Lydia Purvis Named Escambia County Horticulture Specialist
April 17, 2022
Lydia Purvis has joined Escambia County Extension as the county horticulture specialist.
Purvis will assist homeowners with horticulture information and plant diagnostics by phone and in the office, and she will teach sessions in the community.
She grew up in Molino and participated in FFA throughout her time at Ernest Ward Middle School and Northview High School. She graduated from University of Florida Milton in 2018 with a degree in Plant Science and Nursery Management.
Ransom Middle Names Students Of The Month
April 14, 2022
Ransom Middle School recently named Students of the Month. They are Elliot Price and Sa’mya Wallace. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Beulah Middle Teacher Hailed As Hero For Saving Choking Student
April 12, 2022
Cheesy breadsticks with marinara. Spicy chicken sandwiches.
Green beans. And fresh fruit.
It was a rather ordinary day during a recent lunch at Beulah Middle School. But that quickly changed
Assistant Principal Sandra Reynolds was talking with a teacher and looking around the lunchroom.
“I noticed a student who appeared to be choking. The teacher and I immediately ran to the student and indeed, he was choking,” Reynolds said.
That teacher was Patrick Cornelius, an eighth grade English Language Arts instructor.
“Patrick Cornelius,” Reynolds continued, “began administering the Heimlich maneuver as I held the student’s hand and tried calming him down. The object finally came up and the student was whisked away to the clinic where his parents were called.”
And, we are happy to report, the student is doing well. And Cornelius is being hailed by the school district as a hero.
Tate High Showband Marches In Washington’s National Cherry Blossom Parade, Debuts New Uniforms
April 11, 2022
The Tate High School Showband of the South debuted their new band uniforms over the weekend as they marched in the National Cherry Blossom Parade in Washington, DC.
The Washington performance marked the first time the band had traveled since before the pandemic that began in 2020. It was the second time the Showband has performed in the National Cherry Blossom Parade; the first was in 1983.
The band has celebrated other big accomplishments this year. Last fall, the Showband of the South earned its 50th consecutive straight superior rating at the Florida Bandmasters Association’s District Marching Music Performance Assessment.
Band members were also able to visit several national landmarks while in Washington.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Easter Egg Dash, Spring Bazaar Held In Flomaton (With Gallery)
April 10, 2022
The Town of Flomaton held a Spring Bazaar Saturday at Hurricane Park.
The event featured an Easter Egg Dash with the Easter Bunny, food, bouncy houses, arts and crafts and more. The town provided free space for local vendors.
For a photo gallery from the Easter Egg Dash and the bazaar, click to tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
40,000 Pounds Of Food Distributed In Century (With Photo Gallery)
April 10, 2022
Volunteers distributed 40,000 pounds of food in Century Saturday morning.
The Farm Share distribution was sponsored by Rep. Michelle Salzman, Century Mayor Ben Boutwell, Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry, ECUA board member Kevin Stephens and other community partners.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Yard Sale In Century Benefits Family Critically Injured In Wreck
April 10, 2022
A large benefit yard sale was held Saturday in Century for a local family critically injured in a car crash.
The yard sale covered a large part of the Nadine McCaw Park on North Century Boulevard.
All proceeds will benefit the Grant family. In January, Brian Grant and his three children were critically injured back in January in a traffic crash on Highway 31 in the Wawbeek community between Atmore and Flomaton. The wreck also claimed the life of another driver.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Troop 430, Pack 430 Scouts Hold Molino Yard Sale
April 10, 2022
Troop 430, Pack 430 Scout yard sale was held Saturday at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Barrineau Park Historical Society Spring Gathering, Car Show
April 10, 2022
The Barrineau Park Historical Society Spring Gathering was held Saturday at the Barrineau Park Community Center. The even featured live music from the Southern Revival Band, crafts, car show, bouncy house and a spaghetti dinner.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Tree ID Trail Receives New Additions At Extension Office
April 7, 2022
A tree identification trail in Cantonment has received some new additions.
The Florida Forest Service donated nine trees for the trail at the Escambia County Extension office on Stefani Road.
Each tree was in a three or seven gallon pot and included river birch, American beech, loblolly bay, spruce pine, water hickory, winged elm, sand pine, Florida maple, and sassafras. Approximately 35 species native to Florida have been planted along this trail in the past three years. Additional species already growing prior to trail installation can be seen on Extension property on the disc golf course, along the trail, and in the gardens.
Having this large variety of trees in one place essentially gives Escambia County its own arboretum highlighting Florida native species. The trail has been used to teach tree identification classes to both FFA and 4-H groups preparing for forestry competitions. Each tree is labeled, so people explore the many different species of trees that can grow in Northwest Florida. It is a great resource for arborists or landscapers brushing up on their skills, homeowners looking for ideas for trees to plant in their yards, or outdoor enthusiasts who want to know what they are looking at when engaging in their favorite outdoor activity.
The trail is part of a larger outdoor education and recreation project located at the Escambia Extension Office at 3740 Stefani Road. It includes a nearly one-mile walking trail loop, nine-hole disc golf course, and the tree trail. The publicly accessible walking trail was built and funded by Escambia County in 2018. O
nce the trail was in place, new trees were planted to provide shade and education. Funding for the original tree plantings and signage were provided by a grant from International Paper, while the design and installation of the disc golf course were funded by the Escambia County 4-H Foundation.
The popular facility is open to members of the public during daylight hours.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
