Special Olympics Torch Run Begins In Century (With Photo Gallery)
March 29, 2010
The 2010 Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Florida Special Olympics began in Century Monday morning.
The torch run started at the Florida/Alabama state line in the Piggly Wiggly parking lot about 7:15 Monday. Employees from Century Correctional Institution escorted the torch down Highway 29 toward the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in Pensacola. From the sheriff’s office, runners will continue to the Pensacola Police Department where they will be joined by more local law enforcement officials.
The Escambia County leg of the torch will end at Bartrumn Park where the torch will be passed to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Department Marine Unit.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is an event to raise awareness and support for the Special Olympics. Law Enforcement Agencies from across Florida will participate in the event.
The Torch Run will end on May 14 in Orlando, Fla.
For more photos from the torch run, click here.
Law enforcement officers from over 300 Florida agencies (police departments, sheriff’s offices, Florida Department of Corrections, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Highway Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Agency, U.S. Customs, Air Force Police and Marine Patrol) all participate in the state-wide torch run to benefit the athletes of Special Olympics Florida. Each year, over 3,000 officers carry the torch on a 1500-mile relay through more than 60 counties in Florida.
Pictured: The 2010 Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Florida Special Olympics begins in Century Monday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
What Is Your Church Doing For Easter?
March 28, 2010
What is your church doing for Easter?
NorthEscambia.com will provide free advertising for churches in North Escambia or North Santa Rosa counties in Florida, or Atmore or Flomaton in Alabama. If your church is having a special Good Friday and/or Easter service, or any other special service or event, let us know!
We will share your information with thousands of readers across the area. We will list the services on our Events page free of charge. Please try to keep your announcement for our events page to 100 words or less. Please send your event listing as far in advance of your service(s) as possible.
Send your announcement to news@northescambia.com or click here for our contact page. We will also be happy to publish photos after your event; email them to news@northescambia.com.
Bratt Assembly of God recently held an early Easter egg hunt and picnic. For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
All advertising and announcements are subject to our editorial standards.
Pictured: The Bratt Assembly of God recently held an Easter egg hunt and picnic. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Spring Lawn And Garden Tips From Escambia Extension Service
March 27, 2010
Now that spring is here and the outdoors are turning green again, it is time to begin thinking about working in your outdoor areas in North Escambia and surrounding areas. From flowers, to tree and shrubs to lawns, the Escambia County Extension Service offers some great tips for the late March through April time period:
Flowers
- Begin planting colorful annual flowers such as ageratum, alyssum, amaranthus, asters, baby’s breath, begonia, calendula, celosia, cosmos, dahlia, dusty miller, gaillardia, geranium, hollyhock, impatiens, marigold, nicotiana, ornamental pepper, pentas, phlox, rudbeckia, salvia, sweet Williams, torenia, verbena, vinca and zinnia.
- Caladium bulbs are extremely sensitive to cold soil so there is no advantage to planting early. Purchase caladiums while there is a good selection, but wait until late March or April before planting them in shady beds.
- Begin watching roses for black spot fungus disease (small black spots on the leaves that quickly worsen). Control it by spraying every seven to ten days with a fungicide. Call your local Extension Office for recommended products.
Trees and Shrubs
- Finish pruning summer flowering shrubs such as althea, hibiscus, abelia, oakleaf hydrangea and oleander.
- Delay pruning azaleas, camellias, spiraeas, gardenias and other spring flowering shrubs until after flowering is complete.
- Prune any cold weather-damaged plants only after new growth appears.
- If needed, fertilize shrubs and small trees with a slow release fertilizer. A good general-purpose landscape fertilizer is a 15-0-15.
- Mature palms should receive an application of granular fertilizer. Use a special palm fertilizer that has an 8-2-12 +4Mg (magnesium) with micronutrients formulation. Apply one pound of fertilizer per 100 sq ft of canopy area or landscape area.
- Pick up all fallen camellia blossoms and remove them from your property. This practice helps to prevent petal blight next season.
- Prune ornamental grasses. For more information visit the online publication, “Considerations for Selection and Use of Ornamental Grasses,” at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/EP233 or call you local Extension Office for a copy.
- Evergreen and semi-evergreen trees such as live oak and laurel oak shed most of their leaves during March and early April. Make plans to recycle these leaves on your
property by composting or using them as mulch in vegetable, flower and shrub beds.
Vegetable Garden
- In mid-March, plant vegetables such as bush beans, pole beans, lima beans, cantaloupes, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, okra, southern peas, peppers, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, summer squash, winter squash, tomatoes and watermelon.
- Sweet potato plants (slips/draws) can be set out April through June.
Lawns
- Removing excessive accumulation of leaves from the lawn will increase the effectiveness of fertilizer and pesticide applications.
- If a pre-emergence lawn herbicide is needed to control summer weeds, it should be applied in early March or when day temperatures reach 65 to 70 degrees F for 4 to 5 consecutive days. Make certain to choose one that is safe on your type of grass. Call your local Extension Office for a recommendation.
- Wait until early April to fertilize lawns. If fertilized too early, they often respond with yellow spots of iron chlorosis. Use a slow release nitrogen product with a 3-1-3 ratio
(like a 16-2-16) or a 1:0:1 ratio such as a 15-0-15. - Service the lawn mower by sharpening the blade and adjusting the cutting height for your type of grass.
- Anyone considering establishment of centipede grass from seed should hold off until the soil warms up and stabilizes above 70°F.
- Spring dead spots may be present. Before treating these areas, get a diagnosis. Treat, if necessary, and then patch these areas before weeds invade the bare spots. Sodding, plugging or sprigging helps them to fill in quicker.
Students Headed To Washington On EREC Youth Tour
March 25, 2010
Allie Bryan from Northview High School and Leely Trevino from Jay High School have been named winners in the Escambia River Electric Cooperative 2010 Youth Tour to Washington contest.
Students from the EREC service area interviewed with a panel of judges in this competition for a chance to win the opportunity to visit Washington.
Judges from PowerSouth Energy Cooperative in Andalusia, Alabama, and Southern Pine Electric Cooperative in Brewton, Alabama, scored contestants in their interviews based on their knowledge of Escambia River Electric Cooperative and the history of rural electrification. Personal attributes of each candidate such as character, academic ability, personality and leadership abilities were also considered.
Bryan and Trevino were chosen to represent EREC on the Washington Youth Tour. While in Washington, the teens will have the opportunity to see the sights, learn about our nation’s capitol, rural electrification and make new friends from across the country.
“EREC is very proud to have these two outstanding students represent them on the Washington Youth Tour this year. Congratulations to each of them on achieving this honor,” said Sabrina Owens, EREC spokesperson.
Pictured top: Allie Bryan (left) from Northview High School and Leely Trevino from Jay High School will represent EREC on the Washington Youth Tour. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Senior Best High School Auto Tech Student In Florida, Headed To Nationals
March 23, 2010
A young man from Cantonment really knows his way around under a hood; he has been named the best high school auto technology student in Florida.
Max Clark took first place in Escambia County in Automotive Technology at the University of West Florida. Then, on his 18th birthday, the Tate High School senior won first place in the CECF State Leadership Conference at an Orlando competition.
“It relaxes me, I like the challenge, it comes easy to me, and I’ve always liked working on hot rods,” Clark said of his love of auto repair.
On the recommendation of Gene Seales, Clark’s instructor at Tate, he will attend the Business Professional of America 2010 National Leadership Conference competition in Anaheim, California, in May.
“Max has been following in his dad’s footsteps since he was a little boy,” his mom, Cassie Clark, said. Max works at the family’s auto repair shop Wade Clark Auto Repair in Cantonment.
Max Clark’s trip to California is being funded in part by the Escambia County School District, Greenhut Construction and even his classmates at Tate. The students have sold doughnuts to help their friend.
Pictured above: Max Clark recently took a top automotive award in the state. Pictured below: Max Clark and coworker Shane at Wade Clark Auto Repair in Cantonment. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Sawmill Pageant Is Saturday; Students Win Poster Contest
March 23, 2010
The Century Sawmill Pageant is coming up at 10 a.m. this Saturday at the old Carver/Century K-8 School.
To promote the pageant the Century Lions Club recently held a poster contest in schools throughout the area.
Century Sawmill Pageant poster winners from the Escambia County (Ala.) Enrichment Program were first place Ronna Tullis, 5th grade at Flomaton Elementary; second place Kela Brazile, 6th grade at WS Neal Middle; third place Nakia Washington, 6th grade WS Neal Middle; and honorable mention Justin Pearson 5th grade at Huxford Elementary.
Tullis received $25 for her winning poster.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hundreds Take Part In Northview FFA Food For America Program
March 20, 2010
About 600 elementary school students from schools from Byrneville and Bratt to Pensacola Beach attended the annual “Food for America” program Friday at Northview High School. About 800 people total either attended or worked with the program.
The program, sponsored the National FFA Organization and conducted by the Northview FFA, gave the students a chance to learn about agriculture firsthand as they got up close and personal with farm animals, farm equipment and more. The students even had the opportunity to make their own butter and enjoy it on crackers.
The Northview FFA has participated in the program for 15 years, placing second in the state last year. Northview has placed in the top five in the state for the last ten years.
Friday’s program at Northview was dedicated to Philip Caler, a fellow FFA member from Booker, Texas, who accidentally fell 40 feet from the third floor at the October, 2009, FFA National Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana — an event that was attended by Northview students. He has remained in a coma most of the time since the accident.
“It is our hope and prayer that Philip will indeed make a complete recovery,” read a note attached to balloons released in Caler’s honor Friday at Northview. “We are dedicating this day to Philip, and would like you to join us…to live each day to the fullest, take time to laugh each and every day with friends and family, and strive to cultivate friendships that will last a lifetime.”
Click here for a complete NorthEscambia.com photo gallery with dozens of pictures from the event.
FFA students from both Northview and Ernest Ward Middle School conducted the program, including from Northview FFA: President Micah Byars, Vice President Lydia Weaver, Secretary Stephanie Solari, Treasurer Allison Vidak, Reporter Heather Kite, Sentinel Gavin Hinote, Parliamentarian Wes Chancery, Photographer and Historian Shelby Lewis, Chaplain Devin Bell and Advisors Perry Byars and Tommy Weaver.
Pictured above: Pictured top:A students pets a horse at Northview High School FFA’s Food for America Program on Friday. Pictured top inset: Students from Pensacola Beach Elementary School learn about bees. Pictured bottom inset: Northview FFA members release balloons to honor a Philp Caler, FFA member from Texas who has been in a coma for months. Pictured below: Tasting homemade butter. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
NHS Students Design Sawmill Pageant Posters
March 19, 2010
Northview High School’s 2-D Design art classes participated in the 19th Annual Century Sawmill Pageant poster contest sponsored by the Century Lions Club.
Freshman Julia Thorpe placed first in the contest to create the best poster to promote the pageant. Freshman Beni Joe Deron placed second in the poster contest, and Junior Victoria Childers placed third. Thorpe received a $25 prize for her efforts.
The posters will be used to promote the annual Century Sawmill Beauty Pageant on Saturday, March 27 at 10 a.m. at Carver/Century K-8 School. Registration forms are available at Whataburger in Century.
Pictured: (L-R) Century Sawmill Pageant Poster Contest winners Julia Thorpe, first place; Beni Joe Deron, second place; and Victoria Childers,third place. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Preschoolers Celebrate 100 Years Of Camp Fire USA
March 18, 2010
The preschoolers at the Camp Fire USA Child Development Center in Century kicked off their celebration of 100th birthday of the Camp Fire program on Wednesday. They formed the number “100″ (pictured above) and celebrated with birthday cupcakes (below). They also learned to count all the way to 100. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Area Students Attend Youth Tour In Tallahassee
March 17, 2010
Escambia River Electric Cooperative recently gave 14 juniors from the EREC service area in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties an opportunity to take part in a youth tour of the state capital.
The students traveled with EREC to Tallahassee to learn more about their state legislature and electric cooperatives. Participants included Allie Bryan, Taylor Fisher, Alexis Harris, Anna Hollingshead, Sarah Killam, A.J. Lambert, Sarah McLean, Nick McMellon, Courtney Penton, Justin Poley, Josh Scott, Ashley Stokes, Leely Trevino and Jami Wessel.
While in Tallahassee, the students toured the governor’s mansion and observed court in session in the Florida Supreme Court. The students participated in a mock session in the house chambers where various members of the House of Representatives addressed the group. In addition, the students enjoyed visiting the Challenger Museum and viewing the IMAX movie, Forces of Nature.
The Youth Tour program provides students an opportunity to learn more about their state government and electric cooperatives and also gives them a chance to interact with other students from co-ops throughout the state. It was a great educational experience and a lot of fun for the entire group, according to Sabrina Owens, EREC spokesperson.
Pictured above: Youth Tour participants on the steps of the capital and in front of the Florida Supreme Court. (Front, L-R) Leely Trevino, Alexis Harris, Sarah Killam, Allie Bryan, Sarah McLean, Courtney Penton and Jami Wessel. Back row: Anna Hollingshead, Ashley Stokes, Josh Scott, Nick McMellon, Justin Poley, A.J. Lambert and Taylor Fisher. Pictured inset: Sarah Killam plays the piano in the Governor’s Mansion. Pictured below: Jami Wessel, Courtney Penton and Sarah McLean participate in a mock session in the House of Representatives. Pictured bottom: EREC Youth Tour participants in Tallahassee. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
