Softball Tourney To Benefit Wreck Victim Mark Shipps, Jr.
April 1, 2013
A Molino man and Northview High graduate is facing a long road to recovery from a March 24 wreck in Molino, and his friends are organizing a softball tournament in May to offset some of the family’s financial expenses.
Mark Allen Ships, Jr. was traveling west on Molino Road near Chestnut Road about 3:30 a.m. on March 24 when he crossed over the eastbound lane and onto the shoulder. He continued on the shoulder until he struck a cement culvert and cement embankment with the front of his 2002 Jeep Liberty.
At the time of the wreck, Shipps was returning home from a formal banquet for the Kappa Sigma Fraternity of University of West Florida. Shipps, a 2010 Northview graduate, is the vice president of the fraternity at UWF, where he is majoring in electrical engineering.
According to Shipps’ mother, Heather, Mark planned to spend the night with a friend in Pensacola. She said he apparently decided to come home because he was scheduled to work Sunday morning in the meat market at Piggly Wiggly in Davisville. He wrecked less than a half mile from his parent’s home.
Shipps’ injuries include intestinal damage, two broken femurs, bruised lungs and a fracture above his left eye, according to his mother. “Most of the damage was done by the seatbelt and airbag, but if he hadn’t had the seatbelt on he probably wouldn’t have survived,” she said.
He has undergone several abdominal surgeries to repair the damage, and rods were inserted in surgeries to repair his broken legs.
“Thankfully he did not suffer any head injuries,” Ms. Shipps said. “They have done CT scans and have found no injuries.”
“He is expected to make a full recovery,” Ms. Shipps said. “It is just going to be a long process.”
Junior Classic
The Junior Classic Softball Tournament will be held beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 10 and continuing Saturday, May 11 at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill.
It will be based on USSSA slow pitch softball rules, with three females on the field per team at all ties. There will be a two loss elimination in effect. Registration is $150 per team.
The event will also include food, music and more. Volunteers are needed in any form — from playing on a team, to umpiring and more. For more information or to register, contact Bradley Lowery at (850) 232-3205 or BJL0005@auburn.edu.
A benefit account has been established at United Bank in Atmore for Mark Shipps, Jr. The account information is: Mark Shipps Jr. Benefit Account, account #151892711, P.O. Box 8, Atmore, AL 36504. Checks should be made out to “Mark Shipps Jr. Benefit Account”.
The Junior Class Facebook page (click here) also offers more information.
Pictured top and bottom: Mark Allen Shipps, Jr. was critically injured in this accident at about 3:30 a.m. on March 24 in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Prayer And WD-40: Molino Woman Celebrates 104th Birthday
April 1, 2013
Hattie Schneider of Molino celebrated her 104th birthday on Easter Sunday, giving credit for her long life to “prayer and WD-40″.
She says she is not sure why she has lived so long or what God’s purpose is for her, but she has trust in the Lord.
She has one son, Carlton Abbott, two grandchildren, and many great and great-great grandchildren. Her family and friends said they thank God everyday for blessing them with her, and she is a true inspiration to everyone.
Faithful Celebrate Resurrection At Easter Sunrise Services
March 31, 2013
Easter morning sunrise services were held at many locations across the area Sunday morning.
One of the largest in North Escambia was in Molino as several churches came together for a community Easter morning sunrise service at Aldersgate Methodist Church, celebrating with music and a message.
Other sunrise services were held across the area, including Century, Atmore,Walnut Hill, Flomaton, Gonzalez and Cantonment. And thousands attended a Marcus Pointe Baptist Church Son-Rise Service held at the Blue Wahoos Stadium downtown (pictured above and below).
The sunrise services celebrated the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, an important event to the faithful. According to the Bible:
Matthew 28:1-20
Resurrection Morning
1 After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb. 2 Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached [the tomb]. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his robe was as white as snow. 4 The guards were so shaken from fear of him that they became like dead men. 5
But the angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead. In fact, He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there.’ Listen, I have told you.”
8 So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell His disciples the news. 9 Just then Jesus met them and said, “Good morning!” They came up, took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus told them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see Me there.”
The Soldiers Are Bribed to Lie
11 As they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 After the priests had assembled with the elders and agreed on a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money 13 and told them, “Say this, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole Him while we were sleeping.’ 14 If this reaches the governor’s ears, we will deal with him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been spread among Jewish people to this day.
The Great Commission
16 The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped, but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
from the Holman Christian Standard Bible
Photos: Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church ‘Eggstravaganza’
March 31, 2013
Dozens of area children took part in the annual “Eggstravaganza” Saturday at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church in Bogia.
The children played Easter egg bingo, jumped in a bounce house, dined on cupcakes and hunted hundreds of eggs. Two lucky children found prize eggs that won them a new bicycle.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Do you have photos of an event at your church? Email them news@northescambia.com
Submitted photos by Ramona Preston for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Birth: Ayden James Chancery
March 31, 2013
Baby Ayden James Chancery was born Friday, March 22, 2013 at 1:10 p.m., just two day’s before his father’s 21st birthday. The son of Aaron and Britany Chancery, Ayden was 7-pounds, 15.5-ounces and 20 inches long,
He is the brother of Riley Chancery and the grandson of Richard and Lisa Chancery and Loretta Floyd.
22nd Annual Century Sawmill Pageant Winners
March 31, 2013
The 22nd Annual Century Sawmill Pageant was held recently in Century.
The event included pageants for numerous age groups for beauty, casual wear, and most photogenic. Over 70 girls participated in the Century Lions Club fund raiser. All proceeds benefit needy children in the Tri-County area.
Winners for each age category are detailed under each photograph below:
Tiny Baby Miss Winners (L-R) Miss Photogenic – Adahline Grayce Burks; 2nd – Katelyn Mathis; Queen – Alydia Renea Sutton; 1st-Aniyah Michelle Campbell; 3rd — Aubrey La-shae Barnhill. Not shown: Casual Queen Winner – Kaitlyn Kelly.
Toddler Miss Winners: (L-R) 1st – Addyson Alizabeth Wilson; Queen-Carly Pritchett; 3rd – Sarah Alexis Blackbuen; 2nd and Miss Photogenic – Jadyn Alyssa Gresham. Not shown: Casual Queen Winner – Peyton Shailee Lee.
Little Miss Winners: (L-R) 3rd – Shylah Leigh Campbell; 2nd – Baleigh Lincoln; Queen & Most Tickets Sold – Emilee Grace Braswell; 1st & Casual Queen – Lanie Kate Stephens; Most Photogenic – Sophia Adkins.
Young Miss Winners: (L-R) 3rd – Juliana Brooke Gresham; 2nd – Kelsi Wright; Queen & Casual Queen – Andrea Grace LaSala; 1st & Most Photogenic – Aliyah Lynn Neal.
Junior Miss Winners: (L-R) 2nd – Emma Breanna Barrow; Queen and Most Photogenic – Anna Marie Reaves; 1st – Nala Hunter; 3rd and Casual Queen – Renee Flower.
Pre-Teen Miss: (L-R) 3rd and Miss Photogenic – Carly Leanne Sanders; Queen and Casual Queen – Ansley Brooke LaSala; 2nd – Gabrielle Lynn Patterson; 1st – Skylar Crawford.
Miss Winners: (L-R) 1st – Kassidy Lynne Adams; Queen, Casual Queen and Most Photogenic – Alayna Nicole Gordon; 2nd – Brittanie Grace Johnson; 3rd – Heather Alyssa Hilton.
Submitted photos by “Photos By Fisher” for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weekend Gardening: Remember Your Houseplants When Spring Cleaning
March 30, 2013
Warmer weather signals that spring is here. After months of being cooped up indoors, it’s finally time for gardeners to go dig in the dirt. It’s also time for cooped up house plants to be revitalized.
Locate a shady area for this work. Even if houseplants are to be left out for a short period, after being shut up all winter, leaf damage can occur with only brief exposure to direct sunlight.
First, give the houseplants a bath. Use a soapy solution made of two teaspoons of mild liquid soap mixed with one gallon of water. Wash the leaves and stems, being certain to clean both upper and lower leaf surfaces. Allow the solution to remain on the plants for a few minutes, but rinse it off thoroughly before it is allowed to dry. This not only cleans plants, making them more attractive, but the soap helps to remove aphids, mealybugs and other insects.
Next, see if your plant needs re-potting. Although some plants require being pot-bound in order to flower eventually all plants outgrow their containers and become root- or pot-bound.
Why repot in the spring? Plant roots grow most actively in the spring, which means the plant will be able to quickly overcome the shock associated with re-potting.
When repotting, start with a clean, appropriately sized pot. If you want the plant to grow larger, then you will need to repot it in a larger pot. If you want it to maintain its present size, you’ll have to prune its roots.
In general, the pot size should be increased by only about two inches per re-potting. Therefore, a plant whose root ball is in a six inch pot is normally transplanted to a pot with an eight inch diameter. For some reason, drastic changes in pot size when re-potting seems to be detrimental to some plants.
Watering the plant several hours prior will help you remove the plant more easily. Invert the pot and gently remove the plant by grasping the main stem. Give it a slight tug, and it should slip out of the pot. If it doesn’t, use a butter knife or other flat-bladed tool to loosen the sides of the pot and try again.
Once the plant is free of the pot, take the time to inspect the root system. Look for large, old circular roots which can strangle the plant and prevent much-needed nourishment. Sever or remove these old roots to allow new feeder roots to establish.
To re-pot, first add enough new soil mixture to the bottom of the pot to return the plant to its original depth. After the plant is replaced, fill in the sides with new potting soil.
Use a quality potting mix when re-potting. Gardeners generally rely on commercially available potting soil mixes for growing most types of houseplants. A lot of brands are out there and not all of them are especially good. In particular, avoid heavy, black potting soils. If the bag feels dense and heavy for its size, put it back.
The best potting mixes include vermiculite, bark and perlite in proportions that create a fairly light, loose mix that water penetrates readily but drains rapidly.
If you don’t want to change pots, there is a way of dealing with a pot-bound plant and keeping it in the same size pot. First, remove the plant from the pot and trim off one-quarter to one-third of the lower part of the root ball. Put a layer of fresh potting mix in the bottom of the original container equal to the amount of the root ball removed. Place the plant back in the pot, adding a little more soil around the sides. Water well, and place the plant in a shady location to recover.
House plants would also benefit from fertilization at this time of year. There are many commercial materials available for fertilizing indoor plants. Most are effective and safe if used as directed.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Honeysuckle Garden Club Seeks Members
March 30, 2013
The Honeysuckle Garden Club is looking for new members.
Members can learn about shrubs, trees, ferns, birds and butterflies, vegetables, daylilies, hydrangeas, cacti, making designs for the home, enjoy hands-on workshops, landscaping, take field trips, share plants, and have fun with new friends, according to organizers.
The Honeysuckle Garden Club co-sponsors the annual Community Clean-up in the Molino area on Earth Day (this year the event will be on April 20th). The group has a plant sale at the Emerald Coast Flower and Garden Festival held this year on April 5-6 on the Milton Campus of PSC.
The club is planting a Heritage Garden at the Barrineau Park Community Center (plants shared by the founding families of the area); in addition, the group is planting trees in the community center’s playground and park.
Meetings are held on the fourth Sunday of each month at the Barrineau Park Community Center at 2 p.m. For more information, contact Ann Crawford at (850) 968-5645 or Tina Tuttle at (850) 587-2361.
Challenge: Protect An Egg Dropped From A Bucket Truck
March 29, 2013
Jay Elementary kindergarten students had a little egg-dropping fun Thursday. The students were challenged to design a containers they believed would keep an egg safe and prevent breakage when dropped from an Escambia River Electric Cooperative bucket truck. Pictured left: Among those with surviving eggs were Natalie Hendricks Laura Gavin. Pictured right: The eggs are dropped from an EREC bucket truck. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Low Cost Health Insurance Available To Many Area Children
March 29, 2013
Many families in the North Escambia area are eligible for a program that offers private insurance to children for as little as $15-$20 per month.
Florida Kid Care covers health emergencies and a wide variety of services, such as doctor visits, shots, lab tests, X-rays, dental care, prescriptions, emergencies, hospitalization, mental health examinations and sports physicals.
Many families are eligible for the program, but the parents do not know about it. Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital and United Way are working together to promote awareness of the low-cost insurance.
The family’s size and income determine if the children are eligible. The statewide program is aimed at children 18 or younger. A family of four with an income of up to $46,100 a year is eligible.
Details: In Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, simply call 2-1-1. Or email InsureKidsNow@shhpens.org. For more details, contact Cheryl Pilling at cpilling@shhpens.org or call (850) 416-6040.