Voting Ends Monday: Farmer’s Market In The Running For America’s Favorite
September 2, 2012
A Cantonment farmer’s market is in the running to be named one of America’s Favorite Farmer’s Markets, and your final chance to vote is Monday.
The Market at St. Monica’s is one of the contestants in the 2012 competition hosted by the American Farmland Trust. Winners will be featured on the food website Epicurious.com and will be honored at local celebrations with a prize package.
Market shoppers can cast their vote in support of their region’s farmers, community and market. To vote for The Market at St. Monica’s, click here and select the market. After voting, American Farmland Trust will solicit a donation to protect American farmland, but donations are not required to vote.
The Market at St. Monica’s is open on the first and third Saturdays of each month from 8 a.m. until noon with a variety of locally grown produce and other merchandise at St. Monica’s Episcopal Church at 699 County Road 95-A South in Cantonment.
The market will be open again September 15.
Pictured: Scenes from a recent Market at St. Monica’s. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gardening: Fall Veggies Are Cool To Grow In North Escambia Area
September 2, 2012
In Northwest Florida, vegetable lovers can enjoy harvests from their backyard gardens throughout the year. However, to ensure a productive and enjoyable vegetable garden, you must understand and abide by planting times.
In general, vegetable crops can be grouped into warm-season and cool-season varieties. Warm-season crops do not grow well at temperatures below 50 degrees F and are killed by frost. Cool-season crops are those that grow at lower temperatures, are not injured by light frost, but can’t take the heat.
In late summer and early fall, North Florida gardeners experience a unique opportunity. You can still plant another round of warm-season crops and/or start your cool-season vegetables.
Planting of warm-season vegetables gets to be more critical with the fall garden because we have an end point—frost and freezes. When planted too late, plants will grow, but may not provide enough of a harvest to make the effort worthwhile. Examples are peppers, eggplants and tomatoes. These vegetables can easily take up to two months from transplanting to producing the first fruit. All the time, the fall is getting shorter in day length and cooler in temperatures. That’s really tough on “warm-loving,” full-sun plants.
Since timing is so important with the fall crop, choose warm-season crops that will produce well within a short time. Look for fast-maturing and determinant or bush-type cultivars to ensure a good yield before frost.
Crops to plant outdoors in August include bush and lima beans, cauliflower, collards, cucumbers, onions, southern peas, peppers, squash, tomato and turnips.
In September, you can set out beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, endive, kale, kohlrabi, mustard and radish.
The cooler temperatures of October are better for planting Chinese cabbage, lettuce and spinach.
To find specific recommendations on when to plant vegetables in Florida, read the UF/IFAS “Vegetable Gardening Guide”. It’s online at edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vh021
The leafy crops excel in the fall. Some of the more popular leafy crops are Swiss chard, collards, spinach, mustard, turnip greens and lettuce. Endive, escarole, kale, arugula and the greens of mesclun mix also do very well during the cooler months.
Garden lettuces can be divided into three classes based on habit of growth – leaf or loose-leaf types, semi-heading types (such as butterhead and romaine) and heading or crisp-head types.
Crisp-head lettuces, such as the iceberg types available in supermarkets, are more of a challenge to grow here, so its recommend you stay with the leaf and semi-heading varieties. Other than generally avoiding the heading types, feel free to try just about any variety that strikes your fancy.
Leaf lettuces are the most decorative and least-demanding. They also are among the most heat-tolerant lettuces. This type of lettuce grows in a loose rosette of foliage, and the leaves can be smooth or crinkled, pointed, lobed, curled or ruffled. Foliage color runs from deep ruby red to dark green to pale greenish yellow, with just about every combination in between.
Collards will withstand wide ranges of temperatures if properly conditioned. They may be direct seeded and or plants can be transplanted. Collards may be harvested by cutting the whole plant or by “cropping” individual leaves.
Onions are generally grown from sets or plants. Sets and plants will require about six to eight weeks to reach eating size. Bulbing onions will not be ready to harvest until spring.
Radishes are fast growers and fun for the kids. Many are ready to harvest 25 to 30 days after planting.
So take the leap and “fall” into vegetable gardening.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County
Bowling Tournament Aims To ‘Strike Out’ Homelessness
September 2, 2012
An upcoming bowling tournament will help the homeless.
The EscaRosa Coalition On the Homeless will present the “Strike Out Homelessness” Bowling Tournament fundraiser from 1 to 5 p.m on Saturday, September 8 at the Deluna Lanes Bowling Center, 590 E Nine Mile Road. Registration is $25 per bowler or $125 for a five person team. Registration includes bowling and shoe rental, hors d’oeuvres, and a chance to win prizes.
Proceeds from the event will go to the EscaRosa Coalition on the Homeless to benefit local homeless men, women and children with unmet emergency services such as housing, transportation, utilities, food, clothing and health care.
Registration forms are available at the EscaRosa Coalition On the Homeless at 2601 West Strong Street in Pensacola or at the ECOH Santa Rosa location at the United Way of Santa Rosa County, 6479-A Caroline Street in Milton.
For more information, email serene.keiek@ecoh.org.
Margie Ard
September 2, 2012
Margie Ard left this life peacefully to receive her new body and crown on Thursday, August 30, 2012. She was born October 31, 1931, to Annie Mae and Clarence Luker, in Walnut Hill, where she lived and attended school. In 1950 she married her husband of 54 years, Osey E. Ard, and she was his pride-and-joy bride until he preceded her in death April 2005.
“Momma” lived the life of a queen, she said. She lived at home in her own home on weekends with her granddaughter, Jenny (Gerald) Wooten and with her daughter, Barbara/Bobbie (Gil) Richards during the week. She was pampered by her family like royalty! She often visited her daughter, Faye (Lance) Lee in Tallahassee spending COUNTLESS visits — and having the “the time of her life” with Aaron and Cassie! She was one loved lady, and we do mean LADY! After a massive stroke two years ago, she resided at Consulate Health Care on Airport Boulevard. She was affectionately known as “Granny” to the staff, nurses and CNAs there and was their “prized patient” – their SWEETEST patient ever! A special thanks to Phelicia, Jolene, Beth and Lisa for your years of care for her and for Hospice – I CANNOT express my gratefulness enough to Barbara, Kellie, the Chaplains and volunteers…you are all gifts from God! We thank you and bless you all in Jesus’ Name for a work well done.
Margie is survived by her daughters, Barbara Ard (Gil) Richards and Faye Ard (Lance) Lee and her “adopted” daughter, Susan (Terry) Bryan; grandchildren, Jennifer (Gerald) Wooten, Lynn (Scott) Mulholland, Julie (Corey) Floyd, Aaron (Sarena) Lee and Cassie Lee, soon to be Mrs. Michael Califano; great-grandchildren, Corbin Floyd, Kaylee Wooten, Brooklyn Floyd, Mason Mulholland, Cole Wooten and Jackson Mulholland. She is also survived by three her brothers, Wilbur (Carolyn) Luker, Don(Betsy) Luker, Wayne (Catherine) Luker and a host of special nieces, nephews, great-neices and great-nephews! She was a cut-up and so very loved — how we will all miss her humor.
Viewing services will be held Sunday, September 2nd, from 2-4pm at Faith Chapel South. A special “Going Home Service” will be held on Monday, September 3rd , at 10 am (visitation) and 11am service at First Pentecostal Church, at the intersection of “W” Street and Marcus Point Blvd. with Reverends Brian Kinsey and Paul H. Welch officiating. Interment will follow at Bayview Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Gil Richards, Lance Lee, Aaron Lee, Gerald Wooten, Corey Floyd and Scott Mulholland.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home South, 100 Beverly Parkway, is in charge of arrangements. Mama, aka: “Gran” because you were truly GRAND (and jokingly called yourself the “Old Grand” to the great-grands!) You left behind your namesake little Marge, to carry your name on…you will forever be a part of our hearts and lives D-A-I-L-Y until we can all be together again. From Bobbie: Thank you for the greatest honor on earth – caring for you and giving you the HONOR you truly deserved and earned! Enjoy that new body and crown which so often spoke of. I can’t wait to kick-up our heels together on those streets of gold. Hug Daddy for us all!
Guntner Graduates Twice From FSU, Working Toward Law Degree At UF
September 2, 2012
A 2008 Tate High School graduate is working hard toward her goal of becoming a lawyer.
Debra Nicole Guntner, known to her friends as “Nikki”, received her bachelor’s degree in political science from Florida State University in April 2011 and graduated again last month from FSU with a Masters of Science in applied American politics and policy. She then enrolled in the Fred Levin School of Law at the University of Florida working toward her Juris Doctorate. Guntner will study at UF for the next three years as she prepares for her career as an attorney.
Nikki Guntner is the daughter of Barry and Dara Guntner of Cantonment. Her grandparents are Clyde and Helen Allen of Cantonment and George and Jeanette Guntner of Milton.
Obama, Romney Making Campaign Swings
September 2, 2012
Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney told supporters Saturday that it is time for America to have a “winning season,” as he promoted his economic agenda during a campaign stop in Ohio.
During a rally in Cincinnati, Romney said if a “coach” is “zero and 23 million,” it is time for a new coach. The figure was a reference to the number of Americans who are unemployed.
Meanwhile, Democrats have begun arriving in Charlotte, NC, for their party’s national convention, which begins this coming week. President Obama campaigned in Iowa on Saturday, one of a string of appearances before joining the convention.
During his pre-recorded weekly address, he focused on foreign policy.
The president marked the second anniversary of the end of the U.S. combat mission in Iraq. He also said progress had been made against Afghanistan’s Taliban, but more difficult work lies ahead.
Holiday Weekend Forecast
September 2, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Today: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Light west wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
- Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
- Labor Day: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
- Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
- Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the morning.
- Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
- Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
- Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.
Wahoos Walk Off With 3-2 Win Over The Tenn. Smokies
September 2, 2012
Blue Wahoos left fielder Bryson Smith drove a single down the right field line to plate shortstop Billy Hamilton in the ninth to complete a three-hit game and propel Pensacola to a 3-2 walkoff victory over the Tennessee Smokies in front of another sellout crowd of 5,038 on Saturday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
With the victory, the Fish improved to a 34-33 record in the second half of 2012, while Tennessee fell to 35-33 since the midpoint of the season. The capacity crowd was the second straight and 39th overall this season in the club’s inaugural year at the bayfront stadium as the team continues to lead the Southern League in attendance.
Tied at 2-2 in the ninth, Hamilton drew a one-out walk and then stole second to set the stage for Smith. The University of Florida product would come through with a line drive down the right field line, plating Hamilton and cueing the celebration. The theft for Hamilton was his 155th of the year as he continues to extend his single-season steals record.
Pensacola also scored the game’s first score of the evening, taking a 1-0 lead in the third. Smith began the frame with a double and then was sent home on 1B Donald Lutz’s RBI single up the middle.
Tennessee however, countered with a pair of tallies in the fifth, thanks to their fifth longball of the series. RF Matt Szczur led off with a double and subsequently scored when 2B Logan Watkins left the yard with a two-run blast to right, his ninth of 2012.
The Blue Wahoos would then draw the game even at 2-2 in the following frame. 2B Brodie Greene started the game-tying rally with a single and moved from first to third on C Tucker Barnhart’s single to center, prior to coming across on pinch hitter Beau Mills’ sacrifice fly to left.
Smith (3-5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI) led all batters with his three hits, while Lutz (2-4, 1 RBI) and Barnhart (2-4) also accumulated multi-hit efforts. Szczur (2-5, 1 R, 1 2B) was the lone Smokies batter to record two or more hits.
Pensacola closer Justin Freeman (1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 SO) earned the victory after tossing the final 1.1 shutout frames, while Tennessee RHP Kevin Rhoderick (0.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 SO) suffered the loss. Smokies starter Eric Jokisch (5.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO) did not factor in the decision despite yielding a lone earned run on six hits while fanning five in five innings pitched.
The two teams are scheduled to face off again Sunday afternoon, with first pitch set for 2:00 p.m. at the bayfront stadium. RHP Chad Rogers (3-1, 1.73) is slated to take the mound for the Blue Wahoos, while RHP Dae-Eun Rhee (9-8, 4.95) is expected to get the ball for Tennessee.
Earlier Saturday the Cincinnati Reds, the Blue Wahoos’ parent club, announced several September call ups to the Major Leagues, including two Blue Wahoos alums. Former infielders Didi Gregorius and Henry Rodriguez were both promoted to the Big Leagues, while the club has also announced they will promote former RHP Pedro Villarreal from Triple-A Louisville later this week.
By Andrew Green
Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Northview Cheerleaders, Band And Dance Team
September 2, 2012
The Northview Chiefs defeated the Panthers of John Paul Catholic School of Tallahassee Friday night in Bratt.
For a photo gallery with the Northview cheerleaders, band and dance team, click here.
For a game summary and action photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Roy Vernon Gay
September 2, 2012
Roy Vernon Gay, 81, of Cantonment passed away Wednesday, August 29, 2012.
Mr. Gay was born in Hall Summit, LA, and resided in Pensacola area for the past 47 years. He was employed with McLean Trucking for 33 years. Roy serviced in the US Navy during the Korean Conflict and was a member of American Legion Post 340.
Preceding Mr. Gay in death are his parents, Reverend Roy Leon Gay and Helen Thornhill Gay, and son, Kenneth Vernon Gay.
Survivors include his loving wife of 62 years, Joyce Gay; son and daughter-in-law, Keith L. Gay and Missi Ewing Gay; grandson, Austin K. Gay; two sisters and their husbands, Maxine Hill (Grant) and Jeanette Rester (Kenneth); numerous sisters- in-law and brothers-in-law; as well as nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Thursday, September 6, 2012, from 11:30 till the service time of 12:30 p.m. at Pensacola Memorial Gardens Funeral Home
Interment with Military Honors will be in Barrancas National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial donations be made to Covenant Hospice, 5041 N. 12th Ave. Pensacola, FL 32504.
The family wishes to express their heart felt thank you to Brittney White for her help in caring for Roy, Dr. Baker at West Florida Hospital ER, Covenant Hospice, and most especially his West Florida ICU nurse, Jordan Williams.