‘Woodlawn’ Author To Speak In Molino This Sunday; Free Showing Of Movie
September 10, 2016
This Sunday is “Woodlawn Sunday” at Highland Baptist Church in Molino.
Todd Geralds, the author of the book Woodlawn and the son of Tandy Geralds, the coach in the film Woodlawn, will be the special guest at the church. Woodlawn is a riveting true story of courage, strength, and football at the height of racial tension in Birmingham. The book has inspired the motion picture Woodlawn, and tells the story of Coach Tandy Gerelds, his running back Tony Nathan, and a high school football game that healed a city.
Geralds will speak during the Highland Mens’ Breakfast at 7 a.m., and during morning workship at 10:45 a.m.
The church will present a special free showing of the movie Woodlawn at 6 p.m. Sunday.
The 2015 film grossed $14.4 million at the box office.
Molino Park Elementary Mourns Loss Of ‘Granny Ward’
September 9, 2016
Molino Park Elementary School is mourning the loss of a beloved volunteer known to most as just “Granny”.
Granny, Mrs. Lillian Adell Ward, passed away Wednesday at age 86. She was a foster grandparent and a longtime volunteer that gave selflessly to the students.
Funeral services for Ward are Friday afternoon at Highland Baptist Church where she was a lifetime member (complete obituary).
Pictured: Molino Park Elementary School volunteer “Granny”, Mrs. Lillian Adell Ward, passed away Wednesday. Pictured below: Granny Ward celebrates her birthday with Molino Park students last May. Photos by Kim Stefansson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Storytime Held Each Week At A Library Branch Near You
September 8, 2016
During Storytime Wednesday at the Molino Branch Library, little readers had a chance to be silly with songs and dancing, two good stories about good manners, played with bubbles and practiced their good manners by sharing bouncy balls.
Storytime — with stories, songs and movement activities designed to build future readers — is held as follows:
Molino Branch
Weekly on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.
(No Winter Break)
Century Branch
Weekly on Thursdays at 4 p.m.
(*Winter Break Dec 12 through Jan 17)
Pensacola Library
Weekly on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.
(*Winter Break Dec 12 through Jan 17)
Southwest Branch
Weekly on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.
(*Winter Break Dec 12 through Jan 17)
Tryon Branch
Mommy & Me: Weekly on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.
Mommy & Me is a lapsit program for babies and their special someone.
Preschool Story Time: Weekly on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.
(*Winter Break Dec 12 through Jan 17)
Westside Branch
Weekly on Thursdays at 11:30 a.m.
(No Winter Break)
Pictured: Wednesday’s Storytime at the Molino Branch Library. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Let The Music Play: Escambia Academy, Northview Band Photo Gallery
September 8, 2016
For a photo gallery featuring the Northview and Escambia Academy bands from Friday night, click here (including NHS dance team, NJROTC).
For a previous game action gallery click here.
For a previous cheerleader and mini-cheerleader gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Learn To Start Your Cool Season Garden This Saturday
September 7, 2016
The Escambia Extension Horticulture Program will present a program on “Starting Your Cool Season Garden” this Saturday morning at 10:30 at the Molino Branch Library at 6450-A Highway 95A. The program will cover how to start and how to grow cool weather edibles. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay Rodeo Presents $1,500 To My Father’s Arrows
September 7, 2016
Jay Pro Rodeo was represented by JHS SGA members, advisors and Frederick Barrow in presenting My Father’s Arrows with a donation of $1,500. SGA members also volunteered at the thrift store and helped to sort and store clothing.
The SGA offered thanks to Sarai and Jason Ellis and the work they do to help foster children and families throughout our area. The My Father’s Arrows Thrift Store is located on Elva Street in Milton. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century’s New Splash Pad Installed
September 6, 2016
Century’s new splash pad has been installed, but is not officially open yet.
While the splash pad has been operational over the past few days, there is still another control part to be installed before an official opening day and before hours of operation are announced, according to Mayor Freddie McCall. At times, the splash pad may not function until it’s officially opened.
A $50,000 Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program grant was awarded to the town last October to fund the splash pad. The competitive grant program provides state funds to develop lands for public outdoor recreational use, such as building or renovating sports facilities or playgrounds. Century was the only recipient of the grant last year in Escambia County.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Second Grader Wins Ride To School On Fire Truck
September 2, 2016
Second grader Gavin Bramblett and his brother Aiden got the ride of a lifetime from their home to Jim Allen Elementary School Thursday morning — on an Escambia Fire Rescue ladder truck.
Gavin won the ride to school on a fire truck during the West Florida Library’s Summer Reading Club by reading more than 50 hours during the summer.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Chamber Plans October Fall Festival, Vendors Needed
September 2, 2016
The Century Area Chamber of Commerce is planning a Fall & Craft Festival & Car Show for Saturday, October 15 at Showalter Park.
The event will feature craft booths, family fun, food, a car show and entertainment featuring The Horseshoe Halo Band and Michael Peterson.
The chamber is currently seeking vendors, entertainment and sponsors for the event. For a vendor booth application, click here. For sponsorship or other information, call Kim at (850) 256-3208 or email kgodwin@centuryflorida.us.
The festival is sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com.
Pictured: A Wednesday lunch meeting of the Century Chamber of Commerce membership. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Putting It On The Line – Lineworker Appreciation Day
August 26, 2016
Friday, Gulf Power and the State of Florida recognized the contributions and dedication of lineworkers during Lineworker Appreciation Day, a day set-aside by the state Legislature in 2012.
Gulf Power paid special tribute to almost 200 employees that work on the company’s 9,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines between Pensacola and Panama City, which serves more than 450,000 customers.
Over the past few years, the Pensacola area has endured an ice storm, a 500-year flood and most recently, severely damaging tornados. While most people seek shelter during these storms, Gulf Power lineworkers venture out into the dangerous elements, putting it all on the line to restore power, and hope.
Despite numerous safety precautions, these workers face dangerous conditions on a daily basis. It’s a job that, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is one of the deadliest and most dangerous in the United States.
Yet, with all the known hazards of working with electricity, lineworkers are committed to keeping the energy flowing safely to homes and businesses no matter the conditions or weather.
One of those lineworkers, Demetric Washington, has worked seven years at Gulf Power as a distribution service and line technician.
Washington started working at Gulf Power in 2009 after having worked for Solutia for 10 years as a carpet operator. His first position with the energy company was working as a utility person.
After seven long years of training and preparation, he completed the apprentice phase in May and is now working as a journeyman.
Washington points out how seriously safety is taken in his line of work.
“In the work that we do everyday, it’s very necessary to be your brother’s and sister’s keeper,” Washington said. “You could easily have an accident. I don’t ever want that on my conscious.”
In this extremely hazardous line of work, a family-oriented atmosphere seems to come with the job. It’s common to hear most lineworkers talk fondly about their teammates.
“I love the people I work with. Sometimes you’re working with them for 12 hours straight, and we have to travel together to help other utilities with major outages,” he said. “They become like extended family.”
Gulf Power crews have traveled more than 30 times since 2008 to help other utilities restore power to their customers.
Washington says he enjoys getting the call to help people, though. “When I’ve traveled to other areas in the country where people have been experiencing longer outages, and you can see on their faces how stressed out and miserable they are. I get to help those people.”
The worst damage Washington remembers seeing was the 2011 tornado in Tuscaloosa. “It basically looked like a scene out of a movie. I can remember booming up in the bucket and actually seeing the path that the tornado took. It was something I’ve never seen before in my life.”
Despite all the dangers and hardships, Washington says he wants to do this for a long time.
“The dangers of my job are always in the back of my mind, but the training I have been through the past seven years prepares me for what obstacles I may come across,” he said.
Washington’s wife Amanda, and their four children look forward to him returning home safely each and every day.