Area Churches To Hold Christmas Plays Tonight
December 7, 2008
Two area churches will present Christmas productions today,.
New Life Baptist Christmas Play
New Life Baptist Church will present “His Wonderful Presence…Then and Now”, a play by Mary Ann Sadler at 5 p.m. today The church is located at 700 East Hecker in Century. Admission is free.
Aldersgate Christmas Play
The children and youth of Aldersgate United Methodist Church will be presenting a Christmas Musical The Grumpy Shepherd tonight at 6:30. Fellowship and refreshments will follow in the Aldersgate Café. For more information, contact Sandra at (850) 587-2489.
Future 35 Acre Christian Retreat To Be Dedicated Sunday In Century
December 6, 2008
A 35 acre Christian retreat in Century that could eventually include a worship and prayer center will be dedicated Sunday afternoon.
Paul Davidson of Cantonment has purchased 35 acres at the end of McCall Road for the retreat they plan to call Moorer Place in memory of Paul’s late grandfather.
The public is invited to attend the dedication services for the Moorer Place will be held from 3:00 until 5:00 Sunday afternoon. Guest speaker will be Ken Malone from Forerunner Ministries.
“God put this on our hearts at the first of the year,” Paul Davidson said. “He has really put Century on our hearts through prayer.”
The property will be named Moorer Place in honor of Davidson’s grandfather, the late Paul Nelson Moorer of Forest Home, Alabama. Davidson purchased the property with inheritance money from Moorer. It was purchased from current owner Carolyn Thompson, but it is actually the home place that once belong to Century Mayor Freddie McCall’s grandfather. “It’s a generation to generation thing,” Davidson said.
The property currently has only a small house and a barn. Those will be ready after the first of the year as a “place where people can come and relax and enjoy Christian fellowship,” he said. The center is not planned as a church, but as an a place to “strengthen other churches”.
“We will see what God has in store for it,” Davidson said, adding that there is no set timetable for the construction of the worship and prayer center.
Pictured above: The outlined property above will become Moorer Place. Lake Stone is seen at the left.
Atmore Christmas Parade Today With Many North Escambia Participants
December 6, 2008
Many from North Escambia will head to Atmore today for the annual Atmore Christmas Parade.
North Escambia participants from Northview High School, Ernest Ward Middle School, Northwest Escambia Little League, the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department and more will participate in the annual lighted parade that ends with a special appearance by Santa Claus. The theme for this year’s parade is “A Nursery Rhyme Christmas”.
The parade, which features about 20 floats and four bands, begins on Main Street at Ridgely Street (one block north of the railroad tracks), heads south on Main Street all the way to Lindberg Avenue and ends at Escambia County High School. It is about a two mile route. The parade begins at 5:00.
Pictured above: The Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department in last year’s Atmore Christmas Parade. Pictured below: Walnut Hill Baptist Church in last year’s Atmore Christmas Parade. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary Holds Annual Christmas Carnival
December 6, 2008
Byrneville Elementary School held its Christmas Carnival was held Friday night at the school.
The annual event, sponsored by the school’s P.T.O., featured a special guest from the North Pole. Santa Claus was on hand for photos and Christmas wish lists.
The carnival also included a host of games, including a ring toss, cake walk, football toss, face paiting and more. The evening’s festivities ended with a gift basket auction, with proceeds going to the P.T.O.
For a complete photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured above: Santa Claus was on hand for the annual Christmas Carnival at Byrneville Elementary School Friday night. Pictured below: Face painting was one of many activities at the event. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview High School Holds Cross County Banquet
December 6, 2008
Northview High School recently held its Cross Country Banquet at the school.
Winners included the Junmi Ross Winner Jessica Bloodworth and the Jim Ross Winner Clint Davis, and the MVR (Most Valuable Runner) Coty Chance. Coaches Award Winners were Blake Luker, Dustin Lewis and Dixie Carnely.
Pictured above: The Northview High School Cross Country Team. Pictured inset above: MVR (Most Valuable Runner Coty Chance. Pictured below: Coaches Award Winners (L-R) Blake Luker, Dixie Carnely and Dustin Lewis. Pictured bottom: Jumni Ross Winner Jessica Bloodsworth and Jim Ross Winner Clint Davis. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com.
Escambia County Commission Conducting Citizen Survey
December 6, 2008
If you would like the Escambia County Commissioners to know how you feel about programs and services in Escambia County, this is your opportunity to be heard. The Listener Group is conducting the second annual county-wide telephone survey for the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners. The survey begins this week and will continue over the next several weeks.
“The Escambia County community survey is a constructive way for citizens to put in their ‘two-cents’ regarding issues of services received and quality of life in Escambia County. They only need to be willing to take the survey,” said Jeff Williams, product development and support manager of The Listener Group.
To ensure data is collected from a cross section of each commission district, The Listener Group will randomize the five districts’ telephone lists which each average 18,525 records each. The marketing company will systematically call the list until they have gathered 100 completed surveys in each commission district. Due to the large number of records in each district, the 500 necessary surveys will most likely be collected without having to dial a citizen’s number more than once.
“If you receive a call from The Listener Group, please make every effort to complete the survey at that time. It takes approximately ten minutes and may be your only opportunity,” added Williams.
Once the surveys are complete and data analyzed, The Listener Group will provide the results to the county. The county will publish the results and begin developing action plans in the areas needing improvement. Last year’s survey scores will be used as a baseline for comparison with this year’s results and are available online at www.myescambia.com.
A Fun SEC Championship Weekend: Local Husband Is Florida Gator Fan; His Wife Is Alabama Fan
December 5, 2008
Saturday’s SEC Championship Game will pit the Crimson Tide against the Gators, and Amy against Wayne.
Around the Holland household in Bratt, football is a big deal. Wife Amy Holland is a die hard Alabama fan, and husband Wayne Holland is a Florida Gator fan through and through.
And that, as you might guess, has made thing interesting around the Holland home this week.
“You know the Gators are going win,” Wayne said. “They are going to spank ‘em. Florida has the total package.”
“Bama will win,” Amy said, “and get another coach fired. We’ve got three coaches fire so far this year, and we are going to get another one.”
“That coach thing isn’t going to happen,” he said.
An Alabama flag is flying outside their home this year. That’s because Alabama is the only undefeated Southeastern Conference team, she said.
Wayne admits that he OK with Amy’s loyalty to the Crimson Tide. They attend a few Alabama games during the year simply because they are closer. “I support them as long as they don’t play Florida,” he said.
There is a friendly little bet on Saturday’s game.
“Whoever wins, the other one has to take them out to eat,” she said. “It’s a win, win situation for both of us.”
“Yeah,” he said. “I haven’t decided where I want to eat yet.”
They will start watching the game together on TV. But then Amy will head to Atmore to ride in the truck pulling the Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleaders’ float in the Christmas parade. She’ll listen to the end of the game on a headphone radio.
“I’ll be the crazy woman in the truck screaming things out the window about ‘Roll Tide’,” she said.
Pictured above: Wayne “The Florida Fan” Holland and his wife Amy “Alabama” Holland.
Jingle Bells: Bratt Elementary Second Grade Presents Christmas Play
December 5, 2008
Bratt Elementary School’s second graders presented their Christmas play “A Place in the Christmas Choir” Thursday.
From a barked version of Jingle Bells to a swinging cat dance, the play told the story of a Christmas choir made up of elves, cats and dogs.
For a complete NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the play, click here.
The play was directed by music teacher Emily Pollard and featured the second grade classes of Genia Bashore, Tracy Foster and Ericka Nelson. Volunteers Jennifer Lehmann, Ashley Long, Stephanie Booth and Stephanie Berry also assisted with the production.
Students in the play were:
Elves: Gabbrielle Peebles, Delaney Reynolds, Kaitlin Berry, Radley Belanger, Titianna Williams, Janie Kite, Brandon Dean, Christian Heritage, Isaiah Thigpen, Aurora McCann, Madison Rainwater, Bailey Hayles, Catherine Casey, Gabrielle Kline, Allison Rice, Noah Moore, Jared Gibbs, Cody Comalander, Roger Dockens, Michael Ward
Dogs: Cameron Long, Larry Philyaw, Jordan Capps, Tanner Deese, Matthew Windham, Justin Powell, Dalton Brown, Jessey Reaves, Anthony Harrelson, Cameron White, Logan Chavers, Brandon Berry, Hadden Barlow, Isaak Armstrong, Justin Cruce
Cats: Shelby Bashore, Madison Sherouse, Reini Bodiker, Leia Godwin, Madison Nassar, Gia Singleton, Kayla Baggett, Danielle Stuckey, Samantha Roux, Meggan Brown, Ann-Margaret Boothe, Susannah Amerson, Lexxi Baggett, Aaliyah Tucker, Memory Peebles
Santa Claus: Zachary Hilton; Mrs. Claus: Lydia Smith; Happy: Henry Wiggins.
Pictured above and below: Scenes from the Bratt Elementary School second grade Christmas play Thursday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Pensacola’s Winterfest Celebration Stars Ernest Ward Student; Win Tickets From NorthEscambia.com
December 5, 2008
Winterfest is Pensacola’s favorite holiday celebration, and this year’s performance includes an Ernest Ward Middle School student in a starring role.
Angel Mitchell, 12, portrays the “hero girl” from the book “The Polar Express” in this year’s elaborate production. The Polar Express scene includes a large scale fiberglass train engine, accented by fog, steam and sound effects.
The Winterfest tours and performances light up downtown Pensacola from Historic Seville to the Palafox Business District. This year, there are six different exciting tours for the whole family, including a special Santa’s Express Tour that’s great for young children, and the flagship Performance Tour featuring 14 fun stops over 45 minutes with your favorite holiday characters.
All of the tours begin in Plaza Wonderland, a lovely historic park we fill with holiday cheer with photos with Santa Claus, tasty treats at the Gingerbread House, and rides on Santa’s Little Choo Choo.
NorthEscambia.com has joined in the promotion of Pensacola’s Winterfest, and we will have lots of tickets to give away. We will also have continuing coverage of Winterfest. To register to win tickets, click here.
For more information about Winterfest, visit pensacolawinterfest.org.
Pictured above: Santa Claus, gives a bell as a gift to Joe Minshew as “the boy” from the book The Polar Express at Pensacola’s Winterfest. Looking on are Bill Whalen as the conductor and Ernest Ward Middle School student Angel Mitchell as “hero girl”. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com.
Finalist Tony Ellis Misses State Award
December 5, 2008
Flomaton’s Tony Ellis was a finalist to be Alabama’s 2A back of the year, but the award went to the quarterback from Leroy High School.
The Alabama Sportswriters Association named Leroy quarterback Clint Mosley as the 2A back of the year. Mosley passed for more than 3,000 yards and 33 touchdowns during the Bears’ perfect 14-0 season.
Ellis was named a finalist for the award, thanks to at least 1,500 rushing yards per year for each of the last three years at Flomaton. Ellis, who is 5-fo-9, had over 5,000 rushing yards in his high school career with the Canes. The other 2A finalist for the back of the year was wide receiver Madrecas Hood of Pickens County High School.
The sportswriters group will still pick one of the players from their statewide list as Mr. Football on December 18.
Photos courtesy Mike Newton Photography.