Beverly Ann Gilfillan Austin
July 15, 2024
Beverly Ann Gilfillan Austin, the widow of Charles Calvin Austin, mother to Scottie Austin Wilson and Paula Austin Brantley, grandmother to Andrew Mitchell Wilson, Austin William Wilson, John Calvin Wilson, and Wyatt Austin Brantley, passed away on Friday, July 12th, 2024. Beverly was 80 years old.
Born on August 6th, 1943 in Camden, New Jersey Beverly was known for her love of her family, God, and Alabama football. She and her husband Charles started Austin’s Carpet Service in 1973 in Milton, Florida. Beverly and Charles built a family-owned business in the community and were well known for their contributions to the First United Methodist Church Youth Group and numerous Milton High School Booster Clubs. She and Charles touched the lives of many in their community through their generous, kind, and loving spirit. She was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church in Milton, Florida. Upon Charles’ death, Beverly went on to work as a bookkeeper at Escambia Collision in Pensacola, Florida, volunteered with the Arthritis Foundation, and was a doting grandmother of 4 grandsons. While many people have numerous hobbies, Beverly would always say that her family was her hobby and that was all she ever needed.
Beverly Austin is survived by her daughters, Scottie Austin Wilson (James Wilson), and Paula Austin Brantley (Lee Brantley); grandsons, Andrew Mitchell Wilson (Sarah Grace Wilson), Austin William Wilson (fiancée Emmy Beason), John Calvin Wilson, and Wyatt Austin Brantley; step-grandchildren, Jennifer Brantley Taylor and Meagan Brantley; step great-grandchildren Doyle Taylor, Preston Taylor, Beckham Brown, and Brantley Brown who will cherish and work to honor the memory and legacy of their beloved mother and Nana. Additional family members include sister, Susan Gilfillan Shunk; brother, Andrew George Gilfillan III (Doris Gilfillan); niece, Veronica Austin; nephew, Andrew George Gifillan IV (Jennifer Gifillan); niece, Stacey Pietruszynski (Steve Pietruszynski); and additional great nieces and nephews, Kelly Gilfillan, Conor Gilfillan, Spencer, Pietruszynski, Carson Pietruszynski, and GiGi Gilfillan. The extended family includes Rod Courtney (Donna Courtney) and Wanda Conway. Beverly will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who knew her.
Beverly Austin was predeceased by her husband of 32 years Charles Calvin Austin; parents, George and Altana Gilfillan; sister, Nancy Lee Gilfillan; brothers-in-law, Otis Austin (Jean Austin), Herman Austin (Mavis Austin), James Bernard Austin (Janie Austin), and Robert William Chute; and nephew, James Austin.
Visitation and viewing will be held on Thursday, July 18, 2024, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Faith Chapel North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment Florida, 32533. The funeral service will follow at 11:30 a.m. where friends and family are invited to pay their respects or join in remembrance. Beverly will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband Charles in Bayview Memorial Park following the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to West Florida Baptist Church. West Florida Baptist Church 5621 US – 90 Milton, Florida 32583.
Pallbearers will be Andrew Wilson, Austin Wilson, John Calvin Wilson, Wyatt Brantley, Rod Courtney and Michael Holley.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Mark Ammons and the entire family at Universal Fabricators and Escambia Collision.
Beverly fought many health issues during her life, including doctors telling her that she would be wheelchair-bound by her 50s but she was a fighter and never gave in. She will be remembered by all as a woman of incredible faith, unbounding love of her family and friends, and endless courage, determination, and persistence.
Her family would like to say a special thank you to Wanda Conway for the friendship and comfort she gave Beverly as well as the wonderful insights, knowledge, love, and emotional support she showed our entire family.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements.
Nicholas S. Steele Jr.
July 15, 2024
Nicholas S. Steele Jr., 73, peacefully joined his Lord and Savior surrounded by his loving family on July 10th, 2024. He was born on November 5th, 1950, in Pensacola, Florida, to Nicholas S. Steele Sr. and Nelda H. Steele. Nick is survived by his devoted son, Nicholas S. Steele III, and daughter-in-law Samantha Steele. Nicholas S. Steele Jr. graduated from Woodham High School in 1968 and pursued an associate degree at Marion Military Institute, graduating in 1970. Initially in insurance sales, he later discovered a passion for carpentry, eventually founding his own successful carpentry business in 1978 before retiring at the age of 50. His exceptional work ethic and extraordinary dedication were truly admired by everyone who knew him, especially when it came to his son. He showed his unwavering commitment by being present for his son in every aspect of his life, whether it was for support, guidance, or spending quality time together.
An outdoorsman at heart, Nick cherished time spent hunting and fishing with his son. He was known for his kindness and willingness to lend a helping hand without expecting anything in return.
Funeral services and visitation will be held on July 19th, 2024, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home in Cantonment, Florida. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by the funeral at 11:00 a.m. Interment will take place at Pineville Methodist Cemetery in Beatrice, Alabama. We are gathering to celebrate a life well-lived, so please join us in colorful attire to honor Nick’s vibrant spirit.
Walnut Hill Man Was The Boss Of The Pensacola Beach Air Show. Here’s A Behind The Scenes Look.
July 14, 2024
A Walnut Hill man was the boss of it all at the Pensacola Beach Air Show.
The air boss.
The air boss controls the schedule for all the aerial acts, mass formations, high-speed jet demonstrations and pyrotechnics at every show.
Air Boss Paul Entrekin has the primary responsibility for coordinating all air show operations within the demonstration area and plays a critical role in ensuring a safe, efficient, and entertaining air show every year. All of this while also meeting the latest standard air show regulations.
And he’s been doing it for 31 years.
“I’m sort of the ringmaster of the circus or the orchestra leader if you will. I’m the one that holds the baton while everyone else makes beautiful music,” Entrekin said from his home in Walnut Hill. “I’m the guy that’s responsible for the safety of flight of all the performers, making sure they’re safe in the air and that all our spectators are safe on the ground.”
“If everything goes smoothly and according to plan it’s very simple. But when we have unexpected issues, such as intruders in the air space, or any number of mechanical or physiological issues with the pilots, then things get ramped up a little bit and that’s where I have to earn my bacon as it were.”
“It’s fun. It’s a lot of fun. I’ve been doing it for such a long time now, it’s second nature, and I work with a really, really good cadre of individuals,” he said. “The civilian performers at the Santa Rosa Island Authority hires are top-notch folks, and of course, the Blues. Nobody does it better than they do.”
For the Pensacola Beach Air Show, he has a bird’s eye view of the beach right at the center of the show on a scissor lift about 30 feet in the air with a multitude of communications devices that allow him to talk to beach rescue responders, the Coast Guard or talk to the planes that are flying — except for the Blue Angels.
He said with both the Navy’s Blue Angels and the Air Force Thunderbirds, they operate on their own discrete UHF frequency.
“No one, and I mean no one including the air boss is allowed. We can monitor that frequency, but we’re not allowed to, to talk or say a single word on that frequency. If, if for example, I saw something that needed to be communicated to the boss, Number 8 (the events coordinator) and I are in very close proximity and I would tell Number 8 that we have a situation where I need for them to terminate maneuver. He would then relay that to the maintenance officer or Mo. And Mo is the only one that has direct calm with the boss. And he would say, hey boss, we’ve got this situation needs to be to terminate after this maneuver is safe and complete.”
“The exception to that is if I call a ‘knock it off’. A knock it off is a safety of flight issue that means stop what you are doing this very second. I would pass my knock it off to Number 8 who would pass it to the Mo,” he said. “They would stop what they’re doing, and they would orbit and then we talk it about it later.”
Even after three decades, there’s one special moment in the Blue Angels’ performance that is still his favorite.
“When they cross at center point where timing and altitude are absolutely critical. And they are their own worst critics. They scrutinize down to the nth degree, and there is no such thing as a perfect show. They are always striving to do it just a little bit better. When from my vantage point, when I see what’s an almost perfect hit, meaning that the solos have arrived at center point at exactly the same time at the perfect altitude.”
“When it looks like just a tremendously close call usually that makes me grin. I like that part of the show best, he said.
Interest in the Blue Angels is up this year following “The Blue Angels” movie on Amazon Prime. And Entrekin says it’s actually a great movie that accurately represents our hometown Blue Angels.
“”I thought it was great. (Producer) Greg Wooldridge was one of my favorite bosses of the teams back in the day and he was an executive producer for that, and I think he did a fantastic job,” he said about the movie. “His fingerprints were all over the thing, and you could really tell that an insider had steered the production of that film. And so, I thought it was very well done.”
A 1976 graduate of Auburn University, Entrekin was commissioned as a U.S. Marine Corps officer in 1977 and designated a Naval Aviator in 1980. During his military career he became carrier qualified, flying both rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft. He was an instructor pilot until leaving active duty in 1986 and then retained reserve status with the Defense Intelligence Agency as a clandestine operative until retiring after Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm in 1991.
No stranger to the air show world nor pushing boundaries, Entrekin soon was nicknamed “The Bandit,” after becoming the first civilian pilot to own and fly a Russian MiG aircraft. He founded Entrekin Aviation as a full-time air show pilot in 1986. He holds multiple U.S. and world airspeed records and is recognized on the National Aviation and Space Exploration Wall of Honor.
Entrekin also flew for Delta Air Lines for 30 years before his retirement, and over the years has authored a number of books including, “Mighty Hands,” his bestseller “Mr. MiG,” and his most recent children’s book entitled, “Jasper and the Christmas Faeries” set at his Walnut Hill ranch.
Pictured top: Pensacola Beach Air Show Air Boss Paul Entrekin. Pictured below: Paul Entrekin and his wife Lisa discuss their book “Jasper and the Christmas Faeries” with NorthEscambia.com just before a recent Christmas holiday. NorthEscambia.com and submitted photo, click to enlarge.
Photos: Blue Angels Wow Crowds At Saturday Air Show
July 14, 2024
The Pensacola Beach Air Show was delayed by weather for about an hour Saturday afternoon.
The Blue Angels took the skies over the beach about an hour late due to threat of rain and lightning.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Perry Doggrell and Nikki Purvis, click to enlarge.
Photos: Cat Cafe Kitten Adoptions Offered At Century Branch Library
July 14, 2024
The Century Library hosted a Cat Cafe Saturday with the Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare.
It was the e purr-fect opportunity for library patrons to meet several kittens a relaxed and welcoming environment.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Escambia animal shelter is offering free adoptions for cats and dogs one year or older through Wednesday, July 31. Puppies are available for $50 and kittens are $25. An $11 licensing fee will be applied to all adoptions for Escambia County residents. The Escambia County Animal Welfare and Adoption Center is located at 200 W. Fairfield Drive. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 12-5 p.m., and Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Hot, Scattered Afternoon Showers And Thunderstorms
July 14, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 4pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Heat index values as high as 105. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Sunday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly clear, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 88. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 87. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 88. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
These Are The Road Construction Spots To Watch This Week
July 14, 2024
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Scenic Highway (U.S. 90) Resurfacing, from south of Interstate 10 (I-10) to south of Hyde Park Road – Scenic Highway will be closed just north of Manolete Street beginning at 6 a.m. Sunday, July 14 through Thursday, Aug. 1 as crews reconstruct a portion of the roadway. During the closure, drivers will be detoured using Langley Avenue, Spanish Trail and Summit Boulevard. Signage will be in place to direct drivers through the detour.
- Interstate Circle Bridge Over Eight Mile Creek – Interstate Circle is closed at the bridge over Eight Mile Creek through mid-2025 as crews replace the Eight Mile Creek bridge. Signage is in place to direct drivers around the work zone using Pine Forest Road, Longleaf Drive and Wymart Road.
- I-10 at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures on I-10 near the U.S. 29 interchange Sunday, July 14 through Thursday, July 18 between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Crews will be placing concrete barrier wall.
- I-10 at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) – Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts as crews perform paving operations, barrier wall installation and bridge demolition activities:
- Inside lane closures on I-10 near Exit 5, Sunday, July 14 through Thursday, July 18 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Outside lane closures on I-10 near Exit 5 Wednesday, July 17 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Inside lane closures on Nine Mile Road between the I-10 ramps, Sunday, July 14 through Thursday, July 18, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
- County Road (C.R.) 4 over Canoe Creek Bridge – C.R. 4, between Byrneville and Bratt, will be closed through late 2024 as crews replace the Canoe Creek bridge. Traffic is directed through a 5.6-mile detour using Bratt Road to Pine Barren Road, then back to C.R. 4.
- U.S. 98 (East Garden Street) Routine Maintenance at Intersection with North Tarragona Street – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, July 15 through Saturday, July 20 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for manhole repairs.
Santa Rosa County:
- State Road (S.R.) 89 Resurfacing, from north of S.R. 87 to C.R. 178 – Drivers will encounter intermittent daytime lane closures, between S.R .87 and C.R. 178, Monday, July 15 through Friday, July 19 as crews perform paving operations.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive Sunday, July 14, through Friday, July 19, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Wahoos Explode in Extras, Win Sixth Straight
July 14, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
It took 11 innings, but the Pensacola Blue Wahoos extended their winning streak to a season-high six games with a 7-3 win over the Rocket City Trash Pandas on Saturday night.
The Blue Wahoos scored two runs in the tenth and four more in the eleventh to remain undefeated in extra-inning games, improving to a perfect 7-0 when playing beyond regulation.
The game began as a pitchers’ duel, as Rocket City’s Sam Bachman twirled 7.0 shutout innings and Pensacola’s Tristan Stevens countered with 6.0 innings of one-run ball.
On the strength of an Eric Wagaman RBI fielder’s choice in the sixth inning, Rocket City held a 1-0 lead until the eighth. Jakob Marsee began the inning with a single off reliever Eric Torres, then advanced to second before stealing third and scoring on a wild pitch to tie the game 1-1.
Anderson Pilar and Matt Pushard contributed scoreless relief for the Blue Wahoos to send the game to extras, where the Blue Wahoos immediately capitalized to take their first lead. Dalvy Rosario sent an infield chopper to first base, but an errant throw allowed a run to score. Marsee followed with an RBI single to bring home Rosario, putting the Blue Wahoos ahead 3-1.
On for the save, new arrival Woo-Suk Go (W, 1-0) struggled to protect the Pensacola lead. The reliever allowed an RBI double to Nelson Rada and a game-tying squeeze bunt to Mac McCroskey, but dug deep and struck out back-to-back batters with the winning run at second base to send the game to the 11th.
The Pensacola offense wasted no time in reclaiming the lead, as Rosario singled home the go-ahead run off reliever Brady Choban (L, 1-2). Marsee added a sacrifice fly before pinch-hitter Diego Infante singled home two more for a four-run inning and a 7-3 lead. Tyler Eckberg quickly dispatched the Trash Pandas in the bottom half to seal the sixth consecutive Blue Wahoos win.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series against the Trash Pandas on Sunday. First pitch from Toyota Field in Madison, Alabama is scheduled for 4:05 p.m.
Panhandle Dynasty 7U Wins World Series
July 14, 2024
Panhandle Dynasty 7U recently won the 2024 World Series. The champions went undefeated over four days of baseball. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Angels Hold Friday Dress Rehearsal (With Saturday Air Show Schedule)
July 13, 2024
Crowds attended Friday’s dress rehearsal at Pensacola Beach.
For a photo gallery from Friday, click here.
The official Pensacola Beach Air Show is Saturday. Here is the schedule:
Prior to the official waivered air space closure signaling the start of the air show on Friday and Saturday, expect to see the following aircraft overhead, announced by radio personality Rob Williams:
- Pilot Julian MacQueen flying his vintage 1943 Grumman Widgeon seaplane overhead.
- Pilot Sheldon Heatherington will be flying his Zenith 75 STOL aircraft named Redbird.
- Navy pilot Tanner Matheny will be flying over in his 1946 North American Navion airplane named Olivia.
- U.S. Coast Guard Search and Rescue (SAR) demonstration from the back of a HH-60J Blackhawk helicopter.
- Local wing of the Commemorative Air Force flying WWII and Korean War-era trainer and liaison aircraft.
- Then, at 11:45 a.m., spectators will be cleared from the Gulf waters and the official air space waiver begins.
The show begins precisely at noon with presentation of the colors by the Red Bull Team parachutists jumping from Aaron Fitzgerald’s helicopter over show center, followed by a brief teaser of what’s to come from the Red Bull Air Force team and Kevin Coleman later in the show. The Red Bull Air Force team is assembled from the most accomplished aviation experts on the planet who continually push the limits of human flight.
The Veterans Flight team takes the stage at 12:13 p.m. in their bright yellow, vintage World War II-era biplanes and possibly other WWII vintage aircraft. Organized by Pensacola attorney and pilot Roy Kinsey, around a dozen Stearman pilots from all over the Southeast are flying in the show to pay tribute to all WWII and Korean War vets.
Next up at 12:28 p.m. is a newcomer to the air show, the incredible wingwalker Carol Pilon and the Third Strike Wingwalking team. Pilon is the first, and only, woman to walk on a jet-propelled aircraft. Expect to see Pilon traveling atop a bright red, vintage Stearman biplane with lots of billowing smoke.
At 12:39 p.m., keep your eyes peeled as Redline Aerobatic Team pilots Ken Rieder, Adam Baker, and making his inaugural debut at this air show, Austin Rieder, Ken’s son, perform some exceptional formation aerobatics.
Then, at 12:54 p.m., hang onto your hat as pilot Skip Stewart wows the crowds next with his high-skill passes and jaw-dropping maneuvers from his famous red, white and black-checkered bi-plane, Prometheus. Don’t miss his signature inverted ribbon-cutting pass over the Pensacola Beach Pier.
Next up, at 1:06 p.m., Patty Wagstaff, the first woman to win the title of U.S. National Aerobatic champion and a six-time member of the U.S. Aerobatic Team, will wow the crowds over Pensacola Beach in her Extra 330 aircraft. Her breathtaking performances give airshow spectators a front-row seat view of the precision and complexity of hard-core aerobatics.
The Red Bull Air Force Team with Kevin Coleman and Aaron Fitgerald are back with a full act at 1:21 p.m., creating a visual spectacle like no other. The trio will perform a joint aerial demonstration that will last 25 minutes.
As always, closing out the show at 2 p.m. will be your U.S. Navy Flight Demonstrations Squadron, the Blue Angels. Look to the Gulf horizon as the famous C-130J aircraft, affectionately known as Fat Albert, followed by six signature blue and gold F-18 Super Hornets, make their way over Pensacola Beach.
For the next 45 minutes, spectators will get a glimpse of the Blues’ aeronautic maneuvers like the Diamond Dirty Loop, the Double Farvel, the Vertical Pitch, the Fleur-de-Lis, the Opposing Knife-Edge pass, and the crowd-favorite Sneak Pass. These are just a few of the mind-blowing displays of choreographed precision flying the Navy’s flight demonstration team has perfected over the past 78 years.
Pilot and Announcer Rob Reider will be the voice of the Pensacola Beach Air Show this year and Paul Entrekin, a retired Marine Corps aviator and former full-time air show pilot performer, will mark his 31st year as the Air Boss over the show.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Perry Doggrell, click to enlarge.
