Weekend Gardening: A Red, White And Blue Garden
June 29, 2013
A patriotic flower garden is all about combining dazzling colors of red, white and blue. Red and white flowers are the easiest to find. Flowers that have a dark blue color like the American flag can be more challenging to locate. Generally the blue seen in flowers is a lighter blue, not a navy blue. But feel free to use dark purple flowers for a dark blue effect. Here are some plants that will perform in your garden throughout the summer, not just for the Fourth of July.
Firecracker Plant
Bright red, tubular flowers that resemble little firecrackers hang on this plant during much of the year. Known scientifically as Russelia equisetiformis, this tender small shrub has an unusual look. The rush-like stems are lacking obvious foliage. It has an attractive weeping growth habit with wiry branches that start out erect then fall over to cascade down in lengths as long as four feet.
Firecracker plant grows well in full or broken sun. It will tolerate different soil types but thrives in areas that are well-drained but are regularly watered. This is a must for the butterfly or hummingbird garden.
Bee Balm
Another flower that is a hummingbird and butterfly attractant is this easy-to-grow perennial. Its bright colors and nectar-filled blooms attract a wide variety of “flying jewels.”
The sweet and minty, citrus-scented plant isn’t just for our winged friends, however. Both the leaves and the flowers are perfectly edible-add them to salads or use as garnishes. The dried leaves have been used for centuries to make tea.
Bee balm, or Monarda didyma, comes in many different colors. ‘Jacob Cline’ is an outstanding dark red, powdery mildew-resistant cultivar.
Cat’s Whiskers
Cat’s Whiskers is a member of the mint family and is native to tropical East Asia. Its scientific name is Orthosiphon stamineus. In zone 8, consider this plant an annual since it is tender and will not reliably come back after a freeze.
Cat’s Whiskers has beautiful dark green leaves and unusual white flowers. The flowers consist of an upright spike that contains long flowers and even longer stamens, reminiscent of cat whiskers. Flowering occurs on new growth.
This plant performs best in full sun. It will however grow with several hours of filtered light or spotty direct sun. Cat’s whiskers is a shrub-type plant that will reach heights of two to three feet and spreads three to four feet.
Blue Mist
Caryopteris x clandonensis, sometimes called bluebeard or blue mist shrub, is a cross between two species, and is one of the best small shrubs for late color in the landscape.
It is a low mounding, herbaceous shrub that prefers loose, loamy soil and full sun. It produces sturdy stems with several whorls of blue flowers in the fall. There are several cultivars available. The famous variety ‘Longwood Blue’ has sky blue flowers.
Another popular type, ‘Worcester Gold’, has yellow foliage and blue flowers. Proven Winners has one called ‘Petit Blue’ that is known for its tight, compact growth habit.
Bees and butterflies love them, but deer don’t — a happy combination. The flowers are so attractive to the bees, that the insects aren’t bothered by the presence of people
For more information, contact Theresa Friday at 850-623-3868 or email tlfriday@ufl.edu. Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Lonely Highway: Dog Seems To Sit, Wait For Someone That Never Comes
June 28, 2013
The saga of a lonely dog is playing out on Facebook, capturing the hearts of hundreds of people, as he sits and waits alone by a country road.
On Sunday, Molly Hughes of Flomaton posted a couple of photos of dog on a roadside off Highway 113 near Flomaton.
“He has been sitting in the same spot for 2 days like he’s waiting on his owner to show up to get him,” Hughes wrote in her post, believing someone dumped the dog on the roadside. “It’s so sad.” She stopped and put out food and water for the dog, but she was unable to get very close to him.
But no matter what, the dog has continued to sit by the road, seemingly waiting for someone he loves to come back.
“It’s day 5 of this poor dog sitting in the same spot waiting on his owner to show back up to get him,” Hughes posted on Facebook on Wednesday. “We have put food and water out for him every day and tried to get him to come with us but he’s scared and won’t leave this spot.”
By Thursday, other Facebook members had begin to help Hughes take care of the roadside dog. Several people visited with the dog and provided food and water. They have been able to pet the dog, but so far he’s too frightened to allow anyone to take him to a new home.
“I want to thank everyone in the community that has helped out with this poor fella,” Hughes said. “It’s so heartwarming to know that many people actually care and will take the time out of their day to help an animal.” On Thursday, Hughes was able to spend about 45 minutes with the dog, providing him not only with more food and water, but a bone and some much appreciated treats.
“Please keep him in your prayers and pray that he will decide to trust someone enough to go home with them soon,” she said.
If anyone has any information about the roadside dog, email us your contact information at news@northescambia.com and we will put you in touch with Hughes.
Pictured: A dog waits by the roadside near Flomaton. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Night Of Music And Comedy To Benefit Cpl. J.R. Spears Memorial Scholarhip Fund
June 28, 2013
The Cpl. J.R. Spears Memorial Scholarship Fund will present a night of music and comedy Saturday at Tate High School featuring Grand Ole Opry Comedian T. Bubba Bechtol. Special guest will be entertainer and 2010 Tate High School graduate Leslie Ann Godwin.
Doors open at 6:30 Saturday night; the show begins at 7:00. Admission is $10, with all proceeds going toward the Cpl. J.R. Spears Memorial Scholarship Fund at Pensacola State College. Concessions will be on sale during the show.
After the show, birthday cake will be served to celebrate Spears’ birthday, which is Sunday.
For tickets, call Tim at (850) 324-9907. Tickets will also be sold at the door.
Blue Angels Team Members Takes Part In Century Storytime
June 27, 2013
A member of the Blue Angels took part in an afternoon storytime Wednesday at the Century Branch Library. PR1 Jeremy Green, a parachute rigger first class for the Blue Angels’ Life Support team, read a story to the packed library crowed and shared stories about his time in the Navy and with the Blue Angels. Green is from Spring Hill, AK, and enlisted in the Navy in February 2002 as an aircrew survival equipmentman.
Special storytimes will continue with a member of the Blue Angels at area libraries as follows:
- Thursday, June 27 at 10:30 A.M.,: Tryon Branch, 1200 Langley Ave.
- Saturday, June 29 at 2:30 P.M.,: Westside Branch, 1580 W. Cervantes St.
- Tuesday, July 2 at 10:30 A.M.,: Southwest Branch, 12248 Gulf Beach Hwy.
Groups of 20 or less are invited to contact their favorite library to inquire if seating is available for attendance at this very special Blue Angels storytime event.
Pictured top and below: Blue Angels team member PR1 Jeremy Green reads to children Wednesday afternoon at the Century Branch Library. Pictured inset: Enjoyig the story. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview, Jay Students Attend Rural Electric Youth Tour In Washington
June 27, 2013
Two North Escambia area students represented Escambia River Electric Cooperative during the annual Washington Rural Electric Youth Tour.
Taylor Brook of Northview High School and Kayla Flowers of Jay High School joined 1,500 youth leaders representing electric cooperatives from 41 states as they enjoyed a week-long tour of Washington, D.C. Brook and Flowers were the winners of the annual EREC Youth Tour contest held annually for high school juniors in the EREC service area.
Brook and Flowers visited the World War II, Lincoln, Vietnam, Korean and FDR memorials, along with Arlington National Cemetery. They also took an evening boat cruise along the Potomac River and attended a play at the Kennedy Center.
They also met with Congressman Jeff Miller and visited the Capitol where they learned more about how government works. During the Rural Electric Youth Day program, they had the opportunity to gain a better understanding of rural electric cooperatives’ history and their importance in the communities they serve.
Pictured: EREC Youth Tour delegates Kayla Flowers and Taylor Brook in front of the White House. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lake Stone Receives Community Pride Award
June 26, 2013
The Century Area Chamber of Commerce has awarded the June 2013 Community Pride Award to Lake Stone.
Lake Stone Campground is a 100-acre campground and boat ramp facility located at 801 West Highway 4 in Century. The campground has 77 campsites for everything from big RV rigs to tents. Recently updated to accommodate the more modern and much larger RV’s, Lake Stone is the Escambia County’s only facility located on a fresh water lake.
Lake Stone facilities include a boat ramp , indoor public use pavilion, a playground, showers, restrooms, a fishing pier, security lights, electrical and water hookups, a sewage dump station, picnic areas and the lake.
The Lake Stone pavilion or campsites can be reserved by calling the Lake Stone campground manager at (850) 256-5555 or Escambia County Parks and Recreation at (850) 475-5220.
Pictured top and bottom: The Century Area Chamber of Commerce June 2013 Community Pride Award was presented to Lake Stone. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge. Pictured inset: Lake Stone caretaker Dennis Cole receives the award from the chamber’s Don Ripley (courtesy photo).
Clay Shoot Saturday To Benefit Junior League, Kid’s House
June 26, 2013
Shooting enthusiasts to participate in a charity clay shoot on this Saturday at Santa Rosa Shooting Center. Clays for Kids will raise funds for Junior League of Pensacola and a portion of proceeds will be directly gifted to Santa Rosa Kids’ House, the child advocacy center serving Santa Rosa County.
Santa Rosa Shooting Center, located at 6950 Quintette Road in Pace, is a 14-station sporting clay course suitable for any level shooter. The cost to participate in Clays for Kids is $100 per shooter. Participants may register online at juniorleagueofpensacola.org/clay-shoot.
Junior League member Jennifer Major and her husband Tom are teaming up to chair Clays for Kids.
“We are excited to be partnering together on a project that supports our community,” Jennifer Major said. “Tom has been a Joe Junior Leaguer for years now. We both believe in the work of the Junior League and we are proud to present Clays for Kids as a new fundraiser to support Junior League and Santa Rosa Kids’ House.”
The tournament will begin at 10 a.m. with a shotgun start. Registration for shooters begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by a safety briefing at 9:45. A lunch and awards ceremony will complete the day. Shooters are encouraged to sign up in advance, but also can sign up the morning of the tournament.
For more tournament details or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities, call (850) 433-4421 or email president@juniorleagueofpensacola.org.
High Flying Reading: Blue Angels Pilot Takes Part In Molino Storytime
June 25, 2013
It was high flying storytime Monday at the Molino Branch Library as the No. 2 Blue Angel shared his own stories and read a couple of books to a large crowd.
LCDR John Hiltz, a Blue Angels pilot since September 2011, told the children how he came to love flying — and reading. He read a couple of books to the children, and even played “airplane” and lifted off a couple of children.
The Blue Angels are participating in community events like storytime at the library after being grounded for the season by the federal government’s sequester. Hiltz, like his fellow pilots, doesn’t know when they’ll get the green light to perform in air shows again. The pilots are currently getting individual flight time in the F-18, but there’s no practicing those high flying stunts that have made the Blue Angels world famous.
Once they get the budget go ahead to fly again, the Blue Angels will have to get in a lot of practice hours before their first air show.
“It’s going to be up to us to look ourselves in the eye and say we are ready,” he said. “Right now all we are getting is elementary flying. But the Blue Angels don’t do elementary flying.”
Hiltz knows Blue Angels air shows are expensive, but there’s a lot of return on the investment.
Special storytimes will continue with a member of the Blue Angels at area libraries as follows:
- Wednesday, June 26 at 10:30 A.M.,: Main Library, 239 N. Spring St.
- Wednesday, June 26 at 2:30 P.M.,: Century Branch, 7991 N. Century Blvd.
- Thursday, June 27 at 10:30 A.M.,: Tryon Branch, 1200 Langley Ave.
- Saturday, June 29 at 2:30 P.M.,: Westside Branch, 1580 W. Cervantes St.
- Tuesday, July 2 at 10:30 A.M.,: Southwest Branch, 12248 Gulf Beach Hwy.
Groups of 20 or less are invited to contact their favorite library to inquire if seating is available for attendance at this very special Blue Angels storytime event.
Pictured top: LCDR John Hiltz,, pilot of the No. 2 Blue Angels plane, gets a little help with a story that pointed out humans have arms, not wings. Pictured inset: A little high-flying blast off with a young reader. Pictured below: Monday’s storytime at the Molino Branch Library. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Solari, Wainwright Elected To District FFA Posts
June 24, 2013
Courtney Solari, president of the Northview High FFA Chapter, was recently elected at the 85th Florida FFA State Convention to serve as the 2013-2014 District I president. Logan Wainwright, 2012-2013 president of the Milton High FFA Chapter and former Northview student, was elected to serve as District I secretary.
Florida FFA District I includes Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, and Washington counties.
Pictured top: Florida FFA District 1 President Courtney Solari (left) and District I Secretary Logan Wainwright (right). Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Nature Photography Contest At Century Care Center
June 23, 2013
The residents at Century Care Center held their own Nature Photography Contest last week.
Most of the photographs were taken around the Century Care courtyard, and they were judged by staff and resident photographers. First place went to Carolyn Moye (top), second place to Clarice Simmons (left) and third place to Mittie Allen (below).
Other photographic entries are below.
