Hardee’s Presents $10,500 To Alzheimer’s Family Services
December 26, 2011
Employees from several area Hardee’s restaurants recently presented the Alzheimer’s Family Services board of directors with a $10,500 check. The funds were from their “Paper Hearts” campaign in which donations were requested from Hardee’s customers in Florida and Alabama.
“We are so grateful for Hardee’s continued support and to all who donated,” said Leah Harrison, Alzheimer’s Family Services senior development manager. “Their contributions allow us to continue our mission of providing resources and support to Alzheimer’s patients and caregivers in our local community.”
Alzheimer’s Family Services, an affiliate of Covenant Hospice, is a not-for-profit organization.
Troopers Remain Out In Force
December 26, 2011
Gov. Rick Scott recently proclaimed December as National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month.
As part of Florida’s focus on safe highway travel during the holiday season, the Florida Highway Patrol has joined thousands of other law enforcement and highway safety agencies across the nation in Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, a nationwide campaign targeting impaired driving through January 2, 2012.
Impaired driving is one of the deadliest crimes, especially during the holiday period. During the 2010 Christmas and New Year’s holiday travel period, approximately 35 percent of the traffic fatalities in Florida were alcohol related.
Motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians who comply with Flroida’s traffic laws and use sound judgment can help make the holiday period safer and less stressful for everyone, according to the FHP.
“Impaired driving continues to be a priority for law enforcement in the state, and the Florida Highway Patrol will be intensifying enforcement during the holidays,” said FHP Director, Col. David Brierton. “Our goal is to create the safest possible driving environment by modifying driver behavior – and helping drivers make better decisions.”
FHP Auxiliary and Reserve troopers are also out during the heightened travel periods.
The FHP offers these tips for a safer holiday:
- Plan ahead
- Use a designated driver
- If you are impaired, call a taxi, use mass transit or call a friend or family member to get you home safely.
- Call *FHP (*347) to report intoxicated or aggressive drivers, or if your vehicle breaks down and you need assistance. To request immediate emergency services, dial 911.
Pictured above: FHP Trooper Rafael Streeter issues a traffic citation at the corner of Highway 29 and Hecker Road in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Pretty Paper: Family Displays Paper Nativity Set For Over 40 Years
December 25, 2011
For over 40 years, the Cowen family has displayed his $2 paper nativity set on his lawn each Christmas.
Hugh Cowen’s grandfather purchased the do-it-yourself kit — a printed paper nativity designed to be glued to plywood and then varnished. It was sold for just $2 in the late 1950’s by The Douglas Fir Plywood Association of Tacoma, WA.
“Durable paper patterns printed in bright colors are specially made to use on fir plywood,” is how an ad in a 1959 Popular Science magazine describes the set. “Simply paste on plywood and cut out with saw…Exterior plywood makes figures last for years.”
“My dad says it is his last year putting it up,” Susan Cowen Langston said of her 78-year old father. “He is passing the baton to me. I help him every year and have learned just how he likes it done.”
The set is displayed at corner of Ninth Avenue and Keating Road, just north of Creighton Road.
Pictured top: A paper nativity scene that has been displayed for over 40 years. Pictured inset: A 1959 Popular Science advertisement offering the set for sale. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: FBC Bratt Presents “Search For The King”
December 25, 2011
The First Baptist Church of Bratt recently presented the cantata “Search for the King”.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Submitted photos by Marcella Wilson, click to enlarge.
It’s Easy To Recycle Your Wrapping Paper, Boxes In North Escambia
December 25, 2011
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.
Northview Students Provide Christmas Food For Needy Families
December 25, 2011
Northview High School students collected over 500 canned and nonperishable food items during the last week of classes before Christmas break.
The items were distributed to needy families in the Northview community in Christmas food baskets. The event was sponsored by guidance counselors Heather Crumm and Kimblery Corcoran.
Pictured: Some of the more than 500 food items donated by Northview High Students. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Have A Holly Jolly – Century Care Residents Celebrate Christmas
December 25, 2011
The Christmas season has been a busy and exiting time at the Century Care Center.
At a recent event, Sawyer Hudson of Jay High School, and Bobby Holland and Keith Faulk performed prior to a residents’ Christmas party.
“We all send out a heart-felt thank you for all who contributed time, money and gifts,” said Century Care Center Activities Director Mae Hildreth. “This is a wonderful and generous community. Thank you to all and Merry Christmas from the Century Care Center staff, the residents and their families.”
Pictured top: Gifts galore, many donated by the community, at Century Care Center’s annual Christmas party for residents. Pictured inset: Sawyer Hudson of Jay High School performs. Pictured below: The CCC resident Christmas party. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Christmas Recipes: Rice Krispie Treats, Oatmeal Cookies, Hot Chocolate
December 25, 2011
We are continuing our Christmas recipe series today with some family time favorites.
Today’s recipes include Traditional Oatmeal Cookies, Crockpot Candy and Rice Krispie Treats — perfect recipes for the family to make together. And what would Christmas be without Hot Chocolate? Our quick and easy recipe can easily be increased to make enough for everyone, plus it’s easy to include some extra cocoa powder for a deeper, darker treat.
To submit your recipes to share with our readers, email them to news@northescambia.com.
Crock Pot Candy
submitted by Brooke Mixon
- 16 oz Salted Peanuts
- 16 oz UnSalted Peanuts
- 4 oz German Chocolate Bark
- 1 pkg Almond Chocolate Bark
- 1 pkg Butterscotch Morsels
Put all ingredients into crock pot. Cook on low for 2 hours. Do not stir or open lid. After 2 hours, turn off crock pot, stir candy and drop in clusters onto wax paper. Let cool and enjoy. This recipe will make 70-90 pieces of candy, depending on the size.
Traditional Oatmeal Cookies
- 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, softened
- 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
- 3 cups of Quaker Oats (Quick)
- 1 cup raisins (optional)
Preheat oven to 350° F. Beat together butter and sugars until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla extract; beat well. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well. Slowly stir in oats. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto an ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 1 minute on sheet, remove to wire rack.
Rice Krispie Treats
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 (10 oz., about 40) pkg. regular marshmallows or 3 cups miniature marshmallows
- 6 cups Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal
In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add the marshmallows and continue to stir until the marshmallows have completely melted. Remove from heat. Stir in the Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal coating them well with the melted marshmallow mixture. Using a buttered or silicone spatula, press the mixture evenly into a 13 x 9 x 2 inch pan which has been buttered or sprayed with non-stick spray or lined with wax paper. Cut into squares when the mixture cools. Makes 24 squares.
MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS:
Microwave butter with marshmallows on high setting for 2 minutes in a microwave safe mixing bowl. Stir together when melted. Microwave again on high for 1 additional minute. Stir in cereal, mixing until well coated. Press into pan as above.
Hot Chocolate
- 1 tbsp. cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp. sugar
- 2 tbsp. water
- 1 c. milk
- a bit of vanilla, if desired
Combine cocoa, sugar, and water in a small saucepan. Heat it on low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent the paste from sticking to the pan. After about 1 to 2 minutes, add milk and vanilla. Mix it all together until it reaches your preferred temperature.
Area National Guard Unit Returns Home For Christmas
December 24, 2011
Members of a local National Guard unit returned home Friday from Afghanistan just in time for Christmas.
The 170 members of the 1165th Military Police Company based in Fairhope and Brewton arrived back in Fairhope mid-morning Friday as hundreds of people lined the streets to show their support.
The soldiers, several of which live in the North Escambia area, deployed for Afghanistan in January. They have spent the last 11 months in the Kabul area. They will spend Christmas at home before heading back to Mississippi next week to complete their end of mission paperwork.
Sgt. Chester Tolbert, a Jay resident assigned to the 1165th, was recently awarded for his actions while in Afghanistan. Click here for a earlier NorthEscambia.com story about the Century Correctional Institution employee.
Two Brewton natives in the 1165th assigned to NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan also received awards a few days ago for actions taken in early August when their team successfully combated an insurgent attack in Kabul.
U.S. Army Spcs. Daniel Fowler (pictured left) and Brandon Hammack helped defeat a multiphased attack in which insurgents used small-arms and improvised explosive devices to attack the British Council Building, a base located in a relatively upscale area of the country’s capital used for education and helping Afghanistan’s civil society groups. Although no U.S. service members were harmed, twelve people died in the attack.
Commander, Task Force Yankee Army Brig. Gen. John Hammond presented 10 soldiers with Joint Service Achievement Medals and combat action badges, one soldier with a Joint Service Commendation Medal and a combat medical badge, one soldier with an Army Commendation Medal and one soldier with a combat action badge.
Pictured top: Sgt. Chest Tolbert of Jay, a member of the 1165th Military Police Company, helps an Afghan National Police officer detect vehicle threat indications in the heart of downtown Kabul last early last month. Pictured inset: U.S. Army Spc. Daniel Fowler of Brewton, also a member of the 1165th, receives a Joint Service Achievement Medal and a combat action badge. Pictured below: U.S. Army Spc. Brandon Hammock of Brewton was also awarded the medals. Photos by Petty Officer 1st Class Chris Fahey for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Oops! Armed Robber Leaves His Picture ID Behind
December 24, 2011
An Escambia County man is spending Christmas Eve in jail after giving police a special present at the scene of an armed robbery — he left his picture identification behind.
John T. Bruce, 50, was charged with armed robbery and possession of marijuana under 20 grams after a holdup at a Cervantes Street CVS.
Pensacola Police Department Officer Jim Bell said a 56-year-old female employee told police the suspect walked up to the register and asked for a pack of cigarettes. She said when she went to give him the cigarettes, he was holding something wrapped in “some kind of material” in his right hand, and pointing it at her as if there was a gun under the material.
The suspect then demanded cash, and when she told him she had to get it, she saw what she believed was a gun under the material. Once he got an undisclosed amount of cash, the suspect left the business and police were notified, Bell said.
After the robbery, the employee noticed the suspect had left his identification card on the counter. The card had his name, date of birth and his photograph.
A description of the suspect was broadcast to police and a short time later, he was located and arrested with a bag of marijuana in his pocket.