Thousands Enjoy Second Blueberry Jamboree (With Photos)
June 13, 2010
Over 4,000 people braved the sweltering heat to attend the second annual Blueberry Jamboree Saturday at the Barrineau Park Community Center.
The free event featured locally grown blueberries, live bluegrass music, dozens of arts and crafts vendors, bingo and even pie eating and blueberry spitting contests. The Kids’ Zone included bounce houses, face painting and educational games.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event, click here.
The Escambia County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee sponsored a Blueberry Jamboree Bake-Off. Click here for photos and results.
Despite the heat and humidity, well over 100 runners completed the 5K Race for the Blueberries. Click here for photos and results.
The second annual Blueberry Jamboree was sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com, Escambia County Farm Bureau, International Paper, Wind Creek Casino, Faith Chapel Funeral Homes, Navy Federal Credit Union, BagelHeads, Fran’s Diner and Winn Dixie.
Pictured top: A couple dances to bluegrass music Saturday at the second annual Blueberry Jamboree in Barrineau Park. Pictured inset: A giant blueberry. Pictured below: Thousands attended the event. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Jailed After Wild Ride; Four Accidents
June 13, 2010
A Cantonment man was arrested on multiple DUI charges after crashing into several cars and a business during a five mile wild ride Thursday night.
Grady Dale Harrison, 54 was charged with four counts of driving under the influence of drugs, three counts of leaving the scene of a crash, two counts of improper right turn, one count of failure to stop and one count of careless driving.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the sequence of crashes began about 9:02 p.m. when Harrison made an improper turn from Louis Street onto Muscogee Road and hit a 1994 Buick driven by Andrew Cobb, 18 of Cantonment. Cobb was not injured.
Harrison continued eastbound on Muscogee Road, where he made an improper turn onto Highway 29 and struck a 1994 Chevrolet truck driven by James Alan Ward, 49, of Cantonment. Ward was not injured.
Continuing south on Highway 29, Harrison ran the traffic signal at West Roberts Road, colliding with a 2002 Toyota van driven by Ruth Elizabeth Jennings, 52, of Cantonment. Jennings was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries.
After hitting Jennings’ van, Harrison’s 1986 Cadillac left the roadway and struck a fence belonging to Truck Equipment Sales on Highway 29. Harrison continued to drive down the shoulder of Highway 29 until his vehicle became disabled.
Photo Gallery, Results: The 5K Race For The Blueberries
June 13, 2010
About 170 runners and walkers entered the second annual 5K Race for the Blueberries Saturday during the Blueberry Jamboree in Barrineau Park.
For a NorthEscambia.com runner photo gallery, click here.
Winners are listed below by category.
12 & Under, Male
Nathan Andreo, 1st place
David Dobson, 2nd place
Dillon (Last Name Unknown), 3rd place
12 & Under, Female
Allie Nelson, 1st place
Sophia Tucker, 2nd place
Lakelynn Parker, 3rd place
13 to 18, Male
Brandon Nelson, 1st place
Trent Black, 2nd place
Micah Kemp, 3rd place
13 to 18, Female
Karisa Nelson, 1st place
Katie Neslon, 2nd place
Amber Nelson, 3rd place
19 to 35, Male
Neil McDonagh, 1st place
Sean Driffenburg, 2nd place
Matthew Dixon, 3rd place
19 to 35, Female
Leah Daughtery, 1st place
Erin Fergus, 2nd place
Tanya Petty, 3rd place
36 to 54, Male
Matthew Dobson, 1st place
Russell Orr, 2nd place
Scott Nelson, 3rd place
36 to 54, Female
Eva Tucker, 1st place
55 & Over, Male
Roger Dobson, 1st place
Huey Pearson, 2nd place
Ted Hassebrock, 3rd place
55 & Over, Female
Kathy Shealy, 1st place
Tina Tuttle, 2nd place
First Place Walkers
12 & Under, Dylan (Last Name Unknown)
13 to 18, Brittany Flota
19 to 35, Christy Smith
36 to 54, Delbert Tucker
55 & Over, Darryl Rice
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Mmmm…Second Annual Blueberry Bake-Off Winners Named
June 13, 2010
It was a blueberry lover’s dream Saturday at the second annual Blueberry Jamboree Bake-Off at the Barrineau Park Community Center.
Dozens of cooks entered their tasty pies, cobblers, cakes and other blueberry goodies in hopes of winning cash prizes in the contest sponsored by the Escambia County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee. There was one basic rule — the homemade dessert must have included blueberries as an ingredient.
After the tempting treats were judged and the winners were announced, the public had the opportunity to sample the entries.
The winners of the second annual Blueberry Jamboree Bake-Off were:
Cake Division
1st place Melissa Collier – White Chocolate Cheesecake
2nd place Lukas Snelson – Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake
3rd place Cathy Vanderpol – Vlueberry Sour Cream Pound Cake
Bread, Puddings and Other division
1st place Shelly Olsousky – Blueberry Yum Yum
2nd place Sharon Meharg – Blueberry Pizza
3rd place – Paul Schwartz – Zucchini Blueberry Nut Bread
Pies and Cobbler division
1st place Sabrena Padgett – Double Bottom Blueberry Lemon Supreme Pie
2nd place Cathy Vanderpol – Blueberry Cherry Pie
3rd place Cathy King – Bursting Berries & Orchard Fruit Pie
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Roberts, Maddox To Wed
June 13, 2010
Don and Laura Smith of Atmore, Ala., and Mike Roberts of Aiea, Hawaii, announce the engagement of their daughter, Stephanie Nicole Roberts, to Walter Thomas Maddox, son of Bob and Diane Maddox of Tuscaloosa, Ala.
The bride-elect is the granddaughter of James and Jackie Presley of Atmore and Malcolm and the late Willie Mae Roberts of Bay Minette, Ala.
The prospective groom is the grandson of the late Robert Maddox and Winnie Maddox of Fayette, Ala., and the late Tommy and the late Ruby Maddox of Jackson, Ala.
Stephanie is a graduate of Escambia County High School and a graduate of the University of Alabama. She earned a bachelor’s of art degree in public relations and is currently the director of sports marketing and public relations at the Tuscaloosa Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Walt is a graduate of Central High School and a graduate of the University of Alabama-Birmingham. He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and his graduate degree in public administration. Walt is currently serving his second term as Mayor of Tuscaloosa.
The wedding will take place June 26 at 4 o’clock in the afternoon at First Baptist Church in Atmore, Ala.
All friends and family are invited to attend the joyous occasion.
Cat Food For Lunch: Century Resident Continues 500 Mile Hike Across Spain
June 12, 2010
We are continuing to follow the journals of Century resident Terri Sanders as she hikes 500 miles across Spain this summer.
As Terri hikes from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France, she will file dispatches from her journal and send pictures when possible for NorthEscambia.com as she hikes the Camino de Santiago — the Way of St. James — to the Atlantic Ocean.
For her first entry, click here. And for her second entry, click here.
June 1 2010
Start; St. Jean Pied a Port
Destination; Roncesvalles
Just as I remembered Lou was up at the crack of dawn. Back home I had been getting up early for practice since my morning does not start until 8ish. I was well rested and much relieved to be here. The morning air was brisk but the sky was a beautiful blue. There are 3 separate paths over the Pyrenees Mountains into Spain.
Of course Lou chose the most arduous one.
It is also the one with the most spectacular views. This path also benefits Pilgrims because the sun does not penetrate into the Valcarlos Valley until later in the day. We knew it was going to be a steep climb today. The worst one of the whole trip. After today the trail is relatively flat. As old as I am one would think that when I hear the word ”relative” that red flags should go up.
However Lou and I had hiked part of the Appalachian Trail and he knew what flat meant, or so I thought. I had not brought my hiking poles with me because on a relatively flat trail they would be pretty useless and just be extra weight. I had gotten my pack weight down to 22.4 pounds. That was before I let my new found friend back at the Madrid airport convince me that I would not need a sleeping bag. I dropped 2 more pounds ditching my sleeping bag.
He was meeting his friend Ronnie to send her off on her Camino. He was from Gainesville, Florida, and figured we could get together later to retrieve my bag. Will I ever learn to just trust my own judgments?
Anyway back to the day’s hike. The cobbled stones leading out of the city were easy to walk on. The farm land reminded me of being in rural Florida. If you didn’t see the building you would think you were in the states. Today’s hike is 19 kilometers. Metric were not taught to us when I was in school. I know two things about kilometers. A 5K run is 3.2 miles and a 10K run is 6.2 miles.
Our climb today would give us an elevation gain of 1450 meters over 25 kilometers. No matter if it is in miles or kilometers it was going to be one big long grueling day.
The guide book says that this route is a veritable baptism of fire into the El Camino and Spain and I began to believe it. We are encouraged to stretch our physical as well as our spiritual muscles as we climb. We are supposed to be able to sleep soundly tonight and reflect on our inner purpose for this journey, and if the purpose wasn’t clear we were to ask for clarity.
I didn’t need to wait until tonight to ask for clarity, I needed a divine revelation right now to help me get though today’s hike. Somehow I had left my hat at home so I had nothing to shade my face or the top of my head. Our reward was a clear day with stunning views although you can only see so many stunning views before you get bored. The thickly wooded countryside gave way to open hills and moorlands.
We stop several times to catch our breath and try to give our pounding heart a rest. I was extremely glad Lou had put on about 30 extra pounds since the last time I saw him. I seem to remember going up and up and up. All the while I am telling myself that this is the hardest day we will have.
There are lots of Pilgrims on the Camino but very few Americans. We are told Buenos Camino which means good way time and time again. We would climb for a couple hours then find some shade to rest in for a few minutes. Like any other climb, you think you can see the top only to have the trail turn and continue to go up.
At one point a herd of sheep came across the road in front of us then turned and climbed the bank to greener pastures. The lead sheep had a bell on and I guess the rest of the sheep followed him. That was the first wildlife we saw on the trail. Later on we would see cows and horses along the road. It must be free range out here.
At lunch we stopped at a shaded place and pooled our resources. Lou had done some grocery shopping yesterday while waiting on me. He had several cans of some sort of meat and some cheese. I had some bread and left over cups of yogurt. Lou opened a can of whatever it was, it looked like tuna fish. Neither of us had a spoon or knife so we used the broken handle of a little plastic spoon I had to scoop the meat out onto the bread, topped with a slice of cheese it was almost fit to eat.
We are sitting there eating when a Pilgrim came by. He spoke very little English. He picked up the can of mystery meat, howled with laughter and told us we were eating cat food. My stomach turned over and it was all I could do not to throw everything I had just eaten up.
The saving grace was that I knew there was no water to clean up afterward with so I just lay down and tried to think about something else. Frenchie took the can over to his friends and they too howled with laughter. I kept hoping he would confess he was jut pulling our leg, but he never did. I told Lou I would share his cheese with him but he could have the cans of meat!
We finally came in sight of our resting place for the night. It was a magnificent stone building with 60 bunk beds in it. Every other bed had a isle so two bunk beds were pushed together. Lou went down to make reservations for our Pilgrim meal while I unpacked my pack and made my bed for the night .Our reservations were at 7:00.
We joined the others in line and were escorted to our table. Another American, a young guy by the name of Ryan was seated with us. They just keep filling up the tables until there are no more empty spots. We had a bottle of wine and a bottle of water. Our first course was some sort of soup, I have no idea what it was but it tasted pretty good.
Then we could choose from trout or stuffed peppers for the main course with French fries. Since I had already seen the trout and knew it came to the table with its head still on I choose the stuffed peppers. I do not like to eat the head of anything with the head still on except crawfish, I ordered the stuffed peppers.
They bring out this plate with three tiny stuffed peppers and some sort of red sauce. Thankfully there was a basket of bread that would fill me up. We had a slice of vanilla ice cream with strawberry sauce over it to finish out the dinner. Lou ate my French fries since I could only manage a few. I do not have any kind of attachment to French fries. I guess I cooked too many of them when I was working at a fast food place in my younger years.
After dinner we hobbled back over to the hostel where we paid 6 Euros for a bed. I will say that this bunch of hikers is a whole lot quieter than the Appalachian Trail hikers. It was lights out at 10:00 sharp and the doors were locked. Everything thing hurts tonight. I hurt in places I didn’t know I had.
Miles 14.9 (I felt we had hiked a hundred and fourteen.)
Elmira Gandy Crapps Passes Away At Age 103
June 12, 2010
Friends and family are mourning the loss of one of North Escambia’s oldest residents.
Mrs. Elmira Gandy Crapps passed away Thursday at a Pensacola hospital. She was 103.
Born in Butler County, Alabama, in 1907 to John Oxford and Victoria Black Gandy and married for 65 years to William Haynes Crapps, she was a member of Poplar Dell Baptist Church for over 75 years.For 45 years, she and her husband operated a successful trucking business, Gulf & Southern Transport, in Century, providing hauling services for timber, lumber and equipment.
Crapps lived an active lifestyle, even continuing to drive until she was well past 100. She never had children.
She was the third member of her family to become a centenarian. Her father, John Oxford Gandy lived to the age of 108. In 1973, the Florida Legislature named the Gandyville community after him. Another member of the family, a cousin, also lived to be 108.
In an interview on her 102nd birthday, Crapps said her secret for a long life was the love of God. “I’ve been blessed by the Lord and walk with him,” she said.
Funeral services for Mrs. Elmira Gandy Crapps were held Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Robert Gandy and the Rev. Mitch Herring officiating.
For the complete obituary, click here.
Grimes Facing Felony Drug Charges After Traffic Stop
June 12, 2010
A Century man was booked into the Escambia County Jail Friday on two felony drug charges stemming from an April traffic stop.
Javis Cain Grimes, 25, was charged with possession of drug equipment and possession of a listed chemical. On April 29, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies stopped Grimes in his pickup on Highway 4 near Byrneville.
During a search of Grimes’ pickup truck, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies found pseudoephedrine pills, rubber tubing, starter fluid and other potential meth-making ingredients, according to a Sheriff’s Office arrest report by Deputy Jason Land.
At the time of the traffic stop, Grimes was only charged with driving with a suspended license and release from jail on a $500 bond. The warrant for Grime’s arrest on the drug charges was signed this week by an Escambia County Judge.
Grimes was released from the Escambia County Jail on $40,000 bond. He has already pleaded nolo contendere to the traffic charge and was ordered to pay a $166 fine by October 12, according to court records.
Pictured top: Hydrogen peroxide, salt, pseudoephedrine pills, rubber tubing and a digital scale — some of the potential meth-making materials deputies said discovered during a Byrneville traffic stop April. Pictured bottom inset: Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit Investigator Heath Jackson bags the items as evidence. Pictured bottom left: Javis Cain Grimes. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Head Graduates From Basic Training
June 12, 2010
Air Force Airman Derek J. Head graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
He is the son of Nicki Qualls of Highway 4, Jay. Head is a 2008 graduate of Jay High School.
Escambia Awarded $7 Million In Disaster Grants, Including $600K for Century
June 11, 2010
Escambia County has received a $7 million disaster recovery grant to be used on projects in Century and in the Pensacola area.
The $7,067,397 community development block grant from the Florida Department of Community Affairs will fund five projects, two of them in Century related to flooding in 2008.
Projects funded by the grant will include:
- Century flooding and drainage improvements on Jefferson Avenue, $193,300. The funding will construct Jefferson Avenue ditch outfall improvements to rework a ditch that is responsible for draining the central portion of Century. The town does not currently have a dedicated easement for the ditch, so the town’s ability to maintain it has been hampered. As a result, the ditch has grown up with heavy vegetation and debris from storms, and as a result it is difficult for the town to maintain it with hand labor and small equipment. The goal of the project will be to secure easements for the adjacent property owners and to clear and reshape the ditch to improve it so that it can be better maintained in the future.
- Century flooding and drainage improvements on Pond Street, $406,700. The funding will provide improvements to an existing drainage ditch in the Pond Street area, including correction of the easement issues as exist around the Jefferson Avenue ditch.
- Affordable rental housing preservation and development, $1.05 million to partially fund the acquisition of the Maison Deville Apartments, which were heavily damaged by Hurricane Ivan and further impacted by Hurricane Gustav. The 144-unit complex will replaced by units of mixed income rental housing.
- Development of Homeless Service Facility, $1.8 million. The money will be used for a new homeless service center that will house the Waterfront Rescue Mission and provide homeless services. The existing Waterfront Rescue Mission homeless facility is currently located in a flood-prone area.
- Lakewood (Warrington) area sewer construction will receive $3.3 million to eliminate septic tanks that impact Bayou Chico during flooding.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Disaster Recovery Grants totaling $81 million were available statewide under funding approved by Congress for areas declared disaster areas due to 2008 storms. Escambia County was one of six counties in Florida declared disaster areas due to the impact of Hurricane Gustav.