Flag Day: A Betsy Ross History Lesson
June 14, 2012
[VOA] It’s going to be a busy day at Betsy Ross’s house in Philadelphia on Thursday. She won’t be there, since she died in 1836, but hundreds of tourists will be going through her house.
You see, Thursday is Flag Day in the United States. The unofficial holiday commemorates the adoption of the stars-and-stripes design of the American flag by the Continental Congress 235 years ago, on June 14, 1777.
According to lore, the Ross House is the birthplace of the nation’s flag. That’s open to debate, but it’s a story that schoolbooks still tell.
Betsy Ross was a seamstress, busy upholstering furniture in Philadelphia, which was the focal point of the American revolution against British rule.
The Declaration of Independence by the colonists was signed there, and so was the new nation’s Constitution after independence was won.
Widowed when her husband, a member of the local militia, was killed in a gunpowder explosion, Betsy Ross often mended the clothes of the rebels’ leader and future U.S. president, George Washington.
According to what some say is history and others a stretch of what really happened, Washington asked Ross to design and sew the new nation’s flag.
The story was promoted by Ross’s grandson, who wrote that Betsy Ross had “made with her hands the first flag.”
She became a role model for girls – a shining example of women’s contributions to the nation’s history.
Most research indicates that Ross did sew the first flag.
She’s credited with substituting artful five-point white stars for six-pointed ones in the upper-left blue field.
But many other accounts indicate George Washington brought the design to Ross and simply asked her to stitch it together.
In a letter, Washington wrote: “We take the stars from Heaven, the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her. And the white stripes shall go down to posterity [as] representing liberty.”
That’s deeper thinking than a humble seamstress would have come up with, according to those who doubt that Betsy Ross created the first American flag from scratch.
Free 151st Army Band Concert On June 18
June 14, 2012
The 151st Army Band will perform a free concert next Monday, June 18 at Pensacola’s Community Maritime Park. The performance will begin at 6:00 p.m. at the park’s Hunter Amphitheater.
The amphitheater overlooks Pensacola Bay and can accommodate nearly 5,000 visitors. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome, but coolers and glass containers are prohibited. Food and drink vendors will be available during the concert.
The 151st Army Band is based in Montgomery. A unit of the Alabama Army National Guard, the band consists of “citizen soldiers” who meet two days a month for rehearsals and performances. The band performs throughout the United States for military and civilian functions, and has traveled to Costa Rica and Columbia performing on United States Embassy Goodwill tours.
The concert marks the first performance at the park, after the weekend’s inclement weather rained out the planned Grand Opening celebration. The canceled performance by the Charlie Daniels Band will be rescheduled.
Pictured: The 151ast Army Band. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Zany Magic: Summer Reading Program Continues At Century Library
June 13, 2012
The Summer Reading Series for kids and teens continued Tuesday afternoon at the Century Branch Library.
During the program, the zany Dr. Dee and Daffodil the Clown turned to the audience for help as they performed magic acts to bring a special story to life.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Summer Reading Series will continue on Tuesdays at noon at the Century Branch Library as follows:
June 19 — Storytelling with Pat Nease. She will share some witty, wiley and wicked tales.
June 26 — Cartooning with Mike Artell. The award-winning cartoonist and illustrator will present an exciting time of cool and creepy facts about a variety of subjects. Mike gets the audience excited about reading, writing, drawing and creative thinking.
July 3 — No program.
July 10 — Drums with Mark Seymour. Explore the world of drums, drum styles and sounds.
The Century Branch Library also offers a preschool story time each Tuesday in June at 10:30 a.m. for children birth to five-years old.
For more information, call the library at (850) 256-6217.
Pictured: Tuesday’s Summer Reading Series at the Century Branch Library. Submitted photos by August Whorff, Pat Rigel and Renee Coppenger for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
SciTech: NASA to Launch Black Hole Hunter Today
June 13, 2012
[VOA] The U.S. space agency is set to launch a telescope into space today to seek out and study black holes — those still-mysterious celestial bodies that scientists believe lie at the heart of every massive galaxy, including our own Milky Way.
Black holes have a gravitational pull so intense that not even light can escape from them. As gas, dust and stars are sucked in, the material accelerates and heats up, generating powerful X-ray light emissions.
Only a few decades ago, scientists thought black holes were rare. But their thinking has changed in the past 20 years, and now NASA is setting out to conduct a census of the black holes in the universe.
The U.S. space agency is launching a black hole hunter, a new telescope called NuSTAR, but formally known as Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array.
Paul Hertz is the director of NASA’s astrophysics division.
“Stars, nebulae and black holes emit X-rays of the type that we use in medical X-rays, and these cannot be detected from the surface of the Earth,” explained Hertz. “But the NuSTAR telescope will focus these X-rays onto its digital camera and send the pictures back to Earth for scientific analysis.”
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Current telescopes provide images that show a general glow from hundreds of massive black holes. NASA expects NuSTAR will be able to provide far better images of black holes and other high-energy events when it surveys the extra-galactic sky.
The images will be studied by people around the world, including NuSTAR’s principal investigator, Fiona Harrison.
“NuSTAR will open a whole new window on the universe, by being the very first telescope to focus on high-energy X-rays. As such, it will make images that are 10 times crisper and 100 times more sensitive than any telescope that is operated in this region of the spectrum,” Harrison said.
The NuSTAR telescope is about the size of a refrigerator, but it has a hidden tool. About a week after NuSTAR launches, it will deploy a 10-meter mast that will separate its mirrors from its detectors. That mast provides the distance required to focus the X-ray light into sharp images.
NASA scientists say that perhaps two out of every three black holes in the universe are hidden.
This telescope will be able to find these black holes behind their obscuring veils of dust and gas. It will also be able to tell how quickly a black hole is spinning, which will help scientists learn how black holes form.
“Like all of our NASA missions, we’re going to find unexpected things out there that will lead us to questions and answers that we aren’t even anticipating at this time,” predicted NASA’s Paul Hertz.
NASA says NuSTAR will start providing data to scientists about a month after its launch.
Reorganized Flomaton Lions Club Looking For New Members
June 12, 2012
The Flomaton Lions Club is being reorganized with the help of the Atmore Lions Club. The Flomaton club’s first meeting in over three years was held last week with several new members.
Judy Champion, Ruth Harrell, Goodie Odom, Scott Hammond and returning Lion Charles Bowles joined the club, according to organizers. The club came together to discuss community needs, including school uniforms for the upcoming year.
Hammond, Flomaton High principal, told the group that there is a need to provide school uniforms for children in need. The Lions will hold a fundraiser pancake supper on August 2.
Former Lions or community minded individuals interested in making a difference in the Flomaton area are invited to join the Flomaton Lions at their next meeting on June 19 from 6-7 p.m. at the Lions Flomaton Community Center.
Ernest Ward Seventh Grade Awards
June 12, 2012
The following seventh grade students received year-end awards at Ernest Ward Middle School.
Highest Academic Average at Ernest Ward Middle School
- Alyssa Borelli, presented by EWMS Honor Society
Highest Academic Average for Seventh Grade
- Alyssa Borelli, presented by EWMS Honor Society
Overall Most Outstanding Student
- Autumn Albritton
Overall Most Improved Student
- Jimi Brooks
A Honor Roll
- Alyssa Borelli
- Ian Schneider
- Mitchell Singleton
A/B Honor Roll
- Autumn Albritton
- Dustin Bethea
- Amy Branch
- Dillon Clary
- Austin Collier
- Peighton Dortch
- Denise Floyd
- Emily Heard
- Adrian King
- Kaleigh Linam
- Ean Lundy
- Quentin Sampson
- Brianna Smith
- Jada Tucker
- Chelsea Waters
- Alston Wiggins
- Elizabeth Wright
Golden Eagle Top Gun Award — Students who receive this award are recognized for maintaining grades of C or higher on report cards, having 10 or less absences, and receiving no referrals during the course of the school year.
Golden Eagle Top Gun Award
- Autumn Albritton
- Dustin Bethea
- Alyssa Borelli
- Amy Branch
- Kaylee Brown
- Dillon Clary
- Colby Dees
- Peighton Dortch
- Hunter Edwards
- Denise Floyd
- Jewel Garner
- Adrian King
- Kaleigh Linam
- Ean Lundy
- Brittany McLemore
- Audrienne Odom
- Quentin Sampson
- Ian Schneider
- Mitchell Singleton
- Brianna Smith
- Cody Smith
- Devin Stabler
- Jada Tucker
- Jacob Weaver
- Tylia White
- Alston Wiggins
- Hadley Woodfin
- Elizabeth Wright
Bell’s Awards
- Most Outstanding Students
- Catherine Jernigan, Advanced Reading
- Chelsea Waters, Advanced Reading
- Dustin Crumbley, Reading
- Most Improved Students
- Trenton Martin, Advanced Reading
- Mallory Gibson, Advanced Reading
- James White, Reading
Cassevah’s Awards
- Most Outstanding Students
- Brianna Smith, Geography
- Jada Tucker, Geography
- Alston Wiggins, Geography
- Mitchell Singleton, Geography
- Adrian King, Geography
- Most Improved Students
- Hunter Edwards, Geography
- Jimi Brooks, Geography
- Kyle Reaves, Geography
- Gaten Scott, Geography
- Hanna Clarke, Geography
Cassevah and Harris’ Awards
- Most Outstanding Students
- Gregory Presley, Intensive Geography
- Deonte’ Martin, Intensive Geography
Chavers’ Awards
- Most Outstanding Students
- Alyssa Borelli, Advanced Geography
- Keviana Brown, Critical Thinking
- Most Improved Students
- April Payne, Advanced Geography
- Gaten Scott, Critical Thinking
Ellis’ Awards
- Most Outstanding Students
- Alyssa Borelli, Culinary Academy
- Jada Tucker, Culinary Academy
- Ian Schneider, Culinary Academy
- Autumn Albritton, Personal Development
- Jimi Brooks, Personal Development
- Taylor Kearley, Personal Development
Findley’s Awards
- Most Outstanding Students
- De’Asia Fountain, Reading
- Brianna Smith, Intensive Reading
- Hunter Kite, Intensive Reading
- Most Improved Students
- Hanna Clarke, Reading
- Mallory Merchant, Intensive Reading
- Roquan Wiggins, Intensive Reading
Grant’ s Awards
- Most Outstanding Students
- Tanner Guidry, Geography
- Most Improved Students
- Lindsey Gindl, Geography
Greenwell’ s Awards
- Most Outstanding Students
- Jared Jeter, Physical Education
- Mallarie Rigby, Physical Education
- Adam Smith, Physical Education
- Tanner Guidry, Physical Education
- Kyle Reaves, Physical Education
- Brianna Smith, Physical Education
- Jacob Weaver, Team Sports
Hendrix and M. Johnson’ s Awards
- Most Outstanding Students
- Ashley Davis, Reading
- Most Improved Students
- Tatyanna White, Reading
A. Johnson ’ s Awards
- Most Outstanding Students
- Ian Schneider, Electrical Academy I
- Quentin Sampson, Electrical Academy I
- Alyssa Borelli, Electrical Academy I
- Brittanie McLemore, Science
Luker’ s Awards
- Most Outstanding Students
- De’Asia Fountain, Science
- Alston Wiggins, Language Arts
- Tanner Guidry, Language Arts
- Most Improved Students
- Michela Hall, Science
- Sophia Meeks, Language Arts
- Brittney Faberman, Language Arts
Rutherford’ s Awards
- Most Outstanding Students
- Jessica Stacey, Graphic Arts Academy
- Jada Tucker, Graphic Arts Academy
- Most Improved Students
- Connor Riley, Graphic Arts Academy
- Preston Milstead, Graphic Arts Academy
Salter’ s Awards
- Most Outstanding Students
- Trey Holder, Physical Education
Shamblin’ s Awards
- Most Outstanding Students
- Alyssa Borelli, Advanced Math
- Elizabeth Wright, Advanced Math
- Charlie Schachle, Math
- Dimonique Brown, Math
- Alston Wiggins, Math
- Makensie Colvin, Math
- Kristen Johnson, Math
- Brianna Smith, Math
- Ian Schneider, Advanced Math
- Mitchell Singleton, Advanced Math
Shamblin and Spence’ s Awards
- Most Outstanding Students
- Taconius Stallworth, Intensive Math
- Hunter Terry, Intensive Math
Thomas’ Awards
- Most Outstanding Students
- Zippy Harris, Intensive Science
- Most Improved Students
- Jimi Brooks, Intensive Science
Tucker’ s Awards
- Most Outstanding Students
- Amy Branch, Chorus
- Jewel Garner, Chorus
- Adrian King, Band
- Kylie Brook, Band
Ward’ s Awards
- Most Outstanding Students
- Elizabeth Wright, Drama
- Kaleigh Linam, Drama
White’ s Awards
- Most Outstanding Students
- Katie Cmehil, Math
- Ashley Davis, Math
- Jimi Brooks, Math
Wilkins’ Awards
- Most Outstanding Students
- Alexandra Burt, Language Arts
- De’Asia Fountain, Language Arts
- Peighton Dortch, Advanced Language Arts
- Rachael Irby, Advanced Language Arts
- Alyssa Borelli, Advanced Language Arts
- Most Improved Students
- Caleb Therrell, Advanced Language Arts
- Flenequa Mitchell, Language Arts
- Dylan Amerson, Language Arts
- Hunter Edwards, Language Arts
- Hunter Kite, Language Arts
Wilkins’ and Harris’ Awards
- Most Outstanding Student
- Deonte’ Martin
- Most Improved Student
- Kyle Reaves
Wilson’s Awards
- Most Outstanding Students
- Mitchell Singleton, First Semester Agriculture
- Tabitha Chavers, Second Semester Agriculture
Womack’s Awards
- Most Outstanding Students
- Alyssa Borelli, Advanced Science
- Rachel Irby, Science
- Most Improved Students
- Tanner Guidry, Advanced Science
- Shyanne Snyder, Science
Students of the Month
- Kaleigh Linam, September
- Ashley Davis, October
- Desmone Knight, November
- Troy Stuckey, December
- Ian Schneider, January
- Elizabeth Wright, February
- Hunter Kite, March
- Mallory Gibson, April
- Mitchell Singleton, May
Take Stock in Children Scholarship Opportunity
- Alston Wiggins
Duke University Talent Search Awards
- Khari Codrington
- Ian Schneider
- Zachary Sheldon
- Hadley Woodfin
The Principal’s Award, presented by Nancy Gindl-Perry, is awarded to students who show overwhelming improvement in their behavior, attitude, or academic status over the course of the school year.
Principal’s Awards
- Javier Brown
- Josie Smith
IP Donates Lifesaving AED’s To Health And Hope Clinic
June 11, 2012
International Paper recently donated three automated external defibrillators (AED) to the non-profit Health and Hope Clinic. One of the AED units had already been installed in the Century location of the Health and Hope Clinic.
An AED is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses the potentially life threatening heart rhythms and is able to treat them through defibrillation (shock), with the goal of restarting a healthy rhythm.
The Health and Hope Clinic quietly opened last October in the old Escambia County Health Department building at 501 Church Street in Century. It is the second location for the clinic, which was first established in Pensacola back in 2003 by the Pensacola Bay Baptist Association to meet the needs of uninsured and medically underserved in Escambia County. The clinic is entirely volunteer and donor supported.
Pictured top: The Health and Hope Clinic in Century. Pictured inset: A new AED installed inside the Century Health and Hope Clinic. Submitted and NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Pensacola’s Wettest Weekend Ends On Bright Note
June 11, 2012
After one of the wettest weekends ever in the Pensacola area — with over 20 inches of rain in some areas, there was a bright ending in the skies early Sunday evening. At sunset, a full rainbow was visible across much of Escambia County.
Pictured top: Rainbow of Myrtle Grove, by Monica Nelson. Pictured left inset: Rainbow of Gulf Breeze Hospital, by Sheila Tucker. Pictured below: Rainbow over Pensacola Sunday evening, by Desere Downing. Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Grad Named One Of South Alabama’s Brightest
June 11, 2012
A Flomaton High School graduate was one of just 12 students named to the 2012 Mobile Press-Register’s 2012 Top Academic Team.
Victoria Creamer was the only Escambia County (Ala.) student named to the prestigious list of South Alabama’s brightest grads. Honorees “have more than impressive resumes. They possess heart, talent and gumption,” according to the newspaper.
Victoria Creamer
After A Flood: The First Steps
June 10, 2012
Here are tips from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for those with flood damage or in flooded areas:
- Use local alerts and warning systems to get information and expert informed advice as soon as available.
- Avoid moving water.
- Stay away from damaged areas unless your assistance has been specifically requested by police, fire, or relief organization.
- Emergency workers will be assisting people in flooded areas. You can help them by staying off the roads and out of the way.
- Play it safe. Additional flooding or flash floods can occur. Listen for local warnings and information. If your car stalls in rapidly rising waters, get out immediately and climb to higher ground.
- Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.
- Roads may still be closed because they have been damaged or are covered by water. Barricades have been placed for your protection. If you come upon a barricade or a flooded road, go another way.
- If you must walk or drive in areas that have been flooded.
- Stay on firm ground. Moving water only 6 inches deep can sweep you off your feet. Standing water may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
- Flooding may have caused familiar places to change. Floodwaters often erode roads and walkways. Flood debris may hide animals and broken bottles, and it’s also slippery. Avoid walking or driving through it.
- Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.
- Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by floodwaters.
- Use extreme caution when entering buildings; there may be hidden damage, particularly in foundations.
Staying Healthy
A flood can cause physical hazards and emotional stress. You need to look after yourself and your family as you focus on cleanup and repair.
- Avoid floodwaters; water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline or raw sewage.
- Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits and leaching systems as soon as possible. Damaged sewer systems are serious health hazards.
- Listen for news reports to learn whether the community’s water supply is safe to drink
- Clean and disinfect everything that got wet. Mud left from floodwaters can contain sewage and chemicals.
- Rest often and eat well.
- Keep a manageable schedule. Make a list and do jobs one at a time.
- Discuss your concerns with others and seek help. Contact Red Cross for information on emotional support available in your area.
Cleaning Up and Repairing Your Home
- Turn off the electricity at the main breaker or fuse box, even if the power is off in your community. That way, you can decide when your home is dry enough to turn it back on.
- Download a copy of the book Repairing Your Flooded Home. It will tell you:
- How to enter your home safely.
- How to protect your home and belongings from further damage.
- How to record damage to support insurance claims and requests for assistance.
- How to check for gas or water leaks and how to have service restored.
- How to clean up appliances, furniture, floors and other belongs.
- The Red Cross can provide you with a cleanup kit: mop, broom, bucket, and cleaning supplies.
- Contact your insurance agent to discuss claims.
- Check NorthEscambia.com or other media for information in the coming days on assistance that may be provided by the state or federal government or other organizations.
- If you hire cleanup or repair contractors, check references and be sure they are qualified to do the job. Be wary of people who drive through neighborhoods offering help in cleaning up or repairing your home.