Byrneville Students Enjoy Story Time At Century Library; Santa Visits Next Week
December 10, 2015
Kindergarten students from Byrneville Elementary School visited the Century Branch Library for a special Christmas story time. They also had the opportunity to learn about the parts of a book, and enjoy the different parts of the library. Santa will make a special appearance at the Century Branch Library on Tuesday, December 15 at 5 p.m. Santa will also be at the Molino Branch Library on Monday, December 14 at 6 p.m. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Showband Peforms At NAS Event; Next Year It’s Off To Pearl Harbor
December 8, 2015
A Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremony was held Monday at the National Museum of Naval Aviation aboard Pensacola Naval Air Station. Monday was the 74th anniversary of the attack that pushed the United States into World War II.
The Tate High School Vocal Jazz Ensemble and members of the Tate Showband of the South performed at Monday’s event, a decade-long tradition.
Next year, on the 75th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, the Tate Showband won’t perform at the Pensacola ceremony — the Showband will be performing at Pearl Harbor.
The Tate High School Showband of the South is headed to Hawaii in December 2016 to take part in the 75th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Mass Band. They will join bands from around the United States and Japan in a concert commemorating the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
The mass band, including the Tate Showband, will perform on the pier of the U.S.S Battleship Missouri in a worldwide live webcast “Gift of Music” concert on December 7, 2016. The trip was announced more than a year in advance to give the Band Boosters and band members a chance to raise the funds needed for the 215 member band. The trip is estimated to cost from $2,000 to $2,500 per band member.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
4-H Cold Weather Clothing Drive Underway
December 7, 2015
Escambia County 4-H is collecting cold weather clothing donations for needy families.
Items are needed for adults and children, including coats, jackets, socks, scarves, gloves and hats.
Donations can be made at the Langley Bell 4-H Center at 3730 Stefani Road in Cantonment by December 20.
Northview Beta, FCA Spread Christmas Cheer
December 7, 2015
Member of the Northview High School Beta Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes recently went caroling around the Century area, with stops that included Byrneville Elementary School, the Century Health And Rehabilitation Center and the Century Town Hall. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Northview Christmas Variety Show
December 5, 2015
The Northview High School Christmas Variety Show was held Friday night in the school’s theater.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Gary Amerson, click to enlarge.
Molino’s Gilmore Girls Featured On Magazine Cover
December 3, 2015
The cover of this month’s FloridAgriculture magazine from the Florida Farm Bureau Federation features two local children know as the Gilmore Girls. They are the daughters of Carla Gilmore and Jacob Gilmore, granddaughters of Ronnie and Debbie Debra Gilmore. The picture was taken by Abbie Seales Rolph at Gizmo Angus Farm in Molino. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview To Present Christmas Program Friday Night
December 2, 2015
The annual Northview High School Christmas Program will be held this Friday at 7 p.m. in the school theater. The program will include the Concert Band, Beginner Theater, Advance Theater and special vocal performances. Admission is free of charge.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Jay Elementary Teacher Named Discovery Education Program Champion
December 1, 2015
Jay Elementary School teacher Kristen Davis has been named a Discovery Education Program Champion for this school year.
Chosen through a competitive application process, Davis was selected based on her passion for science and exemplary use of Discovery Education’s programs. Davis joins 13 fellow Program Champions who will represent specific topic areas – including STEM, health and wellness, and social studies. These educators will share various resources and supporting programs – available at no cost from Discovery Education and its partners – with their colleagues and peers around the world. Champions will also represent Discovery Education and its partners at education events and virtual conferences, and help shape the development and implementation of future Discovery Education programs, to ensure optimal efficacy and classroom relevance. To kickoff this new initiative, Davis and the other Program Champions recently attended a two-day launch event at Discovery Education’s headquarters in Silver Spring, Md.
Davis will share her passion with others on the topic of science. Specifically, Davis will share information on The Good Egg Project: Education Station, an online destination offered by the American Egg Board and Discovery Education that teaches elementary and middle school students about the production process of fresh foods as well as sustainability concepts used on a working farm.
“Discovery Education’s programs have given my students many learning opportunities that they wouldn’t have had the chance to get otherwise,” said Davis. “I am so excited to share these resources with other educators in my district and I’m so thankful to be selected as a Program Champion!”
Molino Christmas Parade Is Saturday; Register Now
November 30, 2015
The 13th Annual Molino Christmas Parade is set for 11 a.m. this Saturday, and there is still time to register to take part.
The parade route starts at the west end of Crabtree Church Road and ends and the Molino Ballpark were Santa Will be waiting to visit with all the good little boys and girls.
To participate in the parade, preregister at Jimmy’s Grill or register the day of the parade. Registration fees are $30 for floats; $20 for vehicles, motorcycles, tractors or golf carts; and $10 each for horses. No 4-wheelers or go-carts. All proceeds go directly back to the community to help children in need.
For more information, contact Charity at (850) 324-4463 or Jimmy’s Grill at (850) 754-0041. Donations such as toys and non-perishable foot items can be dropped off at Jimmy’s Grill.
The rain date will be Sunday, December 6 at 2:30 p.m.
Pictured: The 2014 Molino Christmas Parade. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Forest Service Does Battle With Invasive Cogongrass
November 29, 2015
Listed as one of the world’s worst weeds, cogongrass is throughout Escambia County and the Gulf Coast. County, state and private landowners are attempting to stop its spread. Information and programs are available to those who are willing to join in the fight.
Cogongrass is not the only invasive plant in our area, but it is arguably one of the worst. For instance, cogongrass can easily choke out native plants and grasses and prevent the establishment of trees. It also changes fire behavior making prescribed burning more difficult and wildfires burn much hotter. It reduces habitat for native wildlife and is not normally used as a food source by wildlife or livestock.
Many private landowners are treating cogongrass using herbicides, disking and planting other vegetation. Some of these landowners have received treatment recommendations from a Florida Forest Service’s County Forester or other professional. Additionally, approximately 130 acres of cogongrass on private land was treated through state or federal cost sharing programs. Escambia County’s Division of Natural Resource Conservation recently received a grant to begin treating county rights of way. Florida Department of Transportation treats cogongrass on state rights of way.
Because of its aggressive, invasive nature, it is illegal to sell, transport or plant cogongrass. It is spread by seed or rhizomes and readily invades disturbed sites, such as construction sites, timber harvests, crop fields or road edges. In addition to natural means of dispersal, seeds and rhizomes are often unwittingly spread by equipment working in or driving through cogongrass.
Help prevent the spread of cogongrass by cleaning equipment before moving it to another location if it has been used in an infested area. Do not use cogongrass in landscaping and be careful about the source of fill dirt and mulch. Plant disturbed areas in native vegetation as soon as possible. More information about cogongrass can be found at http://bit.ly/1GLFXy4 .
If you have cogongrass and need help fighting, the Florida Forest Service is taking applications for the Cogongrass Treatment Cost Share program. For more information on that program, call the Escambia County Forester at (850) 587-5237.
Cathy Hardin works for the Florida Forest Service as the Escambia County Forester. She has 11 years of experience with the state and a degree in Forest Resource Conservation from the University of Florida. This article is part of a quarterly series highlighting forestry practices and programs focused on our area.