Despite Rain, Kids Enjoy Cantonment Egg Hunt
March 27, 2016
Saturday’s rain did not stop the children at Pine Forest Assembly of God in Cantonment from having a great time. The kids were able to enjoy and indoor egg hunt with prizes and loads of candy. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Happy Ending: Missing Veteran Found Safe
March 25, 2016
Two Santa Rosa County deputies had the opportunity to go above and beyond the call of duty Wednesday night when they located a missing elderly man from Atmore.
George Haley, an 83 year old dementia patient, left his home on Freemanville Drive north of Atmore about 5:00 Wednesday morning in a 2002 pickup truck. An Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Senior Alert was issued when friends and family were unable to find him.
Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Deputy Brian Middleton and Sgt. Todd Reaves conducted a traffic stop on Haley’s pickup near the Pace Assembly of God Church Wednesday night. He had been reported as a possible drunk driver.
“My husband found him and called police actually thinking he was a drunk driver,” Gina Riela posted on the NorthEscambia.com Facebook page.
Once the deputies realized they had located the missing senior, they contacted and waited for his family to arrive from Atmore to pick him up. They began to talk and discovered that Haley is a veteran with plenty of stories to tell.
“We exchanged stories about life,” Middleton said. The deputies bought Haley a burger and fries since he had not eaten all day.
“Mr. Haley, it was a pleasure meeting you sir, thank you for you’re service in the military and God Bless you,” Middleton said.
Haley is safely back home with his family.
Pictured: Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Sgt. Todd Reaves, George Haley of Atmore ,and Deputy Brian Middleton. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Angels Return Home For 70th Season
March 22, 2016
The Blue Angels returned to Pensacola Monday afternoon for their 70th anniversary season.
The 2016 team roared back into town with a special flyover over downtown Pensacola before a welcome back event at NAS Pensacola.
Pictured: The 2016 Blue Angels in a special flyover above downtown Pensacola on Monday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ditto Gorme, click to enlarge.
Camp Fire Century Students Are ‘Absolutely Incredible Kids’
March 21, 2016
The Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center recently celebrated Absolutely Incredible Kid Day. Each child’s parent wrote a letter to their child letting them know why they are an Absolutely Incredible Kid.
“You are such a funny kid. Never know what you are going to say. You can be the most sweet and loving kid ever. The most incredible this is you’re ours,” one letter said.
“I am a loving, caring, smart young man who loves helping mommy do chores around the house. I am absolutely incredible kid because my beautiful smile always makes mommy smile,” another letter stated.
Pictured: Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center celebrated Absolutely Incredible Kid Day. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Names Students Of The Month
March 21, 2016
Ernest Ward Middle School has named Students of the Month for February. They are (L-R) Nevaeh Brown, sixth grade; Amber Gilman, seventh grade; and Ashlyn Harigel, eighth grade. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Creating Good Woods
March 21, 2016
by Cathy Hardin, Escambia County Forester
Richard Winkler showed off his little piece of heaven recently . He is proud of his nearly 300 acres on Nokomis Road.
When asked what the name on his Forest Stewardship plaque will say, with a twinkle in his eye, he admits he calls it the Hillbilly Hunt Club. The Forest Stewardship Certification and Tree Farm Certification Winkler is receiving show he has met certain standards of forest management. His dedication to the land gives him the motivation to manage the property to such standards.
Certified landowners like Winkler are honored with signs to display on the property. The Forest Stewardship program was created to encourage active, long-term management of private forest. The American Tree Farm System was designed to promote sustainable land management and recognize landowner commitment to do the best for their land.
To qualify for certification, Winkler has thinned timber, conducted prescribed burns, treated cogongrass and maintained food plots. To make these management practices happen, he worked with private contractors, the Florida Forest Service and the USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service. Why he does all this for a patch of woods is simple: He wants to see his forest live up to its ultimate potential.
Not only does his managed land benefit him, it also benefits his neighbors. Thinning timber helps prevent outbreaks of devastating pests; prescribed burning has numerous benefits including lowering wildfire risk and increasing wildlife habitat; treating cogongrass helps slow the spread of a crippling invasive species to neighboring properties.
Then there are benefits to the greater community from having trees. For instance, trees help remove pollution from the air and protect water quality. These and other benefits provided by trees are known as ecosystem services and have been valued at roughly $5,000 an acre.
If Winkler had one recommendation for other forest landowners it would be to make sure to get any professional help you need. For landowners who want to do something for their land, a first step is simply to know your property. Know where your property lines are and walk the property watching for signs of problems or potential problems such as trespassers, invasive or harmful pest or plant species and potential for damage by wildfire, flood or hurricane. If you are not sure what to look for or how to take care of what you see, take Winkler’s advice and call for help from a professional forester.
If you are interested in creating your own good woods, please contact the Escambia County Forester at (850) 587-5237 for more information.
The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages 37 state forests on more than 1 million acres of public forest land while protecting 26 million acres of homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire.
Pictured top: Escambia County Forester Cathy Hardin and Richard Winkler. Pictured inset: Winkler with his Stewardship Forest sign. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weekend Gardening: Daffodils Signal Spring
March 19, 2016
Few plants seem to signify the freshness of spring quite as well as daffodils. The name “daffodils” is derived from “addodell” a variant of Asphodel (a plant of the Asphodelus genus.) In historical documents and the common language of 16th century Europe, the term “daffodil” referred specifically to the wild daffodil, Narcissus pseudonarcissus.
The derivation of the Latin narcissus is unknown. It is frequently linked to the Greek myth of Narcissus, who was rumored to be so obsessed with his own reflection that he died while gazing at himself in a pool of water. From the location of his death sprang the narcissus plant. Another Greek myth finds Persephone, daughter of the goddess Demeter, lured to her doom by the God Hades while picking a narcissus. Therefore the plant is perceived as a symbol of vanity in some Western culture.
Others attribute the plants’ name to its narcotic properties. One translation of the Greek name is “I grow numb!” All narcissus species contain the alkaloid poison lycorine, mostly in the bulb but also in the leaves. Members of the Amaryllidaceae family contain unique types of alkaloids. They are responsible for the poisonous properties of a number of the species. Of the 200 different chemical compounds found in this plant family, at least 79 of them can be found in narcissus.
Daffodils are a popular potted plant for cut flowers, but also make attractive naturalized ground covers in gardens and around trees, providing color from the end of winter through late spring. If the narcissus blooms on Chinese New Year, it is said to bring wealth and good fortune throughout the year. The flower color varies from white through pinks and yellows to deep reddish-orange with multiple petal forms. Hundreds of cultivars are available.
Planting dates vary according to geographical location, but bulbs are usually planted in the fall when the soil is cool. Daffodils grow well in full sun or light shade, with the blooms lasting longer when protected from the noon day sun. When selecting a location for planting, it should be noted that the individual flowers will face the sun.
Pre-chilled bulbs should be planted in 6-8” deep holes with a tablespoon of slow release fertilizer added to the soil directly under the bulb and with 4-5” of soil covering the bulb. Watering throughout the winter will be necessary if rains are infrequent. After flowering, the daffodils need to be fertilized and watering should continue. The foliage will naturally turn yellow and die as stored food is restored to the bulb.
Division, transplanting and collection for forcing potted plants can be done after all the foliage has declined. To force Daffodils to bloom at varied times in a container the dried bulbs will need to be stored at a 45° F temperature for 4-6 weeks prior to being placed in the sun to grow.
The bright, cheery Daffodil flowers are beginning to bloom now and will continue as Easter approaches, reminding us that spring really is coming.
Email Sheila Dunning at sdunning@ufl.edu.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Levins Named Century Chamber’s Student Of The Year
March 18, 2016
Northview High School senior Trevor Levins has been named the Century Chamber of Commerce’s Student of the Year. The annual selection is based upon a student’s well-rounded involvement in school activities, community service and more. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High Names Faircloth, Stonewall As Students Of The Month
March 17, 2016
Tate High School has named students of the month for February. They are David Faircloth and Demiyah Stonewall, pictured with Principal Rich Shackle. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Camp Fire Kids Hold Annual Easter Egg Hunt
March 17, 2016
Students from the Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center visited the Century Health And Rehabilitation Center Wednesday for their annual Easter Egg Hunt. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
