Blood Drive Today In McDavid, Next Week At IP
November 26, 2011
Area residents can give the gift of life today in McDavid or International Paper employees can donate blood on Wednesday.
The Northwest Florida Bloodmobile will be at the McDavid Mini Mart near the corner of Highway 29 and Highway 164 today from noon until 4:30 p.m. The Bloodmobile will also be at International Paper in Cantonment from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Wednesday.
Creative Gardening Gift Ideas
November 26, 2011
Still don’t have a Christmas present for your favorite gardener? Take heart, there is still plenty of time to find, or make, that perfect “green” gift.
Many gardeners don’t think of their landscapes as just plants in the ground. To the knowledgeable landscape designer, the landscape is a series of rooms; rooms that may require decoration.
Garden art can be anything from the whimsical garden gnomes, functional obelisks or metal sculptures.
Garden obelisks can serve many functions. In addition to providing interest during all four seasons, they can act as beautiful focal points in the garden. They can make your garden look as if it was designed by a professional.
In a flower garden, they provide support for plants such as climbing roses, flowering vines and many other climbers and twiners. In the edible garden, many types of fruits and vegetables, such as various types of beans, can be grown on obelisks.
Obelisks come in many different sizes and shapes. Common shapes include tall, rounded or oblong forms, rectangular forms, and pyramids. Most vining plants will take to any shape. Choose the shape that is pleasing to you and blends in with your garden design. Obelisks can be made from a variety of materials including cedar, copper and wrought iron.
Furthermore, if you are an avid recycler, there are plenty of materials just laying around that can be made into a functional obelisk with a minimum amount of skill and time. Take a look on the internet and you will find plenty of help in fashioning a home-made creation.
A “growing” trend is metal garden art. Metal garden art can be fun, playful or even classical. It can be used to create a focal point in the garden or to brighten up a dull spot. From small garden stakes, to colorful wall art, to sculptures small and large, the possibilities are endless. With so many materials to choose from and so many artists working in the field you will be sure to find at least one piece to add color and character to your yard.
Again, if you are an avid recycler, you will be able to find many pieces made from recycled metal. Recycled steel drums or tanks, discarded bicycle or tricycles, old car parts, these all provide the raw materials for the creative eco-artist.
Copper is widely used in metal garden art because it is beautiful, durable and adds elegance to any garden. If allowed to oxidize it will age gracefully to a natural weather worn green patina. It can also be preserved with a clear coating to maintain its bright, shiny look. Copper sculptures, wall art and garden stakes add a touch of class to any decor.
For a classic look add a bronze garden sculpture. Bronze sculptures have been around for thousands of years. They remain popular today because they are classic, timeless and will last for generations.
Whatever your taste, classic, contemporary or just playful, garden art will warm your heart even on the coldest winter day.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Northview Cheerleaders, Band And Dance Team
November 26, 2011
The Northview Chiefs defeated Freeport Friday night for a regional championship.
- For a photo gallery with the cheerleaders, click here.
- For a photo gallery with the band and dance team, click here.
- For a photo gallery with action from the game, click here.
For a game summary, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In Hwy 97 Crash
November 25, 2011
There were no injuries in a single vehicle wreck Friday afternoon in Walnut Hill.
The driver of Chevrolet 1500 lost control while attempted to avoid a vehicle stopped from traffic at Highway 97 and Orchard Lane about 1 p.m. The female left the roadway, traveled through thick brush and struck a tree. She denied injury and refused treatment when the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue arrived on scene.
The woman, whose positive identity was not immediately known, left the scene before the Florida Highway Patrol arrived. The FHP is continuing to investigate the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Reader Photos: Black Friday Sales
November 25, 2011
Retailers got an early jump on the traditional Black Friday sales, with many stores opening their doors Thursday night.
Lots of North Escambia area residents hit the stores Thursday night and Friday morning, and they have shared their photos with us.
If you have shopping photos to share, email them to news@northescambia.com or share them on this Facebook page.
Pictured top: Charla Starkk, Savannah Singleton and Brandy Gifford wait in line to buy an item Thursday night at Walmart in Ensley. Pictured below: The line stretched past Publix Thursday night for the Black Friday deals at Toys R Us in Pensacola (from Amy Lambeth). Pictured inset: Crowds wait for $19.95 sheets at the Pace Walmart Thursday night. Pictured bottom: Shopping 10pm specials at the Tanger Outlet in Foley Thursday night. Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Rainy Weather In Store
November 25, 2011
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. Southeast wind between 5 and 15 mph.
- Saturday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 58. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
- Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 67. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Southwest wind around 10 mph.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. West wind around 10 mph.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. West wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38. North wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 62.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.
Christmas Parades: Jay Saturday, Many More To Come
November 25, 2011
The Jay Christmas Parade on Saturday will kick off about a dozen parades in the North Escambia area this Christmas season. Here is a complete look at area parades:
Nov. 26 – Jay Christmas Parade
The annual Jay Christmas parade begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, November 26. Lineup is at Bray-Hendricks Park at 9 a.m. Parade will travel from the park, along Highway 4 and through the business district.
Dec. 3 — Flomaton Christmas Parade
The Flomaton Christmas Parade will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 3.
Dec. 3 — Milton Christmas Parade
The Milton Christmas Parade will be Saturday, December 3 at 6 p.m.
Dec. 3 — Pace Christmas Parade
The Pace Christmas Parade will be Saturday, December 3 at 1 p.m.
Dec. 9 — Poarch Creek Parade
The Poarch Creek Indian Christmas Parade will be at 5:30 p.m. Friday, December 9 on the reservation north of Atmore. Departs from the gym and ends at the health department.
Dec. 10 — Molino Christmas Parade
The annual Molino Christmas Parade on Crabtree Church Road will be Saturday, December 10 at 1 p.m. Ends with Santa Claus at the Molino Ballpark. To enter the parade, stop by Fran’s Diner on Highway 29 for information and to sign up.
Dec. 10 — Pensacola Christmas Parade
The Pensacola Christmas Parade will be held at 5:15 p.m. on Saturday, December 10 in downtown Pensacola. Featuring local bands and the Blue Angels.
Dec. 10 — Atmore Twilight Christmas Parade
This year’s Atmore Twilight Christmas Parade, with the theme “A Christmas Gift”, will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 10.
Dec. 10 — Chumuckla Redneck Parade
The Chumuckla Redneck Parade through “downtown” Chumuckla will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 10. Bonfire Jam concert to follow.
Dec. 10 — Brewton Christmas Parade
The Brewton Christmas Parade will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 10.
Dec. 10 — Milton Riverwalk Boat Parade
The Milton Riverwalk Boat Parade will be Saturday, December 10 at 7 p.m. at the Riverwalk.
FDOT, ALDOT Road Construction Projects Suspended Until Monday
November 25, 2011
Both the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) have directed construction contractors working on state roads to cease operations through the weekend according to both departments.
There will be no work on state roads requiring lane restrictions in Alabama or Florida through Sunday. All major roads in Northwest Florida and South Alabama will be open to normal traffic.
Riding With A Mission: Help Kids With Cerebral Palsy
November 25, 2011
Skeet Davis and his big Paint horse, Boomer, are on a mission — thanks in part to a North Escambia area veterinarian and farrier. Although they are a competitive National Barrel Horse Association team, their hearts are devoted to helping kids with cerebral palsy. And now, they are working to raise funds for another saddle for kids with cerebral palsy.
Since 2004, Davis has been organizing benefit barrel races for United Cerebral Palsy, and every summer finds Skeet and Boomer at “Camp Smile” in Mobile, Alabama. There they brighten children’s lives by giving every child a ride on gentle Boomer. Equipped with a special custom-made saddle that provides increased support and security, these children — even those in wheelchairs — are able to experience the thrill of riding Boomer.
With the help of Camp Smile counselors, each child is gently secured into the saddle. Then Skeet leads Boomer around the campground, the horse stepping softly to provide smooth rides for his precious cargo. For Skeet, the father of three, this work has special significance; his youngest daughter has cerebral palsy.
Two freak accidents nearly destroyed the Davis and Boomer goodwill efforts. In October 2008, Skeet came home one day to find that Boomer wasn’t waiting for him at his usual spot. Something was wrong. Skeet found Boomer standing in the lane to the barn, and there was blood everywhere. Boomer had been playing with deer outside his fence line and caught his foot in the one strand of barbed wire that Skeet kept strung along the bottom of the fence to keep the coyotes from catching ducks in his pond. Boomer’s hoof was almost completely severed. Skeet immediately hauled his horse to Boomer’s vet in Grand Bay. Dr. McCoy x-rayed the foot, cleaned it and surgically removed two barbs that had become imbedded deep in the foot.
Boomer’s accident destroyed Skeet’s hopes to ride him in the 2008 National Barrel Horse Association World Championships in Augusta, Georgia. However, through the generosity of a friend, Skeet was able to compete on a borrowed horse. But, Skeet’s problems had only begun. On his second run in the show, a miscue between horse and rider sent Skeet crashing into the ground. He had sustained what is called an “open-book” hip fracture, one that kills more than 50% of it’s victims. Fortunately, the horse show was only minutes from a major teaching hospital with a world-renowned specialist in pelvic fractures. Skeet was in the right place at the right time. Working quickly, the medical team was able to save Skeet’s life and repair his hip. But, the severity of the injury was going to keep Skeet off horses for quite a while.
When Skeet was released from the hospital, he was determined to make sure that both he and Boomer were rehabilitated successfully. By January of 2009, Boomer was still very lame from his injury and Skeet was beginning to fear that he’d never be able to ride his horse again, much less continue their commitments to helping children with cerebral palsy.
But, fellow barrel racers urged Skeet to take Boomer to the Lee Veterinary and Podiatry Clinic in Atmore, Alabama. There, Dr. Hank Lee and certified journeyman farrier Jim LaClaire of Beulah have joined forces to diagnose and treat lame horses, combining astute diagnosis and surgical interventions with innovative horse podiatry. Every Friday, the clinic parking lot is full of stock and horse trailers who travel to see the vet-farrier team from as far away as Tallahassee and upper Alabama. Skeet hoped that something could be done for Boomer.
After examining the horse, the Lee Clinic team had an answer. They constructed a therapeutic shoe for Boomer, filling in the lost hoof wall with epoxy. They had essentially created a partially artificial foot to evenly support Boomer’s weight while his natural hoof wall recovered and regrew. With his new foot and shoe, Boomer was ready to get back into action. It took Skeet a little longer to heal, but now they are both back to barrel racing. Best of all, they have returned to their mission of giving children with cerebral palsy a chance to ride.
Boomer’s recovery from his disastrous injury is testimony to the love of his owner and the cutting-edge experience of the Lee Veterinary and Podiatry Clinic. As for Skeet, he’s doing what he’s always done; he makes plans and continues his mission. Currently, he is working to raise $2,100 to buy another custom saddle, so that more these special needs children can enjoy the thrill of riding a horse. Donations would be welcome; contact Skeet Davis at (251) 401-7978. He and Boomer can be found at 14775 Burnham Road in Grand Bay, Alabama, 36541.
Story and photographs by Janice M. LeCocq, freelance writer and photographer, Century.
NHS Asking Football Fans To Follow Safety Rules Tonight
November 25, 2011
Northview High School is asking students and guests at tonight’s football game against Freeport to follow simple rules that are in effect at each home football game.
To read the fan rules, as submitted by NHS Principal Gayle Weaver, click here (pdf).