Keep The Wreath Fire Safety Campaign Begins
December 1, 2009
Two red bulbs were lit last year for residential fires in North Escambia as part of the Keep the Wreath Green safety awareness program.
Monday, Escambia County Fire-Rescue and the City of Pensacola Fire Department kicked off the 2009 “Keep the Wreath Green,” program designed to promote fire safety during the month of December. With this program, officials hope to reduce the number of fires during a time of serious fire danger with simple, life saving tips.
This year, the sixth year of the campaign, five-foot wreaths will be on display at 22 different locations throughout the holiday season. These sites are the Old Escambia County Courthouse on Palafox Place, the Public Safety Building on W Street, all 18 primary county fire stations, and two fire stations within the City of Pensacola. Every time firefighters respond to a residential fire a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by holiday decorations.
To help citizens stay safe and “keep the wreath green,” officials are providing a holiday safety tip for each day of the month; visit www.keepthewreathgreen.com for a complete list.
Last year, red bulbs were lit for two North Escambia fires:
On Sunday, December 14 a fire was reported in the 5800 block of Nokomis Road in Davisville. Upon arrival, firefighters found fire coming from the window at the end of a mobile home, moving down the hall toward the rest of the house. The fire was extinguished before any further damage was done to the home. The fire was caused by a child playing with matches and catching the bed on fire. There were no injuries.
Another fire was reported December 23 in 2200 block of Welcome Road, just south of Quintette Road. When firefighters arrived they found smoke coming from the home and a fire in one of the rooms. The fire was quickly extinguished, and the house sustained fire damage to one room and smoke damage throughout the rest of the home. There were no injuries.
Pictured above: The wreath at the Century fire station. Pictured below: A December 14, 2008, fire in Davisville. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
North Escambia Students Of The Month Named For November
November 30, 2009
Escambia County Students of the Month for November 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 North Escambia area schools:
- Bratt Elementary: Aiden S. Broadhead, PK; Ta’keyzha D. Johnson, fourth grade.
- Jim Allen Elementary: Deontrey A. Brown, third grade; Kayla A. Doten, third grade.
- Molino Park Elementary: Meredith F. Morgan, third grade; Leonard R. Solano, third grade.
- Ernest Ward Middle: Timothy M. Born, eighth grade; Jensyn L. Warner, sixth grade.
- Ransom Middle: Lauren A. Spencer, seventh grade; Chandler W. Cotton, seventh grade.
- Northview High: David A. Lambert, 11th grade; Holly N. Dickson, 10th grade.
- Tate High: Leslie A. Godwin, 12th grade; Dalton S. Campbell, 10th grade.
Pictured top: David Lambert and Holly Dickson, Northview High School’s Students of the Month for November. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Satsumas Available From Davisville Man’s Orchard
November 29, 2009
A local man is selling the fruits of his labor — satsumas from his orchard.
Jimmie Davis has 67 satsuma trees in his three-year old orchard in the Davisville community. Some of the individual trees are five or six years old. The satsumas, which are similar to a mandarin orange, are for sale.
To purchase the satsumas, call (850) 327-6711 or stop by 9941 Highway 97.
Pictured above: Jimmie Davis of Davisville with one of his satsuma trees. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cut Your Own: Local Christmas Tree Farm
November 27, 2009
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.
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 8 a.m. to 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.
Photos: North Escambia Turkeys
November 26, 2009
These turkeys were spotted by our photographer near Barrineau Park.
They were alongside South Highway 99 near Crabtree Church Road.
There’s no word on how the turkeys spent their Thanksgiving.
Pictured above: A couple of turkeys next to Highway 99 in Barrineau Park. Pictured below: A face only a mother could love. Pictured below middle: Showing off. Pictured bottom of page: Why did the turkey cross the road? NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Average Cost Of Thanksgiving Dinner Down This Year
November 26, 2009
Menu items for a classic Thanksgiving dinner including turkey, stuffing, cranberries, pumpkin pie and all the basic trimmings dropped 4 percent in price this year, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.
AFBF’s 24th annual informal price survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table indicates the average cost of this year’s feast for 10 is $42.91, a $1.70 price decrease from last year’s average of $44.61.
“As we gather this Thanksgiving for food and fellowship, it’s fitting to take a moment to recognize and give thanks, not only for the abundant food we enjoy as Americans, but for the hard-working farm and ranch families across our nation who produce it,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman.
The AFBF survey shopping list includes turkey, bread stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a relish tray of carrots and celery, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and beverages of coffee and milk, all in quantities sufficient to serve a family of 10.
The cost of a 16-pound turkey, at $18.65 or roughly $1.16 per pound, reflects a decrease of 3 cents per pound, or a total of $.44 per turkey compared to 2008.
Milk, at $2.86 per gallon, dropped $.92 and was the largest contributor to the overall decrease in the cost of the 2009 Thanksgiving dinner.
“Consistent with the retail food price declines seen throughout the year, consumers will pay just a bit less for their Thanksgiving feast this year,” said Jim Sartwelle, an AFBF economist.
“Consumers are benefiting at the grocery store from significantly lower energy prices and the effects of the economic slowdown. Again this year, the cost per person for this special meal is less than a typical ‘value meal’ at a fast-food outlet,” Sartwelle said.
Other items showing a price decrease this year were: a ½ pint of whipping cream, $1.55; a dozen brown-n-serve rolls, $2.08; a 1-pound relish tray of carrots and celery, $.72; and a 12-oz. package of fresh cranberries, $2.41. A combined group of miscellaneous items, including coffee and ingredients necessary to prepare the meal (onions, eggs, sugar, flour, evaporated milk and butter) also dropped in price, to $2.50.
Items that increased slightly (less than 5 percent) in price this year were: a 14-oz. package of cubed bread stuffing, $2.65; two 9-inch pie shells, $2.34; and a 30-oz. can of pumpkin pie mix, $2.45.
Two items, green peas and sweet potatoes, stayed the same in price at $1.58 for one pound and $3.12 for three pounds, respectively.
Sartwelle said despite retail price increases during the last year or so, American consumers have enjoyed relatively stable food costs over the years, particularly when adjusted for inflation.
The 4 percent decrease in the national average cost reported this year by Farm Bureau for a classic Thanksgiving dinner tracks closely with the organization’s 2009 quarterly marketbasket food surveys (available online at http://newsroom.fb.org) and the federal government’s Consumer Price Index (available online at http://data.bls.gov/), Sartwelle noted.
Byrneville Elementary Tops $800 Honor Flight Goal
November 25, 2009
Byrneville Elementary School has reached its goal of $800 for the Emerald Coast Honor Flight Program.
With a “Camo Day” fundraiser Tuesday that allowed students to dress in camouflage, the school added to previous fundraisers that included teachers dressing like Smurfs.
The Emerald Coast Honor Flight flies World War II veterans to Washington to see the War War II Memorial. It costs about $800 per veteran for the chartered flight.
Pictured top and bottom: Students at Byrneville Elementary School took part in “Camo Day” Tuesday to raise funds for the Emerald Coast Honor Fligth. Kindergarten through second grade students are show practicing Tuesday morning for their upcoming Christmas play. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Camp Fire Kids Celebrate With Thanksgiving Feast
November 25, 2009
Camp Fire USA Century held a Thanksgiving feast Tuesday for children and their parents. The daycare’s children, many dressed as Pilgrims or Native Americans, enjoyed a full Thanksgiving meal and learned about the Pilgrims and their trip to the New World — including the fact that they did not take a bath for over nine weeks.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured above: Children enjoy a Thanksgiving feast Tuesday at Camp Fire USA in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Farm-City Week Recognizes Importance Of Local Agriculture
November 24, 2009
Before sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner, the Florida Farm Bureau would like everyone to remember that the meal they will enjoy is made possible by Farm-City partnerships.
National Farm-City Week, celebrated annually on the week leading to and ending on Thanksgiving Day, recognizes the importance of this cooperative network to the success of America’s agricultural industry.
The following was submitted by Dorthy Cunningham from the Escambia County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee.
As wise steward and innovative entrepreneurs, dedicated farmers and ranchers improve our well-being by working to ensure a healthy and abundant agricultural supply. To succeed in this important enterprise, our farmers rely on essential partnerships with urban communities to supply, sell and deliver finished products across the country and around the world. National Farm-City Week recognizes the importance of this cooperative network to the success of America’s agricultural industry.
Escambia County Farm Bureau and the Women’s Committee will be recognizing the importance of the connection and partnership that exists between rural farmers and urban residents. Escambia County Farm Bureau Federation believes that events and activities of Farm-City Week will created a greater awareness of the types and sizes of farms in our area. In a county as diverse and geographically divided as Escambia County, agricultural industries are not often at the forefront of the overall population’s attention. It is the intent of the Escambia County Women’s Committee to highlight the agricultural industries that contribute to the our county’s continued economic well-being and encourage consumers to support local agriculture.
Here in Escambia County, agricultural enterprises include forestry, cotton, peanuts, wheat, corn, fruits, vegetables, livestock, and dairy. Traditional row crop and livestock production utilizes more than 30,000 acres, while 250,000 acres are used to produce timber. Together, the value of agricultural, silvicultural, and livestock was worth more than $386 million by 2007 estimates. Our farmers are known for “going green”– local producers are true stewards of our land and want to keep the environment safe for future generations to farm and enjoy. Farm-City Week is the ideal time to get the good word out about farming.
National Farm-City Week strives to increase understanding, cooperation, and relationships between rural and urban residents. As this year’s commemoration again culminates on Thanksgiving, all Americans are encouraged to thank someone who helps make it possible for you and your family to enjoy the bounty of our food supply. It’s a partnership summed up best whether you are from the farm or the city as, “Let’s eat!”
Escambia County Farm Bureau Federation represents local agricultural interests. Its mission is to implement policies that are developed by members and provide programs that will improve economic well-being an quality of life for farmers and ranchers.
For more information about Farm-City Week and local activities, please contact Dot Cunningham at (850) 587-5553. For more information about local agriculture, contact Libbie Johnson at the UF IFAS Escambia County Extension Office at (850) 475-5230.
Pictured top: Wheat is one of the crops produced in North Escambia. Pictured inset: Escambia Grain in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate’s Showband Of The South The Only Band To Appear In Disney Christmas Parade On ABC TV
November 23, 2009
The Tate High School Showband of the South is the only band in the nation selected to perform at the 2009 Disney Christmas Day Parade.
Each year, Disney invites bands to apply for the chance to appear in the nationally televised parade. Tate Band Director Joe Hooten submitted an application back in January based upon the band’s 37 years of superior rates, their 2008 appearance in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland as well as video footage and pictures from local events.
The Tate band will travel to Orlando on Thursday, December 3. The parade will be filmed in Disney’s Magic Kingdom theme park on Saturday, December 5th and will be aired on the ABC television network on Christmas morning. The band will also get to participate in opening scenes for the parade.
While at Disney, the Tate band members will also get to participate in an educational behind the scenes clinic with cast members from Cirque du Soleil.
The Tate band offered a preview of their performance this past Saturday during the Miracle Bowl game between Tate and Northview High School.
Pictured above and below: The Tate High School Showband of the South previews their Christmas music planned for the Disney Christmas Parade. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
