Standing Strong: NJROTC Annual Inspection Held (With Photo Gallery)
September 25, 2014
Northview High School’s NJROTC Annual Inspection was held Wednesday at the school, with cadets undergoing face to face scrutiny with a retired Navy commander.
Commander Merlin Ladner, USN (Ret) conducted the inspection. The day’s events began with a personnel inspection, drill demonstration and a pass-in-review in the school gym. The commander also conducted a financial record review, briefings, administrative inspections, supply inspections and more.
One by one, Cmdr. Ladner went face to face with each cadet, asking them questions about their NJROTC experience and conducting a complete inspection of their uniform.
“Yes, sir,” the cadets answered as they faced the questions about their NJROTC service, their ribbons, the shine on their shoes and some less than expected questions about every day life and football that left some cadets trying not to crack a smile.
“They did a very fine job this morning” said Ladner, who conducts annual inspections at dozens of high schools in the Southeast, told the entire group following his inspection. “And they are working their way to the top of my 50 or so units.”
Northview’s NJROTC is under the command of Senior Naval Science Instructor Captain Charlie Code and Chief Jeffrey Simpkins. The unit is led by Company Commander LCDR Lane Carnley and Executive Officer Cadet LT Sean Allister.
For a photo gallery from the inspection, click here.
Pictured: Northview High School’s NJROTC Annual Inspection Wednesday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Hundreds Of Students Gather To Pray At The Pole (With Photo Gallery)
September 24, 2014
Hundreds of students gathered to pray at their schools in across the area Wednesday morning during the annual See You at the Pole event.
Students gathered as school began to pray in the non-denominational event. See You at the Pole is a student-initiated, student organized, and student-led event. Students prayed for their school, friends, teachers, government and the nation.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top and inset: See You at the Pole Wednesday morning at Northview High School. Pictured below: Ernest Ward Middle School. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Highland Baptist Donates Paper To Molino Park Elementary
September 24, 2014
Highland Baptist Church, a Molino Park Elementary School Partner in Education, delivered 17 boxes of paper to the school this week. Each year, the church collects paper and school supplies at the beginning of the year to benefit Molino Park.
“We are so thankful for their continued support,” Principal Alice Woodward said. “Thank you to everyone that took part in this awesome donation.”
Pictured: Highland Pastor Brian Calhoun and Charles Woodward deliver a paper donation to Molino Park Elementary School. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Yearbook Receives Top Columbia Scholastic Press Association Award
September 23, 2014
The Northview High School Tribal Spirit yearbook staff has been honored with a Gold Medal from the nationally recognized Columbia Scholastic Press Association, affiliated with Columbia University in New York City and the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism.
The book received 910 points out of a maximum 1000 points to place it well within the Gold category (800-1000 points.) Yearbooks are judged in three areas – reference, verbal, and
visual. In the visual category, Northview received 388 points out of a possible 400, earning them All-Columbian Honors for Visual.
This was the first year that they entered their yearbook for critique. The purpose of the critiques and medal awards is to direct students and advisers toward a better publication through growing in knowledge of correct journalism standards.
“It was a pleasure to read and critique the 2014 Tribal Spirit Yearbook. It was quite evident that you and your fine staff contributed countless hours to produce this commendable publication. You especially excelled in achieving a strong grasp of journalism standards, writing skills, and photography techniques,” the judges commented.
The Tribal Spirit yearbook staff and their adviser, Alison Robinson, attended the Columbia Scholastic Press Association Convention in New York City in 2011 and 2013.
“Being on yearbook staff teaches life skills and technical skills that are unsurpassed in any other course. The students on this staff learn manual photography, how to make sales, write copy and captions, create and properly use graphic design, but mostly how to take constructive criticism and use it to improve themselves,” Robinson, a 20-year veteran staff adviser, said. “They have seen the results of constantly designing pages and taking pictures over and over until they get those technical aspects right. This is an ongoing learning process. The staffers work together on every part of the book and learn to use each individual’s strengths to fortify the team. It is because of their grit and determination that they have reached the Gold Medal level.”
Tamara Green, a 2014 senior editor said, “Receiving this award means so much to me because I know that we all worked so hard throughout the school year. Not every day was easy, but with much hard work and determination, we created a yearbook that was definitely one to remember.”
Another senior editor for the 2014 book, Dalton Daniel, said “I know we all put forth 110% to our work, and that’s what got us this medal.”
Yearbook Staff members for the Columbia Scholastic Press Association award-winning 2014 edition were – editors Justin King, Anna Fischer, Dalton Daniel, and Tamara Green; and Kamryn Brock, Jessica McCullough, Haylee Weaver, Bethany Reynolds, David Thorpe, Jessica Amerson, Mitchell Singleton, and David Weber.
To order this school year’s Northview High School Tribal Spirit yearbook, click here.
Pictured: Current Northview Tribal Spirit Yearbook staff members David Weber (standing background), Bradley Van Pelt (white shirt)), Jordan Taylor (standing), Bethany Reynolds (standing, foreground), Kamryn Brock (seated at computer) and Jessica McCullough (with camera). Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Students Awarded Take Stock In Children Scholarships
September 23, 2014
Recently, 26 students — including several from the North Escambia area — were introduced as new Take Stock in Children scholarship recipients. The Escambia County Public Schools Foundation introduced the students at the annual Take Stock in Children Kick-Off Dinner, bringing the total number of students in the program to 118 in Escambia County.
These students are currently in grades 7-12 and they will receive a college scholarship upon graduation from high school, as long as they maintain program standards. Students sign an agreement to maintain good grades and attendance; to be good citizens; to remain crime and drug free; and to meet weekly with a volunteer community mentor.
Take Stock in Children is a statewide, non-profit organization that provides “scholarships, mentors and hope” to deserving young people selected through a need-based application process. They are identified by their public middle schools at the end of their sixth grade year. Twenty-one of the new students are seventh graders and five others were selected from previous years’ alternate lists.
New students, their mentor and their school include:
- Mya Acoba, mentor Mari Abbate, Brown Barge Middle
- Savanna Bowen, mentor Lynne Bates, Ransom Middle
- Brandon Brantley, mentor Dave Bates, Bellview Middle
- Sylvia Callihan, mentor Veronica Dias, Warrington Middle
- Tristan Cravatt, mentor Jack McNulty, Bailey Middle
- Breona Dean, mentor Fernaundra Ferguson, Ferry Pass Middle
- Lucas Dinsmore, mentor Pete King, Bailey Middle
- Lina Foust, mentor Anita Prentiss, Pine Forest High
- Diamond Franklin, mentor Ruth Jenkins, Escambia High
- Morgan Garner, mentor Neeltje McNulty, Bailey Middle
- Ian Gifford, mentor Bob Goforth, Ernest Ward Middle
- Angel Goldsby, mentor Stephanie Noa, Workman Middle
- Haley Hennington, mentor Mallory Studer, Bellview Middle
- Madison Hurston, mentor Cindy Barrington, Ransom Middle
- Issiah Johnson, mentor Ken Biland, Bailey Middle
- Lari McCann, mentor Cynthia Worrell-White, Northview High
- Thinh Pham, mentor John Fromularo, Warrington Middle
- Annemarie Pigg, mentor Susan Myrick, Bailey Middle
- Ben Potts, mentor Rusty Branch, Brown Barge Middle
- Malcolm Pressley, mentor Andy Arnold, Workman Middle
- Teriana Redmond, mentor Sherri Stallworth, Ernest Ward Middle
- Ashleigh Smith, mentor Freida Nichols, Ferry Pass Middle
- Kiplin Smith, mentor Charity Hamilton, Workman Middle
- Taylor Smith, mentor Sandra Durr, Tate High
- Austin Witt, mentor Bob Hoyt, Woodham Middle
- Ashten Wright, mentor Ray Sellers, Ernest Ward Middle
Money for each scholarship is donated locally and a dollar-for-dollar match is received from Florida Prepaid College Foundation when scholarships are purchased.
Beulah Volunteer Firefighters Practice Tanker Operations
September 23, 2014
Volunteers at the Beulah Station of Escambia Fire Rescue learned about tanker truck and drop tank set up procedures during a Monday night training session. Tanker trucks, and the pictured 2,500 gallon drop tank, are used to shuttle and supply water to firefighters when there is no or an inadequate water supply from a fire hydrant. Photo courtesy Capt. Mike Aaron for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge
Molino Naval Officer Promoted To Lieutenant Commander
September 21, 2014
Lieutenant Troy Bertran of Molino was recently took an oath to accept a promotion to lieutenant commander.
Bertran started his Naval careeer at at 17 as a seaman recruit. He worked his way up to petty officer first class before being commissioned as an ensign in the limited duty officer program. Bertran current has over 25 years in the Navy.
Originally from Palmetto, FL, Betrain knew he wanted to call Florida home again as some point during his career, settling in Molino.
Pictured top. Lt. Troy Bertran (left) of Molino and Capt. Alan Dean. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fall Gardening Tips
September 21, 2014
As fall approaches, now is the time to start preparing your landscape for the upcoming cooler weather, according to the UF/IFAS extension service.
Flowers
- Cut back, and remove old flower stalks from flowering annuals and re-fertilize in order to obtain one more color before cool weather.
- Prepare beds for the planting of cool season annuals next month. Some plants to establish for fall, winter and early spring include: pansy, petunia, snapdragon, larkspur, stocks, statice, bachelor button, calendula, cleome, alyssum, marigolds, verbena, dianthus and candytuft.
- Divide perennials such as Shasta daisy, canna, amaryllis, daylily, coneflower, violets, and ornamental grasses like mondo grass and liriope.
- Cut strong stems of roses to encourage new growth for final flush of the year.
- Find a local source, or order wildflower seeds for fall planting. Be certain to choose a mixture that is specifically for the south. Prepare the area, but wait until November to seed them.
Trees and Shrubs
- Last month to fertilize woody ornamental shrubs in the landscape.
- No pruning unless it’s absolutely necessary. This is probably the worst time of year to do major pruning of shrubs. Late summer/fall pruning can stimulate tender growth that might be damaged by low winter temperatures.
- Plant woody ornamentals, including trees, shrubs, vines and ground covers during the fall and early winter. They respond well to planting late in the year because our relatively mild winters allow for root growth. Fall planted shrubs, for example, are well on their way toward having their roots established before hot weather arrives next spring.
- Select crape myrtles while in bloom.
- Examine the small twigs on the outer canopy of hardwood trees for black twig borer damage. Remove and destroy infested twigs.
- Pine needles fall during September and October. Rake and use them in the vegetable and flower garden as well as in shrub beds. Pine needles make excellent mulch. Apply generously to obtain a depth of 2 to 3 inches on the soil surface after they have settled.
- Mature palms should receive an application of granular fertilizer. Use a special palm fertilizer that has an 8-2-12 +4Mg (magnesium) with micronutrients formulation. Apply one pound of fertilizer per 100 sqft of canopy area or landscape area.
Vegetable Garden
- Prepare the soil now, allowing about 3 weeks between the incorporation of amendments and planting. In September sow seeds of beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, collards, endive, escarole, kale, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, mustard, onions, parsley, radishes and turnips.
- Last planting of beans (bush, lima and pole), cucumbers and summer squash
- Clean out the spring/summer vegetable garden once plants have stopped producing. Remove any that are known to have been diseased or heavily insect infested during the previous season.
Lawns
- Check the lawn weekly and watch for lawn pests. Check for chinch bugs and sod webworms in St. Augustine, spittlebugs and sod webworms in centipedegrass and mole cricket damage in all grasses
- Last month to fertilize bahiagrass, bermudagrass, St. Augustinegrass and Zoysiagrass using a complete fertilizer applied at 1.0 lb nitrogen per 1000 square feet containing 50% soluble and 50% slow-release nitrogen.
All About Peanuts: 48th Annual Santa Rosa Farm Tour Held
September 19, 2014
The 48th Annual Santa Rosa Farm Tour was held Thursday.
Participants had the opportunity to watch a peanut digging demonstration at the Roy Ward Farm in Chumuckla and learn about the science of peanut farming at the UF/IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center in Jay.
The day’s events also included visits to the Golden Peanut Company in Jay and Holland Farms for boiled peanuts.
Pictured: Participants in the 48th Annual Santa Rosa Farm Tour enjoy boiled peanuts at Holland Farms. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia, Santa Rosa Farm Bureaus Complete 1.5 Ton Peanut Butter Donation To Manna
September 18, 2014
The Florida Peanut Producers and the Farm Bureau in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties has completed their donation of one and a half tons of peanut butter to the Manna Food Bank.
After discussing the flood that damaged the Manna warehouse and food supply, the Escambia County Farm Bureau voted to spend $1,000 to buy peanut butter, Manna’s most needed item. The Santa Rosa County Farm Bureau board then voted to donate $1,001 toward the peanut butter donation.
When notified of the purchase of peanut butter, the board of directors of Florida Peanut Producers and Ken Barton, executive director and agreed to match the purchase and donated a pallet of peanut butter.
With the two counties cooperation and the match from the Florida Peanut Producers, 2,880 jars of peanut butter were donated. The first pallet was donated back in August, and the second pallet of Peanut Proud peanut butter was donated last week.
File photos.