Hospital Lands Top Spot In Chili Cook Off
February 23, 2014
An Atmore Community Hospital team won first place during a chili cook-off in Atmore’s Tom Byrne Park Saturday, while second place went to the L.A. Bikers and third place to the First United Methodist Church.
The “People’s Choice” award for the best chili went to the Greater Mt. Triumph Baptist Church.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the hospital’s efforts to purchase a new X-Ray machine.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Bethany Reynolds, click to enlarge.
Mmmm – Girl Scout Cookie Time
February 23, 2014
Girl Scout Troop 903 from Molino/Cantonment was busy Saturday selling Thin Mints, Peanut Butter Patties and other Girl Scout Cookie favorites at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Cantonment. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Rotary Clubs Partner To Create 110,388 Meals For Manna
February 23, 2014
Rotary Clubs from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties came together Saturday to pack 110,388 meals at Manna Food Bank. It was part of the Rotary Against Hunger service project of the Combined Rotary of Pensacola (CROP). Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com click to enlarge.
‘Golden Cow Dung Award’ Presented To Barbara Ryals
February 22, 2014
Ernest Ward Middle School employee Barbara Ryals received the sixth annual “Golden Cow Dung Award” from members of the Ernest Ward FFA. The award presented Friday afternoon featured a large piece of cow dung, painted a golden color and mounted on a board painted in school colors.
(Cow dung, in case you did not know, is what you are probably thinking it is. It’s that natural byproduct that cows drop in the field. The award is 100 percent real dung spray painted a golden color. The golden piece presented Friday is actually the first award piece created six years ago.)
Ryals received the award from the school’s FFA members as a “thank you” for supporting FFA. The same Golden Cow Dung Award was presented last year to faculty member Betty Coon. Previous awards were presented to history teacher Kenneth Hicks, teacher’s assistant Lindsey Kelley, Family & Consumer Science teacher Kathy Ellis and Principal Nancy Perry.
More than half a million members around the nation participated in National FFA Week activities at the local and state levels this week.
Pictured: Ernest Ward Middle School FFA Golden Cow Dung Award presentation to Barbara Ryals Friday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
New Members Inducted Into National Beta Club At Northview
February 21, 2014
Almost two dozen new members were inducted into the National Beta Club Thursday afternoon at Northview High School. The new sophomore members are: (front, L-R) Niki Coleman, Brittney Ward, Madison Weber, Jadlyn Agerton, Bethany Reynolds, Savanna Roux, Lawrence Douglas, (middle) Tyler Houston, Harmoni Till, Jacob Dunsford, Jordan Taylor, Moriah McGahan, Haylee Weaver, Courtney Weekley, (back) Jason Perritt, Trevor Levins, Bradley Van Pelt, Leah Fischer, Jessica Amerson, Abbie Johnson and Jordan Helmken. Not pictured: Ben Preston and David Thorpe. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Report: Florida Agriculture Remains Strong
February 21, 2014
The United States Department of Agriculture released Thursday the preliminary results of the 2012 Census of Agriculture. The census tracks the number of farmers, farms, farmland, value of agriculture products and the demographics of the farmers themselves. The census revealed Florida agriculture remains an economic engine and job creator in Florida, with an increase in farmers, farms and farmland since the 2007 census.
“Despite expected setbacks as a result of the effects of greening on citrus and the collapse of the housing market on nurseries, the census confirms agriculture’s place as a vital and enduring part of Florida’s economy,” said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “The census noted the number of farms in Florida holding steady at approximately 47,000, and the average age of farmers ticking slightly upward, while growing more diverse, ethnically.”
- 9,548,342 acres of land in Florida farms, up from 9,231,570 in 2007;
- 47,740 farm operations in Florida, up from 47,463 in 2007;
- $161,368 is the average sales per farm, down from $164,027 in 2007;
- 200 acres is the average Florida farm size, up from 195 in 2007; and
- $7.70 billion in value of products sold, down from $7.78 billion in 2007.
The census provides a agricultural snapshot every five years.
Pictured top: Peanuts are harvested in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Chamber Honors Business, Community Leaders
February 19, 2014
The Pensacola Chamber Foundation announced its 54th Annual PACE Award recipients last night at the Hilton Pensacola Beach Gulf Front. The PACE Awards are given out each year to honor the outstanding individuals in the community who have made significant contributions to Greater Pensacola’s overall economic progress.
“This year’s award recipients have distinguished themselves as innovative entrepreneurs, visionary business and civic leaders, and exemplary corporate citizens,” said Pensacola Chamber Foundation Executive Director and Chamber President Jerry Maygarden. “They are the very best of us, and we are honored to pay tribute to these individuals who have made positive impacts to our community.”
Jessica Lee, the general manager and vice president of Kia AutoSport of Pensacola, was named Emerging Leader of the Year for her volunteerism with such organizations and groups as OneBlood, Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, the University of West Florida College of Business, Leadership Pensacola Alumni Association and Impact 100. Pensacola native and Fitness Onboard, LLC Founder and CEO Cindi Bonner was honored as the Professional Leader of the Year, having helped to grow her company into one of the premier Stand Up Paddleboarding fitness, rental and special event businesses along the Gulf Coast.
John Peacock, chairman of the Downtown Improvement Board and current financial advisor with Edward Jones, was named Community Leader of the Year and was recognized for being a tireless advocate for the revitalization of Downtown Pensacola, as well as a relentless supporter of several local nonprofits. Gulf Power Company President and CEO Stan Connally was named Business Leader of the Year for his contributions toward developing economic development programs and workforce development initiatives in Northwest Florida.
Charles Carlan was awarded the Spirit of Pensacola Award for his devotion toward the betterment of the engineering profession by hiring and mentoring countless young engineers for more than four decades. And finally, the late Dr. Reed Bell, founder of the Children’s Hospital at Sacred Heart, was posthumously honored with the prestigious Pioneer Award, established in 1978 to honor an individual who has made significant contributions with lasting impact and who has demonstrated a lifetime commitment to progress for the Greater Pensacola Area. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Celebrates National FFA Week
February 19, 2014
FFA members at Northview High School are celebrating National FFA Week with a variety of events. Tuesday, the FFA officers and members prepared a homestyle breakfast for teachers, staff and invited guests that support the FFA program.
Pictured top: Northview FFA Parliamentarian Mitchell Singleton, 2nd Vice President Haylee Weaver, and Vice President Courtney Weekly serve breakfast Tuesday morning at Northview High School. Pictured inset: Northview FFA President Courtney Solari. Pictured below: Breakfast was served to mark National FFA Week. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cunningham, Chavers To Attend Boys State
February 19, 2014
Two Northview High School juniors — Matthew Chavers and Austin Cunningham — have been chosen by Atmore American Legion Post 90 to attend Florida Boy’s State. Attendees are required to attend one governmental meeting on the local level prior to the trip, and the young men chose to attend a recent meeting of the Century Town Council.
They are being sponsored personally by Century Mayor Freddie McCall.
Matthew Chavers is third academically in his class, a member of the FBLA, tutors his peers in algebra after school and attends Aldersgate United Methodist Church. At Pensacola High School, he was in the International Baccalaureate Program, president of the Chess Club and a member of the Mock Trial Team.
Matthew is an accredited legal secretary — one of the youngest ones in the country. For fun, he enjoys playing video games.
His father and grandfather are both Marine veterans, and his grandfather Mike Adams served in the Vietnam War.
Austin Cunningham plays center on the Northview football team, and was on the state championship team. He lifts weights, able to bench press 240 pounds. He’s a member of the FFA and shows livestock such as cattle.
Austin is class treasurer, SGA treasurer, a member of the Beta Club and is also a member of Highland Baptist Church.
Pictured top: Century Town Council members (seated) Annie Savage, (back, L-R) Gary Riley, Jacke Johnston and Ann Brooks with Northview Boy’s State representative Austin Cunningham and Matthew Chavers. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Florida Athletes Compete In Winter Olympics
February 18, 2014
As the Winter Olympics continue in Russia, Florida sports fans will see what seems like a most unlikely sight: Fellow Floridians in Sochi, Russia, as part of the U.S. Olympic Team. That’s Floridians … in the Winter Olympics.
The Florida High School Athletic Association is encouraging residents from Pensacola to Key West to pull for the state’s athletes, several of whom competed at the high school level for FHSAA member schools.
“We’re used to seeing Floridians compete in a wide range of summer sports, from swimming and diving to track and field, but you don’t usually associate the Sunshine State with events like bobsledding and speedskating,” noted Dr. Roger Dearing, FHSAA executive director. “Whether the sports are common in our state or not, we can all take pride in the incredible accomplishments of these Florida athletes.”
Floridians on the 230-member U.S. Olympic Team in Sochi include three speedskaters who attended FHSAA member schools, as well as a member of the bobsled team who attended the University of Miami. In addition, the head coach of the U.S. men’s bobsled team now calls the Sunshine State home.
Florida has a rich tradition of sending champion athletes to compete in the Olympics, but it’s more typically the Summer Games. Two years ago, FHSAA saluted 29 Olympians who attended FHSAA member schools before earning spots in the London games. Several of Florida’s current Winter Olympians grew up competing in non-winter sports whose skills translated to winter sports
“These outstanding athletes highlight the value of athletic competition for young boys and girls. This is the same value we try to instill in every high school student-athlete competing at FHSAA member schools. You never know where it might lead you – even to a place in the Winter Olympics,” said Dearing.
Floridians participating in Sochi as members of the U.S. Olympic Team include:
- Eddy Alvarez, 24, of Miami, a speedskater who played baseball at Christopher Columbus High School
- Brittany Bowe, 25, of Ocala, a speedskater who played girls basketball at Trinity Catholic
- Joey Mantia, 28, of Ocala, a speedskater who was a world record holder in inline speed skating and attended Ocala Vanguard High School
- Lauryn Williams, 30, a former University of Miami track star who is a member of the two-woman bobsled team
- Brian Shimer, of Naples, head coach of the U.S. men’s bobsled team
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.