Poplar Dell Baptist Church Celebrates 100th Anniversary, Opens Time Capsule (With Photo Gallery)
June 6, 2011
Poplar Dell Baptist Church in Byrneville celebrated its 100th anniversary Sunday and opened a time capsule that had been hidden away for 50 years.
The church opened its cornerstone, which was placed and secured 50 years ago and found an earlier historical book, a New Testament Bible and coins from 1961. New items were placed back in the cornerstone to be opened in 2061.
For more photos from the event, click here.
Poplar Dell honored Paul Killam, who will turn 90 this Friday. He has been a member of the church for 82 years.
Several former pastors spoke during the event, including Wayne Dorsett, J.B. Wells, Robert Gandy, Patrick Salter, James Copeland, and James Pugh. Current pastor Mitch Herring also spoke and recognized Sheriff David Morgan and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Unit who joined in the celebration. And The Poplar Dell Puppet Bunch presented their first-ever performance.
The church, established in 1911, also has a new steeple — a stainless steel cross created by community member Stephen Barrows.
A historical book covering the entire 100-year period, complete with photos and documents, is available fromVicki Baggett at vicki@baggettsolutions.com.
For more photos from the event, click here.
Pictured above: The cornerstone is opened Sunday afternoon during a 100 year celebration at Poplar Dell Baptist Church in Byrneville. NorthEscambia.com photo by Vicki Baggett, click to enlarge.
Learn To Do Business With ECUA
June 6, 2011
Would you like to know how to do business with ECUA?
The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) with the UWF Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) Program, will offer a free workshop entitled, “How to do Business with the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority” (ECUA) next week.
The event will be held in Pensacola at 401 East Chase Street, Suite 100, on Wednesday, June 8 from 8-11 a.m.
The informational meeting will educate attendees about the potential of doing business with the ECUA, while increasing participation in obtaining future ECUA contracts. Workshop participants will learn about the bidding process, qualification requirements, future business opportunities, and how the ECUA hiring process is conducted.
ECUA speakers will include; Bill Johnson, director of engineering, Peter Wilkinson, purchasing and store manager, and Rick Anderson, director of human resources and administrative services.
The workshop is free; however, preregistration is recommended. For more information contact Laura Subel, PTAC program manager, lsubel@uwf.edu (850) 473-7806, or register online at clients.floridasbdc.org/center.
Precautionary Boil Water Notice Lifted For Tate Road
June 6, 2011
A precautionary boil water notice for ECUA customers on Tate Road from East Kingsfield Road, including Tate High School has been lifted and is no longer in effect.
If you have any questions contact ECUA Customer Service at (850) 476-0480, or visit the ECUA website at www.ecua.org.
The boil water notice was issued last Friday following a water main break near Tate High School.
Four Area Libraries Holding Summer Reading Programs For Kids
June 6, 2011
Four North Escambia area libraries are inviting children to enjoy reading with summer reading programs. The free events will be held at the Century, Jay, Flomaton and Atmore libraries. Schedules are listed below for each.
Century Branch Library
In addition to the programs below, story time is at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesdays
June 7 Noon
Skip Cain Magic Guy
Magician Skip Cain wows you with his mix of comedy, awesome magic tricks and audience interaction.
June 14 Noon
Kathleen Gibson Music
Kathleen is an award winning family entertainer, song writer, author, producer and recording artist. She shares her underlying and uplifting message that each person has a special gift that no one else in the world ever had. “YOU can find your gift, and use it to make a difference in the world.”
June 21 Noon
Walkabout Puppets
Australian puppeteer Bob Parsons performs a variety of shows using marionettes. It’s sure to please children of all ages.
June 28 Noon
Pat Nease Stories
Witty and wicked stories from storyteller Pat Neese.
July 12 Noon
Beau Broomall Magic Show
Beau Broomall will show off his special magical talents.
For more information, contact the Century Branch Library at (850) 256-6217.
Jay Library
In addition to the programs for K-5 below, story time is at 11 a.m. for preschoolers.
June 13 1 p.m.
Storyteller Pat Neese
Witty, wiley and wicked stories from the wide, wide world.
June 20 1 p.m.
Magician Beau Broomall
Magic from around the world
June 27 1 p.m.
Musician Melinda Mills
Have a world of fun through music and dance
July 11 1 p.m.
Native American Stories
July 18 1 p.m.
Storyville
Jacksonville State University Children’s Theater
For more information, contact the Jay Library at (850) 575-6293.
Flomaton Library
Around the World with the Flomaton Public Library Summer Reading Program will be held each Thursday, June 30-August 4 from 10-11 a.m.
For more information, contact the Flomaton Library at (251) 296-3552.
Atmore Library
The Summer Reading Program at the Atmore Public Library will be held each Friday through June 24 from 10-11 a.m. for ages 4-12. For more information, call the Atmore Public Library at (251) 368-5234.
Pictured top: Children enjoy a Summer Reading Program at the Century Branch Library last year. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Registration Continues For Free ‘Water Camp’ At Lake Stone
June 6, 2011
Escambia County Extension will offer two free water camps this summer, including one at Lake Stone in Century.
The water camps are for children 8-12 on June 29 and 30. Water Camp has fun, hands-on activities designed to get kids excited about water resources and healthy lifestyles. Although registration runs through June 22, there is a limit of 20 children per session, so early registration is encouraged.
The June 29 camp will be held at Lake Stone, 801 West Highway 4, Century and the June 30 camp will be held at the Langley Bell 4-H camp, 4810 West Nine Mile Road. Both camps start at 9 a.m. and end at 1 p.m.
There will be sprinklers and a slip-and-slide, so a swimsuit and sunscreen are needed. Lunch will be provided for all attendees. Parents are not required to stay during the session.
Call ahead if assistance is needed with transportation to the Century site.
For more information or to register, contact Carrie Stevenson, ctsteven@ufl.edu or Libbie Johnson, libbiej@ufl.edu or call (850) 475-5230.
Committee Looks To Put America’s Veterans Back To Work
June 6, 2011
The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs met recently discuss how to put America’s veterans back to work.
With witnesses from both the private and public sectors, the Committee heard testimony that focused on measuring the effectiveness of current veteran job-training programs, bridging the gap between employers and veterans, and how to improve the system to help veterans find meaningful employment.
“The key to solving this problem is connecting our veterans with opportunities at the local level, in their hometowns. We must find a way to better communicate with our veterans to let them know that there are employers across the nation who want to help,” stated Rep. Jeff Miller of Chumuckla, chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. “Giving someone a job is not just about receiving a paycheck, a job gives a person dignity and a sense of mission—characteristics inherent in America’s veterans.”
“This month, I plan to introduce comprehensive veterans’ employment legislation that takes into account all facets of this problem so when our veterans return home, they are afforded the same opportunities as their civilian counterparts,” Miller added.
The unemployment rate among all veterans of the Global War on Terror has been reported to be as high as 13.1 percent, despite increased federal funding for job training.
“We have programs to help veterans find jobs spread out across numerous agencies, but due to the increasing number of veterans who are currently unemployed, we must ask ourselves, are these programs working,” questioned Rep. Marlin Stutzman. “It is incumbent on us all to remove the redundancies and barriers that hinder veterans from finding jobs.”
Northview High School Class of 2011 Graduates (With Photo Gallery)
June 5, 2011
The 135 members of the Northview High School Class of 2011 graduated Saturday.
“Each of us has the potential to be great, but if we want to reach that full potential, we must put in the work to get there and never give up,” Valedictorian Sarah Malinda Killam told her fellow classmates. “You have the power to make the decision to sit idle and accomplish nothing, or you have the power to work hard at things and make a change in this world that is so desperately needed.
She told the Class of 2011 not to “sweat the small stuff”, but understand that in life “a failure in life is inevitable, however it is what we do with our failures that determines the outcome of our success”.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured top: Northview High graduates Katie Marie Wieborg, David Aaron Lambert, Jr., and Allie Rebecca Bryan turn their tassels Saturday afternoon. Pictures inset: Valedictorian Sarah Malinda Killam told her fellow classmates no to “sweat the small stuff” in life. Pictured bottom of page: The Northview High School Class of 2011. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Graduating members of the Northview High School Class of 2011 were:
Jared Avery Adams
T’Kieya Myzetta Amos
+Austin Kyle Arrington
Shannon Anthony Barnhill
*Mallory Ann Bell
Courtney Nicole Black
#Jansen Mathew Bodiford
Brandi Shabril Boggan
Justin Tyler Brooks
*Caitlyn Brianne Brown
Tammie Renea Brown
#Allie Rebecca Bryan
*Allyson Michelle Bullard
Miranda Beth Burkett
Lance Lee Bushaw
*Hillary Kate Byrd
Dixie Lee Carnley
#Jamichael Dashawn Carson
+Victoria Lynn Childers
Jacob Alan Clayton
Lauren Elizabeth Cloud
Shamere Latrez Cohen
+Haley May Coleman
+Sara Lynn Conner
Jeremiah Cooler
Naomi Lasheba Cooler
+Trestine Ivie Dean
*Ashley Elizabeth Digmon
Megan Nichole Flurnoy
Adam Tyler Freeman
Allison Shae Freeman
Erin Michelle Fremin
Lonnie Car’Telle Gardner
*James Tyler Garrett
Katelyn Michelle Garrison
Dustin Wayne Gibson
Levi Trest Gideons
*Laneicia Dynette Gomez
*Jocelyn Marlese Gould
Haley Nicole Gunn
Aaron Morgan Hammond
Kara Renae Hardin
Tyler Marie Hunter
Jessica Christine Imholte
Andrea Tanasha Jackson
Stephen Craig Jay
John Andrew Johnston
Phillip David Jones
Shaniqua Shanell Jones
*Sarah Malinda Killam
Joshua Michael King
Katelynn Nicole Kite
#David Aaron Lambert, Jr.
#Dabney Harrison Langhorne
#Derek Eugene Lewis
*Dustin Neal Lewis
Richard Keith Lucas, Jr.
Chelsea Danielle Luckie
Taylor Wayne Martin
*Jessynia Christina McCall
Kenny Lenele McCall
Ryan Lee McGhee
Samantha Elaine Merchant
Kiri Lynne Montgomery
Shawna Renee Montgomery
Michael McCarty Moore
Jacob Colby Morris
Samuel Wayne Ordis
Brittany Cheyenne Peebles
Haleigh Ciara Perkins
Jacob Lee Peterson
*Dixie Lynn Picheo
Kelsey Lynn Plant
+Derrick Edward Portis, Jr.
Brittanie Ann Poston
John Kaleb Purvis
Alexis Haylee Roach
#Brianna Renae Roley
Charles Thomas Rolin
Elliot Gene Ross
Skyla Bre’Ann Ryals
+Megan Juliette Ryan
Sarah Nicole Schachle
Brook Nicol Schlobohm
Brandon Heath Scott
*Joshua Clayton Scott
*Christina Nicole Sepulveda
*Hayley Renee Simpson
*Colton Darryl Sims
Jason Taylor Sims
Lauren Nicole Smith
+Stephanie Leann Solari
John Preston Solomon, II
Tabitha Renea Steege
George Douglas Tangeman
James Kevin Tangeman
Dimond Brooke Tullis
*Emily Faith Vickrey
*Allison Ayers Vidak
Thomas Lee Walston
Ladarion Bernard White
#Katie Marie Wieborg
Daniel Paul Williams
Casey Lane Wooten
#Dustin Brooks Yuhasz
*Summa Cum Laude – Garnet and Gold Cord
#Magna Cum Laude – Gold Cord
+Cum Laude – Garnet Cord
Young Poets Awarded
June 5, 2011
The Friends of the Library and the West Florida Literacy Foundation presented their annual poetry awards recently.
One winner was from the North Escambia area — Brianna Roley, a senior at Northview High School, was awarded first place in the 11-12th grade division.
Winners in the countywide competition were as follows:
11-12th grade
1st, Brianna Roley, 12th grade, Northview High School; 2nd, Andria Quinlan, 11th grade, Escambia High School; 3rd, Isabelle Murphy, 11th grade, Escambia High School; honorable mention, Alec Garcia, 11th grade, Escambia High School.
9-10th grade
1st, Kyle Sunday, 10th grade, Booker T. Washington High; 2nd, Geoffrey Stemen, 10th grade, homeschool; 3rd, McKenna Jobe, 9th grade, Escambia High School; honorable mention, Nicole Gengler, 9th grade, Escambia High School.
7-8th grade
1st place, Eldred McLamb, 7th grade, Bellview Middle School; 2nd, Ryan Longley, 7th grade, Episcopal Day School; 3rd, De’Andre Wesley, 7th grade, Bellview Middle School; honorable mention, Malik Kennell, 8th grade, Jim Bailey Middle School.
5-6th grade
1st, Sebastien Morel, home school; 2nd, Jordan Weddington, Oakcrest Elementary; 3rd, Jett-Ramy Kaddour, Hellen Caro Elementary; honorable mention, Austan Sexson, Oakcrest Elementary.
3-4th grade
1st, Nicolas Morel, home school; 2nd, Daisy Barbosa, Oakcrest Elementary; 3rd, Andre Archer, Hellen Caro Elementary; honorable mention, Nikole Butler, Oakcrest Elementary.
1-2nd grade
1st place, Ella Claire Prusa, Scenic Heights Elementary; 2nd, Ben Spangrud, Episcopal Day School; 3rd, Olivia McCrory, Episcopal Day School; honorable mention, Esme Culleton, home school.
UWF Argos Win First-Ever National Championship
June 5, 2011
The University of West Florida Argos won their first-ever national title Saturday with a 12-2 win over Winona State in Cary, N.C.
“It’s an amazing moment and a great moment for West Florida baseball, the University of West Florida and the Pensacola community. As a coach, you work hard and you wonder as you’re out there in the hot sun, doing field work and doing individual work with the guys if anyone is ever going to see the fruits of your hard work. There are so many great teams across the country working hard, too. It’s special. Words can’t describe it,” Argos Head Coach Mike Jeffcoat said.
“When you get four runs in the first inning, you go out there and just pitch to contact – throw strikes, not try to strike everyone out. Our hitters did what they’ve done all year, just try to put the ball in play and let the ball do the work. Our defense was amazing again today. An outstanding performance by our infield and outfield. It’s just a great job all around,” Said UWF pitcher Daniel Vargas-Vila.
With the win, UWF ended their record setting season at 52-9.
“It’s exciting. Words really can’t describe how great this feels. We’ve worked for it all year. Jumping out to a big lead like that was huge. We were excited throughout the whole game, but still trying to stay focused, stay in the moment, not lose ourselves. It’s just a great feeling,” said UWF right fielder Greg Pron.
Century High Class Of 1968 Holds Reunion
June 5, 2011
The Century High School Class of 1968 held a reunion last weekend.
The group met Saturday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Fiebig in Avalon Beach for dinner. They met again on Sunday at the Alger Sullivan Historical Society Museum in Century for dinner.
The group also raised funds to purchase eight memorial bricks for deceased class members.
Pictured: (seated, L-R) Sharon Calloway Jones, Marilyn Stewart Chestnutt, Becky Cash, Pamela Wood Fiebig, Danette Purvis Morris, Juanita Carden DuRocher, Jean Harwell, (back row,L-R) Eugene Pettis, Sandra Watson Pettis, Mike Brock, Bill Bryan, Pamela Robinson Callahan, Barnie Jones, Sandra Callaway, William Cash, Linda Stuckey, Jerry Bondurant, Lois Wilson Aboud, Irene Folmar Bondurant, Jack Leahey, Robert Flanders and Tommy Wilson. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.