Molino Park Students Take Part In Bookstore Memorial Day Program
May 30, 2011
Singers from Molino Park Elementary took part in a Memorial Day program this weekend at Barnes and Noble in Pensacola.
The Molino Park students, along with local singers/songwriters Sheila Allen and Ginny Cruz performed “America the Beautiful” and “Stand Up America” during the program.
For more photos of the Molino Park performers, click here.
Molino Park Elementary students participating in the event were Ashley Allen, Joshua Coonrod, Mallory Latham, Madelyn Latham, Trista Lorenzana, Hannah McGahan, Robin Nahkala, Chase O’Connor, Cameron Parker, Seth Parker, Ronnie Plenkers, Christian Taylor, Morgan Taylor and Evan Till.
In conjunction with Pensacola’s celebration of 100 years of Naval Aviation, Barnes & Noble and Reading is Fundamental (RIF) hosted the Memorial Day celebration to honor past, present and future armed service members.
Hill Goodspeed, a historian from the National Naval Aviation Museum, was the featured speaker and signed his books, “One Hundred Years of U.S. Navy Air Power” and “U.S. Naval Aviation.” Other featured speakers were Escambia County School District Superintendent Malcolm Thomas; retired Marine Gunnery Sgt. Gary Cooper; Phyllis Pia of the USO and Joan Platz, USNA Class 81 & the co-president of the US Naval Academy Parents Club. T
Pictured above: Students from Molino Park Elementary performed this weekend during a special Memorial Day program at Barnes and Noble bookstore in Pensacola. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Fair Awards Scholarships To Local Students
May 29, 2011
The Pensacola Interstate Fair, celebrating its 77th year, has awarded $1,000 scholarships to 25 students from Escambia and Santa Rosa high schools.
The John E. Frenkel Sr. Educational Grants program scholarship winners were chosen by the Fair Grant Committee. The program has awarded more than $930,000 in scholarships since 1983.
Recipients, including several from the North Escambia area, were:
Amber E. Estes, Pensacola State College/home school; Heather L. Kite, Pensacola State Collegiate High School; Jaymee L. Dils, Escambia High School; Antonio D. Grace II, Judy Andrews Center; Stephanie L. Solari and Allison A. Vidak, Northview High School; Michael D. Brusoski, Kyra A. Murrell, Haris A. Peteranecz and William K. Searcy, Pensacola High School; Emily G. Higdon, Tate High School; Payton K. Anderson and Jennifer L. Taylor, West Florida High School; Vickie E. Guy and Ian C. Stephens, Central High School; Robin N. Blackman, Mary K. Borders, Courtney P. Penton, Julia D. Skaggs, Kevin W. Stanton, Trenton E. Sweeny and Brandon W. Urnick, Jay High School; Chris J. Stapleton, Navarre High School; Andrew W. McGowin and Deanna M. Manning, Pace High School.
Birth: Noah Kyle Rabon
May 29, 2011
Justin and Courtney (McCall) Rabon of Longview, Texas, are proud to announce the birth of Noah Kyle Rabon on March 1, 2011, at Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview, Texas. He weighed seven pounds, 10 ounces and was 20 inches long.
His grandparents are Earnest and Deborah Rabon of Castleberry, Alabama, Sheri McCall of McKenzie, Alabama, and Freddie Jr and Darlene McCall of East Brewton, Alabama.
His great-grandparents are Mayor Freddie and Margie McCall of Century and Bo and Dot Brantley of Flomaton.
Century’s Abundant Life Outreach Receives Fox 10 ‘Extra Mile’ Award
May 28, 2011
A Century church was recognized by a Mobile TV station Friday night for their efforts to feed the hungry in Escambia counties in Alabama and Florida. The Abundant Life Outreach, part of the Abundant Life Assembly of God, was presented with the Chris Myers Nissan Extra Mile Award by WALA Fox 10. The award was received on behalf of the ministry by (L-R) Betty Thomas, Scott Thomas and Robin Sutton. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weekend Gardening: Outwit and Outlast Those Troublesome Armadillos
May 28, 2011
Have you ever discovered your once beautiful green lawn looking like the surface of the moon, full of craters? If so, then you may have been visited by an alien-looking creature known as the armadillo.
Armadillos originated in South America. They are mammals. They are neither rodents nor marsupials and are not related to the opossum. Their closest living relative is the anteater and sloth.
The most easily recognized feature of an armadillo is its shell. Their common name, armadillo, is derived from a Spanish term meaning “little armored one”. All armadillos have shells, made of true bone, that cover their backs. Most armadillos also have bony rings or plates that protect their tails.
Digging machines
Armadillos are built to dig. They rely on this ability to escape danger and survive. They prefer sandy or loam soils that are relatively easy to excavate. Therefore, they are well adapted to Northwest Florida soils.
Armadillos typically rest in deep burrows during the day and become more active during the late evening, night, or early morning. These burrows are usually located under brushpiles, stumps, dense brush, or concrete patios, and are about 7 to 8 inches in diameter and can be up to 15 feet long. They often have several burrows throughout their territory.
Food sources
Armadillos feed primarily on insects. They also eat earthworms, scorpions, spiders, snails, and small vertebrates and their eggs. They consume large amounts of armyworms, cockroaches, ants, wasps, flies, beetles, and grasshoppers. They have been known to dig up entire yellow-jacket nests.
Some consider the armadillo a beneficial creature because they eat potential pests. Many consider the armadillo a pest because of their destructive ways. Armadillo can burrow under driveways and patios causing structural damage. Burrows in pastures can pose a potential hazard to livestock. And because armadillos usually search for food by rooting or digging in the ground, they can damage large areas of the lawn or garden.
Control measures
If you find that you cannot live with these creatures, the University of Florida recommends four ways to deal with armadillos.
- reducing the amount of water and fertilizer you apply to your lawn
- creating barriers (e.g., fences),
- live-trapping
- shooting offending individuals (check local ordinances)
The best solution (and the most expensive) is a stout fence to keep the armadillos out. If you take this route, make sure the fence is buried at least 18 inches into the ground, or they might just burrow under it.
Reducing the water and fertilizer applications to your lawn may help reduce armadillo damage. A moist lush landscape is perfect for earthworms and insect larvae. Armadillos love earthworms. Sometimes watering adjacent areas may attract armadillos away from a site.
Trapping can be frustrating and may require some ingenious thinking. Some tried and true trapping techniques are discussed at length in an online University of Florida publication by Dr. Russ Mizell at http://ufinsect.ifas.ufl.edu/armadillo.htm.
Remember that poison baits are illegal and ineffective. No chemical repellents or fumigants are registered for use in Florida.
Armadillos are very happy in Northwest Florida and are here to stay. If they have become unwelcomed house guests, put your thinking cap on and be committed to outwitting and outlasting this prehistoric-looking creature.
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.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: EWMS Band, Chorus Perform
May 26, 2011
The Ernest Ward Middle School Music Boosters held a Spring Concert and Spaghetti Dinner Tuesday night in Walnut Hill. All proceeds from the event, which featured performances by the school’s band and chorus, benefited the school’s music programs.
For more photos from the event, click here.
Pictured: The Ernest Ward Middle School chorus (above) and band (below) perform during an event Tuesday night at the Walnut Hill Community Center. Submitted photos by Leslie Gonzalez for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Complete List: Northview Presents Awards For Grades 9-11
May 25, 2011
Northview High School held their annual Award Program on Tuesday for students in the ninth to eleventh grade.
The following is a complete list of awards and presentations made at the event:
Agriculture (Meehan)
- Exemplary Freshman — Courtney Solari
- Exemplary Sophomore — Jessica Baldwin
- Exemplary Junior — Lydia Weaver
Art (Castor)
- Freshman HAA — Victoria Wright
- Sophomore HAA — Tiffany Sutton
- Junior HAA — Kiani Okahashi
English (Baggett)
- English 1 Hon HAA — Kasie Braun
- Exemplary — Victoria Wright
- English 1 HAA — Audrey Byrd
- Exemplary — Mason Solchenberger
- English 2 Hon HAA — Jazzlyn Franklin
- Exemplary — Julia Thorpe
- English 2 HAA — Zach Johnson
- Exemplary — Maranda Moye
- English 3 Hon HAA — Jamila Codrington
- Exemplary — Holly Dickson
- English 3 HAA — Taylor Hubbard
- Exemplary — Camie Goetter
Family And Consumer Science (Smith)
- Exemplary Freshman — Courtney Solari
- Exemplary Sophomore — Sandy Rainwater
- Exemplary Junior — Elizabeth Wright
Math (Marshman/Barry)
- Algebra 1a HAA — Lauryn Walker
- Exemplary — Jeffery Taylor
- Algebra 1b HAA — Stephanie Roach
- Exemplary — Natyia Bailey
- Algebra 1 HAA — Courtney Jones
- Exemplary — Justin King
- Algebra 1 Hon HAA — Courtney Solari
- Exemplary — Anna Donald
- Informal Geometry HAA — Jessica Hedgepeth
- Exemplary — Alex Riggs
- Geometry HAA — Zach Johnson
- Exemplary — Ashley Gunter
- Geometry Hon HAA — Kasie Braun
- Exemplary — Victoria Wright
- Algebra 2 HAA — Alexander Payne
- Exemplary — Jamila Codrington
- Algebra 2 Hon HAA — Holly Dickson
- Exemplary — Joel Wetzel
Science (Pleasant/Mcdonald/Barry)
- Anatomy Honors HAA — Holly Dickson
- Exemplary — Jamila Codrington
- Anatomy HAA — Taylor Byrd
- Integrated Science Honors HAA — Courtney Solari
- Exemplary — Anna Donald
- Environmental Science — Tyler Hester
- Exemplary — Lydia Weaver
- Integrated Science HAA — Tiffani Pritchett
- Exemplary — Courtney Jones
- Integrated Science Ii HAA — Lantz Jones
- Exemplary — Dylan Cartwright
- Chemistry 1 Honors HAA — Joel Wetzel
Social Studies (Barry)
- American History HAA — Chelsea Parham
- Exemplary — Michael Sepulveda
- American History Hon HAA — Holly Dickson
- Exemplary — Jamila Codrington
Spanish (Baggett)
- Spanish 1 HAA — Jazzlyn Franklin
- Exemplary — Chelsea Parham
- Spanish 2 HAA — Josie Doucette
- Exemplary — Holly Dickson
Business (Smith)
- Digital Design I Exemplary — Jessica Warner
- Computing For College & Careers HAA — Kasie Braun
- Exemplary — Victoria Wright
- Digital Design 2 Exemplary — Alissa Fiellin
- Web Design 1 HAA — Elizabeth Wright
Physical Education (Day)
- Physical Education HAA — Audrey Byrd
- Exemplary — Cory King
Reading (Findley)
- Reading 180 1 HAA — Chloe Leonard
- Exemplary — Harley Davis
- Freshman Reading III HAA — Mashama Codrington
- Exemplary — Mikaelea Santos
- Freshman Reading III HAA(Semester) — Zaccarra Davis
- Exemplary — Hannah Hedgepeth
- Freshman Advanced Reading — Kasie Braun
- Sophomore Reading — Ashley Cunningham
- Junior Reading — Brandon Carnley
- Exemplary — Atidze Johnson
Vocational (Meehan)
- Construction Technology HAA — Justin King
- Drafting HAA — Aaron Rausch
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
VA Awards (Essay Contest)
- Elizabeth Wright, 1st place
- Victoria Wright, 2nd place
Atmore Youth Leadership (Atmore Chamber)
- Charleigh McPherson
- Caroline Prater
- Hannah Hinton
Atmore Rotary Academic All Stars
- 9th Grade
- Madison Brooke Arrington
- Kasie Lee Braun
- Kira Nerys Cartwright
- Morgan Nicole Digmon
- Anna Elizabeth Donald
- Anna Elizabeth Fischer
- Tamara Maria Green
- Jessica Nicole Lowery
- Tiffani Nichole Pritchett
- Mikaela Lynn Santos
- Courtney Yvonne Solari
- Danielle Nichole Steadham
- Courtney Alexander Weaver
- Victoria Anne Wright
- 10th Grade
- Alison Danielle Bardin
- Hannah Elizabeth Fiellin
- Jazzlyn Shanece Franklin
- Ashton Brooke Gibbs
- Georgia Anna Goetter
- Marcus Trey Johnson
- Zachary Sean Johnson
- Skyler Ashton Macks
- Ashley Nicole Mooney
- Maranda D Moye
- Sandy Michelle Rainwater
- 11th Grade
- Jamila Akilah Codrington
- Holly Nicole Dickson
- Josie Britt Doucette
- Amber Dianne Francis
- Cory Robert King
- Joel Nathaniel Wetzel
- Elizabeth Ashley Wright
Ernest Ward Schedules Awards Day
May 23, 2011
Ernest Ward Middle School will hold it’s Awards Day this Wednesday in the school gymnasium. Family members and friends are invited to attend.
The time for each grade level program is as follows:
8th grade — 9:30 – 11:15
6th grade — 11:45 – 1:10
7th grade — 1:30 – 3:00
Photos: Parade Honors Veterans, Armed Forces
May 22, 2011
Groups from several communities came together in Atmore Saturday morning for a combined Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day parade.
A sparse crowd lined the streets of Atmore as the Ernest Ward Middle School Band, the Flomaton High School Band, Northview High School NJROTC, a group from the U.S. Navy and Ernest Ward Middle School Drama Team marched along with area veterans.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the parade, click here.
The gallery also includes reader submitted photos by Leslie Gonzalez and Cheryl Golson.
Pictured top: The U.S. Navy took part in a combined Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day parade Saturday morning in Atmore. Pictured inset: Danielle Suggs portrays a military widow during the parade on the Ernest Ward Middle School Drama team float. Pictured below: Veterans carry the flags during the parade. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Grad Takes Part In Vegas Military Band Exhibition
May 22, 2011
The sights and sounds of Las Vegas are generally associated with the casinos, the endless row of hotels on the Strip, and the ads for the new shows being presented.
Somewhere among the organized chaos that has made Las Vegas so famous, the son of a Cantonment couple was adding his own melody to the mix.
Marine Corps Staff Sgt. David L. Morrell, son of Paul and Mary Ann Morrell of N. Highway 95A, Cantonment, was at the Thomas and Mack Center on the UNLV campus with the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Band for the Las Vegas International Tattoo recently.
The Las Vegas International Tattoo was a musical exhibition to highlight the armed forces and their allies. In addition to the Marine Corps band, the Navy Band Southwest, Air Force Band of the Golden West, and four Canadian and Scottish military and police bagpipe bands played during the performance. The U. S. Army Drill Team also preformed a precision drill routine during the Tattoo.
Morrell, who plays the saxophone, has had a love of music for most of his life.
“I started playing the saxophone at age ten,” said Morrell, a 1996 graduate of Tate High School, Pensacola. “My dad was a big influence on me to appreciate music.”
Playing music, let alone joining the military, was not the first thing on Morrell’s mind when he thought about his future career choices.
“I just wanted a career in music,” said Morrell, who has been a Marine since 1999.
The Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Band preformed and marched to a medley highlighting the creation of our National Anthem and the War of 1812. Morrell and his fellow Marines have been preparing for their performance for several months.
“We spent a couple of months in preparing including a lot of rehearsals,” said Morrell.
Every band played together in an opening sequence, followed by each band or group, in the case of the Army Drill Team and Irish dancers, performing their own sequences before joining all together again for the finale.
The roar of the crowd and the support for the armed forces was enough for Morrell, and the other military performers, to hope for a call next year to return to the festivities.
Pictured top: The Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Band performs and marches to a sequence that highlights the War of 1812 and the development of the National Anthem during the 2001 Las Vegas International Tattoo. Pictured inset: Marine Corps Staff Sgt. David L. Morrell is a member of the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Band and recently participated in the Las Vegas International Tattoo, a multi-national military band exhibition that featured not only the Marine Corps band, but other U.S. military and four Canadian and Scottish military and police bagpipe bands. Pictured below: The Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Band, Pipes and Drums, 1st Battalion, Scots Guards, and the U. S. Navy Band Southwest perform at the conclusion. Photos by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Sean Worrell for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge
