Free Hunter Safety Course Offered
September 19, 2011
Escambia County Extension Services and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are offering a free hunter safety course at the Langley Bell 4-H Center, 4810 West Nine Mile Road.
Classes will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on September 20th, 22nd, 27th, and 29th with the range portion held October 1st from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Both traditional classroom style and online training are available.
The traditional hunter safety course, which covers the knowledge, skills, and ability needed to be a safe hunter, is 12 hours of classroom instruction with a test and three hours on the range.
The online version allows students to learn a majority of the course via computer with the remainder of the course covered in a four-hour classroom session on September 20th, followed by a test, and three hours on the range on October 1st.
Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must complete a hunter safety course before purchasing a hunting license.
Participants must be 12 years of age or older. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Each person must be pre-registered.
Information and registration is available online at http://myfwc.com/hunting/safety-education or by calling the FWC’s regional office in Panama City at (850) 265-3676 or
by calling Libbie Johnson at Escambia County Extension Services, (850) 475-5230 or email libbiej@ufl.edu.
Molino Kids Celebrate With Back To School Blast
September 19, 2011
Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino held a “Back to School Blast” Sunday afternoon. Children from across the community enjoyed fun and games, and there was a family cookout for people of all ages. The church also collected reams of paper to benefit Molino Park Elementary School.
For more photos from the event, click here.
Do you have news from your church or community group? Email your photos and information to news@northescambia.com.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill’s ‘The Tank’ Named 2011 Ag Innovator
September 18, 2011
The Escambia County Extension Service has named “The Tank” in Walnut Hill as the 2011 Ag Innovator for Escambia County.
Vernon Hiebert has been a catfish producer in Escambia County for more than 15 years, but after several years of depressed prices and increasing production costs, he decided that he needed to do something drastically different if he wanted to keep his enterprise afloat.
The prices he was receiving for his live fish at the catfish processing plant were not keeping pace with his costs, but the demand for catfish was increasing. He decided to direct market his product locally to individuals and eventually stores and restaurants by building The Tank — a 32-foot wide indoor pool that can hold up to 20,000 catfish at a time.
The Tank, Hiebert says, offers the freshest tasting catfish anywhere—none of that musky flavor that makes catfish taste “off.”
He seines fish from one of his production ponds each Monday and brings 800–1200 lbs of live fish into the Tank. The water in the tank is recycled; it goes through a three-stage filter system ensures the freshest water. The fish have three days to purge themselves in the clean water, removing impurities that might cause off-flavor.
The round indoor tank uses a system of fences to contain fish to a certain part of the pool, or move them toward an electric “elevator” that lifts them out of the water. Shoppers can take the fish home whole or have them dressed, or cleaned. He has standing orders from one high end grocery store in Pensacola and several seafood restaurants that are happy to offer a local freshwater fish choice on their menus.
Hiebert is a huge supporter of Escambia County Extension. During their 2010 Farm Tour, he hosted 120 visitors to The Tank and offered each person samples of his fish prepared by frying and by grilling. Before the stop, several people said that they were interested in learning more about catfish product but not in eating any of the samples because he or she didn’t like catfish. Most of the naysayers changed their tune once they were coaxed into trying the fish by Hiebert.
His innovative business has been instrumental in helping Escambia Extension with a major part of its clientele — local consumers. Hiebert’s operation is in the heart of Walnut Hill—the center of Escambia County agriculture. His business draws people to North Escambia where people can see local agriculture and purchase locally grown fruits and vegetables.
Local agritourism has great potential in an area like Escambia County that has a large local and tourist population, and The Tank is a great way to get people out of the city and into the areas where farmers can sell directly to the consumers, according to the Extension Service.
Escambia County’s one thriving catfish industry is down to three producers — one of which sells only to processing plants, one who markets to plants and has a fee fishing operation, and Hiebert’s The Tank.
Pictured top: Vernon Hiebert corrals catfish at The Tank in Walnut Hill. Pictured inset: Catfish in the crystal-clear waters of The Tank. Pictured below: The Tank can hold 20,000 catfish. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Gulf Power Academy Celebrates 10 Years At West Florida High
September 18, 2011
Engineers, welders, electric linemen and equipment operators all get their start somewhere. In Escambia County, Gulf Power Academy has been that starting point for almost 200 students over the past 10 years.
This career academy is built into the West Florida High School curriculum and is designed to prepare students for entry-level work in the electric utility industry or for post-secondary education in engineering, electronics, and other technical fields of study.
Ten years ago Gulf Power was looking for opportunities to engage in the educational process to develop a diverse pool of candidates for critical Gulf Power positions.
“At that time we were already seeing a gap in the technical training we were looking for in our applicants and realized we would need to get involved on a much deeper level in recruiting employees,” Jennifer Grove, Workforce Development coordinator, said.
Gulf Power initiated the program in 2001 after learning about the opportunity to partner with West Florida High School. A total of 170 students have graduated from the program and 45 of those graduates have been hired for full-time or temporary positions at Gulf Power.
Students choose to participate in the career academy through grades 9-12 and receive a combination of rigorous academics along with a relevant technical education. In addition to supplying resources for training, Gulf Power helps pay for materials, lab equipment and training for the students.
Prior to their senior year the students can apply for the Advanced Career Experience (ACE) program. Students in the ACE program work at Gulf Power every other day and are rotated through several departments and positions.
Students earn a high school diploma, a technical certification in their area of study and receive college credit.
“I’ve met countless determined students through this program who are willing to work hard at a very young age in order to give themselves a successful future,” Grove said. “To see these kids grow up and succeed in a career is extremely satisfying.”
Calvin Mattin, a Plant Equipment operator for Plant Crist, graduated in 2008 from the program and was hired soon after in July of 2008.
“While I was in the program I got to meet a lot of people and we were able to take trips to the plants to get an idea of what it would be like if we did get hired,” Mattin said. “Working for Gulf Power part-time gave us a good feel of whether we would like that type of work or not.”
“I would definitely recommend the academy for any student. Even if you don’t end up working for Gulf Power, its good experience and a great way to learn about the utility industry,” Mattin said.
This year’s ACE senior class began working at Gulf Power earlier this month.
For more information on Gulf Power Academy, call Jennifer Grove at (850) 444-6821 or visit the West Florida High School website at www.wfhs.net.
Pictured: Gulf Power Academy students tour the Crist Plant in Pensacola. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weaver, Caum To Wed
September 18, 2011
Archie and Cheryl Weaver of Molino announce the upcoming marriage of their daughter, Meridith Lynn Weaver, to Marshall Keith Caum, son of Richard and Amy Caum.
Meridith is the granddaughter of W.A. and June Weaver and Charles and Barbara Hendrix. She is a 2007 graduate of Northview High School and is currently attending Auburn University’s Harrison School of Pharmacy Mobile Campus. She is pursuing her Doctorate of Pharmacy.
Marshall is the grandson of Richard and Patricia Caum and O.M. and Frances Hanks. He is a 2006 graduate of Northview High School. He graduated from University of South Alabama in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and currently works for Premier Engineering Group in Pensacola.
The couple will be united in marriage on Saturday, October 1 at 3:30 p.m. at Highland Baptist Church, 6240 Highway 95A North in Molino. A reception will follow at Palafox Wharf, 617 Palafox Street in Pensacola. All friends and relatives are invited and welcome to attend.
Langford Celebrates 90th Birthday
September 18, 2011
Helen Langford of the Poplar Dell Community recently celebrated her 90th birthday. Helen and her family were joined in the celebration at the Poplar Dell Baptist Church by husband George T. Langford, her only living sibling Winston Gilmore, and other friends and family. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weekend Gardening: It’s Easy To Attract Hummingbirds
September 17, 2011
Few sights are more thrilling in the garden than rapidly moving hummingbirds darting among colorful flowers. Hummingbirds, also known as hummers, are always a wonder to see, and it’s easy to attract them to your garden.
In Florida, we see three different types of hummingbirds, but the most common is the ruby-throated. This feathered jewel is only about three inches long and weighs as little as a single penny.
For their size, hummingbirds have among the largest appetites in the bird world. They feed every 10 or 15 minutes from dawn until dusk. During this period, they eat more than half their weight in food and 8 times their weight in water.
If you’re fascinated by hummingbirds, as I am, you probably hang out a feeder or two in the summer to provide them with sugar water. Artificial feeders will attract hummingbirds.
However, feeders should not be the sole source of food provided. The sugar solution may appeal to the hummingbirds’ sweet tooth, but it provides little nourishment. Nectar is much more vital to the hummingbird than just water and sugar. By planting certain flowers and shrubs, home gardeners can provide food and habitat for hummingbirds.
Typical hummingbird flowers are red, have a tubular shape and have no strong scent. But there are several notable exceptions to this general rule. Many plants with red flowers don’t contain very much nectar. Roses, petunias, geraniums and zinnias have brilliant colors but little nectar.
Plants that produce an abundance of flowers over an extended period of time and those that require little care are good choices. Native plants can “fill the bill” where nectar-seekers are concerned and should be used whenever possible.
Perennials that are recommended as nectar sources include butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa), red basil (Calamintha coccinea), shrimp plant (Justicia brandegeana), cigar plant (Cuphea ignea), firespike (Odontonema stricta), red star hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus), and obedient plant (Physostegia spp.).
It’s also important to plant a mixture of nectar producing trees, vines and shrubs that have overlapping blooming seasons. This will insure that a continuous source of nectar will be available to hummingbirds throughout the growing season. Some of the species recommended include red buckeye, bottlebrush, firebush (Hamelia patens), wild azalea, trumpet vine, and coral honeysuckle.
Contrary to popular belief, hummingbirds are not strictly nectar feeders. Insects and other invertebrates are the primary source of protein for adult hummingbirds and their young. An adult female can consume up to 2,000 insects per day. Small invertebrates including mosquitoes, gnats, small bees, fruit flies, spiders, caterpillars, aphids, and insects eggs make up the hummingbirds diet. So keep your plants free of pesticides. Pesticides destroy the insect food base vital to hummingbirds and their offspring, and may also contaminate the nectar they drink.
And if you do use artificial feeders, remember that the sugar solutions must be kept fresh. Florida’s hot weather can cause rapid bacterial growth in these feeders and birds that drink contaminated water could die. To avoid this, change the solution every 3 to 5 days. Clean the feeders with hot water and white vinegar. Do not use soap or chlorine bleach.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Smoother Parking At Byrneville Community Center
September 15, 2011
Parking will be much smoother in the future at one local community center. Wednesday, crews began paving the parking lot at the Byrneville Community Center at Byrneville Road and West Highway 4. The county owned facility previously had a loose gravel parking lot. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle FFA Names Officers
September 13, 2011
Ransom Middle School has announced new FFA officers. They are:
- President – Annabella Garcia
- Vice President – Peyton Baisden
- Secretary – Taylor Hodges and Ashley Stokes
- Treasurer – Connor Groff
- Sentinel – Rachel Grammer
- Reporter – Dalton Young
- Student Advisor – Kathryn Caro
- Historian – Brittany Miehe
- Parliamentarian – Tyler Burt
Under the direction of agriculture teacher and FFA sponsor, Dawn Inman, the FFA student membership program at Ransom Middle has quadrupled in size.
Pictured above: (front row, L-R) Connor Groff, treasurer; Taylor Hodges, secretary; Annabella Garcia, president; Tyler Burt, parlimentarian; Kathryn Caro, student advisor, (back, L-R) Dalton Young, reporter; Brittany Miehe, historian; Peyton Baisden, vice president; Rachel Grammer, sentinel; and Ashley Stokes, secretary. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Picture Perfect Sunset
September 12, 2011
Sunday night’s sunset caught the eye of several of our readers. The sunset is pictured as seen from the North Escambia area (above), Flomaton (below) and Foley (bottom). Submitted photos from Alisa Hart, Donna Lord and others for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
