Night Of Music And Comedy To Benefit Cpl. J.R. Spears Memorial Scholarhip Fund
June 28, 2013
The Cpl. J.R. Spears Memorial Scholarship Fund will present a night of music and comedy Saturday at Tate High School featuring Grand Ole Opry Comedian T. Bubba Bechtol. Special guest will be entertainer and 2010 Tate High School graduate Leslie Ann Godwin.
Doors open at 6:30 Saturday night; the show begins at 7:00. Admission is $10, with all proceeds going toward the Cpl. J.R. Spears Memorial Scholarship Fund at Pensacola State College. Concessions will be on sale during the show.
After the show, birthday cake will be served to celebrate Spears’ birthday, which is Sunday.
For tickets, call Tim at (850) 324-9907. Tickets will also be sold at the door.
Blue Angels Team Members Takes Part In Century Storytime
June 27, 2013
A member of the Blue Angels took part in an afternoon storytime Wednesday at the Century Branch Library. PR1 Jeremy Green, a parachute rigger first class for the Blue Angels’ Life Support team, read a story to the packed library crowed and shared stories about his time in the Navy and with the Blue Angels. Green is from Spring Hill, AK, and enlisted in the Navy in February 2002 as an aircrew survival equipmentman.
Special storytimes will continue with a member of the Blue Angels at area libraries as follows:
- Thursday, June 27 at 10:30 A.M.,: Tryon Branch, 1200 Langley Ave.
- Saturday, June 29 at 2:30 P.M.,: Westside Branch, 1580 W. Cervantes St.
- Tuesday, July 2 at 10:30 A.M.,: Southwest Branch, 12248 Gulf Beach Hwy.
Groups of 20 or less are invited to contact their favorite library to inquire if seating is available for attendance at this very special Blue Angels storytime event.
Pictured top and below: Blue Angels team member PR1 Jeremy Green reads to children Wednesday afternoon at the Century Branch Library. Pictured inset: Enjoyig the story. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview, Jay Students Attend Rural Electric Youth Tour In Washington
June 27, 2013
Two North Escambia area students represented Escambia River Electric Cooperative during the annual Washington Rural Electric Youth Tour.
Taylor Brook of Northview High School and Kayla Flowers of Jay High School joined 1,500 youth leaders representing electric cooperatives from 41 states as they enjoyed a week-long tour of Washington, D.C. Brook and Flowers were the winners of the annual EREC Youth Tour contest held annually for high school juniors in the EREC service area.
Brook and Flowers visited the World War II, Lincoln, Vietnam, Korean and FDR memorials, along with Arlington National Cemetery. They also took an evening boat cruise along the Potomac River and attended a play at the Kennedy Center.
They also met with Congressman Jeff Miller and visited the Capitol where they learned more about how government works. During the Rural Electric Youth Day program, they had the opportunity to gain a better understanding of rural electric cooperatives’ history and their importance in the communities they serve.
Pictured: EREC Youth Tour delegates Kayla Flowers and Taylor Brook in front of the White House. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lake Stone Receives Community Pride Award
June 26, 2013
The Century Area Chamber of Commerce has awarded the June 2013 Community Pride Award to Lake Stone.
Lake Stone Campground is a 100-acre campground and boat ramp facility located at 801 West Highway 4 in Century. The campground has 77 campsites for everything from big RV rigs to tents. Recently updated to accommodate the more modern and much larger RV’s, Lake Stone is the Escambia County’s only facility located on a fresh water lake.
Lake Stone facilities include a boat ramp , indoor public use pavilion, a playground, showers, restrooms, a fishing pier, security lights, electrical and water hookups, a sewage dump station, picnic areas and the lake.
The Lake Stone pavilion or campsites can be reserved by calling the Lake Stone campground manager at (850) 256-5555 or Escambia County Parks and Recreation at (850) 475-5220.
Pictured top and bottom: The Century Area Chamber of Commerce June 2013 Community Pride Award was presented to Lake Stone. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge. Pictured inset: Lake Stone caretaker Dennis Cole receives the award from the chamber’s Don Ripley (courtesy photo).
Clay Shoot Saturday To Benefit Junior League, Kid’s House
June 26, 2013
Shooting enthusiasts to participate in a charity clay shoot on this Saturday at Santa Rosa Shooting Center. Clays for Kids will raise funds for Junior League of Pensacola and a portion of proceeds will be directly gifted to Santa Rosa Kids’ House, the child advocacy center serving Santa Rosa County.
Santa Rosa Shooting Center, located at 6950 Quintette Road in Pace, is a 14-station sporting clay course suitable for any level shooter. The cost to participate in Clays for Kids is $100 per shooter. Participants may register online at juniorleagueofpensacola.org/clay-shoot.
Junior League member Jennifer Major and her husband Tom are teaming up to chair Clays for Kids.
“We are excited to be partnering together on a project that supports our community,” Jennifer Major said. “Tom has been a Joe Junior Leaguer for years now. We both believe in the work of the Junior League and we are proud to present Clays for Kids as a new fundraiser to support Junior League and Santa Rosa Kids’ House.”
The tournament will begin at 10 a.m. with a shotgun start. Registration for shooters begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by a safety briefing at 9:45. A lunch and awards ceremony will complete the day. Shooters are encouraged to sign up in advance, but also can sign up the morning of the tournament.
For more tournament details or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities, call (850) 433-4421 or email president@juniorleagueofpensacola.org.
High Flying Reading: Blue Angels Pilot Takes Part In Molino Storytime
June 25, 2013
It was high flying storytime Monday at the Molino Branch Library as the No. 2 Blue Angel shared his own stories and read a couple of books to a large crowd.
LCDR John Hiltz, a Blue Angels pilot since September 2011, told the children how he came to love flying — and reading. He read a couple of books to the children, and even played “airplane” and lifted off a couple of children.
The Blue Angels are participating in community events like storytime at the library after being grounded for the season by the federal government’s sequester. Hiltz, like his fellow pilots, doesn’t know when they’ll get the green light to perform in air shows again. The pilots are currently getting individual flight time in the F-18, but there’s no practicing those high flying stunts that have made the Blue Angels world famous.
Once they get the budget go ahead to fly again, the Blue Angels will have to get in a lot of practice hours before their first air show.
“It’s going to be up to us to look ourselves in the eye and say we are ready,” he said. “Right now all we are getting is elementary flying. But the Blue Angels don’t do elementary flying.”
Hiltz knows Blue Angels air shows are expensive, but there’s a lot of return on the investment.
Special storytimes will continue with a member of the Blue Angels at area libraries as follows:
- Wednesday, June 26 at 10:30 A.M.,: Main Library, 239 N. Spring St.
- Wednesday, June 26 at 2:30 P.M.,: Century Branch, 7991 N. Century Blvd.
- Thursday, June 27 at 10:30 A.M.,: Tryon Branch, 1200 Langley Ave.
- Saturday, June 29 at 2:30 P.M.,: Westside Branch, 1580 W. Cervantes St.
- Tuesday, July 2 at 10:30 A.M.,: Southwest Branch, 12248 Gulf Beach Hwy.
Groups of 20 or less are invited to contact their favorite library to inquire if seating is available for attendance at this very special Blue Angels storytime event.
Pictured top: LCDR John Hiltz,, pilot of the No. 2 Blue Angels plane, gets a little help with a story that pointed out humans have arms, not wings. Pictured inset: A little high-flying blast off with a young reader. Pictured below: Monday’s storytime at the Molino Branch Library. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Solari, Wainwright Elected To District FFA Posts
June 24, 2013
Courtney Solari, president of the Northview High FFA Chapter, was recently elected at the 85th Florida FFA State Convention to serve as the 2013-2014 District I president. Logan Wainwright, 2012-2013 president of the Milton High FFA Chapter and former Northview student, was elected to serve as District I secretary.
Florida FFA District I includes Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, and Washington counties.
Pictured top: Florida FFA District 1 President Courtney Solari (left) and District I Secretary Logan Wainwright (right). Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Nature Photography Contest At Century Care Center
June 23, 2013
The residents at Century Care Center held their own Nature Photography Contest last week.
Most of the photographs were taken around the Century Care courtyard, and they were judged by staff and resident photographers. First place went to Carolyn Moye (top), second place to Clarice Simmons (left) and third place to Mittie Allen (below).
Other photographic entries are below.
Healthy Summer Series: Happy, Healthy Travel, Making Smart Choices
June 22, 2013
The following article from our “Healthy Summer Series”, in cooperation with the Florida Department of Health, takes a look at summer travel and healthy choices.
Happy Trails Can Be Healthy Trails: How to Make Smart Choices While Traveling
No matter your level of pre-vacation excitement, we can all agree on one thing—traveling is exhausting. But just because an 8-hour flight or seemingly endless drive may make you feel like you just ran a marathon, it’s important to remember that you didn’t. It’s no secret that vacation is a dietary and exercise wasteland, where healthy routines fall by the wayside and indulgence becomes the rule, not the exception. Cruise buffets, long layovers, and afternoons by the pool sipping calorie-laden cocktails are the recipe for a dietary disaster, and after a draining family reunion or eventful exotic adventure, the last thing you want is to rejoin the real world tasked with working extra hard to shed those extra vacation pounds. The solution? The Florida Department of Health (DOH) reminds you that a little planning and a few healthy choices can go a long way to making your vacation healthy without taking away any of the fun.
Sometimes It’s About the Journey, Not the Destination
When we think of over-eating on vacation, we think of hitting the aforementioned cruise buffet for thirds or indulging in dessert after every meal. Remember, you needn’t only watch what you eat at your vacation destination, but also mind your food choices as you journey there. A long layover or road trip pit stop will, more often than not, land you in fast-food mecca. Swap by-the-slice pizza stands and sinfully sweet coffee shop bakeries for homemade snacks. Add baked apple chips, trail mix, crackers and other healthy favorites to your packing list so you can skip the fast food and munch on healthy options instead. Check out easily portable healthy snack recipes from Livestrong as you plan your trip. http://www.livestrong.com/article/408585-healthy-homemade-snacks-on-the-go/
Take Advantage
Find yourself at a hotel with a fitness center or swimming pool? Take advantage. Regardless of pace, walking a mile burns about 100 calories. Get on the treadmill and cover some ground before you hit the hay, or go for a swim if running isn’t your thing. According to the Mayo Clinic, a person weighing 160 pounds who swims for an hour burns about 423 calories, an amount that can go a long way in cancelling out extra calories consumed throughout the day. Staying at a relative’s for a couple of days? Offer to walk their dog or lend a hand with calorie-burning housework, such as gardening. If you fall victim to a cancelled or delayed flight, strap on your backpack and stroll the airport to reap some health benefits from an otherwise unfortunate situation. Check out the calories burned by these activities and more on Mayo Clinic’s website: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/exercise/SM00109.
Sit Less, Move More
Fitness-friendly vacations are in, and DOH invites you to join the trend and change it up this summer. Have a beach trip planned? Go snorkeling, take lengthy walks, or challenge your kids to a swimming contest. Going camping? Make time for a hike or get a bike rack so you can hit the trails on wheels. Is sightseeing in your future? Explore the city on a bike tour or on foot. If you’ve got kids in tow, get them moving too! Check out this guide from Nemour’s Kids Health to plan a kid-friendly, activity-filled vacation that will make staying fit a family affair: http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_center/staying_fit/active_vacations.html#
Drink Up
Before digging into that shrimp cocktail, make sure to pour yourself a tall glass of H20. Drinking water is a dieter’s best friend, and a helpful tool to keep from over-indulging on vacation. A study released by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that adults who drank a large glass of water before meals ate an average of 75 fewer calories in that meal. That amount of calories may not sound like a lot in the grand scheme of caloric intake, but the same study revealed that cutting out those extra calories at lunch and dinner can lead to a 14 pound loss in a year. To read more from the Academy, visit: http://www.eatright.org/Public/content.aspx?id=6442468394.
Soak It All In, Write It All Down
Ever look back and wish you’d recorded great memories with family and friends? A travel journal will not only keep good times alive, but can help you remain conscious of your choices too. Jot down funny moments and descriptions of beautiful scenery, as well as the day’s meals and activities. Logging food and exercise each day will help you make smarter decisions tomorrow. If you decide to keep up this habit after vacation has come and gone, check out some advice from the Cleveland Clinic on how to keep a food journal that will make a true difference in helping you reach your health goals: http://my.clevelandclinic.org/healthy_living/weight_control/hic_keep_a_food_journal.aspx
Sleep, Sleep, Sleep
The equation for a healthy weight is a combination of diet, exercise and…sleep? That’s right. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, a good night’s rest on vacation will do more than keep you relaxed. Catching a few extra zzz’s can control your hunger, deter unhealthy late-night snacking, and repress cravings for high-carb, high-calorie options. Waking up rested may eliminate the need for creamer-filled coffee or a sugary energy drink, and may give you the energy you need to squeeze in a vacation workout. Read more on this Harvard study here: http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-causes/sleep-and-obesity/
Eat Out, Just Eat Smart
We all know that restaurants are a dieter’s greatest downfall. Reserving a condo with a kitchenette is a great way to save money and calories on vacation, but if you do eat out, just remember to eat smart. Check out restaurant menus online and decide what to order before arriving so you aren’t influenced by another’s choice. If you get a hefty portion, ask for a box early into your meal so you can save half for later. Mix and match: if you’re getting dessert, get a light entrée, or indulge in that pasta dish and skip the cheesecake. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has great tips for eating healthy while eating out, check them out at: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/weight-management-calories/weight-management/better-choices/eating-out.html#overcome Vacation is, after all, about having a good time. Sample local cuisine in moderation and give yourself a cheat day, take naps and lounge by the pool, but be smart about food and activity so you take a vacation from the daily grind, not from a healthy routine..
NorthEscambia.com’s “Healthy Summer Series”, in cooperation with the Florida Department of Health, will take a weekly look at issues aimed at keeping your Florida summer safe and healthy.
Growing Together: Carver Community Center Kids (Part 2)
June 22, 2013
The children and youth from the day program at the Carver Community Center have wrapped up their “Growing Brunch” series with the staff from UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County.
(This is the second part of this story. For part one, click here),
Along with Carver Community Center Director Marilyn Robinson, the children have taken part in lessons this week related to nutrition, preparing healthy food, water resources, insects, livestock, discovering where food originates, and healthy choices for the youth of Century.
In addition to visiting local farms earlier in the week, the students visited Sigafoose Dairy. Boyd Sigafoose, in the dairy business since the 1950’s, explained the milking process, milk handling and transportation to the children. They also had the opportunity to meet a newborn calf.
(story info continues below each photo)
Above: Carver Community Center program participants meet a newborn calf at Sigafoose Dairy.
Above: Jamie Spiker taught knife handling skills and had the youth practice on cheese that they later used as a snack with whole wheat crackers.
Above: Allison Meharg brought live rabbits so youth could learn how to take care of small animals. The youth then made a rabbit craft.
Above: Participants also prepared a healthy snack by using whole wheat tortillas, salsa, and other ingredients to create a soft taco.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.