Molino Christmas Parade Photo Gallery, Video
December 5, 2010
The annual Molino Christmas Parade was held Saturday afternoon on Crabbtree Church Road. After the parade, Santa Claus met with lots of good boys and girls at the Molino Ballpark.
Sponsored by the Molino Recreation Association, proceeds from the parade are used to benefit needy children in the Molino area during the Christmas season.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the parade, click here. For a video, click below.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Gospel Singing Benefits Bratt Youth Group
December 5, 2010
The First Baptist Church of Bratt held a Gaither Homecoming style Gospel Singing Saturday evening. Local talent from the Bratt community presented a variety of Southern gospel and Christmas music. The event benefited the church youth in their efforts to attend a January Bible conference. Submitted photos by Wayne Holland for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Have news or photos to share from your church? Email your information to news@northescambia.com
Featured Recipe: Chocolate Mice
December 5, 2010
This weekend’s featured recipe from Janet Tharpe is a “Chocolate Mice”, a fun and easy idea with just four simple ingredients and a few easy steps. Kids of all ages will have fund making (and eating) these decorative delights.
To print today’s “Just a Pinch” recipe column, you can click the image below to load a printable pdf with a recipe card.
Flomaton Christmas Parade Photo Gallery, Video
December 5, 2010
Hundreds enjoyed the annual Flomaton Christmas Parade “The Wonder of Christmas Morning” Saturday morning.
The parade rolled through the streets of Flomaton with the Flomaton High School band plus floats, twirlers and more from across the area. The parade was highlighted by appearance by Santa Claus.
The float from Faith Bible Baptist Church won first place.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the parade, click here. For a video, click below.
Pictured above: Santa Claus make an appearance Saturday morning during the Flomaton Christmas Parade. Pictured below: The Flomaton High School Band. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Support The Chiefs: Poster Contest Winners Named
December 3, 2010
Winners were named Thursday in the Support the Chiefs poster contest at Northview High School.
Kara Hardin’s “Let’s Go Chiefs: Get That Ring” was the winner in the non-computer enhanced division. There was a three-way tie for the winning poster in the digital publishing category: between Katie Wieborg’s “I Am A Chief”, Dixie Carnley’s “Show Some Spirit Northview Chiefs” and Heather Barrows’ “Go Chiefs”.
Pictured above: Katie Wieborg, Kara Hardin, Dixie Carnley and Heather Barrows. Winning posters are below. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Above by Heather Barrow.
Above by Dixie Carnley.
Above by Katie Wieborg.
Above by Kara Hardin.
Ernest Ward Names Students Of The Month For November
November 29, 2010
Ernest Ward Middle School has named their Students of the Month for November. They are (L-R) Elizabeth Wright, Ben Preston and Ashlynn McCall. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cut Your Own: Local Christmas Tree Farm
November 28, 2010
Many area residents will enjoy Christmas tradition again this year with a fresh, locally grown Christmas tree. The Country Pine Christmas Tree Farm near Bratt is now open daily until Christmas.
“You come here for the old time experience,” said farm owner Andy Bogdan. “This is so much more than just a plastic tree.”
Visitors to the Christmas tree farm stroll around the trees, which are located in an “L” shape field around a scenic pond with a fountain and ducks. Once the perfect tree is found, visitors can cut their own tree with a supplied saw, or have Bogdan cut it down.
The tree is then shaken to remove any loose needles (and bugs), then it’s ready to head home or it can be bagged for easier transport.
During the “experience”, visitors can also enjoy free cookies, apple juice, candy canes for the kids and lots of Christmas music. “The kids can run and play, and have the time of their lives looking for just the right tree,” Bogdan said.
Tree varieties include Virginia Pines, Leylend Cypress and Carolina Sapphires. If you have allergies, he said the Leylend Cypress is the perfect tree. It will not drop needles and has virtually no smell. The Carolina Sapphire has an intriguing aroma that is a mix of lemon, lime and mint. The Virginia Pine has that classic pine Christmas tree smell.
True fresh cut trees cut on the farm will last from before Thanksgiving until well after Christmas, Bogdan said.
Country Pine Christmas Tree Farm is one of the few remaining Christmas tree farms in Northwest Florida or South Alabama, and is the only one in the immediate area. There were a few more prior to hurricane Ivan and Dennis, Bogdan said, but most did not survive.
“You had the direct damage from the wind,” he said. “Then you have the delayed die back from damage to the trees. Exotic bugs and fungus that were not here before were blown in, and trees around here had no resistance.”
“”The trees have had good growth since the hurricane. An average seven or eight foot tall Christmas tree will grow from a seedling in about four years. “They grow much faster here in the South than they do up north,” he said.
With a little straightening and tender loving care, Bogdan’s trees post-hurricane are ready for a living room and a visit from Santa. Prices vary depending on the variety of tree and height, ranging from $18 to $50.
Bogdan and his wife moved to the Davisville area from Miami after he retired from Eastern Airlines. He was looking for a little something to do in his retirement and settled on Christmas tree farmer over 10 years ago.
“I’d never farmed before, but ended up with a Christmas tree farm,” he said. “But it’s a nice business. It’s not like being a doctor or a lawyer where people you deal with are not happy. At a Christmas tree farm, everybody is happy when they come here.”
For more photos from the Christmas tree farm, click here.
The Country Pine Christmas Tree Farm is located at 5001 Still Road, just south of Highway 4. A map is at the bottom of this page. The farm is open 9 a.m. until dark daily. Trees range is size from table-top to 12 feet. (850) 327-4600.
Pictured top: A few of the trees at the Country Pine Christmas Tree Farm near Bratt. Pictured middle: At the Christmas tree farm, you can use one of their saws to cut your own tree. Pictured below: The Country Pine Christmas Tree Farm stand with tree accessories plus goodies like free apple juice, cookies and candy canes for the kids. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Jay Celebrates With Christmas Parade, Festival
November 28, 2010
The annual Jay Historical Society Christmas Festival and the Jay Christmas Parade were held Saturday.
The parade featured about two dozen units, including bands from Jay and Central high schools. The Christmas Festival included live entertainment, photos with Santa, a pet contest and vendors that displayed their wares all day.
For a photo gallery from both events, click here.
Pictured above and below: Scenes from the annual Jay Christmas Parade Saturday morning. Submitted photos by Angi Baker for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Featured Recipe: Those Potatoes
November 28, 2010
This weekend’s featured recipe from Janet Tharpe is a “Those Potatoes”, a recipe with a mild-mannered name that has plenty of mealtime punch with creamy richness and pepper jack punch.
To print today’s “Just a Pinch” recipe column, you can click the image below to load a printable pdf with a recipe card.
A Bank Divided By The Iron Bowl
November 26, 2010
The rivalry of the Iron Bowl between Alabama and Auburn literally divided an area bank. At the FNB&Trust main office in Atmore, employees decorated one end of the bank’s lobby for Auburn, the other for Alabama. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
