Yes, You Can Grow Potatoes In North Escambia
January 8, 2011
These cold winter days make gardeners yearn for the warmth of April to be able to get their vegetable garden started, but they needn’t wait so long. Late January through February are ideal times for establishing some potatoes in the garden. When you are eating YOUR home-grown, fresh potatoes in May, you won’t even think of those the day you braved a cold, brisk wind and drizzly skies to get your potatoes planted.
For those not familiar with growing potatoes, you don’t plant the typical seed to get more of the wonderful vegetable. What growers call “seed” is actually a portion cut from a potato tuber that has an active growing point called the “eye”. Many gardeners plant seed potatoes that they cut themselves from potatoes purchased at grocery stores, but it is better to purchase seed potatoes that have been certified. Certification insures that the seed tubers are free of disease. You can usually purchase seed at farm and garden supply stores in our area, and you can usually order seed. If you are unsure of where you can buy the seed, call the Extension office.
Before you plant any new crop, a soil test should be taken to determine soil fertility. Based on University of Florida fertilizer recommendations about 0.75 lbs of nitrogen(N) and about 0.5 lbs of potassium(K) are required per 100 ft of row at planting. This is roughly equivalent to 7.5 lb of a 10-0-10 complete fertilizer at each application. The remaining nitrogen and potassium fertilizer (0.75 lb N and 0.5 lbs K per 100 ft of row) should be placed in a band about four to six inches to either side of the plant approximately three to four weeks after planting. The fertilizer should be buried about two inches deep.
Mark the day you plant your seeds on the calendar. You will need to keep track of the age of your young potatoes. Plants should be spaced at about 6-8” within the row with at least 36” between rows. Seed pieces should be planted 4” below the soil surface. Seed pieces should be planted with the cut side down and eyes (or sprouts) facing up. Hilling is the act of adding soil to the top of the potato row. Since the seed piece was only planted 4” below the soil surface, there is the possibility that new potatoes will push up above the soil surface. Add about two or three inches of additional soil on the potato row when the sprout emerges from the soil (the sprout generally emerges around ten days to two weeks after planting). Soil can be moved from the furrows between rows and used for hilling.
Once you have your potatoes up and growing, you should see gradual growth of the vines. If we continue to have very cold temperatures, you might have to provide frost/freeze protection for the plants. Plants that are smaller than four to six inches can be covered with more soil if freezing temperatures are forecast. You can also cover them with fabric. Some people loosely mound hay over young plants and move the hay to the furrow when temperatures improve.
Should you start to see distortions in the leaves (from an insect, animal, or disease), don’t hesitate to contact your Escambia Co. Extension office. We can help you determine the cause of the problems and often provide a solution.
Potatoes that grow well here usually mature and ready for harvest 80-115 days after planting. Home gardeners who will be consuming their potatoes within a month or two can dig up their potatoes when they are ready, being careful to limit damage to the tuber when using tools. Most people don’t grow enough potatoes to be concerned with storing them for long periods of time, but if you do, please contact the Escambia Co. Extension office to learn more about how to keep potato tubers.
For more information about growing potatoes in the Home Garden, please visit http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/HS/HS18300.pdf As always, you can contact the Escambia Co. Extension office at (850) 475-5230.
2010 Persons Of The Year: Lawrence And Doris Cooper
January 7, 2011
NorthEscambia.com is naming Persons of the Year for 2010 each day this week. Click here for previous recipients.
Lawrence and Doris Cooper have been named two of our North Escambia Persons of the Year.
The Coopers operated Cooper’s Grocery in Bratt for well over 50 years. They announced in October that they were closing the store; however, the store was later sold and remains open under a new name.
Reprinted below is our October story in which the Coopers announced the store’s closure.
A long chapter in the lives of many North Escambia residents is closing soon — Cooper’s Grocery at the Bratt Crossroads will soon be no more.
“I don’t know for sure when we will close it, but it won’t be long. Probably by the end of October,” Doris Cooper, 77, said Tuesday. She and her husband Lawrence Cooper, 84, have owned the country store at the heart of the Bratt community for 54 years.
Besides church, Cooper’s is, without a doubt, the center of the Bratt community. Mornings are a hustle and bustle of activity at “Coop’s”, with moms and children buying those last minute snacks for the school day at Bratt Elementary. Northview High students grab sugary snacks and caffeine to fuel their day.
The wooden front door creaks and moans as it opens and rings the bell to signal another customer. Wooden shelves are stocked with most everything imaginable. Cokes are sold in various sizes of plastic bottles like any other store. But there’s the sound of pure American nostalgia each time the top is popped on a glass bottle of Coca-Cola using the bottle opener located at the front counter. Glass bottles of Coke have been sold at Cooper’s since it first opened at the end of World War II.
The Coopers have offered credit to members of the community for decades. Customers were, and are still, able to add their purchase to their “ticket” for later payment. No credit checks needed, basically just residency in the community.
Some of the charge tickets are old and yellowed, waiting for decades payment. Tuesday morning, Mr. Lawrence located one from 1957. “3 doz. eggs $1.65. Gas $1.55. Groceries $21.35.” They know they will never be paid for the purchases 53 years ago. The gentleman that made the charges is long since deceased.
“But sometimes they will come back in here and make a payment,” Mr. Lawrence said. “I had a guy come in here and make a payment on an old one that I could not find right away. It wasn’t much, but he knew how much it was down to the penny that he owed.”
“I hope and pray that we’ve helped a lot of people,” Mrs. Doris said. “Sometimes that just what it is about.”
Anyone that has grown up around Bratt will happily tell you their memories about the candy counter. Well-stocked with all-time favorite candies, its the stuff dreams — and memories — are made of for little ones.
“Momma would give me 15 cents. We may have been poor, but I was spoiled with my 15 cents in here,” Donnie Bass, longtime Cooper’s Store customer said. “I would get a big candy bar, they were much bigger back then; a Coke and a honey bun.”
Bass, 64, has never really stopped going to Coopers. These days, it’s not uncommon to find Bass at the end of the counter, sharing his lighthearted outlook on most any subject that’s fit for discussion.
Known as the defacto mayor of Bratt, Bass and his buddies gather most mornings at the store to discuss the latest “news” of the day. They talk about the world’s problems, America’s problems and the local problems. And they always have a solution in mind.
“The world’s problems have been solved right here in this store,” Bass said, as he contemplated where he and his buddies will meet after the store’s closure. “I hate it when traditions are broken, don’t you? We might meet at my house, but I don’t know if that’s going to fly.”
It’s no secret that the solutions proposed by the men of Cooper’s Store have not solved America’s problems — the problems that have led to the demise of the store.
“It’s the economy really,” Mrs. Doris said as to why the store will close by the end of the month. And she said the couple hopes to do a little traveling. Then she started naming the trips taken through the years, all funded by the their little country store.
“We were blessed,” she said. “We able to do a lot with our children. We were probably one of the first families from Bratt to be able to go to Disney World.” Then there was the trip to California during which Mrs. Doris refused to get out of the car in Nevada because of legalized gambling.
“It was a Sunday and I wasn’t going to set foot on the ground in that state,” she said. As his wife continued to recount found memories of road trips with their children, Mr. Lawrence interrupted.
“We went to Wawbeek one day,” he said, bringing a chuckle from those around the counter. Even at 84, his humor is quick-witted.
Cooper’s Store adapted over the years to changing times. They once stocked a full line of groceries including fresh meats, hardware, clothes, shoes and animal feed. The store sold gasoline until just recently, and they also added a pizza/deli counter. “We would sell so much back then,” he said, from suppliers like J.U. Blacksher, Flomaton Wholesale and Lewis Bear.
The meat and cheese scale is still at the front counter — mostly used to weigh babies, she said.
Mrs. Doris’ own children are no strangers to the store, with all having worked behind the counter at one time or another.
“It’s been our family for all these years,” she said. “I’m going to miss seeing all the people in the community. They are like our family.”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
2010 Persons Of The Year: Jack Moran
January 6, 2011
NorthEscambia.com is naming Persons of the Year for 2010 each day this week. Click here for previous recipients.
Jack Moran of Century has posthumously been named one of our North Escambia Persons of the Year.
Moran served a director of the Arts Council of Northwest Florida, a director of The Century Community Development Partnership and a director of the East Hill Academy for autistic children. He was founder and director of the Arts Committee of North Escambia County Florida, a director of the African-American Historical Society, founder and director of The Teaspoon Foundation and he was an active member of his political party’s County Executive Committee.
He also served as one of the founding organizers and member of the board of the Century Community Development Partnership, Inc., a non-profit organization with a mission that included working toward affordable housing in the rural communities of north Florida following the devastating hurricanes of 2004 and 2005.
Moran loved Century and passionately fought to help make Century a better place to live. He strongly encouraged people to get involved in what was going on in their community and attend town council, school board and other meetings.
As a board member of the Early Learning Coalition which introduced the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to the children of Century and surrounding areas. Over 300 area children have been enrolled in the program and now receive a free book each month until they turn five years old.
Moran also worked to bring “Opera in a Box” to the students at Bratt and Byrneville elementary schools, along with several presentations by Ballet Pensacola.
Moran was vested as “Sir Wallace”, a Knight in the Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem (OSJ) by Crown Prince Michael.
Born Wallace David Moran in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, he was a Navy, USMC, Seabee veteran and recipient of the American Spirit Honor Medal. After finishing graduate school, he was hired by his personal mentor, Charles Tandy, chairman of the Tandy Corp.
Later, he owned his own small business, designing and manufacturing children’s furniture and wood toys, and a retail antique business from in Louisiana. He was the father of twins -a boy and a girl – and a step-daughter.
After his son died at the age of 25 from a rare form of cancer, he worked from Northwest Florida as a business development and reorganization consultant, mortgage broker, business broker and fraud examiner.
In his retirement, Moran continued to work with his wife Julie, who is managing partner of Century Pharmacy, L.L.C.
Moran passed away July 20, 2010. He was 68.
Pictured: Jack Moran and his wife Julie.
Northview High NJROTC Cadets Attend Military Ball
January 5, 2011
The Northview High School NJROTC recently held their annual Military Ball at the Naval Aviation Museum aboard Pensacola Naval Air Station.
The ball included the presentation of the staff and seniors from each school and a POW/MIA ceremony. A king and queen, and junior, sophomore and freshman prince and princess selected by the cadets’ peers were named.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
The following were named to the Northview Military Ball court:
- King and Queen: Elliot Ross and Shaniqua Jones
- Junior Prince and Princess: Jody Day and Kayla Miles
- Sophomore Prince and Princess: Jonathan Moretz and Jessica Mahon
- Freshman Prince and Princess: Willie Owens and Kasie Braun
“Everyone had a great time. The cadets are already looking forward to next year’s ball,” said Capt. Charlie Code, Northview NJROTC instructor.
Over 120 cadets and their dates attended the joint event with Washington High School.
Pictured top: Sophomore Prince and Princess Jonathan Moretz and Jessica Mahon at the Northview High School Military Ball. Pictured below: Freshman Prince and Princess Willie Owens and Kasie Braun. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
2010 Persons Of The Year: Educator Peter R. (Pete) Gindl, Sr.
January 5, 2011
NorthEscambia.com is naming Persons of the Year for 2010 each day this week. Click here for previous recipients.
Peter R. (Pete) Gindl, Sr. of Barrineau Park has posthumously been named one of our North Escambia Persons of the Year.
Gindl was fresh out of college back in 1957 when friends first convinced the political newcomer to run for the school board. He was a product of the Escambia School District and a graduate of Auburn. But he really did not know much about the office that was about to propel him into a lifelong quest to help children succeed.
“I was just fresh out of college, a single fellow, when a group of friends convinced me to run for the school board. I had a college education, and the other guy did not,” Gindl said in a 2008 NorthEscambia.com interview. “I didn’t know anything about the school board, but I ran. And I won — by 36 votes.”
Election after election, he continued to win, remaining on the school board for twenty years before deciding to “retire” and teach. He then spent 18 years in the classroom before “retiring” from teaching in 1996. While he supported the family as a farmer (he held an agricultural education degree, after all) for nearly 50 years, the second retirement was not forever. Education was just in his blood somewhere.
In 2004, the Escambia County native returned to the school board in District 5, ousting Linda Finkelstein from her seat. Gindl had plans to return to the board for another term in 2008, but District 5 voters had another plan, as they elected Bill Slayton to Gindl’s seat.
In all, the man that fought tirelessly for the children of District 5 and all of Escambia County spent 24 years on the Escambia County School Board — 16 years as chairman. He also served a year and a half as president of the Florida School Board Association.
But he considered his 18 years in the classroom as the most rewarding period of his career.
“I’m going to miss it,” he said in November, 2008, just hours before his school board term officially came to an end. “I’ll miss working with the parents, the educational personnel, everyone that cares about the kids. It has always been about the children…I just love the children.”
Gindl passed away May 16, 2010.
2010 Persons Of The Year: Sonny And Catharine Jeter
January 4, 2011
NorthEscambia.com is naming Persons of the Year for 2010 each day this week. Click here for previous recipients.
Sonny and Catharine Jeter have been named two of our North Escambia Persons of the Year for 2010.
The following was submitted with their nomination:
In nominating a “Person of the Year”, you could nominate a variety of individuals who have made a significant impact on the area. But how often does a “team” emerge that has had such a lasting and positive impact on the region? Sonny and Catharine Jeter, are two such people.
Both were born and raised in this community, they were high school sweethearts from rival towns — Sonny from Century, Catharine from Flomaton — who have been married over 51 years. They have two children and four grandchildren.
Over the years, they have volunteered their time and efforts to Century’s various church and community activities. Whether it was Catharine’s warm smile or Sonny’s sly wit, this husband and wife team has made life in Century and Flomaton more enjoyable and their individual impact they have both had on the community has been obvious.
Catharine graduated from Flomaton High School where she was head majorette, but she showed an early love for North Escambia, as she married Sonny Jeter of Century upon graduating high school and the two rapidly became a huge part of Century.
Soon, she began working for South Central Bell as a telephone operator where she remained for over 18 years until the company relocated to Pensacola. Catharine found her niche however, when she began working as a career manager with the Private Industry Council and Pensacola Junior College, contracted through Job Services of Florida.
This job kept her running between Century and Pensacola, providing job opportunities for many of North Escambia’s citizens. She eventually retired from that job but quickly returned back to the work force working for Workforce Escarosa’s office located in Century, again serving the citizens of Northwest Florida as a resource advisor helping citizens find jobs.
Catharine has always been devoted to her family and extremely active in her community and church. She serves as president of the Sue Jackson Chapter and also serves as president and secretary of the Pilgrim Sunday School Class in her church.
Catharine has been dedicated to improving the economic development in North Escambia as demonstrated through her active involvement for over 20 years serving on the board of directors of both the Century and Flomaton chambers of commerce. She is an active member of Century’s Alger-Sullivan Historical Society as well as being one of the forces in developing the Flomaton Historical Railroad Museum and the Flomaton Welcome Center where she serves as a charter member.
Every year, she participates in the annual Christmas parade and happily distributes toys and candy from a Christmas float. For over 50 years, she has volunteered her time and efforts to help coordinate the Annual Thanksgiving luncheon for the elderly citizens of both Century and Flomaton, at the Flomaton United Methodist Church, in which she assists in food preparation and serving dinner to these citizens.
While you may see Catharine’s warm, friendly smile throughout the community, Sonny’s efforts are silently given to help others within his community. Most people are unaware about Sonny’s contributions and you would never hear him speaking of the numerous times he has helped families in need at Christmas (and other times throughout the year) taking them shopping for new clothes or just contributing so they can have something under the tree on Christmas morning. He has helped many others in a variety of other ways as well. Over the years, there have been many people who have taken advantage of his compassion but he continues to help those in need.
Sonny graduated from Century High School and after briefly attending Southeastern Mississippi College and Pensacola Junior College, he began working for the Container Corporation in Brewton, Alabama. Sonny is well-known in the community for his generosity and willingness to help others in need. He coached Little League Baseball for many years, was a member of the Lions Club, served on the Century Town Council, is a member of the Alger-Sullivan Historical Society, and serves as chairperson on the Pastoral Committee within his church.
Sonny also served as temporary Mayor of Century for a two week period when the Mayor unexpectedly passed away. This selfless act was critical in maintaining stability in the community until a special election could be held. After 38 years, Sonny retired from Container Corporation due to four blocked arteries resulting in open-heart bypass surgery.
He has continued to serve the Escambia community as he has hosted the University of West Florida’s Sigma Chi Fraternity annual Leadership Development retreat on his farm for the past three years.
This is a two day event in which the leaders of tomorrow engage in an intensive program consisting of team building, community service, risk management, and self evaluation. Not only does Sonny donate the land for the event or provide materials if needed, but he donates each year’s Sunday morning breakfast for over 50 young men in attendance each year.
Both Sonny and Catharine are known for their fun personalities, knack for never meeting a stranger, and willingness to help others. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last year with over 300 family and friends attending. This ‘team’ clearly has a lifetime of selfless achievements and continues to contribute to the community.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
2010 Persons Of The Year: Nadine McCaw
January 3, 2011
NorthEscambia.com is naming Persons of the Year for 2010 each day this week. Click here for previous recipients.
Nadine McCaw of Century has been named one of our North Escambia Persons of the Year for 2010.
Publicly, Nadine is known because she currently serves as a member of the Century Town Council. And she’s worked tirelessly to support the Century Relay for Life. And she is active in the Century Chamber of Commerce, and her church, the First Baptist Church of Century. And she was one of those helpful ladies checking out our books at the Century Branch Library. And the list goes on of the public things Nadine is seen doing for the town she loves.
But perhaps Nadine is most deserving of being a North Escambia Person of the Year for being the person that most people never see.
Like any grandparent, Nadine loves her grandchildren and cherishes every moment with them. When Rebecca Jones, 4, was born, it was grandchild number eight for Nadine and Eddie, her husband of 39 years. It was a happy time with a new life in the world. But within a matter of days, Nadine was told that her life was about to be over.
While visiting with Rebecca, Nadine got sick. Five doctors and two weeks later, she had been told five times that she was not likely to survive the invasive cervical cancer that doctors found. She even saw one of the top cancer doctors in the South at the University of Alabama Birmingham.
Lead specialist at UAB told Nadine that if she survived the surgery, she might have six months to live.
Nadine knew the possibility of dying from cancer was very real. When Nadine was three, her mother died from cancer at age 21. Her brother-in-law died from colon cancer. The list of relatives in her family that died from cancer is a long one.
Her family, her friends, her church…they all prayed. And prayed.
Prayer worked.
She went from doctors telling her she had six months to live, to being one of the most important words in the world of cancer — survivor.
Fast forward to 2010. Nadine was diagnosed with renal caner. She had one of her kidneys and several lymph nodes removed in October and continues to recover at home.
The Century community rallied behind Nadine as she was faced with inadequate insurance and mounting medical bills. Hundreds of fish plates were sold, walkers braved frigid temps and other events worked to raise funds for Nadine. Community members posted purple bows to show their support for the lady that helped Century in so many ways.
Many of those ways Nadine helped Century were very quiet — those that know Nadine know that she likes to stay far from the spotlight. Humble does not begin to explain Nadine.
Most never knew about the times she dug into her own pocket to buy items for the library, plants to decorate city hall, plants for a local park or Christmas decorations for all. Most never knew while bedridden with renal cancer, she participated in a town council meeting.
Most never knew about the friends and relatives she worked to care for. Most never knew of the times she and husband Eddie would walk the town and pick up trash.
Most never knew the Nadine McCaw for which we name her a North Escambia Person of the Year.
2010 Persons Of The Year
January 2, 2011
NorthEscambia.com is naming several Persons of the Year for 2010. The recipients are being named daily during the first week of January. Those named so far include:
(Additional recipients will be named each day this week.)
2010 Persons Of The Year: Wilbur Earl Hendrix
January 2, 2011
NorthEscambia.com is naming Persons of the Year for 2010 each day this week.
Wilbur Earl Hendrix of Molino has posthumously been named one of our North Escambia Persons of the Year.
Hendrix was one of five Molino residents that organized and founded the Molino Volunteer Fire Department, and he served as Molino’s first fire chief.
Hendrix passed away July 31, 2010, at the age of 76. He was a lifelong resident of Molino.
In 1968, Wilbur Hendrix and his wife Carolyn founded Hendrix Lawn and Cycle and Hendrix Service Center. Together, they owned and operated the successful, community-minded business for over 38 years.
“A man of God and family, Wilbur will be remembered by those who knew him best as someone who worked with his hands his entire life. Wilbur was creative and inventive, able to find ingenious solutions, and could always be looked to when something needed repairing, even after his fingers and wrist had to be repaired. He was always willing to help anyone in need of finding a problem with automobiles, lawn mowers and equipment, even traveling strangers who needed help. He never turned his back on anyone who needed his help,” according to his obituary.
Featured Recipe: Pineapple Sweet and Sour Chicken
January 2, 2011
This weekend’s featured recipe from Janet Tharpe is a “Pineapple Sweet and Sour Chicken”, a simple dish with exotic flavors that will appeal to most any palette.
To print today’s “Just a Pinch” recipe column, you can click the image below to load a printable pdf with a recipe card.
