Turkey Time: Extension Service Offers Thawing Tips
November 19, 2012
It’s Thanksgiving, time for family and friends to gather and give thanks. And time for cooks to ponder the correct way to prepare their turkey.
Today, we are taking a look how to make sure your turkey is properly thawed with tips from Dorthy Lee, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent for the Escambia County Extension Office.
Following four simple food-handling practices—clean, separate, cook, chill—will ensure a delicious and safe meal.
Frozen turkeys should be thawed—at a safe temperature— prior to cooking. There are three safe ways to thaw a turkey — in the refrigerator at 40°F or less; in cold water; and in the microwave.
Frozen Turkeys
Allow 1 pound of turkey per person.
Keep frozen until you’re ready to thaw it.
Turkeys kept frozen in the freezer should be cooked within one year for best quality.
Thawing Your Turkey
In the Refrigerator (40°F or below)
Keep the turkey in its original wrapper. Place it on a tray or in a pan to catch any juices that may leak. A thawed turkey can remain in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days. If necessary, a turkey that has been properly thawed in the refrigerator may be refrozen. When thawing in the refrigerator, allow 24 hours thawing time for every 5 pounds of turkey.
4 to 12 pounds = 1 to 3 days
12 to 16 pounds = 3 to 4 days
16 to 20 pounds = 4 to 5 days
20 to 24 pounds = 5 to 6 days
In Cold Water
When thawing in cold water, allow 30 minutes per pound and change the water every 30 minutes until the turkey is thawed. Wrap your turkey securely, making sure the water is not able to leak through the wrapping. Submerge your wrapped turkey in cold tap water. Change the water every 30 minutes. Cook the turkey immediately after it is thawed. Do not refreeze. Allow approximately 30 minutes per pound.
4 to 12 pounds = 2 to 6 hours
12 to 16 pounds = 6 to 8 hours
16 to 20 pounds = 8 to 10 hours
20 to 24 pounds = 10 to 12 hours
In the Microwave
When thawing in the microwave, follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and plan to cook the turkey immediately after thawing because some areas of the turkey may become warm and begin to cook during microwave thawing.
For more information, call the Escambia County Extension office, (850) 475-5230.
Have Extra Fruit On Your Trees? Donate It To The Needy
November 19, 2012
Have a fruit tree on your property with way too much fruit for you? The volunteer group Yes We Can Pensacola wants your donations as the group prepares to begin its annual fruit picking.
For the past five years, the independent group has harvested nearly 36 thousand of pounds of fruit in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties to be donated to area food banks and soup kitchens, including Manna Foods and Favor House in Pensacola.
“We craft our own tools, created by our very own volunteers and one of our founding members. We are just a bunch of folks having fun, but making a difference in our community,” said volunteer Kate Peabody.
The group has picked a wide variety of citrus fruits, including oranges, lemons, grapefruits, limes and tangerines from local residents. Yes We Can Pensacola volunteers will continue to pick fruit into January.
If you are interested in donating fruit or volunteering, contact group coordinator Anna Houghton at (850) 748-0616 or email annabhoughton@gmail.com.
Pictured: Tangerines growing in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Featured Recipe: Quick And Easy Thanksgiving Cranberry Cake
November 19, 2012
As Thanksgiving approaches, we’ll feature several recipes on NorthEscambia.com this week. Today’s featured recipe, from columnist Janet Tharpe, is a Quick and Easy Cranberry cake that packs a punch while using a yellow cake mix.
Marathon Runners Raise $10K For Wounded Warrier Project
November 19, 2012
Over six months ago, Brad King and Alan Moses began training for the Pensacola Marathon as an effort to raise funds for the Wounded Warrior Project. They did not run in normal running attire, rather they ran the 26.2 marathon while wearing a 50 lb. ruck sack and military boots. The pair received donations totaling over $9,000 for their effort at the 2012 Pensacola Marathon.
The Pensacola Marathon and Pensacola Sports Association has announced it will donate $1,000 to their effort, pushing them over the $10,000 threshold.
“What these young men did was nothing short of remarkable,” commented Ray Palmer, executive director of the Pensacola Sports Association, the management organization of the Pensacola Marathon. “The event saw record growth this year and this was one aspect of the race, I believe, that contributed to the success. This is our small way of saying thank you and congratulations to these guys for what they did.”
The Pensacola Marathon, a Boston Marathon Qualifier, saw a record field of more than 1,900 entrants for the race.
Additional on-course support for King and Moses came in the form of the Phat Girlz, a local Pensacola women’s running group. Members from the club each “sponsored” a mile in which they ran a similar weighted pack alongside both men.
The pair plans to continue to run various events and challenges to raise the awareness and funds for the Wounded Warrior Project. Their goal is to reach $30,000.
People can continue to contribute to the fundraiser by visiting the events website at www.marathonpensacola.com or by e-mailing Brad King at bradwick.king@yahoo.com.
Pictured top: Charlie Sherrill, PSA President Brad King, Alan Moses and Ray Palmer. Pictured inset: Brad King and Alan Moses. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Two Escambia Shootings Under Investigation, One Arrested
November 18, 2012
Two separate shootings Saturday night in Escambia County are under investigation.
One Shot, One Arrested
An Escambia County man was arrested following a shooting in Escambia County early Saturday night.
The shooting happened about 5:15 p.m. in the 2200 block of North G Street. The victim was shot once and transported by ambulance to an area hospital with a non-life threatening injury, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Walter Lee Bullard, 63, was arrested in connection with the shooting. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond on a charge of aggravated battery with a firearm.
Shooting Victim Arrives At Hospital
Escambia County deputies are investigating a shooting Saturday night.
Deputies responded to Baptist Hospital about 7:50 p.m. for a reported shooting victim. A male victim had arrived at the hospital in a private vehicle and was being treated for a gunshot wound. His condition was not released.
Investigators believed the shooting occurred in the area of Fairfield Drive and Mission Road.
Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
State Cross County Results: Jay, West Florida, Central, Pensacola Christian
November 18, 2012
Area schools Jay, West Florida, Central and Pensacola Christian competed in the state cross country finals in Tallahassee on Saturday.
Individual and team results from area schools were as follows:
CLASS 1A GIRLS
63. Jorja Agrait, Jay — 21:08.79
83. Jessica Thornton, Jay — 21:39.48
111. Savannah Brown, Jay — 22:14.33
119. Lauren Cochran, Pensacola Christian — 22:23.26
146. Jenna Thornton, Jay — 23:25.19
167. Alexis Mitchem, Jay — 24:31.66
173. Kendra Weekes, Jay — 25:25.69
174. Danielle Free, Jay — 26:08.12
CLASS 1A GIRLS TEAM
22. Jay — average 22:35.89
CLASS 1A BOYS
30. Jeremy Carlson, Pensacola Christian — 17:04.15
44. Joshua Balentine, Pensacola Christian — 17:12.62
51. Micah Kemp, Jay — 17:23.30
69. Justin Jekel, Pensacola Christian — 17:42.74
92. Kody Johnson, Pensacola Christian — 18:09.55
101. James Parker, Pensacola Christian — 18:18.75
128. John Crist, Pensacola Christian — 18:54.07
141. Christopher Peterson, Pensacola Christian — 19:09.20
CLASS 1A BOYS TEAM
11. Pensacola Christian — average 17:41.57
CLASS 2A GIRLS
16. Kaysi Roberts, West Florida — 19:27.95
63. Charlene Sanchez, West Florida — 20:47.63
83. Raleigh Nesbitt, West Florida — 21:04.37
94. Jordan Sortino, West Florida — 21:16.42
124. Miranda Wiley, West Florida — 21:56.65
139. Hanna Moore, West Florida — 22:23.12
169. Lynn Arthur, West Florida — 24:13.15
CLASS 2A GIRLS TEAM
12. West Florida — average 20:54.61
CLASS 2A BOYS
7. Alec Clark, West Florida — 16:15.68
89. Alexander Bullock, West Florida — 17:43.02
98. David Wright, West Florida — 17:54.47
105. Dylan Wakefield, West Florida — 17:58.31
120. Diamond Garrett, West Florida — 18:11.34
144. Seth Modin, West Florida — 18:34.51
165. Mark Sortino, West Florida — 18:56.38
CLASS 2A BOYS TEAM
14. West Florida — average 17:36.55
Brothers Charged With Killing Former Reporter Now In Escambia Jail
November 18, 2012
Brothers accused of killing a former Pensacola News Journal reporter and burying his body in concrete in Georgia are now being held in the Escambia County Jail.
Twin brothers William J. Cormier and Christopher Cormier, both 31, of Winder, GA, are charged with homicide and robbery in connection with the death of Sean Dugas, 30, of Pensacola. Christopher Cormier is held without bond, and William Cormier has a $250,000 bond.
On September 13, Pensacola Police Department received a report that Sean Dugas, 30, of Pensacola had not been heard from since August 27 when he talked with a friend by phone. Dugas and the female friend planned to go to lunch that day, but when she arrived at his house to pick him up, he wasn’t home.
The woman left a note on Dugas’ door asking him to contact her, but he didn’t. The female friend continued trying unsuccessfully to contact Dugas over the next few days. When she returned to the house September 7 to check on him, the house was empty except for a television.
Detectives determined the Cormier brothers had been houseguests of Dugas in the days leading to his disappearance. The investigation also determined that in addition to contents in the home, a collection of Magic the Gathering gaming cards worth an estimated $25,000 to $100,000 had been stolen from the house. Harnett said the cards were sold in Pensacola, Tennessee and Georgia.
While investigating the missing person report, officers developed leads, which led to them contacting police in Winder, Ga., on October 8. Police in Winder discovered Dugas’ body that same day buried in their father’s yard at his residence in Winder.
William and Christopher Cormier were taken into custody by Georgia authorities and charged with concealing the death of another. An autopsy determined Dugas died from blunt force trauma.
The investigation determined Dugas was murdered August 27 in Pensacola, and that William Cormier drove to Wal-Mart afterward to purchase materials to conceal the body, investigators said.
Photos: NHS Band, Dance Team, Cheerleaders
November 18, 2012
For a photo gallery featuring the Northview High band and dance team during Friday night’s playoff win over Cottondale, click here.
For a game action summary, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tucker Offically Retiring As Department Of Corrections Boss
November 18, 2012
Corrections Secretary Ken Tucker is officially stepping aside as head of the agency, the latest in a series of changes for the state’s prison system.
“Unfortunately, I’ve reached that point in my career where, because of retirement, that I have to leave the agency,” Tucker said in a video farewell published on YouTube.
Tucker was expected to leave the agency no later than March, when his time in the state’s Deferred Retirement Option Program is up. He has openly looked for other jobs, including seeking to join a North Florida effort to crack down on drug trafficking and the office of the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
Ann Howard, a spokeswoman for the Department of Corrections, said Tucker would be with the agency through the end of the year but is currently using annual leave.
Tucker is the second prisons chief to leave under first-term Gov. Rick Scott, who appointed Tucker to the job after former Corrections Secretary Ed Buss left in August 2011. Tucker had been commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Tucker inherited an agency that has been forced to slice positions and found itself in the middle of a long-running battle between the Legislature and unions over whether to privatize prisons in South Florida and health-care services across the state. A hearing in the fight over health-care privatization scheduled for Thursday morning was delayed until Monday for reasons unrelated to Tucker’s departure.
“As you are all aware, it has been a difficult year,” Tucker said in his video message. It had been viewed more than 100 times by around noon Thursday.
Tucker conceded the agency was “still struggling,” and said his one regret was that he wasn’t staying longer.
“I wish I could have stretched the numbers from being the sixth secretary in seven years, and hopefully whoever replaces me will be someone with a longer tenure in this position that can lead you to be the agency that I think all of you and I know that you can be,” Tucker said.
By Brandon Larrabee
The News Service of Florida
No Injuries In Cantonment Rollover Wreck
November 18, 2012
There were no injuries in a single vehicle rollover accident early Sunday morning in Cantonment. The accident occurred about 3:30 a.m. on Highway 95A just off Highway 29, behind the former Gee Willies gas station.
Further details have not been released by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Cantonment station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.