Two North Escambia Teachers Receive Top Reading Awards
June 10, 2010
Two North Escambia area teachers were honored at the recent Second Annual Every Child a Reader in Escambia Apple Seeds program.
“It was a real blessing to see these childcare providers and teachers have an evening devoted specifically to them and be publicly recognized for what they do for our youngest children in regards to early learning and emergent literacy,” said ECARE Executive Director Clairen Reese.
Misty Lambeth (pictured right) of Camp Fire USA Century Learning Youth Center was honored as the second runner-up for Teacher of the Year. Carolyn Butler (pictured left) of Camp Fire USA Century Learning Youth Center was a finalist in the top 11 “Best of the Best”.
Teacher of the Year: Stephanie Collins of Montclair Elementary
First Runner Up: Michelle Smith of Wee Children’s Center / West Pensacola Baptist Church
Second Runner Up: Misty Lambeth of Camp Fire USA Century Learning Youth Center
Third Runner Up: Rachel Leavitt of Malena’s Mini School – Pine Forest
Fourth Runner Up – Corrine Vaughn of Vaughn Family Child Care Home
Finalists:
Christy Stevens of Malena’s Mini School One – Pensacola Blvd.
Tammy Smoot of Childcare Network
Carol Jones of Community Action Program Head Start Pensacola
Jennifer Huffaker of Childcare Network
Lucinda Cresap of Wee Children’s Center / West Pensacola Baptist Church
Carolyn Butler of Camp Fire USA Century Learning Youth Center
The Early Learning Coalition recognized the following individuals:
Outstanding Reading Pals tutor / volunteers Barbara Kelly, Leona Bailey, Judi Patrick and Dottie Patrick.
Parents who have gone above and beyond at their child’s early education and care programs:
Tamara Garrett, Martiza Woodfaulk, Pamela McGhee, Marion Skalicky, Stephanie Coleman, Jennifer LaBorde, Erin Dolan, Lillian Riverre, Terry and Richard Soble (foster parents) and Delores Redmond (foster grandparents).
Childcare providers who have gone above and beyond in helping a child create a more effective learning environment
Ashley Benjamin – Alice Williams Child Care
Sabrina Hunter – Alice Williams Child Care
La Margie Allen – Childcare Netowrk (Michigan Ave.)
Teresa Baker – Malean’s Mini School (Pine Forest)
Lillie Thomas – Malena’s Mini School – (Pine Forest)
Dan Mendoza – Jubilee Christian
Cynthia Cash – Malena’s Mini School (Pensacola Blvd.)
Debra Presley – Cokesbury Untied Methodist Preschool
Lasonia Hale – Childcare Netowrk (MIchigan Ave.)
Euwanna Brown – Little Whispers Preschool
Brenda Watkins – Blue Angel Early Learning
Jessica Antoine – Blessed Star
and Jennet Zaborny – Carden Christian Academy
Honorees in the early education field for:
15 years or more:
Judi Schultz – Blessed Star
Annie Mack – First Presbyterian
Pat Crosby – First Presbyterian
17 years or more:
Karen Radford – Blue Angel Early Learning
20 years or more:
Olivia Chen – Blessed Star (20 years)
Cathy Odom – Jubilee Christian (20 years)
Cynthia McPherson – Little Whispers Preschool (21 years)
Margie Anderson – First Presbyterian (22 years)
Georgia Robbins – First Presbyterian (23 years)
Dorothy Kitt – First Presbyterian (23 years)
Yolander Williams – First Presbyterian (24 years)
Merri Jo Owen – Cokesbury (25 years)
Wanda Lett – Alice Williams Day Care (29 years)
Emma Jean Brantley – First Presbyterian (32 years)
Both ECARE and ELCE also honored a wide range of community partners. Both organizations have a mission to help prepare children to enter school ready to learn.
Community Partners recognized by ECARE:
Gulf Power; Regions Bank; Downtown Rotary; International Paper; Barnes and Noble; Leadership Penacola; United Way of Escambia; Wal-Mart,;Baptist Heatlh Care; E.W. Bullock Associates; Avalex Technologies; Landrum Human Resources,;Clark, Partington, Hart, Larry, Bond, and Stackhouse; Kerrigan, Estess, Rankin, McLeod; and McDonald’s.
Community Partners recognized by ELCE:
Michael Johnson State Farm, Joe Leonard State Farm, Downtown Rotary, Kohl’s, Stanley Walker – Postmaster; Gulf Breeze Rotary; International Paper; Escambia County Landfill and Recycle; Wal-Mart Navy Boulevard; and Roxanne Baker – Escambia County School District.
ECARE partnered with The Early Learning Coalition of Escambia for this year’s ceremony at the Crowne Plaza in Pensacola. The theme was “Bee READy to Learn!” . Guest speaker was Pamela Broughton of Malena’s Mini School Pensacola Blvd., the 2009 Apple Seeds Teacher of the Year.
Century Library Summer Reading Series Begins With Chinese Acrobat
June 9, 2010
Kids of all ages enjoyed the acrobat Liang, a Chinese Olympian, spinning plates, balancing cups of water on her chin and even spinning knives Tuesday at Century Branch Library.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event, click here.
It was part of the library’s summer reading program.
The Century Branch Library invites children to celebrate with more summer library programs each Tuesday at noon.
- June 15 – Dr. Zap, fun and wacky
- June 22 – John Jaramillo, storyteller and dancer
- June 29 – David Stephens, puppetry
- July 6, Ross Mudge, sing patriotic songs
- July 13, Beau Broomall, magician
For more information, contact the Century Branch Library at (850) 256-6217.
Written by Delaney, age 9.
Pictured top: Children enjoy Liang, a Chinese Olympian acrobat, at the Century Branch Library Tuesday afternoon. Pictured inset: Lian is reportedly the only woman in the world that can simultaneously control 25 hula hoops. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Woman Collecting Care Package Items For Troops In Iraq
June 8, 2010
A Molino woman is asking the North Escambia community to help her send care packages to American troops serving in Iraq for the Fourth of July.
Katie Hilburn’s fiancee, Spc. Ben Piatt, also of Molino, is about eight months into his tour of duty as a combat engineer in northern Iraq. He is scheduled to be in Iraq until October.
After hearing about the soldiers’ needs, Hilburn decided to send the care packages to Piatt’s unit in Iraq during the Christmas season last year, collecting several boxes of items.
“I received e-mails from different soldiers telling me how much it meant to receive packages from back home, so I want to keep supporting them,” she said. “It’s our job to take care of our soldiers and to remember them.”
The supplies will be collected at veteran-owned Cole’s Barbershop in Molino until Wednesday, June 16. They will then be shipped to Piatt, 21, and his unit in Iraq. Cole’s Barbershop is located next to Fran’s Country Grill on Highway 29.
Items being collected include:
Body Care
Toothpaste
Bottled body soap (for men)
Sunscreen
Germ X
Shampoo
Baby wipes
Q-tips
Shaving cream
Razors
Foot powder
Chap stick
Food
Ramen noodles (in the cup)
Propel powder
Small coffee creamer
Small sugar
Sunflower seeds
Apple sauce
Tuna fish and cracker packages
Beef jerky
Cereal bars
Peanuts
Cookies
Popcorn (microwavable)
Saltine crackers
Peanut butter
Fruit cup
Miscellaneous
Playing cards
DVD’s
Magazine’s (hunting, fishing, guns, sports)
Games
Pictured top: Katie Hilburn and her fiancee Spc. Ben Piatt prior to his deployment to northern Iraq. Pictured inset: Spc. Piatt in Iraq. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Resident Hiking 500 Miles Across Spain; Read Her Journal
June 8, 2010
Century resident Terri Sanders is on a 500 mile hike across Spain this summer, and she is taking NorthEscambia.com readers along.
Terri, former owner of the Country Bumpkin and current purveyor of fudge at festivals and events across the area, calls it the “trip of a lifetime”.
As Terri hikes from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France, she will file dispatches from her journal and send pictures when possible for NorthEscambia.com as she hikes the Camino de Santiago — the Way of St. James — to the Atlantic Ocean.
She will introduce us to the sights and sounds along the way, the local customs and the daily struggles of the 500 hike. Terri made the seven hour flight to Europe on May 29 and started hiking on June 4. She will send us her journal entries as soon as possible after each day. There is no Internet access between towns, but she will send us her journal entries as she arrives in towns along the way that do have Internet access — so Terri’s journal entries on NorthEscambia.com may be delayed by a few days.
We will begin our trip with Terri Sanders today and post updates periodically over the next month. She plants to complete the trip by July 4.
Camino De Santiago
May 29 2010
Most people get at least one shot at a trip of a lifetime. Sad to say most of us never have the guts to throw caution to the wind and grab onto that chance. We let different things tie our hands behind our back, be it a job or finances, responsibilities that we may or may not be the only one that can handle.
Sometimes I think it is fear itself that hinders us from grabbing a hold of that chance, whatever it may be. A trip across America, a chance to go sky diving, take that dream vacation, or just take that job offer that would take you to your dream job. We say no so quickly sometimes without even considering what exactly it is we are saying no to. Our well decorated rut is our security, or maybe our sense of adventure was never allowed to develop as a child.
Whatever the reason, very few people really reach out and grab that once in a life time adventure. My once in a lifetime adventure was hiking the Appalachian Trail. I thought it was intriguing to be able to walk from Georgia to Maine and it was intriguing to say the least. One day about 6 weeks ago another chance of a lifetime fell into my lap.
I thought of all the reasons I didn’t need to take this trip, and all the reasons I wanted to take it. The wants won out and I started making plans to hike the Camino de Santiago in Spain. I knew very little about Spain and virtually no Spanish, but the guy I was going to be hiking with knew Spanish. He had hiked part of the AT with Jerry and I and just a chance email to me about him hiking this trip set things in motion for me to join him.
I booked my flight, practiced up on my phrase: “The rain in Spain falls gently on the Plain”. I have no idea what that phrase means if anything.
My flight left Pensacola this morning and I was on my way. The 7 hour flight over the Atlantic Ocean was my biggest concern. I guess I figured a crash on the ground would be easier than a crash on the water! Anyway the flight was uneventful and I landed in Madrid as planned.
The plan was to catch a bus from there to St.Jean Pied a Port where I would meet up with Lou to begin our hike. I was standing in the information line to see where to catch the bus when this guy walks up to me and says you look like a Camino hiker. You reckon the backpack gave me away?
It took about 5 minutes to find out that he was Walkabout and had hiked the AT in 2003 always just a few days ahead of me. He is from Gainesville, Florida and was meeting a friend of his that was also from Gainesville and was going to hike the Camino. His plans had changed and he was there to tell her he had been called back to work. Her name is Ronnie and he asked me if I would hang out until she got there and then the two of us could go to St. Jean together.
Some people would say that is where I made my first mistake, changing my plans, but I had figured in an extra day to meet up with Lou so everything seemed good. I could meet Ronnie grab a bus and we would be in St.Jean as I had planned. Then we find out her plane from Atlanta had been late leaving because of the weather. So Ed and I waited and walked from one end of the airport to the other several times.
To say he is ADD or obsessive compulsive would be an understatement! It then became obvious that I was not going to make the noon bus but could still make the later bus. Finally her plane landed and introductions were made all around. Ed made a hasty retreat to meet his flight, and Ronnie and I was off to get to the bus station. Or so I thought.
Turned out she had pre-bought a train ticket so off we went in search of the train depot. There ought to be a universal word for train, bus, plain, and taxi among a few other words….
We finally found the train station, took a number and stood in line for 30 minutes only to find out that we were in the line to buy tickets for the next day. Back to take another ticket and wait another thirty minutes. Finally at the ticket counter between the two of us we got the point across that we wanted to buy one ticket to the same place as her ticket.
I happened to mention the town. Things went downhill fast from there.
The ticket she had was for a town in Spain alright, but one nowhere near where she needed to go. We got two tickets to Pamploma and found out we had a 4 hour wait. We found a small café and could not read anything on the menu, but took a stab at something that sounded faintly like an American dish.
Ronnie ordered wine and I ordered water .She got grilled chicken with a salad and I got Stuffed Cannolli. Those trips to Olive Garden paid off. I thought they paid off but spell check didn’t have a spelling for this so we will go with how I spelled it.
When the bill came I found out it was cheaper to order wine instead of water. I won’t make that mistake again.
Since I had already saw all of the airport at least twice we went outside in search of a park to sit and wait. We weren’t lucky enough to find a park so we did the next best thing, put our packs on the ground against the building’s window, laid down and went to sleep. An hour later we woke up to the sounds of sirens, and figured we were going to be arrested for vagrancy, but we were not the target of the police.
Back inside we found an ice cream stand and enjoyed a ice cream, then went back to waiting for the train.
There are very few signs to point a visitor into the right direction ANYWHERE! We watched the screen for the announcement of our train and finally boarded. No sooner had we gotten seated than we found out the seats were reserved in this part of the train. We gathered our packs and went to another section, sat down, got comfortable and once again were routed from our seats.
We were beginning to think we would have to stand for the three hour ride, but finally a young girl took us to our seats. The scenery here reminds me of northern Texas, with only the houses setting it apart. The ride to Pamplona was 3 hours. It was just getting dark by the time we got to town.
Bratt Principal Retiring; Several Other North Escambia Teachers, Staff Also Retiring
June 7, 2010
Bratt Elementary School’s principal and several other North Escambia area teachers and education personnel are retiring this year.
The last day on the job for Bratt Elementary Principal Sheryl G. Pomeroy (pictured) will be June 30. “I love Bratt and appreciate all the many ways you have been here for this school,” Pomeroy wrote in a letter to parents. “Your children are precious and deserve our time and energy.”
According to Pomeroy, Molino Park Elementary School Curriculum Coordinator Karen Hall has been recommended to replace Pomeroy. Her appointment will come before the school board at a later date.
Several other North Escambia area teachers and school personnel are also leaving this year, and there are several new personnel transferring into area schools. The following are scheduled to be approved by the Escambia County School Board on June 14:
- At Northview, NJROTC Capt. Lee V. Coleman, Coach Lorenzo Jones, teacher Bobby Simpson and Darlene Lee are all retiring.
- Gay C. Hassebrock, a teacher at Bratt Elementary, is leaving and Martha H. Jeter, media specialist, is retiring.
- Brenda D. Bell, a teacher at Molino Park Elementary, is retiring.
- Jessica A. Crites, Deborah A. Dubus and Rebecca J. Hamric will transfer from the Sid Nelson Center to Molino Park Elementary.
- At Ernest Ward Middle School, food service assistant Carloyn E. Morgan is retiring.
- At Tate High School, teacher Norma Givens, Judy Julian, John Kelley, Kenneth Meharg, Celeste Scott and Michael D. Varner are all retiring.
- Teachers Julie Remke, Cecily Sauls, Anne M. Vasser are leaving Tate High.
- Neil A. Cobb and Pamela K. Saxton will transfer from ESEAL to Tate. Wanda B. Parrott will transfer from the Sid Nelson Center to Tate High.
- At Ransom Middle School, teachers Arthur T. Farish and Patsy Manning and guidance counselor Jeanne Kaufke are retiring.
- Janna T. Blanton will transfer from the Sid Nelson Center to Ransom Middle School. William O. Brown, Stephen B. Smithee, Gloria M. Wiggins and Allison Roberts will transfer from the Clubbs Center to Ransom.
Pictured: Bratt Elementary School Principal Sheryl G. Pomeroy is retiring. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
NHS Class of 2010 Graduates (With Photo Gallery)
June 6, 2010
The 130 members of the Northview High School Class of 2010 graduated Saturday.
“Remember, you are the future of tomorrow,” Valedictorian Kaitlyn Nicole Caraway told her fellow classmates. “Make the most of yourselves and live life to the fullest.”
“Now is the time to make your past help you make your best futures. Use this long time coming to create the greatest longer time yet to come,” was the message from Salutatorian Clinton Eugene Davis.
Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas also offered words of encouragement to the NHS Class of 2010. “Enjoy your memories, but do not let those memories lay down your dreams. Don’t let your love of what has happened in the past stop you chasing the potential of your future because I believe you can be anything you dream you can be if you are willing to work hard enough to make the dream come true,” he said.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event, click here. (Photos of each graduate are near the end of the gallery.)
Pictured top: Lauren Ashley Lowe (left) and Jennifer Megan Lowe celebrate after graduating Saturday from Northview High School. Pictured left inset: Christopher Antonio Moorer, also known as “Cornbread”, hold up his diploma while shaking the hand of Escambia County Superintendent of Schools Malcolm Thomas Saturday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Graduating members of the Northview High School Class of 2010 were:
Clinton James Avery
Maranda Robin Baggett
+Tiffany Michelle Barrows
Aaron Darnell Bellamy
Grant Ian Bellizzi
Alexis Rae Black
*Jessica Nichole Bloodsworth
Ashely Noel Bonner
Patricia Sunshine Boughner
Dustin Alan Boutwell
Lindsey Ella Brewer
Johnathon Keith Buchanan
Heath Warren Burkett
Jonathan Craig Burkett
+Brittany Michele Burt
Shawn Dustin Burton
+Micah Perrygreen Byars
Zachory Derrick Byers
Samantha Lauren Byrd
*Kaitlyn Nicole Caraway
+Lennie Nannett Caum
Aaron James Chancery
Stanley Terry Chestnut, II
Aimee Richa Clarke
*Kolbi Shae Cobb
Robert Charles Connerly, Jr.
Samuel Cooler, Jr.
Phillip Ray Coon
Charles Austin Cooper
Alesha Lasha Copeland
Keith Anthony Cota
Cody Ernest Cousin
Richard Kevin Craig
*Clinton Eugene Davis
Na’Keetric Devonte Davison
Kayla Marie Dempsey
Don Duran Dubose, Jr.
+Jacob Lee Garrison
Patrick Ray Garrison
Jasey Darren Gibson
Andrew Joseph Giveans, III
*Candice Louise Greenwell
Ka’Daris De’Onta Grice
Bradley Scott Griener
#Caitlin Allie Hall
Casey Aaron Hare
Kinsey Lee Hendrix
Carley Brianna Hetrick
Gavin Gray Hinote
Branden Loren Hoffmann
Shakel Quartez Holmes
Kenneth Troy Hopper
Tyler Marie Hunter
*Eric Matthew Ickeringill
Jeremy Ledarius Jackson
Thaddeus Michael Jones
Parish Alissa Kelley
Clayton Wayne Kirby
Haley Danelle Knapp
Brian Exavier Knight
Michael Rusty Knight
Angela Nicole Knoble-Roddriguez
Sara Marie Kyles
+Seth Madison Leonard
Kassandra Alexandra Lett
Courtney Janice Linton
Joshua Lee Lockart
Steven Micheal Long
+Jennifer Megan Lowe
+Lauren Ashley Lowe
#Austin Hunter Lowery
*Bradley James Lowery
Marguettia Marshall
Colton James Maughon
Megan Nicole McCann
John Wesley McCullough
Alex Laine McDonald
Monica Anne McLain
+Amber Nicole McMillan
Courtney Michelle Merritt
La’Ashia Monac Mixon
Christopher Antonio Moorer
Devin Marquis Moorer
Ariel Dorena Morris
Wesley Ben Morris
Ashley La’Shunda Muse
Caitlyn Dawn Nall
Cody Webb Nall
Kenneth Nettles
Olivia M’Lynn Nolen
Mallorie Gail Okahashi
Elizabeth Suanne Page
Cody Davon Parham
#Matthew Cody Parker
Nastassia Nicole Peacock
Valarie Justine Perry
Brittany Danielle Pete
William Anthony Pierce
Dayton Robert Porter
Magen Renee Poston
Austin Tyler Reid
Erica Dawn Rendell
Kayla Louise Rentz
+Victoria Ashton Rigby
Caitlin Noelle Roley
Charles Thomas Rolin
Sarah Victoria Roth
Miranda Ashton Scott
John Anthony Sellars
*Felicia Michelle Settle
+Christopher James Sheets
*Mark Allen Shipps, Jr.
Gary Wayne Shook, Jr.
James Peter Shook
Haley Nicole Smith
*Jackson Helton Smith
Allison Rebecca Spence
Dylan Joseph Stafford
+Dakota Wayne Stuckey
Nathan Patrick Taylor
Harmony Shardia Thomas
Dillon Baritot Vardeman
Timothy Edward Wages
+Heather Danielle Ward
Stephen Blake Ward
John Ethan Waters
Magen Leigh Weekley
Justin Leon Whiting
Damon Scott Williams
Lance Austin Yuhasz
*Summa Cum Laude – Garnet and Gold Cord
#Magna Cum Laude – Gold Cord
+Cum Laude – Garnet Cord
Unofficial Class Ranking, June 2010
Northview Holds Baccalaureate
June 5, 2010
The Northview High School Class of 2010 held their Baccalaureate service Friday night at the First Assembly of God Church in Atmore.
“We begin today’s celebration by acknowledging our thanks to God for his hand in our lives during our student years. Each of us recognizes that God is the source of the grace we have received as well as the source of the truth we seek and live,” Senior Class President Candice Greenwell told her fellow graduates.
Rev. Willie H. Carter, pastor of Pilgrim Lodge Baptist Church, offered the invocation. Rev. Nathan Brown of Ray’s Baptist Church brought the message and encouraged the seniors to follow and give God the glory in their lives, take care of themselves and not to forget to have fun in life. Rev. Don Davis from the Atmore First Assembly of God offered the benediction.
Music was provided by the Senior Ensemble, including Ashley Bonner, Aimee Clarke, Kolbi Cobb, Clint Davis, Candice Greenwell, Caitlin Hall, Carley Hetrick, Thaddeus Jones, Sara Kyles, Seth Leonard, Kassandra Lett, Amber McMillian, Wesley Morris, Jackson Smith and Heather Ward.
Pictured top: The Northview High School Class of 2010 Baccalaureate service Friday night. Pictured inset: Senior Class President Candice Greenwell as Vice President Erica Rendell looks on. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Honor Graduates Named
June 5, 2010
It is graduation day for the Northview High School Class of 2010. Valedictorian for the NHS Class of 2010 is Kaitlyn Nicole Caraway. Salutatorian is Clinton Eugene Davis. The following students will graduate with honors:
Summa Cum Laude (4.0 GPA and above)
1. Kaitlyn Nicole Caraway
2. Clinton Eugene Davis
3. Mark Allen Shipps, Jr.
4. Jessica Nichole Bloodsworth
5. Bradley James Lowery
6. Felicia Michelle Settle
7. Jackson Helton Smith
8. Eric Matthew Ickeringill
9. Candice Louise Greenwell
10. Kolbi Shae Cobb
Magna Cum Laude (3.85 GPA and above)
11. Caitlin Allie Hall
12. Matthew Cody Parker
13. Austin Hunter Lowery
Cum Laude (3.50 GPA and above)
14. Micah Perrygreen Byars
15. Seth Madison Leonard
16. Heather Danielle Ward
17. Tiffany Michelle Barrows
18. Victoria Ashton Rigby
19. Dakota Wayne Stuckey
20. Jacob Lee Garrison
21. Lauren Ashely Lowe
22. Amber Nicole McMillan
23. Lennie Nannett Caum
24. Brittany Michele Burt
25. Christopher James Sheets
26. Jennifer Megan Lowe
Outwit and Outlast the Troublesome Armadillo
June 5, 2010
Have you ever discovered your once beautiful green lawn looking like the surface of the moon, full of craters? If so, then you may have been visited by an alien-looking creature known as the armadillo.
Armadillos originated in South America. They are mammals. They are neither rodents nor marsupials and are not related to the opossum. Their closest living relative is the anteater and sloth.
The most easily recognized feature of an armadillo is its shell. Their common name, armadillo, is derived from a Spanish term meaning “little armored one”. All armadillos have shells, made of true bone, that cover their backs. Most armadillos also have bony rings or plates that protect their tails.
Digging machines
Armadillos are built to dig. They rely on this ability to escape danger and survive. They prefer sandy or loam soils that are relatively easy to excavate. Therefore, they are well adapted to Northwest Florida soils.
Armadillos typically rest in deep burrows during the day and become more active during the late evening, night, or early morning. These burrows are usually located under brushpiles, stumps, dense brush, or concrete patios, and are about 7 to 8 inches in diameter and can be up to 15 feet long. They often have several burrows throughout their territory.
Food sources
Armadillos feed primarily on insects. They also eat earthworms, scorpions, spiders, snails, and small vertebrates and their eggs. They consume large amounts of armyworms, cockroaches, ants, wasps, flies, beetles, and grasshoppers. They have been known to dig up entire yellow-jacket nests.
Some consider the armadillo a beneficial creature because they eat potential pests. Many consider the armadillo a pest because of their destructive ways. Armadillo can burrow under driveways and patios causing structural damage. Burrows in pastures can pose a potential hazard to livestock. And because armadillos usually search for food by rooting or digging in the ground, they can damage large areas of the lawn or garden.
Control measures
If you find that you cannot live with these creatures, the University of Florida recommends four ways to deal with armadillos.
- reducing the amount of water and fertilizer you apply to your lawn
- creating barriers (e.g., fences),
- live-trapping
- shooting offending individuals (check local ordinances)
The best solution (and the most expensive) is a stout fence to keep the armadillos out. If you take this route, make sure the fence is buried at least 18 inches into the ground, or they might just burrow under it.
Reducing the water and fertilizer applications to your lawn may help reduce armadillo damage. A moist lush landscape is perfect for earthworms and insect larvae. Armadillos love earthworms. Sometimes watering adjacent areas may attract armadillos away from a site.
Trapping can be frustrating and may require some ingenious thinking. Some tried and true trapping techniques are discussed at length in an online University of Florida publication by Dr. Russ Mizell at http://ufinsect.ifas.ufl.edu/armadillo.htm.
Remember that poison baits are illegal and ineffective. No chemical repellents or fumigants are registered for use in Florida.
Armadillos are very happy in Northwest Florida and are here to stay. If they have become unwelcomed house guests, put your thinking cap on and be committed to outwitting and outlasting this prehistoric-looking creature.
For more information, contact Theresa Friday at 850-623-3868 or email tlfriday@ufl.edu. Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Molino Park 5th Graders Say Goodbye
June 5, 2010
There were lots of tears, smiles and hugs Friday morning at Molino Park Elementary School as fifth graders took their final walk to the buses on the last day of school.
Teachers, parents and other students cheered on the Molino Park graduates as they said goodbye to their elementary years.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured above and below: Fifth grade students take their final walk to the buses Friday morning at Molino Park Elementary School. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
