Weekend Gardening: Blueberries Ripe For Picking
June 28, 2014
by Santa Rosa Extension
Blueberries are ripe for picking. So take the kids on an adventure and enjoy the freshness of local produce by visiting a u-pick farm. U-picks allow visitors to harvest their own fresh fruits and vegetables.
U-pick produce is grown in your own community and is crisp, sweet and loaded with flavor. With fewer than one million Americans now claiming farming as their primary occupation, farmers are a vanishing breed. Local farmers who sell direct to consumers cut out the middleman and get full retail price for their food – which means farm families can afford to stay on the farm, doing the work they love.
U-pick blueberry farms are scattered throughout the North Escambia area. Contact your local Extension Office for u-picks in your area.
Every farm is a bit different. Some have more relaxed rules, others more strict. But at all the farms, remind the kids that plants are living things to be cared for and respected, not abused. The farmer feeds his family and pays his bills from the well-being of these plants! So here are some general farm guidelines:
- Follow all rules posted by owners at their picking locations.
- Look for the check-in and check-out areas. Note whether you will be charged according to weight or volume.
- Health codes usually require no pets in the fields.
- Always call in advance to find out if the fruit/vegetables you want are available, to get directions, to check their opening and closing hours and to ask if children are allowed.
- Walk in the rows, don’t step on plants! Some farmers frown on stepping across rows, even if you do it carefully.
When you arrive at the farm, take some time to explain to your kids how to identify and pick ripe fruit. Select plump, full blueberries with a gray-blue color. A berry with any hint of red isn’t fully ripened. White and green colored blueberries will not ripen after they are picked. Unripe berries should be left on the bush because then they will turn into ripe berries for you to pick when you bring your friends back in a couple of weeks time.
The general rule when it comes to blueberries is “the bigger, the sweeter”. A fully ripe blueberry should easily come loose from the plant. If it takes any appreciable pressure to pick them, the berries aren’t fully ripe. It is best to pick blueberries by gently rolling each one from the cluster with the thumb into the palm of the hand. When picking is done this way, the berries that aren’t ripe will not come loose.
Once picked, don’t place the berries, still warm from the sun, in a closed bag or container. Leave the container open so moisture doesn’t form. Don’t wash the berries until just before using to prevent berries from becoming mushy. Chill berries soon after picking to increase shelf life. If refrigerated, fresh-picked blueberries will keep 10 to 14 days.
For more information, contact Santa Rosa County Extension at 850-623-3868.
Report Flood Damage Or Drainage Issues To Escambia County
June 28, 2014
If you would like to report a drainage problem in your neighborhood or report flood damage to your home, Escambia County wants to hear from you.
Residents are strongly urged to contact the Escambia County Engineering Department by Friday, July 11, to identify all damages eligible for FEMA reimbursement funds.
Additionally, the completion of this very brief survey will assist in the process of ensuring Escambia County is aware of all damages to accurately file for FEMA reimbursement funds to better our community.
For more information, please contact the Escambia County Engineering Division at (850) 595-3440.
Lookouts Lock Up Series With 7-3 Win Over The Blue Wahoos
June 28, 2014
The Blue Wahoos scored first with a run in the third, but the Lookouts delivered a three-run counter punch in the bottom of the inning and never looked back on their way to a 7-3 win Friday night at AT&T Field. The win assures a series win for Chattanooga.
Pensacola loaded the bases with nobody out in the first inning and didn’t score and loaded the bases with two outs in the eighth inning and came up empty. The Blue Wahoos left a total of 13 runners on base for the game. Already leading 4-1, Chattanooga put the game away with a pair of run in the seventh inning with a passed ball and RBI double.
Robert Stephenson took the loss after allowing 4 R/ER over 5.0 innings. He struck out five and walked two. He allowed five hits, three went for extra bases.
Lookouts starter Andres Santiago picked up the win after allowing just 1 R/ER over 5.0 innings with one walk and five strikeouts. Blake Smith earned the save after recording the final four outs for the Lookouts.
Ryan Wright was one of the bright spots for the Blue Wahoos offensively. He went 2-for-4 with an RBI. It was his second multi-hit game of the series. Ross Perez (2-for-5) and Kyle Waldrop (2-for-4) both had multi-hit games as well for the Blue Wahoos.
Pensacola will try to salvage the final game of the series on Saturday night. RHP Ben Lively will make his second start for the Blue Wahoos (0-1, 7.36) against Lookouts RHP Rayden Sanchez (1-4, 5.97). First pitch is set for 6:15 p.m. (CT) before the team returns home to open a five-game homestand against the Jacksonville Suns on Sunday afternoon.
by Tommy Thrall
Robin Floyd
June 28, 2014
Robin Floyd age 57 of Jay, passed away on June 26, 2014. He was an equine farrier-trainer and enjoyed working with horses and dogs. He was a loving son, brother, uncle, and friend to many and will be dearly missed.
He is survived by his mother, Lois Floyd; father, Shorty (Linda) Floyd; brothers, Darwin (Maggie) Floyd and Jack (Mima) Floyd; sister, Pamela Darlene Floyd; nieces, Morgan and Mallory Floyd and numerous family and friends.
A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Monday, June 30, 2014, at Jay Funeral Home with funeral services to begin at 11:00 a.m. with Bro. Frederick Barrow officiating.
Burial will follow at Walling Cemetery.
Music will be provided by Holly Driver.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Lamar Padgett
June 28, 2014
Lamar Padgett, 73, of Cantonment, went to his Heavenly Home on Wednesday, June 25, 2014. Lamar was born April 4, 1941. He graduated from JM Tate High School in 1959. He served in the US Army and US Army Reserves and was honorably discharged with a rank of SP4. He worked for L&N Railroad which later became CSX Railroad. He retired from CSX in 1992. He was a member of The First Baptist Church of Cantonment and was baptized there on January 4, 2004. Lamar loved God, his family and loved spending time with his grandchildren. Lamar was an avid sports fan. He loved his Cleveland Browns, Florida Gators, Cleveland Indians and Atlanta Braves.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilmer and Audrey Lyster Padgett; brothers, Ronnie Padgett and Don Padgett. His sister, Barbara Gentry, passed away Friday, June 27, 2014.
He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Jo Padgett of Cantonment; daughters, Terry Padgett (Richard Perilloux) of Cantonment and Allison Marabella (Steve) of Pensacola; sons, Patrick “Bubba” Padgett of Cantonment, Jack Cleveland of Pensacola, Tommy Schubert (Chantel) of Ft. Belvoir, VA and Stephen Schubert (Joie) of Kansas City, KS; grandchildren, Haley, Wyatt, Chloe, Richard, Amber, Chania, Amy, Mary, Thomas, Kaitlin, Kiersten, Ethan, Annelise, Stephen, and Hippie Love; great-grandchildren, Parker, Mckinely and Kendall; sisters, Gloria Pittman of Pensacola, Ginger Lawson (Glyn) of Pensacola and Peggy Morales (Lewis) of Tampa; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.
Pallbearers will be Patrick Padgett, Jack Cleveland, Tommy Schubert, Lewis Arnett, Rick Butler and Charles Bober.
Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m on Monday, June 30, 2014, with funeral services to begin at 10 a.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Reverend Larry Huff.
Interment will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Charles Edward Reed, Sr.
June 28, 2014
Charles Edward Reed Sr., 68, of Cantonment, passed away Thursday, June 26, 2014. Charles was a truck driver for thirty years and a “Jack of all trades”. He will be remembered as a wonderful husband, father, and “PopPop”. He was loved by many and will be missed.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 27 years, Billie Lynn Reed; parents, Benton and Mary Reed; step-dad, Emanual Sullins and his sister, Mahala Mixon.
He is survived by his son, Charles “Eddie” Reed, Jr.; daughters, Crystal Renea Jackson (Dwayne), Monica Smith (Seth), Marla Tigner (John) and Katelyn Reed-Hite (Matt); grandchildren, Richard, Chris, Carol, Crystal, Phillip and Charlie, Jarret, Elizabeth, Jonathan, John Caleb, Emily, Khloe and Kenzee; and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 3 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 29, 2014, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with the funeral services to begin at 4 p.m.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Deputies Seek Four For Questioning In Murder
June 27, 2014
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is seeking four people for questioning only in the homicide of Tabius Cardell Huff.
Investigators are looking for Deangelo Deon Bell, Powell Hale III, Randy Varner Moultrie and George Jerome Pugh. Anyone that has information on their whereabouts is asked to call Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Huff, 31, was shot about 10 p.m. outside a convenience store in the 5300 block of Jackson Street near Edgewood Circle earlier this week. Huff was pronounced deceased at the scene by Escambia County EMS.
Cantonment Burglar Arrested Thanks To Alert Neighbors
June 27, 2014
Thanks to alert neighbors, an alleged Cantonment burglar is behind bars.
Residents on Escambia Avenue reported a burglary in progress to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office early Tuesday morning after watching a male subject go through a couple of vehicles. One of the neighbors was able to identify the suspect as Darrell Mashburn, a known burglar, according to a Sheriff’s Office report.
One victim told deputies that her vehicle was unlocked. She said nothing was missing from her car, but contents of the glove box had been gone through.
After being taken into custody, Mashburn pulled away from a deputy and fled on foot while in handcuffs, according to an arrest report. After a short foot pursuit, he was captured.
Mashburn was charged with burglary of a vehicle, petit theft, criminal mischief, resisting arrest without violence and escape. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set $23,000.
Vote By Mail: Make Your Mailbox Your Ballot Box
June 27, 2014
With just weeks to go before the August primary election, now is the time for voters to prepare. One way to get ready is to request a mail ballot, which allows voters to avoid the lines on Election Day and vote from the convenience of their home.
Escambia County voters have received a post card from Supervisor of Elections David H. Stafford with instructions on how to request to vote by mail for the August primary and November general elections.
Voters have several ways to make their request:
- Visit EscambiaVotes.com and click Vote By Mail in the upper right hand corner. Follow the instructions for completing the online request form.
- Send an email to absentee@escambiavotes.com. Voters must include their address and date of birth with their e-mail request.
- Contact the Supervisor of Elections office by phone (850-595-3900), or in person.
- Send a request through the mail or via fax (850-595-3914). Written requests must include the voter’s address, date of birth, and signature.
Absentee voters may track the status of their ballot by clicking Track My Ballot at EscambiaVotes.com. And by clicking Am I Registered? on the home page, a voter can verify their registration status, check their precinct number and location, party affiliation, and important future election information.
Absentee ballots can be requested through 2016. As Florida does not allow for a permanent absentee voter designation, voters must periodically renew their absentee request so be sure to verify your absentee ballot status. For further information on absentee ballots, early voting, or precincts and polling locations, call (850) 595-3900, email soe@escambiavotes.com or visit EscambiaVotes.com.
Escambia School District Receives High Credit Ratings
June 27, 2014
The Escambia County School Board was recently issued a “High Quality” credit rating of ‘Aa3’ and a “Very High Quality” credit rating of ‘AA-‘ by Moody’s Investor Services and Fitch Ratings, respectively, on its $20.3 million Refunding Certificates of Participation (COPs), Series 2014.
The refunding allows the district to save approximately $2.4 million in debt service interest payments over the remaining eight years of the current financing arrangement. School facilities included in the original debt issue include the entirety of N.B. Cook Elementary School and certain classrooms, cafeterias, and media centers constructed at five other schools.
Both rating agencies indicated that the strength of the School District’s sound financial condition is its
- healthy general fund liquidity and reserves
- very low debt burden
- ample capital outlay revenue for payment of debt service
- conservative budgeting practices
Superintendent Malcolm Thomas remarked, “The taxpayers of Escambia County can be proud of the School District’s conservative financial management practices throughout the years. The assignment of these excellent credit ratings by two national rating agencies is an indication of our careful and prudent use of the public funds to which we are entrusted.”