Community Mourns NWE, Ernest Ward Volunteer Charles Williams
December 26, 2012
Charles Williams, a former North Escambia Person of the Year, passed away Christmas day.
Williams was an instrumental and driving force behind sports programs for countless youth at Ernest Ward Middle School and the Northwest Escambia leagues. For funeral arrangements, click here.
Here is an earlier story about Mr. Charles Williams being named a North Escambia Person of the Year:
Charles Williams is one of those behind the scenes people that makes the world go round — at least the world of youth sports in Walnut Hill.
From the Ernest Ward Middle School Sports Boosters to Northwest Escambia Football, Williams is always hard at work to make sure the area’s children have the opportunity to take part in sports.
He is sometimes the man on the public address system at NWE and Ernest Ward Middle School football games, but he is always the man behind the scenes. From mowing the grass to working in the concession stand, he’s the model volunteer.
As president of the EWMS Sports Boosters, Williams is quick to point out that the group works to support every boy’s and girl’s sport at the school, not just the county’s only middle school football team. Williams and his army of volunteers make sure that every player of every sport is appreciated, and that every player is fed an appropriate meal or snack before every game.
“I just don’t know what we would do without Charles,” EWMS Principal Nancy Gindl-Perry said at a school sports banquet before presenting Williams with a small token of the school’s appreciation.
Williams accepted the gift quietly and humbly — that’s just the kind of man he is. And hundreds, if not thousands, of youth would tend to agree — he’s just one of those people that influences society quietly, one child a time.
“He’s a true hero,” Perry said.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Video: Tornado Hits Mobile
December 26, 2012
Severe weather pounded the Gulf Coast Tuesday, with several tornado touchdowns. In Mobile, a large tornado hit parts of the city, leaving behind a path of destruction and tens of thousands without power. But there were no reports of any serious injuries.
Damage was reported at Murphy High School and Mobile Infirmary, where windows were blown out as patients rode out the storm in hallways.
The reader video below shows the tornado as it moves through Mobile.
It’s Easy To Recycle Your Wrapping Paper, Boxes In North Escambia
December 26, 2012
You can “go green” with those piles of Christmas wrapping paper and boxes by recycling them at one of several drop-off locations around North Escambia or in your weekly ECUA pickup.
Christmas wrapping paper, along with other household paper, plastics, steel and aluminum can be placed in your recycling container on your normal ECUA pickup day. For complete information on the ECUA recycling program, click here.
The Escambia County Division of Solid Waste Management has drop-off recycling locations in or near each of the larger communities in North Escambia. North of Nine Mile Road, recycling bins are located at:
- Ashton Brosnaham Park, 10370 Ashton Brosnaham Drive
- Billy G. Ward Courthouse, 7500 North Century Blvd., Century
- Escambia County Extension Service, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- John R. Jones Athletic Park, 555 E. Nine Mile Road
- Molino Fire Department, 1459 Molino Road (behind fire station)
- Oak Grove Citizen’s Convenience Center, 745 North Highway 99
- Perdido Landfill, 13009 Beulah Road, Cantonment
- UWF, John Martin Hall, 11000 University
- UWF, ParkwayParking Lot #10, Campus Dr.
Items eligible for recycling at the drop-off locations are aluminum cans, steel cans, glass food and beverage containers, plastic containers (#1-#7), cardboard, junk mail (including Christmas wrapping paper), paper, magazines, and newspapers.
For more information on drop-off recycling in North Escambia, visit EscambiaRecycles.com.
Winning Fantasy 5 Ticket Sold In The Area
December 26, 2012
A winning Fantasy 5 ticket sold in in the area for Tuesday’s night drawing is worth $53,042.34.
The winning ticket, with numbers 01-30-32-33-36 — was sold at the Kangaroo Express at 3225 West Nine Mile Road It was one of three winning tickets sold in the state. The other winning tickets were sold in Tampa and Fort Myers.
The $53,042.34 winning ticket sold on Nine Mile Road was a “Quick Pick”, with the computer generating random numbers when the ticket was purchased.
There were also 227 tickets with four correct numbers worth $113 each, and 6,035 with three of five numbers worth $11.50 each.
Merry Christmas! The Story Of The Greatest Gift Of All
December 25, 2012
Today’s lead story on NorthEscambia.com is a story that happened over 2,000 years ago today — the birth of a boy child.
It is story that was first delivered by an angelic choir. It was the news that changed the world…a Savior had been born in a little town called Bethlehem. It was a humble scene. A little baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
It was the world’s first ever Christmas gift on that very first Christmas morning, the gift of a Savior with the promise of eternal life.
It’s good news for all of us on this Christmas. Good news that Emmanuel, the Lord Jesus, was born. It’s story that was reported by Luke in the New Testament. It’s reprinted below for you to read, and for you to share the Good News with someone you care about this Christmas.
From our NorthEscambia.com family to you and yours, Merry Christmas!
- And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
- (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
- And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
- And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
- To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
- And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
- And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
- And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
- And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
- And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
- For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
- And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
- And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
- Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
- And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
- And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
- And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
- And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
- But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
- And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Christmas Recipes: Red Velvet Cake, Holiday Dips
December 25, 2012
The holidays are a time when a lot of people head into the kitchen to cook for family and friends. You just can’t go wrong with a red velvet cake. We also have a couple of dip recipes just in time for your Christmas entertaining — a black bean dip and a hot cream cheese dip.
Red Velvet Cake
by Shirley Boone
CAKE
- 1 ½ cups oil
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 2 ½ cups cake flour
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp. cocoa
- 1 oz bottle red food coloring
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. cider vinegar
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
Mix oil and sugar together. Add eggs and beat well. Add food coloring. Add vinegar to buttermilk and pour into oil mixture. Add vanilla. In small bowl combine cake flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Mix with other ingredients until well blended. Pour into 9 inch greased and floured pans. Bake at 350 degrees. Two pans bake for 30-35 minutes, three pans bake for 20-25 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes and wrap in plastic wrap until cool.
ICING
- 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1 box confectioners sugar
- 1 stick Parkay margarine, softened
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 tsp. vanilla
Mix all together until creamed. Spread on cooled cake.
Black Bean Dip
by Mona Brown
- 2 cans black beans, drained
- 2 cans shoe peg corn, drained
- ½ bunch green onions, chopped
- Sprinkle of garlic powder
- Mix ½ cup olive oil, ½ cup apple cider vinegar and ½ cup sugar.
Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix together. Marinate for 24 hours. Drain and add 8 ounces of feta cheese. Serve with Scoops.
Hot Cream Cheese Dip
from the Molino Homemakers Club
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 8 oz sour cream
- 1 cup cooked crumbled bacon
- 3 stalks green onion diced
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Mix all ingredients and pour into a 9×9 glass pan or pie plate. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Serve warm with Chicken in a Biscuit crackers.
Have A Holly Jolly – Century Care Residents Celebrate Christmas
December 25, 2012
Residents at Century Care Century recently celebrated Christmas was an afternoon party. Numerous local residents and organizations contributed gifts, time and hard work to make the event a memorable success.
During the event, Rev. Janet Lee was presented a plaque for the Century United Methodist Church honoring their many years of dedication to the CCC residents. And David Comalander was honored for being the center’s No. 1 resident volunteer.
“We have a wonderful, giving community, that makes Christmas a big success every year, all year,” said Mae Hildreth, Century Care activities director. “A big thank you to all.”
Pictured: Christmas at Century Care Center. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt: A Baby Changes Everything
December 25, 2012
The First Baptist Church of Bratt recently presented the musical/drama “A Baby Changes Everything”.
Pictured: The production “A Baby Changes Everything” at the First Baptist Church of Bratt. Courtesy photos from Marcella Wilson, click to enlarge.
Molino: Worship The Newborn King
December 25, 2012
Highland Baptist Church in Molino recently presented the production “Worship The Newborn King.”
Pictured: Highland Baptist Church recently presented “Worship the Newborn King”. Courtesy photos by Sara Calhoun, click to enlarge.
FBC AWANA Celebrates Christmas
December 25, 2012
The AWANA Club at the First Baptist Church of Bratt recently held a “Happy Birthday Jesus” party with about 60 children and teachers taking part.
The children enjoyed a hot dog supper and a “Happy Birthday Jesus” cake, recreational activities and relays on brand new Scooter boards.
The AWANA Club, for ages 3 through the fifth grade, meets every Sunday in the First Baptist Church of Bratt’s Family Life Center from 5-7 p.m., learning about missions, memorizing scripture, learning Bible stories, earning awards and much more. The group is open to children from across the area.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.