T.T. Wentworth Museum Closed Until November
August 7, 2013
T.T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum in downtown Pensacola will be temporarily closed until November while preparations are made for the installation of a new 3,000-square-foot exhibit titled “Pensacola: City of Five Flags.”
The new exhibit will transform both the space and the technology currently used to recount Pensacola’s rich history, spanning its early settlement and possession by the Spanish, through its times under the flags of the French, British, Confederate States and the United States. It will be housed on the ground floor of the museum and replace an older exhibit of the same name.
“Come November, visitors will be able to explore the impressive history of Pensacola as the first large-scale European settlement attempt in the continental United States,” said Robert Overton Jr., COO of West Florida Historic Preservation Inc. “We’ll be telling this fascinating story from the standpoint of the common citizens who lived in Pensacola at various times throughout our history, using the latest visual technology, graphics, artifacts and themed exhibit areas.”
West Florida Historic Preservation Inc. is dedicated to collecting, preserving and interpreting the history of Northwest Florida. Overton is responsible for all aspects of daily museum operations and public programming, which serves an estimated 15,000 school children and 50,000 museum visitors each year. He noted that the demolition process to make way for the new Five Flags exhibit has been completed, with construction to begin this week.
Fallen Marine’s 21st Birthday Quietly Marked
August 6, 2013
LCpl. Travis M. Nelson would have celebrated his 21st birthday Monday. A wreath was quietly placed on the monument in the park that bears his name in Bratt on Monday to mark the occasion.
The wreath was in a fishing theme; friends and family said fishing was Nelson’s favorite pastime. It contained a fish sign with his name, a “Happy 21st Birthday” sign, and a small fishing rod, lures and the number “21″ painted in a fishing theme.
Nelson was just 19 when he was shot and killed in August 2011 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. The Bratt Community Park on West Highway 4 was renamed the “LCpl Travis M. Nelson Memorial Park” in his honor.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Back To School Prep: Church Members Hold Prayer Walk At Byrneville Elementary
August 5, 2013
Sunday night, members of Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church held their annual prayer walk at Byrneville Elementary School. Participants walked around the school and held prayer at various classrooms and around the campus. Prayers were said for students, teachers, staff and administrators for the coming year with safety and success. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Joe Patti Memorial Reef Deployed In Gulf of Mexico
August 5, 2013
Escambia County Marine Resources and the Patti family have deployed the Joe Patti Memorial Reef, following a blessing ceremony at Joe Patti’s Seafood. The 175-foot barge now sits in 50 feet of water in the Gulf of Mexico, four miles southeast of Pensacola Pass.
“By building an artificial reef closer to shore, individuals have an opportunity to explore an ecosystem not otherwise easily accessible,” said Robert Turpin, Escambia County Marine Resources division manager, “Escambia County looks forward to the addition to our artificial reef system, which was recent assessed, showing a great economic impact to our area.”
All reef and deployment costs have been donated by the Patti Family and the reef is now open to the public.
Pictured: The Joe Patti Reef prior to sinking in the Gulf of Mexico south of Pensacola Pass. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Where Are We In The 2013 Hurricane Season?
August 4, 2013
There have only been four named tropical systems so far this hurricane season — Andrea, Barry, Chantal and Dorian. But June and July tend to be the less active months of the season.
Climatologically speaking, August is the month where tropical cyclone activity begins to ramp up.
“This does not mean we will get a tropical cyclone along the Gulf Coast, but it is a good preparedness reminder,” according to the National Weather Service in Mobile.
NWS graphic, click to enlarge.
Birth: Chandler And Chasten Headden
August 4, 2013
Ryan Headden and Amanda (Aldridge) Headden of Flomaton are pleased to announce the birth of their twin boys, Chandler and Chasten Headden. They were born July 5, 2013, at 12:25 p.m., at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. Chandler weighed 5-pounds 9-ounces and was 18½ inches long. Chasten weighed 4-pounds 12-ounces and was 17½ inches long.
Maternal grandparents are Chuck and Gayle Aldridge of Century. Paternal grandmother is Tammy Headden of Chattanooga.
Great grandparents are the late Pete and Mary Mathis of Century, the late Leon Aldridge and Louise Moye Gardner of Century, and Robert and Rossie Johnson of Chattanooga, TN.
Chandler and Chasten were welcomed home by their big brother Carson who is two-years old.
Pensacola Fair Awards Educational Grants
August 3, 2013
The John E. Frenkel Sr. Educational Grants awarded by the Pensacola Interstate Fair have been announced.
The grants are awarded to 30 graduating high school seniors from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties that have been actively involved in the fair. To date, over $955,000 has been awarded to more than 1,000 participants.
The latest recipients are:
- Northview High School: Jessica M. Baldwin.
- Tate High School: Wes J. Chu, Khaid W. Eqab.
- Jay High School: John D. Atkins Jr., Chanda J. Hawthorne, Robert L. Lambeth, Justin B. Moye, Ryan J. Nadsady, Hannah C. Roberts, Alison B. Russell, Sarah R. Whitehead.
- West Florida High School: Taylor M. Gantt.
- Washington High School: Angel M. Mitchell.
- Escambia High School: Hien T. Nguyen.
- Pensacola High School: Talyah C. Foster.
- Milton High School: Caleb M. Connell.
- Gulf Breeze High School: Anamarie F. Wright.
- Catholic High School: Nathan W. Craney.
- Trinitas Christian School: Alex H. Price and Amy K. Gross.
- Homeschooled: Jacquelyn M. Grosjean and Rebekah A Mobley.
Fans Attend America’s Got Talent Going Away Party For Chloe Channell
August 3, 2013
A going-away party for “America’s Got Talent” contestant Chloe Channell was held Friday night at the Pace Community Center.
The 11-year old will perform live from Radio City Music Hall in the quarterfinals of the NBC series in the coming weeks. She was not listed as one of the acts scheduled to perform next Tuesday, meaning she will appear during the 8 p.m. show on August 13 or August 20.
Friday night, Chloe received going away presents from friends and family. Fish dinners were available to help the family with expenses, and Chloe had the chance to meet with her fans and sign autographs.
Pictured: “Amercia’s Got Talent” contestant Chloe Channell at a party in her honor Friday night in Pace. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Back To School: Supply Lists
August 3, 2013
School starts Monday, August 19 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Here are the school supply lists from each elementary school and middle school in Escambia County, plus the North Escambia area schools in Santa Rosa County.
(High schools typically do not have a general supply list. Students are advised of their supply needs in each class.)
North Escambia Area Schools:
- Bratt Elementary
- Byrneville Elementary (not yet available)
- Central School
- Chumuckla Elementary
- Ernest Ward Middle
- Jay Elementary
- Jim Allen Elementary
- Lipscomb Elementary
- McArthur Elementary
- Molino Park Elementary
- Pine Meadow Elementary
- Ransom Middle
Complete Escambia County Lists:
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
- Bellview Elementary
- Beulah Elementary
- Blue Angels Elementary
- Bratt Elementary
- Brentwood Elementary
- Byrneville Elementary (not yet available)
- Cook Elementary
- Cordova Park Elementary
- Ensley Elementary
- Ferry Pass Elementary
- Global Learning Academy
- Hellen Caro Elementary
- Holm Elementary
- Jim Allen Elementary
- Lincoln Park Elementary
- Lipscomb Elementary
- Longleaf Elementary
- McArthur Elementary
- McMillan Pre-K
- Molino Park Elementary
- Montclair Elementary
- Myrtle Grove Elementary
- Navy Point Elementary
- Oakcrest Elementary
- Pine Meadow Elementary
- Pleasant Grove Elementary
- Scenic Heights Elementary
- Semmes Elementary
- Sherwood Elementary
- Suter Elementary
- Warrington Elementary
- Weis Elementary
- West Pensacola Elementary
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
- Bailey Middle
- Bellview Middle
- Brown Barge Middle
- Ernest Ward Middle
- Ferry Pass Middle
- Ransom Middle
- Warrington Middle
- Woodham Middle
- Workman Middle
Gulf Power Making It Easier For Customers To Pay Their Bill
August 1, 2013
Gulf Power Company is making it easier for customers to pay their electric bills.
MoneyGram locations located across the service area will now post cash payments immediately to customers’ accounts. Also, the payment kiosks that have been set up at 12 Circle K stores in Pensacola will accept credit card payments, as well as cash.
“Customers want more options to pay their bill,” Gulf Power spokesman Jeff Rogers said. “Developing and offering these convenient new alternatives are part of keeping customers at the center of everything we do.”
There are 93 MoneyGram locations across the service area, including Walmart, CVS/pharmacy, Advance America and others. Customers can go to MoneyGram.com to find the nearest location.
Gulf Power customers an also pay their bills online, by U.S. mail, online at GulfPower.com, through the smartphones or in person at company customer offices.
Circle K locations in Pensacola:
- Store 1720 1900 E. Nine Mile Road
- Store 4958 2205 W. Nine Mile Road
- Store 4620 4233 E. Creighton Road
- Store 4960 330 Kenmore Road
- Store 4790 3109 Pace Blvd.
- Store 4918 2350 Michigan Ave.
- Store 8224 4450 Bayou Blvd.
- Store 8235 3013 E. Cervantes St.
- Store 7680 601 N. New Warrington Road
- Store 4970 2700 Gulf Beach Highway
- Store 1718 2020 W. Cervantes Road
- Store 4961 4501 North W Street
Pictured top: A bill pay kiosk at a local Circle K. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.