Ernest Ward High School Class of 1967 Holds Reunion
June 22, 2008
The Ernest Ward High School class of 1967 held their 41st reunion Saturday at the old Davisville School.
When the class was in seventh grade, 19 students from Davisville joined the class of 35 students. In tenth grade, another 26 students were transferred into the class from Bratt School for a total of 80 students. By the time the class reached its senior year at Ernest Ward, only 44 students remained in the graduating class.
Twenty of those were present at the Saturday reunion, some from places like Colorado, South Dakota, the Carolinas and Michigan. Members of the class include a Pensacola pastor, a Miami area judge, firefighters, homemakers and more.
Pictured below, front row (L-R): Sylvia Barlow Elkins, Katie Norris Darby, Kay Beasley Mooney, June Dortch Valenzuela, Brenda Priest Ekstrom, Suzanne Milstead Rigby, Melba Hollingsworth Cook, Gloria Beasley Gilman, Betty Smith Singleton and Marjorie Gillman Criswell. Back row (L-R): Roy Ward, Terry Harris, Floyd Mooney, John Stacey, Duane Dortch, Leroy Smith, Harold McGhee, Robert Stewart, Thomas A Gibbs and Tony Andress. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Pictured bottom of page: Class member Robert Stewart (right) and his wife Diann enjoy the reunion. Pictured above: Members of the Ernest Ward Class of 67 reminisce while looking at old yearbook photos. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
End Of Era At Cooper’s Store In Bratt As Gas Pumps Are Removed
June 20, 2008
It was the end of an era Thursday at Cooper’s Store in Bratt as the store’s gas pumps and tanks were removed.
When Lawrence Cooper purchased the store 52 years ago, gas was selling for 10 cents per gallon, his son Marion Cooper told NorthEscambia.com Thursday. Now, even though gas in selling for around $4 a gallon, the profit per gallon for the store was still only about 10 cents per gallon.
He said the state mandated that the aging underground storage tanks had to be dug up. He said replacing the tanks would have cost about $30,000 to $40,000…more than the store would profit by selling gas.
Cooper said the store was recently averaging about 500 to 600 gallons of gas sold per week. “We just don’t sell enough to justify replacing the tanks,” he said.
He predicted that more and more small stores like Cooper’s would be getting out of the gas business in the coming years due to the expense of meeting strict state regulations. He said that regulations are tough and expensive on small stores, pointing out that a state inspector was outside the store supervising the tank removal.
“The independents will be gone in a few years, and the big companies will control the gas market,” Cooper said.
Pictured above: The gas tanks and pumps have been removed at Cooper’s Store in Bratt. Pictured below: A state inspector outside the store tracks the progress of the tank removal project Thursday afternoon on his laptop. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
One Room Log Walnut Hill School House Wins Major Historic Preservation Award
June 16, 2008
The Florida Trust for Historic Preservation recently honored the restoration project of the old Walnut Hill School House.
During the Trust’s 2008 Preservation Awards ceremony, the Walnut Hill School House project was awarded Outstanding Achievement in the Restoration/Rehabilitation Awards category. The award was accepted by Escambia County and the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club.
The log school, believed to have been built sometime around or just before 1880, was flattened by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. It was restored under the leadership of Quina Grundhoefer Architects in Pensacola with funding from FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The restoration used mostly the original logs, reassembling them like a giant jigsaw puzzle.
Each year, the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation recognizes significant contributions to the preservation of Florida’s historic resources through the annual Preservation Awards.
According to information posted inside the one room schoolhouse, the exact construction date of the building is unknown because school district records prior to 1880 could not be located. Financial records for the Escambia County School District indicate that William “Uncle Bud” Williams received $40 in April 1880 for “building a new school” and the school received a new heater at the cost of $10 in 1881.
A small shed had been constructed along the railroad about 10 miles north in Alabama several years prior for Williams. The settlement was named Williams Station in honor of Williams in 1866. That community was later renamed Atmore.
The school was originally located near the corner of the present day intersection of Arthur Brown Road and Highway 97. It was moved to its current location on Highway 97 after the construction of the Walnut Hill Community Center, also known as the Walnut Hill Ruritan Building, in the late 1990’s.
When the building was restored, a wheelchair ramp was added in accordance with law. A glassed in area just inside the door will allow visiting school children to view the interior of the building.
The Ruritan Club has placed a period wood burning heater in the building and a single student desk. The club plans to fully restore the interior of the building as a history museum, complete with a teacher’s desk and students desks. There is currently one student desk in the building. The Ruritan Club is in search of more desks like the one pictured at the bottom of the page to complete their collection. If you know where to locate desks like these, email us here at news@northescambia.com and we will put you in touch with the right people.
Pictured above: The exterior of the restored Walnut Hill School House. Pictured below: The interior of the log school house and a period desk. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Pastor Attends Southern Baptist Convention; Escambia Pastor Nominates New President
June 15, 2008
A local pastor was among the 7,000 gathered at the Southern Baptist Convention in Indianapolis, where the man nominated by another Escambia County preacher was named president of the 16 million member group.
Brian Calhoun, pastor of Highland Baptist Church in Molino traveled to Indianapolis this past week for both the actual Southern Baptist Convention and the preceding Southern Baptist 2008 Pastor’s Conference.
“The convention itself was great,” Calhoun said. “I enjoyed the spirit of the convention…the spirit of brotherly love and concern.”
Calhoun said he was pleased in the election of Johnny Hunt, pastor of First Baptist Church in Woodstock, Georgia, as president of the convention on the first ballot. Hunt was nominated at the convention by Ted Traylor pastor of Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola.
“Pray for him. He has a big task before him. Our Convention needs renewal. Johnny is just the man to point us in the right direction,” Traylor wrote Friday on his blog.
“I pray that these next two years will be exciting times as we turn the tide and begin once again to grow and to reach our neighbors and our nations for His glory and for the expansion of His glorious Kingdom,” Hunt told messengers the day after his election.
He said, “We’ve been declining as a denomination. You can’t turn something around until you stop the tide in the direction it’s going.”
Statistics show that in 2007 Southern Baptists baptized the fewest number of people in two decades.
At the convention, the North American Mission Board unveiled an ambitious National Evangelism Initiative — named God’s Plan for Sharing (GPS) — with the goal of having “every believer sharing” the Gospel and “every person hearing” by 2020.
“I believe it is a good program,” Calhoun said. “Everything that comes out of the Convention is good, but it is not always something that every church benefits from. What works in Southern California might not work in Molino, and vice versa. But this sounds like a good program.”
“As I have been around the country and around the world, the laypeople I have talked with are ready to get out and do something for Christ,” former SBC President Frank Page said. “And I think given the proper motivation and direction, they’ll do it.”
Growth in the Southern Baptist Convention will come from cooperation among Southern Baptist churches, Traylor said.
“Southern Baptists are not easily understood by those outside our Convention. We are often called a denomination and I understand that. However, in the true sense of the matter we are a Convention of churches coming together to cooperate in Gospel ministry. Only when we trust one another and cooperate does the Convention work,” he said. “When the people of a local church decide to cooperate with people from other churches we are then able to join forces and do more together than we can ever do apart.”
“I am proud to be a part of the Southern Baptist Convention. It is now time to go to work. We have a world to touch in Jesus’ name,” Traylor said.
Pictured top: Brian Calhoun, pastor of Highland Baptist Church in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge. Second picture: New Southern Baptist Convention President Johnny Hunt (left) and Pastor Ted Traylor of Olvie Baptist Church in Molino. TedTraylor.com photo, click to enlarge.
An “A-maize-ing” Adventure Awaits With Bratt Cornfield Maze
June 13, 2008
Perhaps the most “a-maize-ing” entertainment in the North Escambia area is in Bratt, and it is a challenge that few can meet. It’s just plain “cornfusing”.
“Bratt’s A-maize-ing” cornfield maze is once again open on Highway 4 near Bratt. It is an elaborate maze cut into a six acre cornfield.
So far this season, no one has successfully found their way through the maze, said maze owner Colvin Davis. He and his wife Lavelle have operated the maze for each of the past seven years.
“Some people get really determined to make it through,” Colvin said. “But sometimes I have to go in and get them.”
“I had one lady that came three nights in a row that was really determined to get all the way through without cheating,” he said. “But I had to go in and get her.”
Colvin said he can navigate the maze in about 30 minutes. The fastest folks that have managed to find their way out in years past take about an hour.
The idea for the corn maze became a reality seven years ago when Colvin finally decided “there must be some way to make some money rather than selling corn for $2 a bushel.”
The a-maize-ing idea came from an article Colvin had read in the early 1990’s in Progressive Farmer magazine.
“My son laughed himself nearly to death when I told him what I had decided to do,” Colvin said.
The maze begins with a sketch on graph paper. The corn is planted, and the maze is cut with a small tractor and by hand with a hoe. The letters A, B, C and D mark the correct path’s progression through the maze, but many never find their way past A, he said.
“It’s real rewarding. It’s something for me to do, have a good time and make a little profit,” he said.
Many of the maze visitors are from church groups. The largest church group so far to tour the maze at one time was 132.
In addition to the maze, Colvin offers a free hayride to maze visitors. And he sells other corn goodies like corn dogs, corn chips, popcorn, moonpies and cold drinks.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Bratt’s A-maize-ing Cornfield is located at in Bratt. That’s about a mile and a half east of Highway 97. It is open from 5:00 until 10:00 p.m. (bring your own flashlight!) Thursday, Friday and Saturday. It is open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights for groups by appointment. Admission is $5 for adults. Children under five are free with an adult admission. For more information, call 327-6372.
And if you are looking at the aerial picture on this page thinking you could use one to find your way through the maze…”good luck” says Colvin. He’s had people use the pictures and even GPS units to try to find their way through. But so far, that’s not helped anyone conquer Bratt’s A-maize-ing Cornfield.
Pictured above: An aerial photos of the cornfield maze. Pictured middle: The had to find “exit” to the maze. Pictured below: Colvin Davis at the entrance to Bratt’s “A-maize-ing” Cornfield. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Aztec Dancer Visits Library
June 11, 2008
Aztec dancer John Jaramillo kicked off the Century Branch Library’s summer reading program Tuesday afternoon. He performed traditional Aztec dances from Mexico.
Jaramillo has performed regionally, nationally and internationally since 1983. His Pueblo Indian Native American heritage inspired his concept for Old Man Kokopeli – a masked theatre and puppetry production that was featured as part of the famed NYC International Fringe Festival in 1997.
Jaramillo has performed at the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian in New York City, Popejoy Center for the Arts at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, The Circle (theatre) at the American Indian Community House in New York City, Historic Christ Church in Philadelphia, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque and the Institute of American Indian Art Museum in Santa Fe.
For a complete photo gallery, click here.
VBS At First Baptist Bratt , Walnut Hill Mennonite, Other Churches
June 10, 2008
Vacation Bible School is underway at several area churches.
The First Baptist Church of Bratt will hold “Outrigger Island” Vacation Bible School from 8:30 until 11:30 each morning this week. There will be crafts, recreation, cool music, yummy snacks and lots of fun for ages three to those that just completed the sixth grade. The church is located on Highway 4 between North Highway 99 and Northview High School.
On Monday, dozens joined in the the “Worship Rally” to kickoff Bratt’s VBS. Then the students spread out across the church for their classes, crafts, snacks, recreation, music and more.
The second week of Vacation Bible School will continue at the Walnut Hill Mennonite Church from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m for ages five to tenth grade. For more information, contact Eric Koehn at 327-6180, Brian Decker at 327-9596 or Kerry Boeckner at 327-4708. Everyone is welcome. The church is located at the intersection of Highway 97 and North Highway 99.
The First Assembly of God Church in Atmore will hold hold Vacation Bible School each day this week from 8:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. “God’s Big Backyard” is for age two through the sixth grade. For more information, call (251) 368-4637.
For a photo gallery from VBS Monday morning at the First Baptist Church of Bratt, click here.
Pictured above and below: VBS “Outrigger Island” at First Baptist Church of Bratt Monday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Coach Scores $10,000 For School’s P.E. Program From Governor
June 4, 2008
Byrneville Elementary School has scored an extra ten grand for its P.E. department compliments of the governor.
James “Coach Mac” McDaniel, Byrneville’s physical education teacher, received a $10,000 check from Governor Charlie Crist as part of the Governor’s Fitness Challenge. The money will be used to purchase new P.E. equipment for the charter school.
Coach Mac had 100 percent participation in this year’s fitness challenge at Byrneville, and he was one of just four P.E. teachers in the state to receive the $10,000 award from the governor’s office. A total of about 300 schools, including three in Escambia County, participated in the Governor’s Fitness Challenge.
“We are ecstatic at that thought of getting more equipment to motivate these students to achieve their best physically,” Coach Mac said. “We love them and always want to do what is best for them.”
Byrneville Principal Mrs. Dee Wolfe-Sullivan is a huge supporter of physical fitness. Since becoming principal at Byrneville, she has made P.E. a daily activity for students. She also encourages wellness in students and staff, including offering Jazzercise for school staff. She has even done Jazzercise routines with the students.
Coach Mac, who also is a huge supporter of staying fit and well, encourages students to commit to exercising and tries to motivate them daily.
He received the check from Gov. Crist at the signing ceremony for Senate Bill 610 expanding physical education at the elementary and middle school levels at all Florida schools.
Proposed by Senator Lee Constantine and co-sponsored by Representative Chris Dorworth, Senate Bill 610 requires middle schools to offer students in grades six through eight one class period per day of physical education for one semester, beginning in the 2009-10 school year. Additionally, the bill expands current requirements to include physical education for students in grade six who are enrolled in a school with one or more elementary grades (K-5). These elementary students must participate in at least 30 consecutive minutes of physical activity per day.
“This legislation demonstrates Florida’s commitment to fostering healthy lifestyles in every young Floridian at an early age,” Gov. Crist said. “By emphasizing the importance of physical fitness, we can teach these students how to make smart choices about exercise that will improve their health throughout their lives.”
The Governor’s Fitness Challenge was an eight-week program that provided guidance and incentives to schools in helping boost physical fitness for children.
Pictured above: Byrneville Elementary School’s James “Coach Mac” McDaniel receiving $10,000 check from Florida Governor Charlie Crist. Pictured below: Byrneville Principal Dee Wolfe-Sullivan and James “Coach Mac” McDaniel with a $10,000 check for P.E. equipment from the governor.
Nursing Home Throws Birthday Party
June 4, 2008
Century Care Center recently held a birthday party for all their residents recently.
Residents enjoyed a birthday party complete with cake, gifts and songs from the Gospel Lighthouse Academy. Several residents and volunteers were also recognized for their contributions at Century Care Center.
The “Sew ‘N So” club (pictured below) was honored for its contributions to the residents. They hand make activity pillows for the the residents to encourage tactile stimulation. They also make bags for the wheelchairs and walkers.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Carver/Century Class of 2008 Graduates Amid Uncertain Future For School
May 30, 2008
The eighth grade students at Carver/Century K-8 School graduated with a bit of uncertainty Thursday night, not knowing if they would be the last class ever to complete middle school at Carver/Century.
“We are going through some hard times right now,” Century Mayor Freddie McCall said about the fight to keep the school open. The Escambia County School Board has discussed closing the school, possibly as early as this fall.
” You can continue to support this school,” McCall told the graduates as he encouraged them to help invited back students that have left Carver/Century for other schools.
McCall, a 1959 graduate of Century High School, also offered the students words of encouragement as they move forward from Carver/Century.
“The groundwork has been laid in this school,” the mayor said, “and you can succeed in whatever you make up your mind to do.”
“We are the graduating class of 2008 from Carver/Century,” honor student Melanie Foust told her fellow students with pride as she reminded them of the good times they have had as Blackcats. “All of my teachers have taught me things that I’ll use for years to come.”
Assistant Principal Andy Gott presented a picture of Student of the Year Logan Brown to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Brown. “They were going to take him out (of Carver/Century) and put him in another school, but they didn’t,” Gott said.
Carver/Century Principal Jeff Garthwaite was unable to attend Thursday night’s eight grade graduation because he was attending his own daughter’s high school graduation,” Gott said.
Click here for a complete NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the graduation.
The Carver/Century Middle School Class of 2008 includes:
- Marquita Allen
- Logan Brown
- Shantia Brown
- Sim Brown
- Mariah Burt
- Na’Keetric Davison
- Andrew Farrow
- Melanie Foust
- Ann Galvan
- Brandon Harigel
- Jessica Hedgepeth
- Talisa Jackson
- Cory King
- Sean Knight
- Montaio Mitchell
- Talisa Presley
- Jacob Sims
- Breanah Taylor
- Nathan Therrell
Pictured above: Honor Student Melanie Foust addresses the Carver/Century Class of 2008 Thursday night. Pictured below: Graduates presented a single rose to their parents or guardians. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
