Century Branch Library Celebrates Its First Year
March 26, 2008
The Century Branch Library celebrated a successful first year with an open house Tuesday afternoon.
Local dignitaries were on hand as Pensacola’s Impact 100 was honored for its $113,335 contribution that funded a children’s reading room and literacy center. The group, which is comprised of women that have donated at least $1,000 each, choose the Friends of the Pensacola Library as a grant recipient last year to fund the children’s programs at the new Century library.
A plaque to be placed at the library (pictured left, click to enlarge) honors Impact 100 for “outstanding vision and dedication in committing to the future of our community”.
“This is a wonderful thing,” Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Kevin White told those in attendance. “This is a good example of governments working together, with Escambia County and the Town of Century coming together on this.”
The library has issued about 900 new library cards since opening in Century, a town with a population of just 1,800, according to Bette Hooton, a board member for the West Florida Library. The Century library is a branch of the West Florida Library system and is located in the town’s former jail.
During the Century library’s first year, over 15,000 books and other materials have been checked out, and there have been over 5,000 adult uses of the public computers in the library. Hooton said 2008 kicked off with 2,008 people using the library in January of this year.
“This library I deem a success,” Hooton said.
Pictured top of page: West Florida Library Board Member Bette Hooton and Century Branch Library Director Patricia Rigel at Monday afternoon’s one year anniversary celebration at the library. Pictured below, top (scroll down to see all three pictures): Impact 100 Board Members Marny Needle (left) and Kathy Anthony (right) with the plaque honoring Impact 100 and Gene Fisher, director of the West Florida Library.
Pictured below, middle: (L-R) Gary Riley, Century council member; Sharon Scott, Century council member; Henry Hawkins, Century council member; Benny Barnes, director of the Century Chamber of Commerce; and (standing) Ann Brooks, Century council member, enjoy refreshments. Council member Nadine McCaw, who works at the library, was also present.
Pictured below, bottom: District 5 Commission Aide Susan Hendrix, Century Mayor Freddie McCall and District 5 Commissioner Kevin White at the library anniversary event. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cofield Celebrates 100th Birthday
March 20, 2008
A reception to honor Maggie Elizabeth Brantley Cofield in celebration of her 100th birthday was held on March 15, 2008, at Heritage Nursing Home in Milton.
Mrs. Cofield was born in Conecuh County, Alabama, on March 15, 1908, to Joe and Lou Powell Brantley. She married Harvey Cofield on December 19, 1924. She is the mother of two children, Ernest Cofield of Monroeville, Alabama, and the late Charles Cofield of Century. She has eight grandchildren: Ann Cofield Brooks, Cathy Cofield Crawley, and Tom Cofield of Century; Gordon Cofield of Pensacola; Larry Cofield of Texas; Melvin Cofield and Maxine Casey of Repton, Alabama, and Donnie Cofield of Pascagoula, Mississippi. She also has 14 great-grandchildren and 16 great-great grandchildren.
Family Says Three-Year-Old Girl Is A Hero, “She Saved All Of Our Lives”
March 7, 2008
Three-year-old Elizabeth White is being called a hero by her family. Her mom credits Elizabeth for saving their lives.
Last Saturday afternoon was an ordinary one around the White household on Campbell Road in Century. Lunch was over. Mom Tiffany White had just loaded the dishwasher. She was home with her three kids, three year old Elizabeth, five year old Alicyn and two year old Landon. Dad Jason White had just left the house for a short trip.
“Then Elizabeth told me that she saw smoke,” Tiffany said. “I thought she had just seen the steam from the dishwasher. At first I didn’t think anything about what she was saying. Then I thought maybe I did see smoke cross outside the window. I went over and opened the back door. I saw fire everywhere.”
The utility room, located just outside the kitchen, was filled with a raging fire, Tiffany said. She grabbed the children and headed across the road to safety.
“If Elizabeth hadn’t seen the smoke when she did, we would have all got burned up in there,” Tiffany told NorthEscambia.com Thursday, standing outside the burned out shell of her home. “She saved all of our lives. She is our little hero. I’m proud of her.”
Elizabeth, who will celebrate her fourth birthday on Tuesday, was a bit shy about being interviewed by a stranger. But she did say she was not a hero. And she said she was not scared.
When NorthEscambia.com arrived Thursday, Jason and Tiffany were sifting through the burned out home, looking for anything they could salvage. Tiffany had just found a small photo album containing just handful of family photos. There’s a glimmer of hope in her eyes and she picks up the album and opens it for the first time. But her hope quickly turns to disappointment. The plastic on the album is melted to most of the photos. Others are a bit charred, or falling apart from becoming wet.
“These are about the only pictures I have left of my kids,” Tiffany said. “Most of my pictures were in frames on the walls. I’m going to miss my pictures of my babies.”
But she’s very thankful that she still has her babies and continues to praise Elizabeth has a hero.
Elizabeth, meanwhile, grows bored with the whole interview as one might expect from a three-year-old. She runs around the yard, which still contains several of the children’s outside play toys. She runs around excited and playful, hiding from our camera as much as she can. She’s turned avoid the NorthEscambia.com camera into a game of sorts.
Then she stops by the front corner of the house and points up toward the burned out window.
“I want to see my room,” she says. “Take me in there.”
Tiffany explains that she can’t take her inside because it is not safe.
“But I want to see,” she says. “Daddy, hold me up to the window so I can see my room. I want my toys.”
Jason tells her maybe later.
She does not seem to understand that her favorite toys — her Beanie Babies, her My Little Ponies and her stuffed animals — are not just inside that window anymore. They, like all the family’s possessions, are gone.
The family had no insurance, Jason said. They are currently crowded in the home of his parents, Kenneth and Ruby White in Flomaton, while they figure out what they will do next.
In the meantime, the community continues to pull together to help the Whites. Many have donated clothes and other items; some have donated money. If you would like help the family, email news@northescambia.com and we will put you in touch with family . Their primary need right now is for a house to rent in the area. Once they find that house, they will need household items, toys for the children and clothes.
Pictured top of page: Three year old Elizabeth White stands in front of her burned out home. Pictured below: Elizabeth points toward her room. Pictured bottom of page: Tiffany White looks at the only family photos that she could find. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos. Click to enlarge.
To read NorthEscambia.com’s story about the fire, click here.
To view a photo album from Saturday’s fire, click here.
Byrneville Soldier Currently Serving In Southeastern Iraq
March 4, 2008
Airman 1st Class William McCann of Byrneville is currently serving with the United States Air Force in Iraq.
Airman McCann is deployed with the 887th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, which conducts combat patrols to deter local insurgents from attacking Camp Bucca. The combat patrols include looking for improvised explosive devices and gathering intelligence by directly engaging Iraqis in the local communities. The squadron is the only U.S. defense force that provides continual patrols “outside the wire” (venturing outside the secure zone) in southeast Iraq. Camp Bucca is an Iraqi prison camp holding over 20,000 detainees.
“A lot of young boys look on their dads as their heroes,” McCann’s father Billy McCann told NorthEscambia.com. “I look on my son as my hero!! I couldn’t be prouder! But I do not want to appear to brag on my son because there are several boys from this area who have been to Iraq or who are there now.”
McCann is a 2005 graduate of Northview High School. He is married to the former Crystal Crocker of Pensacola. She resides at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa.
Pictured above: Airman 1st Class William McCann conducts communications checks as he prepares for an outside the wire mission in southeast Iraq. Pictured below: Airman 1st Class William McCann readies his gear before going outside the wire to conduct security operations in southeast Iraq. Click either photo to enlarge.
If you know someone from the North Escambia area currently serving in Iraq, Afghanistan or another war zone, send us an email news@northescambia.com and let us know. We would love to feature them in a future story.
Valentine’s Day: They Are Still Sweethearts
February 14, 2008
It was a happy Valentine’s Day Thursday at the Century Care Center, with two couple celebrating Valentine’s Day together.
Jessie and Elma Lambeth (pictured above) have been married since 1990 and were crowned Valentine’s King and Queen. Mr. Lambeth says they are “still sweethearts”. They are both residents of Century Care Center.
One other pair of lovebirds attended today’s Valentine’s party. Vaudean and Henry Sheffield (pictured below) enjoyed the day’s events. Mr. Sheffield is a Century Care resident.
Chelsea Sims Crowned Miss Northview High School
January 20, 2008
Miss Chelsea Sims, a junior, was crowned Miss Northview High School Saturday night. First Runner Up was junior Amber Holland, and Second Runner Up was junior Summer Sanders. Other members of the top five were freshman Katie Mann and junior Shakeria White.
This year’s Miss Congeniality award went to Ashley Snow. Miss Hospitality was awarded to Tiffany Barrows. Amber Holland was named Miss Physical Fitness an, Ashely McGhee was named Miss Poise and Appearance.
To view a complete photo gallery with over 100 photos from Saturday night’s pageant, click here.
NorthEscambia.com followed the contestants in the Miss NHS pageant beginning back in December for a five part series “the road to the crown”. You can view that series by clicking here. Click play below for an exclusive NorthEscambia.com video from the pageant.
Chelsea is the seventeen year old daughter of Darryl and Ellen Sims. She has been an Atmore Rotary Club Academic All-Star for two years and a member of the Beta Club for one year. As a freshman and sophomore, she was a majorette for the Tribal Beat Marching band, and served as captain her sophomore year. Chelsea is currently on the Varsity Cheerleading team and was the recipient of the prestigious 2007-2008 Spirit Award. She was elected as treasurer of the Junior Class and was also selected by her classmates as the Homecoming Maid both her freshman and sophomore years.Chelsea has been a member of the Student Government Association for one year and currently serves as the Secretary. In the 2007 Miss NHS pageant, Chelsea was chosen by the other contestants as Miss Congeniality. She was also selected by the judges as one of the Top Ten Contestants. She has been a member of Heather Leonard’s Dance-works for 15 years. In that time, Chelsea transitioned from dancing to teaching, and has been an assistant dance teacher there for four years. She is also a member of Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church. Her Hobbies include dancing, cheering, playing the piano, twirling, and waterskiing. Her future plans are to attend a four year University and become a Pharmacist.Amber is the sixteen year old daughter of David Holland and Marcie Andrews. As a freshman, Amber was a Junior Varsity cheerleader and on the Junior Varsity Softball team. She also received an academic award in her reading class. She has been a Varsity cheerleader for two years and currently serves as the Co-Captain of the squad. She was also the recipient of the 2007-2008 Best All-Around Cheerleader Award.Amber has been a member of the Interact club for one year, the Future Business Leaders of America for one year, and a member of the Student Government Association for one year, where she serves as the Parliamentarian. She was also chosen as one of the top ten contestants in Miss NHS 2007. She has done volunteer work for Hospice, some of which included making cards for the patients. She has volunteered to help with Relay for Life and walked six miles for the cause. Her hobbies include dancing; especially hip hop, cheering, singing, and spending time with loved ones. Her future plans are to attend the University of Alabama, where she will obtain her degree and then go on to pursue a career in the medical field.Summer is the sixteen year old daughter of Johnny and Stephanie Victor. She has been a member of the Student Government Association for one year and a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for one year, where she currently serves as the drama leader. She was also elected Vice-President of the sophomore class. As a freshman, Summer was a Junior Varsity cheerleader. She has been a Varsity cheerleader for two years and is the Co-Captain of the squad this year.
Summer was a member of the track team for two years and has been a member of the weight-lifting and cross country team for one year. Summer is also a graduate of the Barbizon Modeling Agency. She is an active member at the McCullough Christian Center and participates on the drama team and the dance team. Her hobbies include sign language, running, cheering, dancing, and spending time with family and friends. Her future plans are to attend Jefferson Davis Community College, where she will obtain her degree and pursue a career as a Registered Nurse.
The Miss Northview High School Pageant was sponsored by the Northview Cheerleaders under the direction of Anna Barry.
the road to the crown Part Five
January 19, 2008
Today, it’s part five of our five part series “the road to the crown”. All week, we have been following 25 young ladies at Northview High School in their quest for the crown and the title of “Miss Northview High School” for 2008.
The pageant was Saturday night. For complete pageant coverage, including photos and the winner’s list, click here.
A few years ago, there were only eight girls in the pageant. Tonight, there are 25 and the requirements are tougher. A good GPA; no major referrals, suspensions or in-school suspensions; and no fines owed to the school are all required.
The pageant is sponsored by the Northview High School Cheerleaders as a fund raiser. Pageant coordinator Anna Barry is the cheerleader sponsor. She has spent countless hours preparing for the pageant, coaching the girls to be their best.
We’ve posted more photos today from several different rehearsals. Some are in black and white so we can show them to you without spoiling the excitement of seeing the gowns in their colorful splendor Saturday night. Plus we thought the black and white was just cool looking. See the latest photo gallery by clicking here.
Join us here at NorthEscambia.com Sunday morning to find out who the new Miss Northview High School is, and for a complete photo gallery from Saturday night’s pageant.
Tonight there will be a top ten and then five finalist from which a winner will be named. After watching the girls for several practices, we think they are all winners. Even though they have all been in competition for the crown, they have been friends. We did not see or hear anything mean spirited. Just a group of girls acting like a good family should, supporting each other on “the road to the crown”.
Click here to read part one of this series from Tuesday.
Click here to read part two of this series from Wednesday.
Click here to view part three of this series from Thursday.
Click here to view part four of this series from Friday.
Mardi Gras Parade At Century Library
January 18, 2008
It was party time Thursday afternoon at the Century Branch Library as area youngsters participated in a Mardi Gras parade around the library and the Century City Hall.
The children wore “floats” made from boxes and filled with candy. They paraded around the parking lot, tossing candy, beads and moon pies to excited onlookers while New Orleans style jazz music played.
For a complete photo gallery from the Century Library Mardi Gras parade, click here.
the road to the crown Part Four
January 18, 2008
Today, it’s part four of our five part series “the road to the crown”. We are following 25 young ladies at Northview High School in their quest for the crown and the title of “Miss Northview High School” for 2008.
We’ve posted more photos today from Wednesday afternoon’s dress rehearsal. They are in black and white so we can show them to you without spoiling the excitement of seeing the gowns in their colorful splendor Saturday night. Plus we thought the black and white was just cool looking. See the photo gallery by clicking here.
Most of the girls purchased their gowns the “traditional” way. Try on a bunch and finally pick that perfect one. But not junior Ashley Snow. She actually found her gown on ebay. That’s right, ebay. Sight unseen, other than a few photos on the computer, and without trying it on, she picked out her dream pageant gown.
“I told my mom what I wanted,” she said. “We looked online on ebay because it is cheaper. We found it and bid on it.”
“My mom buys from ebay a lot, so it did not make me that nervous,” she said. Ashley is pictured to the left in her dream pageant dress.
Click here to read part one of this series from Tuesday.
Click here to read part two of this series from Wednesday.
Click here to view part three of this series from Thursday.
All of the tickets for Saturday night’s pageant have been sold. The final practice is over. Our series “the road to the crown” will continue Saturday morning. The pageant is Saturday night at 7:00, and NorthEscambia.com will have the new Miss Northview High School and all the photos here Sunday morning.
the road to the crown Part Three
January 17, 2008
Today, it’s part three of our five part series “the road to the crown”. We are following 25 young ladies at Northview High School in their quest for the crown and the title of “Miss Northview High School” for 2008.
Today, we have posted a photo gallery with a “headshot” of each girl. You’ll notice that they are numbered; the numbers are their contestant numbers. Click here to view the gallery.
Nerves were…nerves were…well, let’s just say the contestants were on edge Wednesday afternoon at Northview High School for the final practice — a full dress rehearsal — for Saturday night’s pageant. But that’s what practices and dress rehearsals are for.
Speaking of dresses, Wednesday’s practice was truly a dress rehearsal, pageant gowns and all. NorthEscambia.com took photos for you to see, but we decided to do something different. Since so many people take such interest in the gowns, we decided we’d show them too you without giving away everything. So we got all “artsy” and shot all of the gown pictures in black and white.
Call it a “teaser”. It’s like telling you most of what happened in a TV show without giving away the ending. We’ll post lots of the gown pictures in their glorious black and white splendor in Friday’s installment of “the road to the crown”. We don’t want to spoil the excitement of seeing the gowns at Saturday night’s pageant.
In yesterday’s installment, we mentioned one young lady with a real interesting gown buying experience, perhaps the most interesting story we’ve heard in the three weeks NorthEscambia.com has been popping into pageant practices. We’re going to make you wait at least another day for that story. It’s a good one.
All of the tickets for Saturday night’s pageant have been sold. The final practice is over. Now it’s just our series “the road to the crown” continuing Friday and Saturday mornings. The pageant is Saturday night at 7:00, and NorthEscambia.com will have the new Miss Northview High School and all the photos here Sunday morning.
Click here to view today’s photo gallery of all the girls and their headshots.
Click here to read part one of this series from Tuesday.
Click here to read part two of this series from Wednesday.
Pictured above: Pageant coordinator Anna Berry talks to the young ladies in the Miss Northview High School Pageant Wednesday afternoon. Pictured below: Another shot of the girls competing for the title of “Miss Northview High School”. Click the photos to enlarge.
