Homeschooled Kids & Co. Visit Railroad Museum
October 6, 2009
Homeschooled Kids & Company visited the West Florida Railroad Museum in Milton recently.
Once a fully functioning train depot around the turn of the century, now stands a historic museum offering our group a look into the past. We received a guided tour through a 1951 L&N freight car, a 1934 Frisco caboose, a 1951 Pullman boxcar, and ending with a ride on an outdoor 1-1/2 inch scale model railroad.
The bridge tender’s house contains a functioning HO scale model layout of the Milton Railroad Service as it once was around the 1940’s. The group enjoyed watching the numerous trains move along the track while noticing the tiny details in the scene. Some of the kids noticed a tiny scale model of a person swimming inside of the water tank used to refill the steam engines.
The cargo loading side of the depot is full of relics such as original conductor’s caps, railroad signs, track repair tools, baggage trolleys, fire suppression bulbs, and lots more. The passenger side of the depot is full of antiquated treasures like a telegraph machine. We ended our tour with lunch in the 1929 L&N Dining car and a trip through the gift shop.
HK&C would like to thank the volunteers, who operate the West Florida Railroad Museum, for spending the afternoon with us, especially our tour guide Mr. George Wilson. The museum is celebrating it’s 100th year anniversary with a festival on October 17th and 18th. They will host heritage vendors and exhibits, a Civil War Reenactment, historian Mr. Raymon Melvin Turpentine, basket weaver Mr. Ned Wenick, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida, and many more. Admission through the museum is based on a tax-deductible donation to support the museum. This would be a great outing for the whole family and railroad enthusiasts. For more information call (850) 501-6249 or visit www.wfrm.org.
Pictured top: Riding on the scale model railroad — (front to back) Elijah Kimbrel, Noah Kimbrel, Justus Zundel, Logan Tieppo, Gavyn Tieppo, Micaiah “Kia” Zundel (waving), Canaan Zundel. Pictured inset: Climbing up to the once used cupola in the 1934 caboose — (bottom of ladder) Canaan Zundel, Gavyn Tieppo, Justus Zundel (top left) and Elijah Kimbrel (top right). Pictured bottom: (top of stairs left to right) Tyler Presley , Lanita Pfeffer, (next step) Micaiah “Kia” Zundel, Canaan Zundel, parent Kristina Kimbrel, Tanner Pfeffer, Logan Tieppo, Justus Zundel, parent Melissa Tieppo, (front) Elijah Kimbrel, Noah Kimbrel, (left) Gavyn Tieppo. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Enon: Where Eagles Fly
October 5, 2009
Pictured: Sandy Marsh of Enon took this photograph of three eagles in her front yard in Enon recently. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sandy submitted her photo after NorthEscambia.com published photos last week of an eagle alongside Highway 97 in Walnut Hill. See those photos by clicking here.
Thousands Pack Annual Jay Peanut Festival
October 4, 2009
Thousands of people attended the 20th Annual Jay Peanut Festival Saturday and Sunday at Gabbert Farm in Jay. The weather was great as people packed the festival on Saturday, but rain put a damper on the event Sunday.
The festival featured something fun for everyone including arts and crafts, antiques, inflatable rides, rock climbing wall, pony rides, hay rides, train rides and much more. The Gabbert’s 1930’s Farm Museum was also open for tours.
There was plenty of food available…kettle corn, BBQ, hamburgers, roasted corn, apple dumplings and more.
And, of course, peanuts were the star of the festival, and this year there were plenty of green and boiled peanuts as well as fried, roasted and candied peanuts.
The event is dedicated to the memory of Melissa Caroline Gabbert, who died of cancer in 1990.
For a complete photo gallery from Saturday at the Jay Peanut Festival, click here.
Pictured above: Peanuts were the star of the show Saturday as thousands of people attended the annual Jay Peanut Festival. Pictured inset: This little guy had his stroller loaded up with a bag of peanuts. Pictured below: Thousands attended the annual festival. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Kassandra Lett Named Northview Homecoming Queen
October 3, 2009
Kassandra Lett was named as Northview High School’s 2009 Homecoming Queen Friday night.
First runner up was Erica Rendell; second runner up was Amber McMillan.
Ariel Holland was named Freshman Maid. Sophomore Maid was Raylin Spence, and Junior Maid was Miranda Burkett.
Kassandra Alexandra Lett, Homecoming Queen
Kassandra is the daughter Alexander and Sandra Lett. Kassandra is a varsity cheerleader and president and District I reporter for FBLA. She is also a member of the Minority Culture Club. In her community, she is an active member of Pilgrim Lodge Baptist Church.
Amber Nicolle McMillan, Second Runner Up
Amber is the daughter of Mac and Donna McMillan. Amber is a varsity cheerleader and a member of the basketball and varsity softball team. She also serves as senior class secretary. In her community, Amber is an active member of Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church and the Relay for Life team.
Miranda Beth Burkett, Junior Maid
Miranda is the daughter of Rodney and Dana Burkett. Miranda is a member of the Northview FFA, and the varsity softball and weightlifting teams. She is also junior class historian. In her community, Miranda volunteers at the Northview concession stands and Century Little League.
Raylin Miranda Spence, Sophomore Maid
Raylin is the daughter of Kevin and Shane Spence. Raylin is a member of the varsity volleyball team, FFA and FCA. She is also the Northview Chiefs mascot. In her community, Raylin is an active member of Bratt First Baptist Church and the National Barrel Horse Association.
Ariel Kaye Holland, Freshman Maid
Ariel is the daughter of Wayne and Amy Holland. She is a junior varsity cheerleader and a member of FFA. In her community, Ariel is a member of Bratt First Baptist Church, the Molino Cats softball team and volunteers for the NWE mini cheerleaders. She is a member of First City Gymnastics.
Pictured above: Freshman maid Ariel Holland, Junior Maid Miranda Burkett, First Runner Up Erica Rendell, Homecoming Queen Kassandra Lett, Second Runner Up Amber McMillan and Freshman Maid Raylin Spence. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Photos: Northview Homecoming Parade
October 2, 2009
The Northview High School Homecoming Parade was held Friday afternoon in Bratt. Hundreds of people were in the parade, and hundreds more lined the route from Bratt Elementary to Northview.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the parade, click here.
Pictured above and below: The Northview High School’s first ever Homecoming Parade rolls through “downtown” Bratt Friday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Honors Partners In Education
October 2, 2009
Bratt Elementary School honored their Partners In Education Thursday morning with a play.
“Bratt thanks you for giving us so much”, the fourth grade students sang to the partners. “We are glad to have a friend like you; we are partners through and through.”
Bratt’s Partners in Education are Escambia River Electric Cooperative, the First Baptist Church of Bratt, Bondurant of Century and the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department.
“The partners have always been there for us,” Bratt Principal Cheryl Pomeroy said. Partners in education provide monetary support, incentives and support to assist the school in creating a quality learning environment.
Pictured above: Bratt Elementary School’s Partners in Eduction surrounded by some of the fourth graders that presented Thursday morning’s play. Partner representatives pictured are (top row, L-R): Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department Chief Chris Brown, Bubba Hammock from Bondurant of Century, Pastor Gary Wieborg from the First Baptist Church of Bratt, and (bottom middle) Sabrina Owens from Escambia River Electric Cooperative. Pictured inset: Students perform for the partners. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Bald Eagle Spotted In Walnut Hill
October 1, 2009
A bald eagle was spotted in Walnut Hill about noon Wednesday. The eagle was in the top of a tree along Highway 97 in Walnut Hill, within about a mile of Ernest Ward Middle School — home of the EWMS Eagles. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, there were 1,280 pairs of bald eagles in Florida last nesting season. FWC has a mapping project to map eagle’s nests; there are no nests mapped by FWC in north Escambia or Santa Rosa counties. To read more about eagles in Florida, click here and here. Eagles are no longer an endangered or threatened species; however, they are protected by state and federal law.
Century Relay Teams Meet; Video Now Available From Previous Two Events
September 29, 2009
Century Relay for Life held an Early Bird Party Monday night for teams to register for the 2010 event.
For Paula Jernigan, last year’s event chair, the day also marked a significant day in her life — September 28 was the date she was told she only had one or two years to live from her cancer. That was nine years ago Monday.
“I’m still here,” she said, “because of research.”
“All the money in the world will not protect you from cancer,” Event Chair Susan Diamond said. “Research is our hope….every dime we raise, every step we take goes toward that goal of research.”
A video produced by NorthEscambia.com with pictures from the past two years of Century Relay was debuted at the meeting. Watch the video at the bottom of this page. Copies of the video are available for purchase on DVD for $20, with all proceeds going toward Relay for Life. Email news@northescambia.com to order.
Persons interested in forming a team for the Century Relay can do so at the next team event at 7 p.m. on October 26 at the Century Ag Building on West Highway 4. Teams can also register online at CenturyRelay.com.
Pictured above: Century Relay Chair Susan Diamond (standing) explains this year’s Relay to team members Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Every Game Is A Tie; Everyone Wins: Welcome To The Miracle League
September 29, 2009
Every game ends in a tie. Every player hits; every player scores. There are no strikeouts, no errors. Everybody wins.
Welcome to the Miracle League.
It’s a baseball league for disabled and special needs persons. With players from ages 3 to 63, there are 14 teams that play on the two fields at the Mitchell Homes Miracle League Park on Nine Mile Road. The fall season started Saturday, and will run ever Saturday until November 7.
“Abigail rounds second! She looks good this year, all decked out and playing some ball,” announcer Crystal Martinez says during an afternoon game at the Miracle League. “Loooook at her go! She’s headed home! She scores! Yeah Abi!”
That’s just the way a Miracle League game goes — always.
The players are in wheelchairs and walkers. Some handicaps are mental, some are physical.
Joshua heads toward the batter’s box in his walker to take a swing at the ball with his “buddy”. Each player has a “buddy” assigned to them to help them hitch, catch, throw or run the field.
“Go Joshua!” Martinez announces. “Good job!”
In the end, the game between the Orioles and the Twins was tied, just as every game has ended in a tie for the past nine seasons. The stats for each of the 150 players will be the same at the end of the season — perfect.
“It’s a wonderful thing for these kids,” Martinez told NorthEscambia.com after the game. “It’s about them getting to play a sport that otherwise they could not play…it’s about the smiles. I love to say that they are all stars when I am announcing.”
“I think it is a great thing,” said Stephen Gruenwald of Pensacola. His son James, 5, plays Miracle League ball from his wheelchair. “He enjoys it very, very much. And he loves the people; the volunteers are one of the best things.”
Players and volunteers come from not just Pensacola, but Mobile, Crestview, Brewton and points in between. Everybody is a volunteer that participates with the Miracle League. The are paid only in smiles.
“It’s a beautiful thing. Everybody here does it for one reason” volunteer Larry Powell said, placing his hand over his heart. “It’s here, in your heart, for these kids.”
“We have a guy that was a Marine for 32 years,” Powell said. “He will sit on that field with the smallest child and help them. It really gets to you.”
Each of the two Pensacola Miracle League fields is made up of 180,000 pounds of recycled tires formed into tiles painted to match a regular field. It provides a softer landing spot for a hard fall, while still providing a good bounce for the hollow core ball that is also designed to lesson injury potential. There are two seasons at the park, spring and fall. The rubber surface gets too hot to play in the summer.
The Miracle League needs more volunteers to serve as buddies, work the concession booth, pickup trash and many more tasks around their area of the Nine Mile Road ballpark.
The public is always welcome and encouraged to cheer on the players.
“It’s a special place here,” Powell said. “Everyone should watch one of these games. It will touch you.”
For more information on Miracle League, or to volunteer, visit www.miracleleaguepensacola.org.
Pictured top: Abigail gets a high five after a base hit during a Miracle League game in Pensacola. Pictured top inset: James takes a swing: Pictured bottom inset: Headed for home. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Church Honors Local Heroes
September 28, 2009
The McDavid Volunteer Fire Department was honored Sunday for over 25 years of service to McDavid and surrounding communities.
Most of the department’s 18 members were on hand Sunday morning at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church in Bogia as the church devoted much of their morning worship service to recognizing “Station 9″. The event was Ray’s Chapel’s second annual event honoring the local volunteers. Children in the church presented each volunteer with a token of appreciation.
Prior to the formation of the McDavid VFD, calls in the McDavid area were answered by the Century Volunteer Fire Department.
“It’s a very comforting feeling when that first responder shows up,” Mark Digmon, Ray’s Chapel member, said. He pointed a few similarities between churches and fire departments.
“Both of us should be here to serve the community,” he said. “Both us of are here in a time of need.”
The McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue answered 185 calls in the past year, the lowest number of runs among the county’s 15 volunteer stations. Most were medical and public assistance calls. There were no structure fire calls in the McDavid district during the last year, but the department did assist Century, Walnut Hill and Molino with several structure fire calls.
“We like that,” Eric Gilmore, McDavid chief, said of the department’s low call volume. While McDavid ran just 185 calls and other stations in the county, such as Ensley and Ferry Pass, ran over 1,500 each, the McDavid volunteers are just as prepared as any in the county.
In addition, Gilmore said the department has constructed several training areas behind their station where volunteers from Century, Walnut Hill and Molino meet for the four departments to train together.
“We are proud to serve the community,” the McDavid chief said.
“Why do some people run into danger instead of running away from it?” Ray’s Chapel Pastor Nathan Brown began his Sunday morning sermon.
“Sometimes risk is right…that is why we appreciate you guys today,” he told the McDavid volunteers.
The McDavid Volunteer Fire Department was incorporated in 1982 with a 1962 firetruck on loan from the Florida Division of Forestry. They purchased a 1948 Ford firetruck in 1983. The station was constructed on land purchased from what was then St. Regis Paper Company in 1984. Many more modern trucks and pieces of equipment were purchased over the years.
The department has 13 certified firefighters and two EMT’s. Members of the department include: Eric Gilmore, Elton Gilmore, Kenny Malone, Phyllis Malone, Ben Gilmore, Chris Kinley, Michelle Kinley, Larry Kinley, Matt Carter, Matt Gilmore, William Sheffield, Wayne Godwin, Marvin Lucas, Morgan Goetter, Eddie Gunter, Chris Hawkins, Dorothy Gunter, Alec Estes and Adam Estes.
Pictured top and bottom: Members of the McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue were honored Sunday morning by Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church. Pictured top inset: A child with a flag as Assistant Chief Elton Gilmore listens to Sunday morning’s service. Pictured bottom inset: Chief Eric Gilmore. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
