Gardening In The Summer Heat
August 6, 2011
When the heat index is well over 100 degrees even avid gardeners are reluctant to work in the landscape. August is a difficult month on both gardeners and plants. So here are a few tips to help you and your garden survive the heat.
To ensure your bedding plants survive, use plants that love the heat. During hot, humid summers some bedding plants will suffer which will cause them to be routinely replaced. Bedding plants that tolerate this extreme weather include coleus, celosia, gaillardia, marigolds, nicotiana, pentas, portulaca, salvia and zinnia.
Don’t over fertilize your lawn. One of the three main ingredients in most fertilizers is nitrogen. Nitrogen makes plants green, but it also makes them grow, especially the lawn. If the lawn turns an off-green, yellow color in the summer, green it up with some iron. Like nitrogen, iron also greens up plants, but does not cause them to grow. Iron will make your lawn look healthy again and it will help to keep your mowing duties to a minimum.
Think about creating a shade garden. Not only do shade gardens provide us with cooler places to garden they also require less care, including less water and less fertilizer. For a list of shade loving landscape plants for North Florida, review an online UF/IFAS publication at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG252.
Mulch is a very important element in the landscape. By using an efficient amount of mulch (2-3 inches deep) in planting beds and around trees, it will reduce weed growth, prevent loss of water from the soil by evaporation and keep the soil cool under intense sunlight. Fewer weeds in the landscape results in less work outside in the hot weather.
Practice efficient irrigation. Some plants require more water than others. Getting the right amount of water to plants is critical. Too much or too less can affect their health. Too much water can lead to disease problems, particularly in lawns. Too little water will cause the plants to slow growth or decline. Usually normal summer rains are enough for most plants; however, if dry periods persist, then supplemental irrigation may be necessary.
Insects can be particularly problematic at this time of year. They’ve had all spring and summer to increase their numbers. Careful, regular scouting for insects is a must. And don’t wait to treat if a problem arises.
Take prompt action to keep the insects from damaging your plants excessively.
Don’t forget about your own comfort in this weather. Working outside in hot weather places extra stress on the body. Gardeners working outside may lose up to 2 quarts of water each hour. To prevent dehydration, drink water before, during and after working outside. Drink before you’re thirsty and drink cold liquids because they are absorbed by the body faster. If you choose liquids other than water, make sure they contain only a small amount of sugar, as it slows down liquid absorption by the body.
Work in your garden in the early morning or late afternoon when it is cooler and stay in shady areas as much as possible. Follow the shade in your landscape as the sun moves across the sky. Leave areas as they become sunny and move into areas as they become more shaded.
Since we will tend to work in the cooler early morning and evening hours, don’t forget to apply a mosquito repellent. Wear a hat, loose, comfortable clothing and use sun screen. Also, take frequent breaks and try not to stay outside in the heat for extended periods.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
WXBM Names Marty White’s New AM Partner
August 6, 2011
Radio station WXBM has selected Lindsey Marie Addison to partner with longtime local radio personality Marty White on “Your Hometown Morning Show”, anchoring the market leading radio station 102.7 WXBM.
Lindsey Marie, a graduate of Pace High School and the University of West Florida, was one of over two hundred applicants to try out as White’s partner.
“For almost two decades, ‘Your Hometown Morning Show’ has been the top morning show in Pensacola and with the addition of Lindsey Marie, we have no doubt that trend will continue. This is a rare opportunity and we couldn’t be happier to find someone in our own backyard to partner with Marty,” David Cobb, WXBM station manager said.
“I am overjoyed, and blessed to be joining the WXBM team,” Lindsey Marie said. “This has been a dream of mine for many years, and to finally see that dream being realized is amazing. I am humbled and so grateful for the support from my family, friends, and our listeners. I could not do this without you all, and I can not wait for you to wake up with Marty and me in the mornings!”
“I’ve been around a while and have worked with some talented people” said Marty White. “Lindsey Marie is talented, sharp, fun and she is real! She’s funny, too. Folks are gonna like her and they’ll like waking up with our show.”
The “Your Hometown Morning Show” airs from 6-10 a.m. each weekday on WXBM 102.7 FM.
MANNA Names New Executive Director
August 6, 2011
The board of directors of MANNA announced today that DeDe Flounlacker will join the organization on August 15 as their new executive director.
““DeDe will bring great experience and compassion to MANNA. She was the unanimous choice of the board,” said Brent Lane, board president.
Flounlacker brings over 25 years in non-profit and volunteer management to MANNA, including vice president of membership services for the Pensacola Area Chamber of Commerce and executive director of the Ronald McDonald House.
“Thanks to the amazing support of organizations, faith-based groups, businesses, individuals and volunteers in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, MANNA has been able to serve those in need for nearly 30 years,” Flounlacker said. “While thousands were helped last year through our services, we have seen an increase in demand for food this year and expect that demand to continue to grow. As demand grows, so will our organization by expanding our partnerships and collaborations with the public and private sectors.”
MANNA is a private, not-for-profit corporation dedicated to alleviating hunger in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties through Manna Pantries, Manna Food Gardens and Manna’s Volunteers and Providers.
Woman Pulls Gun At Atmore Business
August 5, 2011
An Atmore woman was arrested Friday morning after pulling a handgun at an Atmore business during an altercation.
The Atmore Police Department responded to the Cash Express in a shopping center Lindberg Avenue where two women were fighting on the sidewalk. 911 callers reported that one of the women had a gun.
When officers arrived about 9 a.m., the females were separated and the handgun secured.
According to witness statements, Quanette B. Crenshaw 31 of Atmore had driven to the Cash Express and confronted the victim with a handgun concerning a disagreement that had occurred the previous night. They began to fight, and an employee of the business disarmed Crenshaw, police said. No shots were fired.
Crenshaw was booked into the Atmore City Jail on charged of third degree assault and menacing.
Elena Rendell, 17, Now Held At Escambia Jail Charged As Adult
August 5, 2011
Elena Janelle Rendell, 17, is now being held in the Escambia County Jail as she awaits trial for killing her sister, 14-year old Christina Marie Sneary. She is charged as an adult with one count of manslaughter with a firearm with bond set at $300,000.
Rendell is accused of shooting Sneary in the neck Wednesday afternoon at a home in Ferry Pass after the two got into an argument over a cellphone. Rendell allegedly retrieved a 9 mm hangun from a high shelf before firing a single gunshot at Sneary. She then reportedly ran from the home, calling out to neighbors and telling them that her sister had been shot.
She was taken into custody at the scene by Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies and claimed that the shooting was accidental. She was first charged as a juvenile with aggravated battery and held overnight Wednesday in the Juvenile Detention Center. She was in custody as her sister died just before midnight Wednesday at Sacred Heart Hospital.
Rendell sat in her first juvenile court appearance unaware that Sneary had died. She was escorted out of the courtroom and informed that her sister was dead and that charges against her were upgraded.
At Rendell’s court hearing, her brother, Army Sgt. Jason Rendell, asked Circuit Judge Ross Goodman to release her into his custody. The request was denied by Goodman.
Rendell is due to appear in Escambia County Circuit Court on August 18.
Hungry Homeless Man Arrested For Stealing Food From Alabama Home
August 5, 2011
A homeless man was arrested late Thursday afternoon in Escambia County, Ala., after a woman came home to find him stealing food from her home.
The Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office said a resident of Ashcraft Lane, near Fountain Correctional, apparently interrupted the burglary in progress when she arrived home. The man, later identified as 53-year old Timothy Dueitt of Leakesville, Miss., was located after a manhunt involving numerous departments, a District Attorney’s Office helicopter, and K-9 units from Fountain Prison and the Escambia County (Fla.) Road Prison. Dueitt was taken into custody without incident.
Dueitt told deputies he was homeless and walking in the area when be became hungry. Deputies said he stole a variety of food items from home.
He was charged with first degree burglary, third degree theft of property and unlawful possession of brass knuckles.
Sister Murder: Community Paints A Picture Of A Troubled Shooter, Sweet And Shy Victim
August 5, 2011
Friends and those that knew sisters Elena Rendell and Christina Sneary were in shock Thursday to learn that Elena had been charged as an adult with manslaughter after shooting Christina in neck following an argument over a cell phone.
Most described the victim, 14-year old Christina as a shy, quiet girl. And they describe the shooter, 17-year old Elena, as a troubled young lady that battled her share of problems in life. Meanwhile, their mother, Troyce Sneary, spoke out angrily, saying she could not get the help her special needs daughters required.
Christina Marie Sneary, 14 — Shot and killed
Quiet. Shy. Sweet. Those were the words that were repeated over and over Thursday about Christina Sneary. She had just completed the eighth grade at Ernest Ward Middle School, where she made an impression on those that knew her, where she had received a “Most Improved” award, and where her friends at the lunch table called her “Cherry”.
Christina was, by all accounts, excited about the idea of moving on to become a Northview High School Chief next year.
“She was a nice girl, she seemed to be very quiet. She didn’t talk much unless you talked to her. She was looking forward to going to high school,” one of her middle school friends told NorthEscambia.com Thursday afternoon. They had first met in sixth grade at Ernest Ward. “I will miss her, she was a cool girl.”
Ernest Ward Principal Nancy Perry agreed as she remembered Christina.
“She was one sweet child. So sweet. So quiet. She was an excellent young lady that truly is going to be missed. She did not cause any trouble, no problems at all. She was a super young lady” Perry said.
“I’m going to miss Christina very much; I hope God watches over her and her family,” another classmate wrote. “She was a very nice and quiet girl. She’s gonna be very missed.”
Elena Rendell, 17 — Charged as an adult with manslaughter
Elena Janelle Rendell is facing 25 years to life in prison for the shooting death of her sister Christina Sneary. But according her high school friends and those that knew her, she was already a prisoner in her own different world.
Elena was also described as a quiet girl, but many described the anger they could see in her. And they saw a special needs girl that was bullied and mercilessly taunted by those around her at Northview High School and elsewhere in her young life.
“I knew Elena from our ROTC group at Northview, and she was a very sweet girl despite her disabilities and the ridicule she went through on nearly a daily basis. This really shows that verbal abuse can really change people and affect their behavior — not saying she shouldn’t be held responsible for what she did but it does play a role in the whole thing ultimately,” a fellow Northview student said.
“I used to live by them, and I know both of the girls. Elena was made fun of quite often, and I agree a person can only take so much. It’s nowhere near right what she did, but I feel bad for her and prayers go out to the whole family because this is a horrible thing for anybody to go through,” a former neighbor wrote on NorthEscambia.com.
“I remember seeing Elena walking down the hallway in school before I graduated. She was steaming and red in the face. I was unaware of what was going on until I saw a group of females chasing her while verbally abusing her. She tried to be the bigger person and walk away…the other females wouldn’t allow it. I could see her being taunted and picked on day by day because of her physical appearance,” a Northview graduate said. “Its too much emotional distress for one person especially if she is already suffering from a disorder.”
A young lady that once visited friends near Elena’s Molino home said “she was constantly made fun of and treated VERY badly. It’s no excuse, but some people can only take so much. Hopefully somebody can learn something from this. Don’t make fun of people because they are different.”
“Elana was a sweet child and very shy. I cannot help but believe she was bullied and ‘pushed over the edge’. It was a long time in coming. I have seen her taunted and picked on and watched her reactions. All I ever saw was sadness.,” a commenter wrote on NorthEscambia.com. “She was one of the saddest children I have ever known. Not one to ‘open up’ to allow anyone to see inside. She looked liked she needed emotional support, especially with all the taunting she got. Looking back, there were ‘cries for help’ that went unheeded possibly, because she could not voice them.”
Troyce Sneary — Mother
Troyce Sneary was raising Christina Sneary and Elena Rendell in a quiet Molino neighborhood until just recently. They lived in brick home that sits on just under three acres on Sunset View Lane, a quiet dirt road off Cedar Springs Road and Sunshine Hill Road. It’s not far from the The Leaning Post Ranch, a non-profit facility that, somewhat ironically, provides equine assisted activities to disabled individuals and at-risk youth.
Trocye Sneary made no secret of the fact she believed Elena Rendell had issues in life and needed help. Trocye was confused and angry Thursday as she spoke to a reporter from WEAR TV, saying that she had tried to get her daughter help.
“Her counselors knew about this, the anger problem,” she told the TV news crew from her new home on Kipling Street in Ferry Pass. “For years I’ve been trying to get help. Nobody would help me. So I moved here out of Molino so I could get help.”
“You think you can leave a 14-year old and a 17-year old home alone,” Troyce said. “The guns were put away. Don’t know how they got them.”
Trocye Sneary lost both of her daughters in a single gunshot on a hot summer afternoon — one to the grave and one to jail, perhaps for a very long time. Despite the murder, she’s supporting Elena.
“I love her; I’m standing behind her,” Troyce said.
…..
For an earlier story with more details about the murder, click here.
Christina Marie “Nellie” Sneary
August 5, 2011
Miss Christina Marie “Nellie” Sneary age 14 of Molino passed away Wednesday night, August 3, 2011, in a Pensacola hospital.
She was a native of Miami-Dade, FL, and a long time resident of Molino. Miss Sneary was of the Mormon faith and a graduate of Ernest Ward Middle School.
She is survived by her father and mother, Mike and Troyce Sneary of Pensacola; maternal grandparents William and Bessie Brantley of Brooklyn, Alabama; paternal grandparents LaVerna Michael Leach of Virginia Beach, Virginia; paternal grandfather Gary Sneary of Jackson, Mississippi, brother- Sgt. Jason (Linda Braswell) Rendell of Fort Campbell, Kentucky; sisters Brandi Sneary of Milton and Elena Rendell of Pensacola; and a number of cousins and other relatives.
Visitation will be held Monday August 8, 2011, from 6-8 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Brewton.
Funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday August 9, 2011, at 2 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with President Douglas Potter and Bro. Grover Hall officiating. Interment will follow in Dixonville Cemetery in Brewton at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing.
Ricky Dale Wood
August 5, 2011
Ricky Dale Wood, 37 of Milton passed away Thursday, August 04, 2011. He loved hunting, fishing and running dogs with his girls. He enjoyed coaching and spending time with his family.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Oscar & Bertha Wood and Hillary and Louise Thompson.
Ricky leaves to cherish his memories his father, Richard Wood; mother Linda Wood; two daughters, Mary Leighann Wood and Melissa Anne Wood; two brothers Richie Brian (Jeanie) Wood of Milton, Eric Shane (Kristina) Wood of Flomaton; two nieces, Montana Marie Wood and Leslie Nicole Wood; and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be at 2p.m. Sunday August 07, 2011, at Lewis Funeral Home, Milton Chapel. Burial will follow at Cora Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Saturday August 06, 2011, at Lewis Funeral Home, Milton Chapel.
Katie Ruth Norris Darby
August 5, 2011
Mrs. Katie Ruth Norris Darby, 62, passed away on Thursday, August 4, 2011, at a Pensacola hospital.
Mrs. Darby was a native and resident of Bratt for most of her life and she was the pianist for the Pine Barren Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her twin sister, Kitty, and her parents, Neva and Clarence Norris.
She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Ralph Darby of Bratt; her son, James and Shelley Darby of Louisville, KY; her mother and father, Raymond and Ruth Norris of Bratt; and five grandchildren, Amanda Darby, Keri Darby, Cody Darby, Dylan Williams and Austin Williams.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, August 7, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Mike Harper and the Rev. Kevin Stott officiating.
Burial will follow at Godwin Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Saturday, August 6, 2011, from 6-8 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home in Atmore.
Pallbearers will be Jerry McElhaney, Jimmy McElhaney, Josh McElhaney, Robert Stewart, Mickey Peterson and Michael Peterson.