Escambia Students Of The Month Named
March 1, 2011
Escambia County Students of the Month for February have been named by the Escambia Association for Administrators in Education. The awards are presented monthly to two students from participating schools.
The following students were named from participating North Escambia area schools:
- Bratt Elementary — Hunter E. Carter, fifth grade; Jonathan T. Gibbs, first grade
- Jim Allen Elementary — Anthony R. Leger, kindergarten; Kornesha S. Purifoy, kindergarten
- McArthur Elementary — Jesse C. Kintz, kindergarten; Alejandra E. Martinez, kindergarten
- Molino Park Elementary — Ariel S. Ward, second grade; Kenley E. Brown, second grade
- Ransom Middle — Cortez M. Jackson, seventh grade; Angel J. Chu, seventh grade
- Northview High — Elizabeth A. Wright, 11th grade; Joshua M. King, 12th grade
Pictured top: Northview High School Students of the Month for February Joshua M. King and Elizabeth A. Wright. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NJROTC Places In Multi-State Drill Meet
February 28, 2011
Northview High School’s NJROTC recently participated in a drill meet at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The unit competed in multiple events which included a personnel inspection, academic test, basic and exhibition drill and physical fitness. Out of 16 schools from Florida, Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana that competed in the meet, Northview finished fifth overall. The unit was third in the personnel inspection, fifth in the armed exhibition drill and sit-ups and sixth in unarmed and armed basic drill.
“Performance by the unit was excellent and was the culmination of a lot of hard work over the past several weeks by each cadet that competed. They represented Northview and the community in an outstanding fashion,” said Capt. Charlie Code, instructor.
Pictured: The Northview High School NJROTC participated in a drill meet at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Homemakers Make Yo-Yo Creations
February 27, 2011
The Molino Homemakers met on February the 2nd. A program was given by Ruth Miller on making Yo-yo’s. Pressed material was cut into circles by Becky Dorch on her cutting machine.
Circles were then hand sewn around the outside edge and the thread pulled tightly to make the yo-yo come together in the middle. After several yo-yo’s are made they can be stitched together to make many projects.
Some of those projects include quilts, wreaths, appliqués, pillows, bunnies and clowns. The possibilities are endless.
The Molino Homemakers share ideas and skills passed down to them to assure its continuation into the next generation of Homemakers. We never forget the knowledge and wisdom that sits amongst us each meeting.
The next club meeting will be on Wednesday March 2, 2011 at Aldersgate United Methodist Church at 10 a.m. Dues are $5 per year. Visitors are welcome.
Submitted photos by Terri Brown for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Featured Wee Recipe: Southwestern Chicken Tortilla Soup
February 27, 2011
This weekend’s featured recipe from Janet Tharpe is a Chicken Tortilla Soup. Thick and hearty, this soup is packed with Southwestern flavor.
To print today’s “Just a Pinch” recipe column, you can click the image below to load a printable pdf with a recipe card.
Hazel Bolen Celebrates 90th
February 27, 2011
Byrneville resident Hazel Bolen celebrated her 90th birthday last week.
The Women’s Ministry at Byrneville United Methodist Church gathered friends and family for a celebration last Sunday, with a big surprise. She was able to hold her great-great granddaughter Taylor for the first time as great-grandson Josh Mixon was able to attend the party from out of town — make five generations at the event.
Hazel has two sons, Wilbur and Wayne Levins, as well as many grandchildren.
Pictured top: Family and friends gather to celebrate Hazel Bolen’s 90th birthday at Byrneville United Methodist Church. Pictured inset: Hazel is able to hold Taylor Mixon, a fifth generation family member, for the first time. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weekend Gardening: Early Flowering Trees Usher In Spring
February 26, 2011
Warmer temperatures have raised the spirits of gardeners in Northwest Florida. Although we know from experience that we still have a good chance of another cold snap or two, nicer weather is always a welcomed foray into spring.
Warmer weather also means that some trees and shrubs burst into bloom producing flowers that brighten otherwise drab winter landscapes. Several members of the rose family are currently in bloom in Northwest Florida and sure to grab your attention.
Flowering Quince
During Colonial times a quince tree was a rarity in the gardens of wealthy Americans, but was found in nearly every middle class garden. The fruit—always cooked—was an important source of pectin for food preservation, and a fragrant addition to jams, juices, pies, and candies. However, by the early twentieth century quince production declined as the value of apples and pears increased. Its popularity has plummeted and it is now a rarity in contemporary landscapes.
Quince has been cultivated in the Middle East for centuries, and may have even been the fruit of temptation in the story of the Garden of Eden. The ancient Biblical name for quince translates as “Golden Apple.” In ancient Mesopotamia, now Iraq, cultivation of quince predates the cultivation of apples.
This small, thorny, deciduous tree is one of the first to bloom in late winter. It is a member of the rose family and explodes with typical rose-type flowers in February each year. The single, white flowers are 1½ to 2 inches across and grow on current season growth.
The fruit is a fragrant, many-seeded pome about three inches in diameter. The fruit’s shape ranges from round to pear-like and the flesh is yellow. Several references refer to it as “hard and rather unpalatable.”
If you would rather not deal with the fruit, non-fruiting cultivars exist. Since most quince cultivars are not well-adapted to Florida because of their high chilling requirement, choose your cultivar carefully.
Apples
Another pome-type fruit that embellishes our landscapes in late winter is the apple tree. Along with the quince, it too is a member of the rose family. It is older in cultivation than the rose and is sometimes referred to as the prince of the rose family.
Relatively few cultivars of apples (Malus domestica L.) can be grown successfully in Florida.
Most apples have a high chilling requirement. Chilling requirement is defined as the number of hours less than or equal to 45 degrees F during the winter. Apple cultivars suitable for North Florida have a chilling requirement of less than 600 hours.
Only a few cultivars meet Florida’s low-chill requirement. Recommended cultivars include ‘Anna’, ‘Dorsett Golden’ and ‘TropicSweet’. ‘Anna’ and ‘Dorsett Golden’ originated in Israel and the Bahamas, respectively. ‘TropicSweet’ is a patented cultivar from the University of Florida. These cultivars each have a chilling requirement of 250 to 300 hours.
For more information on low-chill apples, review the University of Florida/IFAS online publication at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg368.
Flowering Cherry
While we may not be able to produce beautiful, delicious cherries in Northwest Florida, we can enjoy a few ornamental, flowering cherry trees.
One species that does well in Northwest Florida is Prunus campanulata or the Taiwan cherry. The Taiwan cherry grows to 20 to 25 feet and spreads nearly as wide as it matures. Single, drooping rose-type flowers appear in late winter and will last for about ten days.
For other recommendations on flowering trees to add to your landscape, contact your local Extension Office.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Waterfront Rescue Opening Bargain Center In Cantonment
February 25, 2011
The Waterfront Rescue Mission will open its sixth bargain center March 5 in Cantonment.
The store is located at 732 North Highway 29 in the shopping center with Grocery Advantage. It will offer a variety of items, including clothing, furniture, household appliances, electronics, lawn furniture, tools, collectibles, new mattresses and more.
The bargain centers provide funds for Waterfront Rescue shelters and drug and alcohol recovery programs.
The grand opening celebration is planned for 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 5. There will be hot dogs, drinks and other goodies from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., or while supplies last.
Pictured: The interior and exterior of the new Waterfront Rescue Center Bargain Center that will open in Cantonment on March 5. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Celebrates FFA Week With Breakfast
February 25, 2011
FFA students at Ernest Ward Middle School did their part to celebrate National FFA Week with a Thursday morning breakfast for faculty and staff.
Students cooked a breakfast of eggs, grits, biscuits, bacon, sausage and more for the EWMS faculty and staff.
Click here for a photo gallery from the breakfast.
This year’s National FFA Week theme was “Infinite Potential” with members encouraged to envision, discover and achieve their potential within their communities.
Pictured: FFA students at Ernest Ward Middle School provide breakfast for the school’s faculty and staff Thursday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
‘Golden Cow Dung Award’ Presented To Ernest Ward Teacher’s Assistant
February 24, 2011
Ernest Ward Middle School teacher’s assistant Lindsey Kelley received the third annual “Golden Cow Dung Award” from members of the Ernest Ward FFA. The award presented Wednesday afternoon featured a large piece of cow dung, painted a golden color.
(Cow dung, in case you did not know, is what you are probably thinking it is. It’s that natural byproduct that cows drop in the field. The award is 100 percent real dung spray painted a golden color.)
Kelley received the award from the school’s FFA members as a “thank you” for supporting FFA. The same Golden Cow Dung Award was presented last year to Family & Consumer Science teacher Kathy Ellis and two years ago to Principal Nancy Perry.
More than half a million members around the nation are participating in National FFA Week activities at the local and state levels this week.
Pictured top: Ernest Ward Middle School FFA Gold Cow Dung Award presentation with Madison McGhee, photographer; Allison Woodfin, treasurer; Haley Brown, secretary; award-winner Lindsey Kelley; Addy Lee, parliamentarian; Tiffani Cruce, president; Penny Banda, FFA member; Bethany Reynolds, sentinel; FFA Sponsor Cynthia Wilson, Haylee Weaver, reporter; and Miranda Vidak, historian. Pictured inset: Kelley inspects her award. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Celebrates National FFA Week
February 23, 2011
FFA members at Northview High School are celebrating National FFA Week with a variety of events.
Tuesday, the FFA officers and members prepared a homestyle breakfast for teachers, staff and invited guests that support the FFA program. On Monday, students prepared refreshments for bus drivers.
For a photo gallery from both events, click here.
FFA week activites include:
Monday: Bus Driver Refreshment/ FFA T-Shirts
FFA members prepared refreshments for all bus drivers to give to them in the morning as they arrived at school.
Tuesday: Teacher Breakfast
All teachers, staff and invited guests were invited to eat a home cooked breakfast before school started that was prepared by FFA officers and members.
Wednesday / Ag Olympics
All agricultural classes will participate the Ag Olympics program with several events.
Thursday / Coke Float Day
Members are invited to have a coke float in the Agriculture department during the student’s lunch.
Friday / Dirty Truck Contest
All students of Northview High School, FFA members or not, will be allowed to participate in the Dirty Truck Contest.
Saturday: Ruritan Farm Equipment Auction
FFA members will assist with the Walnut Hill Ruritan Farm Equipment Auction Saturday as a community service project.