Weekend In Photos: Parades, Santa Takes A Harley, Animal Seizure
December 12, 2011
If you missed NorthEscambia.com over the weekend, you missed over 300 photos from several community and news events. Click an item below to view the corresponding story and/or photo gallery.
Toyz For Kidz Bike Ride Provides For Needy Kids (With Gallery)
December 11, 2011
Santa had some very special helpers Saturday as the LA Bikers rolled through Bratt, Flomaton and Atmore making sure that needy kids had presents for Christmas this year.
It was the 11th annual toy ride organized by the LA Bikers.
Dozens of children received new bicycles and helmets, clothes, shoes and lots of toys. About 75 bikers took part in the event with stops at Bratt Elementary, Arrington Auto Parts in Flomaton and Atmore City Hall.
- For a photo gallery from Bratt Elementary, click here.
- For a photo gallery from Atmore City Hall, click here.
Pictured top: Santa Claus helps unwrap presents Saturday morning in Bratt from the LA Bikers Toyz for Kidz program. Pictured inset: Santa helps with a quick test drive on a new bicycle. Pictured below: Santa wheels into Bratt Elementary. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Molino Holds Annual Christmas Parade
December 11, 2011
The annual Molino Christmas Parade was held Saturday afternoon on Crabtree Church Road. After the parade, Santa Claus met with lots of good boys and girls at the Molino Ballpark.
Sponsored by the Molino Recreation Association, proceeds from the parade are used to benefit needy children in the Molino area during the Christmas season.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: The annual Molino Christmas Parade Saturday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Thousands Attend Atmore Twilight Christmas Parade
December 11, 2011
Thousands attended the annual Atmore Twilight Christmas Parade Saturday night. The parade featured nearly 30 lighted floats, twirlers, antique cars, bands, marchers, Santa Claus and more.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: The annual Atmore Twilight Christmas Parade. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Blue Angels Send Off Fallen Soldiers’ Families On Snowball Express
December 11, 2011
The Blue Angels welcomed seven local families of fallen military heroes to the Pensacola International Airport Friday before their flight to a Snowball Express event in Texas.
Snowball Express is a charity organization for children of America’s fallen military heroes, and the team was honored to support this event, said Blue Angel #7 Lt. Mark Tedrow.
Blue Angels team members signed autographs, presented each child with a personalized lithograph, and spent time with the children in the USO center before their flight to North Texas to join nearly 1,700 other children and surviving spouses.
“It was a truly humbling and rewarding experience to be able to spend time with the sons, daughters and spouses of those service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Tedrow.
The event is a time for the families to do something fun, said April Lyons, whose husband, Niall, died in 2009. April’s son, John Patrick, was excited to interact with other children in a similar situation.
“I think they’re just excited to know they’re not alone,” said Sarah White, a mother of three.
White’s son, Seth, although it was his first time at Snowball Express, said he knew just what the event would be like.
“I know what to expect,” he said, giggling. “I’m gonna have fun.”
Blue Angels C-130 Pilot Marine Capt. A.J. Harrell said he hoped being part of the event helped the families’ healing process.
“I know the kids were excited,” Harrell added. “It meant a lot to be a part of that.”
Tedrow said the experience was special to him because it is important to remember the sacrifices of not only our fallen soldiers, but also their families.
“Our job as Blue Angels is to credibly represent the Sailors and Marines who are forward deployed all over the world,” he said, “but today was a great opportunity to honor and represent the fallen servicemen and women that are no longer with us.”
American Airlines provides transportation annually for families across the world to the Snowball Express event, where children and surviving spouses meet for a weekend of enjoyment. This year, the schedule includes visits to Six Flags Over Texas and the Mesquite Championship Rodeo.
Pictured: Seven families of fallen military heroes flew from Pensacola to Texas Friday on the “Snowball Express”. Photos and article submitted by Rachel McMarr, Blue Angels Public Affairs, for NorthEscambia.com, click photos to enlarge.
Malone, Meacham To Wed
December 11, 2011
Allen and Shelly Jay of Atmore and Blake and Jackie Malone of Pass Christian, MS, announce the engagement of their daughter, Kaysie Antoinette Malone, to Norvelle Alexander Meacham of Perdido, AL, the son of Tom and Bobbie Meacham.
Kaysie graduated in 2010 from Atmore Christian School. She is a full time student at University of Mobile studying elementary education and works with Atmore Ambulance.
Alex graduated in 2008 from Atmore Christian School. He is the intern assistant to the Director of International Ministries and Church Planting for the Mobile Baptist Association and is a sales associate at Kohl’s. Alex is also a student at University of Mobile majoring in intercultural studies.
The wedding will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 17, 2011, at Brooks Memorial Baptist Church on McRae Street in Atmore. Family and friends are welcome to attend.
Jay Native, Century Correctional Employee Serving In Afghanistan Receives Awards
December 9, 2011
An Jay native assigned to NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan was recently awarded for actions taken in early August when his team successfully combated an insurgent attack in Kabul.
U.S. Army Sgt. Chester Tolbert helped defeat a multiphased attack in which insurgents used small-arms and improvised explosive devices to attack the British Council Building, a base located in a relatively upscale area of the country’s capital used for education and helping Afghanistan’s civil society groups. Although no U.S. service members were harmed, 12 people died in the attack.
Stateside, Tolbert was employed by the Florida Department of Corrections at Century Correctional Institution.
Commander Task Force Yankee Army Brig. Gen. John Hammond presented Tolbert with Joint Service Achievement Medal and combat action badge.
“I’m extremely proud of the soldiers,” said Hammond. “Our medics responded to the wounded while the remaining soldiers worked toward assisting the Afghan partners and special operations forces in neutralizing the insurgents … they all worked hard and came together extremely well.”
Pictured top: U.S. Army Sgt. Chester Tolbert, from the 1165th Military Police Unit assigned to Task Force Yankee in Kabul, receives a Joint Service Achievement Medal and a combat action badge for actions taken in early August when his team successfully combated an insurgent attack on the British Council Building. Picture inset: Sgt. Tolbert helps an Afghan National Police officer detect vehicle threat indications in the heart of downtown Kabul last early last month. Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Chris Fahey for NorthEscambia.com click to enlarge.
Nominate North Escambia Persons Of The Year
December 9, 2011
NorthEscambia.com will honor several North Escambia residents as North Escambia Persons of the Year as 2011 comes to a close, and we need your help.
We are asking our readers to nominate individuals that they believe made a difference in North Escambia during 2011. We will choose several of them to be named as a 2011 North Escambia Person of the Year. The awards are our way of saying thanks to those that have worked to improve our lives in the North Escambia area during the past year.
We are not necessarily looking for a person with a long list of accomplishments. We are looking for people that have given of themselves to help others and the communities of North Escambia during 2011.
To nominate someone, please email their name, contact information (if known), and the reason why you believe they should be a Person of the Year. The person must either be a resident of North Escambia, work in North Escambia or otherwise have significantly impacted North Escambia in some way. For the purposes of this award, we define North Escambia as being Cantonment north to the Alabama line.
Entries should be emailed to news@northescambia.com by Tuesday, December 20. We need your email and phone number just in case we have questions, but your name and contact information will not be published.
Please make your nominations by email; do not use the story comment form below.
The 2011 North Escambia Persons of the Year will be named after Christmas.
Pictured: Lawrence and Doris Cooper, two of the North Escambia Persons of the Year for 2010. Read their story by clicking here. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Photos: An Old Fashioned Canoe Christmas Celebration
December 9, 2011
It was an old fashioned Christmas celebration Thursday night as friends and neighbors came together with the Canoe Civic Club. The group sang Christmas carols, ate great food and just enjoyed spending time with friends and neighbors from Canoe, Bratt, Walnut Hill and surrounding areas in a celebration reminiscent of community gatherings from days gone by.
Longtime Canoe Civic Club member Caroline Conn (who is sometimes affectionately referred to as the mayor of Canoe, Alabama ) shared her thanks with club members for their friendship, support and labor of love for the club.
Mike Hanks from the First Baptist Church of Bratt led the crowd in Christmas carols as his wife Gayle Hanks played the piano, and a group from the Walnut Hill Mennonite Church treated the crowd to Christmas carols.
Have photos to share from your community event? Email them to news@northescambia.com
Pictured top: A group from the Walnut Hill Mennonite Church performs Christmas carols Thursday night at the Canoe (Ala.) Civic Club. Pictured inset: Mike Hanks from the First Baptist Church of Bratt led Christmas carols. Pictured below. Caroline Conn (far right), the “mayor of Canoe”, visits with friends and neighbors. NorthEscambia.com photos by Marcella Wilson, click to enlarge.
Local Students, Schools Place In FFA Competition
December 8, 2011
Eleven middle and high school FFA chapters from Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties took part in the Sub-District I FFA Competition this week in Jay.
To take part in the Career Development Events (CDE), students spend many hours training for the competition and receive assistance from their advisor, industry partners, alumni and community stakeholders.
“The key to achievement lies in the ability to think critically, communicate clearly, and perform effectively in a competitive world. These skills are enhanced through participation in CDEs,” according to the Escambia County FFA.
Results from the competition were:
High School
Prepared Public Speaking
- Ashley Mcleod – Laurel Hill
- Austin Pfeiffer – Tate
- Courtney Solari – Northview
Extemporaneous Speaking
- Ashley Mcleod – Laurel Hill
- Justin Hall – West Florida
- Megan Gibbs – Tate
Creed Speaking
- Savannah Maddox – Tate
- Patra Miller – Ransom
- Karli Butcher – Milton
Tractor Operation and Maintenance
- Jake Scott – West Florida
- Brandon Chambless – Northview
- Forrest Gibbs – Tate
Parliamentary Procedure
- Tate
- Northview
- Milton
Middle School
Prepared Public Speaking
- Harley Tagert – Jay
- Andrew Bosinger – Beulah
Extemporaneous Speaking
- Madison Lockman – Ransom
- Emalie Sharpe – Beulah
- Hannah Garrett – Bellview
Opening and Closing Ceremony
- Beulah
- Ernest Ward
- Ransom
Parliamentary Procedure
- Ernest Ward
- Bellview