1959-2009: Molino Homemakers Celebrate 50 Years
December 3, 2009
In December of 1959, June Cleaver was the perfect homemaker on the Leave It to Beaver television series. In Molino, a group of homemakers began to gather in December 1959 to learn more about becoming better homemakers. And the group they formed, the Molino Homemakers Club, is still going strong.
On Wednesday, members of the Molino Homemakers Club gathered to celebrate the club’s 50th anniversary.
“They saw a need for an organization to teach them, make them better homemakers and let them meet their neighbors,” current Molino Homemakers President Nancy Holland (pictured left) said. She was a young wife and mother of a newborn and an 18-month old when she joined the group in the early 1970’s. She and her husband had just moved to Molino, and she was looking to meet other women in the community and learn more about being a good homemaker.
There have been a lot of lessons learned and a lot of friends made during club meetings that focus on everything from canning, to cooking, to sewing to anything Martha Stewart. Often, generations of homemakers from a family have been members of the group.
Today, club members range in age from their 40’s to their 80’s. Young wives and young homemakers are conspicuously absent from the group. Holland admits that the June Cleaver traditional homemaker is a dying breed in today’s world.
“So many of the young women work now,” she said. “And those that aren’t working are busy with small kids and so much else. Maybe if we taught more microwave cooking…”
Wednesday’s 50th anniversary meeting started as all other meetings — not with the tap of a gavel, but with the tap of a large spoon.
After quick business meeting — including a reminder that dues of just $5 per year were to be paid in January – it was time for show and tell.
One member displayed a newly finished quilt for the other ladies. We won’t share her name because the quilt will be a Christmas gift, and we don’t want to spoil the surprise.
“I spent about seven hours working on that edge,” she said, admitting that she did stop a few times to see a couple of “important” things on television as she worked on the quilt.
Another member displayed a large cross stitch design that she had just finished. She explained that her design included cross, stem and back stitches. It’s a sewing art form that is becoming rarer today.
“You can’t hardly find the patterns any more in the stores,” she said. “They just quit carrying them.”
Following the show and tell session, the women of the Molino Homemakers Club held a cookie exchange. It’s simple concept — bake a few dozen cookies to share and go home with samples of each cookie baked by other members.
Sharing is, and always has been, part of the group, Holland said. “Club members are always here for each other.”
The Molino Homemakers Club started with a meeting in the home of Lillie Miller in December 1959, a meeting organized by Ethel Atkinson from the Escambia County Extension Service. Charter members included: Elsie Enfinger, Sara Gibbs Rikard, Margaret Helms, Mary Louise Lackey, Lillie Miller Stock, Olene Robinson, Rathma Saunders and Anne Vidak.
Sara Gibbs was elected president and meetings took place monthly in a member’s home. Miller and Vidak were hostesses of the first meeting. with Atkinson presenting a program each month. Just as today, lunch was prepared by the members and served after each meeting. The first December 1959 meal included potato salad, Waverly wafers, homemade pickles, wedding cookies and tea.
Each quarter, the club president and a delegate would attend a County Extension Council workshop and then return to the club to share the information. Countless projects and countless lessons were held over the five decades of the club. Club members would enter the results of their new found skills in the county fair — items like handmade quilts, crocheting, knitting, crafts and canning. Many ribbons and a little prize money would always return to the club from the fair.
Today, the 30 or so members of the Molino Homemakers Club has outgrown those home meetings, holding each monthly meeting on the first Wednesday of the month at 10 a.m. at the Molino First Assembly Church. Two charter members, Sara Gibbs Rikard and Mary Louise Lackey, still attend club meetings.
“Though faces have changed, the Homemakers continue to enjoy the friendship, devotions, programs and always a good lunch following the meeting,” said club member Terri Brown. “Our purpose is to be an instrument to others for the art involved in learning crafts, homemaking skills, areas of concern within our community, the state and the world. We continue to share our talents and wisdom to the next generation of homemakers.”
Pictured top: Members of the Molino Homemakers Club: (top, L-R) Olene Carraway, Jana Peaden, Frances Cheney, Elizabeth Barlow, Barbara Jones, Carol Carter, Dot Halstead, (second row) Millie Brantley, Annie Smith, Mary Beauchamp, Shirley Clayton, Kelly Connell, Tara Turnipseed, Barbara Hendrix, Becky Dorch, (third row) Terri Brown, Mary Jernigan, Ann Philen, Melba Lamb, Ruth Miller, Carolyn Peterson, Penni Summers, (sitting) Mary Louise Lackey, Lucile Whitegon, Linda Cmehil, Elsie Perry and Nancy Holland. Pictured top inset: Club President Nancy Holland. Pictured middle inset: Olene Carraway picks the perfect cookies during the club’s cookie exchange. Pictured bottom inset: Cupcake pin cushions that were given to each member. Pictured below: Wednesday’s 50th anniversary meeting of the Molino Homemaker’s Club. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Storms Down Trees, Overturn Trailer, Cause Flooding
December 3, 2009
Storms that roared through the area Wednesday left some damage.
In Cantonment, a tree fell onto a garage on in the 2000 block of Country Place Circle. The tree damaged the roof over the garage, and it caused cracks to appear in walls of he home.
On Kinzie Lane in Enon, the wind flipped an unanchored trailer upside down. The 50-foot trailer was an old office that Mark Pitts was turning into a fish camp home. The trailer came to rest on its roof, stopped by a set of monkey bars (pictured left).
“It is amazing that our home is less than 25 feet from this and the things around it that were untouched,” Pitts said. “I never expected this out of a thunderstorm.”
Residents from areas that include Molino, Walnut Hill, Canoe and Bratt contacted NorthEscambia.com to report other impacts from the storm that included downed trees, damaged lawn furniture and other minor damage. Many residents lost power, with Gulf Power reporting as many as 8,000 Escambia County residents without power early Wednesday morning.
Numerous roads across the area were reported flooded. Flooding shut down Highway 29 at Kingsfield Road for several hours. Water covered the roadway and even caused some of the lumber at Pensacola Salvage to float away.
ECAT Drivers Delay Strike
December 3, 2009
ECAT bus drivers won’t go on strike until next week at the earliest.
Escambia County Area Transit drivers voted last week to strike. After a full meeting of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1395, the union voted to meet again with Veolia Transportation, the private company that runs ECAT for the county.
That second meeting will take place today. If the union and Veolia can’t reach an agreement, the union is expected vote to strike next Tuesday.
The issue is a 4.5 percent pay raise that the transportation union says is guaranteed in their contracts. But Escambia County won’t pony up the $225,000 citing a lack of funds. The bus drivers voluntarily agreed in 2007 to skip raises on the promise of the 4.5 percent pay increase this year.
Government employees are forbidden to strike in Florida, but since the bus drivers are employees of Veolia, a private company, they are allowed by law to go on strike.
ECAT runs one route in North Escambia, with six-day a week bus service to and from Pensacola, Cantonment, Molino and Century.
PER Rescues Two Horses
December 3, 2009
Two horses have been rescued in the Cantonment area. Little Richard and Scam, both former race horses, are now in the care of Panhandle Equine Rescue after being neglected and malnourished by their most recent owners.
“We are so happy that we could get them out of a bad situation before the temperatures dropped,” said PER President Diane Lowery. “They have a dry shelter and plenty to eat now. Their days of neglect are over.”
PER needs donations to pay for their medical and feed expenses, Lowery said. For more information, visit www.panhandleequinerescue.org.
Pictured above: Rescued horses Scam (left) and Little Richard. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tickets Still Available: Dancing With The Stars Event Tonight
December 3, 2009
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office along with The Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Pensacola will be presenting “Dance Your Heart Out,” an evening of dancing entertainment tonight at 7:00 at the Pensacola Little Theatre.
“Dance Your Heart Out” will benefit The American Heart Association and feature stars from ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” Fabian, Alec Mazo and Edyta Sliwinkska. Local “celebrity” performers will include Crystal Spencer, Dr. Kevin Welch, David Stafford, Carol Carlan, Sgt. Ted Roy, Sena Maddison, Dr. Anita Westaford, Deputy Mike Gray, Deputy Steve Percell and Fran Kahler-Ropp along with dancers from the Fred Astaire Dance Studio.
Tickets start at $25 and are available from the Pensacola Little Theatre Box Office at (850) 432-2042. VIP tickets are also available which include front section seats and invitations to the VIP party afterwards. For more information concerning Dance Your Heart Out contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9207 or (850) 436-9277.
Lillie Gaynell Killam
December 2, 2009
Lillie Gaynell Killam, a resident of Century, Fla., since 1950, died Saturday at a hospital in Jay, Fla. She was 84.
Miss Killam was a native of Escambia County, Fla. and a former resident of Pensacola.
She was a member of Byrneville United Methodist Church.
Survivors include several cousins.
Visitation will be Thursday from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. funeral at Byrneville United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the church cemetery in Byrneville, Fla. Flomaton Brown Service Funeral Home in Flomaton is handling arrangements.
Have Storm Damage? State Opens Hotline
December 2, 2009
Florida CFO Alex Sink announced today that she is activating her Department of Financial Services’ Storm Line, 1-800-22-STORM, to assist Floridians if their homes, businesses or vehicles are damaged by the severe weather than passed through the area.
“Our Consumer Helpline staff will be ready to help Floridians with any insurance questions or claims, so they can get back on their feet quickly,” said CFO Sink.
CFO Sink’s Storm Line experts are available from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST. General insurance information is available online at www.MyFloridaCFO.com. CFO Sink offered the following advice to Floridians who may suffer property or vehicle damage:
- Make emergency repairs to protect from further damage, and document the damage and repairs in writing, with receipts and photos.
- Immediately report property damage to your insurance agent and company.
- Gather copies of your household inventory and other documentation, including photos. This will assist the adjuster in assessing the value of the destroyed property.
- If you must leave your home because of the damage, give your temporary forwarding address and phone number to your insurance agent or insurance company.
- Beware of fly-by-night repair businesses and hire licensed and reputable service people. If considering the assistance of a public insurance adjuster, verify that they are licensed by calling the Storm Line.
- Understand how much a public insurance adjuster is charging and what services are included before signing any contract.
More information regarding disaster-related insurance topics is available on the Department’s Disaster Response page at www.MyFloridaCFO.com/Consumers/Storm. Consumers looking for tips on the rebuilding process, including storm-resistant construction and materials, should visit www.MySafeFloridaHome.com.
Cold Nights, Cool Days, And More Rain
December 2, 2009
Several cool days and cold nights are in store after a cold front passed through North Escambia.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 54. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Friday Night: Rain likely, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. North wind between 5 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Saturday: A 40 percent chance of rain before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. North wind between 5 and 15 mph.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. North wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. North wind around 5 mph becoming east.
- Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. East wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63.
- Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44.
- Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66.
- Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52.
- Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 68.
Speeding Lands Century Man In Jail For Previous Traffic Crash
December 2, 2009
Speeding last week on Highway 29 landed a Century man in jail on an outstanding warrant from a previous traffic crash.
Alejandro J. Mondaca-Romeros, 27, Century, was arrested Thanksgiving Day by the Florida Highway Patrol in connection with a July 3 accident in Davisville. Mondaca-Romeros was traveling south on Greenland Road approaching Dortch Road at 2:04 a.m. when he lost control and overturned his 2002 Chevrolet, according to the FHP. He then fled the scene before troopers arrived. A passenger in the vehicle, Jamie A. Moddaca, 42, of Century, was treated for minor injuries at Atmore Community Hospital.
On Thanksgiving Day, Mondaca-Romeros was stopped by FHP Cpl. Brian Davis on Highway 29 for driving 83 mph in a 55 mph zone. Mondaca-Romeros was arrested on an outstanding felony warrant for leaving the scene of an accident involving injury. He was also charged with speeding, no insurance and driving with an expired tag. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail where he was released on $10,000 bond. He is due back in court on December 17.
Your Money: Rate Increase For Gulf Power Customers
December 2, 2009
Gulf Power customers will see an increase in their 2010 electric rates after the Florida Public Service Commission approved a rate increase Tuesday morning.
Beginning in January, Gulf power customers will see a 1.5 percent increase on their electric bill as compared to January 2009.
“At the beginning of 2009, the average home using 1,000 kilowatt hours would have cost $124.10,” said Sandy Sims, Gulf Power public affairs manager, “and at the beginning of 2010 the same amount of electricity will cost $126.17. We realize that’s not insignificant in these economic times, but these environmental upgrades are necessary to continue to meet and exceed the state’s stringent environmental laws.”
About two years ago, that same 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity was $70.29. A series of rate increases over the past two years were approved by the PSC due to rising fuel costs.
The most recent 1.5 percent increase, offset by lower fuel and purchased power costs during the year, is due primarily to a new $500 million scrubber system at the Crist Plant in Pensacola that is designed to reduce emissions upwards of 90 percent.
“Since ’92, Gulf Power has reduced regulated emissions from Plant Crist by 75 percent,” said Sims. “This new scrubber technology, scheduled to come online on December 15, reduces regulated emissions almost 95 percent from those 1992 levels. This means cleaner air for everyone.”
Beginning in 2010, the new scrubber system — Gulf Power’s most significant environmental project ever — will be operational at Plant Crist. This project also allows the company to use all of the treated wastewater from the new ECUA plant, creating a zero discharge wastewater treatment facility and helping to improve the area waterways.
The costs associated with the environmental controls were offset by a reduction of approximately 6.5 percent in the cost of fuel and purchased power costs during the year and the removal of a $2.57 storm surcharge.
The Florida Public Service Commission adjusts Gulf Power’s rates each year based on the costs of fuel, power bought from other utilities and environmental compliance. These filings are a requirement of the FPSC, which held the final public hearings on December 1.