Easter Bunny, Egg Hunt At Century Library
April 10, 2009
The Easter Bunny made an early stop the Century Branch Library Thursday afternoon. Dozens of kids and kids at heart had the chance to meet Peter Cottontail himself, hear an Easter story, compete in a spoon race and take part in a big Easter Egg Hunt. For a complete photo gallery from the event, click here. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Century Care Center Beauty Takes Part In Pageant
April 10, 2009
Ms. Katherine Rutherford competed in the annual Ms. Northwest Florida Senior Pageant Thursday morning.
Ms. Rutherford represented Century Care Center in the pageant.
“She didn’t win the pageant, but she sure scared them all,” said Mae Hildreth, Century Care Center’s activities director. ” She was, in my opinion, the most beautiful one there. She did great.”
The Ms. Northwest Florida Senior Pageant is sponsored by the District XII Florida Health Care Association, and they invite each Nursing Home and Assisted Living Facility (ALF) in the area to send a contestant.
Sue Straughn, news anchor for WEAR, was the mistress of ceremonies for the event at Sacred Heart Health System in Pensacola.
Click here for more pictures from the pageant.
Pictured above: Sue Straughn interviews Ms. Katherine Rutherford during the Ms. Northwest Florida Senior Pageant Thursday morning. Pictured left: Ms. Rutherford with Century Care Center Director Don Ripley. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Barrineau Park Historical Society Makes Newsletter Available
April 8, 2009
The Barrineau Park Historical Society has published their spring newsletter, and they have made it available for the public to read.
The spring newsletter contains a look back at the group’s Christmas party, highlights of many activities at the Barrineau Park Community Center and takes a look forward at many upcoming community events.
The newsletter was produced by club members Jan and Phil Shelby. The group is experimenting with producing the newsletter electronically to save postage.
To read the spring edition of the Barrineau Park Historical Society newslette, click here for the pdf.
Not Alone: Church Praying For Century
April 7, 2009
The First Baptist Church of Century is praying for the Town of Century, and they wanted the Century Town Council to know.
At Monday night’s Century Town Council meeting, the church presented a card to the council to let them know they were holding prayer for the town.
“We are always praying for the town,” council member and First Baptist member Nadine McCaw said.
The church plans to send the council a card about once a month to remind them of the ongoing prayer.
Pictured above: The card signed by members of the First Baptist Church of Century that was presented to the town council. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Local Girl Hopes To Sing Her Way To Washington In National YouTube Contest
April 5, 2009
A local girl hopes to sing her way via YouTube to a historic event in Washington for Flag Day.
Ernest Ward Middle School student Danielle Scott of Walnut Hill is taking part in a contest called “O Say Can You Sing” sponsored in part by the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Participants upload video of themselves singing the National Anthem to YouTube. Danielle’s video is at the bottom of this article.
The grand prize winner of the contest will be invited to perform the National Anthem at the museum in Washington, D.C. and at the Baltimore Orioles vs. Atlanta Braves game, both on Flag Day, June 14. The prize includes a trip for two to Washington, D.C., including airfare and three nights hotel accommodations; tickets and transportation to a Baltimore Orioles baseball game; and $400 in spending money.
If you do not see the YouTube video above, it is because your school or employer is blocking YouTube videos. Try watching the video from your home internet connection.
Flomaton High School Students Make Prom Promise
April 4, 2009
Silence fell over the gym at Flomaton High School Friday morning as Alabama State Troopers passed around photos of vehicles involved in alcohol or drug related crashes. Some of the photos involved wrecks where many of the students knew those that were involved.
It was the simple message of the Prom Promise program presented at the school — don’t drink and drive, and don’t do drugs and drive. Flomaton High juniors and seniors signed the Prom Promise after the program.
Flomaton Police Officer Terri Tolbert has attended proms for the two years she has been the school’s resource officer. For those two years, every student she has seen at the prom has made it back to school the following Monday morning. She wants to keep it that way.
WEAR Channel 3 news anchor Bob Solarski told the Flomaton students about his struggles with alcoholism. Solarski was arrested for DUI in the parking lot of University Mall in Pensacola in early October after he rammed several vehicles. The newscaster said it is hard to report on young people losing their lives in DUI accidents.
Karen Brown Rhodes of Fort Walton Beach lost her son, Jonathan Kohlheim, on March 19, 2002. The 17 year old was involved in a drunk-driving accident in Crestview.
She told the emotional story Friday morning to the students at Flomaton High School.
Kohlheim’s brother survived the crash, but he is now an alcoholic, unable to deal with what happened to his little brother, Rhodes said.
Kohlheim’s friend is in prison for his death, and he plans to visit high schools to tell of his mistakes once he is released. Rhodes said she has forgiven him because it was an accident, but, it could have been prevented had he not been drinking and driving. Rhodes passed around pictures of her son and the the mangled car.
Rev. Doug Hogg, pastor of the Little Escambia Baptist Church, prayed for the safety of the Flomaton students as they attend their prom. The church’s youth director, Buddy Goodman, was also on hand in support of the students.
The Flomaton High School Prom was held Saturday night in the school’s gym.
Joel Ellison of Ellison Construction Inc., Jason Hart of Med-South, Inc., Buddy Smith of Bud’s Refrigeration, Earnest Ray White, Attorney At Law and Larry White Insurance Agency contributed to Friday morning’s Prom Promise program at Flomaton High. Assistant Flomaton Police Chief Sean Golden and members of Flomaton Fire Rescue were also on hand for the program.
Pictured top: April Cayson and other seniors turn in their Prom Promise Friday morning at Flomaton High School. Pictured top inset: Channel 3 anchor Bob Solarski addresses the students about his alcohol problems. Pictured bottom inset: Seniors Kaitlyn Hambrick and Allison Gafford showing off their shirts that were handed out to each student who signed a Prom Promise. Submitted photos by Alisa Hart for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Alisa Hart contributed to this story.
Molino Park Elementary Holds Relay For Life Wagon Parade
April 4, 2009
Molino Park Elementary School held a parade Friday to celebrate after a successful Relay for Life fund raiser.
Each grade created a wagon float with a holiday theme. They paraded around the school’s back parking lot Friday, one grade at a time, to lots of clapping and cheering.
The winning float — Krewe for a Cure — was from the fifth grade.
The students raised money for the school’s Relay for Life team by taking home donation envelopes. The Molino Park Relay for Life team will compete in the Relay for Life at Tate High School in a few weeks.
For a complete photo gallery from the Molino Park parade, click here.
Pictured above: The first grade wagon “Soar for a Cure” in Molino Park Elementary School’s annual wagon parade Friday. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com.
FFA, 4-H Members Celebrate 100 Years Of 4-H With Spring Livestock Show
April 1, 2009
FFA students and 4-H members from Escambia County celebrated the 100th anniversary of the 4-H in conjunction with the GCA and NRA Spring Livestock Show.
Despite heavy rains and flooding conditions, the show went on this past Saturday. Local 4-H and FFA members from Northview and Tate high schools showed their very best swine, goats, lambs and steers in the annual event.
Winners are listed below by category:
SWINE
- Lightweight Swine: 1st Jessica Imholte – 4-H, 2nd Forrest Gibbs – 4-H, 3rd Abbie Courson – 4 H, 4th Devin Bell – FFA
- Middleweight Swine: 1st Meagan Gibbs – FFA, 2nd John Hardin – 4-H, 3rd Jennifer Taylor – FFA
- Light Heavyweight: 1st Kellie Gindl – 4-H, 2nd Thomas Aliff – 4-H, 3rd Donald Cunningham – 4-H
- Heavyweight Swine: 1st Austin Dodd – 4-H, 2nd Brandon Lattourelle – 4-H, 3rd Josh Malonzo – FFA
- Grand Champion Market Hog – Kellie Gindl – 4-H
- Reserve Champion Market Hog – Thomas Aliff – 4 H
- Swine Jr Showmanship: 1st Brendan Bell – 4-H, 2nd John Hardin – 4-H, 3rd Tristan Livingston – 4-H
- Swine Intermediate Showmanship: 1st Forrest Gibbs Jr. – 4-H, 2nd Austin Dodd – 4-H, 3rd Donald Cunningham – 4 H
- Swine Sr. Showmanship: 1st Devin Bell – FFA, 2nd Meagan Gibbs – FFA, 3rd Thomas Conway – 4-H
YOUTH GOAT
- Class I, Breeding: Allison Vidak – FFA
- Grand Champion Doe: Allison Vidak – FFA
- Senior Showmanship: 1st place – Allison Vidak – FFA
YOUTH LAMB
- Class I Breeding Lamb winner: Miranda Vidak – 4-H
- Class II Breeding Lamb: Kellie Gindl – 4-H
- Breeding Champion: Kellie Gindl – 4-H
- Reserve Breeding Champion – Miranda Vidak – 4-H
MARKET LAMB
- Market Lamb: 1st Brooke Schlobohm – 4-H, 2nd Amber Estes – 4-H
- Market Lamb Champion: Brooke Schlobohm – 4-H
- Market Lamb Reserve Champion: Amber Estes – 4-H
- Lamb, Intermediate Showmanship: Miranda Vidak, 1st place – 4-H
- Lamb, Senior Showmanship: Kellie Gindl, 1st place – 4-H Amber Estes, 2nd place – 4-H Brooke Schlobohm , 3rd place – 4-H
MARKET STEERS
- Lightweight Steers: 1st place Julie Hester – FFA, 2nd place Amber Estes – 4-H, 3rd place Cody Wiggins – 4-H
- Middleweight Steers: 1st place Tyler Hester – FFA, 2nd place Austin Cunningham – 4-H, 3rd place Lynsey Meharg – FFA
- Heavyweight Steers: 1st place Donald Cunningham – 4-H, 2nd place Blake Worley – 4-H, 3rd place Ashley Cunningham – 4-H
- Grand Champion Market Steer: Donald Cunningham – 4-H
- Reserve Champion Market Steer: Tyler Hester – FFA
- Junior Showmanship: 1st place, Blake Worley– 4-H,
- Intermediate Showmanship: 1st place, Donald Cunningham– 4-H, 2nd place, Ashley Cunningham– 4-H, 3rd place, Austin Cunningham– 4-H
- Senior Showmanship: 1st place, Lynsey Meharg – FFA, 2nd place, Cody Wiggins– 4-H, 3rd place, Amber Estes– 4-H
YOUTH PREVIEW STEER
- Class I winner: Allison Vidak – FFA
- Class II winner: Lynsey Meharg – FFA
- Grand Champion Preview Steer: Lynsey Meharg – FFA
- Reserve Champion Preview Steer: Allison Vidak – FFA
- Senior Showmanhip: 1st place, Lynsey Meharg – FFA, 2nd Place, Allison Vidak – FFA
YOUTH BEEF BREEDING
- Class I, Commercial: 1st Ashley Cunningham– 4-H,
- Class II, Commercial: 1st Emily Higdon – FFA, 2nd Allison Vidak – FFA
- Class III, Commercial: 1st Lynsey Meharg – FFA
- Grand Champion Commercial: Emily Higdon – FFA
- Reserve Champion Commercial: Lynsey Meharg – FFA
- Class I, Registered: 1st Lynsey Meharg – FFA
- Class II, Registered: 1st Lynsey Meharg – FFA
- Grand Champion Registered: Lynsey Meharg – FFA
- Reserve Champion Registered: Lynsey Meharg – FFA
- Overall Supreme Champion: Lynsey Meharg – FFA
- Overall Reserve Champion: Emily Higdon – FFA
- Intermediate Showmanship: 1st place, Ashley Cunningham– 4-H,
- Senior Showmanship: 1st place, Lynsey Meharg – FFA
Pictured top: The participants in this past weekend’s GCA and NRA Spring Livestock Show. Pictured below: Thomas Aliff (left), 13, won second place Reserve Grand Champion and John Wesly Hardin, 8, won second in his class and second in showmanship. Pictured bottom: Julie Hester (left), Ernest Ward Middle School FFA member, won first place in the lightweight steer category. Tyler Hester, Northview High FFA member, won first place in the middle weight steer category and was the Reserve Grand Champion. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Area Pound Pup Becomes College Mascot
March 31, 2009
The new bulldog mascot for the University of North Carolina Asheville began his college career as a rescued dog at the Escambia County (Ala.) Animal Shelter.
His name was Rebel when he was rescued along with a female named Dixie in early 2008. Dixie and Rebel were the proud parents of 10 beautiful puppies. Their owners surrendered them to the animal shelter, according to Renee Jones, director of the Humane Society of Escambia County, Ala.
Jones fostered the canine family at her home for nine days before they were moved to the Rockin’ P Boxer rescue in Jackson, Ala.
“I sent her the pics of how adorable the pups were and she agreed to take them. Two of her wonderful volunteers met us in Montgomery and crammed the two adults along with the ten puppies into a small little neon and off they went,” Jone said. Rebel was later transfered to a rescue shelter in Georgia.
For years, UNC Asheville’s bulldog mascot, Rocky, has been known to be tenacious, strong and courageous… now rescued can be added to this list of traits.
The University unveiled its new live mascot “Rocky I,” a white Victorian Bulldog with black spots, at half-time of the men’s basketball homecoming game against Coastal Carolina on February 21, at UNC Asheville’s Justice Center. Rocky I will make his triumphant entrance following the presentation of the 2009 Athletics Hall of Fame inductees.
“To know that we were a part of Rocky’s, aka Rebel’s, happy ending and to know that he will bring much joy to the fans and players at UNC is more gratifying than I can even express,” Jones said. “So much sincere thanks to the rescues, the volunteers, and the individuals who adopt.”
“Students, alumni, faculty, staff and the entire community are absolutely going to fall in love with this dog,” said Kevan Frazier, UNC Asheville Associate Vice Chancellor for Alumni Relations, who has been instrumental in bringing back the tradition of a live mascot. “At first glance you see an 85-pound bulldog and then you see a very friendly attention-loving pal. And on top of that, he’s just cute.”
The University has had four live bulldog mascots dating from 1948 to the early 1980s. The tradition lay dormant for more than 20 years until recently. About two years ago, students, alumni and staff began working diligently to bring back the tradition.
Alumni couple and dog lovers Alexis and Ed Johnson volunteered to be the mascot’s keepers and trainers. Ed, who is a lecturer in UNC Asheville’s Mathematics Department, began contacting breeders across the southeast. For months he had little luck finding the right dog. On a whim one day, Ed started researching bulldog rescue organizations. In less than 30 minutes he found what seemed like a perfect match in Rebel.
Victorian Bulldogs are a new breed established to resemble the bulldogs of the 18th and 19th century. They are taller than the well-known English Bulldog and have broad faces, large heads, wide chests and short, smooth coats. Though still quite rare, the Victorian Bulldog is a much sought-after pet because they are affectionate and athletic.
Last November, Ed and Alexis drove to Georgia to meet the rescued Victorian Bulldog and to determine if they could mold him into mascot material. Immediately they knew they had found Rocky I.
“The dog was extremely gregarious and overly friendly. It was clear that he absolutely thrives on attention and would make a perfect mascot,” said Ed Johnson.
The couple soon learned another one of the dog’s traits. “By the time we arrived back in Asheville, the car, Alexis and I were completely covered in slobber,” laughed Johnson.
He now carries a UNC Asheville Athletics “True Blue” towel with him whenever Rocky has an outing. But nobody seems to mind a little drool.
“When I met Rocky, I knew that he was the dog for UNC Asheville,” said Frazier. “He was worth the wait, drool and all.”
A group of mathematics students have already encountered Rocky’s soon-to-be famous slobber – albeit in a totally unexpected way.
Johnson has been bringing Rocky to campus about once a week to become familiar with the sights and sounds of UNC Asheville before his big debut. Because these visits have been clandestine to lead up to the big reveal, Johnson left Rocky in his office briefly and closed the door. When he came back, student papers were strewn about the floor and covered in teeth marks and drool.
“Rocky actually ate some homework,” Johnson laughed. “Though he does actually prefer leather chews and homemade roast beef treats.”
When Johnson is in the office, a gate is placed across the door to keep Rocky from wandering the halls. The dog leans his neck over the gate reaching as far into the hallway as possible, looking for someone to come by to scratch his head.
One student who has met Rocky is Mary Ann Craver, who served on the mascot committee.
“I was so excited to meet him and wasn’t disappointed,” said Craver, a senior from Lexington, N.C. “Rocky’s energy is great. He’s very friendly and athletic and brings the mascot personality to life. Now the UNC Asheville Bulldog isn’t just a symbol.”
Frazier agrees and sees Rocky’s rescue from Georgia as especially serendipitous.
“From all accounts, this dog didn’t want any part of being a Georgia Bulldog,” he said. “Rocky is a UNC Asheville Bulldog through and through. We’re proud to welcome him home.”
Pictured: Now known as Rocky, this Victorian Bulldog was once a rescue at the Escambia County (Ala.) Animal Shelter. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com
Special Olympics Torch Run Begins In Century (With Photo Gallery)
March 31, 2009
The 2009 Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Special Olympics began in Century Monday morning.
The torch run started at the Florida/Alabama state line in the Piggly Wiggly parking lot just after 7:15 Monday. Employees from Century Correctional Institute escorted the torch down Highway 29 to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in Pensacola. From the sheriff’s office, runners continued to the Pensacola Police Department where they were joined by more local law enforcement officials.
The Escambia County leg of the torch run ended at Bartrumn Park were the torch was passed to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Department Marine Unit.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is an event to raise awareness and support for the Special Olympics. Law Enforcement Agencies from across Florida will participate in the event.
The Torch Run will end on May 15 in Osceola, Fla.
Click here for a photo gallery from the Torch Run as it passed through Century.
Law enforcement officers from over 300 Florida agencies (police departments, sheriff’s offices, Florida Department of Corrections, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Highway Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Agency, U.S. Customs, Air Force Police and Marine Patrol) all participate in the state-wide torch run to benefit the athletes of Special Olympics Florida. Each year, over 3,000 officers carry the torch on a 1500-mile relay through more than 60 counties in Florida.
Pictured top: The Special Olympics Torch Run got underway in Century Monday morning. Pictured inset: The Florida Special Olympics Torch is lit. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.