Homemakers Craft Flower Pens For Molino Park Teachers
October 2, 2011
The Molino Homemakers made flower pens at a recent meeting to present to the teachers at Molino Park Elementary School.
Club member Terri Brown explains how to make your own flower pens as demonstrated by club member Frances Cheney:
- Depending on how many pens you would like to make will determine how many bouquets of flowers to buy.
- Ink pens and green floral tape will also be needed.
- Cut the tops of the flowers off leaving about 3 inches of stem below the flower.
- Approximately nine inches of floral tape will be used to wrap the flowers to the pen.
- Starting at the top, place flower against the pen and start wrapping the stem with floral tap until the stem is covered.
The Molino Homemakers meet on the first Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino. The next meeting will be October 5 . Visitors are welcome; dues are $5 per year.
Pictured top: Flower pens created by the Molino Homemakers Club for teachers at Molino Park Elementary School. Pictured inset: Molino Park teacher Rachel Venable with her flower pen. Submitted photos by Terri Brown for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weekend Gardening: Time To Plant Those Fall Vegetables
October 2, 2011
The slightest hint of fall is in the air. But this doesn’t mean that the vegetable gardening season is over. Fall is an excellent time to grow cool-season vegetables.
Florida is unique in that we have multiple growing seasons. There is something that can be grown in the vegetable garden all year round. Knowing which vegetables to grow during which season is the key to having a successful harvest.
In the summer, gardeners are somewhat limited in the different types of warm-season vegetables that can be grown and will survive the heat. Now with cooler days approaching, we have a much wider selection of cool-season vegetables to plant.
In September many vegetables can be planted in the garden including beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, collards, kale, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, mustard, onions and radish. In October, you can plant Chinese cabbage, spinach and strawberries.
These vegetables are best started from transplants but many can be direct-seeded. If you seed them directly into the soil, keep the ground moist while it’s still warm to give them a good start. Keep them well watered if you transplant, too. The later you start, the smarter it becomes to transplant to cut the time to maturity. Preparing the garden properly is as important as selecting the right plants.
Choose a sunny location. Most vegetables perform poorly in shade. An area that receives at least eight hours of sunlight per day is best. Some vegetables such as broccoli, collards and spinach will tolerate partial shade. Avoid locating your garden near hedges or trees. They not only create too much shade but also compete with the garden for moisture and nutrients.
Locating the garden near the house will make it easier to periodically check the garden for insect pests and disease. And, it is easier to keep an eye on the garden for larger pests such as birds, squirrels and rabbits. Closeness to the house will make it convenient in tending to the garden chores.
Locate the garden near a water supply so it can be watered as needed. You’ll get only moderate results if you try to grow a garden without supplemental irrigation.
Of course, it’s important to prepare beds properly before planting. To do that, clear the site of all weeds or finished vegetable plants. Turn the soil with a shovel, fork or tiller to a depth of at least 8 inches, and spread a 2-inch to 4-inch layer of organic matter (leaves, grass clippings, aged manure or compost) over the tilled soil. This helps to maintain a high level of organic matter in the soil, which encourages a strong, healthy root system, improves drainage, retains moisture, provides nutrients and promotes vigorous plant growth.
Mix the organic matter thoroughly into the soil. Turn the soil by digging with a shovel, garden fork or a tiller until the materials you’ve added are evenly distributed in the soil. When using fresh organic amendments, it’s best to wait a couple of weeks before planting your transplants or seeds.
By this time of year, insects and diseases have had all summer to build up their populations. Insects such as whiteflies, stink bugs, aphids and caterpillars are commonly seen. Since insect and disease pressure often is greater in the late summer/early fall than in the spring, watch plants carefully for problems and use appropriate control measures promptly when needed. Contact your local Extension Office for control recommendations.
Birth: Lawyer James Sims
October 2, 2011
Wes and Kelly Sims of Uriah are proud to announce the birth of Lawyer James Sims. Lawyer was born on Wednesday, June 29, 2011, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola at 9:02 a.m. He weighed 8-pounds, 3-ounces and was 21 inches long.
Lawyer is the grandson of Billy and Dorthy Sims of McDavid, and Charles “Chuck” and Gayle Aldridge of Century. He is the great-grandson of the late Alton Thomas and Annie Lou Sims of McDavid, Mildred Croley and the late Raymond Croley of Century, the late Leon Aldridge of Prattville, AL, Louise Gardner of Prattville, and the late James Oliver “Pete” and Mary Mathis of Century.
Lawyer was welcomed home by his two big brothers Lane and Layton and his big sister Laurel.
Photos: Jay High Homecoming Parade
October 1, 2011
The Jay High School Royals held their annual Homecoming Parade Friday afternoon.
For a photo gallery from the parade, click here.
Pictured: Friday afternoon’s Jay High School Homecoming Parade. Photos by Kelly Archer for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Names Students Of The Month
September 30, 2011
Students of the Month for September have been named for Ernest Ward Middle School. They are (left to right) Kayleigh Linam, seventh grade; Sarah Dutton, eighth grade; and Celeste North, sixth grade. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
It’s A Bird, It’s A Plane – No, It’s Snoopy One
September 30, 2011
“Snoopy One” — one of three MetLife Blimps — was spotted over Atmore late Thursday afternoon.
According to the company, none of the MetLife blimps requires the use of a home base. Together, “Snoopy One” and “Snoopy Two” combine to travel approximately 120,000 miles a year throughout the United States. Traveling with each MetLife blimp is a dedicated 14 member crew: two pilots and twelve crewmen. The ground crew includes electronic engineers, mechanics, licensed radio technicians, and riggers. In addition to these highly specialized personnel, each MetLife blimp operation requires five ground support vehicles; to move the blimp and crew from one location to the next.
The primary focus of the blimp program is providing aerial coverage of sporting and special events. In a typical year, “Snoopy One” and “Snoopy Two” cover approximately 70 events for a variety of networks including NBC, CBS, ABC, ESPN and TGC. The blimps can be seen capturing shots of events ranging from the US Open and PGA Championship, to NFL football games across the country.
Pictured above: “Snoopy One” as seen over Highway 21 in Atmore about 4:30 Thursday afternoon. Photo by Kim McCullough for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Bratt, Byrneville Students Learn All About Peanuts
September 29, 2011
Second graders from Bratt and Byrneville Elementary Schools had the chance to learn all about peanuts Wednesday morning — including a hands-on experience in a peanut field within walking distance of Bratt Elementary.
It was all part of a Peanut Field Day sponsored by Escambia County Extension.
“There’s a lot of important things to make peanuts grow,” Bratt Elementary second grader Paige Gibbs said. “And we learned how to find the bugs that like peanuts.”
Extension agricultural experts provided lessons about peanut products, nutrition and the life cycle of the peanut plant. Students had the chance to get their hands dirty and learn the parts of the peanut plant in the field, plus “sweep” the field for pests harmful to peanuts. They also learned about the machinery used for the harvest.
“It’s important for the peanuts to grow,” Gibbs said.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the Peanut Field Day, click here.
Pictured top and inset: Second graders learn how to use insect nets to sweep a peanut field for harmful pests. Pictured below: Farmer Robert Godwin and Extension Service Agent Libbie Johnson explain the growth cycle of peanuts during a hands-on lesson. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Park Students Learn Fire Safety
September 29, 2011
Molino Park Elementary School students learned all about fire safety this week. The crew of Engine 1819 from the Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue was at the school Tuesday and Wednesday as part of the Molino Park’s annual “Fire Safety Days”. Pictured above:
Hundreds Of Students Gather To Pray At The Pole
September 28, 2011
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.
Do you have See You at the Pole photos from a North Escambia area school? Email them to news@northescambia.com or upload them to your Facebook and message us.
Pictured: Students gather for See You at the Pole at Northview High (top), Ernest Ward Middle (below) and West Florida High School (inset) this morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Football Teams Honor Fallen Marine LCpl Travis Nelson
September 28, 2011
Several North Escambia football teams are honoring the memory of fallen Marine LCpl Travis Nelson for the remainder of the season.
The Northview High, Ernest Ward Middle and Northwest Escambia football teams will wear his initials “TN” on the helmets of each player. The football-shaped initial stickers were donated by Ronnie Cloud of the Alabama Wing House in Atmore.
LCpl. Nelson, who grew up in Bratt, was killed in action August 18 in Afghanistan, five weeks after being deployed as an infantry rifleman. His parents, Beckie and Scott Nelson, reside in Bratt. Their daughter is a cheerleader at Ernest Ward Middle School.
Pictured top: Ernest Ward Middle School players wore the initials “TN” on their helmets Tuesday night to honor fallen Marine LCpl Travis Nelson. Northview High and Northwest Escambia players will also wear the initials. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.