Church Honors Local Heroes
September 28, 2009
The McDavid Volunteer Fire Department was honored Sunday for over 25 years of service to McDavid and surrounding communities.
Most of the department’s 18 members were on hand Sunday morning at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church in Bogia as the church devoted much of their morning worship service to recognizing “Station 9″. The event was Ray’s Chapel’s second annual event honoring the local volunteers. Children in the church presented each volunteer with a token of appreciation.
Prior to the formation of the McDavid VFD, calls in the McDavid area were answered by the Century Volunteer Fire Department.
“It’s a very comforting feeling when that first responder shows up,” Mark Digmon, Ray’s Chapel member, said. He pointed a few similarities between churches and fire departments.
“Both of us should be here to serve the community,” he said. “Both us of are here in a time of need.”
The McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue answered 185 calls in the past year, the lowest number of runs among the county’s 15 volunteer stations. Most were medical and public assistance calls. There were no structure fire calls in the McDavid district during the last year, but the department did assist Century, Walnut Hill and Molino with several structure fire calls.
“We like that,” Eric Gilmore, McDavid chief, said of the department’s low call volume. While McDavid ran just 185 calls and other stations in the county, such as Ensley and Ferry Pass, ran over 1,500 each, the McDavid volunteers are just as prepared as any in the county.
In addition, Gilmore said the department has constructed several training areas behind their station where volunteers from Century, Walnut Hill and Molino meet for the four departments to train together.
“We are proud to serve the community,” the McDavid chief said.
“Why do some people run into danger instead of running away from it?” Ray’s Chapel Pastor Nathan Brown began his Sunday morning sermon.
“Sometimes risk is right…that is why we appreciate you guys today,” he told the McDavid volunteers.
The McDavid Volunteer Fire Department was incorporated in 1982 with a 1962 firetruck on loan from the Florida Division of Forestry. They purchased a 1948 Ford firetruck in 1983. The station was constructed on land purchased from what was then St. Regis Paper Company in 1984. Many more modern trucks and pieces of equipment were purchased over the years.
The department has 13 certified firefighters and two EMT’s. Members of the department include: Eric Gilmore, Elton Gilmore, Kenny Malone, Phyllis Malone, Ben Gilmore, Chris Kinley, Michelle Kinley, Larry Kinley, Matt Carter, Matt Gilmore, William Sheffield, Wayne Godwin, Marvin Lucas, Morgan Goetter, Eddie Gunter, Chris Hawkins, Dorothy Gunter, Alec Estes and Adam Estes.
Pictured top and bottom: Members of the McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue were honored Sunday morning by Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church. Pictured top inset: A child with a flag as Assistant Chief Elton Gilmore listens to Sunday morning’s service. Pictured bottom inset: Chief Eric Gilmore. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Educator’s Group Names North Escambia Students Of The Month
September 28, 2009
The Escambia Association for Administrators in Education have selected their Students of the Month for September.
Students of the Month from North Escambia schools are:
- Bratt Elementary: Franki J. Daw, first grade; Logan D. Calloway, fourth grade.
- Jim Allen Elementary: McKenna L. Smith, fifth grade; Timothy J. Dease, fifth grade.
- Molino Park Elementary: Courtney N. Grim, fifth grade; Ashley G. Sticken, fifth grad
- Northview High School: Georgia A. Goetter, ninth grade; Dustin A. Boutwell, 12th grade.
Editor’s note: The Escambia Association for Administrators in Education did not name Students of the Month from Ernest Ward Middle, Byrneville Elementary or Tate High School. The names of the students are submitted to the educator’s group by the individual schools.
Pictured Northview High School named Georgia Goetter (left) and Dusty Boutwell as Students of the Month for September. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Next Weekend’s Jay Peanut Festival To Draw Thousands, Start Tour
September 27, 2009
The 20th Annual Jay Peanut Festival next weekend will kick-off the sixth annual Beaches to Woodlands Tour of Santa Rosa County into high gear. The month-long self-guided driving tour of Santa Rosa County features more than two dozen events. Geared toward locals and tourists alike, the tour has become an annual Gulf Coast staple.
“Once Fall season starts settling in people get motivated to get out and about,” said Karen Harrell, tour coordinator. “This is a showcase series of events for Santa Rosa County. These events are family-friendly and inexpensive, back-to-basic type of activities.” Along with great activities, Harrell said October is a great time for a weekend vacation with water temperatures still warm enough to swim and area lodging rates for out-of-towners down up to 40 percent from summer’s high season.
The Jay Peanut Festival draws upwards to 70,000 people to the 15-acre Gabbert Farm each year who have a chance to sample all types of peanuts -– boiled, green, fried, candied and more.
Admission is free and all weekend long there will be arts, crafts, antique, new items, games, rides, rock climbing wall, pony and horse rides, wagon rides, train rides, buckboard rides, anvil shoot, and a grist mill. The farm’s popular museum is also open for tours.
While the Jay Peanut Festival is being staged in the north end of Santa Rosa County, the new Navarre Beach Marine Science Station will play host to the sixth annual Coastal Encounters from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at October 3 at the Navarre Beach County Park.
The newest asset to the area, the Navarre Beach Marine Science Station also celebrates its Grand Opening. Budding marine scientists can learn about sharks, water safety, disaster preparedness and other local environmental issues will be included. And there will be opportunities to try kayaking and fishing. Arts and craft activities will include making sea turtle maracas; making a shark tooth necklace, fish painting, sand casting and more. One of the event’s most popular features is the touch tank, which allows kids and adults to handle creatures that are best left alone in the wild.
A new event is the Sweet Season Farms Corn Maze which is open weekends and daylight hours only in Milton through November 3. The maze features a Blue Angels-theme design. Owners Trent and Sharon Mathews and their children, Morgan and Lucas, have worked as a family to create a full day of fun in Milton that includes not only the maze but hayrides, a barrel train, a farm-themed playground, acorn cannon and a corn crib “sandbox.”
Another weekend highlight is the Riverwalk Run 5k sponsored by the City of Milton. The run winds through historic Bagdad, Downtown Milton and the beautiful Riverbank. The race features a rare 4 p.m. start time which gives people a chance to sleep in, if they choose.
Ongoing throughout the month are tours of the Jay Historical Museum and the Dragonfly Gallery’s “Sand to Sawdust” exhibit. An, Fall is always a popular time at Adventures Unlimited, popular destination for day and overnight visitors who enjoy canoeing, camping, hiking – and of course, roasting s’mores.
For event details visit www.thebeachestowoodlandstour.com or 800-480-SAND or (850) 939-8666.
Pictured above: Large crowds attended the annual Jay Peanut Festival last year. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Online Audio: Listen To Northview Vs. Bozeman Game
September 27, 2009
Northview Chiefs fans can now listen to entire Northview football games here on NorthEscambia.com — the new official voice of the Northview High School Chiefs.
Join us each Sunday for a complete game playback from the Northview Chiefs. You will be able to listen to each game online, or even download the game to your MP3 player and take it with you.
The audio from Friday night’s game against Bozeman should play automatically on this page. If it does not, click the play icon below.
To download the entire game (MP3 format) for your iPod or other MP3 player, click here.
NorthEscambia.com needs sponsors to make this broadcast possible each week. Email news@northescambia.com for more information.
Due to some technical difficulties in Panama City, the first few minutes of Friday night’s game are not included in the broadcast. The final few minutes were not recorded as well, but the final score had already been reached. The missed portion is mostly Northview running out the clock.
In order to listen online, do not close this page or window. You can continue surfing the net while you listen by opening a new browser window. You can pause the audio or change the volume using the controls below the photo.
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© 2009 NorthEscambia.com
Photo Gallery: NHS Beats Bozeman
September 27, 2009
The Northview Chiefs hit the road to Panama City Friday night, coming back home with a 22-19 win over Deane Bozeman High School. The Chiefs improved to 2-1, 1-1 in Class 2A District 1.
For a photo gallery from the Northview win over Bozeman, click here.
Pictured above and below: Action from Friday night’s Northview 22-19 win over Bozeman. Submitted photos by Brenda Garrett for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Reunion Next Weekend For 1985-1995 Ernest Ward Graduates
September 27, 2009
Ernest Ward High School alumni who graduated from 1985 to 1995 will have the chance to see old friends at a combined class reunion coming up next weekend.
The reunion will being Friday night at the Northview High School Homecoming game. Organizers are planning to have an area for alumni to sit together to enjoy the game.
On Saturday, participants are invited to family-friendly lunch at the Walnut Hill Community Center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring lunch and drinks for their family.
Saturday evening there will be an adults-only event at McGuire’s Irish Pub in Pensacola from 7 p.m. until. There is a charge of $20 per person for the evening event, which will cover non-alcoholic drinks and hors d’oeuvres.
Organizers want to stress this combined class reunion event is not taking the place of the Class of 1989 reunion that is happening the weekend of October 10 at Wind Creek in Atmore.
Contact Tina Nabors at (334) 394-5437 or via email at hnabors@aum.edu for more information or for a reservation to attend the event at McGuire’s. Reservation requests must be made by October 1.
Photo Gallery: Flomaton Hurricanes Beat Central-Hayneville
September 27, 2009
There was a Category 5 hurricane in Flomaton Friday night, as the ‘Canes blew past Central-Hayneville 60-14.
For more photos, click here for a gallery and then visit mikenewtonphotography.zenfolilo.com.
The Hurricanes were coming off a loss last week to number one Leroy, and they were not going to be stopped this Friday night.
Ryheem Dixon stormed in from 12 yards out to put the Hurricanes on the board early 7-0. An impressive Jacob Newton fake and toss to Ta Ta Ellis put the Hurricanes up 14-0. Then the Cane’s were up 21-0 with a 70 yard punt return by Civonta Mitchell. And they were just getting started.
Wesley Steadham was in on touchdown runs of 62 and 10 yards. In all, he had just three carries for 114 total yards. He was out-distanced by James Jackson on eight carries, including an 11-yard TD.
Other touchdowns included A.J. Odom with a 17-yarder and a four-yard run from Shay Gipson.
Overall, the Hurricanes picked up 237 yards on the ground Friday night against Central.
The Flomaton Hurricanes will be on the road next week against Mobile Christian.
For more photos, click here for a gallery and then visit mikenewtonphotography.zenfolilo.com.
Pictured: Wesley Steadham gains yardage for the Hurricanes Friday night against Central-Hayneville. Submitted photo by Mike Newton Photography for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Student Hit By Car On Highway 29 Upgraded To Stable Condition
September 27, 2009
A Tate High School student remains has been upgraded to stable condition after being hit by a car while trying to cross Highway 29 in Cantonment Friday night.
The Florida Highway Patrol says Tyler J. Spear, 15, of Cantonment, was critically injured when he was hit by a 1997 Honda Accord driven by Robbin Gerich, 42, of Molino. Gerich was not injured in the crash. Her passenger, Lawrence C. Gerich, 35, of Molino, received minor injuries in the crash, according to the FHP report.
The accident happened at 9:05 p.m. when Spear was attempting to cross Highway 29 near North Tate School Road near the Winn Dixie grocery store. The front of Gerich’s vehicle struck Spear, forcing him over the hood and into the windshield of the Honda, according to the FHP report.
Spear came to rest in the southbound lane of Highway 29. He was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition.
Charges are pending in the accident, and the crash was not alcohol related, according to the FHP.
According to the FHP, Spear was wearing all-dark clothing at the time of the accident and was crossing the roadway in an area without artificial lighting.
The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Florida Highway Patrol responded to the call. The southbound lanes of Highway 29 were closed for over an hour following the accident.
Looking For Good Food And Family Fun? Seafood Festival Has It All
September 26, 2009
There will be plenty of good tastes and good fun today during the 32nd annual Pensacola Seafood Festival in historic Seville Square.
The Pensacola Seafood Festival has been consistently recognized as one of the Top 20 festivals in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society. It features a variety of delicious seafood dishes and other festival fare. Some highlights of this year’s menu include southern style crab cakes, gator bites, blackened mahi mahi, bang bang shrimp, fried crawfish pistolettes, shrimp creole, boudin balls, and shark on a stick.
The festival will showcase more than 180 arts and crafts vendors who travel from around the country to participate in the festival. The artisans and craftsmen are handpicked for originality and offer one of a kind items in almost every medium – pottery, jewelry, mixed media, weavings and much more.
The Pensacola Seafood Festival features some of the area’s best bands and promotes great family entertainment. The entertainment stage is in beautiful Fountain Park at the south end of Seville Square.
The festival hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m on Sunday.
Northview Beats Bozeman 22-19 For District Win
September 26, 2009
The Northview Chiefs hit the road to Panama City Friday night, coming back home with a 22-19 win over Deane Bozeman High School.
The Bozeman Bucks recovered a Northview fumble at about their 20 in the first quarter and ran it back to the 10. A couple of plays later, Bozeman was in for the first touchdown of the night. With a missed point after, Bozeman was up 6-0.
But the Chiefs were about to take the lead, and keep it, for the rest of the game — even though they were not in control of the ball most of the second half.
The Chiefs answered with a Jeremy Jackson touchdown run with 4:01 in the first quarter of play. The Chiefs missed the point after attempt, making it a 6-6 tie ballgame in Bay County.
Bozeman scored on a 55-yard run from their own 45 just before the end of the first quarter to make it 13-6 headed into the second quarter of play.
Then in the second quarter, the Chiefs blocked a Bozeman punt at the Bucks 15 yard line. Northview recovered deep in the end zone for a safety, but the Chiefs still trailed 16-13.
Northview exploded in the third quarter, with Chris Sheets intercepting a Bozeman pass at 10. Sheets returned the interception for a huge 90-yard touchdown. A no good extra point, and the Northview Chiefs were up 22-13 with 3:45 to go in the third.
Bozeman managed to score and miss a kick for a score of 22-19.
And that’s where it ended, with both teams held scoreless during the end of a fourth quarter defensive battle.
Freshman La’Mikal Kyles had 45 yards for Northview on a half dozen carries, and senior Shakel Holmes had 45 yards on eight carries.
With their 22-19 win over Bozeman, the Chiefs improved to 2-1, 1-1 in Class 2A District 1.
The Chiefs will celebrate Homecoming next Friday night against the Baker Gators.
Click here for a photo gallery from the game.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.