Atmore Family Named As Alabama’s Young Farm Family Of The Year
December 9, 2009
Gaylan and Angie Shelly of Atmore were chosen as the 2009 Outstanding Young Farm Family during the Alabama Farmers Federation’s 88th annual meeting Monday night in Mobile.
The Shellys, who have five children and nearly 2,400 acres of row crops, were selected to compete for the award after being named the Outstanding Young Farm Family in the Cotton Division earlier this year.
The Shellys have a diversified farm that includes cotton, corn, soybeans and wheat – some of which is located in North Escambia. They increased their profit margin over the last couple years by adding grain storage facilities and a trucking business, Gaylan said.
”We built the grain storage bins so we could have more control over when we sold our grain,” Gaylan said. “Then the trucking made sense to me because it always seemed like I was waiting on a truck when my grain needed hauling.”
Gaylan said selling corn to poultry feed companies has allowed him to receive additional money for his corn. “It allows me to cut out the middle man when I sell my corn directly to the end user,” he said. “They’re happy with my corn, and I get more money for my corn. That makes me happy.”
As the 2009 Outstanding Young Farm Family, the Shellys will participate in many activities promoting Alabama agriculture during the coming year.
The Shellys will represent Alabama at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Meeting in Seattle, Wash., Jan. 10-13, and will receive the use of a 2010 Dodge Journey, $500 cash from Dodge, a John Deere Gator courtesy of the Federal Land Bank of Alabama, a new computer package from ValCom Wireless/CCS Technology Centers located in Abbeville and Dothan, Ala., and several other prizes.
Gaylan, 35, grew up in a farm family in Escambia County. He still farms with his dad, Arlan, and although they aren’t partners, Gaylan said they share equipment and often help each other on their respective farms.
Both Gaylan and Angie said they like their children growing up on a family farm. Angie, 32, home schools the older children and is president of the local home school association. She said she particularly likes cotton harvest time when the weather is cooler and the children can play in the cotton.
For Gaylan, any time he can spend with his family is special, but admits with five children, they have to take turns going to work with him in the fields. “I guess my favorite time of year on the farm is when I spray the crops,” he said. “That’s the time of year I can look over everything and really see how the crops are doing.”
This past year, the entire family got into the farming business. The corn planter skipped a large area in the middle of a field, and Gaylan said it would have been a shame to waste the fertilizer that already had been applied.
“So the kids planted watermelons,” Angie said. “It was a great experience for them and for all of us really. They ended up with lots of watermelons. We took them to the farmers market and the kids sold lots of them. They sold some in the front yard where they had homemade signs. They were pretty good salesmen really, and they’re already planning to do it again next year.”
Gaylan said he wasn’t surprised by how much the children liked the experience of growing and selling their own crop. “They’ve already got farming in their blood,” he said with a smile.
Alabama Farmers Federation Young Farmers Director Brandon Moore said the awards program seeks to honor families like the Shellys, not just for what they are doing, but also for the inspiration they provide other farmers around the state.
“The Shellys exemplify all that is good about agriculture,” Moore said. “They not only run their farm well, but truly are examples of how farming is more than just a job, it is a wonderful way of life.”
Pictured: Alabama Farmers Federation President Jerry A. Newby presents the Outstanding Young Farm Family Award to the Shelly family of Atmore in Escambia County. The Shellys were awarded a new John Deere Gator by the Federal Land Bank Association of Alabama. From left are, Newby, the Shelly family (Gaylan Shelly with Breah, Drew, Kaleigh, Angie, Alana and Valen) and sponsors Doug Thiessen and Ben Gore of the Federal Land Bank of South Alabama. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Your Help Needed: Christmas Care Packages For Troops In Iraq
December 9, 2009
A Molino woman is asking the North Escambia community to help her send Christmas care packages to American troops serving in Iraq.
Katie Hilburn’s fiancee, Spc. Ben Piatt, also of Molino, is two months into his tour of duty as a combat engineer in northern Iraq. He is schedule to be in Iraq until October of next year.
After hearing about the soldiers’ needs, Hilburn decided to send the care packges to Piatt’s unit in Iraq during the Christmas season.
“There are a lot of soldiers who don’t have family or have anyone to send them stuff, and I want to make sure that they do get stuff this year,” Hilburn, 20, said. “I am asking the community to go to Cole’s Barbershop and donate supplies.”
The supplies will be collected at Cole’s until Monday, December 14. 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
Mens liquid body soap
Shampoo
Baby wipes
Q-tips
Shaving cream
Razors
Foot powder
Chap stick
Food
Ramen noodles (in the cup)
Beef jerky
Cereal bars
Peanuts
Cookies
Candy bars
Crystal Light (peach tea, lemon tea)
Popcorn (microwavable)
Saltine crackers
Peanut butter
Fruit cups
Macaroni and cheese (in a cup)
Miscellaneous
Playing cards
DVD’s
Magazine’s (hunting, fishing, guns, sports)
Games
International phone cards
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.
Northview Names Senior Hall Of Fame Members
December 7, 2009
Five Northview High School seniors have been named to the school’s hall of fame.
Named to the Northview High School Senior Hall of Fame from the class of 2010 were: Jessica Bloodsworth, Micah Byars, Kaitlyn Caraway, Clint Davis and Dakota Stuckey.
Seniors who show excellence in academics and are leaders in the school and their communities are chosen for the Senior Hall of Fame by the Northview faculty and staff. They are chosen because they embody the true spirit and character of a Northview Chief.
Pictured: New members of the Northview Senior Hall of Fame (top L-R) Jessica Bloodsworth, Micah Byars, Kaitlyn Caraway, (below, L-R) Clint Davis and Dakota Stuckey. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Thousands Attend Atmore Christmas Parade (With Photo Gallery)
December 6, 2009
Thousands attended the annual Atmore Twilight Christmas Parade Saturday evening, including a jolly old elf.
Bands from Northview High, Escambia County High, J.U. Blacksher High, Flomaton High and Ernest Ward Middle schools took part in the parade, as did hundreds of other participants. With the parade theme “A Broadway Christmas”, most centered around a Broadway play or musical. The Greater Escambia Council of the Arts served as grand marshals for the parade.
Pictured above: The Northview High School cheerleaders perform in downtown Atmore during the town’s annual Christmas Parade Saturday night. Pictured inset: The Doug Snider Roofing float depicts Snoopy and the Red Baron. Pictured below: The Greater Escambia Council of the Arts float. GECA served as the parade’s grand marshal. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Celebrates With Annual Christmas Parade (With Photo Gallery)
December 6, 2009
Hundreds of people attended the annual Molino Christmas Parade Saturday afternoon. The parade featured a variety of floats and other entries, including “Elvis”. All proceeds from the parade will benefit needy children in the Molino community.
For a complete NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the Molino Christmas Parade, click here.
Pictured above and below: Scenes from Saturday afternoon’s Molino Christmas Parade. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tis The Season: Flomaton Holds Christmas Parade (With Photo Gallery)
December 6, 2009
Hundreds of people braved a cold wind Saturday morning for the annual Flomaton Christmas Parade.
The Flomaton High School band, several floats, multiple twirl groups, local fire departments and more took part in the parade with ended with a special guest direct from the North Pole — Santa Claus.
For a complete NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the Flomaton Christmas Parade, click here.
Pictured top: The Flomaton Christmas Parade featured several floats and lots of candy. Pictured inset: Santa Claus made a special appearance in the Flomaton parade Saturday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Poarch Creek Christmas Parade Winners Named
December 5, 2009
Float winners have been named from Friday night’s Poarch Creek Indian Christmas Parade. First place went to the Creek Indian Enterprise Development Authority (CIEDA) for “Snoopy ” (above). Second place was awarded to the Housing Authority for their float “Beauty and the Beast” (below). Third place was awarded to the Public Works/Utilities Authority for “Peter Pan” (below middle) and the Poarch Creek Fire Department received honorable mention for their float “Lil’ Abner” (below bottom). Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Byrneville Elementary Holds Annual Christmas Carnival
December 5, 2009
Byrneville Elementary School held its Christmas Carnival Friday night at the school.
The annual event, sponsored by the school’s P.T.O., featured a special guest from the North Pole. Santa Claus was on hand for photos and Christmas wish lists.
The carnival also included a host of games, including a ring toss, cake walk, football toss and more. The evening’s festivities ended with a gift basket auction, with proceeds going to the P.T.O.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the Byrneville Elementary Christmas Carnival, click here.
Pictured above: Hailey Smith (left), 4, presented her written Christmas wish list to Santa Claus Friday night at Byrneville Elementary School. Her sister, Ciara Smith, 7, looks on as Santa reads the list. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
A Christmas Wish: A Cure For Olivia
December 4, 2009
The Bush family’s Christmas wish is simple — 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 weighed only one pound six ounces. She stayed in the NICU 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.
The current-day chapter Olivia’s story is perhaps best told by her mother, Amber Bush:
“Olivia is now 6 years old. She is blind and can only see light with her left eye. She has a shunt to drain fluid off of her brain, and has frequent seizures.
“Our little miracle girl started first grade this year and loves to go to school. She is spoiled rotten by everyone she meets and has her daddy wrapped around her little finger. She loves to rock and spin and everything needs to be fast. Roller coasters, throw up rides, and bumps are her friends. Olivia doesn’t meet a stranger. She has the greatest smile and laugh and always brightens our day. She is such an inspiration to everyone she meets, and she has come such a long way. Her favorite song is the BIBLE and she tells everyone to sing it to her.
“After enduring the NICU, she came home on oxygen and a heart monitor, and doctor after doctor. Then started the therapy. She is still in physical, occupational, speech, vision, and mobility therapy.”
Now, Olivia is heading to Miami Children’s Hospital. She will she the same doctor that cured the seizures of her cousin, Northview High student Nathan Therrell. NorthEscambia.com introduced our readers to Nate in November of 2008 when he was on the sidelines as Northview’s waterboy. After undergoing surgery at Miami Children’s Hospital, Nathan played in Northview’s Garnet and Gold Game in May of 2009, void of seizures. (Read about Nathan here.)
Olivia will be in Miami Children’s Hospital December 14-16 for a battery of tests that her parents hope will end with a successful treatment plan. It’s their Christmas wish.
“Pray for guidance in this matter and that the seizures will subside,” mom Amber said. “Please pray for Olivia. She has come such a long way, and we are so thankful. God has truly blessed us with a living angel and we are very grateful.”
A successful benefit car wash for Olivia Bush was held in Century on Saturday, December 5.
Pictured top: Tad, Olivia, Simon and Amber Bush. Pictured top inset: Olivia was just one pound six ounces when she was born at 22 weeks. Pictured bottom inset: Olivia Bush at six-years old. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Teen Attends Global Youth Forum
December 4, 2009
A Century teen recently attended the Global Youth Forum in Washington, D.C.
Charles Houston, a resident of Century and a student at West Florida High School, attended People to People International’s eighth annual Global Youth Forum. Houston was one of more than 200 students ages 13-18 who took part in the forum, which was devoted to the theme “Global Sustainability: It’s All Connected”.
GYF delegates are committed to PTPI’s mission of promoting international understanding and friendship among the world’s people, and arrived prepared to learn how they can work together with peers from around the world to create a better, brighter and greener future. During the course of five days, delegates worked through a curriculum that broadened their understanding of sustainability, learning how our choices as consumers have a global impact.
A variety of speakers joined the delegates to share their expertise. Andrew Revkin, an environmental journalist for The New York Times, discussed what he has learned from his years traveling the globe to research how the way we live affects our climate. Simran Sethi, named “one of the top ten eco-heroes of the planet” by the UK’s Independent, asked the students to think about ways in which they can reduce.
Dr. Mathis Wackernagel, executive director of the Global Footprint Network, stressed the need to remember that there is only one planet earth. He explained the depletion of natural resources and went on to introduce the “Ecological Footprint”, a balance sheet that compares how much nature we have to how much nature we use. Each speaker reminded the students that no matter their career paths, they can contribute to a sustainable future.
“The guest speakers were amazing, each of them presented different ways we are affecting the globe and how we can work together effectively make sure the Earth will be sustainable for generations to come.” Houston said.
Additional conference activities included a presentation by the Anacostia Watershed Society, a nonprofit dedicated to restoring the Anacostia River, a scavenger hunt through the National Mall and several Smithsonian museums, lunch with “George Washington” at the Hard Rock Café and a trip to the recently opened Newseum.
Seven students contributed additional worldviews to the forum during the International Student Panel session. Panel members hailed from Peru, Macedonia, Jordan, Israel, Bulgaria, Colombia and South Africa. They spoke about their lives and the culture and customs of their countries before participating in a question and answer session with GYF delegates.
“GYF was an amazing experience that I am never going to forget, I never thought that I would have a roommate from Bulgaria or even enjoy breakfast with Mary Jean Eisenhower. The lessons that I learned from GYF are lessons I will keep for a lifetime. I am hoping that I will be able to raise enough money to go to Peru this summer with PTPI to attend what was known as the Global Humanitarian Youth Forum, now called Experience: PERU! In July.”
If you are interested in helping Charles Houston of Century attend the forum in Peru this summer, email us here at news@northescambia.com and we will put you in touch with him.
Pictured top: Charles Houston of Century (third from left) with Mary Jean Eisenhower (second from left), President & CEO of People to People International and granddaughter of PTPI founder and former U.S. President, Dwight D. Eisenhower. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.