Photos: Santa Claus Visits Library For Story Time
December 19, 2008
About 100 kids and kids at heart visited a winter wonderland at the Century Branch Library Thursday afternoon.
Santa Claus was on hand to take those last minute Christmas wishes. Requests included Nintinedo’s, basketballs, Ipods, dolls, clothes and even a vacuum cleaner.
The children also enjoyed a story, crafts and a goody bag filled with tasty treats.
For a complete photo gallery with about 100 photos from the event, click here.
Pictured above: Santa is told a secret Christmas wish at the Century Branch Library Thursday afternoon. Pictured below: He was not sure what to tell Santa. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Aldersgate Presents The Grumpy Shepherd
December 18, 2008
Aldergate United Methodist Church presented their annual Christmas musical “The Grumpy Shepherd” recently.
The Chancel Choir of Aldersgate UMC will present their cantata “Candles and Carols” Sunday morning during their 10:30 worship service under the direction of Holly Driver. Everyone is invited to attend.
For a photo gallery from the presentation, click here.
Pictured above: Aldersgate UMC presented “The Grumpy Shepherd”. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com.
Ernest Ward Presents Best Christmas Pageant Ever
December 17, 2008
The new drama club at Ernest Ward Middle School presented their first major production Tuesday night.
The students presented “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”, a drama and musical presentation that focuses on the poorly-behaved children of the Herdman family, who discover the true meaning of Christmas through participation in a church play about the birth of Jesus.
The play was followed by a concert of seasonal music by the Ernest Ward chorus and bands.
Ticket proceeds from the event will go toward the purchase of new sound equipment for the school.
For a complete photo gallery from the play and concert, click here.
Students participating in the program included:
Cast Members: Kent Smith, Anna Donald, Shalmali Bhadkamkar, Lily Townson, Jessica Warner, Danielle Scott, Mason Solchenberger, Chelsea Ward, Lauryn Walker, Rachel Presley, Hannah Ziglar, Karmen Watson, Ashley Cunningham, Alli Davis, Ashlynn Webster, Chelsea Turner, Lakelynn Parker, Anna Fischer, Megan Bryan, Kristen Byrd, Caitlyn Rigby, Brett Sawyer, Jerah
Parker, Emily Gudell, Kortney Reid, Chloe Leonard, Ashley Kite, Shaina Gibson, Catrina Rau, Alliana Davis.
Beginning Band: Penny Banda, Aquanis Brown, Eathan Coon, Austin Cunningham, Alliana Davis, Kayla Fears, Kristin Guinto, Davy Hanks, Julie Hester, Matthew Lee, Kayla Nahkala, Catherine Nassar, Morgan Packer, Breanna Payne, Danielle Suggs, Cara Thompson, Kaylynn Welford.
Advanced Band: Jordan Bodiford, Taylor Brook, Levi Carlson, Madalyn Coon, Alex Edmonson, Casey Godwin, Hannah Greer, Kayla Haag, Destiney Hall, Michael Hall, Justin Halteman, Christopher Hendrix, Cory Hester, Brandon King, Luke McDaniel, Willie Owens, Jerah Parker, Marisa Penland, Timothy Rackard, Stephanie Roach, Natasha Suggs, Justin Thompson, Joshua Vihnanek, Chelsea Ward, Tyler Williams, Victoria Wright.
Chorus: Jacey Barker, Kamryn Brock, Skye Brown, Megan Bryan, Mikayla Cash, Anna Donald, Desiree Elaird, Shaina Gibson, Ashley Kite, Rebakah Miles, Catherine Nassar, Shelby Nielson, Morgan Packer, Madison Presley, Danielle Scott, Mason Solchenberger, Jennifer Spears, Deanna Strehl, Peyton Ulrich, Brittany Victor, Shauna Walker, Joselynn Wiedel, Tamara Wise, Hannah Ziglar, Katelyn Zisa.
Others involved with the program were: Joe Wright, band; Sharon Poulsen, sound; Mark Forsman , props and stage design; Sara McGinnis, Laura Chavers and Sherri Mims, stage crew.
Drama Club Members: Kelsey Taylor, Lindsey Francis, Shaina Gibson, Ashley Kite, Chloe Leonard, Caitlin Rigby.
Spotlight: Dale Brown and Jeremy Stacey.
Pictured above: A scene from “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” Tuesday night at Ernest Ward Middle School. Pictured below: The Ernest Ward Chorus performs. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Another Victory In Local Man’s Crusade To Prevent More Deaths
December 15, 2008
A local man took on the Florida Department of Transportation and won…caution lights are up and the speed limit as lowered at Highway 29 and Byrneville Road. And now, Escambia County has done their part to improved safety at the intersection with the addition of a caution light on Byrneville Road.
Leroy White (left) lost his granddaughter on Thanksgiving day 2005 at the intersection of Byrneville Road/Bluff Springs Road and Highway 29. It’s a tragedy that he says could have been prevented with a traffic signal, and he went on a mission to have the Florida Department of Transportation make some changes.
He was first told “no” by the Florida DOT, and they even denied his public records request for accident data on the intersection.
His crusade include a petition with 450 signatures requesting improvements at the intersection and an August 15 article on NorthEscambia.com.
Tommie Speights, a spokesperson for the Florida Department of Transportation, said that petition and the news coverage on NorthEscambia.com led the DOT to study the intersection.
Flashing yellow lights have been installed on “intersection ahead” signs both north and southbound as Highway 29 approaches the intersection (pictured left). The Highway 29 speed limit near the intersection was lowered from 65 to 55 mph, Speights said.
And recently, Escambia County installed a flashing caution light warning of the upcoming intersection on Byrneville Road. Brush along the county right of way was also trimmed to make the stop sign more visible.
“Everything we asked for is pretty much done,” White said. “They’ve done pretty much everything we asked for. We just want to thank everybody that had a part in this.”
“Hopefully it will do some good,” White told NorthEscambia.com. “There’s been too many wrecks there. I’m glad they are finally doing something about it.”
Callista LeEtta White died November 27, 2003, at the intersection. She was returning to Pensacola after spending time on Thanksgiving with her family. It was raining, and she approached Highway 29 too fast, apparently not realizing that she was near the intersection. She missed the stop sign and hydroplaned into the path of of a tractor trailer truck on Highway 29 about 7:35 p.m. The 2003 Northview High School graduate died a short time later at West Florida Hospital.
The most recent fatality at the intersection was on June 23 when Carolyn Hightower, 60, of Pensacola died as a result of injuries she sustained in a two vehicle accident there. Her husband, Richard Hightower, 63, was seriously injured in the crash. The Florida Highway Patrol said that Floyd D. Calloway, 65, pulled into the intersection from Bluff Springs into the path of the Hightower’s SUV.
“I just didn’t want to see it happen to another family,” White said.
Pictured top: Escambia County recently installed this flashing light and sign on Byrneville Road to warn drivers that they are approaching the Highway 29 intersection. Pictured middle: The new caution light on Highway 29 looking south toward Byrneville Road.. Pictured below: The accident at the intersection that claimed the life of a Pensacola woman on June 23. NorthEscambia.com photos.
Molino Christmas Parade Celebrates The Season
December 14, 2008
The 6th Annual Molino Christmas Parade was held Saturday afternoon, with a host of local floats and personal Santa Claus visits in the ballpark.
The parade ended the Don Sutton Park, where Alabama Wing House Barbecue was available while children visited with Santa Claus.
All funds raised from parade entry fees, the bake sale and the barbecue meals will benefit needy children in the Molino community, according to Sonja Luker, one of the parade organizers. The guidance counselor at Molino Park Elementary School will assist in choosing Molino area children in need of Christmas gifts.
Donations such as toys and non-perishable foods can be dropped off at Fran’s Diner.
For a complete NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the parade and the ballpark events, click here.
Pictured above: A couple of young “Snowflakes” sing Jingle Bells during the 6th Annual Molino Christmas Parade Saturday afternoon. Pictured inset: Santa hears Christmas wishes. Pictured below: The Highland Baptist Church Kids Klub float. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Blog And Photo Gallery: Winterfest Is Just Plain Cool And Our Local North Escambia “Hero Girl” Was Too
December 13, 2008
Pensacola Winterfest is just plan cool; there’s probably not a better way to put it.
The NorthEscambia.com family loaded up and headed to downtown Pensacola Friday night, eager to take in the sights and sounds of Winterfest and Ernest Ward Middle School’s Angel Mitchell in her “starring” role as the girl in The Polar Express.
For a complete photo gallery from Friday night’s Pensacola Winterfest performance, click here.
There are several Winterfest tour options available. We took the “Performance Tour”. On an old fashioned trolley, we rode the decked out streets of downtown Pensacola to take in 15 performances and scenes that brought back lots of childhood memories and lots of warm fuzzy feelings.
The tour begins at the T.T. Wentworth museum, complete with snow blowing off the building and a round of “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer” with Rudolph himself on the trolley, complete with blinking nose. Then it’s aboard the trolley and around the corner to the Pensacola Historical Museum for some old fashioned carolers. Then there’s a bit of a history lesson about early Christmas in Pensacola and a stop at Pensacola’s very own orange tree.
A block or two away, it was snowing on the street corner as Frosty the Snowman boarded the trolley much to the delight of the young and young at heart on the trip.
The next stop was the highlight of the trip, both in our opinion and of those that visted Winterfest last year. The trolley stops at a railroad crossing as The Polar Express steams its way along, complete with the “hero girl” and “hero boy”. They board the trolley for a song along with the conducter, and, in a scene straight from that wonderful holiday movie, the boy hands out Santa’s bells to everyone.
The “here girl” is portrayed by Angel Mitchell, a student at Ernest Ward Middle School. She sings a delightful song and does North Escambia proud.
The next stop is Seville Quarter, where Elvis boards the bus to sing “Blue Christmas”. (Even though it is in Seville Quarter, everything is family friendly.) The Cat In The Hat boards the trolley for some furry fun, followed by that green Dr. Sueus character The Grinch as the tour stops by Whoville.
Angels board the trolley next for a few moving verses of “Silent Night” as you sit before a living nativity scene. Kudos to Winterfest for including the nativity scene. Then, in front of the Escambia County Courthouse, a snowy scene from the movie “White Christmas” is acted out as the movie cameras roll. The tour ends with the big red guy himself, Santa Claus, in Plaza Ferdinand.
Our overall impression? Wow! It was like being in the middle of an NBC holiday special. The actors, the scenery and props, the entire production was top notch. It was magical time for both the very young and the very old at heart. It was one of the best Christmas fun things we’ve ever done with our kids; we made some good memories that we’ll be talking about for a long time. The kids were excited to text their friends that they had seen Rudolph, Santa, Frosty and Elvis.
There are several Winterfest tour options, ranging from the performance tour like we described above, to a walking tour. Whatever you choose, it would be well worth a little time out of your busy Christmas schedule to check out the magic of Pensacola Winterfest.
NorthEscambia.com has been giving way tickets to Winterfest all week, and have more to give away. Click here for more information and to register to win.
For more information on Winterfest, visit www.pensacolawinterfest.org.
Pictured above: Ernest Ward Middle School student Angel Mitchell portrays the “hero girl” from the movie The Polar Express at Pensacola Winterfest Friday night. Pictured below: The Grinch hops on board the trolley at a stop in “Whoville”. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Let Us Know What Your Church Or Community Group Has Planned For The Christmas Season
December 13, 2008
If you church, school or community group has a Christmas activity planned, NorthEscambia.com would like to help you spread the word on our events page.
To list your event on NorthEscambia.com, click here for our contact form.
Announcements are free of charge for church, school or non-profit organizations.
Northview’s Halteman Named To County All-Star Band
December 11, 2008
A Northview High School band standout has been named to the county’s honor band.
Briana Halteman was named as a flute player for the Escambia County School District’s All-County High School Honor Band for 2008-2009. She was the only Northview Tribal Breat member named to the band.
“I am excited that I made All-County Band since it is my senior year, and am really looking forward to this experience,” Halteman said.
Halteman current serves as the Northview Tribal Beat’s Drum Major (pictured left, click to enlarge).
Students were selected based upon auditions conducted by all District high school band directors earlier this week at Escambia High School.
The Escambia All-County Band will perform January 27 at 7 p.m. at the Pensacola High School Auditorium.
The complete list of band players and their instruments is below.
Northview High School
Briana Halteman, flute.
Tate High School
Rachael Cotton, flute; Leslie Ann Godwin, flute; Caitlin Boutwell, flute; Brianna Latourelle, flute; Samantha Bell, flute; Stephanie Bruce, oboe; Courtney Bonucchi, clarinet; Jill Wilson, clarinet; Alyssa Jackson, clarinet; Denise Rivers, clarinet; Avery Cobb, clarinet; Sarah Barlow, clarinet; Leigh Wisdom, clarinet; Miranda Crider, bass clarinet; Ashley Phillips, bassoon; Randi Silcox, bassoon; Steven Triplett, alto saxophone; Matthew Cassady, alto saxophone; Daeshen Smith, alto saxophone; Chris Hester, trumpet; Ben Carmichael, trumpet; Chris Snyder, trumpet; Kellie Gindl, trumpet; Michael Dobbs, trumpet; Michael Hall, trumpet; Jacob Dearrington, trumpet; Joey Hicks, trumpet; Andrew Fairbanks, French horn; Emily Creahan, French horn; Amanda Heathcoe, French horn; Jackson Willis, trombone; Matt Warren, trombone; Blane Pinney, trombone; Samantha Bruce, baritone; Jakob Wisdom, baritone; Ben Pement, baritone; Jordan Gutierrez, baritone; John Hassell, tuba; Eli Cawthon, tuba.
Pine Forest High School
Jessica Courtney, flute; Danielle Upman, clarinet; Hanna Moulder, clarinet; Joseph Wright, tuba.
Washington High School
Sasha Tittel, flute; LaKrista Battle, flute; Jeremy Watson, clarinet; Monique Starke, clarinet; Christina Ferguson, clarinet; Miriam Bellamy, clarinet; Jessica Harris, clarinet; Wilson Virgilio, bassoon; Raymond Spencer, tenor saxophone; Scotty Poyner, baritone saxophone; James Westmark, trumpet; Daniel Campbell, trumpet; Colin Mitchell, trumpet; Kalee Burns, trombone; Lindsey Harris, tuba; Brandon Spencer, tuba; Eric Kyles, tuba; Tevin Purifoy, tuba.
Pensacola High School
Dosom Bae, flute; Eileen Morse, baritone saxophone.
Escambia High School
Janae Baptiste, flute; Ralf Romero, flute; Hannah Bergstrom, flute; Katelin Greene, flute; Jovy Carambas, flute; Mary Murphy, oboe; Alehna Crowe, clarinet; Megan Beebe, clarinet; Chierstie Braas, clarinet; Allison Kane, clarinet; Lauren Burns, clarinet; Ashley Vanstraten, clarinet; Angelita Moore, clarinet; Nicole Samuels, clarinet and bass clarinet; Erica Thornton, bass clarinet; Ellie Margedant, contra clarinet; Bryson Viquelia, contra clarinet; Brandon Ramsey, alto saxophone; Mitchell Green, alto saxophone; Zack Blessing, alto saxophone; Larry Hughes, tenor saxophone; Richard Shasteen, tenor saxophone; Drew Pritchard, trumpet; Chris Polk, trumpet; Joel Everette, trumpet; Taylor Vanstraten, trumpet; Colin Slavin, trumpet; Kevin Unruh, French horn; Dontye’ Johnson, French horn, Jessica Dennis, French horn; Stephen French, trombone; Brendan Landrum, trombone; Steven Saul, trombone; Westin Giles, baritone; Ryan Ludvik, tuba; Dalton Dennis, tuba; Alex Berg, mallets; Jeff Cutaio, mallets; Dimitri Baptiste, mallets; Randall Massey, mallets; DeJarvea Bryant, percussion; Nicholas Berg, percussion.
Home-school
Kyle Hansen, French horn.
Ernest Ward Names Students Of The Month
December 11, 2008
Ernest Ward Middle School recently named their students of the month for November. They are (L-R) Ashlynn Clemmons, Lily Townson, Harold Harrison and Austin Cunningham. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com.
North Escambia Area Now Appears On Google Maps Street View
December 10, 2008
Google has expanded their Street View service to provide 360 degree ground level photos on their Google Maps service.
What exactly is Street View? It is exactly that, a street level panorama view from a large number of public roads in North Escambia, along with all of the surrounding communities. With Google Maps, you can view a map of your house and a satellite view of it from space. Now, with Street View, you can view an actual photo of your house and turn around 360 degrees in your front yard.
The inclusion of North Escambia was part of a major addition of cities, towns and rural areas to Street View on Tuesday.
“With just 22 days left in the year, I can’t help but think back to where Street View was at the beginning of 2008. At that time, we had imagery for 23 cities in the United States, and we had just released embeddable panoramas. Although Street View was still in its infancy, we were excited about the user feedback we had gotten and the creative uses we were seeing,” Google Product Manager Stephen Chau wrote in the official Google Blog.
“So we started 2008 with a clear, simple goal: bring Street View to more people in more places. Every time we add imagery for a new city or town, we’re not just benefiting its citizens, who now can preview their driving route or check for parking meters outside their dentist’s office, but anyone traveling to that place or teaching about it or simply curious to see more of the world,” Chau wrote.
It appears that the Google Street View photos in an around North Escambia were taken in the last half of February or the first half of March 2008. We based that conclusion on a few clues:
- There were no leaves on the trees.
- There were no Christmas decorations is Atmore, Flomaton or Century.
- The movie being show at the theater in Atmore was not released until February 14, 2008.
- The gas pumps at the Tom Thumb in Molino are missing; they were replaced in the last half of February 2008.
We did find a several roads in North Escambia that were not photographed by Google, but some of the most remote locations in the area were included.
To try Google Street View for yourself, visit maps.google.com
If you find something interesting in Google Street View around the area, let us know about it in the comments section below. You can click the “link” button in street view and paste a link to your interesting find below.
Pictured above: The Google Street View of the library and town hall in Century. Pictured below: In this Google Street View photo looking toward the Highway 29 and Highway 97 intersection in Molino, you can see a shadow of the vehicle used to take the photos. Note the pole with camera on top. You can also see to people out for a morning walk that were captured by the Street View cameras.
