Ernest Ward Holds Valentine’s Dance, Names Court (With Photo Gallery)
February 12, 2011
Ernest Ward Middle School held its annual Valentine’s Dance Friday night, naming a queen and her court based upon student votes.
Eighth grader Kamryn Brock was named queen, and TyDre Bradley was named king. From the seventh grade, Brianna Parker was named maiden, and Gavin Grant was named knight. Sixth grade maiden was Peighton Dortch and sixth grade knight was Hunter Kite.
For a photo gallery with the complete court, click here.
Pictured above: (L-R) Seventh Grade Maiden Brianna Parker and Knight Gavin Grant; Queen Kamryn Brock and King TyDre Bradley; and Sixth Grade Maiden Peighton Dortch and Knight Hunter Kite. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Think Roses In February
February 12, 2011
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, out thoughts go to roses. Roses grown in Florida require regular maintenance, but growing roses can be a rewarding hobby for those who like to spend time in the garden each week. Pruning will help keep your plants healthy and productive.Hybrid tea and grandiflora roses, in particular, should be pruned every year during the first or second week in February. Otherwise, these roses tend to become leggy, less vigorous and unattractive, and they won’t bloom as well.
Other types of roses, such as floribunda, shrub and everblooming old garden roses, generally require less drastic pruning, but they still benefit from pruning to improve their shape or control their size, when necessary.
Following a logical sequence of steps while pruning will help make the job seem less complicated. The first step is to remove the three D’s: any dead, diseased or damaged wood. Cut the stems one inch below darkened areas, making sure you are cutting back to green wood. Make the cut at a 45 degree angle about ¼‐inch above an outward facing bud. If no live buds remain, remove the entire cane. Weak, spindly canes, which are the diameter of a pencil or less, should also be removed the same way.
To avoid dieback and encourage rapid healing, pruning cuts should be made just above a dormant bud (eye). When an entire branch is removed, make a smooth cut at the point of juncture.
The second step is to remove branches that grow toward the center of the plant. This opens up the plant for better air circulation and allows sunlight to penetrate the inner portion of the plant. The third step is to locate crossing branches and remove the weakest one. Crossing branches may rub against each other, causing abrasions that may serve as openings for disease organisms to enter the plant. Also remove sucker growth, which is growth coming from below the bud union. Sucker growth can be from the root stock and a different rose variety; if not removed, sucker growth will crowd out the desired variety
Finally, prune to shape the plant. Hybrid teas, grandifloras and floribundas can be pruned 12 to 24 inches in height, leaving up to four to eight large, healthy canes the diameter of your finger or larger. Shrub and species roses should be pruned lightly, removing no more than 1/3 of the growth. Miniature roses need only minimal pruning. Old‐fashioned roses and climbers that bloom only once a year should be pruned
Immediately after flowering. Do not prune these types of roses heavily in the early spring since they bloom on wood from the previous year’s growth. If you have purchased new rose bushes you don’t have to worry about pruning them. Newly purchased roses have already been pruned, and no further pruning is required.
Pruning back roses takes some getting used to. Many new gardeners have a hard time getting up the nerve to cut their bushes back. If you don’t, however, the result will be tall, rangy, overgrown bushes that will not be nearly as attractive.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Short Lines As Verizon’s iPhone 4 Goes On Sale Locally
February 11, 2011
The much anticipated iPhone 4 debuted on the Verizon Wireless network on Thursday, with few customers lining up to be the first to get the smartphone.
“I just wanted to be one of the first ones because I’ve been waiting for a while for Verizon to get them,” said Lauren Cloud, a senior at Northview High School. She held ticket number two for the second iPhone sold at the Verizon store in Atmore (although she says she was the first to seal the deal and make it out the door).
For Cloud, it was a major upgrade from her old Droid Eris.
“I absolutely love it,” she said a few hours after moving from her old Google Android phone. Until Thursday, the iPhone 4 was available locally only on the AT&T network, which has somewhat spotty coverage in the North Escambia area.
Customers across the U.S. braved inclement weather, lines or both at stores across the country to be among the first to purchase an iPhone 4 on the Verizon Wireless network. In Atmore, Cloud said there was a not a large crowd waiting for the phone when the doors of the store opened, but about eight people came in behind her.
“I absolutely love it!”, Cloud said.
The iPhone 4 is available for $199.99 for the 16 GB model and $299.99 for the 32 GB model with a new two-year customer agreement.
Pictured top: Verizon customers across the country snapped up the new iPhone 4 on Thursday. Pictured inset: Northview senior Lauren Cloud seen in this mirror self portrait with her new iPhone 4. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New Chinese Restaurant Opens In Century
February 11, 2011
The Century Area Chamber of Commerce held a ceremonial ribbon cutting Thursday afternoon, welcoming Happy Star to the neighborhood. The new Chinese restaurant has received rave reviews, according to the chamber. Happy Star offers a full menu for dine in or carryout.
Happy Star is located at 8321 North Century Boulevard, across from Whataburger. The store’s phone number is (850) 256-2258.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Camp Fire Kids Sharing Valentine’s Love With Local Vets
February 10, 2011
February is the month of love, and for the kids of Camp Fire USA Century Youth Learning Center, that love is being extended to local veterans.
Every year since around 1978, Camp Fire USA children and youth have made Valentine Cards for local Veteran’s expressing their honor and appreciation. This tradition started as a call to citizens to volunteer at their local Veteran’s Administration hospitals or clinics. This call to action has become the National Salute to Veterans, observed during the week of Valentine’s Day.
Camp Fire USA is one of the nation’s leading not-for-profit youth development organizations, currently serving nearly 750,000 participants annually. For more information on Camp Fire USA Gulf Wind Council and the Century Youth Learning Center visit www.campfirekids.com. The Century location can be reached at (850) 256-0953.
Pictured: Camp Fire USA children across the area are making Valentine’s Cards for local veterans. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mardi Gras Masquerade Planned
February 9, 2011
You can celebrate Mardi Gras and help the American Cancer Society at the same time later this month.
Century’s Relay for Life team will hold a Mardi Gras Masquerade on Saturday, February 26 from 7-11 p.m. at the town’s Ag Building on West Highway 4. The featured entertainment will be the Will Inspire Band, a local favorite group with previous appearances at the 2009 Century Relay and the Teaspoon Festival.
The event will include red beans and rice, photo opportunities and a silent auction. Attire is Mardi Gras formal or costume. This is an adults-only event, but no alcohol is allowed on the community center property.
Tickets are $20 per person. Businesses or individuals can reserve a table for eight for $150. Tickets are available from any Relay for Life Century team, the Century Branch Library or the Century Town Hall. Tickets are limited.
For more information, call (850) 256-3842.
Pictured above: The Will Inspire Band. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Diane Kyser Named Bratt Elementary Teacher Of The Year
February 8, 2011
Diane Kyser has been named the 2010-2011 Teacher of the Year at Bratt Elementary School. The kindergarten teacher will be honored along with Escambia County’s other Teachers of the Year during the Golden Apple Awards in Pensacola on February 24. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Capt. Charlie Code Named NHS Teacher Of The Year
February 7, 2011
Captain Charlie C. Code, Jr. has been named the 2010-2011 Teacher of the Year at Northview Hgh School. The Senior Naval Science Instructor will be honored along with Escambia County’s other Teachers of the Year during the Golden Apple Awards in Pensacola on February 24.
Code retired after 29 years of service in the Navy and immediately went to work with Northview’s NJROTC program.
He was born in Macon, GA and attended Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL graduating in June, 1977. He completed Aviation Officer Candidate School at Naval Aviation Schools Command at Naval Air Station in Pensacola, and was commissioned in August 1978. He was designated an Aviation Maintenance Duty Officer (AMDO) in July 1979.
Code’s operational assignments while on active duty included Fighter Squadron 142, NAS Oceana and deployed on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), Norfolk, VA; HS-12, Atsugi, Japan and deployed on USS Midway (CV-41); USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3) Sasebo, Japan; and the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), Norfolk, VA.
His shore assignments included Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD), NAS Key West FL.; AIMD, NAS Lemoore, CA; AMDO assignment officer (detailer), NAF Millington TN; Aviation Training System Assistant Program Manager, Washington, DC; Program Manager, PMA-225, Patuxent River, MD, and his final tour was Executive Director and Commanding Officer, Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Center at NAS Pensacola.
His personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (with two gold stars), and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (with two gold stars).
He is married to the former Miriam A. Richardson of Baltimore, Md., and they have one daughter, Arnita.
Recipes: Super Treats For The Super Bowl
February 6, 2011
(Family Features) - While there’s a time and a place for elegant desserts, a Super Bowl party isn’t one of them. All the fun and action call for something easy for guests to handle and easy for hosts to make.
Fans of chocolate and marshmallows will cheer for these Rocky Road Squares. By substituting evaporated milk for water, you get a super-rich texture and very fudgy flavor. And by using melted chocolate morsels as well as whole ones, these Easy Double Chocolate Chip Brownies score big on the taste meter. You may want to make an extra batch, because they’ll be scooped up in no time!
For more ways to make you the MVP of the party, visit www.verybestbaking.com.
Rocky Road Squares
Ingredients
* 1 package (19.5 to 21 ounces) fudge brownie mix
* 1/2 cup vegetable oil, per package directions
* 2 large eggs, per package directions
* 1/2 cup Nestlé Carnation Evaporated Milk
* 1 cup (6 ounces) Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
* 2 cups miniature marshmallows
* 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
Preparation
1. PREHEAT oven according to package directions. Grease 13 x 9-inch baking pan.
2. PREPARE brownie mix according to package directions, using vegetable oil and egg(s) and substituting evaporated milk for water. Spread into prepared baking pan.
3. BAKE according to package directions; do not over bake. Remove from oven. Immediately sprinkle with chocolate morsels. Let stand 5 minutes or until morsels are shiny. Spread evenly. Top with marshmallows and walnuts.
4. BAKE for 3 to 5 minutes or just until marshmallows begin to melt. Cool in pan on wire rack for 20 to 30 minutes. Cut into squares using a knife dipped in hot water.
Serves
2 dozen brownies
Calories: 230g Total Fat: 13g
Cholesterol: 20mg Protein: 3g
Carbohydrates: 27g Sodium: 80mg
Preparation and Baking Time:
35 minutes
Easy Double Chocolate Chip Brownies
Ingredients
* 2 cups (12-ounce package) Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels, divided
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, cut into pieces
* 3 large eggs
* 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 cup granulated sugar
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 cup chopped nuts
Preparation
1. PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Grease 13 x 9-inch baking pan.
2. MELT 1 cup morsels and butter in large, heavy-duty saucepan over low heat; stir until smooth. Remove from heat. Stir in eggs. Stir in flour, sugar, vanilla extract and baking soda. Stir in remaining morsels and nuts. Spread into prepared baking pan.
3. BAKE for 18 to 22 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out slightly sticky. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars.
Serves
2 dozen bars
Calories: 190g Total Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 35mg Protein: 3g
Carbohydrates: 23g Sodium: 50mg
Preparation and Baking Time:
28 minutes
SOURCE:
Nestle
Plants Some Seeds: Grow A Greater Variety Of Vegetables
February 5, 2011
Most gardeners know there is a greater selection of vegetables available in seed catalogs than can be found locally. To grow those wonderful plants, however, you must be able to grow your own transplants from seed.
Containers for sowing seeds
It’s important to choose the right containers for sowing seeds. In general, containers should be clean, sturdy and have drainage holes. If you are reusing containers, be sure to sterilize them by soaking them in a bleach solution followed by a thorough rinsing.
Seeds can be started in flats, pots, old cans, cut-off milk cartons, margarine tubs, egg cartons, or other throwaways.
Peat pots are frequently used, especially for large seeds. Peat pots can be planted directly in the garden, but do not allow the edges of the pot to stick out above the soil. The edges will act as a wick and moisture will evaporate from this exposed surface.
Growing media
The medium used for starting seeds should be well-drained and of fine texture. It is best to use a “soilless” mix since garden soil contains disease organisms that can be highly destructive to small plants.
There are some excellent commercially prepared mixes available for growing seeds. Some gardeners will mix their own soilless media. A 50 percent vermiculite or perlite and 50 percent fine sphagnum peat is excellent for starting seeds.
Planting seeds
Fill the container almost to the top with slightly-moistened medium, level it and gently tap the container on a hard surface to settle the soil. Do not compress the soil at any time.
Scatter or broadcast the seeds evenly over the surface. If planting in individual pots, plant two or three seeds per pot (all but one seedling will be pinched off if they all germinate). With larger containers, sow a number of seeds fairly thickly and transplant the seedlings into individual pots later.
Lightly cover the seeds to the depth recommended on the seed package. Label each pot promptly with the plant type, cultivar name and planting date.
Water the seeds in with a fine spray. Then water as needed to keep the medium evenly moist but not soggy. Never let it dry out!
Place the container in a warm location. Generally a temperature range from 65 to 75 degrees is best. Gentle bottom heat can speed germination and can be provided by special heating cables available at nurseries or by mail order.
If your home is dry, it may help to cover the containers with plastic wrap to maintain a uniform moisture level since seeds and seedlings are extremely sensitive to drying out.
Growing the seedlings
Light is especially critical once the seeds germinate. If the seedlings begin to stretch and look leggy, they are not getting enough light.
It is common to start seeds indoors this time of year when it’s chilly outside. Place the containers of seedlings in the sunniest window you have.
If you don’t have a sunny window, you can grow seedlings using a fluorescent utility light fixture suspended on chains from hooks. Position the fixture 3 inches above the seedlings and leave it on 14 hours to 16 hours a day. Raise the fixture as the seedlings grow.
Water regularly and fertilize seedlings once a week. As soon as the seedlings are large enough to handle, they should be carefully separated and transplanted into individual pots – or if already growing in individual pots, thinned to one plant per pot.
Planting into the garden
When weather conditions are suitable, plant your seedlings in the garden
But remember, plants grown indoors or in greenhouses need to be acclimated to the environment outside before planting. First, place them in a protected shady location and allow them to wilt slightly before watering. Then, over the next 10 days, gradually expose them to more light.
Pictured top inset: Preparing the growing medium. Pictured bottom inset: Master Gardeners arranging trays in the greenhouse. Theresa Friday photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.