2015 In Photos: January
December 28, 2015
Today, we begin a look back at the year 2015 in photos with a look at January:
The Pensacola Pelican Drop celebration in downtown Pensacola signaled the start of 2015.
Fire destroyed a home on Cedartown Road near Molino.
An eagle on a cold January morning outside our NorthEscambia.com office.
The Tate High School varsity cheerleaders won first place at the FHSAA regionals.
Molino Park Elementary School students “Read Like Crazy” during January.
Firefighters battled several brush and grass fires in January 2015.
Sara Calhoun was honored by the Escambia County School Board as the Florida Reading Association’s Elementary School Teacher of the Year.
Firefighters successfully revived two cats rescued from a travel trailer fire.
Century residents gathered to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Huge crowds turned out in Atmore for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade.
Members of CrossFaith Church in Molino shared cardboard testimonies.
Gas prices in the North Escambia area finally dropped below $2 at several stations in January.
The Florida Forest Service and Escambia County Forester distributed free longleaf pine seedlings in Century and Walnut Hill in recognition of Arbor Day.
Benjamin Boutwell, the newest member of the Century Town Council, was sworn in during a January meeting.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott was sworn in for a second term.
An icy January morning, with a little help from a sprinkler system.
NorthEscambia.com photos.
Ernest Ward Middle School Names Students Of The Month
December 28, 2015
Ernest Ward Middle School recently named Students of the Month. The are (L-R) John Bashore, sixth grade; Libby Pugh, seventh grade; and Keaton Brown, eight grade. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Recipes: Rice Krispie Treats, Oatmeal Cookies, Hot Chocolate
December 26, 2015
Here are some family time favorite recipes for this Christmas weekend.
Today’s recipes include Traditional Oatmeal Cookies, Crockpot Candy and Rice Krispie Treats — perfect recipes for the family to make together. And what would Christmas be without Hot Chocolate? Our quick and easy recipe can easily be increased to make enough for everyone, plus it’s easy to include some extra cocoa powder for a deeper, darker treat.
Crock Pot Candy
- 16 oz Salted Peanuts
- 16 oz UnSalted Peanuts
- 4 oz German Chocolate Bark
- 1 pkg Almond Chocolate Bark
- 1 pkg Butterscotch Morsels
Put all ingredients into crock pot. Cook on low for 2 hours. Do not stir or open lid. After 2 hours, turn off crock pot, stir candy and drop in clusters onto wax paper. Let cool and enjoy. This recipe will make 70-90 pieces of candy, depending on the size.
Traditional Oatmeal Cookies
- 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, softened
- 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
- 3 cups of Quaker Oats (Quick)
- 1 cup raisins (optional)
Preheat oven to 350° F. Beat together butter and sugars until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla extract; beat well. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well. Slowly stir in oats. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto an ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 1 minute on sheet, remove to wire rack.
Rice Krispie Treats
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 (10 oz., about 40) pkg. regular marshmallows or 3 cups miniature marshmallows
- 6 cups Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal
In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add the marshmallows and continue to stir until the marshmallows have completely melted. Remove from heat. Stir in the Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal coating them well with the melted marshmallow mixture. Using a buttered or silicone spatula, press the mixture evenly into a 13 x 9 x 2 inch pan which has been buttered or sprayed with non-stick spray or lined with wax paper. Cut into squares when the mixture cools. Makes 24 squares.
MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS:
Microwave butter with marshmallows on high setting for 2 minutes in a microwave safe mixing bowl. Stir together when melted. Microwave again on high for 1 additional minute. Stir in cereal, mixing until well coated. Press into pan as above.
Hot Chocolate
- 1 tbsp. cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp. sugar
- 2 tbsp. water
- 1 c. milk
- a bit of vanilla, if desired
Combine cocoa, sugar, and water in a small saucepan. Heat it on low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent the paste from sticking to the pan. After about 1 to 2 minutes, add milk and vanilla. Mix it all together until it reaches your preferred temperature.
Santa Visits Camp Fire USA Century Center
December 25, 2015
Santa Claus recently paid a visit to the Camp Fire USA Century Youth Learning Center.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bellview VFD Elves Help Santa Make Special Early Delivery
December 24, 2015
Members of Escambia County Fire Rescue Station 1 in Bellview helped Santa Claus make a special early delivery this week. Bellview members picked up Santa and gave him a fire truck ride to the home of two boys, ages 4 and 8, where a special visit from Santa and presents were needed. The 8-year old is home bound after just having heart surgery, and is facing additional heart surgeries.
Both of the young men were happy to see Santa and his firefighter elves with presents….and his special Escambia Fire Rescue firetruck sleigh.
The firefighters delivered the toys and took the time to sit and talk and play with the children for a little bit. The firefighters at Bellview Volunteer Fire Department believe that this kind of generosity, support and caring for a young child that is going through this type of situation is what the Spirit of Giving and what Christmas is all about,” said Bellview District Chief Troy Johnson.
(And, as a footnote, one of the firefighters noticed a dead smoke detector battery in the home and installed a new one to help keep the family safe.)
Bratt Pre-K Class Visited By Frosty The Snowman, Santa
December 23, 2015
Mrs. Cloud’s Pre-K class at Bratt Elementary school was visited by Frosty the Snowman and Santa Claus last week. The students also grew their own magical candy canes. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cook Up A Christmas Gift Idea
December 23, 2015
by Dorothy Lee, Escambia Extension Agent
Christmas is a joyous season. It’s a time to remember friends and neighbors with small tokens of your love and appreciation.
Every holiday season is magical, but can also be a perplexing time. How do you choose gifts for your friends and loved ones that are unique, and sure to be cherished?
Remember Christmas when you were young? How the simplest projects—stringing lights, hanging icicles, baking cookies, gathering pine cones, or making ornaments for the tree—filled the season with fun and excitement. Bring back that special magic with your own holiday projects. These holiday projects are gifts from the heart.
If you have spent many hours in past seasons trying to find the answer to the perplexing question of what to give, perhaps this year you can find the answer in your own kitchen. Flavorful gifts you can create in an evening or two at home might be the just the solution. Most of us like to follow the pleasure of cooking with sharing the scrumptious results. So this holiday season prepare some delicious food gifts for friends and relatives.
A jar of homemade jam or jelly conveys a welcome sign of friendship to neighbors or coworkers. Besides being fun to make and share, oven-baked goods, snacks, and other savory items are attractive and often cost less than those that are store-bought. This is a gift that comes from the heart without breaking the bank. For a holiday touch, add a pretty ribbon or a note from a square of wrapping paper.
Fresh from the oven, a batch of pumpkin muffins or a loaf of whole grain bread will send warm holiday greeting to friends. Decorated with raisins and nuts, gingerbread men will appeal to anyone who fancies the spicy flavors of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. When invited to festive dinners take along a basket filled with your own gift assortment of cookies packaged in inexpensive containers with recipes and a personalized message included. You will find these gifts easy to transport and the hostess is sure to appreciate the gesture.
Another gourmet goodies idea to consider is sharing a decorative jar or tin packed with flavorful popcorn or a nutritious trail mix. Top a decorative tray with herbed cheese rounds. Herbs offer a delicious alternative to salt. Herb seasoning mixes can be packaged in a decorative glass jar or bottle and tied with festive ribbon. Be sure to attach a label with instructions for serving and a recipe for making more.
When making these gourmet goodies, you might want to prepare an additional batch so you will have a last minute gift on hand. The additional jar of jam or jelly can make a special gift for last minute visitors. These gifts are seen as thoughtful and well-prepared when they are in reality a last minute thought.
For more information, contact Dorothy Lee, UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County at (850) 475-5230 or email dclee@ufl.edu.
Molino Library Patron Quilts Throws For Enon Nursing Home Residents
December 22, 2015
Molino Branch Library patron June Weaver quilted these throws for the residents of Enon Country Manor near Walnut Hill. They were to be delivered to Enon Country Manor residents along with their new West Florida Public Library cards. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Santa Claus Visits Cantonment Senior Center (With Gallery)
December 21, 2015
Santa, also known as Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas, visited the Cantonment Senior Center on Wednesday. He passed out gifts and took photos with the seniors.
Pictured: Santa Claus visited the Cantonment Senior Center Wednesday. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Big On Christmas Spirit: Century’s Boats And Floats Parade (With Gallery)
December 20, 2015
The Century Area Chamber of Commerce’s 3rd Annual Lighted Boats and Floats Parade may have been a little short in length Saturday night, but it was big on Christmas spirit. The parade traveled down North Century Boulevard from near the state line to Showalter Park where there was a Music in Park event and visits with Santa Claus.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
