Average Cost Of Thanksgiving Dinner Down This Year
November 24, 2016
The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 31st annual informal price survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table indicates the average cost of this year’s feast for 10 is $49.87, a 24-cent decrease from last year’s average of $50.11.
The big ticket item – a 16-pound turkey – came in at a total of $22.74 this year. That’s roughly $1.42 per pound, a decrease of 2 cents per pound, or a total of 30 cents per whole turkey, compared to 2015.
“Consumers will pay less than $5 per person for a classic Thanksgiving dinner this year,” AFBF Director of Market Intelligence Dr. John Newton said. “We have seen farm prices for many foods – including turkeys – fall from the higher levels of recent years. This translates into lower retail prices for a number of items as we prepare for Thanksgiving and confirms that U.S. consumers benefit from an abundant, high-quality and affordable food supply.”
The AFBF survey shopping list includes turkey, bread stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a veggie tray, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and coffee and milk, all in quantities sufficient to serve a family of 10 with plenty for leftovers.
Foods showing the largest decreases this year in addition to turkey were pumpkin pie mix, milk and a veggie tray comprised of celery and carrots. A 30-ounce can of pumpkin pie mix was $3.13; a gallon of milk, $3.17; a one-pound veggie tray of celery and carrots, $0.73; and a group of miscellaneous items including coffee and ingredients necessary to prepare the meal (butter, evaporated milk, onions, eggs, sugar and flour), $2.81.
“Due to a significant expansion in global milk production, prices fell to the lowest levels since 2009, leading to lower retail milk and dairy product prices. Additionally, this year’s pumpkin prices are slightly lower following the production decline and higher prices seen in 2015,” Newton said.
Items that increased modestly in price were a dozen brown-and-serve rolls, $2.46; two nine-inch pie shells, $2.59; one pound of green peas, $1.58; 12 ounces of fresh cranberries, $2.39; a half-pint of whipping cream, $2.00; a 14-ounce package of cubed bread stuffing, $2.67; and a three-pound bag of fresh sweet potatoes, $3.60.
The average price is down slightly from last year to $49.87. After adjusting for inflation, the cost of a Thanksgiving dinner fell to $20.66 – the lowest level since 2010.
Although the classic Thanksgiving meal priced by Farm Bureau is considered modest by some, “we’re fortunate to live here in America, where many people are able to enhance their holiday meals with another type of meat or additional side dishes or desserts,” Newton said.
The stable average price reported this year by Farm Bureau for a classic Thanksgiving dinner tracks closely with the government’s Consumer Price Index for food eaten at home. The most recent CPI report for food at home showed just over a 2-percent decline over the past year.
Volunteer shoppers checked prices at grocery stores in 40 states for this year’s survey. Farm Bureau volunteer shoppers are asked to look for the best possible prices, without taking advantage of special promotional coupons or purchase deals, such as spending $50 and receiving a free turkey.
Shoppers with an eye for bargains in all areas of the country should be able to purchase individual menu items at prices comparable to the Farm Bureau survey averages. Another option for busy families without a lot of time to cook is ready-to-eat Thanksgiving meals for up to 10 people, with all the trimmings, which are available at many supermarkets and take-out restaurants for around $50 to $75.
The AFBF Thanksgiving dinner survey was first conducted in 1986. While Farm Bureau does not make any scientific claims about the data, it is an informal gauge of price trends around the nation. Farm Bureau’s survey menu has remained unchanged since 1986 to allow for consistent price comparisons.
Tips For An Energy Efficient Thanksgiving
November 24, 2016
It’s that time of year. Soon homes will be filled with the smells of oven-roasted turkey, candied yams, mashed potatoes and gravy, and stuffing from that special passed-down family recipe. And who could forget the pies!
Traditionally, Thanksgiving is the start of the holiday cooking season when kitchen appliances receive a lot of extra use when you’re preparing meals to be shared with loved ones and family members.
But no matter how much love and attention go into the special holiday favorites, Thanksgiving and the holidays are also a peak time for gobbling up energy, especially when the oven and kitchen appliances are working non-stop.
“Today’s new kitchen appliances use nearly 50 percent less energy than those from 10 years ago,” said Natalie Smith, Gulf Power spokesperson. “But when the holidays roll around, energy usage can rise when they get an extra workout and it can add up quickly. However, you may not have to use as much energy as you think by following a few simple tips.”
Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to keep holiday energy costs to a minimum. Here are some no-cost ways to save money and energy in the kitchen and be thankful for the savings on your November energy bills:
Cooking
· Oven preheating is usually not required and wastes energy. When preheating is required, avoid preheating longer than necessary. Preheating takes about eight minutes.
· Turn off the oven a few minutes before cooking is finished. Retained heat will complete the job.
· Use the microwave whenever possible, it’s the most efficient way to cook or reheat food.
· Don’t use your range or oven to heat the kitchen. It’s inefficient and can be a safety hazard.
· Choose pots and pans that have wide flat bottoms that just cover the burner. They will absorb all the heat and cook food more evenly. Aluminum pans with flat bottoms, straight sides, and tight fitting lids are best for energy savings.
Dishwasher
* Proper loading is important. Operate only when it is filled to capacity.
* If manufacturer’s instructions permit, open the door of your dishwasher after the last rinse cycle to allow moisture to escape and the dishes to dry as they cool. Some units have a “power-saver switch” that automatically eliminates the drying cycle.
Refrigerator
* Keep the refrigerator between 37º and 40º and the freezer setting at 0º.
* Keep condenser coils clean. Vacuum the coils at least twice a year.
* Make sure the door gasket seals tightly.
* Let hot foods cool before placing them in the refrigerator.
* Position the refrigerator away from heat sources. If the unit has back coils, position it at least 4″ from the wall.
* Avoid keeping the refrigerator door open.
* Think about getting rid of your extra refrigerator or freezer as they generally are inefficient and can cost two to three times more to operate per month.
Thermostat
· If you’re having a large group of people over, make sure to adjust the thermostat before guests arrive.
· If it’s cold outside, lower the thermostat a degree or two. The body heat from guest as well as the heat from all that cooking, will raise your home’s temperature without having to run the furnace.
FWC: Guide To Northwest Florida’s Fall Hunting Seasons
November 24, 2016
The Thanksgiving weekend means hunting in North Escambia. Here’s a loook at fall hunting information from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC):
General Gun Season
The general gun seasons begins Thanksgiving day and last four days (through Sunday). Two weeks later, the gun season reopens December 10 and runs through February 19.
During general gun season, only legal-to-take bucks as they are defined in each deer management unit may be harvested, but don’t forget that you need to purchase the $5 deer permit first. On private land, the daily bag limit on deer is two. Bag limits and other regulations for deer on wildlife management areas can differ, so before you hunt download the specific WMA brochure by going to MyFWC.com/Hunting.
You can hunt wild hogs on private lands year-round with no bag or size limits. Similarly, on most public lands there are no bag or size limits, and hogs are legal to take during most hunting seasons except spring turkey. On a few public hunting areas, specific bag and size limits do apply, so check the WMA brochure to be certain.
Hunters are allowed to take deer and wild hogs over feeding stations on private land, but that’s not the case on WMAs, no matter the season or the game.
It’s illegal to take deer using rimfire cartridges or non-expanding, full-metal case ammunition. Shooting a swimming deer also is against the law.
Private Land Does Days
Within the general gun season are antlerless deer days, better known to us hunters as “doe days.” These dates differ for each of the state’s 12 DMUs. To learn when these antlerless deer opportunities occur in your DMU, please refer to the “2016-2017 Florida Hunting Regulations” handbook, which you can pick up at your tax collector’s office, FWC regional office or by downloading it online at MyFWC.com/Hunting.
During these doe days, the daily bag limit is one legal antlered deer and one antlerless deer, or two legal antlered deer. You may not take two antlerless deer in one day as is allowed during the archery season, unless you have antlerless deer tags issued for the private land you hunt. Also, regardless of the season, deer gender or the number of permits, hunters are never allowed to harvest more than two deer per day under any circumstances. And except for a few WMAs, most do not have antlerless deer days.
Deer Dogs
Folks hunting deer with dogs on private or public lands, where it is allowed, must have their names and addresses displayed on their dogs’ collars. Hunters must confine their dogs to the tract of land on which they have permission to hunt and not allow them to wander off that land.
Hunters using dogs to take deer on private property must register the tract of land they will be hunting. The statewide deer-dog registration program doesn’t apply for training or hunting with deer dogs on WMAs.
The registration number may be issued to hunting clubs, landowners or anyone having permission to hunt deer with dogs on a particular tract of land upon filling out the required application. Application forms are available from all regional FWC offices and at MyFWC.com/Deer.
Once you’ve registered the property, you’ll be issued a number that must be attached to the collars of all dogs used to run deer on that property, when taking deer with dogs is permitted. All individuals must have a copy of the registration with them while they’re engaged in training or hunting with deer dogs.
Fall Turkey And Quail
Fall turkey season starts December 10, the same day as general gun season, and ends January 15.
Hunters may take only bearded turkeys and gobblers, and they must have a turkey permit ($10 for residents, $125 for nonresidents) to hunt them.
You may harvest up to two turkeys per day, if you’d like, but that would tag you out for the entire fall season – because you’re only allowed to harvest a total of two turkeys during the archery, crossbow, muzzleloading gun and fall turkey seasons combined. In Holmes County, the harvest of fall turkeys is not allowed at all. And there’s not a fall turkey season on WMAs, however, on a half-dozen areas, you are allowed to take turkeys during general gun season.
You’re not permitted to hunt turkeys with dogs or with recorded turkey calls, and you’re not permitted to shoot them while they’re on the roost or when you’re within 100 yards of a game-feeding station when feed is present.
The excitement the uproar a covey of bobwhite quail cause when suddenly taking to the air in front of a pointing bird dog is enough to thrill even the most seasoned veteran hunter. Quail season this year runs Nov. 12 – March 5, and the daily bag limit is 12. Bobwhites prefer a patchwork of brushy fence rows, weedy fields and open upland forests that are frequently burned. A good bird dog is essential in quail hunting and, for many hunters, watching the dog work and seeing its enjoyment is the most rewarding part.
Other Regulations
Shooting hours for deer, turkeys and quail are a half-hour before sunrise to a half-hour after sunset. All legal rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, bows, crossbows and handguns may be used to take each of these resident game animals during the general gun, fall turkey and quail seasons.
llegal firearms and ammunition are defined as centerfire, semiautomatic rifles having magazine capacities of more than five rounds, and fully automatic firearms. Other prohibited methods for taking game include shooting from a moving vehicle and herding or driving game with a vehicle.
Snipe and Dove
lorida ranks second in the nation in the number of snipe harvested each year, and the season always runs Nov. 1 – Feb. 15. Snipe hunting can offer unparalleled excitement as snipe fly with a fast, erratic flight pattern, presenting a challenge for hunters. The skill it requires to shoot a moving snipe is probably the main reason many hunters trounce through mud and muck to locate and flush snipe. The common snipe is a migratory game bird that is found in Florida only during the winter months, mostly in shallow wetlands, low pastures and open shorelines of lakes, ponds and streams. Hunting strategy is simple – find their habitat and walk until you flush one. And a close-working bird dog or retriever can be helpful in finding, flushing and retrieving snipe.
The second phase of the mourning and white-winged dove season this year runs Nov. 12 – Dec. 5. Shooting hours for both dove and snipe is a half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
There’s an eight-bird daily bag limit on snipe and a 15-bird bag limit on dove, and you must have the no-cost migratory bird permit if you want to hunt either of these migratory game birds.
The only firearm you’re allowed to hunt snipe and doves with is a shotgun, although you can’t use one larger than a 10-gauge. Shotguns also must be plugged to a three-shell capacity (magazine and chamber combined).
You may hunt either of these birds over an agricultural field, as long as the crop has been planted and manipulated by normal agricultural methods. However, you’re not allowed to scatter agricultural products over an area for the purpose of baiting.
If you’re up for the challenge, you may even use a bow or crossbow. Birds of prey also can be used to take snipe and doves by properly permitted individuals practicing falconry.
Some things you can’t do while hunting snipe and doves include using rifles or pistols, shooting from a moving vehicle, and herding or driving birds with a vehicle.
The FWC provides an online update that gives the latest information on Florida’s public dove fields. The address is MyFWC.com/Dove, and it’s updated throughout dove season. Information includes dove densities, previous week’s harvests and field conditions.
License And Permit Requirements
Florida ranks second in the nation in the number of snipe harvested each year, and the season always runs Nov. 1 – Feb. 15. Snipe hunting can offer unparalleled excitement as snipe fly with a fast, erratic flight pattern, presenting a challenge for hunters. The skill it requires to shoot a moving snipe is probably the main reason many hunters trounce through mud and muck to locate and flush snipe. The common snipe is a migratory game bird that is found in Florida only during the winter months, mostly in shallow wetlands, low pastures and open shorelines of lakes, ponds and streams. Hunting strategy is simple – find their habitat and walk until you flush one. And a close-working bird dog or retriever can be helpful in finding, flushing and retrieving snipe.
The second phase of the mourning and white-winged dove season this year runs Nov. 12 – Dec. 5. Shooting hours for both dove and snipe is a half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
There’s an eight-bird daily bag limit on snipe and a 15-bird bag limit on dove, and you must have the no-cost migratory bird permit if you want to hunt either of these migratory game birds.
The only firearm you’re allowed to hunt snipe and doves with is a shotgun, although you can’t use one larger than a 10-gauge. Shotguns also must be plugged to a three-shell capacity (magazine and chamber combined).
You may hunt either of these birds over an agricultural field, as long as the crop has been planted and manipulated by normal agricultural methods. However, you’re not allowed to scatter agricultural products over an area for the purpose of baiting.
If you’re up for the challenge, you may even use a bow or crossbow. Birds of prey also can be used to take snipe and doves by properly permitted individuals practicing falconry.
Some things you can’t do while hunting snipe and doves include using rifles or pistols, shooting from a moving vehicle, and herding or driving birds with a vehicle.
The FWC provides an online update that gives the latest information on Florida’s public dove fields. The address is MyFWC.com/Dove, and it’s updated throughout dove season. Information includes dove densities, previous week’s harvests and field conditions.
Fire Destroys Travel Trailer Near McDavid
November 24, 2016
Fire destroyed a travel trailer at a home outside McDavid Wednesday night.
The occupant of the travel trailer in the 2000 block of Cox Road was not at home at the time of the blaze, and there were no injuries reported. The trailer was fully involved when the first firefighters arrived on scene and was a total loss.
There was no immediate work on the cause of the blaze.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fire Destroys Abandoned Home Near Berrydale
November 24, 2016
Fire destroyed an abandoned home off Greenwood Road in Berrydale in northern Santa Rosa County Tuesday night. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office. There were no injuries reported. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Warm Thanksgiving; Chance Of Rain Next Week
November 24, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thanksgiving Day: Isolated showers. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 77. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 69. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 39. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 70. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 75.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.
Traffic: Emergency Lane Closure For Highway 29 At Nine Mile Road
November 23, 2016
Motorists traveling southbound on U.S. 29 will experience an emergency closure of the inside lane as they approach the 9 Mile Road overpass until 2 p.m. Wednesday as crews perform repairs to a damaged impact attenuator, also known as a crash cushion. Construction activities are weather dependent and might be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution and watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Fries With That? Molino Man Passes Out With Bag Of Meth At Fast Food Place
November 23, 2016
A Molino man was arrested on multiple drug charges after he was found passed out behind the wheel of car with a bag of meth in his lap, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded to the Whataburger in the 200 block of Nine Mile Road where Escambia County EMS was checking the status of the driver, later identified as 31-year old Shawn Douglas Anderson of Fairground Road.
The bag of methamphetamine was retrieved from Anderson’s lap along with a bag of marijuana from the center console and multiple small pieces of met from his lap and floorboard, an arrest report states. A pill bottle with an unknown liquid was also retrieved from the vehicle for testing.
Anderson was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He remained jailed with bond set at $27,000.
Farm-City Thanksgiving Meals Distributed To Hundreds Of Families
November 23, 2016
As part of Farm-City week, 800 families in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties received full Thanksgiving meals Tuesday — much of it locally grown — thanks to the efforts of local farms, food banks and hundreds of FFA and 4-H students. Students from Tate High School’s FFA chapter and local 4-H clubs helped with the Escambia County distribution for 400 families at the Waterfront Rescue Mission.
The pre-qualified families received turkey, greens, cabbage, sweet potatoes, cornmeal, peanut butter and more. The sweet potatoes were donated by local farmers and sorted by FFA students from a half dozen schools, and students also picked the collards from field Monday at the University of Florida Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences West Florida Research and Education Center.
[Click here for photos and a story from Monday's harvest.]
Farm to City Week is a national effort with the goal to bring about a better understanding between rural and urban people by increasing their knowledge and appreciation for agriculture.
The locally grown produce was harvested at the University of Florida, West Florida Research and Education Center by participating Ag students from Northview High School, Tate High School, Jay High School and other groups.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Commissioners Take Oath Of Office, Board Reorganizes
November 23, 2016
At their Tuesday board installation and reorganization meeting, threee newly-elected or re-elected Escambia County commissioners were sworn into office and the new chairman and vice chairman assumed their roles.
At the meeting, District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh, District 3 Commissioner Lumon May and District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry took the oath of office. The board also reorganized, with District 2 Commissioner Doug Underhill serving as chairman and Bergosh serving as vice chairman for the coming year.
In addition, the following newly sworn-in commissioners’ committee appointments were approved by the board:
District 1 Commissioner Bergosh appointed Michael A. Smith to the Escambia County Disability Awareness Committee, Mark E. Robinson Jr. to the Board of Adjustment, Jay Ingwell to the Planning Board and Bridgette Brooks to the Santa Rosa Island Authority. He reappointed Arnold Rosenbleeth and Megan Watson to the Escambia County Mass Transit Advisory Committee, and Captain Mark Moore and Mary Watson to the Escambia Marine Advisory Committee.
District 3 Commissioner May reappointed Carla McKinney Thompson to the Escambia County Disability Awareness Committee, Frederick Gant to the Board of Adjustment, Alvin Wingate to the Planning Board, Jerome Watson to the Santa Rosa Island Authority, Sabrina Wallace-Jordan and Bonita Player to the Escambia County Mass Transit Advisory Committee, and Eilene Beard and Lynn Laird to the Escambia Marine Advisory Committee.
District 5 Commissioner Barry reappointed R. Melvin Gaylard to the Escambia County Disability Awareness Committee, Jennifer Rigby to the Board of Adjustment, Wayne Briske to the Planning Board, Janice Perkins-Gilley to the Santa Rosa Island Authority, Nicole A. Wilson to the Escambia County Mass Transit Advisory Committee, and M. Gabe Jackson, III and Hudson Woodfin, Jr. to the Escambia Marine Advisory Committee.
Pictured top: Newly elected Commissioner Jeff Bergosh takes his oath of office Tuesday. Pictured inset: The chair gavel passes to Commissioner Doug Underhill. Pictured below: The oath of office for District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry. Pictured bottom: Commissioner Lumon May takes is sworn into office. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
