Habitat Home Is Dream Come True
May 23, 2010
An army of volunteers descended on Nokomis Saturday morning as the 17th Escambia County Habitat for Humanity home began to take shape.
Construction workers, teachers, bankers, business owners, high school students, ordinary people — about 85 people from all walks of life were all there volunteering their time and skills to make Jennifer Dorriety’s dream of home ownership a reality.
Construction on the home started Friday. By the “lunch break” call Saturday, walls were up, the floor and roof trusses were nearly complete.
“It was amazing, just breathtaking this morning to see it; I never expected to see this much done in one day,” Dorriety said as she helped to work on the home that will be ready for her and her 13-year old daughter Kaylee to occupy in about a month. “I just really appreciate the volunteers that are out here working so hard. It’s a dream come true.”
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 their 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.”
For a photo gallery from Saturday’s Habitat for Humanity build, click here.
“We have been pleased with the volunteer turnout and the financial support from different companies and groups”, said Escambia County Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Alecia Glaize. A long list of sponsors provided at least $500 in “groundbreaking” support and committed to at least 100 volunteer hours.
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.
Dorriety’s new home will continue to save her money for years to come, Glaize said. 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.
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.
Volunteers are still needed to help build the home at 118 Johnson Road in Nokomis. Additional work days are scheduled for Sunday, May 23; Friday, May 28; Saturday, May 29; Saturday, June 5 and Saturday, June 12.
“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.
For more information about Escambia County Habitat for Humanity, or to learn how to help build Dorriety’s home, visit www.escambiahfh.org.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from Saturday’s Habitat for Humanity build, click here.
Pictured top: Volunteers work to construct a house for Escambia County Habitat for Humanity Saturday morning Nokomis. Pictured inset: Future resident Jennifer Dorriety. Picture below: Northview High School construction technology teacher Tom Meehan lends a helping hand. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Multimedia Students Appear On TV , Collect $1,000
May 21, 2010
Three students from Tate High School’s Multimedia Academy appeared on WEAR TV’s “Dayside” show Friday morning. The students were recognized for producing the winning video for the annual WEAR Lewis Bear “Don’t Drink and Drive” video contest.
Senior Denise Rivers, sophomore Breanna Harrison and freshman Amy Sapp appeared on the program to accept a $1,000 check from Lewis Bear for the Multimedia Academy at Tate.
The “Live Responsibly” video produced by the three Tate students placed first in the competition. The winning video aired on Channel 3 during prom season.
Pictured above: Tate High Multimedia Academy students Breanna Harrison, Denise Rivers and Amy Sapp. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tribal Beat’s Moretz Receives Band Camp Scholarship
May 21, 2010
The Northview High School Tribal Beat’s Melissa Moretz is among six area high school students to receive summer band camp scholarships from the Pensacola Civic Band.
The scholarships were funded by the Pensacola Civic Band’s yearly holiday concerts at band sponsor Pensacola Junior College. The Civic Band has distributed more than $40,000 through the years for these scholarships.
Moretz will receive a partial scholarship to the Florida State University Marching Band Leadership Camp in July.
This year’s scholarship recipients from the Pensacola Civic Band are:
- Melissa Moretz, Northview High School
- Mahagony Lee, West Florida Tech
- Garrett McCrary, Washington High School
- Brandon Spencer, Washington High School
- Megan Roberts, Ft. Walton Beach High School
- Bobby Wagner, Ft. Walton Beach High School
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Honors Tate Mock Trial Team
May 20, 2010
Tate High School’s Mock Trial Team was honored Thursday night by the Escambia County Commission for winning state in the Florida High School Mock Trial Competition tournament and placing in the National High School Mock Trial Championship.
Members of the team are Collin Metcalf, Dylan Lunsford, Allison Baliey, Jacob Sander, Asia Cravens, Amy Sapp, Denis McKinnon III, Josh Levins, Austin Perry, Sarah Barlow,Ashley Fasshauer, and Brooke St. Pierre. Collin Metcalf also won the “Best Attorney” award at the state competition.
At the National High School Mock Trial Championship earlier this month in Philadelphia, the Tate team placed 27th. In addition, Collin Metcalf was presented the Judge Marjorie O. Rendell Outstanding Performance Award at the national level.
The group is coached by Amanda Brown. Former coach Kelly Krostag and Attorney Aaron Watson from The Levin Firm also worked with the group.
Pictured: (left of stairs, bottom to top) Brooke St. Pierre, Asia Cravens, Ashley Fasshauer, Amy Sapp, Sarah Barlow, Allison Bailey, coach Amanda Brown, (bottom of stairs, bottom to top) Dylan Lunsford, Austin Perry, Jacob Sander, Josh Levins, Collin Metcalf, Denis McKinnon III. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Walking Trail Featured In State Guide
May 20, 2010
Looking for a good place to walk? A trip around Flomaton’s Hurricane Park is one of the best walks in Alabama.
The “Alabama’s Passport to Fitness” walking trail guide from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs lists the walk around the park as one of the 85 best Passport Trails in the state.
Welcome centers across Alabama, as well as each community with a trail, will provide the official Passport Guide that contains maps of the trails and points of interest. In addition, the “Passport Stamp Page” allows walkers to collect an official passport stamp for each trail walked.
An online GIS interactive web page provides a virtual map that contains street maps and aerial imagery for each trail.
Flomaton’s Hurricane Park is an easy walk around a playground on a paved track. The walk passes the Turtle Point Environmental Science Center (pictured), a hands-on experience located on twenty acres of wetlands on Big Escambia Creek. The center features an interpretive wildlife center; wetland trail and boardwalk; gardens; butterfly and honeybee exhibits; and touch tank; live reptile, fish, and amphibian exhibits and a gift shop. The park is located on Highway 31 across from Flomaton High School.
To learn more about the Alabama Passport To Fitness guide and to view the interactive map, click here.
Courtesy photos and graphics for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Honors Working Students, Their Employers
May 19, 2010
Imagine holding three jobs at the same time, plus succeeding in high school. Or attending classes, playing a sport like football or basketball and working a job. Or playing in the band, playing softball, cheerleading or being an NJROTC leader — all while being in high school and working a job.
That’s the story of many of the 34 members in the Diversified Career Technology/Career Education Clubs of Florida class at Northview High School. And many of them have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Tuesday night, the CECF honored students and their employers at their annual banquet.
“We are proud of the people like you that give them the opportunity to work,” DCT instructor Tommy Weaver told the employers. “It’s been a very trying year with the economy and we appreciate you.”
“Learning to work can be a foundation in your lives,” Dr. Michelle Taylor, Escambia County’s Workforce Education specialist, told the students.
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Student employees in the program and their employers are:
- Jasey Gibson, Whataburger-Cantonment
- Jessica Bloodsworth, Whataburger-Century
- Dustin Boutwell, Jeff’s Feed & Seed-Flomaton
- Kolbi Cobb, Northview High School-Bratt
- Caitlyn Nall, Escambia Clerk of Court-Century
- Lance Bushaw, Winn Dixie-Atmore
- Samantha Byrd, Arby’s-Atmore
- Stephen Jay, Winn Dixie-Atmore
- Brittany Pete, Whataburger-Century
- Megan Poston, Kmart-Pensacola
- Dakota Stuckey, Northview High School-Bratt
- Maranda Baggett, David’s Catfish-Atmore
- Patricia Boughner, Whataburger-Century
- Brittany Burt, David’s Catfish-Atmore
- Tori Chavers, Piggly Wiggly-Davisville and Subway-Atmore
- Naomi Cooler, Northview High School-Bratt
- Clay Kirby, Winn Dixie-Atmore
- Angela Rodriquez, Northview High School-Bratt and Kentucky Fried Chicken-Pensacola
- Lauren Lowe, Whataburger-Cantonment and Publix-Pensacola
- Colton Maughon, Kaaos Audio-Atmore
- Brittany Peebles, Ron’s Sporting Goods-Atmore
- Magen Weekley, Kohl’s-Pensacola
- Caitlyn Roley, Piggly Wiggly-Century
- Haley Smith, Subway-Flomaton.
Other DCT Class members are:
- Richard Craig
- Branden Hoffman
- Haley Knapp
- Nastassia Peacock
- Aaron Bellamy
- Ryan Busbee
- Aaron Chancery
- Carley Hetrick
- Kayla Rentz
- Sarah Schachle
Pictured top: Lauren Lowe, who works at both Publix in Pensacola and Whataburger in Cantonment, receives a certificate from DCT instructor Tommy Weaver Tuesday night. Pictured middle: Diversified Career Technology/Career Education Clubs of Florida class at Northview High School. Pictured below: Dustin Boutwell who works at Jeff’s Feed & Seed in Flomaton with Weaver. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Mattie Smith Retires After 16 Years At Century Care Center
May 18, 2010
Century Care Center employee Mattie Smith has retired after 16-years of dedicated service at Century Care Care Center. Smith was hired before Century Care Center had patients, helping to move in the furniture. Smith, who many at CCC consider a mother-figure, was honored with a gold plaque and gold watch. Pictured above and below: Century Care Center Administrator Don Ripley and Mattie Smith. Submitted photos by Beth Whatley for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Combined Armed Forces, Memorial Day Parade
May 16, 2010
A combined Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day parade was held Saturday in Atmore. The parade honored those that have served, or are serving, in the armed forces.
The parade featured floats with area veterans; bands from Northview High, Escambia County High, Flomaton High and Ernest Ward Middle schools; ROTC units from Escambia County High and Northview High; motorcyle riders, the Ernest Ward Middle School Drama Team and more.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the parade, click here.
Pictured above: The Ernest Ward Middle School Drama Team reenact the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima. Pictured inset: Merrilene Garret, chaplain of VFW Post 7016 smiles as she rides a float. Pictured below: A group of veterans ride in Atmore’s combined Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day parade Saturday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview FFA Competes In Horse, Livestock Judging At State Fair
May 16, 2010
The Northview High School FFA horse and livestock judging teams competed at the Florida State Fair in Tampa. The members of the Horse Judging team were Heather Kite, Stephanie Solari, Brittany Thompson, and Dillian Crutchfield. Members of the Livestock Judging Team were Micah Byars, Lydia Weaver, Allie Vidak, and Brandon Chambless.
Pictured above: (L-R) Heather Kite, Stephaine Solari, Dillion Crutchfield, Alli Vidak, Brandon Chambless, Courtney Solari, Micah Byars, Brittany Thompson, and Lydia Weaver. In back: FFA Sponsor Perry Byars. Pictured below: Students judge. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Unusual And Entertaining Sights Found In Local Oak Trees
May 15, 2010
Local oak trees are putting on a show this year. Loaded with thousands of flower tassels or catkins, some say that the pollen is as bad as they have seen. Look closely however, and you’ll see more than just a pollen-laden tree.
Green acrobatic caterpillars
If you’ve been walking or raking under local oaks, then you’ve probably noticed the small green caterpillars performing acrobatic moves on thin whips of silken thread. If you haven’t noticed them, then probably someone has had to pick a caterpillar off your shirt or out of your hair.
Hundreds of these little caterpillars are hanging from panhandle oaks. What are they? While many will call them inchworms after their characteristic looping gait, they are technically called oak leafrollers.
Oak leafrollers are the larval forms of an earthy-colored moth. The moth lays masses of 40 to 50 eggs at the base of large branches and rough bark patches on both tree trunks and limbs. These eggs begin hatching in early spring and the caterpillars begin eating the leaves.
While they can eat an abundance of oak leaves, don’t worry. A little defoliation will not seriously harm a large oak tree.
Galls galore
Abnormally large round growths can be seen on many leaves of local oaks. These swellings are known as galls. While a variety of living organisms, including insects, mites, bacteria, and fungi are capable of causing galls, oak galls are typically caused by insects called gall wasps.
The tiny gall wasp begins the gall making process in early spring by piercing a selected tree part with its egg laying device and depositing an egg inside the plant tissue. Fluids deposited with the egg cause the plant cell multiplication process to begin. The larva that hatches from the egg produces additional substances that maintain and control cell division. The larva develops within a cavity inside the gall, feeding on material produced in the cavity lining. At maturity, the larva transforms into a pupa, and later becomes an adult that chews its way out of the gall. By causing the tree to form a gall, the gall wasp has provided food and shelter for its offspring.
Most galls are not harmful to oak trees. A healthy tree can support numerous galls without being seriously harmed.
Blisters erupt
If the caterpillars and gall wasps aren’t enough, a disease is also causing some unattractive leaves on local oaks.
Oak leaf blister is caused by a fungus. Early in the spring as leaves begin to expand, the fungus causes small, rough (concave, convex) spots. Gradually, the spots thicken and become pale green in color. Older spots are generally brown to greenish brown. Several blisters may merge, forcing the leaf to curl and can cause premature defoliation.
Because the oak leaf blister does not seriously affect the overall health of the tree, chemical control measures are usually not recommended. Collecting and disposing of the leaves as they drop may be of some benefit in reducing the inoculum for the following spring.
Local oaks are offering several interesting sights. All of the above issues will typically only cause leaves to look strange or unattractive. The trees themselves are not usually harmed by these strange and entertaining sights.
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 by Theresa Friday for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.