Walnut Hill: Unity In The Community Summer Fest
July 17, 2010
There will be a Unity In the Community Summer Fest beginning at 10 a.m. today at the Walnut Hill Community Center on Highway 97.
There will be vendors, games and activities for the children and more.
“We are anticipating a fun day for Walnut Hill and surrounding areas,” said organizer Chandra Fountain. “Everyone is welcome to come out and enjoy.”
Atmore All-Stars In State Babe Ruth Tourney
July 17, 2010
The Atmore Babe Ruth All-Stars will take part in the 2010 Alabama State 13-year old Babe Ruth Tournament beginning today in Demopolis.
The team is comprised of players from both Atmore and the North Escambia areas. The first game will have Atmore’s All-Stars facing Huntsville at the Demopolis Sportplex. The tournament continues through Tuesday.
Pictured: Members of the 13-year old Atmore Babe Ruth All-Stars are: (front L-R) Tanner Smith, Coby Smith, Gage White, Brodie Amos, Billy Powell, Devontae Stephens, (middle) Trey Weeks, Tristan McAnally, Aaron McDonald, Dalton Daniel, Nate Smith, Trey McGhee (back) Coach Jody Dortch, Coach Tommy Smith and Manager Tim McAnally. Submitted photo for NorthEcambia.com, click to enlarge.
Three Injured In Cantonment Crash
July 17, 2010
At least three people were injured in a two vehicle collision Friday evening in Cantonment. The accident happened about 6:30 p.m. near the intersection of Highway 95A and Neal Road. The accident is still under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details were not available. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
The Hendersons At Area Churches Sunday
July 17, 2010
Southern gospel group The Hendersons will be in the North Escambia area this weekend as they welcome their newest member, Brad Adkinson of Flomaton.
Concerts will be:
- Sunday, July 18 at 10:30 a.m. at Victory Assembly of God in Molino
- Sunday, July 18 at 6:00 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church in Allentown
The Hendersons, a family singing ministry since the fall of 1989, perform primarily traditional and southern gospel style music. Members are Lydia Henderson, Sonny Henderson and Brad Adkinson. During this weekend’s concerts The Hendersons will include selections from their new recording, in addition to favorites of those who attend their concerts.
No admission will be charged for any of the concerts, but a love offering may be received.
NWE Football Registration Continues Today
July 17, 2010
Registration will take place today for Northwest Escambia football in Walnut Hill.
Registration will continue each Saturday in July at Ernest Ward Middle School from 10 a.m. until noon.
The cost is $70 for the first child, $35 for the second child and free for additional children in the same family. Teams are available for children 5 to 13 years old. Birth certificates and social security cards are needed for each child for registration.
How To Pick That Perfect Summer Watermelon
July 17, 2010
One of the best ways to celebrate summer is to enjoy sweet, ripe watermelons. But knowing when to harvest or buying the best one is not always an easy chore. Of all the hard-to-choose fruits, watermelon is one of the toughest to select. The hard rind of a watermelon can be up to an inch thick and doesn’t soften as it ripens. It’s green when ripe and green when unripe. So, how do you select a juicy, sweet watermelon?
Your best bet is to grow your own or buy local and “in season”, through mid-July. Collin Adcock, Extension Agent in Washington County, provides us some tips on how to know when to harvest watermelons from your garden.
Choosing a ripe watermelon from the field or garden can be much easier than choosing a ripe one in the store. The ability to recognize a ripe melon comes from years of experience and careful observation. In the garden there are several clues to help determine the ripeness of a melon that one does not always have in the store.
Most people rely on four methods of determining melon ripeness in the field.
First, look at the tendril or “pigtail” closest to the melon. When this tendril turns brown and dries out, it is a good sign that the melon is ripe.
Next, look at the bottom of the melon where it lays on the ground. When this area, sometimes referred to as the “color spot”, turns from white to a light yellow, there is a good chance the watermelon is ripe.
Then look at the rind. When the rind becomes rough to the touch and turns from a more shiny color to a more dull color and is resistant to penetration by the thumbnail it is a sign of melon ripeness.
The last method is the thump test. This is done by thumping the top of the melon. If the watermelon has a dull thud when thumped, it is very possible the melon is ripe. Unripe melons will usually have a tighter, ringing or hollow sound. Be careful when using this test because it is not always reliable. Watermelons do not always give off a dull thud when ripe. For some watermelons a dull thud may indicate an over-ripe melon.
Only a melon’s taste can provide definitive proof as to its ripeness. A foolproof approach is to cut open several melons that appear to be ripe (based on the above methods), and then taste all of the melons and decide which one has the best taste. After locating the best tasting watermelon note the condition of the closest tendril, the color spot, how the thump sounds, and the shine of the rind along with melon size. Harvest all those that have similar characteristics.
When buying a watermelon, you should look for “a firm, symmetrical watermelon that is free of bruises, cuts or dents” according to the National Watermelon Promotion Board.
When you see a nice-looking watermelon, pick it up and feel its heft; then pick up a few others of similar size to compare. At 92 percent water, a good melon should feel heavy for its size.
How do you know a watermelon ripened on the vine? Easy, turn the melon over and check for a creamy yellow spot. That’s a sign that the watermelon sat on the ground and in the sun to ripen. The yellow spot is the only place the sun didn’t hit.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Firefighters, Facebook Group Fighting To Keep Park Open
July 17, 2010
Citizens across the area are lining up online and an Alabama firefighter’s groups is organizing a meeting Monday, to support Little River State Forest.
Little River, formerly known as Claude D. Kelley State Park, is located north of Atmore along Highway 21 on the Escambia -Monroe county line. It includes about 2,100 acres of longleaf pine forest with fishing on a 25-acre lake, hiking, swimming and camping.
The Alabama Forestry Commission, which manages the park, has announced that it will close September 30 due to a $5 million shortfall in the department’s overall budget.
That closure announcement led to public outcry, including a Facebook page “Keep Little River Park open”, which boasted almost 1,750 members as of early Saturday morning. And now, the Alabama Association of Volunteer Fire Departments (AAVFD) has joined the fight, announcing a public meeting Monday in Monroeville.
The AAVFD and the Alabama Forestry Commission’s public meeting will be held at 5 p.m. Monday at the Monroeville Water Tower and Conference Center on East Claiborne Street. The area’s legislative delegation has also been invited to the meeting.
On the Facebook page, person after person has shared their memories of the park as well as photos. Here are a few posts:
- Winnie Nichols: Closing Little State Park would be destroying memories yet to be created. I would love for my great grand-children to be able to visit, enjoy and learn to love nature so abundant in this park. To allow it to close would be destroying a living treasure which we so cherish and really need in lower Alabama. Please find a way to keep it open.
- Alisha Linam: My grandparents got engaged while parked in the spillway one full moon night back in 1950 and I have many fond memories of childhood Saturday afternoons spent there. It would be a tragedy if it is closed.
- Mary Wood: Keep Little River Park open, there are too many memories there to just let it go.
- Patty Helton Davis: I cannot imagine this park closing. It is hard to believe that cannot come up with travel trailer park or something to raise additional cash. They do it at George Stone Park on Highway 4
To visit the “Keep Little River State Park open” Facebook page, click here.
John Emmett Conn, Jr.
July 16, 2010
Mr. John Emmett Conn, Jr., 89, passed away on Thursday, July 15, 2010 at a Mobile, AL hospital.
Mr. Conn was a native of Clarke County, AL, a longtime resident of Canoe, AL, a graduate of Indiana Technical University, and served as a Navy Seabee in the WWII Pacific Theatre. He owned and operated the Conn Construction Company and the Conn Engineering Company , he served as a longtime board member of United Bank and attended the Church of Christ.
Preceded in death by his Parents, John E. and Alma Conn, Sr., and four Siblings, Sarah Nell White, Laura Sharplen, Margaret Tyree, and Harold Conn. Survivors include: his Wife of 64 years, Carolyn Hall Conn of Canoe, AL; and other relatives.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 17, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Minister Norman Newberry officiating. Burial will follow at the Hall Family Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Friday, July 16, 2010 between 6:00 and 8:00 P.M .at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Escambia Academy, 268 Cowpen Creek Road, Atmore, AL 36502.
Franklin “Billy” Wilson
July 16, 2010
Franklin “Billy” Wilson of Molino passed away Wednesday, July 14, 2010.
He was a veteran of the U. S. Army and retired as a Sergeant First Class after a long and dedicated career. After retirement, he settled in his home town of Molino to farm and spend time with family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Pamela K. Wilson; one sister, Lillie (Andy) Anderson; one stepsister, Barbara J. (Dennis) Edmondson; stepson, Chris (Sheila) Colvin; stepdaughter, Charmaine Hays; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 19, 2010 at Pensacola Memorial Gardens Funeral Home until services begin at 12:00 noon with Reverend Brian Calhoun officiating.
Interment, with military honors, will follow at 1:15 p.m. at Barrancas National Cemetery.
Norma I. Yerg
July 16, 2010
Norma I. Yerg, 79, passed away on Tuesday, July 13, 2010. We lost a wonderful mother and wife. Norma would have been 80 at the end of July. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Grover and Elsie Davis; brother, J. W. Davis; sister, Travis Mandel and mother-in-law, Mary Yerg.
She leaves behind her husband of 61 years, Stephen M. Yerg, Jr.; four children, Stevie (Blieka) Yerg, Phillip (Jodie) Yerg, Keith Yerg and daughter, Stephanie (Greg) Carlisle; two granddaughters, Brittany Yerg and Alicia Yerg; one great-grandson Michael Butler; three sisters, Louise, Gurvis, and Marie.
Funeral services will be at 2:30 P.M. on Saturday, July 17, 2010 at Pensacola Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home. Visitation will begin at 1:30 P.M. until service time .
The family would like to thank the nurses and doctors at Covenant Hospice for their care and support. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Covenant Hospice in Norma’s memory.