Passenger Train Travels Through North Escambia
May 29, 2010
For the first time in decades, a passenger train made its way south through western North Escambia Friday.
Described a luxurious trip in 1940’s style, the rail tour operated by High Iron Travel started Wednesday in Columbus, Mississippi, and traveled Thursday to Fountain, Ala. It followed the Alabama & Gulf Coast Railroad line south on Friday, traveling through Atmore, Walnut Hill and Cantonment on to Pensacola.
After an overnight layover in Pensacola, the train returned north on Saturday via the same Alabama & Gulf Coast Railroad line through North Escambia to Linden, Alabama, and then to Meridan, Mississippi.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
Cars in the train included the Cimarron River, a privately owned 1948 Pullman sleeping car which has been renovated with modern heating, electrical and air conditioning systems while retaining the charm and ambiance of 1940’s railroad travel. It sleeps 20 people — one person in each of 12 roomettes and two people in each of four bedrooms, which have two bunk beds. The beds all fold into the walls to provide comfortable seating during the day.
The Caritas in considered one of America’s premier art-deco private railway cars, built in 1948 by the Pullman company for the St. Louis-San Francisco Railroad. The Caritas sleeps eight guests in three double bedrooms that maintain the original configuration, while a master room has a double bed and its own shower.
The train also included the 1949 sleeper lounge Swift Stream from the New York Central’s Great Steel Fleet. The car includes six double bedrooms, shower, kitchen and pantry, art deco lounge, and dining area for 16.
The train also included the ex-Santa Fe “Great Dome” car.
The basic fare for the trip was $5,750 per person, double occupancy. The trip was a one-time event.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: The first passenger train in decades passes through Walnut Hill Friday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Ernest Ward Presents Spring Play With Giant Roach
May 29, 2010
With a giant roach, a crazed Italian chef, and a little mistake where bug poison and cheese were switched, the Ernest Ward Middle School Drama Team presented their annual Spring Play “Chateau La Roach” Thursday night and Friday morning.
This year’s production was a comedy about a small hotel being overrun by cockroaches. Mimi and Francois LaRoche had to find some way of stopping the health inspector from finding out about their little bug problem. With the help of their wacky staff, the two of them tried to determine which guest was the health inspector before it was too late.
For a photo gallery from the play, click here.
Pictured above: Samantha Barrow and Chelsea Turner watch a giant roach portrayed by Joselynn Wiedel during the Ernest Ward Middle School Drama Team presented their annual Spring Play “Chateau La Roach” Friday morning. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Area Resident Attends American Idol Finals, Wins $25,000
May 28, 2010
Nikki McMullen of Atmore won $25,000 in the AT&T American Idol Sweepstakes Tuesday night in Los Angeles.
Nikki and her daugther Madison were able to attend Tuesday night’s final performances with Crystal Bowersox and Lee DeWyze and Wednesday night’s final show where DeWyze was crowned the new American Idol.
Pictured top: Former American Idol finalists come out to support winner Nikki McMullen of Atmore, Ala. (center) and daughter who won $25,000 at the live event in Los Angeles. AT&T grand prize sweepstakes winner Nikki McMullen poses with daughter Madison, former Idol finalist Megan Joy and her $25,000 winnings. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NHS Grad Richard Braun Of Molino Graduates From Basic Training
May 26, 2010
Air Force Airman Richard K. Braun graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
He is the son of Laura and Billy Braun of Haupert Lane, Molino. Braun is a 2009 graduate of Northview High School.
Molino Memorial Festival Saturday; Vendors Needed
May 26, 2010
The Molino Annual Memorial Festival will be held Saturday, May 29 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at CrossFaith Church.
The day’s activities will include food, arts and crafts vendors, auction, live music and plenty of activities for the kids. Guest speakers will include John Krause, Congressional District 1 candidate and Captain Charlie Code from the NJROTC program at Northview High School.
Live entertainment will include Ashton Gibbs, Keith Rowell, Denise Palmer, Wayward Bypass, FACE and Ember.
Food and craft vendors are needed, contact Debra Smith at (850) 587-6060 or CrossFaith Church at (850) 587-3187.
Parents, Students Learn About New Ernest Ward Electrical Academy
May 26, 2010
A new program at Ernest Ward Middle School will provide students the opportunity to learn all about electricity and green power.
Tuesday, parents and students had the opportunity to learn more about the IBEW Electrical Academy at Ernest Ward Middle School. The academy, which begins in August, is the first such program in the nation at the middle school level.
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers will work with the school district to create the Electrical Academy. Middle school career academies are small, personalized learning communities within a school in which select students and teachers participate during a two or three-year span. A career academy involves teachers from different subjects working together as an interdisciplinary team.
“We are really going to emphasize going green,” Reagan McDaniel, business manager for the IBEW Local Union 676, said while standing in front of trailer-mounted solar panels capable of generating about 2,000 watts of power. “It’s important that students learn about green power options.”
In the EWMS Electrical Academy, the students will be introduced to electrical systems, learn the theories of electricity and gain valuable hands-on experience with various projects. Part of that hands-on experience will include learning how to wire a home. While students will work with AC (household type) electrical systems, most projects will use DC (battery type) voltage for safety reasons.
During a recent registration period, 167 incoming seventh and eight grade students signed up for the Electrical Academy, according to Principal Nancy Gindl-Perry. The academy, she said, will only be able to accept about 40 students from each grade level. School grades, FCAT scores and behavior records will play a factor in which students are selected for the program.
For seventh and eight grade students, the academy will be two semesters. Sixth grade students will have the opportunity to take Electrical Academy classes as part of the “wheel” — a nine week course.
“My son is an electrical engineer,” said Gayle Hanks, Ernest Ward guidance counselor. “He said that students that gain the hands on training before college will hold an advantage.”
McDaniel said that current plans call for expanding the IBEW electrical academy to Northview High School.
During the school day, current sixth and seventh grade students were given the chance to see the trailer mounted solar panels in action — powering a fan, leaf blower and vacuum cleaner.
Pictured top: Local IBEW Business Manager Reagan McDaniel explains solar panels capable of generating 2,000 watts of electricity Tuesday afternoon at Ernest Ward Middle School. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Weekend Photos: Spring Football, Building For A Cause, And SGA Trip
May 24, 2010
From Spring Football to building a Habitat for Humanity house to a student leader trip to Tallahassee, North Escambia.com had the weekend photos.
Ernest Ward SGA Visits Tallahassee (With Gallery)
May 24, 2010
The Ernest Ward Middle School Student Government Association visited several landmarks in Tallahassee over the weekend, including the state capitol, governor’s mansion, the Florida State University campus and several museums.
For a submitted photo gallery, click here.
Pictured above at the state capitol are (front, L-R) Jason Ogle, Austin Cunningham, Shalmali Bhadkamkar, (middle) Danielle Scott, Tamara Wise, Megan Bryan, Samantha Sharpless, Kendal Cobb, Madlyn Coon, Kasie Braun, Lana Clayton, (back) Chelsea Turner, Amy Murph, Bethany Reynolds, Jordan Taylor, Katie Born, Jayln Bodiford, Jessica Lowery, Jenny Spears, Victoria Wright, and Chelsea Ward. Pictured below: Amy Murph plays the piano at the Florida Governor’s Mansion. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Charles Lymon Graduates From Basic Training
May 23, 2010
Air Force Airman Charles E. Lymon Jr. graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
He is the son of Jeannette Lymon of Old Jack Springs Road, Atmore. Lymon graduated in 2004 from Escambia County High School, Atmore, and received a bachelor’s degree in 2008 from Auburn University.
Jordan, Wilson To Wed
May 23, 2010
Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Jordan are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Lindsey Gayle, to Mr. Jeremiah Jack Wilson, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Willie Wilson.
Miss Lindsey is the granddaughter of Jimmy and Barbara Wilson of Byrneville and the late Gary and Nell Jordan of Flomaton. The prospective groom is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Odom of Century and the late Mr. and Mrs. Alton Wilson of Century.
The wedding will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 29, at the Beulah Chapel Assembly of God in Byrneville. A reception will follow.
All friends and family are invited.