One Room Log Walnut Hill School House Wins Major Historic Preservation Award
June 16, 2008
The Florida Trust for Historic Preservation recently honored the restoration project of the old Walnut Hill School House.
During the Trust’s 2008 Preservation Awards ceremony, the Walnut Hill School House project was awarded Outstanding Achievement in the Restoration/Rehabilitation Awards category. The award was accepted by Escambia County and the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club.
The log school, believed to have been built sometime around or just before 1880, was flattened by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. It was restored under the leadership of Quina Grundhoefer Architects in Pensacola with funding from FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The restoration used mostly the original logs, reassembling them like a giant jigsaw puzzle.
Each year, the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation recognizes significant contributions to the preservation of Florida’s historic resources through the annual Preservation Awards.
According to information posted inside the one room schoolhouse, the exact construction date of the building is unknown because school district records prior to 1880 could not be located. Financial records for the Escambia County School District indicate that William “Uncle Bud” Williams received $40 in April 1880 for “building a new school” and the school received a new heater at the cost of $10 in 1881.
A small shed had been constructed along the railroad about 10 miles north in Alabama several years prior for Williams. The settlement was named Williams Station in honor of Williams in 1866. That community was later renamed Atmore.
The school was originally located near the corner of the present day intersection of Arthur Brown Road and Highway 97. It was moved to its current location on Highway 97 after the construction of the Walnut Hill Community Center, also known as the Walnut Hill Ruritan Building, in the late 1990’s.
When the building was restored, a wheelchair ramp was added in accordance with law. A glassed in area just inside the door will allow visiting school children to view the interior of the building.
The Ruritan Club has placed a period wood burning heater in the building and a single student desk. The club plans to fully restore the interior of the building as a history museum, complete with a teacher’s desk and students desks. There is currently one student desk in the building. The Ruritan Club is in search of more desks like the one pictured at the bottom of the page to complete their collection. If you know where to locate desks like these, email us here at news@northescambia.com and we will put you in touch with the right people.
Pictured above: The exterior of the restored Walnut Hill School House. Pictured below: The interior of the log school house and a period desk. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Aztec Dancer Visits Library
June 11, 2008
Aztec dancer John Jaramillo kicked off the Century Branch Library’s summer reading program Tuesday afternoon. He performed traditional Aztec dances from Mexico.
Jaramillo has performed regionally, nationally and internationally since 1983. His Pueblo Indian Native American heritage inspired his concept for Old Man Kokopeli – a masked theatre and puppetry production that was featured as part of the famed NYC International Fringe Festival in 1997.
Jaramillo has performed at the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian in New York City, Popejoy Center for the Arts at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, The Circle (theatre) at the American Indian Community House in New York City, Historic Christ Church in Philadelphia, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque and the Institute of American Indian Art Museum in Santa Fe.
For a complete photo gallery, click here.
Nursing Home Throws Birthday Party
June 4, 2008
Century Care Center recently held a birthday party for all their residents recently.
Residents enjoyed a birthday party complete with cake, gifts and songs from the Gospel Lighthouse Academy. Several residents and volunteers were also recognized for their contributions at Century Care Center.
The “Sew ‘N So” club (pictured below) was honored for its contributions to the residents. They hand make activity pillows for the the residents to encourage tactile stimulation. They also make bags for the wheelchairs and walkers.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle School Names New Cheerleading Squad
May 28, 2008
Ernest Ward Middle School has named their 2008-2009 cheerleading squad.
The cheerleaders for the next school year are, pictured above:
Front Row, left to right: Raven Weaver, Ariel Holland, Madison Arrington, Mariah Albritton, Regan Bell, Katelyn Calloway, Jessica Lowery and Cheyenne Godwin.
Back Row, left to Right: Angel Mitchell, Ali Martin, Morgan Ward, Hannah Gibson, Lana Clayton, Paeton Hadley and Ashley Mooney.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NWE Crowns Brianna Parker Queen
May 27, 2008
Brianna Parker was crowned the 2008 Baseball Queen at Bradberry Park Monday afternooon. The girls sold votes for a penny each, with a portion of the proceeds to sponsor the park and a portion to the Drew’s Field project.
First place went to Erica Wiggins.
The girls worked very hard to raise money, and the event was quite a success. The girls range in age from five to 11.
Participating were (pictured below, L-R): Erica Wiggins, Memory Peebles, Liberty Peebles Gabrielle Peebles, Queen Brianna Parker, McKenzie Moorer, Ansleigh Maholovich and Jalyn Bodiford.
For more photos from the event, click here.
Photos by Ramona Preston for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wall Of Honor Pays Tribute To Those That Served
May 26, 2008
On this Memorial Day, many will stop by the Veteran’s Honor Wall in Walnut Hill as they remember those that have fought for our freedom.
The largest such memorial in the North Escambia area, the Veteran’s Honor Wall has stood in front of the Walnut Hill Community Center since its dedication in 2003. There are currently 274 names on the wall, including 13 names of soldiers killed in action. The wall honors those from the Walnut Hill area that have served in the nation’s military.
The Walnut Hill Ruritan Club began planning the wall in late 2001, and they decided that it would be a community project at no cost to the veterans listed.
“If you a veteran, you deserve to be there,” Walnut Hill Ruritan Club President Billy R. Ward said. “You’ve already paid you debt; we wanted this wall to honor the veterans.”
The idea originated with Leroy Wiggins back in late 2001, Ward said, after he saw a picture of a similar Ruritan wall in Virginia in a national magazine.
The club formed two committees, headed up by Billy G. Ward and Wiggins to research construction of the wall and the list of name to be included.
Billy R. Ward began to engrave the names with an antique machine the club purchased off the internet, and there were 220 names on the wall when it was dedicated in 2003. He spent a lot of time on the project, even visiting the Wall South Memorial in Pensacola to get an idea what size the letters on the plaques should be.
On the Walnut Hill Veteran’s Honor Wall, everyone is equal. It was decided that no service rank would be include on the name plaques, just the branch and years of service.
Ward estimates that as of this Memorial Day, about one fourth of those listed on the wall are now deceased.
The Walnut Hill Veteran’s Wall is located in front of the community center at 7850 Highway 97.
For photographs that include every name on the wall as of this Memorial Day, click here.
If you know a veteran from the Walnut Hill area (including Bratt, Davisville, Oak Grove and Enon) that should be included on the honor wall, call Billy R. Ward at 256-2907. Or mail the veteran’s name, address, city, state, phone, branch of service, dates of service and your name and phone number to: Walnut Hill Ruritan Club, P.O. Box 35, Walnut Hill, FL 32568.
Pen Wheels Tries Again; Holds Fishing Rodeo For Disabled
May 25, 2008
Call it the 34th and half annual Pen Wheels Fiesta of Five Flags Fishing Rodeo.
When the annual fishing rodeo for the disabled was first help on May 3, it did not just rain; it poured, putting a quick end to the event. It was the only rain out in the history of the event.
So organizers decide to try again Saturday, and they had perfect weather.
“We got rained out last time, and may people were sad about that,” Pen Wheels Vice President Pearline McLendon told NorthEscambia.com. “I’m so glad we are back here today. It is just so beautiful here.”
“It was organized to give disabled people a chance to get out,” said McLendon. “Many of these people have never fished before. This is just one way to get them out of their houses and the nursing homes into the community.”
Over the 34 year history of the fishing rodeo, it has been held at locations ranging from Ft. Pickens to the Three Mile Bridge in Pensacola. Since 2001, it has been held at Jantz’s Catfish Pond on South Highway 99, just off Highway 97.
“Jantz just does us right,” Pauline said. “I can’t say enough nice things about him. We never want to leave!”
Dozens of volunteers stood ready to help the disabled fish. They baited hooks, tossed a line and offered words of friendly encouragement. Many of the volunteers were from the Walnut Hill Mennonite Church.
About 60 disabled people were registered in Saturday’s fishing rodeo. They were from around the area, including Pensacola and Century. Several residents from the Century Care Center participated.Everything, including lunch, in Pen Wheels Fishing Rodeo is provided to the disabled for free as a project of the Pensacola Fiesta of Five Flags organization.
While Jantz Catfish Pond is not open for public fishing, nearby ponds belonging to Steve Hiebert (Mr. Steve’s Sweet Corn) are open for public fishing. For more information, call 327-4020.
For a complete photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured above and below: The Pen Wheel Fishing Rodeo for the disabled Saturday in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Angel Mitchell Is Crowned Junior Miss EWMS
May 24, 2008
Miss Angel Mitchell was crowned Junior Miss EWMS tonight at Ernest Ward Middle School. First runner-up was Miss Ashley Cunningham. Second runner-up was Miss Cheyenne Godwin and third runner-up was Miss Ariel Holland.
Miss Angel Mitchell, Junior Miss EWMS
Angel has been a member of the Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleading squad for two years and has made the cut for next year’s squad as well. Angel was named the 2007-2008 All-Star Cheerleader. Shi is also on the track team and has been for two years. She is on the newspaper committee and is a member of the yearbook staff. She also participates in the Future Farmers of America program. Angel participates in community theater and is an active member of her church’s youth drama program. She received Superior Awards for this year’s District Fine Arts Awards in vocal, puppetry, human video, short story and children’s book. Angel is also a recipient for the Florida Take Stock Scholarship. Her hobbies include singing, cooking, dancing and modeling. Her future plans are to attend Florida State University Culinary Arts School and open her own catering business.
Miss Ashley Cunningham, First runner-up
Ashley is a member of the Student Government Association and a member of the Honor Society. She is also a member of the Ernest Ward Swim Team. Ashley is a member of the Barrineau Park 4-H Club and had won Steer of the Year in both 2005 and 2007. Her hobbies include sports, riding four-wheelers, going to the movies, and spending time with friends and family. Her future plans are to graduate high school and attend college to become a dentist.
Miss Cheyenne Godwin, Second runner-up
Cheyenne is a cheerleader and participates in the yearbook and newspaper staff. She is also a member of the Future Farmers of America. Her hobbies include cheerleading, modeling, acting, dance, swing dancing, shopping, talking on the phone, drawing, theatre and gymnastics. Her future plans are to become a model, actress and to study pediatrics.
Miss Ariel Holland, Third runner up
Ariel is currently a member of the school cheerleading squad and swim team and has participated in both for two years. Ariel also participates in the Northwest Escambia Little League softball program and is a member of the “Lady Cats”. She is also an active member of Bratt Baptist Church. Ariel’s hobbies include swimming, softball, cheerleading and spending time with family and friends. In the future Ariel plans to attend college and cheer.
Pictured above: Junior Miss EWMS Angel Mitchell. Pictured below (L-R): First runner-up Ashley Cunningham, Junior Miss EWMS Angle Mitchell, second runner-up Cheyenne Godwin and third runner-up Ariel Holland. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Local Piano Students Receive Awards
May 23, 2008
Piano teacher Laura Godwin’s annual piano recital was held recently at the First Baptist Church of Atmore.
Many of her students were presented with different awards. From the North Escambia area, Liberty Peebles received the “Most Improved Award”. Jadlyn Agerton and Reagon Bell both received the “Practice Award”.
Pictured above, left to right: Jadlyn Agerton, Laura Godwin and Reagan Bell. Pictured below: Jadlyn Agerton and Reagan Bell with their awards. Submitted photos from NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Leaning Post Ranch in Molino Dedicated Saturday
May 4, 2008
A dedication ceremony was held Saturday afternoon for the Leaning Post Ranch in Molino, a state-licensed facility and prevention program for developmentally disabled and at-risk young people.
The facility was established in1992 by Fran and Newman Gersin. They started with one horse, and a dream to use that horse to encourage kids and keep them off drugs.
Now the Leaning Post Ranch has 40 acres, a barn, a new open-air arena, a mulipurpose facility, a house, 16 horses and a pony…thanks to generosity of several local organizations and God.
“Above all to God by the glory,” Fran Gersin (pictured left) told the crowd at the ranch Saturday. “This place has always been by faith.”
“There is no way two people could do all of this. Only God could do this,” she said.
The grooming and multipurpose building was dedicated as the “Connie J. Greenhut Horses and Hope Center” for Connie Greenhut. She is the wife of Greenhut Construction owner Bill Greenhut. Greenhut constructed the building with the help of, and donations from, over two dozen other construction related businesses.
Also dedicated Saturday was the “Impact 100 Arena”, named in honor of Pensacola’s Impact 100 group that made a $113,000 donation to the ranch in 2006 to construct the arena.
The day’s events included a meal made possible by donations from Grocery Advantage in Cantonment, tours and entertainment.
There were horse drill demonstrations by two teams, including on comprised of four autistic youth (pictured top of page). Nona Freeman (pictured left), a popular 91 year old Pentecostal writer and speaker from Texas, addressed those in attendance.
The Leaning Post Ranch is located at 4150 Cedar Springs Road in Molino. For more information, visit http://www.theleaningpostranch.com.
For a complete photo gallery from the Leaning Post Ranch in Molino, click here.
Pictured below: The silhouette of a horse a disabled child in a wheelchair decorates the entrance to the Leaning Post Ranch.
