Hero Lost: War Takes Husband From Her Life, Anniversary Photos
August 18, 2013
In a photograph from their November 2011 wedding in Pensacola, Marine Corps Sgt. Bradley Atwell smiles while gingerly wiping away the tears of his new wife, Danielle, as she looks deeply into his eyes.
Almost two years later, Danielle was back in Pensacola, but the resulting photographs are far different.
The 23-year-old is dressed in black, and the youthful innocence and joy have been replaced with loss and pain. Brad is absent, replaced by a picture in a frame, his wedding ring, dog tags and a folded American flag.
Both collections of photographs were taken by Florida-based photographer Melissa Thurber, a former Army combat medic and Iraq veteran, and shared with Stars and Stripes as a tribute to Brad. Atwell was killed in September as he heroically confronted 15 heavily armed Taliban fighters who breached the wire at Camp Bastion in southwestern Afghanistan and destroyed more than $200 million worth of aircraft.
The images are a moving reminder of the price paid by service members and their families during more than a decade of war.
“I think they’re beautiful,” Danielle Atwell said of the new photographs. “I would prefer anniversary photos but I don’t really have that choice, so I’m glad to have had the pictures done to honor Brad there.”
Pictured top: This summer, Danielle Atwell returned to the pavilion in Pensacola where she and her Marine husband were married in 2011. Pictured inset and below: The 2011 wedding day for Sgt. Bradley Atwell and his wife Danielle in 2011. Pictured bottom: Danielle Atwell hugs the flag from her husband’s casket at his grave at Barrancas National Cemetery aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola recently. Photos by Melissa J. Thurber for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Used with permission from Stars and Stripes. © 2013 Stars and Stripes.
Century Looking To Enhance Sports Complex
August 18, 2013
Century is looking to the state for a possible grant to make improvements at the Anthony Pleasant Sports Complex.
A public hearing will be held at 7:10 p.m. Monday, during a regular Century Town Council meeting, to consider input from the Century Recreation Advisory Committee to submit a grant application for Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program funds.
If the town receives grant money from the program, will be used to further develop a portion of the Anthony Pleasant Sports Complex to enhance local recreation opportunities.
Monday night’s meeting is open to the public.
Pictured top: Showalter Park (to the left with softball/baseball fields) and the Anthony Pleasant Sports Complex (right) in Century. Courtesy image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
From Ramps To Reefs – Program Set For Main, Molino Libraries
August 18, 2013
The free program “From Ramps to Reefs” , will be held at the Main and Molino libraries.
The first program will take place Thursday, August 22, at 6 p.m. at the Main Library branch, 239 North Spring Street, Pensacola. Hosted by Escambia County Marine Biologist Robert Turpin, the presentation will include the relationship between waterways in and around Escambia County.
A repeat presentation will occur Monday, August 26, at 4 p.m. at the Molino Branch, 6450 Highway 95A.
This free program is offered by the West Florida Public Library in connection with the Discover Earth: A Century of Change traveling exhibition, focusing on local earth science topics such as weather, water cycle and ecosystem changes, as well as a global view of our changing planet. The traveling exhibition will allow library patrons to understand how Earth’s global environment is effected by the local environment of all exhibition host communities.
The traveling exhibit, which will visit 10 libraries throughout the U.S., is part of the STAR Library Education Network (STAR_Net) led by the National Center for Interactive Learning at the Space Science Institute. Exhibit partners include the American Library Association, the Lunar and Planetary Institute, and the National Girls Collaborative Project. Discover Earth is supported through a grant from the National Science Foundation.
Pictured: The Molino Branch Library. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle Has New Student Drop Off Area And Time
August 18, 2013
The Ernest Ward Middle School student drop off area and times have changed due to construction on the campus.
The earliest student drop off time will be 8:45 a.m. only for students that eat breakfast and 8:55 a.m. for all other students.
Persons dropping off students will enter from the first gate on the corner of the campus on Highway 99A. Students may not exit their vehicle until the 8:45 a.m. time if eating breakfast, or 8:55 a.m. otherwise. Vehicles will then exit through the front parking lot to Highway 97. Students will be picked up in the same manner each afternoon.
No one is allowed behind the green construction fence for any reason.
NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge.
School Bus Routes; Traffic Laws
August 18, 2013
School begins Monday in Escambia County, with over 300 yellow buses back on the road.
To locate your child’s bus stop and pick up/drop off times, click here.
A reminder about Florida traffic laws when you approach a bus:
Weekend Gardening: August To Do List
August 18, 2013
Here are gardening tips for the month of August from the UF/IFAS Extension program:
What to Plant
- Bedding Plants: The hottest days of summer limit planting now to heat tolerant vinca, gaillardia, bulbine, and coleus.
- Bulbs:Aztec lily, butterfly lily, walking iris, and spider lily can be planted any time of the year, even late summer.
- Herbs: Herbs that can be planted from plants (not seeds) include bay laurel, ginger,Mexican tarragon, and rosemary.
- Vegetables: This month starts the fall planting season. Many cool season crops can be planted now, including a final crop of warm-season vegetables such as pepper. Tomato can be planted for the fall garden.
- Lawn problems: Damaged areas can be the result of insects, disease, or irrigation problems. Be sure to determine the cause so the proper remedy is used. Use a sharp mower blade and only remove 1/3 of grass blade to reduce stress on the lawn.
- Palms: If older fronds are yellowing, you may have a magnesium or potassium deficiency. Apply an appropriate palm fertilizer.
- Poinsettias: Pinch back poinsettias and mums before the end of the month to allow time for buds to form for winter bloom.
- Ornamental Plants: Rapid growth and leaching rains may result in nutrient deficiencies in some plants. Fertilize those plants that show signs of deficiencies.
- Bedding Plants: Remove spent blooms, cut back, and fertilize flowering annuals and perennials to extend the bloom season into the fall months.
- Adjust irrigation based on rainfall.
- Deadhead flowers to encourage new blooms.
- Monitor the garden for insects and disease.
- Plant trees, shrubs, and perennials and water until established.
Wahoos, Braves A Washout
August 18, 2013
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos’ contest with the Mississippi Braves scheduled for Saturday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium was canceled due to inclement weather. The game will not be made up as the Braves and Blue Wahoos do not meet again this season.
Fans with tickets to Saturday night’s game can use their ticket for any of the final five 2013 regular season home games, subject to availability for a ticket of equal or lesser value. Exchanges must be made in person at the Blue Wahoos Ticket Office.
The Wahoos now hit the road for a six-game series with the Huntsville Stars starting on Sunday afternoon at 4:03 p.m. Carlos Contreras (1-2, 3.12), Saturday’s scheduled starter, will now get the call on Sunday against Huntsville’s Drew Gagnon (4-6, 5.51).
Weekend Shopping: School Supply Lists
August 18, 2013
School starts Monday, August 19 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Here are the school supply lists from each elementary school and middle school in Escambia County, plus the North Escambia area schools in Santa Rosa County.
(High schools typically do not have a general supply list. Students are advised of their supply needs in each class.)
North Escambia Area Schools:
- Bratt Elementary
- Byrneville (not provided)
- Central School
- Chumuckla Elementary
- Ernest Ward Middle
- Jay Elementary
- Jim Allen Elementary
- Lipscomb Elementary
- McArthur Elementary
- Molino Park Elementary
- Pine Meadow Elementary
- Ransom Middle
Complete Escambia County Lists:
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
- Bellview Elementary
- Beulah Elementary
- Blue Angels Elementary
- Bratt Elementary
- Brentwood Elementary
- Byrneville (not provided)
- Cook Elementary
- Cordova Park Elementary
- Ensley Elementary
- Ferry Pass Elementary
- Global Learning Academy
- Hellen Caro Elementary
- Holm Elementary
- Jim Allen Elementary
- Lincoln Park Elementary
- Lipscomb Elementary
- Longleaf Elementary
- McArthur Elementary
- McMillan Pre-K
- Molino Park Elementary
- Montclair Elementary
- Myrtle Grove Elementary
- Navy Point Elementary
- Oakcrest Elementary
- Pine Meadow Elementary
- Pleasant Grove Elementary
- Scenic Heights Elementary
- Semmes Elementary
- Sherwood Elementary
- Suter Elementary
- Warrington Elementary
- Weis Elementary
- West Pensacola Elementary
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
- Bailey Middle
- Bellview Middle
- Brown Barge Middle
- Ernest Ward Middle
- Ferry Pass Middle
- Ransom Middle
- Warrington Middle
- Woodham Middle
- Workman Middle
Birth: Carter Ray Wells
August 18, 2013
Carter Ray Wells was born July 16, 2013, at 1:18 to parents Brandy and Jeffrey Wells of McDavid. He weighed seven-pounds, 11-ounces and was 20 inches long.
He maternal grandparents are Anthony (Georgia) Watts of Seminole and Carrie ( Rufus) Evans of Brewton. Paternal grandparents are Jerry and Brenda Wells of McDavid. Carter was welcomed home by big brother Ashton and big sister Justina.
Tuff Times: Burglars Strike Thrift Store That Benefits Homeless Animals
August 17, 2013
A burglary is under investigation at a Cantonment thrift store that benefits homeless and orphaned animals.
The burglary was discovered Friday morning at the Tuff Times Thrift Store on Neal Road, just off Highway 29. Owner Amanda Gifford said hundreds of dollars worth of items were stolen and the store was damaged by thieves. The thieves ransacked an area until they found, and stole, the video surveillance equipment.
She said the thieves entered the store by busting out a window air conditioning unit.
“I work extremely had to keep my prices very low to give the community a little place to shop that’s inexpensive, and I also use the funds to turn around and help homeless and orphaned animals in the community. It’s just a shame that there are people out there that would even steal from a second-hand store,” Gifford said.
The burglary is under investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with information on the burglary is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Pictured top: The Tuff Times thrift store in Cantonment. Pictured inset: A sign posted in front of the business warns of surveillance cameras. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.