MANNA Names New Executive Director
August 6, 2011
The board of directors of MANNA announced today that DeDe Flounlacker will join the organization on August 15 as their new executive director.
““DeDe will bring great experience and compassion to MANNA. She was the unanimous choice of the board,” said Brent Lane, board president.
Flounlacker brings over 25 years in non-profit and volunteer management to MANNA, including vice president of membership services for the Pensacola Area Chamber of Commerce and executive director of the Ronald McDonald House.
“Thanks to the amazing support of organizations, faith-based groups, businesses, individuals and volunteers in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, MANNA has been able to serve those in need for nearly 30 years,” Flounlacker said. “While thousands were helped last year through our services, we have seen an increase in demand for food this year and expect that demand to continue to grow. As demand grows, so will our organization by expanding our partnerships and collaborations with the public and private sectors.”
MANNA is a private, not-for-profit corporation dedicated to alleviating hunger in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties through Manna Pantries, Manna Food Gardens and Manna’s Volunteers and Providers.
Gulf Power Working To Keep Those Air Conditioners Humming
August 4, 2011
This week’s high temps and heat indexes are causing air conditioners to work overtime along the Gulf Coast, and Gulf Power Company says they are prepared for record electric demands.
“We work hard to anticipate additional demand from our customers in the summer,” Jeff Rogers, Gulf Power spokesperson, said. “Through careful planning, we forecast demand years in advance to provide ample, reliable electricity for our customers. That includes planning for future power plants and other facilities. And, as part of Southern Company, we work with Alabama Power, Georgia Power and Mississippi Power to help ensure we have sufficient capacity.”
The utility can generate 2,659 megawatts of electricity on its own and purchase more electricity if necessary from sister companies and neighboring utilities. The all time peak record occurred in August of 2007 when Gulf Power customers demanded 2,634 megawatts. This year’s peak summer demand of 2,432 megawatts was reached on July 2, however a new summer peak is expected this week.
“What this means is our customers are buying more electricity to stay comfortable in the summer heat,” said Rogers. “About half of the electricity a customer consumes during the summer is for air conditioning.”
Two Area Farmer’s Markets Among Top 20 In America
August 4, 2011
Two Escambia County farmer’s markets are currently ranked among the top 20 in the country in a contest sponsored by the American Farmland Trust.
The Palafox Market in downtown Pensacola is number eight in the “medium” category, while The Market at St. Monica’s Episcopal Church in Cantonment is ranked number 11 in the “boutique” category.
Both markets feature vendors offering goods that include a broad range of local products, including local in-season vegetables, fruits, herbs, pasture-raised meat and poultry, free range eggs, freshly baked breads and pastries, homemade dog treats, honey, plants and flowers.
The Market at Saint Monica’s is open from 8 a.m. until noon on the first and third Saturday of the month through October (including this Saturday, August 6). The Palafox Market is open from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. each Saturday.
Voting in the 2011 America’s Favorite Farmers Market contest will continue through August 31. To vote, click here. After voting, American Farmland Trust will solicit a donation to protect American farmland. Donations are not required to vote.
Pictured: Scenes from previous Market at Saint Monica’s events in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Farm Services Agency Conducting Food Drive In Molino
August 3, 2011
The Escambia County Farm Services Agency is taking part in a national goal to collect two million pounds of food for families in need this summer.
“We are all excited about the opportunity to do a little something extra for the needy in our communities that we serve. We encourage you to participate with your donation to help our fellow citizens,” said Suzette Cooper of the Escambia County FSA Office.
A food collection box has been set up in the lobby of the Escambia County Farm Bureau Building at 151 Highway 97 in Molino. Non-perishable food items, as well as personal hygiene items, are being collected through August 31. All items will be delivered to local food banks for distribution. For more information, call (850) 587-5345 ext 2.
Items most needed include:
- Canned Fruits — in light syrup or its own juices
- Canned Vegetables– low sodium, no salt added
- Multigrain Cereal — Cheerios, cornflakes, Grapenuts, raisin bran
- Grains — brown and white rice, oatmeal, bulgar, quinoa, couscous, pasta, macaroni & cheese
- Canned Proteins — tuna, salmon, chicken, peanut butter, beans
- Soups — beef stew, chili, chicken noodle, turkey rice
- 100% Juice –all sizes, including juice boxes
- Condiments — tomato based sauces, light soy sauce, ketchup, mustard, salad dressing, oils
- Snacks — individually packed snacks, crackers, trail mix, dried fruit, granola/cereal bars, pretzels, sandwich crackers
- Paper Products and Household Items — paper towels, napkins, cleaning supplies
- Hygiene Items — diapers, deodorants for men & women, feminine products, toilet paper, tissues, soap, toothpaste, shampoo
Photos: Pirates Take Over Bratt AG For VBS
August 1, 2011
Bratt Assembly of God was taken over last week by pirates during the church’s annual Vacation Bible School. During the week, children searched for buried treasure, walked the plank and found treasure within their own hearts.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Do you have news or photos you would like to share from your church? Email news@northescambia.com
Molino Homemakers Create Bibs For Rehab Patients
July 31, 2011
The Molino Homemakers recently made adult-size bibs for rehabilitation patients at West Florida Rehabilitation Institute.
Club President Nancy Holland set up a station where members cut out terrycloth and plastic material from a paper bag pattern. At another station, the plastic and terrycloth pieces were pinned then sewn together. Other members trimmed and turned the bibs then the bottoms were hand stitched closed.
Holland delivered the completed bibs to patients who undergo rehabilitation from strokes and other illnesses or surgeries. The patients are able to take their bib home with them once they leave rehab.
The Molino Homemakers meet on the first Wednesday of each month (except July) at 10 a.m. at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino. The next meeting will be August 3. Visitors are welcome; dues are $5 per year.
Pictured top: Members of the Molino Homemakers create bibs for rehab patients. Pictured inset: Club member Shirley Clayton models a bib. Submitted photos and story by Terri Brown for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Featured Recipe: Mexican Lasagna
July 31, 2011
Today’s featured recipe for Mexican Lasagna will add new flavors to family mealtime as an old favorite gets a south of the border twist.
Mexican Lasagna
Ingredients
- 1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell’s Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 package (about 1 ounce) fajita seasoning mix
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell’s Condensed Golden Mushroom Soup
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves, crushed
- 12 corn tortillas (5-to 6- inch)
- Chopped tomatoes (optional)
- Sliced green onions (optional)
Preparation
- Stir cheese soup, milk and half the fajita seasoning in medium bowl until mixture is smooth.
- Cook beef in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat until well browned, stirring often to separate meat. Pour off any fat.
- Stir mushroom soup, water, chili powder, oregano and remaining fajita seasoning in skillet and heat to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Cook for 5 minutes. Remove skillet from heat.
- Place 3 tortillas in the bottom of a 2-quart shallow baking dish, overlapping slightly. Spread 1 cup beef mixture over the tortillas. Repeat layers twice. Top with remaining tortillas. Spread the cheese soup mixture over the tortillas.
- Bake at 350°F. for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbling. Let stand for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with the tomatoes and onions, if desired.
Serves
Makes 6 servings
Preparation Time:
20 minutes
Bake Time:
30 minutes
Standing Time:
10 minutes
Weekend Gardening: Distinctly Southern Hydrangeas
July 30, 2011
Photo by Mandy Fails of Atmore for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Nothing defines a southern landscape more than hydrangeas.
These beautiful, large flowering shrubs fill gardens with their green, leafy foliage and incredible blooms during the warm months.
In order to ensure consistent and reliable blooms, these shrubs must be cared for correctly. In addition to proper site location, fertilizer and moisture conditions, hydrangeas may require pruning. Proper pruning includes correct timing.
Hydrangea aficionados are constantly debating pruning techniques. There are many different types of hydrangeas and pruning differs according to the type. It is a big genus of plants and so it’s important to know what type of hydrangeas you may have and on what type of wood they bloom on.
Blooms on old wood, prune after flowering
The bigleaf hydrangeas, known scientifically as Hydrangea macrophylla, are what most people think of when you mention hydrangeas. Most gardeners will know these as mopheads (also called hortensias) and lacecaps. Many of these blooms will be blue or pink although other colors now are available.
Many large colonies of bigleaf hydrangeas have existed around old homes for decades, surviving and blooming in spite of neglect. This tells us that it is not necessary to prune bigleaf hydrangeas.
However, if you want to keep these shrubs within a defined boundary, control their height or rejuvenate old shrubs, it will be necessary to prune them.
Bigleaf hydrangeas can be reduced in size immediately after flowering. A general rule of thumb is that you may remove up to a third of the shrub’s height. Be sure to complete your pruning before August. This is critical because next year flower blooms start to form in August. Pruning after August will remove next year’s blooms.
There now is a small group of bigleaf hydrangeas that are everblooming or remontant. Endless Summer® is one well-known brand. According to the developers of these reblooming hydrangeas, remove spent flowers to encourage rebloom. They are quite forgiving and will not suffer if left unpruned or pruned at the wrong time because these cultivars bloom on both old and new growth.
Our native oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is a large, deciduous shrub that can grow up to six feet tall. It has deeply lobed, oak-like leaves which turn bronze in the fall. This plant does not usually need pruning. If reshaping or size-reduction is necessary, prune after blooms begin to fade.
Article Continues Below Photo
Lacecap hydrangea Photo credit: Theresa Friday
Blooms on new wood, prune in early spring
Smooth hydrangea (H. arborescens) is the other U.S. native. The most common cultivar, ‘Annabelle’, produces rounded inflorescences that may reach up to a foot in diameter.
The panicle hydrangea (H. paniculata) is more of an upright type. It is typically a 10 to 15-foot large shrub or low-branched tree.
Panicle and smooth hydrangeas flower on current year’s growth and can be pruned anytime from late summer until early spring. If pruning these two species in the spring, try to prune before leaves appear.
Winter pruning
Established bigleaf, panicle, oakleaf and smooth hydrangea plants can often benefit from rejuvenation pruning. Remove about one-third of the oldest stems each year. The result is a fuller, healthier plant. This type of pruning is easiest to do in winter, since the absence of leaves makes it easier to see and reach inside plants.
Hydrangeas offer a wide variety of plants which can make the timing of pruning difficult to remember. Just keep in mind, if in doubt, either don’t prune at all or prune after flowering.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Century Turns Out To Give Blood
July 29, 2011
Several Century area residents turned out at a town-sponsored blood drive Thursday afternoon.
“We always give,” said Paula Hammond as she arrived with friend Cheryl Stacey as the Northwest Florida Blood Services Bloodmobile opened for donors at the Century Town Hall.
Century Street Superintendent Larry Murphy was among those that turned out, donating in honor of his brother.
The blood drive netted 15 donors, according organizers, toward a critical need for blood in the area.
Pictured top: Kelvin “Batman” Hyman (left) and Cesar Gonzalez during a blood drive Thursday afternoon in Century. Pictured inset: Cheryl Stacey (left) and Paula Hammond were among the donors. Pictured below: Street Superintendent Larry Murphy donated in honor of his brother. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Mission Molino
July 28, 2011
There’s a group of youth in Molino that are on a mission this week.
The youth from Highland Baptist Church have been joined by youth from Friendship Baptist Church from Cleburne, Texas, for “Mission Molino”.
Monday, about 60 youth along with adult volunteers worked to paint and do yard work for eight widows in Molino. Tuesday, they headed to Pensacola Beach to pass out water bottles and Salvation bracelets. During the remainder of the week, they will volunteer at the Florida Baptist Children’s Home and create activity packs for children at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured above: Youth involved in Mission Molino did yard work for eight widows on Monday. Pictured below: The students took part in a Mission Molino project on Pensacola Beach. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
