Told That There Was No Hope, She’s Thankful To Be Alive Today
November 27, 2008
Rebecca Jones, 2, ran into the Century Branch Library Wednesday afternoon and hugged her Nana. It was a simple thing, but it’s those simple moments with her grandchildren that Nadine McCaw is so thankful for this Thanksgiving.
Rebecca is almost three. When she was born, it was grandchild number eight for Nadine and Eddie, her husband of 37 years. It was a happy time with a new life in the world. But within a matter of days, Nadine was told that her life was about to be over.
While visiting with Rebecca, Nadine got sick. Five doctors and two weeks later, she had been told five times that she was not likely to survive the invasive cervical cancer that doctors found. She even saw one of the top cancer doctors in the South at the University of Alabama Birmingham.
“All of them gave me really no hope,” she said. “The head doctor at UAB told me the same thing. He said that if I survived the surgery, I might have six months to live.”
Nadine knew the possibility of dying from cancer was very real. When Nadine was three, her mother died from cancer at age 21. Her brother-in-law died from colon cancer. The list of relatives in her family that died from cancer is a long one.
Her family, her friends, her church…they all prayed. And prayed.
Prayer worked.
“They got all of the cancer. It was all there together, and it had not spread,” Nadine said. “They were surprised. It was not in any lymph node; it was not anywhere.”
She went from doctors telling her she had six months to live, to being one of the most important words in the world of cancer — survivor.
“The Lord is the only one that got me through all of this,” she said. “When five doctors tell you that you don’t have a chance, it was only the prayers of people and the Lord.”
“I don’t know what I do without her,” daughter Felicia Jones (Rebecca’s mother) said. “She’s special to me.”
“I love you Nana,” Rebecca said. “I’m so happy to see you.”
Nadine smiled. “I’m so thankful to be here, she said.
Rebecca, along with brothers Jordan, 5, and Joshua, 8, are in town this weekend from Arab, Alabama, to spend time with the McCaws. Nadine’s other daughter, Juanita Watson, lives in the Washington, D.C. area with Nadine’s other five grandchildren — Eli, 3; Luke, 4; Casey, 6; Mari, 13; and Joseph, 14.
Nadine works at the Century Branch Library and is a Century Town Council member. She also does her part to help others with cancer. She’s an active part of the Century Relay for Life, working to raise funds for the Century Branch Library’s team and signing up survivors for the Survivor’s Lap, dinner and other recognition during the Century Relay. For more information on the Century Relay, or to register as a survivor, visit CenturyRelay.com.
Pictured above top: Cancer survivor Nadine McCaw gives hugs and kisses to her youngest granddaughter, Rebecca Jones, 2. Pictured above middle: Nadine helps three of her grandchildren with the computers at the Century Branch Library where she works. Pictured below (front, L-R): Rebecca, Joshua and Jordan Jones; and (back L-R): Nadine McCaw and her daughter Felicia Jones. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Thanksgiving Meals Provided For Three Area Families By Rotary Club
November 27, 2008
The Tri-City Rotary Club delivered Thanksgiving meals to three needy families in the area on Wednesday.
A deserving family was chosen in Century, Jay and Flomaton to receive the meals, which included a smoked turkey from Archie’s Catering Smokehouse in Molino and the Northview High School FFA. The club also provided each family with a variety of staple foods to help them with their grocery budgets.
“We picked three deserving families,” Bo Brantley, club president, said. “A member of each family is employed, but they have just fallen on hard times and needed a little help.”
The Century family included a mother and three children. Their house was destroyed by fire Monday night. The Jay family was a mother and four children, and the Flomaton family included a grandmother that is raising her two grandchildren.
Pictured above: Tri-City Rotary Club members (L-R) Don Ripley, Bo Brantley, Bill Cox, Terri Sanders and Dietrich Bondurant prepare food boxes Wednesday afternoon for needy families in Century, Flomaton and Jay. NorthEscambia.com photo.
FHP Out In Force For Holiday Weekend
November 27, 2008
The Thanksgiving holiday is a peak travel period for families joining together, but far too often the holiday celebration turns to tragedy because of failure to drive carefully and wear
seatbelts. Since Thanksgiving always produces a high volume of traffic, the Florida Highway Patrol will increase its presence on Florida roadways during the upcoming five-day holiday period. All sworn personnel on the patrol normally assigned to administrative duties will be reassigned to patrol duties on high volume roadways. In addition, Auxiliary and Reserve troopers will volunteer to assist regular troopers during the heightened holiday enforcement period.
“The Thanksgiving holidays are typically times of heavy traffic as people travel to spend time with their families, so we urge everyone driving on our highways during the holiday period to drive carefully,” said Colonel John Czernis, director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “Allow yourself plenty of time to reach your destination safely, drive sober and buckle up on each and every trip. The holidays are a time for celebration, but we cannot forget safety behind the wheel.”
The Florida Highway Patrol reminds motorists of Florida’s Move Over Law. The law requires motorists to move over when a patrol car, emergency vehicle or tow truck/wrecker is stopped on the side of the road with lights flashing. Motorists are required to change lanes away from authorized emergency vehicles if able to move over safely or slow down while maintaining a safe speed. Violators of the Move Over law will be issued a citation.
Motorists are encouraged to use their cellular telephones safely. FHP urges all drivers to call *FHP (*347) to report drunk or aggressive drivers. They can also use this number if their vehicle breaks down or they need assistance. Motorists needing immediate emergency services should dial 911.
The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles encourages anyone with a valid Florida driver license or identification card to go online to www.flhsmv.gov and enter their emergency contact information. This vital information gives law enforcement immediate access to this information in cases of an emergency, which makes it easier for them to contact a family member or friend.
Clerk Of The Courts Faces Financial Troubles
November 27, 2008
A budget shortfall is causing the Escambia Clerk of the Courts to ask employees to voluntarily take time off without pay and will layoff 20 part-time workers a few days before Christmas.
Clerk of the Court Ernie Lee Magaha has asked each of 196 employees to voluntarily take off one day without pay per month for the next ten months of the fiscal year. He’s also told the 20 part-time student employees that they will be laid off on December 19.
The clerk’s office says the budget problems stem from lower than anticipated fee revenue. A portion of that revenue drop comes from lower real estate transaction recording revenue.
Magaha will ask the Escambia County Commission for another $400,000 at their December 11 meeting to help the clerk’s office stay afloat. He’s also imposed a hiring and purchasing freeze in the department.
Children And Families Employees Use Can Art In Food Drive
November 27, 2008
The Department of Children and Families employees is serious when it comes to helping others. Employees in the Pensacola office carefully thought of an innovative way to encourage co-workers to give to their less fortunate neighbors during the holiday season. They were given an opportunity to participate in a Can Construction Art and
Giving Contest to help families in need of food and supplies.
“All of the art projects were wonderful and the amount of food collected reflects a generosity of our staff that reflects caring hearts,” said Patricia Franklin, Operations Manger. Canned goods and other non-perishable items are being donated to the following four local non profit organizations: Caring and Sharing, Act Ministries in Navarre, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, First Assembly of God Church in Crestview and Manna Food Bank.
“The economy is bad and people are loosing their jobs; they are hurting and may have to rely on other sources to help put food on the table. We are hopeful that this initiative helps local food banks replenish their pantries,” said Janice Thomas, Circuit Administrator.
In addition to this effort Circuit 1 ACCESS Florida staff decided to forgo having large holiday luncheons as they have done in past; instead they donated food.
Pictured above: Department of Children and Families can art with the word “Integrity”. Submitted photo.
Thanksgiving Holiday Closings, Trash Schedule
November 27, 2008
The following will be closed both Thursday and Friday in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday:
- All Century, Jay, Flomaton and Pensacola city offices
- Florida and Alabama state offices
- All West Florida Public Libraries, including the Century Branch Library
- UWF & PJC
- Santa Rosa County Schools
Escambia County Schools will be closed Thursday and Friday for Fall Break and Thanksgiving. All post offices will be closed Thursday, and there will be no ECAT bus service Thursday.
Allied Waste trash normally picked up on Thursday will be picked up on Friday, and Friday routes will be picked up on Saturday.
Falling Gas Prices Mean Cheaper Holiday Travel
November 26, 2008
Gas prices continue to fall slightly across North Escambia, making for cheaper holiday travel.
On Tuesday, the price for a gallon of regular unleaded was at $1.75 in Molino at two stations. Compared to $4 a gallon in July, that means a 600 mile round trip from Molino to Atlanta for Thanksgiving would be over $50 cheaper.
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in the Pensacola metro was $1.79 Tuesday. It was $3.04 a year ago. The lowest price in Escambia County Tuesday night was $1.69 at a couple of stations on New Warrington Road in Pensacola.
In Century Tuesday, that gallon of gas ranged from $1.89 to $1.92. In Davisville, it was $1.87, and it Atmore it was $1.89. In nearby Bay Minette, Alabama, one station was selling gas for $1.62 a gallon Tuesday afternoon.
The national average is down to $1.885, the lowest since February 2005.
AAA says 41 million Americans will hit the highways for a 50 plus mile trip over this four day weekend, down about a half million from a year ago.
Pictured above: A gallon of regular unleaded gas in Molino was at $1.75 on Tuesday. NorthEscambia.com photo.
Farm-City Week Recognizes Importance Of Agriculture
November 26, 2008
Before sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner, the Florida Farm Bureau would like everyone to remember that the meal they will enjoy is made possible by Farm-City partnerships.
National Farm-City Week, celebrated annually on the week leading to and ending on Thanksgiving Day, recognizes the importance of this cooperative network to the success of America’s agricultural industry.
The following was submitted by Dorthy Cunningham from the Escambia County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee.
As wise steward and innovative entrepreneurs, dedicated farmers and ranchers improve our well-being by working to ensure a healthy and abundant agricultural supply. To succeed in this important enterprise, our farmers rely on essential partnerships with urban communities to supply, sell and deliver finished products across the country and around the world. National Farm-City Week recognizes the importance of this cooperative network to the success of America’s agricultural industry.
Escambia County Farm Bureau and the Women’s Committee will be recognizing the importance of the connection and partnership that exists between rural farmers and urban residents. Escambia County Farm Bureau Federation believes that events and activities of Farm-City Week will created a greater awareness of the types and sizes of farms in our area. In a county as diverse and geographically divided as Escambia County, agricultural industries are not often at the forefront of the overall population’s attention. It is the intent of the Escambia County Women’s Committee to highlight the agricultural industries that contribute to the our county’s continued economic well-being and encourage consumers to support local agriculture.
Here in Escambia County, agricultural enterprises include forestry, cotton, peanuts, wheat, corn, fruits, vegetables, livestock, and dairy. Traditional row crop and livestock production utilizes more than 30,000 acres, while 250,000 acres are used to produce timber. Together, the value of agricultural, silvicultural, and livestock was worth more than 386 million by 2007 estimates. Our farmers are known for “going green”– local producers are true stewards of our land and want to keep the environment safe for future generations to farm and enjoy. Farm-City Week is the ideal time to get the good word out about farming.
National Farm-City Week strives to increase understanding, cooperation, and relationships between rural and urban residents. As this year’s commemoration again culminates on Thanksgiving, all Americans are encouraged to thank someone who helps make it possible for you and your family to enjoy the bounty of our food supply. It’s a partnership summed up best whether you are from the farm or the city as, “Let’s eat!”
Escambia County Farm Bureau Federation represents local agricultural interests. Its mission is to implement policies that are developed by members and provide programs that will improve economic well-being an quality of life for farmers and ranchers.
For more information about Farm-City Week and local activities, please contact Dot Cunningham at (850) 587-5553. For more information about local agriculture, contact Libbie Johnson at the UF IFAS Escambia County Extension Office at (850) 475-5230.
Pictured top (L-R): Jane Breaul, Martha Carpenter and Dorothy Cunningham from the Farm Bureau Women’s Committee; and Escambia Commissioner Kevin White with the proclamation of Farm-City Week in Escambia County. Pictured middle: Escambia Grain in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photo.
North Escambia Turkey Day
November 26, 2008
These turkeys were recently 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 will be spending 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 photos, click to enlarge.
Thanksgiving Dinner Cost Up This Year
November 26, 2008
Menu items for a classic Thanksgiving dinner including turkey, stuffing, cranberries, pumpkin pie and all the basic trimmings will cost just a bit more this year, but remain affordable, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.
AFBF’s 23rd 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 $44.61, a $2.35 price increase from last year’s average of $42.26.
“Throughout the year we’re fortunate to enjoy a bounty of foods produced in every state of our great nation,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “It’s especially appropriate as we gather at the Thanksgiving table to savor not only food and fellowship, but to take a moment to recognize that this blessing begins with our hard-working farm and ranch families.”
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 $19.09 or roughly $1.19 per pound, reflects an increase of 9 cents per pound, or a total of $1.46 per turkey compared to 2007. This is the largest contributor to the overall increase in the cost of the 2008 Thanksgiving dinner.
“Food prices rode the energy price roller coaster up during the first half of 2008, and as the year winds down, energy prices have moderated somewhat but food prices have not come down,” said Jim Sartwelle, an AFBF economist. “Despite that, the components of this classic Thanksgiving dinner cost less compared to 1988 when the effects of inflation are removed. Even at these slightly higher prices, the cost per person for this special meal remains lower than what Americans pay for most ‘value meals’ at fast-food outlets.”
Other items showing a price increase this year were: a 12-oz. package of brown-n-serve rolls, $2.20; a 12-oz. package of fresh cranberries, $2.46; a 30-oz. can of pumpkin pie mix, $2.34; two 9-inch pie shells, $2.26; a 14-oz. package of cubed bread stuffing, $2.57; a relish tray of carrots and celery, 82 cents; a half-pint of whipping cream, $1.70; a pound of green peas, $1.58; and three pounds of sweet potatoes, $3.12.
A combined group of miscellaneous items, including coffee and ingredients necessary to prepare the meal (onions, eggs, sugar, flour, evaporated milk and butter) dropped in price by 60 cents to $2.69. A gallon of whole milk dropped 10 cents to $3.78.
Sartwelle said despite recent retail price increases, American consumers have enjoyed relatively stable food costs over the years, particularly when adjusted for inflation. This year’s average cost of $44.61 is equivalent to $20.65 in 20-year inflation-adjusted dollars. The real dollar cost of the Thanksgiving dinner has declined more than 8 percent since 1988, according to Sartwelle.
The 6-percent increase in national average cost reported this year by Farm Bureau for a classic Thanksgiving dinner tracks closely with the organization’s quarterly marketbasket food surveysand the federal government’s Consumer Price Index , Sartwelle noted.
Farm Bureau volunteer shoppers are asked to look for the best possible prices, without taking advantage of special promotional coupons or purchase deals, such as spending $50 and receiving a free turkey. Shoppers with an eye for bargains in all areas of the country should be able to purchase individual menu items at prices comparable to the Farm Bureau survey averages. Another option for busy families without a lot of time to cook is ready-to-eat Thanksgiving meals for up to 10 people, with all the trimmings, which are available at many supermarkets and take-out restaurants for around $50 to $75.
The AFBF survey was first conducted in 1986. While Farm Bureau does not make any statistical claims about the data, it is an informal gauge of price trends around the nation.
A total of 179 volunteer shoppers from 38 states participated in this year’s survey. Farm Bureau’s survey menu has remained unchanged since 1986 to allow for consistent price comparisons.