Elna Kimbro Ezell
December 24, 2013
Elna Kimbro Ezell, 81, passed away in the early morning of December 20, 2013.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Jimmy Ray Ezell; mother, Carlie Garrett Kimbro; father, John Pope Kimbro; and brothers Nathan, Howard, W.T., and Earl Kimbro. Survivors include her son, Jeff Ezell; daughter, Cindy Toler; son-in-law, Mark Toler; grandsons, Eric and Jason Toler; brother, Enzor Kimbro; sister, Vernell Tims; nephews, Dewayne and Douglas Kimbro, both of whom were raised in the same house with her; and many, many other nieces, nephews, in-laws, friends, relatives, and loved ones.
Born in Opp, Alabama, she was raised in Pensacola where she worked at Kress Five and Dime with her sister and also as a telephone operator. She married Jimmy Ezell on December 22, 1955 in a small wedding at her parents’ house. Her daughter, Cindy, was born in 1958; her son, Jeff, in 1968. She was active in her children’s and grandchildren’s lives, endlessly volunteering at their schools, even working in the library of Pine Meadow Elementary for a while. She will be remembered as being a devoted wife, a loving mother and grandmother, a tremendous cook who joyfully fed family members and friends, and a selflessly kind soul.
A rare neurological condition that arose in the last six years of her life led to her gradual immobility and decline. Her last week was spent at the Joyce Goldenberg Hospice Inpatient Residence surrounded by family and friends. The hospice staff noted the scores of people who showed up to sit with her and check on her in the week she was there, noting how rare it was to have such an outpouring of support. The reason is simple: everyone loved her – and always will. She continued to teach her family lessons as her health declined, even when she could no longer speak. She will be truly missed by all.
The visitation and funeral will be on Thursday, December 26 at Faith Chapel North. Visitation is from 11:30-1:15. The funeral will begin at 1:15 with Dr. Dale Patterson officiating. Graveside service and burial will follow at Pensacola Memorial Gardens.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home NOrth, 1000 Hwy 29 S, Cantonment, FL is in charge of arrangements.
Donald Richard Lavallee
December 24, 2013
Mr. Donald Richard Lavallee, 69, passed away on Thursday, December 19, 2013, in Flomaton.
Mr. Lavallee was a native of Manchester, NH and had resided in Flomaton for the past 14 years. Mr. Lavallee was on the board of trustees, a master carpenter, avid church attendee, loved fishing and was a loving father. He attended the Flomaton United Methodist Church.
His sister, Rita Poier; four brothers, Paul Lavallee, Roger Lavallee, Robert Lavallee and Norman Lavallee precede him in death.
He is survived by his three sons, Donald Lavallee Jr, of Dothan, Robert Lavallee of Concord, NH and Ricky Lavallee of Manchester, NH; three daughters, Kellie (Jerry) Forrest of Taylor, AL, Cristol Lavallee of Lancaster, NH and Dawn Lavallee of Manchester, NH; two brothers, Ronald Lavallee of Manchester, NH and Oscar Lavallee of New Hampshire; six sisters, Jeanne Cere of New Hampshire, Lorraine Raymond of Manchester, NH, Claire Boivert, Doris Croteau, Dorothy McQueeny and Connie Langlois all of New Hampshire; three grandchildren, Samantha Colby of Dothan, Trevor Colby of Taylor, AL and Codie Maynard-Lavallee of Massena, NY; and two great-grandchildren, Jayden Curry and Ethan Curry.
Funeral services will be Friday, December 27, 2013, at 12 noon at the Flomaton United Methodist Church with Rev. Jesse Lough and Rev. Funches officiating.
Burial will follow at the Flomaton Cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday, December 27, 2013, from 10 a.m. until service time at the Flomaton United Methodist Church.
Pallbearers will be Jerry Forrest, Trevor Colby, Robert Lavallee, Donald Lavallee, Speedy Brantley, Wayne Stanton and Seth Thomley.
Betty Cook Tolin
December 24, 2013
Mrs. Betty Cook Tolin, 68, passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2013, in McCullough.
Mrs. Tolin was a native of Atmore and has resided in McCullough for the past 35 years. Mrs. Tolin was retired from Vanity Fair after 30 years of service.
Her husband, Leon Tolin; son, Ricky Tolin and her parents, James and Sue Cook precede her in death.
She is survived by her two sons, Tony Scott of McCullough and James (Teresa) Scott of McCullough; two daughters, Diane (Author Thrower) Chapman of Poarch and Sonja Norton of Lubbock, TX; 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Friday, December 27, 2013, at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel with Rev. Otis Thames officiating.
Burial will follow at the McCullough Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Thursday, December 26, 2013, from 6 p.m.until 9 p.m. at the Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be James Scott II, Bobby McCall, Dewitt Roley, Mac McMillan, Charles Ferrell and Don White.
Honorary pallbearers will be Radio Rolin and James Tolin.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC is in charge of all arrangements.
FDOT Calls For Traffic Light, Hwy 29, Hwy 97 Intersection Redesign
December 23, 2013
The Florida Department of Transportation is recommending multiple change at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino — including a red light and redesign of a portion of the intersection.
According to James Barfield, District 3 secretary for FDOT, a full study of the intersection has concluded that a traffic signal be installed. The study also found that intersection should be redesigned to eliminate the “5-leg intersection configuration” caused by a driveway connection to the Tom Thumb by a combination of strong access control at the driveway connection and a reduction of the existing median opening width.
In October, the Escambia County Commission affirmed its support for improvements at the intersection and expressed a willingness for the county to pay for the red light at the Highway 29 and Highway 97 intersection.
The Florida DOT, Barfield said in an email, will begin the process to implement the recommend improvements. There is no timetable for completion.
The move came after residents of the all residential northern stretch of Highway 95A from Highway 29 to Highway 97 unsuccessful pushed commissioners to enforce a truck ban on that portion of Highway 95A. Trucks currently turn south on Highway 95A at Highway 29 to avoid the Highway 29 and Highway 97 intersection altogether over safety concerns.
“This is great news for the safety of the residents and commuters of Escambia County. It is an example of multiple municipalities and agencies working together for the good of the citizens. Assistant Escambia County Administrator Larry Newsom, and Colby Brown, director of Escambia Traffic and Transportation, worked closely and cooperatively with the professionals in the District 3 Florida Department of Transportation office in Chipley, headed by District Secretary Tommy Barfield,” Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steve Barry said.
Barry said Sen. Greg Evers, Rep. Clay Ingram, Rep. Doug Broxson, Rep. Mike Hill, Rep. Matt Gaetz and Senate President Don Gaetz also advocated for the DOT to make safety improvements at the intersection.
Pictured: Traffic crashes at the Highway 29 and Highway 97 intersection in Molino. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Turning Colder For Christmas
December 23, 2013
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 31. Wind chill values between 25 and 30. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 53. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 25. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
- Christmas Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. North wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 59. North wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. North wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. North wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 63.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.
- Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 54.
ECUA Christmas Trash Pickup Schedule
December 23, 2013
For the Christmas and New Year’s holiday week, ECUA residential Monday and Tuesday pickups will be as normal. Wednesday pickups will be on Thursday; Thursday pickups will be on Friday and Friday pickups will be on Saturday.
For commercial customers (dumpsters), there is no change to pickup days.
The ECUA offices will be closed on Tuesday, December 24, Wednesday, December 25 and Wednesday, January 1.
For more information, call (850) 476-0480.
Special Meeting: Century To Vote On Animal Control Ordinance Tonight
December 23, 2013
The Century Town Council will hold a special meeting tonight to hold a final vote a new animal control ordinance that will ban barnyard animals from most of the town.
The ordinance will make it illegal to keep a horse, mule, donkey, goat, sheep, or cow within the town limits except in areas that are zoned agricultural or rural residential. Hogs are already prohibited in all areas of the town. The ordinance also set minimum setback requirement for animals in permitted locations. The new law will also require non-conforming animals be registered at town hall within 60 days and be removed from the town withing six months unless a variance is granted by the council.
The special council meeting will be held at 6 p.m., beginning with a public forum and comment period on the ordinance.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Northview NJROTC Adopts A Highway
December 23, 2013
The Northview High School NJROTC Unit has adopted a portion of Highway 29 from Bogia to McDavid, taking part in the state’s Adopt-A-Highway partnership to remove litter. Recently, 19 cadets collected about 110 pounds of trash. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Last Minute Christmas Gifts: Try A Local Business Or Thrift Store
December 23, 2013
Time’s running out to finish finding that perfect unique gift or that last minute Christmas bargain.
Brandie’s Cottage, Local Small Businesses
Skip the long lines and hassle at the big box retail giants and try a small locally owned business for that perfect Christmas gift. There are literally dozens and dozens of small business in the North Escambia area with a great selection, including Brandie’s Cottage in Cantonment.
Owned by Brandi Ratcliff of Molino, Brandi’s Cottage offers a wide selection of Christmas gifts, including jewelry, customized clothing, collectibles, scarves, children’s items, collegiate items, gift items, purses and much more.
Brandie’s Cottage is located at 439 North Highway 29, next to the Cantonment Pharmacy, another local business with a great gift selection. Brandie’s Cottage is open today from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., but closed on Christmas Eve.
Molino Thrift Store
The Molino Thrift Store offers a full selection of merchandise at discount prices….including a wide selection of brand new toys in the $1 to $5 range. There’s still a great selection of toys, including remote control cars and dolls, in stock.
The Molino Outreach Ministry Thrift Store is a little different that many other thrift stores. Not only are the prices lower than some thrift stores, the business has a mission of reaching out to those in need and returning their profits directly to the community.
According to Manager Jason Lee, a Baptist pastor, the store returns 10 percent to churches in the community.
The Molino Outreach Ministry Thrift Store is located on Highway 29 at Molino Road, next door to Scott’s Pharmacy, another locally owned business.
Have another favorite locally owned small business in North Escambia that has a great selection of Christmas gifts? Tell everyone about the business in the comments section below!
Pictured top and top inset: Brandie’s Cottage in Cantonment. Pictured bottom inset: New dolls available under $5 at the Molino Thrift Store. Pictured below: Brand new radio control cars at the Molino Thrift Store for $4.49. NorthEscambia.com and courtesy photos, click to enlarge.
Christmas Recipes: Red Velvet Cake, Holiday Dips
December 23, 2013
The holidays are a time when a lot of people head into the kitchen to cook for family and friends. You just can’t go wrong with a red velvet cake. We also have a couple of dip recipes just in time for your Christmas entertaining — a black bean dip and a hot cream cheese dip.
Red Velvet Cake
by Shirley Boone
CAKE
- 1 ½ cups oil
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 2 ½ cups cake flour
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp. cocoa
- 1 oz bottle red food coloring
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. cider vinegar
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
Mix oil and sugar together. Add eggs and beat well. Add food coloring. Add vinegar to buttermilk and pour into oil mixture. Add vanilla. In small bowl combine cake flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Mix with other ingredients until well blended. Pour into 9 inch greased and floured pans. Bake at 350 degrees. Two pans bake for 30-35 minutes, three pans bake for 20-25 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes and wrap in plastic wrap until cool.
ICING
- 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1 box confectioners sugar
- 1 stick Parkay margarine, softened
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 tsp. vanilla
Mix all together until creamed. Spread on cooled cake.
Black Bean Dip
by Mona Brown
- 2 cans black beans, drained
- 2 cans shoe peg corn, drained
- ½ bunch green onions, chopped
- Sprinkle of garlic powder
- Mix ½ cup olive oil, ½ cup apple cider vinegar and ½ cup sugar.
Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix together. Marinate for 24 hours. Drain and add 8 ounces of feta cheese. Serve with Scoops.
Hot Cream Cheese Dip
from the Molino Homemakers Club
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 8 oz sour cream
- 1 cup cooked crumbled bacon
- 3 stalks green onion diced
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Mix all ingredients and pour into a 9×9 glass pan or pie plate. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Serve warm with Chicken in a Biscuit crackers.