Century Holds Sawmill Day

April 25, 2010

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The Sawmill Day heritage festival was held Saturday in Century’s historical park. The event included a variety of entertainment, displays, arts, crafts, food, an antique car show and more.

For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event, click here.

 NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

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EREC Holds Annual Meeting

April 25, 2010

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Escambia River Electric Cooperative’s 71st Annual Meeting was held Saturday at Northview High School.

For a photo gallery from the event, click here.

Pictured above: Entertainment prior to the start of the business session at Escambia River Electric Cooperative’s annual meeting Saturday. Pictured below: Lunch was provided by the Northview High School FFA. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

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NHS Drama Presents Narnia

April 16, 2010

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The Northview High School Theater Department presented Narnia — The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe Friday night to rave reviews.

Cast and crew members included 26 students: Clint Davis as Aslan, Professor and Father Christmas; Nathan Taylor as Peter; Abigail Odom as Susan; Justin Purvis as Edmund; Georgia Goetter as Lucy; Angel Mitchel as Mrs Thomas; Tyler Hunter as The White Witch; Kayla Dempsey as The Dwarf Hag; Eric Ickeringill as Mr Beaver; Olivia Nolen as Mrs Beaver; Micah Byars as Fenris Ulf the Captain of the Witch’s Army; Erin Freemin as Monkey; Victoria Barrow as Goat; Jazzlyn Franklin as Panther; Jamichael Carson as Centaur Aslan’s Gaurd; Taylor Rigby as the Rabbit Spy; LaDerius Franklin as The Minotaur and Stage Manager; Aaron Hammond as The Spectra; Blake Luker as the Pig Man; Mallorie Okahashi Stage Hand; Alanna Johnson Stage Hand; Felicia Settle Stage Hand Curtain Operator; Johnny Robbins Sound Tech; Mason Coleman Spotlight Man; Miranda Scott Assistant Stage Manger; and Sebastian Jones Light Tech.

Pictured above: (L-R) Justin Purvis as Edmund, Nathan Taylor as Peter, Georgia Goetter as Lucy and Abigail Odom as Susan. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Escambia Students Send Veterans On Honor Flight (With Photo Gallery)

April 15, 2010

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The World War II veterans on the sixth Emerald Coast Honor Flight were welcomed back to Pensacola last night by thousands, including members of the Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleaders.

morehonor1.jpgThe students and staff in the Escambia County School District raised $114,000 to sponsor the flight to Washington for the veterans to tour the World War  II Memorial and other monuments in the nation’s capital. Almost 100 veterans were on Wednesday’s flight.

During “mail call” on the flight from Pensacola, each veteran received mail — cards and letters — from students and school staff from every school in the district.

Each school in the district raised funds for the trip, including $2,580 contributed by Ernest Ward.

For a photo gallery, click here. (Photos submitted by Ramona Fischer.)

Pictured top: Members of the  Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleaders welcomed veterans on the sixth Emerald Coast Honor Flight back to the Pensacola airport Wednesday night. Cheerleaders pictured are: (back L-R) Lily Townson, Tamara Green, Mallory Ryan, Anna Fischer, Katelynn Calloway, Chelsea Ward Front, (front) Morgan Ward, Hannah Gibson, Mallory Wiggins and Paeton Hadley. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

11th Grade Core Value Award Recipients Named

April 12, 2010

garretttyler10.jpgSeveral Escambia County 11th grade students were recently named Core Value Award Recipients based up their demonstration of the Core Values of equality, integrity, patriotism, honesty, responsibility and respect. They each received a $100 award check from Sub West Rotary Club.

Core Value Award Recipients were:

  • James “Tyler” Garrett – Northview High School
  • Emily Danforth — Tate High School
  • Dominic Johnson — West Florida High school
  • Krista MacMurry — Pine Forest High School
  • Ashley Vanstraten — Escambia High School
  • Dieu Huynh — Washington High School
  • Benjamin Sellers — Pensacola High School

Pictured above: James “Tyler” Garrett was the  Core Value Award Recipient from the Sub West Rotary Club. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Pictured:  James “Tyler” Garrett  from Northview High School was recently named a Core Value Award Recipient by the Sub West Rotary Club. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

McCartney, Angeles To Wed

April 11, 2010

mccartney.jpgMr. and Mrs. Roscoe L. McCartney of Milton, Fla. are proud to announce the engagement of their daughter, April J. McCartney to Derek R. Angeles, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernie Angeles of Molino, Fla.

Miss McCartney is a 2009 graduate of Pace High School and is presently employed with Chick-Fil-A.

Mr. Angeles is a 2003 graduate of Northview High School and is presently employed with Regions Bank and scheduled to be in Coast Guard basic training in October 2010.

The April 24, 2010 wedding will be held at First Baptist Church of Bratt, Fla. at noon with a reception to follow at the Ruritan Club in Walnut Hill, Fla.

Ward, Drew To Wed

April 11, 2010

ward10.jpgMr. and Mrs. Roy Glenn Ward are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter. Jocelyn Renee, to Mr. Stephen Nicholas Drew, son of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Carl Drew. Miss Ward is the granddaughter of Mrs. Jackson Henry Downer and the late Jackson Henry Downer of Bratt, Fla., and The Honorable and Mrs. Billy Glenn Ward of Walnut Hill, Fla.

The prospective groom is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. James Grout Van Pelt of Walnut Hill, Fla., and Mr. and Mrs. Gene Singleton and the late Joseph Carl Drew of Atmore. Miss Ward is a 2002 graduate of Christian Institute of Arts and Science and is currently attending Jefferson Davis Community College pursuing a degree in Business. She is employed at First National Bank & Trust in Atmore.

Mr. Drew is a 1999 graduate of Northview High School and a 2004 graduate of the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. He is employed at Reliability Solutions in Walnut Hill, Fla.

The April 17, 2010, wedding will be held at First United Methodist Church in Atmore.

Wishes Come True: Girl To Ride Molino Horse On Pensacola Beach

April 10, 2010

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Horse riding is illegal on Pensacola Beach, except for one little girl from New York.

Her name is Madison, and she’s from central New York state. And her one wish is to ride a horse on the beach.

Thanks to the Make-a-Wish Foundation, The Leaning Post Ranch in Molino, and the Escambia County Commission, Madison will get her wish. The commission voted to change a county ordinance to allow the ride, which is expected to take place in the next couple of weeks.

The Make-a-Wish Foundation works to grant wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. The Leaning Post Ranch in Molino provides equine assisted activities and therapeutic riding to individuals with disabilities and at-risk youth in Northwest Florida.

Pictured: A group of youth ride at The Leaning Post in Molino. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.

Looking To Landscape? Try Chinese Purple Leaves And Pink Flowers

April 10, 2010

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Loropetalum, a native of Japan and Southeastern Asia, was introduced to the United States about 1880. However, it wasn’t until the introduction of the purple-leaved and pink flowering forms around 1990 that this plant began to find its way into the landscape. Based on its usage, it appears to be among the most popular broadleaf evergreens in southern landscapes. Both the botanical name, Loropetalum chinense, and the common name, ‘Chinese Fringe Flower’, refers to the shrub’s unique strap-like flowers. The shrub displays clusters of white or pink flowers with narrow petals that dangle like fringe. Although spring is the main flowering time, the shrub will flower off and on throughout the summer and into the fall.

Loropetalum (lor-o-peta-lum) has evergreen foliage with the color varying depending upon the variety.  Loropetalum varieties in the market place today are very similar, and yet, there are distinct differences. There are unique shades of flower color, ranging from fuchsia-pink to pink, or white with pink. Some have consistently reddish-purple leaves and others are green to purple depending on environmental conditions and time of year. All have a rapid rate of growth.

Its growing habit is loose and open and makes a great foundation plant, under-planting, screen or hedge. It can also be used in containers, or as a subject for espalier or bonsai.

At first, the young plants look small and delicate. But they grow fast, reaching 8 to 12 feet tall and nearly as wide. So space new plants appropriately.

byfriday1.jpgLoropetalum grows well in moist but well-drained soil and becomes drought tolerant once established. Color is almost equally good in sun and shade.   It prefers slightly acid soil, has few pest or disease problems, and only needs pruning to control size. It benefits from fertilization two to three times a year.

Loropetalum ‘Ruby’ has long been considered a fairly low maintenance landscape plant with few insect or disease problems. However, in recent years, there have been increasing reports and complaints of unexplained decline, especially in central Florida. The most commonly reported symptoms of decline include new growth that is stunted or deformed, curling of leaves, defoliation, and in extreme cases, plant death. Possible explanations for Loropetalum decline include mites, nutrient deficiency (especially micronutrients), root rot, nematodes and salt toxicity.

The University of Florida currently recommends planting ‘Burgundy’, ‘Plum’, or another cultivar with similar characteristics to ‘Ruby’, since there have been no reports of widespread decline for these cultivars in Florida.   The following tips will help you to identify different cultivars.

  • Loropetalum ‘Ruby’ is a small (3-5 ft tall), rounded plant with leaves that are more rounded and pink flowers that bloom year round.
  • Loropetalum ‘Burgundy’ (also called ‘Sizzling Pink’) will stand more upright than ‘Ruby’ and grows to be 6-10 ft tall. It has elongated, pointed leaves that turn bright red in the fall and flowers that bloom intermittently.
  • Loropetalum ‘Plum’ (also known as ‘Hines Purpleleaf’, ‘Plum Delight’ or ‘Pizzazz’) has dark foliage and tends to have smaller, darker flowers. This cultivar will grow to be 6-8 ft tall.

Due to its vigor and adaptability, many new Loropetalums have become available in the past several years.  So, it’s important that you research the size of all these selections prior to placing them in your landscape.  Be sure to pick a variety that is suited for your planting space.

Grammy Award Winner Marty Raybon Performs In Bratt

April 4, 2010

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Grammy Award winner Marty Raybon performed two shows Saturday during the first Northview FFA Alumni Bluegrass Festival in Bratt. He was joined by Delta Reign and the Dog River Boys.

Proceeds from the concert benefited the Northview FFA Scholarship Fund, and the Northview High School Tribal Beat Band also took part, selling concessions to raise funds toward an upcoming trip to Orlando.

For a photo gallery from the event, click here.

Several politicians and candidates were also on hand, to meet and greet the public, including Doug Broxson, Dave Murzin, Walter B. Hill, Larry Walker and Greg Evers.

The show was sponsored in part by the Northview FFA Alumni Scholarship Fund, NorthEscambia.com, Sheriff David Morgan and Beulahfest.

Marty Raybon is perhaps best known as the former lead singer of the country mega-group Shenandoah from 1985-1996. He led Shenandoah to 22 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including thirteen number one singles, such as: “The Church on Cumberland Road” (1989), “Sunday in the South” (1989), “Two Dozen Roses” (1989), “Next to You, Next to Me” (1990) and “Butterfly Kisses” (1997). At the top of the charts, Raybon became known for his bluegrass and gospel-influenced semi-traditional country sound.

Pictured above: Marty Raybon performs Saturday during the Northview FFA Alumni Bluegrass Festival in Bratt. Pictured below: Raybon with Northview High FFA members. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

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