Thousands Attend Fall Festivals, Trunk Or Treats, Other Events
November 1, 2014
Thousands of North Escambia area residents braved the spooky Molino Museum, hit the streets trick or treating, took part in a trunk or treat, or visited a fall festival Friday night.
“We had an awesome time at the Pine Forest Assembly Fall Festival,” the church’s High Voltage Kids director Heather Murphy said. “Thanks to Escambia Fire and Rescue for the spending the evening with us.”
Pictured: The Fall Festival Friday night at Pine Forest Assembly of God in Cantonment. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Navy’s Fleet Fly-In Concludes
November 1, 2014
When pilots and aircrew from about 20 different helicopters boarded their aircraft and departed NAS Whiting Field Friday morning, it marked the completion of another successful Fleet Fly-In for Training Air Wing FIVE.
The annual event is one of the most anticipated events on the calendar for the installation and 2014 marked another memorable occasion. For about three days, the skies above NAS Whiting Field were peppered with gray and black aircraft amidst the orange and black training aircraft that continually fly above the base and its 13 outlying fields. With flights to outlying fields in Brewton and Evergreen, the different helicopters were sometimes spotted from the North Escambia area.
Helicopter Training Squadron EIGHT coordinated the function, and HT-8 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Rob Sinram was pleased with how the Fly-In turned out.
“This year’s Fleet Fly-In was a big success,” he said. “We got the fleet turnout we were hoping for and students got a lot of flight time and interaction with the fleet crews.”
While the Naval Helicopter Association Fleet Fly-In encompasses a variety of panel discussions on large scale aviation issues, detailer presentations on future assignments, and industry displays showcasing helicopter technologies; the thrilling part is for the TRAWING-5 flight students having an opportunity to touch, ride in, and potentially fly Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard fleet helicopters. More than 300 future aviators received such flights during the open flight periods Wednesday and Thursday.
Picture top: Student Naval aviators and pilots of a Navy MH-60R Seahawk brief before a demonstration flight at the Fleet Fly-In. Pictured below: Multiple MH-60R and MH-60S parked on the ramp at South Field shortly after sunrise. Photos by Jay Cope for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview High’s FFA Honored As One Of America’s Best Chapters
October 30, 2014
The Northview High School FFA chapter was awarded one of the highest national honors presented by the National FFA Thursday afternoon in Louisville, KY.
Northview’s FFA received the Three Star Chapter award on live national television during the 87th National FFA Convention & Expo. About 60,000 FFA members and advisors are attending the convention through Saturday, including five Northview FFA officers and their advisor Perry Byars.
This was the second consecutive year that Northiew’s FFA has been honored as one of America’s best chapters.
In addition to the national honors presented Thursday, the Northview High FFA chapter was recently honored for having the top Fresh From Florida Food Advocacy Program, formerly known as the Food for America Program, in the entire state.
The Fresh From Florida Advocacy Program is an educational program focusing on agricultural literacy in elementary schools and communities. It is a program developed to assist FFA members and all agricultural education students in leadership skill development as they reach out to youth, peers and their entire communities by sharing the world of agriculture.
Planning began in the fall of 2013 with FFA members setting goals and establishing working committees for the spring 2014 event. Through the efforts of 100 FFA members and community support, approximately 1,000 mostly elementary level students participated in agriculture awareness through hands-on exhibits and activities.
In addition, members of the Northview High School FFA officer team visited several area elementary schools to read agriculture-related books to students.
The Florida FFA Organization has honored Northview High School FFA Food for America program at the state level multiple years.
Pictured top: On behalf of the Northview FFA, President Haylee Weaver (right) and Vice President Bethany Reynolds (center) receive the Three Star Chapter award on live national television during the National FFA Convention in Louisville, KY, Thursday afternoon. Pictured below: In attendance at the Naitonal FFA Convention this week in Kentucky are Northview FFA Secretary Courtney Weekley, President Haylee Weaver, Vice President Bethany Reynolds, Historian Kaitlyn Klinatland and Public Relations Rep Mitchell Singleton. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Register Now For Century’s Land To Lake Lighted Boat Christmas Parade
October 30, 2014
The Century Christmas Land To Lake Lighted Boat Parade will be held again this year.
The event is scheduled for Saturday, December 6 with line-up at 5 p.m. and floats rolling out at dark from Industrial Boulevard to Lake Stone. The entry fee is $10 per boat or float, with checks made payable to the Century Area Chamber of Commerce. For more information and a printable registration form, click here.
The parade is sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com.
Pictured above: One of the floats/boats in last year’s Century Christmas Land To Lake Lighted Boat Parade. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Molino’s Cunningham Shows Champion Steer At Fair
October 30, 2014
Austin Cunningham of Molino showed his champion steer last week at the Pensacola Interstate Fair, winning several awards. He was awarded Reserve Grand Champion, FFA Grand Champion, and Grand Champion for a homegrown steer. The Northview High School senior also received second in Senior Showmanship. Cunningham sold his 1,250 pound steer “Heisenberg” to Dave Howell Tires for $5.50 per pound, or $6,875. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Fall Comedy ‘Saturday The 14th’ On Stage Through Saturday
October 29, 2014
Get ready for “Saturday the 14th” — a parody of the “Friday the 13th movies” nightly through Saturday at Tate High School.
It made all the headlines 30 years ago. Only one camp counselor was found alive the next morning, and she hasn’t spoken a word since. They closed Camp Slippery Floors. Everybody wanted to forget what happened that night… except Mason. Mason never forgets! Now Camp Slippery Floors in going to open again and Mason is waiting in “Saturday the 14th”.
The comedy will be presented through Saturday at 7:00 each evening in the Tate High Cafeteria. Tickets are $7 at the door.
Pictured: The Tate High School production of “Saturday the 14th”. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Team Tops National Competition
October 27, 2014
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 team has been named one of the very best in the country.
The ECSO team won first place in the four-man team competition at the United States Police Canine Association Police Dog Trials this past week in Wilson, NC. Team members are Mark Smith with his K-9 Jeck, Wayne Gulsby with his K-9 Caleb Carlos Lizarraga and his K-9 Saban, and Jason Land with his K-9 Edo. Lizarraga is employed by the Foley Police Department, but trains with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Pensacola Police K-9 Handler Bruce Harris and his partner Enio finished third overall in the competition.
There were 104 K-9 teams from 15 states that took part in the event. They also had the top obedience score and were in the top five in criminal apprehension.
Pictured top: Mark Smith, Wayne Gulsby, Carlos Lizarraga, and Jason Land with their award. Pictured below: (L-R) Land with K-9 Edo, Gulsby with K-9 Caleb and Smith with K-9 Jeck during the national police trials in Wilson, NC. Pictured bottom: K-9 Edo. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Spooky Trail Offers Students A Thrilling Literacy Adventure
October 27, 2014
Escambia Westgate teachers, staff and many volunteers created a Spooky Trail last week for the students of Escambia Westgate, and McArthur Elementary School’s Special Education students, as a fun way to teach literacy. The mile-long trail through the woods behind the schools was decorated with giant eyeballs, witch’s hats, monsters, spider webs and skeletons. Stations along the way featured a magician, a team of storytellers, a monster sing-along, and even a fortune teller.
University of West Florida Honor students volunteered along with students from Booker T. Washington High School’s Jayettes and NJROTC students from Tate High School. Many of the student volunteers are already planning to be back in January for the Winter Trail.
Hannah Mizell, UWF Honor student, said the day was extra special for her because she has autism. “I feel sort of a connection to the kids. I kind of know what they are going through. I come from a small town where this would never happen.”
“Westgate is my favorite organization the honor students volunteer with,” explained Megan Adams, co-chair of the Honors Program Service Committee. “We take the students to three service projects a month. They will be back to help this spring with the Arbor Day trail and with Westgate’s prom.”
“Madam Ziree,” the Spooky Trail’s resident Fortune Teller (AKA Mrs. Desiree Rowe, Speech and Language Pathologist) said that last year she read a story to the children about a fortune teller. “This year I decided to play the part. The teachers gave me tips about their students such as their favorite foods, the name of their pet, or who plays on the Miracle League. Their eyes got big when Madam Ziree knew something special about them.”
Overseeing the day’s events were Judge Lacey Collier and Joe Denmon. It would be hard to find two men prouder of Escambia Westgate and what is done there for the children and teens they teach. Denmon discovered Escambia Westgate years ago when he was helping his sister transport some of the students. “The story is that one day I drove that bus out here, got off the bus and never left.”
Collier is especially proud of the Center’s Snoezelen Facility, a project that has his name on it. “He has taken us into his heart,” explains Susie Watson, curriculum coordinator for Escambia Westgate.
This was the fourth year for the Spooky Trail and everyone agreed that the credit goes to Catherine Born, who was on the trail at dawn putting up decorations and setting up for the volunteers. But she won’t take the credit, she quickly boasts about everyone who helped, the art teacher, the music teacher, the volunteers, etc. She is especially thankful for the Ascend volunteers who were out on the October 10, 2014, United Way Day of Caring to clear the pathways and lay out fresh mulch.
Pictured top: University of West Florida Honors program students created their own costumes and put on skits based on children’s books. This skit explained why the Old Lady Swallowed Some Leaves (a Halloween spoof of the Old Lady Who Swallowed the Fly). Pictured top inset: Charlotte Tucker, High School ESE Reading teacher at Escambia Westgate,helps students experience green slime and slimey eyeballs. Pictured bottom inset: Beau Bromall brings magic to the Spooky Trail. Pictured below: “Madam Ziree” played by Desiree Rowe helps a student look into her “crystal ball” to see his fortune. Pictured bottom: Judge Lacey Collier and Joe Denmon take a break to visit along The Spooky Trail. Photos by Kim Stefansson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward FFA Fair Booth Wins Blue Ribbon
October 27, 2014
The Ernest Ward Middle School FFA won a blue ribbon with their booth this year at the Pensacola Interstate Fair. Photos by Jennifer Woodfin for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Hundreds Attend Williams Station Day; Dancers Dazzle Crowd
October 26, 2014
Hundreds attended the annual Williams Station Day in Atmore Saturday, including a large crowd for the day’s opening entertainment — dozens of dancers from a Byrneville group.
Williams Station Day takes its name from Atmore’s early history when in 1866 the community was a supply stop along the Mobile and Great Northern railroad.
Festival-goers were entertained by a wide variety of musical acts, and a wide variety of arts and crafts were also available. After an opening ceremony that featured a pink balloon release to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness month in October, Heather Leonard’s Danceworks of Byrneville entertained the crowd.
For a Danceworks photo gallery, click here.
For a Williams Station Day photo gallery, click here.
For results and photos from the Williams Station Day 5K, click here.
Pictured top: Crowds attend the annual Williams Station Day in Atmore Saturday. Pictured inset: Dancers perform. Pictured below: Peanut sales benefiting the Northview High School Tribal Beat Band. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
