Look Inside: New Molino Library, Museum And Community Center
June 18, 2012
Progress is continuing on a project to convert the old Molino School into a 15,600 square foot library, community center and museum. The facility is expected to be completed by November.
For a look inside at the construction progress, click here for a photo gallery.
Pictured: Inside the old Molino School restoration project. Pictured top: The auditorium in what will be the community center. Pictured left inset: A portion of the library. Pictured below: One of the rooms that will become a museum. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Dear Dad: Father’s Day Wishes
June 17, 2012
For Father’s Day, NorthEscambia.com invited our readers to submit stories about their fathers. We’ve randomly selected a few and included them below.
If you would like to tell your father’s story, or just wish dad a (late) Happy Father’s Day, please do so in the comments section at the bottom of the page.
Earl Hilburn
submitted by Katie Hilburn
My daddy’s name is Earl Hilburn, and he is from the Molino community. If you ever heard the song “Because You Loved Me” it describes my dad in every way. My dad has always been there for us no matter what. He’s always lifted us up when we were down, and told us we could do anything we set our minds to do. He has always taught us right from wrong. He taught all of us to respect elders, and always stand up for what we believe in. M
y dad is a very hard worker; he’s a truck driver and has been since he was 18 yrs old. If you knew my daddy, you know he’s a good man, and a man who would give the shirt right off his back for you. I’ve watched people hurt, and mistreat my dad, but he has always turned the other cheek. There’s not a lot of men like my daddy,
I’ve watched that man do whatever he had to do to provide for his family, rather it be driving days without sleep or going 2-3 weeks without seeing his family. My dad has eight children,and six grandkids.
I could go on forever about my daddy, but if you listen to the song, it truly does describe my dad and how wonderful he is. God has blessed us with an amazing dad with a huge heart!
Dale Findley
submitted by Katie Findley
My father is the epitome of what a Dad should be. His name is Dale Findley, and I have been blessed because he showed me how to be a successful adult by being a hard worker and finishing something.
He has been married to my mom for almost 49 years and gave me and my three siblings a great example of how to make marriage and family work.
He is a grandfather to four and he shows them everyday what a blessing life is and how merciful God is to us all. I love him so much today and always, and thank God that he gave me to him.
I know he has made God Proud!
Melvin Turner
submitted by Kim Turner Gafford.
My daddy’s name is Melvin Turner but didn’t know this until I was probably eight or nine years old. Everybody calls him Cowboy. When I was growing up, my house was the place to be. And it was all because of my daddy. All of my cousins and neighborhood kids loved to play at our house. One and all were welcome.
Daddy always had time to play a game of h-o-r-s-e in basketball, a game of baseball or football in the front yard. He never minded loading up a truckload of kids and taking them to the creek. I don’t even know how many kids he taught to swim.
Daddy has five children ranging from 30 to 54, 14 grandchildren ages 2 to 29, and a three-year old great- grandson. He has been married to my mama for 55 years. Even though daddy is getting on in age he still plants a big garden for everyone to enjoy.
Everyone still depends on dear old dad or granddad if they need something. He’s the kind of man who knows how to love his family and they love him back. Just a simple man who enjoys the simple things in life… a tomato sandwich made from a vine ripen tomato from his own garden, the laughter of children playing, holding hands with the woman he loves, helping his family and neighbors and of course, a good ole Alabama football game.
Glenn Wilson
submitted by Amanda LeeAnn Siler.
I remember when the man I call my dad first came in to my life I was an older kid of a single mom with two children. He came in my life, gave me his last name and is more father to me than the person who biologically created me ever was. He didn’t have to be the dad to me that he was but he did anyways.
He recently had a heart attack and still goes out of his way to do anything and everything for me and my son even though only part of his heart is still functioning. He’s the best!
Tim Godwin
submitted by Rebeccah Godwin.
My daddy, Tim Godwin is the best dad ever. He works hard and still makes time for me and Miracle League of Pensacola. He and his friends make sure we have a place to play baseball and he is the BEST coach and dad ever. Even when he had a cancer and heart problems he made sure I was not afraid. I love him!!!
Frank Zisa
submitted by Katelyn Zisa.
I remember when I was playing little league softball, he was always there as my coach. He would always say “Never give up, no matter what that scoreboard reads; you’re out there to have fun”. I also remember when I was in first grade and he would always help me learn my spelling words, even if it took all day. I love my dad, I’ll always be his little girl.
Thomas McGinty
submitted by Leslie McGinty Garner.
My sisters and I are very blessed with the daddy the good Lord gave us. I don’t think there are enough descriptions to describe him. Early on, he set his mind on what kind of life he wanted to live and the things he wanted to accomplish, and to my knowledge, he succeeded and excelled in both of those areas.
My parents will soon celebrate 48 years of marriage. In this day and time, that’s almost unheard of. Our home was always full of love and a lot of silliness.
Growing up, daddy always had the answers to whatever question you had. To this day, I still find myself calling him with certain questions and he always has “the” answer. My sisters and I are probably a bit spoiled. Not necessarily with monetary things, but just spoiled with the love and adoration from loving parents.
We will always be “daddy’s little girls” no matter how old we get and he will always be our Superhero Dad! We love you very much, Thomas McGinty.
Paul Allen Thomas, Sr.
submitted by Jessica Thomas.
October 27, 2009, God called my daddy, Paul Allen Thomas Sr., home. He was such a great man. Never selfish. Would help anyone. RIP daddy I love you with all my heart. I’ll always be daddy’s little girl… July 9,1958 – October 27, 2009.
Jimmie Aden
submitted by Caitlin Roley-Lovely.
My dad is really my stepdad! He lives in Bratt, and his name is Jimmie Aden. He stepped up and was a dad to me and my sister when my dad wasn’t around. He has taught us everything from fishing to just general stuff a father should be there for.
And when I need anything I know that I can count on him to be there. I’m now out on my own and have a little girl that he also is the best pawpaw too. I love him more than words can describe and will always be thankful to have him as my dad!
Billy Jack Criswell
submitted by Marsha Criswell Maher
My Dad is a man of few words. And those words often times have to be beeped out, but his love is shown to us by checking our tire’s air pressure or oil in the vehicles and even by loaning us his treasured possessions. Day in and day out, year in and year out, he will always be my dad and I love him. Have a great day, Billy Jack Criswell… Happy Father’s Day!
Larry Enfinger
submitted by Kevin Enfinger
Dad has never given up on me no matter how thick or thin things have become. Love you dad.
Jerry Eugene Rolin
submitted by Deanna Ann Rolin
My dad is an amazing man.As long as I can remember my dad has been there for me and my brother. He has worked all his life to put food on the table and to support his family. The main thing is that my dad is a Christian man that has brought his children up in church and I thank him for that. Hhe may have not be the type that would discipline us but we knew better than to make him mad.
So this Father’s Day 2012 I am thankful that I still have my amazing dad still around with us. I Love You Daddy!!! Jerry Eugene Rolin. Love always your one and only daughter Deanna.
Jarvis Andrew Jackson
submitted by Susan Harris
My daddy is Jarvis Andrew Jackson. He is an amazing father to nine children who are all grown now.
He is an amazing grandfather to his grandsons. He is retired from the Marine Corps. He was hard on all us kids and loving at the same time. The song “Daddy’s Hands” really does go to my daddy. I couldn’t have asked for a better father. He is amazing.
I love and miss you daddy. He was living in Escambia County and just recently moved to Key West.
Submitted photos and stories for NorthEscambia.com
List: Vacation Bible Schools
June 17, 2012
Vacation Bible Schools will continue this week at churches in the North Escambia area.
To add a VBS to this list, email news@northescambia.com
VBS Cottage Hill UMC
Vacation Bible School at Cottage Hill United Methodist Church, June 18-22 from 6-8 p.m. For grades K-9. Supper provided.
VBS First Baptist Atmore
Vacation Bible School at the First Baptist Church of Atmore, June 18-22 from 5:30 until 8:00 nightly. Preschool to 5th grade.
Farm Hill UMC VBS
Farm Hill United Methodist Church will hold VBS June 18-20 from 8:30 a.m. until noon.
Berrydale Baptist VBS
Berrydale Baptist Church “Amazing Wonders Aviation” Vacation Bible School, June 18-22 from 9 a.m. until noon. 6730 Hwy 4, Jay.
Walnut Hill Baptist VBS
Walnut Hill Baptist Church “Amazing Wonders Aviation VBS” will be held June 25-29 from 6 until 8:30 p.m. for children through the eighth grade. A VBS celebration will be held after the worship service on Sunday, July 1.
Highland Baptist VBS – Molino
Highland Baptist Church in Molino will hold “Sky” VBS July 9-13 from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. for ages three years through fifth grade.
Faith Bible Baptist VBS
Faith Bible Baptist Church “Sonlight Express: Jesus & Me” VBS will take place July 16-20 from 6 until 8:30 p.m. for ages 5-12. The church is located at 5801 North. Century Blvd. For more information or transportation
Little Escambia Baptist VBS – Flomaton
Little Escambia Baptist Church in Flomaton will host VBS July 16-20 from 8:30 a.m. until noon, for ages four years through sixth grade. For more information call (251) 296-2777.
Mt Carmel VBS – Jay
Mt Carmel UMC, located on Mt Carmel Church Road in Jay will have VBS July 16-21 from 5 pm until 8 pm.
Jay UMC VBS
Jay United Methodist Church “Shake It Up Café: Where Kids Carry Out God’s Recipe” VBS will be held June 18-22 from 8:30 until 11:30 a.m. For ages four through 12.
Ray’s Chapel VBS
Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church “IncrediWorld Amazement Park” VBS will be held July 23-27 from 6 until 8:30 pm for kids Kindergarten through fifth grade. A kickoff/registration party will be held Saturday, July 21 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The church is located at 170 W. Bogia Road in McDavid. For more information call (850) 256-3422.
Family Worship Center VBS
Family Worship Center’s “Quest for Truth” VBS will be held July 23-27 from 9 a.m. until noon for kids ages five through 12. Family Worship Center is located at 1251 West Nine Mile Road in Pensacola. (850) 723-2644.
First Baptist Cantonment VBS
First Baptist Church of Cantonment “Amazing Wonders Aviation VBS 2012″ will be held June 25th-29th from 8:30 a.m. until noon for children who have completed kindergarten through fifth grade. The church is located at 118 Morris Avenue in Cantonment. For more information call (850) 968-9135 or visit www.fbccfl.com.
Allen Memorial UMC VBS – Cantonment
Allen Memorial United Methodist Church “Operation Overboard” VBS will be held July 16-20 from 9 a.m. until noon for children kindergarten through fifth grade. 206 Pace Pkwy in Cantonment. (850) 968-6213.
Victory Assembly VBS
Victory Assembly of God, Highway 29, will hold “Operation Overboard” VBS June 25-29 from 9 a.m. until noon daily. Kindergarten to fifth grade.
Charity Baptist VBS – Cantonment
Charity Baptist Church of Cantonment will hold VBS June 25-29 from 6 until 8 p.m. with Fun Day on Saturday, June 30 from 10 a.m. until noon. Visit www.charitybaptistchurch.org for info.
Aldersgate UMC Molino VBS
“Operation Overboard” Vacation Bible School at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino, July 30-August 3. Daily activities 5:30-8:30 p.m. for ages 3 to rising fifth graders. Preregister now at www.aumcmolino.org. For more info, contact Sandra at (850) 587-2489.
Photo Gallery: Summer Fest At The Ole Mill Pond
June 16, 2012
Summer Fest at the Ole Mill Pond was held Friday afternoon at Century Care Center. Local vendors were on hand selling their wares and there was live entertainment and more.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weekend Gardening: Tomato Pests
June 16, 2012
June is prime time for growing tomatoes here in Escambia County, but it’s also the best time to see a lot of pests in tomatoes that can totally ruin a crop. To help you figure out what’s “bugging” your tomatoes, here’s a quick rundown of some of the pests that you might see in your garden. Much of the information in this article was adapted from the University of Florida EDIS (Electronic Data Information Source) publication Insect Management for Tomatoes, Peppers, and Eggplant. Management techniques for the pests will be found in the full publication.
Click any photo to enlarge.
Silverleaf Whitefly
The adult silverleaf whitefly is small, approximately 1/16 of an inch in length, and has powdery white wings held tent-like while at rest over a yellow body. Whiteflies are usually found on the undersides of leaves. Eggs, which are yellow and football-shaped, are attached upright by a tiny stalk inserted into the lower leaf surface. A mobile first instar (growth stage), or crawler stage, hatches from the egg and settles on the leaf. It then develops through immobile second, third, and fourth instars which look like semi-transparent, flat, oval scales. The fourth instar or “pupa” is more yellow and more easily seen without the aid of a hand lens, and typically has very distinct eyespots, and is referred to as a “red-eyed nymph.”
As the plant grows, leaves bearing the maturing nymphs are found lower down on the plant, so older nymphs can be found by looking at older leaves. Whiteflies ingest sap from the plant vascular system (phloem) through stylets similar to those of aphids and, like aphids, process a relatively large volume of plant sap by excreting excess liquid in the form of a sugary substance called honeydew. The honeydew will result in sooty mold—a black, powdery looking substance that reduces photosynthesis in the leaves. Sometimes the nymphs will feed on the fruit and that will cause white tissue on the inside of the fruit walls.
Aphids
Aphids are soft-bodied, sucking insects that can rapidly colonize plants due to their short life cycle. Adults are delicate, pear- or spindle-shaped insects with a posterior pair of tubes (cornicles), which project upward and backward from the end of the abdomen and which are used for excreting a defensive fluid. In Florida, winged and wingless forms are all female and give birth to living young (nymphs). Nymphs are smaller but otherwise similar in appearance to wingless adults, which they become in 7 to 10 days.
Heavy aphid infestations may cause stunting and leaf distortion. Feeding on blossoms reduces fruit set. Sooty mold will grow on the honeydew that the aphids excrete. Aphids may also spread plant viruses.
Brown and Green Stink Bugs and Leaf-footed bugs
Like aphids and whiteflies, true bugs are sucking insects. True bugs can be recognized by their front wings, which are leathery close to the body but membrane-like at the tips. Nymphs resemble adults in shape but are often colored differently and do not have fully developed wings. Stink bugs are green or brown shield-shaped bugs 1/2 to 2/3 of an inch long. Eggs are barrel-shaped and found on the undersides of leaves in masses of 10 to 50.
Leaf-footed bugs are dark-colored true bugs with parallel sides. Eggs are metallic and ovate but somewhat flattened laterally and laid in clusters. Some leaf-footed bugs lay their eggs end-to-end in a single row or chain along a stem or leaf midrib. Nymphs are oblong in shape and red in color, especially on the abdomen.
Nymphs and adults of both stink bugs and leaf-footed bugs suck juices from green fruit leaving a puncture which later may become surrounded by a discolored zone due to invasion of secondary pathogens. Stink bug feeding punctures are often surrounded with a lightened, sometimes depressed, blotch beneath the fruit surface caused by the removal of cell contents and the enzymes injected by the bug. Leaf-footed punctures may cause fruit to become distorted as they enlarge
Tomato Hornworm
There are many caterpillars that can feed on tomatoes but the tomato hornworm can strip a plant of leaves in a few days. The adult moth is large with mottled brown forewings that are longer than the lighter brown hind wings. The sides of the abdomen have five yellow spots on the sides. The female moth will lay eggs on the upper and lower surfaces of leaves. The adult moths are nectar feeders on many flowers and may be seen in the early evening around gardens and flowers.
The emerging caterpillars will feed on leaves and go through several molts as they develop into large green caterpillars with a black ‘horn’ on the tip of the abdomen. Caterpillars are also identified by the white or yellow ‘V’ marks on the sides of the abdomen. When it is time to pupate, the caterpillars drop to the soil and make a cell for changing to the adult moth. The pupa is reddish brown and has a loop structure at the head that contains the mouthparts. There are normally two generations of tomato hornworm a year and as late summer arrives, the hornworm goes through a resting phase.
Other plants in the tomato family can be eaten by tomato hornworms but tomatoes are the favorite in our area. The caterpillars will eat entire leaves and initially work their down on the plant, eating leaves, blossoms, and even green fruit. Because they blend in with green foliage, a homeowner will often overlook the caterpillar despite its large size.
Hornworm does have natural enemies so be cautious before reaching for the insecticide. They can also be easily handpicked and destroyed after you find them.
If you would like further information, please contact the Escambia County Extension office, (850) 475-5230.
Flag Day: A Betsy Ross History Lesson
June 14, 2012
[VOA] It’s going to be a busy day at Betsy Ross’s house in Philadelphia on Thursday. She won’t be there, since she died in 1836, but hundreds of tourists will be going through her house.
You see, Thursday is Flag Day in the United States. The unofficial holiday commemorates the adoption of the stars-and-stripes design of the American flag by the Continental Congress 235 years ago, on June 14, 1777.
According to lore, the Ross House is the birthplace of the nation’s flag. That’s open to debate, but it’s a story that schoolbooks still tell.
Betsy Ross was a seamstress, busy upholstering furniture in Philadelphia, which was the focal point of the American revolution against British rule.
The Declaration of Independence by the colonists was signed there, and so was the new nation’s Constitution after independence was won.
Widowed when her husband, a member of the local militia, was killed in a gunpowder explosion, Betsy Ross often mended the clothes of the rebels’ leader and future U.S. president, George Washington.
According to what some say is history and others a stretch of what really happened, Washington asked Ross to design and sew the new nation’s flag.
The story was promoted by Ross’s grandson, who wrote that Betsy Ross had “made with her hands the first flag.”
She became a role model for girls – a shining example of women’s contributions to the nation’s history.
Most research indicates that Ross did sew the first flag.
She’s credited with substituting artful five-point white stars for six-pointed ones in the upper-left blue field.
But many other accounts indicate George Washington brought the design to Ross and simply asked her to stitch it together.
In a letter, Washington wrote: “We take the stars from Heaven, the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her. And the white stripes shall go down to posterity [as] representing liberty.”
That’s deeper thinking than a humble seamstress would have come up with, according to those who doubt that Betsy Ross created the first American flag from scratch.
Free 151st Army Band Concert On June 18
June 14, 2012
The 151st Army Band will perform a free concert next Monday, June 18 at Pensacola’s Community Maritime Park. The performance will begin at 6:00 p.m. at the park’s Hunter Amphitheater.
The amphitheater overlooks Pensacola Bay and can accommodate nearly 5,000 visitors. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome, but coolers and glass containers are prohibited. Food and drink vendors will be available during the concert.
The 151st Army Band is based in Montgomery. A unit of the Alabama Army National Guard, the band consists of “citizen soldiers” who meet two days a month for rehearsals and performances. The band performs throughout the United States for military and civilian functions, and has traveled to Costa Rica and Columbia performing on United States Embassy Goodwill tours.
The concert marks the first performance at the park, after the weekend’s inclement weather rained out the planned Grand Opening celebration. The canceled performance by the Charlie Daniels Band will be rescheduled.
Pictured: The 151ast Army Band. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Zany Magic: Summer Reading Program Continues At Century Library
June 13, 2012
The Summer Reading Series for kids and teens continued Tuesday afternoon at the Century Branch Library.
During the program, the zany Dr. Dee and Daffodil the Clown turned to the audience for help as they performed magic acts to bring a special story to life.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Summer Reading Series will continue on Tuesdays at noon at the Century Branch Library as follows:
June 19 — Storytelling with Pat Nease. She will share some witty, wiley and wicked tales.
June 26 — Cartooning with Mike Artell. The award-winning cartoonist and illustrator will present an exciting time of cool and creepy facts about a variety of subjects. Mike gets the audience excited about reading, writing, drawing and creative thinking.
July 3 — No program.
July 10 — Drums with Mark Seymour. Explore the world of drums, drum styles and sounds.
The Century Branch Library also offers a preschool story time each Tuesday in June at 10:30 a.m. for children birth to five-years old.
For more information, call the library at (850) 256-6217.
Pictured: Tuesday’s Summer Reading Series at the Century Branch Library. Submitted photos by August Whorff, Pat Rigel and Renee Coppenger for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
SciTech: NASA to Launch Black Hole Hunter Today
June 13, 2012
[VOA] The U.S. space agency is set to launch a telescope into space today to seek out and study black holes — those still-mysterious celestial bodies that scientists believe lie at the heart of every massive galaxy, including our own Milky Way.
Black holes have a gravitational pull so intense that not even light can escape from them. As gas, dust and stars are sucked in, the material accelerates and heats up, generating powerful X-ray light emissions.
Only a few decades ago, scientists thought black holes were rare. But their thinking has changed in the past 20 years, and now NASA is setting out to conduct a census of the black holes in the universe.
The U.S. space agency is launching a black hole hunter, a new telescope called NuSTAR, but formally known as Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array.
Paul Hertz is the director of NASA’s astrophysics division.
“Stars, nebulae and black holes emit X-rays of the type that we use in medical X-rays, and these cannot be detected from the surface of the Earth,” explained Hertz. “But the NuSTAR telescope will focus these X-rays onto its digital camera and send the pictures back to Earth for scientific analysis.”
(article continues below photo)
Current telescopes provide images that show a general glow from hundreds of massive black holes. NASA expects NuSTAR will be able to provide far better images of black holes and other high-energy events when it surveys the extra-galactic sky.
The images will be studied by people around the world, including NuSTAR’s principal investigator, Fiona Harrison.
“NuSTAR will open a whole new window on the universe, by being the very first telescope to focus on high-energy X-rays. As such, it will make images that are 10 times crisper and 100 times more sensitive than any telescope that is operated in this region of the spectrum,” Harrison said.
The NuSTAR telescope is about the size of a refrigerator, but it has a hidden tool. About a week after NuSTAR launches, it will deploy a 10-meter mast that will separate its mirrors from its detectors. That mast provides the distance required to focus the X-ray light into sharp images.
NASA scientists say that perhaps two out of every three black holes in the universe are hidden.
This telescope will be able to find these black holes behind their obscuring veils of dust and gas. It will also be able to tell how quickly a black hole is spinning, which will help scientists learn how black holes form.
“Like all of our NASA missions, we’re going to find unexpected things out there that will lead us to questions and answers that we aren’t even anticipating at this time,” predicted NASA’s Paul Hertz.
NASA says NuSTAR will start providing data to scientists about a month after its launch.
Reorganized Flomaton Lions Club Looking For New Members
June 12, 2012
The Flomaton Lions Club is being reorganized with the help of the Atmore Lions Club. The Flomaton club’s first meeting in over three years was held last week with several new members.
Judy Champion, Ruth Harrell, Goodie Odom, Scott Hammond and returning Lion Charles Bowles joined the club, according to organizers. The club came together to discuss community needs, including school uniforms for the upcoming year.
Hammond, Flomaton High principal, told the group that there is a need to provide school uniforms for children in need. The Lions will hold a fundraiser pancake supper on August 2.
Former Lions or community minded individuals interested in making a difference in the Flomaton area are invited to join the Flomaton Lions at their next meeting on June 19 from 6-7 p.m. at the Lions Flomaton Community Center.