Escambia County Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Alecia Glaize at the dedication for Dorriety’s new home in Nokomis. Pictured top inset: Dorriety at Habitat dedication as an army of volunteers and supports (seen in a reflection in the glass) look on. Pictured bottom inset: Volunteers work during the first weekend of construction. Pictured bottom: A group of Northview High School students volunteered to help build the home. NorthEscambia.com and courtesy photos, click to enlarge.
Aldersgate’s A-maize-ing Outing
July 19, 2010
Members of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino recently had an “a-maize-ing” time at “Bratt’s A-maize-ing” cornfield maze. The six acre cornfield maze is located on Highway 4 just west of North Highway 99.
Have news items, announcements or photos from your church? Email them to news@northescambia.com
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Highland 633 Students Attend M-Fuge Camp
July 18, 2010
The Highland Baptist Church 633 Student Ministry recently participated in the M-Fuge Student Camp at North Greenville University in Greenville, South Carolina.
“We took 27 students and adult chaperones. Our students participated each day in ministry projects including children’s ministry, social ministry, games and recreation ministry, painting-cleanup-yard work ministry, and creative ministry. Students were equipped to share their faith, which they did each day. Each day the students and adults participated in worship services and enjoyed various activities as a group. Upon return from camp our students have a renewed heart for serving others in our community with the love of Christ,” said Student Pastor Brad Johnson.
Highland Student Ministry meets each Wednesday night at 6:45pm at Highland Baptist Church, 6240 Hwy 95A North, Molino.
To share news from your church, email news@northescambia.com
Pictured: The Highland Baptist Church 633 Student Ministry at M-Fuge Student Camp in Greenville, South Carolina. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.