Featured Recipe: Bite-Size Bacon Wraps
March 20, 2011
This weekend’s featured recipe from Janet Tharpe is Bite-Size Bacon Wraps. They may be tiny, but brown sugar and bacon packs a big taste.
To print today’s “Just a Pinch” recipe column, you can click the image below to load a printable pdf with a recipe card.
Photo Gallery: Kids Celebrate Camp Fire’s 101st Birthday
March 19, 2011
The children at Camp Fire USA Century Youth Learning Center celebrated Camp Fire’s 101st birthday Friday. The children made birthday hats and paraded around the center while singing “Happy Birthday”. They wrapped up the celebration with red, white and blue cupcakes.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Officials Urge Public To Burn With Caution And Care
March 19, 2011
Officials with Florida Division of Forestry’s Blackwater District are urging residents in Escambia, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties to use caution if they decide to burn yard waste in the near future.
While there currently are no burn bans in our area, some cities and municipalities prohibit outdoor burning or require a special permit. If you are not certain about burning in your area, check with the Division of Forestry office by calling (850) 957-6145 and listen to the requirements and restrictions when prompted.
Click the graphic to enlarge and see setback requirements for burning.
Some tips and requirements to keep in mind before you burn yard waste include:
- Legal burning hours are between 8 a.m. and one hour before sunset.
- It is illegal to burn household garbage (including paper products), treated lumber, plastics, rubber materials, tires, pesticide, paint and aerosol containers.
- Piles greater than 8 feet in diameter will require an authorization from the Division of Forestry.
- Clear down to bare, mineral soil around your pile to prevent the fire from spreading.
- Don’t burn on windy days.
- Never leave a fire unattended – even for a moment. One gust of wind can cause a fire to escape.
- Grass fires can spread quickly. Be prepared. Keep handy a water hose, shovel or other means to put out the fire.
- Make sure the fire is completely out before leaving it – no smoke and no heat.
- If your fire escapes, call for help quickly. Several minutes may pass before a fire department or the Division of Forestry can arrive on scene.
- If your fire escapes, you might be held liable for the cost of suppression and damages to the property of others.
Minimum required setbacks to legally burn yard waste:
- 25 feet from any forested area (grasslands, brush or other wildlands).
- 25 feet from your home or other combustible structure.
- 50 feet from any paved or public roadway.
- 150 from any occupied dwelling other than your own home.
Photo Gallery: Northview FFA’s Food For America Program
March 18, 2011
Hundreds of elementary school students from across Escambia County learned a little bit about farm life and the origin of their food during the annual FFA Food For America Day held Friday at Northview High School in Bratt.
The students were able to “shake and make” their own sweet cream butter to enjoy on crackers. They also had the opportunity to pet a variety of barnyard animals, plus learn a little of the science behind agriculture.
The was 16th year the Northview High FFA has sponsored the program, which was named the best in the entire state last year by the Florida FFA organization.
For nearly 150 photos from the program, click here.
Pictured top: Students “shake and make” their own sweet cream butter Friday morning during the annual Food For America event at Northview High School. Pictured inset: Students had the chance to pet a variety of barnyard animals. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: A Very Special Anniversary Dinner
March 18, 2011
Reita and Larry Irwin of Bratt were able to celebrate a very special anniversary, thanks to the staff at Century Care Center.
Reita and Larry are both residents at Century Care Center. As their 33rd anniversary approached, staff member Pat Sharp wanted to make sure the couple could have a special romantic evening together. She and the staff, along with volunteer Betty Jones, arranged for the couple to enjoy a steak dinner complete with roses and sparkling grape juice, in a “private” dining area.
Pictured top: Reita and Larry Irwin of Bratt enjoy a special 33rd anniversary dinner. Pictured below: Reita Irwin, Larry Irwin and Century Care Staff membe Pat Sharp with Reita Irwin. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ironic Photo: ‘Buckle Up Or Pay Up’
March 18, 2011
Just two days after the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office began a two-week crackdown on seat belt use in Escambia County, our cameras happened upon the pictured traffic stop Thursday afternoon in Walnut Hill.
The driver of this pickup was pulled over on Highway 97 after an Escambia County deputy observed him not wearing a seat belt. It’s worth noting the bumper sticker on the truck — “Buckle Up! Or Pay Up!”.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
New Pier At Lake Stone
March 17, 2011
A new pier has been added at the Lake Stone Campground. It is located next to the boat ramp, on the eastern side of the lake where there is no admission charge. Lake Stone Campground is a 100-acre campground and boat ramp facility located on West Highway 4 just outside Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Local Flood Photos Featured In National Weather Service Booklet
March 16, 2011
A new National Weather Service publication about the dangers of weather includes a couple of local area photos.
The “Alabama All Hazards Awareness Book” includes three NorthEscambia.com photos of flooding in downtown Atmore on December 14, 2009, to illustrate the dangers of nighttime flooding. “Be especially cautious at night, when it is harder to recognize flood dangers,” the publication warns.
The publication is an educational publication provided free of charge to citizens throughout the state to enhance natural hazards disaster preparedness, according to Tara Golden of the National Weather Service in Birmingham. The booklet was a joint project of the National Weather Service, the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, and the Alabama SKYWARN Foundation.
To view the complete booklet, click here to visit the National Weather Service Forecast Office Birmingham website.
Pictured top: A portion of page from the new “Alabama All Hazards Awareness Book” featuring flooding photos from Atmore. Pictured inset and below: Two of the flood photos used in the booklet; NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
One Man’s Trash, Another Man’s Blessing
March 13, 2011
One man’s trash is another man’s blessing a new Molino Thrift Store.
The Molino Outreach Ministry Thrift Store is a little different that many other thrift stores. Not only are the prices lower than some thrift stores (clothes begin at just 29 cents, and no used clothing is over $3), the business has a mission of reaching out to those in need and returning their profits directly to the community.
According to Manager Jason Lee, a Baptist pastor, the store returns 10 percent to churches in the community. The 10 percent figure was no accident; it was chosen because of the 10 percent tithe from the Bible.
“We reach out to the community by pricing the items as low as possible so that the person buying it receives a blessing,” Lee said. “When people are hurting, they will go to the church in their neighborhood, and we provide vouchers to churches in the area so that someone truly in need can receive they help they need in purchasing items.”
“We’ve had people come in when it was cold an ask if the could work for a few hours to earn a coat,” he said. “That’s a blessing to them.”
When an individual donates items to the Molino Outreach Ministry Thrift Store, the items’ price tags are marked with a code for the church of their choice. At the end of the month, each church receives 10 percent of sales with their code. The process has worked well, Lee said, with many dollars being returned to churches in Molino, Cantonment, Walnut Hill, McDavid, Flomaton, Century and surrounding areas.
Lee, who is pastor at the Oak Haven Baptist Church in Pensacola, sees the store as a mission field — an opportunity for his role as pastor to reach those that walk through the doors, and as another opportunity for local churches to reach the community.
The Molino Outreach Ministry Thrift Store is located on Highway 29 at Molino Road, in the former Grocery Advantage building. The store is open Monday-Friday 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., except for Wednesdays when they close at 5 p.m. The store is also open 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturdays, and it is closed on Sundays.
Donations are accepted during business hours. For donations outside business hours, for more information, or to volunteer at the store, contact Lee at (850) 791-8357.
Pictured top: Pastor Jason Lee prices toys recently at the Molino Outreach Ministry Thrift Store. Pictured inset: The store occupies the former Grocery Advantage building on Highway 29 at Molino Road. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Owens Named Washington Youth Tour Winner
March 13, 2011
Meredith Owens of Jay has been named the winner of the Youth Tour to Washington contest for co-op employee’s children.
Meredith is the daughter of Rick and Sabrina Owens. Sabrina is employed by Escambia River Electric Cooperative, and children of employees are not eligible for EREC’s Youth Tour competition.
Meredith competed against other electric cooperative employees’ children across the state of Florida by writing an essay entitled “America’s Energy Future” and was selected by a panel of judges to represent the Florida Electric Cooperative Association on the tour.
Meredith will travel by plane to Washington, D. C. June 10-16 and visit the historic sites of our nation’s capitol along with approximately 1,500 other Youth Tour delegates from all across the country. Students will have the opportunity to learn more about our nation’s government, rural electrification and will make many new friends.
Two non-EREC employee children also headed on the Washington Youth Tour. Click here for an earlier story.
Pictured: Meredith Owens. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.