Cut Your Own: Local Christmas Tree Farm
November 27, 2009
Many area residents will enjoy Christmas tradition again this year with a fresh, locally grown Christmas tree.. The Country Pine Christmas Tree Farm near Bratt is now open daily until Christmas.
“You come here for the old time experience,” said farm owner Andy Bogdan. “This is so much more than just a plastic tree.”
Visitors to the Christmas tree farm stroll around the trees, which are located in an “L” shape field around a scenic pond with a fountain and ducks. Once the perfect tree is found, visitors can cut their own tree with a supplied saw, or have Bogdan cut it down.
The tree is then shaken to remove any loose needles (and bugs), then it’s ready to head home or it can be bagged for easier transport.
During the “experience”, visitors can also enjoy free cookies, apple juice, candy canes for the kids and lots of Christmas music. “The kids can run and play, and have the time of their lives looking for just the right tree,” Bogdan said.
Tree varieties include Virginia Pines, Leylend Cypress and Carolina Sapphires. If you have allergies, he said the Leylend Cypress is the perfect tree. It will not drop needles and has virtually no smell. The Carolina Sapphire has an intriguing aroma that is a mix of lemon, lime and mint. The Virginia Pine has that classic pine Christmas tree smell.
True fresh cut trees cut on the farm will last from before Thanksgiving until well after Christmas, Bogdan said.
Country Pine Christmas Tree Farm is one of the few remaining Christmas tree farms in Northwest Florida or South Alabama, and is the only one in the immediate area. There were a few more prior to hurricane Ivan and Dennis, Bogdan said, but most did not survive.
“You had the direct damage from the wind,” he said. “Then you have the delayed die back from damage to the trees. Exotic bugs and fungus that were not here before were blown in, and trees around here had no resistance.”
“”The trees have had good growth since the hurricane. An average seven or eight foot tall Christmas tree will grow from a seedling in about four years. “They grow much faster here in the South than they do up north,” he said.
With a little straightening and tender loving care, Bogdan’s trees post-hurricane are ready for a living room and a visit from Santa. Prices vary depending on the variety of tree and height.
Bogdan and his wife moved to the Davisville area from Miami after he retired from Eastern Airlines. He was looking for a little something to do in his retirement and settled on Christmas tree farmer over 10 years ago.
“I’d never farmed before, but ended up with a Christmas tree farm,” he said. “But it’s a nice business. It’s not like being a doctor or a lawyer where people you deal with are not happy. At a Christmas tree farm, everybody is happy when they come here.”
For more photos from the Christmas tree farm, click here.
The Country Pine Christmas Tree Farm is located at 5001 Still Road, just south of Highway 4. A map is at the bottom of this page. The farm is open 8 a.m. to dark daily. Trees range is size from table-top to 12 feet. (850) 327-4600.
Pictured top: A few of the trees at the Country Pine Christmas Tree Farm near Bratt. Pictured middle: At the Christmas tree farm, you can use one of their saws to cut your own tree. Pictured below: The Country Pine Christmas Tree Farm stand with tree accessories plus goodies like free apple juice, cookies and candy canes for the kids. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Keep The Wreath Green Campaign Kicks Off Next Week In Escambia
November 27, 2009
Escambia County Fire-Rescue and the City of Pensacola Fire Department are participating in “Keep the Wreath Green,” a holiday safety program designed to promote fire safety during the month of December. With this program, officials hope to reduce the number of fires during a time of serious fire danger with simple, life saving tips.
This year, the sixth year of the campaign, five-foot wreaths will be on display at 22 different locations throughout the holiday season. These sites are the Old Escambia County Courthouse on Palafox Place, the Public Safety Building on W Street, all 18 primary county fire stations, and two fire stations within the City of Pensacola. Every time firefighters respond to a residential fire a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by holiday decorations.
To help citizens stay safe and “keep the wreath green,” officials are providing a holiday safety tip for each day of the month; visit www.keepthewreathgreen.com for a complete list.
A kick-off event for the campaign will be held on Monday.
Escambia County Fire-Rescue and the City of Pensacola encourage everyone to follow the safety tips and have a happy holiday season.
Pictured above: The wreath at the Century fire station. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Teens Uninjured In Thanksgiving Night Wreck
November 27, 2009
Two teens were uninjured in a single vehicle accident late Thanksgiving night in Davisville.
The accident happened just before 11 p.m. on Greenland Road, near Hodges Road. The 16-year old driver of a GMC Jimmy apparently failed to negotiate a 90-degree curve on Greenland Road and overturned into a ditch. The driver and her 15-year old passenger were not injured in the accident.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Atmore Ambulance responded to the call. The accident is still under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Pictured above: Two teens were uninjured in a single vehicle accident on Greenland Road late Thursday night. The vehicle reportedly came to rest in a ditch, but it had been pulled out of the ditch by friends of the driver before emergency workers arrived on scene. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escapee Arrested After High Speed Chase That Ended In Escambia Bay
November 26, 2009
A convict that walked away from an Escambia County work detail is back in jail after a high speed chase and crashing is truck into Escambia Bay.
Edgar Farmer, 27, walked away from a work detail at the Florida Highway Patrol station on Stumpfield Road Wednesday afternoon.
U.S. Marshals were tipped off that Farmer was near Davis Highway and Copter Road in Pensacola. They spotted his truck. He fled, and they gave chase. The high speed chase ended at the Floridatown Boat Ramp in Santa Rosa County. That’s where Farmer ran his truck into Escambia Bay. He tried to swim out into the bay, but was caught about 200 yards from shore.
Farmer is now in the Santa Rosa County Jail on $16,000 bond charged with resisting arrest, fleeing and eluding, and a probation violation. Deputies said he might face more charges in both Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
H1N1 Vaccination Clinic To Be Held In North Escambia
November 26, 2009
The Escambia County Health Department will be holding a H1N1 vaccination clinic in North Escambia on Saturday, December 12.
The clinic will be held on Saturday, December 12 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. or as long as vaccine is available at the old Carver-Century School at 700 East Hecker Road in Century. This is only H1N1 vaccination clinic planned in North Escambia, according to Molly Payne-Hardin, spokesperson for the health department.
Vaccine will be offered to the five federally-designated priority groups:
- Pregnant women
- Caregivers and those who live with infants under six months
- Individuals ages 6 months -24 years old
- All healthcare workers
- Adults ages 25-64 years old who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.
Individuals do not need to provide proof of age or medical condition.
“This is our first Saturday clinic and I hope that our residents in the northern portion of our county will take advantage of this opportunity to get vaccinated,” said Health Department Director Dr. John Lanza.
To fill out consent forms in advance (this step is optional; you will have time to do this at the clinic):
First, read the appropriate Vaccine Information Sheet (VIS). Healthy individual ages 2 through 49 years old, will be offered the nasal mist format of the vaccine and should read the Vaccine Information Sheet labeled “Live Attenuated”.
H1N1 Influenza Vaccine (Live, Attenuated)-VIS (36.8kb; pdf)
H1N1 Influenza Vaccine (Inactive)-VIS (36.4kb; pdf)
Second, after reading the Vaccine Information Sheet (VIS), print, fill out, sign and the following consent form. Each person being vaccinated needs their own consent form.
H1N1 Vaccine Consent Form (1.4mb; pdf) (This consent form is ONLY for the Century vaccination clinic on December 12.)
Good Reading: Ernest Ward Eighth Graders Pen Turkey Poems
November 26, 2009
Have you ever thought about Thanksgiving from a turkey’s point of view?
Each year, eighth grade Language Arts students in Somer Bridge’s class at Ernest Ward Middle School are required to write a turkey poem from a turkey’s point of view.
Below are some of the turkey poems from this year.
Turkey Pain by Wade Jernigan
Here I sit in this field,
Looking up at the sky.
Soon I will be part of a meal,
Right before the pumpkin pie.
What did I do to deserve death,
Please tell me this right now.
As I take the last of my breath,
Why couldn’t they just eat a cow?
Before they come to get me,
I have to get away somehow.
While they pour the iced tea,
I will fly high into the clouds.
Thanksgiving Lament by Anna Fischer
Thanksgiving already,
No way this is true!
I’m not even ready,
Oh, I’m going to turn blue!
I’m running cold turkey,
And striving my best.
My step isn’t perky,
Oh! There’s pain in my chest!
Death is riding my tail,
And the tables have been turned.
I can already tell,
This turkey is about to be burned!
Untitled by Dalton Daniels
Noble bird that I am,
I do not want to die.
Why can’t they just eat ham?
But on the plate I will lie.
But revenge is mine,
As they take me out of the pan.
Because after they dine,
I release tryptophan.
So psyched for the Alabama game,
The drowsy diner lumbers.
Off to the couch he will remain,
As my chemicals cause his slumber.
Run Turkey, Run! By Kent Smith
Run Turkey Run.
He’s gotta gun.
Run,turkey run,
Ain’t gonna be fun!
Here comes Thanksgiving!
I gotta reason for living.
Here comes Thanksgiving!
He won’t be forgiving.
Oh! He’s got me in his sights,
Oh! It’s pointing at my head.
Oh! He’s got me in his sights.
Bang! Now I’m dead!
Turkey Poem by RJ Pritchett
I am a turkey,
Who is very wise.
I love to eat jerky,
The Hunters I will always despise.
I run from them everyday,
Because they shoot at me with guns.
I call it foul play.
Today they shot me right in the buns!
The bullets made me wobble.
As they take me home and pluck my veins.
Wishing that I could still gobble,
Oh, Oh! The pain!
Experts Urge Safety Harness Use After Two Area Tree Stand Deaths
November 26, 2009
Fatal tree stand accidents have experts, including the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, urging hunters to wear a safety harness when using a tree stand.
In October, Todd Burgess, 39, of Brewton, died after falling about 15 feet from a tree stand in the Damascus community of Escambia County, Alabama. Burgess, a native of Jay, had killed a deer with a bow and arrow from the stand. He called his wife, who was hunting on a nearby food plot, to let her know that he was headed down to retrieve the deer, according to Mike Lambert, Escambia County (Ala.) chief deputy. When he did not arrive at the wife’s location, his brothers began to look for him and found him dead, Lambert said.
Last Saturday, Pace resident Anthony Eddie Vanna, 33, died after falling from his tree stand in the Blackwater River State Forest near Munson. Vanna was muzzleloader hunting for deer when he fell 23.5 feet. He apparently was attempting to come down the tree at sundown.
Lambert said that hunters should use a safety harness when using a tree stand for added safety. The harnesses, he said, sell for as little as about $80.
“That $80 is a cheap insurance policy,” he said.
Bill Cline, the Florida Fish and Wildlife’s section leader for hunter safety and public shooting ranges, said anyone who hunts from a tree stand should wear a safety harness.
“If you’re going to leave the ground, you need to wear a full body harness. If a hunter isn’t willing to do that, they need to stay on the ground. It’s that simple,” Cline said.
Hunters who use older tree stand belts or upper-chest straps should discard them, Cline said. He encourages hunters to visit MyFWC.com/HunterSafety and take the free online tree stand safety course.
Health Department Offers Thanksgiving Food Safety Tips
November 26, 2009
As North Escambia area residents get ready for the Thanksgiving holiday, the Escambia County Health Department is emphasizing the importance of safe food preparation and storage to prevent possible foodborne illnesses.
“While family celebrations are being prepared, everyone should practice proper food hygiene,” said Dr. John Lanza, health department director. “Floridians should wash their hands and counter tops thoroughly before and after preparing foods to help eliminate bacteria. Foods should be cooked at the appropriate temperature and leftovers should be stored properly.”
Factors that can contribute to foodborne illnesses include:
- Improper food storage (inadequate refrigeration temperature or hot holding temperature). Safe refrigeration temperature is less than 41 degrees Fahrenheit, and safe hot holding temperature is greater than 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Improper washing of hands and fingernails
- Improper cooling of foods. Safe cooling of foods is getting the foods to less than 41 degrees Fahrenheit within a four-hour time period.
- Cross contamination (such as from uncooked meat to salad ingredients)
- Improper cleaning and sanitizing of eating and cooking utensils, work areas and equipment
- Contamination of food, utensils and equipment from flies, roaches and other pests
Tips to prepare turkeys safely:
- A whole turkey should be cooked at an oven temperature of 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
- An 8-12 pound unstuffed turkey should be cooked for 2-3 hours.
- Preparers should use a meat thermometer. Every part of the turkey should reach a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Frozen turkeys should be kept frozen until ready to thaw prior to cooking.
Individuals with liver disease or diabetes or who have had gastric surgery or are immune-compromised should avoid eating raw oysters or other raw animal protein during the holidays. Oysters that are thoroughly cooked or have been post-harvest treated can be consumed by people with these conditions to minimize the risk of infection from Vibrio vulnificus.
For more information about food safety, click here.
Photos: North Escambia Turkeys
November 26, 2009
These turkeys were spotted by our photographer near Barrineau Park.
They were alongside South Highway 99 near Crabtree Church Road.
There’s no word on how the turkeys spent their Thanksgiving.
Pictured above: A couple of turkeys next to Highway 99 in Barrineau Park. Pictured below: A face only a mother could love. Pictured below middle: Showing off. Pictured bottom of page: Why did the turkey cross the road? NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Average Cost Of Thanksgiving Dinner Down This Year
November 26, 2009
Menu items for a classic Thanksgiving dinner including turkey, stuffing, cranberries, pumpkin pie and all the basic trimmings dropped 4 percent in price this year, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.
AFBF’s 24th annual informal price survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table indicates the average cost of this year’s feast for 10 is $42.91, a $1.70 price decrease from last year’s average of $44.61.
“As we gather this Thanksgiving for food and fellowship, it’s fitting to take a moment to recognize and give thanks, not only for the abundant food we enjoy as Americans, but for the hard-working farm and ranch families across our nation who produce it,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman.
The AFBF survey shopping list includes turkey, bread stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a relish tray of carrots and celery, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and beverages of coffee and milk, all in quantities sufficient to serve a family of 10.
The cost of a 16-pound turkey, at $18.65 or roughly $1.16 per pound, reflects a decrease of 3 cents per pound, or a total of $.44 per turkey compared to 2008.
Milk, at $2.86 per gallon, dropped $.92 and was the largest contributor to the overall decrease in the cost of the 2009 Thanksgiving dinner.
“Consistent with the retail food price declines seen throughout the year, consumers will pay just a bit less for their Thanksgiving feast this year,” said Jim Sartwelle, an AFBF economist.
“Consumers are benefiting at the grocery store from significantly lower energy prices and the effects of the economic slowdown. Again this year, the cost per person for this special meal is less than a typical ‘value meal’ at a fast-food outlet,” Sartwelle said.
Other items showing a price decrease this year were: a ½ pint of whipping cream, $1.55; a dozen brown-n-serve rolls, $2.08; a 1-pound relish tray of carrots and celery, $.72; and a 12-oz. package of fresh cranberries, $2.41. A combined group of miscellaneous items, including coffee and ingredients necessary to prepare the meal (onions, eggs, sugar, flour, evaporated milk and butter) also dropped in price, to $2.50.
Items that increased slightly (less than 5 percent) in price this year were: a 14-oz. package of cubed bread stuffing, $2.65; two 9-inch pie shells, $2.34; and a 30-oz. can of pumpkin pie mix, $2.45.
Two items, green peas and sweet potatoes, stayed the same in price at $1.58 for one pound and $3.12 for three pounds, respectively.
Sartwelle said despite retail price increases during the last year or so, American consumers have enjoyed relatively stable food costs over the years, particularly when adjusted for inflation.
The 4 percent decrease in the national average cost reported this year by Farm Bureau for a classic Thanksgiving dinner tracks closely with the organization’s 2009 quarterly marketbasket food surveys (available online at http://newsroom.fb.org) and the federal government’s Consumer Price Index (available online at http://data.bls.gov/), Sartwelle noted.