Chief Robert Stewart Retires To Battle Cancer, Spend Time With ‘Little Man’
September 18, 2008
Robert Stewart has retired after 30 years of service as a volunteer fireman in Bratt and Walnut Hill, the last 15 of those years as chief of the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department. He retired to spend more time with his “Little Man” and to fight cancer.
Stewart answered his first fire call in 1967 after the formation of the Bratt Volunteer Fire Department. The Walnut Hill Ruritan Club founded the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department in 1964 and donated a truck to form the Bratt department three years later.
For 10 years, he served the Bratt community as a volunteer fireman until Bratt VFD’s truck finally “wore out”. Walnut Hill and the Atmore Fire Department began answering calls in the Bratt community in 1977.
He was out of a volunteer fire department for about 10 years, until he joined the Walnut Hill VFD in 1987. For 21 straight years, he served the Walnut Hill department. The last 15 of those years, he served as chief.
“1501 enroute”
March 9, 2001, was the beginning of what Stewart said was the most memorable call of his career.
The call was not far from Stewart’s house. It was a single vehicle accident, car versus a tree, on Highway 99 near Oakshade Road. When Stewart arrived, he and the other members of the WHVFD found a small sports car, literally cut in half, two pieces of car on the side of the highway. Inside, the passenger was not seriously injured.
But the driver, a 16 year old local girl, was gravely injured. Her leg was partial severed, a major artery cut. Her situation was worse than serious. In fact, she coded at least twice before arriving at the hospital. “Coded”, as in “code blue”, as in cardiac arrest. But Stewart and the rest of the emergency workers that day worked hard to get this young lady on LifeFlight.
In the end, she lost her leg, but she survived. Today, she’s a healthy 23 year old, recently happily married.
“I’ve been to a lot of bad wrecks,” Stewart said. “Sometime, people die. It’s always a good call when you can help someone that doesn’t die.”
But two words made this wreck different than many for the chief.
“Thank you.”
From death’s door, the young girl was able to return to tell Stewart and the rest of the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department “thank you”.
“Sometimes they come back to tell you ‘thank you’,” he said. “It makes you feel good, and you know your department has accomplished something, when they came back to thank you.”
There have been others to return to thank the department over the years. But Valerie Baker’s accident just sticks out in Stewart’s memory.
“The ‘thank you’ means a lot, especially when they came to the department and thank everyone,” he said. “It just means a lot.”
On Friday morning, NorthEscambia.com will introduce you to Valerie and take you back to the day that nearly claimed her life, and you’ll learn what she has to say about Robert Stewart and the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department.
“Not a Hero”
Chief Stewart doesn’t consider himself a hero. The Walnut Hill volunteers are team, he said, with everyone working together to help the community.
He was labeled a hero at least once. It was another wreck, this one on State Line Road. A car was upside down in a water-filled ditch with three children inside. Stewart was the first on the scene, responding from his nearby home.
“I managed to get the door open and got the three children out of the ditch,” he said. “Their mom called me a hero. I was just doing my job.”
Cat In Tree? Been there, done that. Twice.
It’s a scene that’s usually in a children’s program…the fireman rescues the cute little kitty cat from a tree. But in real life, it’s not exactly so pretty.
One cat-in-a-tree call was on Highway 97 several years ago. 1501 and his wife, Diann Stewart (a.k.a. 1503) responded to the call.
“She ran the ladder up the tree,” he said. “I knew what I was in for. I put on a bunker coat, and gloves before going up to the cat.”
“The ole cat just froze on the tree,” Stewart said with a chuckle. “I needed both hands to peel it off the tree. It stuck like Velcro on that tree. I had to keep peeling that ole cat off the tree.”
The second time Stewart responded to a cat-in-a-tree call, he was perhaps a bit smarter. He sent his son Sam Stewart, also a volunteer fireman, up the tree. This call was at the home of a local pastor. The pastor told them to drop the cat, and drop it Sam did. The can landed on a lower limb of the tree, uninjured.
Scary Stuff
“When my youngins were in school, I did not like it when you’d get a call in the direction they were suppose to be coming from,” he said. “You were always it afraid it was going to be one of yours.”
“When you live up here, you are kin to somebody,” he said. “You always care about who it is.”
A Time To Work, A Time To Play
Stewart was quick to thank all of those that have volunteered with the Walnut Hill VFD over the years. And he expressed his thanks to the other volunteer fire departments in the area the assisted Walnut Hill, as well the county deputies, state troopers and others he worked with for years.
The biggest thanks went to those Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department members, a group he said he always enjoyed being around.
“I had the best bunch of firemen in the county he said, “and when they were done working and got ready to play, I had the biggest bunch of youngins in the county.”
Time For Little Man
Stewart said his health and his “Little Man” led to his decision to retire. Little Man is his grandson, 14 month old Drew Kennedy, the son of Kelly and Jeff Kennedy.
When NorthEscambia.com sat down with Stewart for this interview, Little Man was in the floor with Nana (Diann), playing with a toy John Deere tractor. He was wearing fire truck pajamas.
“Do you want Papa’s chair” Stewart asked him. Over to the chair he ran, grinning ear to ear at his Papa.
“He loves fire trucks,” Stewart said. It runs in the family.
“It was just time for me to spend more time with Little Man,” he said.
Battling Cancer
“Little Man is good medicine for me,” Stewart says as he talks about battling cancer. “It’s a nice blessing to have him at all. He goes to Pensacola with me for my treatments.”
The cancer was another factor in his choice to retire.
“It you are going to be in charge, you have to keep up with what was going on,” he said. But the cancer treatments were making him very, very tired.
He started chemotherapy in 2006. “It just had me wore out,” he said. He thought he had been cured. But the cancer returned.
Daily IV treatments began again in 2007 and continued everyday until March of 2008. But it was necessary to being treatments again in July of this year.
“I just had a bad feeling about this knot on my head this time,” he said. Turns out it was malignant, and the battle is proving to be hard.
“1501 Completed Assignment”
“It’s hard not to answer a call,” he said. The fire department pager still goes off in the Stewart home, alerting them of emergency calls. Diann remains with the Walnut Hill VFD as an EMT. “After 20 years, it’s hard not to go help someone.”
“I just always tried to help.”
Pictured top: Retired Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department Chief Robert Stewart and his grandson Drew (“Little Man”) Kennedy watch from the sidelines at a recent accident on Pine Barren Road. Pictured above: Stewart at last year’s Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department fish fry. Pictured below: Stewart makes a call as “Little Man” watches an ambulance crew work. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Get About $70 Of Groceries, Including Steaks, For $30: No Strings Attached
September 14, 2008
As the cost of food continues to rise, there is a program available at a local church that can save more than half off the cost of groceries. And, perhaps best of all, everyone qualifies, no strings attached.
It’s called Angel Food Ministries, a program that provides food relief to more than a half million families a month across the nation.
It’s a simple concept…pay $30 for a box of food worth about $70. There are no applications; everyone qualifies. The process is simple too…just stop by the Allen Memorial United Methodist Church in Cantonment, pay the $30 and return on the designated pickup day to receive the box of food. They even accept food stamps.
And, for seniors, there’s a special box of food for just $25 that includes 10 full cooked, low sodium heat and eat meals.
Allen Memorial United Methodist Church has been the local host for the Angel Food Ministries program since October of 2006, according to their program director Katrina Williamson.
“It’s a great program,” Williamson said. “It can really help people out.”
Orders for September can be placed Monday from 10 until noon at the church at 206 Pace Parkway in Cantonment for a food delivery on September 27. The church accepts cash or food stamps.
The $30 September box of food includes 1.5 pounds of top sirloin steaks, two pounds of boneless chicken breasts, three pounds of breaded chicken chunks, a 1.5 pound pork fillet, a large supreme pizza, a pound of ground turkey, plus other items like french fries, several vegetables and desserts.
Specials are also available each month with the purchase of a regular box of food. For instance, this month, one special is 1.5 pounds of Kansas City strip steaks,, 1.5 pounds of ribeye steaks and two pounds of all beef hamburger for $20.
“Our food is “restaurant grade” meats, frozen vegetables, fruits, dairy products, etc. which we acquire through our involvement with only the best producers/vendors of high quality, “name brand” foods. Never “seconds” or “day old” type products are involved,” according to the Angel Food Ministries web site.
For more information about the program, call Allen Memorial United Methodist Church at 968-6213 or visit www.angelfoodministries.com. To visit the church and place an order…take Highway 20 south into Cantonment. Turn right at the red light onto Muskogee Road. Take the second right onto Pace Parkway.
Other churches in the North Escambia area that might be interested in hosting the Angel Food Ministries program can visit www.angelfoodministries.com for more information.
For a menu with complete information, click here.
A Heroes’ Lunch For 9/11
September 12, 2008
The crew on duty Thursday at the Century Volunteer Fire Department was treated to a pizza lunch on Patriot’s Day to honor them for their service. Pictured (L-R) are Nathan Berry, Lt. Greg Sims, Greg Therrell, Donald Merritt and Kyle Kraatz. The lunch was provided by an group of Century area citizens that wished to remain anonymous. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
North Escambia Residents Slowly Ordering DTV Coupons; HD News Here
September 8, 2008
Residents in the North Escambia area are slowly jumping on the bandwagon and ordered their free $40 coupons for the upcoming switch to digital television in February 2009. The deadline to switch to digital TV is fast approaching, and it became a bit closer last night when WEAR-TV 3 became the first in the market to product a high definition newscast.
In Century’s 32535 zip code, 649 coupons had been requested as of last week. That’s up from 189 coupons had been requested as of the first week of May.
In the McDavid/Walnut Hill 32568 zip, 587 coupons had been requested as of last week, up 215 the first week of May.
A total of 587 coupons had been requested in the Molino 32577 zip by the end of last week. There had been 244 requested by the first week of May in the Molino zip.
WEAR-TV 3 became the first station in the market to broadcast a newscast in high definition last night at 10:00 when they introduced their new set. It features a modern design, 30 high-def monitors and an anchor desk that can be rotated 180 degrees.
The government is handing out $40 coupons to anyone that asks to help purchase the converter box, but so far the number of people requesting the coupons in North Escambia is relatively low. Each person is allowed to request up to two coupons. The coupon supply is limited. When the coupon allotment is exhausted, those that have not requested coupons will not receive the $40 savings. The deadline to switch to digital TV is February 17. After that date, viewers on a regular analog TV will just see “snow”.
While those watching satellite or cable television, or those with digital tuner TV will not be required to connect a converter box in order to continue watching their favorite broadcast stations, a converter box would be required in order to watch TV when the satellite or cable system was not working.
If you do have cable or satellite television, having a DTV converter box may open up programs that you are unable to watch on local stations. WKRG channel 5 is currently running their weather radar 24 hours a day on their station 5-2. Channel 15, WPMI, is running a weather station “WeatherPlus” on station 15-2. If you like public television, a converter box will get you not only the normal public TV stations 23 and 42, but also five additonal public TV stations on the subchannels for WSRE and WEIQ. (Each digital station may have more than one channel. For instance, WSRE 23 on a normal analog TV become three stations…23-1, 23-2 and 23-3… with different programming on a digital box).
In to order a $40 converter box coupon from the government, visit dtv2009.org or call 1-888-DTV-2009. The boxes sell at retail from about $40 to $70.
Here is more information from the dtv2009 web site:
On February 17, 2009, all full-powered television stations will begin broadcasting only in digital, as required by law. To assist U.S. households with this historic transition, the National Telecommunication and Information Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, created the TV Converter Box Coupon Program to help Americans continue receiving over-the-air television after February 17, 2009.
Why is television going from analog broadcasting to digital?
The Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 requires broadcasters to broadcast only in digital after February 17, 2009. Digital television promises to provide a clearer picture and more programming options and will free up some of the nation’s airwaves for use by emergency responders.
What is the significance of the February 17, 2009 digital TV transition date?
If households receive television programs over-the-air using “rabbit ears” or a rooftop antenna, they must take action to continue using their analog TVs after February 17, 2009. Consumers have three options, which include 1) buying a converter box that will plug into their current analog TV, 2) buying a TV with a digital tuner or 3) connecting their analog TV to cable, satellite or other pay service.
How can the public obtain a $40 coupon toward purchasing an eligible converter box?
From now through March 31, 2009, all U.S. households are able to request, on a first-come, first-served basis, up to two, $40 coupons to help pay for the cost of a certified converter box. Converter boxes are expected to cost between $40 and $70, however, it is a one-time cost with no monthly service charges. Coupons will expire 90 days after they are mailed and cannot be replaced.
For more information about the TV Converter Box Coupon Program, or to apply for coupons, visit www.DTV2009.gov or call toll free 1-888-388-2009 (1-888-DTV-2009). The hearing impaired may call the TTY number 1-877-530-2634 for information in English, and for information in Spanish, consumers can call TTY number 1-866-495-1161. Consumers can also request and submit a coupon application by mailing PO Box 2000, Portland, OR 97208 or by faxing 1-877-DTV-4ME2 (1-877-388-4632).
Where can the public buy a coupon-eligible converter?
Coupon-eligible converter boxes are only available at certified stores and online retailers where televisions and other consumer electronics are sold, as well as by mail-order. When the coupon is mailed to you, it will include an insert with a list of nearby, participating retailers. You can also go online at www.DTV2009.gov, enter your zip code, and locate participating retailers on a map.
What can the public do to plan for the transition?
Now is the time to identify whether any TV in your home is analog and receives over-the-air programming through “rabbit ears” or a rooftop antenna. Television viewers with these sets that are not connected to a pay TV service will need to take action before February 17, 2009, to ensure their TV sets continue to work. It is important to know your options and make sure your family, friends and neighbors are aware of whether they need to take action before the transition date. The important thing is that no one is left in the dark on February 17, 2009.
Gorgeous Grandma Day
September 8, 2008
Some of the most beautiful women in North Escambia posed for “glamour shots” recently in Century.
The Century Care Center recently held Gorgeous Grandma Day. The ladies of CCC received the full treatment, from hair to makeup and wardrobe, before posing for their photographs.
To see more photos of the ladies that participated in the event, click here.
Remember What? Ray’s Chapel Youth Hold Back To School Bash
September 7, 2008
The youth at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church held a Youth Back to School Fellowship Saturday night.
The church begins a new church year today, and grades six to college got together last night to kick off the new church year.
The youth played volleyball, raced tricycles and ate. Bro. Nathan Brown, pastor at Ray’s Chapel, gave a devotion with the theme “Remember”, and each youth received a tshirt with the word “Remember”. When someone asks them “Remember what?”, they learned to say “Remember Jesus loves you and has a special plan for your life”.
Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church is located in the Bogia community.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
Have an event at your church? Let us know about it by emailing news@northescambia.com
Pictured above: Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church youth held a back to school bash Saturday night. Pictured below: They also had a little three-wheel-action on tricycles. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com.
“B” Is For “Benny’s Bar-B-Q”; Chamber Honors Carver/Century School For Recent Gains
September 4, 2008
The letter “B” was for “Benny’s Bar-B-Q” Wednesday at Carver/Century K-8 School as the faculty and staff were honored for their part in improving the school’s state grade.
The Century Chamber of Commerce provided the lunch for the entire staff at Carver/Century to thank them for their hard work in taking the school from an “F” school to a “B” rated school in just one year.
“Principal Jeff Garthwaite, teachers and staff of Carver Century K-8 Elementary School in recognition of their hard work and dedication to bring our school from and “F” to a “B” in just one year. ‘Thank you’ from the entire community of Century,” a certificate presented to Carver/Century Principal Jeff Garthwaite said.
The faculty and staff enjoyed barbecue pork sandwiches, baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw and cake, all served up by a smiling and grateful Benny Barnes, president of the Century Chamber of Commerce. Sporting a red “Benny’s Bar-B-Q” apron, he piled barbecue high on each sandwich while offering up words of praise to each faculty member for their part in the school’s improvement.
Several community leaders were also on hand for the event sponsored by the Century Chamber of Commerce. Two local businesses also helped out with the event…Whataburger in Century donated buns, and Century’s Piggly Wiggly provided the cake.
Pictured above: Century Chamber President Benny Barnes, in the red “Benny’s Bar-B-Q” apron, serves up smoked pork Wednesday to Carver/Century K-8 staff and faculty. Pictured below: Century Mayor Freddie McCall, Carver/Century Principal Jeff Garthwaite and Barnes with a certificate presented to Carver/Century honored them for their work in improving from a “F” to a “B” school. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Abandoned Boat Found On River
September 4, 2008
This boat was found abandoned at Fischer’s Landing on the Escambia River near Century Wednesday morning. Authorities were unable to locate the owner of the Bayliner boat. We though the boat made an interesting, almost artsy, black and white picture that we’d share with you. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Holds Open House, Shows Off New Media Center
August 29, 2008
Bratt Elementary showed off a new media center Thursday night.
The annual open house was held at Bratt Elementary School. Parents and guardians joined their children to meet teachers and tour the facilities.
The highlight of the tour for many was the new school’s new Media Center. The modern building includes a library, a computer center, a closed circuit television studio and more.
Carver/Century K-8 School will hold Open House Thursday, September 11 at 6:00 at the school.
Molino Park Elementary School will hold Open House Thursday, September 11 at 6:30 at the school. Molino Park will hold a PTA board meeting on September 4 at 5:00 in the afternoon at the school.
Byrneville Elementary will hold Open House on Thursday, September 4 at 6:00 following a 5:30 PTO meeting.
For a photo gallery from open house at Bratt Elementary School and the school’s new media center, click here.
Pictured above: Students and parents tour the new media center at Bratt Elementary School Thursday evening during the school’s open house. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Ray’s Chapel Member Deploys To Iraq
August 26, 2008
A member of Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church in Bogia left Sunday for training before being deployed to Kuwait or Iraq.
US Air Force Sgt. John Weaver departed Sunday for specialized training at Camp Bullis, Texas. He will be at Camp Bullis for six weeks before being deployed overseas for at least six months.
Sgt. Weaver is originally from Jay and currently lives in Pensacola with his wife Lisa and three girls, Krista 12, Randi, 10, and Starla, 7. He is stationed at Hurlbert Field.
He and his family are very active and faithful members of Ray’s Chapel, they make the drive several times a week to the church.
The church held a social in his honor to have extra fellowship with him before deployment. Church members made special items for John’s troop of nine members, such as inspirational bracelets and note pads. The church will continue in their support of Sgt. Weaver and his family with prayers and care boxes in the months to come.
Pictured top: Starla, Lisa, John, Randi and Krista Weaver. Pictured middle: Sgt. Weaver presents the flag during a service at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church. Pictured below: A church social at Ray’s Chapel in honor of Sgt. Weaver. Submitted photos by Ramona Preston for NorthEscambia.com.
Ramona Preston contributed to this article.
