Musical Drama Features Live Manger Scene
December 13, 2009
“A Savior is Born”, a musical drama, will be presented Monday and Tuesday 6:30 p.m. in the First Assembly of God Prayer Path and Park located at 1120 South Main Street in Atmore. The production is a presentation of the story of the birth of Christ from Gabriel to the Inn. The grand finale will be an interactive manger scene as well as the actors presenting in song.Pictured: Sheila Harrison as Mary; Rick Hetrick as Joseph; and Kelvin Diller, Roy Corley and Frankie Baggett as shepherds in the First Assembly of God production “A Savior Is Born”. The presentation will be held at 6:30 Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights at 1120 South Main Street in Atmore. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New Photo Book Shows Area History
December 12, 2009
A new book tells the history of North Escambia and surrounding areas with about 2,000 photographs.
The book is called “A Pictorial History Volume II”, and it includes Century and northeastern Escambia County, Florida; Flomaton Alabama; and Jay and northern Santa Rosa County; and surrounding areas.
The photos were compiled by Jerry Fischer and Jerry Simmons and published by the Alger-Sullivan Historical Society.
“One lady that looked at the book got tears in her eyes because it brought back so many memories,” said Fischer.
People — from dozens of old school photos — make up a portion of the book.
“There are a lot of people in the book,” Fischer said. “Probably half of them are already passed away. It’s just a lot of memories.”
The book is available from Alger-Sullivan Historical Society members and at the Leach House Museum at 610 4th Street in the Century Historical District.
Pictured above: The Drury Store with Dick Sowell, Sr. and Papa Drury. Pictured below: Century’s drugstore and the Tuberville Hospital in the late 1930’s. The photographs are two of about two thousand in a new book released by the Alger-Sullivan Historical Society. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Chamber Holds Christmas Open House
December 11, 2009
The Century Chamber of Commerce held its annual Christmas Open House Thursday afternoon. Chamber members, prospective members and area residents had the opportunity to network and learn more about what the Century Chamber offers, all while enjoying light refreshments.
Pictured top: (L-R) Freddie McCall, Century mayor; Will Kennedy, CVS Pharmacy manager; B.J. Maher, United Bank Flomaton branch manager; Jennifer Kline and daughter Gabrielle enjoy refreshments during the Century Chamber of Commerce annual Christmas Open House. Pictured left inset: Margie McCall (left) and Edma Earle Barnes put the finishing touches on the Century Chamber’s Christmas tree. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Rave Reviews: Ernest Ward Drama Team Headed To State
December 10, 2009
The members of the Ernest Ward Middle School Drama Team area headed to state competition after receiving all Excellent or Superior ratings at the District 1 Drama Competition this past weekend in Jacksonville.
It was the first district competition for the drama team, which was formed only last year. With their Excellent and Superior ratings, all of the EWMS students were all invited to perform at the state level in Fort Lauderdale February, 2010.
“All of them performed well,” teacher and Drama Team sponsor Katie Ward said. “We are really excited.”
Rachel Presley, Lauren Walker, Kamryn Brock, Chelsea Turner, Morgan Packer, Shalmali Bhadkamkar, and Samantha Barrow all received an Excellent Ranking for their monologues, duet scenes, and ensemble performances. Bhadkamkar also received a superior ranking for her musical solo and Turner received a superior ranking for her monologue performance.
“Ernest Ward Middle School is extremely proud of the talents of our young adults and for representing Escambia County School District well”, said Ernest Ward Principal Nancy Perry.
During the District 1 Drama Competition in Jacksonville:
- Rachel Presley performed the monologue “Cinderelly from the Valley” and received an Excellent ranking.
- Chelsea Turner performed the monologue “Cotton Candy” and received a Superior ranking.
- Rachel Presley and Lauryn Walker performed a duet scene entitled “The Ugliest Hair in the World” and were awarded an Excellent ranking.
- Samantha Barrow and Shalmali Bhadkamkar performed the duet scene “Common Scents” and were given an Excellent ranking.
- The ensemble of Kamryn Brock, Morgan Packer and Chelsea Turner performed “The Dizmee Store” for an Excellent ranking.
- Shalmali Bhadkamkar performed a musical solo from Les Miserables entitled “On My Own” and received a Superior ranking.
Ward and her students raised 100 percent of the funds to make the trip to Jacksonville.
Pictured above: Members of the Ernest Ward Middle School Drama Team (front, L-R) Danielle Suggs, Lauryn Walker, Shalmali Bhadkamkar, Chelsea Turner, Rachel Presley, (second row) Kamryn Brock, Morgan Packer, Samantha Barrow, Caitlyn Rigby and (back row) sponsor Katie Ward. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Atmore Family Named As Alabama’s Young Farm Family Of The Year
December 9, 2009
Gaylan and Angie Shelly of Atmore were chosen as the 2009 Outstanding Young Farm Family during the Alabama Farmers Federation’s 88th annual meeting Monday night in Mobile.
The Shellys, who have five children and nearly 2,400 acres of row crops, were selected to compete for the award after being named the Outstanding Young Farm Family in the Cotton Division earlier this year.
The Shellys have a diversified farm that includes cotton, corn, soybeans and wheat – some of which is located in North Escambia. They increased their profit margin over the last couple years by adding grain storage facilities and a trucking business, Gaylan said.
”We built the grain storage bins so we could have more control over when we sold our grain,” Gaylan said. “Then the trucking made sense to me because it always seemed like I was waiting on a truck when my grain needed hauling.”
Gaylan said selling corn to poultry feed companies has allowed him to receive additional money for his corn. “It allows me to cut out the middle man when I sell my corn directly to the end user,” he said. “They’re happy with my corn, and I get more money for my corn. That makes me happy.”
As the 2009 Outstanding Young Farm Family, the Shellys will participate in many activities promoting Alabama agriculture during the coming year.
The Shellys will represent Alabama at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Meeting in Seattle, Wash., Jan. 10-13, and will receive the use of a 2010 Dodge Journey, $500 cash from Dodge, a John Deere Gator courtesy of the Federal Land Bank of Alabama, a new computer package from ValCom Wireless/CCS Technology Centers located in Abbeville and Dothan, Ala., and several other prizes.
Gaylan, 35, grew up in a farm family in Escambia County. He still farms with his dad, Arlan, and although they aren’t partners, Gaylan said they share equipment and often help each other on their respective farms.
Both Gaylan and Angie said they like their children growing up on a family farm. Angie, 32, home schools the older children and is president of the local home school association. She said she particularly likes cotton harvest time when the weather is cooler and the children can play in the cotton.
For Gaylan, any time he can spend with his family is special, but admits with five children, they have to take turns going to work with him in the fields. “I guess my favorite time of year on the farm is when I spray the crops,” he said. “That’s the time of year I can look over everything and really see how the crops are doing.”
This past year, the entire family got into the farming business. The corn planter skipped a large area in the middle of a field, and Gaylan said it would have been a shame to waste the fertilizer that already had been applied.
“So the kids planted watermelons,” Angie said. “It was a great experience for them and for all of us really. They ended up with lots of watermelons. We took them to the farmers market and the kids sold lots of them. They sold some in the front yard where they had homemade signs. They were pretty good salesmen really, and they’re already planning to do it again next year.”
Gaylan said he wasn’t surprised by how much the children liked the experience of growing and selling their own crop. “They’ve already got farming in their blood,” he said with a smile.
Alabama Farmers Federation Young Farmers Director Brandon Moore said the awards program seeks to honor families like the Shellys, not just for what they are doing, but also for the inspiration they provide other farmers around the state.
“The Shellys exemplify all that is good about agriculture,” Moore said. “They not only run their farm well, but truly are examples of how farming is more than just a job, it is a wonderful way of life.”
Pictured: Alabama Farmers Federation President Jerry A. Newby presents the Outstanding Young Farm Family Award to the Shelly family of Atmore in Escambia County. The Shellys were awarded a new John Deere Gator by the Federal Land Bank Association of Alabama. From left are, Newby, the Shelly family (Gaylan Shelly with Breah, Drew, Kaleigh, Angie, Alana and Valen) and sponsors Doug Thiessen and Ben Gore of the Federal Land Bank of South Alabama. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Your Help Needed: Christmas Care Packages For Troops In Iraq
December 9, 2009
A Molino woman is asking the North Escambia community to help her send Christmas care packages to American troops serving in Iraq.
Katie Hilburn’s fiancee, Spc. Ben Piatt, also of Molino, is two months into his tour of duty as a combat engineer in northern Iraq. He is schedule to be in Iraq until October of next year.
After hearing about the soldiers’ needs, Hilburn decided to send the care packges to Piatt’s unit in Iraq during the Christmas season.
“There are a lot of soldiers who don’t have family or have anyone to send them stuff, and I want to make sure that they do get stuff this year,” Hilburn, 20, said. “I am asking the community to go to Cole’s Barbershop and donate supplies.”
The supplies will be collected at Cole’s until Monday, December 14. They will then be shipped to Piatt, 21, and his unit in Iraq. Cole’s Barbershop is located next to Fran’s Country Grill on Highway 29.
Items being collected include:
Body Care
Mens liquid body soap
Shampoo
Baby wipes
Q-tips
Shaving cream
Razors
Foot powder
Chap stick
Food
Ramen noodles (in the cup)
Beef jerky
Cereal bars
Peanuts
Cookies
Candy bars
Crystal Light (peach tea, lemon tea)
Popcorn (microwavable)
Saltine crackers
Peanut butter
Fruit cups
Macaroni and cheese (in a cup)
Miscellaneous
Playing cards
DVD’s
Magazine’s (hunting, fishing, guns, sports)
Games
International phone cards
Pictured top: Katie Hilburn and her fiancee Spc. Ben Piatt prior to his deployment to northern Iraq. Pictured inset: Spc. Piatt in Iraq. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Names Senior Hall Of Fame Members
December 7, 2009
Five Northview High School seniors have been named to the school’s hall of fame.
Named to the Northview High School Senior Hall of Fame from the class of 2010 were: Jessica Bloodsworth, Micah Byars, Kaitlyn Caraway, Clint Davis and Dakota Stuckey.
Seniors who show excellence in academics and are leaders in the school and their communities are chosen for the Senior Hall of Fame by the Northview faculty and staff. They are chosen because they embody the true spirit and character of a Northview Chief.
Pictured: New members of the Northview Senior Hall of Fame (top L-R) Jessica Bloodsworth, Micah Byars, Kaitlyn Caraway, (below, L-R) Clint Davis and Dakota Stuckey. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Thousands Attend Atmore Christmas Parade (With Photo Gallery)
December 6, 2009
Thousands attended the annual Atmore Twilight Christmas Parade Saturday evening, including a jolly old elf.
Bands from Northview High, Escambia County High, J.U. Blacksher High, Flomaton High and Ernest Ward Middle schools took part in the parade, as did hundreds of other participants. With the parade theme “A Broadway Christmas”, most centered around a Broadway play or musical. The Greater Escambia Council of the Arts served as grand marshals for the parade.
Pictured above: The Northview High School cheerleaders perform in downtown Atmore during the town’s annual Christmas Parade Saturday night. Pictured inset: The Doug Snider Roofing float depicts Snoopy and the Red Baron. Pictured below: The Greater Escambia Council of the Arts float. GECA served as the parade’s grand marshal. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Celebrates With Annual Christmas Parade (With Photo Gallery)
December 6, 2009
Hundreds of people attended the annual Molino Christmas Parade Saturday afternoon. The parade featured a variety of floats and other entries, including “Elvis”. All proceeds from the parade will benefit needy children in the Molino community.
For a complete NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the Molino Christmas Parade, click here.
Pictured above and below: Scenes from Saturday afternoon’s Molino Christmas Parade. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tis The Season: Flomaton Holds Christmas Parade (With Photo Gallery)
December 6, 2009
Hundreds of people braved a cold wind Saturday morning for the annual Flomaton Christmas Parade.
The Flomaton High School band, several floats, multiple twirl groups, local fire departments and more took part in the parade with ended with a special guest direct from the North Pole — Santa Claus.
For a complete NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the Flomaton Christmas Parade, click here.
Pictured top: The Flomaton Christmas Parade featured several floats and lots of candy. Pictured inset: Santa Claus made a special appearance in the Flomaton parade Saturday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.