Tate Student Florida FFA’s Best Tractor Operator
May 4, 2011
A Tate High student really knows how to operate a tractor.
Jeff Hansford of Tate High School won first place in the recent Florida FFA 2011 State Tractor Operations Event held in Polk County. He competed against 12 other FFA members from across Florida.
The purpose of the FFA Tractor Operations Career Development Event (CDE) is to stimulate student interest and allow students to demonstrate their knowledge and ability related to the maintenance and safe operation of tractors.
NJROTC Cadets Recognized (With Photo Gallery)
May 3, 2011
Northview High School’s NJROTC cadets were recognized last week during the annual awards ceremony at Escambia High School.
Numerous national and local organizations presented medals, ribbons and even savings bonds and cash to the cadets that have excelled in the NJROTC programs at Northview, Pine Forest, Escambia and Washington high schools. The cadets were recognized for exhibiting outstanding leadership, commitment and dedication to their unit, school and community.
For a photo gallery, click here.
“The awards ceremony wraps up a year that has been the busiest in several years. The returning cadets have their sights on higher goals and sustaining the momentum begun this year,” said Charlie Code, Capt. USN (ret), senior naval science instructor at Northview.
Northview NJROTC students receiving awards were:
American Veterans ROTC Award
- PO1 Tim Rackard
Order of the Daedalians JROTC Achievement Award
- CPO Jonathan Moretz
National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Award
- PO3 Victoria Wright
CAPT James O. Haughton Memorial Award
- LCDR James Garrett
Military Order of the Purple Heart Leadership Award
- MCPO Kiani Okahashi
Military Order of the World Wars Award
- LT Melissa Moretz
Women of the Sea Services (WAVES) NW Florida Unit #52 Award
- PO3 Alanna Johnson
The Reserve Officers Association ROTC Medal
- CPO Nathan Waters
Navy League Award
- CPO Arron Mccants
- PO1 Kayla Miles
- SN Casey Godwin
National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution JROTC Award
- PO2 Aaron Rausch
Scottish Rite Award
- SN Amber Francis
The National Sojourners ROTC Award
- PO3 Johnny Robbins
Military Officers Association of America ROTC Medal
- ENS Jody Day
Stephen Decatur Award
- Jr. – PO1 Lantz Jones
- Fr.- SN Kasie Braun
Shining Stars Are Named
May 3, 2011
The Greater Escambia Community Foundation and WSRE, PBS for the Gulf Coast, presented the Shining Star Award to 36 Escambia County elementary students in a ceremony Sunday afternoon at WSRE’s Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio on the main campus of Pensacola Junior College.
Area principals and teachers selected the winners based on good citizenship, community service and adherence to the core values of the Escambia County School District: equality, responsibility, integrity, respect, honesty and patriotism. Each winner was awarded a certificate of achievement and a new bicycle and helmet.
North Escambia area Shining Star Award winners are:
- Celeste North, Bratt Elementary School
- Peyton Lane Newsome, Byrneville Elementary School
- Ataylor Carter, Jim Allen Elementary School
- Sabra Stewart, Molino Park Elementary School
Former Florida State Representative DeeDee Ritchie and former Pensacola Mayor Mike Wiggins were the Masters of Ceremonies. Escambia County Superintendent Malcolm Thomas spoke at the festivities. Principals and teachers from each school, as well as the winners’ families and friends, were invited to attend.
The complete list of Shining Star Award winners is as follows:
AK Suter — Kyra Clark
Allie Yniestra — Chelsea D McGhee
Bellview — Jordyn Bennett
Belauh — Alexandria Boles
Blue Angels — Jahriel Griffin
Bratt — Celeste North
Brentwood — Tyra Smith
Byrneville — Peyton Lane Newsome
C A Weis — Tyrese Washington
Cordova Park — Mariah Brady
Ensley — Roseanna Reber
Episcopal Day — Emily Johnson
Escambia Christian — Tannier Rogers
Ferry Pass Tyler Michael Greene
Hallmark — Aleshia Odom
Hellen Caro — Alexis Lowery Waller
Holm — Olivia Johnson
Jim Allen — Ataylor Carter
Little Flower Catholic — Alexandra Cajigal
Longleaf — Joshua Ellenberger
McArthur — Keyana Danielle Norman
Molino Park — Sabra Stewart
Myrtle Grove — Joseph Jackson
NB Cook — Peyton Schmelzenbach
Navy Point — LaDaizjhia Burnett
OJ Semmes — Starletta Fountain
Oakcrest — Bad-Tien Duong
Pensacola Beach — Meredith McCurdy
Pensacola Christian — Justin Schubeck
Pine Meadow — Lindsey Crawford
Pleasant Grove — Samantha Nichole Dean
RC Lipscomb — Riley Orr
Redeemer Lutheran — Samuel Schelling
Scenic Heights — Alana Rodriguez
Sherwood — Jayla Brenson
Spencer Bibbs — Avian Sanders
St Paul Catholic — Matthew Harmon
Warrington — Tyrez Porterfield
West Pensacola — Norma Guillen
Pictured above and below: WSRE’s Shining Star Award winners. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Not About The Catch: Pen Wheels Fishing Rodeo Held In North Escambia
May 1, 2011
“I think I got a big one!”
The sounds of excitement were all around Saturday for the 37th annual Pen Wheels Fishing Rodeo in Walnut Hill.
Over the history of the fishing rodeo, it has been held at locations ranging from Ft. Pickens to the Three Mile Bridge in Pensacola. Since 2001, it has been held at Jantz’s Catfish Pond on South Highway 99, just off Highway 97.
Dozens of volunteers stood ready Saturday to help the disabled. They baited hooks, tossed a line and offered words of friendly encouragement.
Dozens of disabled people were registered in Saturday’s fishing rodeo. They were from around the area, including Pensacola and Century. Several residents from the Century Care Center participated. The Pen Wheels Fishing Rodeo is provided to the disabled for free as a project of the Pensacola Fiesta of Five Flags organization. Escambia Grain in Walnut Hill supplies the cold drinks, Escambia River Electric Cooperative supplies the ice, the Walnut Hill Mennonite Youth Group supplies and serves the lunch, and the Masons from Milton volunteer to set up the fishing tackle and help clean the fish.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured: Scenes from the 37th annual Pen Wheels Fishing Rodeo in Walnut Hill Saturday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Residents Come Together To Help Tornado Victims
May 1, 2011
They came from Flomaton. Cantonment. Century. Even Illinois.
Vehicle after vehicle turned into the Flomaton Volunteer Fire Department Saturday to help Alabama tornado victims. Some gave cases of water, some gave handfuls of cash. Others gave what pocket change they could spare. But together, they raised hundreds of dollars and thousands of pounds of supplies for Alabama residents whose lives were ripped apart by the second deadliest tornado outbreak in U.S. history.
“Words cannot express how grateful we are for all that was done today,” Alisa Hart of the Flomaton Volunteer Fire Department said. “We are so proud and honored to be a part of this community.”
“Tuscaloosa was one of the first to help us after Ivan,” Larry White said on WPFL radio. White is an owner of the small station licensed to Century, and he’s also an Escambia County (Ala.) Commissioner. He spent his Saturday under a shade tree in the fire department parking lot broadcasting live, continually reminding those that might be listening to stop by the store and pick up supplies to donate at the Flomaton VFD.
A family from Illinois scanning the radio dial as they passed through town heard White’s plea and stopped to make their donation.
Shoreline Transportation has donated a 53-foot enclosed trailer for the supplies. They will transport the trailer to north Alabama on Monday. In the meantime, items such as water, Gatorade, crackers, cookies, other non-perishable food items, wipes, manual can openers, batteries and battery powered items like flashlights and radios are still being accepted at the Flomaton Volunteer Fire Department . Organizers ask that items be left outside the trailer next to the fire department on Highway 31 near Highway 113. Volunteers are checking for donations regularly through Monday morning and moving items into the trailer.
Pictured: A trailer is loaded with tornado relief supplies Saturday morning at the Flomaton Volunteer Fire Department. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Atmore Relay For Life
May 1, 2011
The annual Atmore Relay for Life to benefit the American Cancer Society began Saturday afternoon.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event, click here.
Two other North Escambia area Relay for Life events are coming up in two weeks — the Relay for Life of Greater Escambia and the Century Relay for Life will both be held on May 13.
Pictured top: The Survivor’s Lap begins Saturday afternoon at the Atmore Relay for Life. Picture inset: Red balloons are released during the event. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Featured Recipe: Molino Homemakers’ Peanut Butter Cups
May 1, 2011
Today’s featured recipe is “Molino Homemakers’ Peanut Butter Cups” submitted by club member Terri Brown.
Molino Homemakers’ Peanut Butter Cups
Things you will need are mini baking cups, mini muffin pan, chocolate chips, peanut butter, plastic decorating bag, decorating tip #10, bowl for melting chocolate and two spoons.
Place mini baking cups in the mini muffin pan, melt chocolate and spoon into baking cups about 1/2 full. Next, spoon peanut butter into decorator’s bag which has tip#10 in the bottom. While chocolate is still melted insert tip of decorating bag into chocolate and squeeze peanut butter until the cup is about 3/4 full with chocolate covering the peanut butter. When all cups are filled, place pan in refrigerator for about 15 minutes until chocolate is hard. Remove from fridge and enjoy!
The next Molino Homemaker’s meeting will be on Wednesday June 1, 2011 at Aldersgate United Methodist Church at 10 a.m. The Homemakers will Tour the Ronald McDonald House May 4th in place of their regular meeting. Dues are $5 per year. Visitors are welcome.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Road Prison Chief Jeff Bohannon Roasted
April 30, 2011
Escambia County Road Prison Division Manager Jeff Bohannon was “roasted” by employees and prisoners alike Friday afternoon as he retires from the facility after 14 years of service.
During his tenure, Bohannon was instrumental in the development and administration of an educational and rehabilitation program for the inmates.
The Escambia County Road Prison is the only county-operated work camp in Florida, providing a large part of the manual labor for the Roads and Bridges Division from an 80-acre compound in Cantonment. Supervised by correctional officers, road prison work crews perform various tasks for the county such as clearing rights-of-way, grounds maintenance, drainage projects, and other aspects of road and stormwater maintenance.
Pictured top: Escambia County Road Prison Division Manager Jeff Bohannon (pictured center in tan pants) was instrumental in providing the labor to clean up and restore the Old Molino Jail. Pictured inset: Jeff Bohannon. NorthEscambia.com and submitted photos, click to enlarge.
Pictured top: Jeff Bohannon
Byrneville Elementary Honors Three Outstanding Students
April 28, 2011
Byrneville Elementary School is honoring three outstanding students. They are (L-R) Byrneville Elementary’s Student of the Year Shellie Harrelson, Cox Inspirational Hero Award winner Anna Belle Barberree, and the fourth grade’s Shining Star award winner Peyton Newsome. Also pictured is Principal Dee Wolfe-Sullivan. Submitted photo by Candice Thornton for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Friends Of The Library Book Sale Begins Friday
April 27, 2011
It’s time to stock up on summer reading material, and the Friends of the Pensacola Public Library Spring Book Sale is the place to do it at a reasonable price this weekend.
The Book Sale will be Friday through Sunday at First United Methodist Church Wright Place, 80 E. Wright Street in downtown Pensacola, and will offer thousands of gently used hardcover and paperback books, CDs and DVDs. Most range in price from 25 cents to $3. It also will feature a “Collectors’ Corner” and silent auction to showcase the more valuable books, Chairwoman Meredith McCarthy said.
The preview sale will be from 4:00 until 8:00 Friday night for members. Non-members can attend for a $5 admission fee. Non-members can join with their admission fee going toward their membership fee.
On Saturday, hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday, hours are noon to 3 p.m. No admission is charged those days. On Sunday, a bag of books can be purchased for $5.
All proceeds from the sale go to support the West Florida Public Library system, including the Century Branch Library.
For more details, call McCarthy at (850) 341-1434.
Pictured: Volunteers work to prepare for the Friends of the Pensacola Public Library Spring Book Sale at Wright Place in downtown Pensacola. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.