Photo: Glorious Sunset
December 25, 2014
The North Escambia area enjoyed an unusually beautiful sunset Christmas Eve, as seen here from Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Here Comes…Santa Goat?
December 24, 2014
Look out Rudolph…there’s a new kid in town…Santa Goat. One of our NorthEscambia.com staffers spotted this goat, complete with a Santa hat, riding in the back of a Dodge Ram pickup at the Piggly Wiggly in Davisville. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Christmas Lights: Bratt, Byrneville, Century
December 24, 2014
Merry Christmas! Here’s a photo gallery of few light displays from Bratt to Century — including private residences, a park in Century and a Nativity scene in Byrneville.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cook Up A Holiday Gift Idea
December 24, 2014
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.
Start early and make lots of homemade goodies for the holidays. By planning your kitchen gifts early you can shop for ingredients on sale, save decorative containers and make food items in advance. So get a head start on holiday gifts from your kitchen.
For more information, contact Dorothy Lee, UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County at (850) 475-5230 or email dclee@ufl.edu.
CrossFaith Members Bring Christmas Cheer To ‘The Retreat’
December 23, 2014
Members of CrossFaith Church in Molino paid a special visit Monday to The Retreat, operated by the Council on Aging of West Florida. The Retreat offers a stimulating day experience for older adults with physical and cognitive impairments. Participants enjoy a full day of activities, social interaction and recreation in a safe, protective at-home like atmosphere.
While at The Retreat, the CrossFaith group played bingo with the participants and sang Christmas carols to them.
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FCA Plus Beta Equals Sounds Of The Season
December 22, 2014
Members of the Northview High School FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) and the Northview Beta Club recently stopped by the Century Town Hall and spreed good cheer with Christmas carols. Pictured with the FCA and Beta members are (to the right) sponsors Alison Robinson, Natalie Nall and Century staffers Angela Suggs and Erin Weekes. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Santa Trades Sleigh For Fire Truck (With Photo Gallery)
December 21, 2014
Santa traded in his sleigh Saturday for a big red fire truck as he visit many boys and girls in neighborhoods across North Escambia.
NorthEscambia.com was along for the ride as Santa rode along with the McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, visiting with dozens of children, listening carefully to those last minute wish lists. Along the way, Santa stopped off to see a Christian Home community woman who is battling cancer; she had a special gift of cookies for Santa and the firemen.
For a photo gallery from the McDavid/Christian Home area, click here.
Pictured: Santa Claus rode along with the McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue Saturday morning as he visited the McDavid and Christian Home communities. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Tree Farm Recognized
December 21, 2014
Paina Farms in the Byrneville area was recently recognized for high quality land management. Farm owner Don Bush received both a Forest Stewardship certification and a Tree Farm certification.
The original farm acreage has been in the family for more than 50 years and this was not the first time management on this property was recognized. Bush’s parents received a conservation award in 1980.
After hurricanes Ivan and Dennis, much of the timber on the property had to be salvaged and replanted. In his efforts to restore the property to a healthy and productive forest, Bush has participated in several assistance programs through the Florida Forest Service and the USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service. He also has kept a schedule of prescribed burning in areas of longleaf pine and treats invasive species such as cogongrass. During hunting season, he has guided hunts on the property.
Certified landowners are honored with a sign displaying their status. Both programs have newsletters, tours and workshops for their landowners. The Stewardship program assists landowners in acquiring a management plan with a timeline for practices that can be followed to attain certification. The Tree Farm program is now also third party certified, allowing wood from these properties to be sold as “green” wood. Both programs are designed to promote sustainable land management, incorporating all components of the forest.
For more information on certification under either program, contact Escambia County Forester Cathy Hardin at (850) 587-5123 or email cathy.hardin@freshfromflorida.com.
Weekend Gardening: Creative Gift Ideas For Your Favorite Gardener
December 21, 2014
by UF/IFAS Extension Service
Still don’t have a Christmas present for your favorite gardener? Take heart, there is still plenty of time to find, or make, that perfect “green” gift.
Many gardeners don’t think of their landscapes as just plants in the ground. To the knowledgeable landscape designer, the landscape is a series of rooms; rooms that may require decoration.
Garden art can be anything from the whimsical garden gnomes, functional obelisks or metal sculptures.
Garden obelisks can serve many functions. In addition to providing interest during all four seasons, they can act as beautiful focal points in the garden. They can make your garden look as if it was designed by a professional.
In a flower garden, they provide support for plants such as climbing roses, flowering vines and many other climbers and twiners. In the edible garden, many types of fruits and vegetables, such as various types of beans, can be grown on obelisks.
Obelisks come in many different sizes and shapes. Common shapes include tall, rounded or oblong forms, rectangular forms, and pyramids. Most vining plants will take to any shape. Choose the shape that is pleasing to you and blends in with your garden design. Obelisks can be made from a variety of materials including cedar, copper and wrought iron.
Furthermore, if you are an avid recycler, there are plenty of materials just laying around that can be made into a functional obelisk with a minimum amount of skill and time. Take a look on the internet and you will find plenty of help in fashioning a home-made creation.
A “growing” trend is metal garden art. Metal garden art can be fun, playful or even classical. It can be used to create a focal point in the garden or to brighten up a dull spot. From small garden stakes, to colorful wall art, to sculptures small and large, the possibilities are endless. With so many materials to choose from and so many artists working in the field you will be sure to find at least one piece to add color and character to your yard.
Again, if you are an avid recycler, you will be able to find many pieces made from recycled metal. Recycled steel drums or tanks, discarded bicycle or tricycles, old car parts, these all provide the raw materials for the creative eco-artist.
Copper is widely used in metal garden art because it is beautiful, durable and adds elegance to any garden. If allowed to oxidize it will age gracefully to a natural weather worn green patina. It can also be preserved with a clear coating to maintain its bright, shiny look. Copper sculptures, wall art and garden stakes add a touch of class to any decor.
For a classic look add a bronze garden sculpture. Bronze sculptures have been around for thousands of years. They remain popular today because they are classic, timeless and will last for generations.
Whatever your taste, classic, contemporary or just playful, garden art will warm your heart even on the coldest winter day.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gulf Power Gives Back To America’s Heroes
December 20, 2014
Gulf Power presented $63,400 to two local charities today in support of veterans in the Escambia County area. The money was raised from its second annual Clay Shoot for America’s Heroes held in November at the Santa Rosa Shooting Center in Pace. Two checks for $31,700 were presented to the two organizations at Gulf Power’s headquarters.
The clay shoot raised money for Building Homes for Heroes and Gulf Coast Veterans In Need — two charities that provide assistance to wounded military members and their families in Northwest Florida.
“Many disabled veterans have nothing in their life to call their own or to be proud of. This support enables veterans to begin anew and start living life the way it should be,” said Army Sgt. Joshua Hamilton, who will receive a home from Building Homes for Heroes on Dec. 27.
Building Homes for Heroes gives mortgage-free homes to wounded American service members. Locally, five homes have been given or pledged with plans for several more in Northwest Florida.
Gulf Coast Veterans In Need supports severely injured veterans in the Pensacola Bay Area. The group works with individual service members to coordinate benefits, community resources and family needs and determines the level and type of additional assistance.
Each charity will receive a check raised through Gulf Power’s Clay Shoot for America’s Heroes event.
“The Gulf Power fundraiser and the Building Homes for Heroes organization has meant the world to us,” said retired Army Spc. Anthony Stroup. “It has given us the opportunity to build a solid foundation for our family and make new lasting memories together. Our family has moved 14 times in eight years, so now our children will have the chance to grow up in the same house in the same school district, and will be able to make lifelong friendships. We have a chance as a married couple to secure our future and provide the lifestyle we never had growing up.”
Close to 80 volunteers from Gulf Power and the community hosted the clay shoot on Nov. 6 with 35 teams of sportsmen and women gunning for clays. Twenty-five sponsors showed their support to make the event possible and volunteers launched clays and scored endless rounds of shots from 130 participants.
“There was terrific response from the community and once again we have selected two great causes that provide much needed support to our military veterans,” said Sandy Sims, Gulf Power manager of Community Relations. “Our employees are proud to support groups that support our military friends and neighbors — and the key is that our partners in the community feel the same way.”
Pictured: Gulf Power presented donations for $31,700 each Friday to Gulf Coast Veterans in need (below) and Building Homes for Heroes (top). Pictured inset: Gulf Power CEO Stan Connally chats with Army Sgt. Josh Hamilton, one of two area veterans receiving a home through the Building Homes for Veterans charity. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
