Christmas Recycling Workshop For Kids Next Week At The Landfill
December 26, 2014
The Escambia County Department of Solid Waste Management will host a Christmas Recycling Workshop on Tuesday, December 30, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Escambia County Perdido Landfill at 13009 Beulah Road in Cantonment. The workshop is open to participants 5 to 8 years of age.
The workshop will include a tour of the landfill, arts and crafts using recycled materials and games that focus on recycling and reuse. The cost of the camp is one pair of new or gently used shoes to be donated to Soles4Souls. Participants should wear clothing that is appropriate to play in and be worn outside, and bring a brown bag lunch, snacks and a reusable water bottle.
For more information on this workshop or other events at the Escambia County Perdido Landfill, call (850) 937-2160.
Florida’s Youth Smoking Rate Reaches An All Time Low
December 26, 2014
New data released by the Florida Department of Health shows that fewer youth in Florida are smoking cigarettes than ever before. In 2014, only 4.3 percent of Florida’s youth, ages 11 to 17, are current cigarette smokers.
There are 59 percent fewer youth cigarette smokers in the state than before the Tobacco Free Florida program launched in 2007. This represents a decrease from 10.6 percent in 2006 to 4.3 percent in 2014.
“Tobacco Free Florida is a nationally renowned program that has set the bar for how other states can reduce cigarette use among young people,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. “The state’s steady and significant reduction in youth smoking is saving lives and money, and creating a healthier, tobacco free generation.”
The new data from the 2014 Florida Youth Tobacco Survey found that:
- 7.5 percent of high school students reported current cigarette use, meaning they smoked a cigarette at least once during the past 30 days, a 51.6 percent decrease compared to 2006
- Florida’s 2014 cigarette smoking rate among high school students was lower than the national average of 12.7 percent in 2013,[1] the most recent equivalent national survey
- 2.3 percent of middle school students reported current cigarette use, meaning they smoked a cigarette at least once during the past 30 days, a 65.2 percent decrease compared to 2006
- Florida’s 2014 cigarette smoking rate among middle school students was similar to the national average of 2.9 percent in 2013,[2] the most recent equivalent national survey
In 2006, Florida voters overwhelmingly approved a state constitutional amendment requiring 15 percent of the state’s tobacco settlement fund be used for a comprehensive tobacco education and use prevention program. In 2007, the funding was used to launch Tobacco Free Florida, which is managed by the health department. Tobacco Free Florida’s efforts are supported by community interventions at the county level and a statewide media campaign driven by powerful advertisements that demonstrate the dangers and real-life consequences of tobacco use, encouraging more and more youth to never begin.
A Look Back: Century Christmas In The 1930’s
December 25, 2014
Here’s a look back at Christmas past for the Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company and what is now Century.
In the top photo, Mr. James H. Jones is seen giving out presents to Alger-Sullivan Lumber Co. employee children in the 1930’s. By the 1940’s, this practice had been discontinued, but Mr. Hauss always sent some families a tin of dates from California. The company always seemed to be interested in keeping families together and satisfied, although when it came to the job, it was hard-nosed about making sure the workers gave a day’s work for a day’s pay.
The picture below depicts a scene in December 1936 from one of the logging camps in the woods where races were mixed on the job, despite the attitude towards segregation. Here you see two of the bosses, Fred Gilmore and Mr. Luke Earl (with glasses), a somewhat beloved woods foreman, and a group of workers and children observing Santa Claus as he holds a little boy at their Christmas gathering. Several of the children are clutching their little bags of goodies, probably candy and some trinkets, that Santa had passed out earlier. It’s not know what purpose the wash pot, if any, played in the festivities.
Photos courtesy the Alger-Sullivan Historical Society (top) and Photo by Fischer (bottom) for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Camp Fire Kids Spread Christmas Cheer
December 25, 2014
The students of the Camp Fire USA Century Learning Center recently visiting the Century Health and Rehabilitation Center to spread Christmas cheer with carols and Christmas cards for the residents. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
A Look Back: Ernest Ward High School Christmas Past
December 25, 2014
Here’s a look back at Christmas past at Ernest Ward High School, with a peek into the pages of the 1955, 1971 and 1988 yearbooks. Click any of the images to enlarge.
Below: The 1955 Christmas Pageant at Ernest Ward High School.
Below: “In Celebration of Christmas”, 1988, Ernest Ward High School.
Below: “Christmas Present And Future”, 1988, Ernest Ward High School.
Below: Christmas 1971, Ernest Ward High School.
Special thanks to Sherri Stallworth and Delaney Reynolds, EWMS Yearbook staff, for their research in finding these photos. Photos courtesy Ernest Ward Middle School for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Christmas Recipes: Rice Krispie Treats, Oatmeal Cookies, Hot Chocolate
December 25, 2014
Here are some family time favorites for this Christmas Day.
Today’s recipes include Traditional Oatmeal Cookies, Crockpot Candy and Rice Krispie Treats — perfect recipes for the family to make together. And what would Christmas be without Hot Chocolate? Our quick and easy recipe can easily be increased to make enough for everyone, plus it’s easy to include some extra cocoa powder for a deeper, darker treat.
Crock Pot Candy
- 16 oz Salted Peanuts
- 16 oz UnSalted Peanuts
- 4 oz German Chocolate Bark
- 1 pkg Almond Chocolate Bark
- 1 pkg Butterscotch Morsels
Put all ingredients into crock pot. Cook on low for 2 hours. Do not stir or open lid. After 2 hours, turn off crock pot, stir candy and drop in clusters onto wax paper. Let cool and enjoy. This recipe will make 70-90 pieces of candy, depending on the size.
Traditional Oatmeal Cookies
- 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, softened
- 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
- 3 cups of Quaker Oats (Quick)
- 1 cup raisins (optional)
Preheat oven to 350° F. Beat together butter and sugars until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla extract; beat well. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well. Slowly stir in oats. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto an ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 1 minute on sheet, remove to wire rack.
Rice Krispie Treats
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 (10 oz., about 40) pkg. regular marshmallows or 3 cups miniature marshmallows
- 6 cups Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal
In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add the marshmallows and continue to stir until the marshmallows have completely melted. Remove from heat. Stir in the Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal coating them well with the melted marshmallow mixture. Using a buttered or silicone spatula, press the mixture evenly into a 13 x 9 x 2 inch pan which has been buttered or sprayed with non-stick spray or lined with wax paper. Cut into squares when the mixture cools. Makes 24 squares.
MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS:
Microwave butter with marshmallows on high setting for 2 minutes in a microwave safe mixing bowl. Stir together when melted. Microwave again on high for 1 additional minute. Stir in cereal, mixing until well coated. Press into pan as above.
Hot Chocolate
- 1 tbsp. cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp. sugar
- 2 tbsp. water
- 1 c. milk
- a bit of vanilla, if desired
Combine cocoa, sugar, and water in a small saucepan. Heat it on low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent the paste from sticking to the pan. After about 1 to 2 minutes, add milk and vanilla. Mix it all together until it reaches your preferred temperature.
Photo: Glorious Sunset
December 25, 2014
The North Escambia area enjoyed an unusually beautiful sunset Christmas Eve, as seen here from Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Here Comes…Santa Goat?
December 24, 2014
Look out Rudolph…there’s a new kid in town…Santa Goat. One of our NorthEscambia.com staffers spotted this goat, complete with a Santa hat, riding in the back of a Dodge Ram pickup at the Piggly Wiggly in Davisville. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Christmas Lights: Bratt, Byrneville, Century
December 24, 2014
Merry Christmas! Here’s a photo gallery of few light displays from Bratt to Century — including private residences, a park in Century and a Nativity scene in Byrneville.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cook Up A Holiday Gift Idea
December 24, 2014
by Dorothy Lee, Escambia Extension Agent
Christmas is a joyous season. It’s a time to remember friends and neighbors with small tokens of your love and appreciation.
Every holiday season is magical, but can also be a perplexing time. How do you choose gifts for your friends and loved ones that are unique, and sure to be cherished?
Remember Christmas when you were young? How the simplest projects—stringing lights, hanging icicles, baking cookies, gathering pine cones, or making ornaments for the tree—filled the season with fun and excitement. Bring back that special magic with your own holiday projects. These holiday projects are gifts from the heart.
If you have spent many hours in past seasons trying to find the answer to the perplexing question of what to give, perhaps this year you can find the answer in your own kitchen. Flavorful gifts you can create in an evening or two at home might be the just the solution. Most of us like to follow the pleasure of cooking with sharing the scrumptious results. So this holiday season prepare some delicious food gifts for friends and relatives.
A jar of homemade jam or jelly conveys a welcome sign of friendship to neighbors or coworkers. Besides being fun to make and share, oven-baked goods, snacks, and other savory items are attractive and often cost less than those that are store-bought. This is a gift that comes from the heart without breaking the bank. For a holiday touch, add a pretty ribbon or a note from a square of wrapping paper.
Fresh from the oven, a batch of pumpkin muffins or a loaf of whole grain bread will send warm holiday greeting to friends. Decorated with raisins and nuts, gingerbread men will appeal to anyone who fancies the spicy flavors of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. When invited to festive dinners take along a basket filled with your own gift assortment of cookies packaged in inexpensive containers with recipes and a personalized message included. You will find these gifts easy to transport and the hostess is sure to appreciate the gesture.
Another gourmet goodies idea to consider is sharing a decorative jar or tin packed with flavorful popcorn or a nutritious trail mix. Top a decorative tray with herbed cheese rounds. Herbs offer a delicious alternative to salt. Herb seasoning mixes can be packaged in a decorative glass jar or bottle and tied with festive ribbon. Be sure to attach a label with instructions for serving and a recipe for making more.
When making these gourmet goodies, you might want to prepare an additional batch so you will have a last minute gift on hand. The additional jar of jam or jelly can make a special gift for last minute visitors. These gifts are seen as thoughtful and well-prepared when they are in reality a last minute thought.
Start early and make lots of homemade goodies for the holidays. By planning your kitchen gifts early you can shop for ingredients on sale, save decorative containers and make food items in advance. So get a head start on holiday gifts from your kitchen.
For more information, contact Dorothy Lee, UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County at (850) 475-5230 or email dclee@ufl.edu.