Photos: Bratt Church Celebrates Youth Sunday, Country And Western Banquet
August 7, 2011
The First Baptist Church of Bratt recently held a Country and Western Banquet to wrap up a Youth Day event.
Over 160 people attended the banquet sponsored by the Youth and College/Career classes at the church. After the meal, the classes performed the play “Summer in Cricket County”.
The banquet followed Youth Day for Sunday school and morning worship. The church’s young people took on various jobs in the church for the day, including teaching Sunday school, leading music, singing the special music, and a message delivered by Lauren McCall.
Minister of Music Tim Hawsey invites other young people to join the group. Call the church at (850) 327-6529 for more information.
Pictured: Scenes from the youth Country and Western Banquet recently at the First Baptist Church of Bratt. Submitted photos by Marcella Wilson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Do you have news or photos you would like to share from your church? Email news@northescambia.com
Birth: Gracelyn Savanna Bolen
August 7, 2011
Andrew and Meghan Bolen of Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, along with big brother Gabriel, are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Gracelyn Savanna Bolen.
Gracelyn came into the world on July 29, 2011, at Wolmack Army Medical Center, Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. She came into this world at 8lbs 2 oz and was 19 inches. Gracie’s father is currently deployed to Baghdad, Iraq.
Paternal grandparents are Rae and Ruth Bolen of Byrneville, Florida.
Gardening In The Summer Heat
August 6, 2011
When the heat index is well over 100 degrees even avid gardeners are reluctant to work in the landscape. August is a difficult month on both gardeners and plants. So here are a few tips to help you and your garden survive the heat.
To ensure your bedding plants survive, use plants that love the heat. During hot, humid summers some bedding plants will suffer which will cause them to be routinely replaced. Bedding plants that tolerate this extreme weather include coleus, celosia, gaillardia, marigolds, nicotiana, pentas, portulaca, salvia and zinnia.
Don’t over fertilize your lawn. One of the three main ingredients in most fertilizers is nitrogen. Nitrogen makes plants green, but it also makes them grow, especially the lawn. If the lawn turns an off-green, yellow color in the summer, green it up with some iron. Like nitrogen, iron also greens up plants, but does not cause them to grow. Iron will make your lawn look healthy again and it will help to keep your mowing duties to a minimum.
Think about creating a shade garden. Not only do shade gardens provide us with cooler places to garden they also require less care, including less water and less fertilizer. For a list of shade loving landscape plants for North Florida, review an online UF/IFAS publication at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG252.
Mulch is a very important element in the landscape. By using an efficient amount of mulch (2-3 inches deep) in planting beds and around trees, it will reduce weed growth, prevent loss of water from the soil by evaporation and keep the soil cool under intense sunlight. Fewer weeds in the landscape results in less work outside in the hot weather.
Practice efficient irrigation. Some plants require more water than others. Getting the right amount of water to plants is critical. Too much or too less can affect their health. Too much water can lead to disease problems, particularly in lawns. Too little water will cause the plants to slow growth or decline. Usually normal summer rains are enough for most plants; however, if dry periods persist, then supplemental irrigation may be necessary.
Insects can be particularly problematic at this time of year. They’ve had all spring and summer to increase their numbers. Careful, regular scouting for insects is a must. And don’t wait to treat if a problem arises.
Take prompt action to keep the insects from damaging your plants excessively.
Don’t forget about your own comfort in this weather. Working outside in hot weather places extra stress on the body. Gardeners working outside may lose up to 2 quarts of water each hour. To prevent dehydration, drink water before, during and after working outside. Drink before you’re thirsty and drink cold liquids because they are absorbed by the body faster. If you choose liquids other than water, make sure they contain only a small amount of sugar, as it slows down liquid absorption by the body.
Work in your garden in the early morning or late afternoon when it is cooler and stay in shady areas as much as possible. Follow the shade in your landscape as the sun moves across the sky. Leave areas as they become sunny and move into areas as they become more shaded.
Since we will tend to work in the cooler early morning and evening hours, don’t forget to apply a mosquito repellent. Wear a hat, loose, comfortable clothing and use sun screen. Also, take frequent breaks and try not to stay outside in the heat for extended periods.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
WXBM Names Marty White’s New AM Partner
August 6, 2011
Radio station WXBM has selected Lindsey Marie Addison to partner with longtime local radio personality Marty White on “Your Hometown Morning Show”, anchoring the market leading radio station 102.7 WXBM.
Lindsey Marie, a graduate of Pace High School and the University of West Florida, was one of over two hundred applicants to try out as White’s partner.
“For almost two decades, ‘Your Hometown Morning Show’ has been the top morning show in Pensacola and with the addition of Lindsey Marie, we have no doubt that trend will continue. This is a rare opportunity and we couldn’t be happier to find someone in our own backyard to partner with Marty,” David Cobb, WXBM station manager said.
“I am overjoyed, and blessed to be joining the WXBM team,” Lindsey Marie said. “This has been a dream of mine for many years, and to finally see that dream being realized is amazing. I am humbled and so grateful for the support from my family, friends, and our listeners. I could not do this without you all, and I can not wait for you to wake up with Marty and me in the mornings!”
“I’ve been around a while and have worked with some talented people” said Marty White. “Lindsey Marie is talented, sharp, fun and she is real! She’s funny, too. Folks are gonna like her and they’ll like waking up with our show.”
The “Your Hometown Morning Show” airs from 6-10 a.m. each weekday on WXBM 102.7 FM.
MANNA Names New Executive Director
August 6, 2011
The board of directors of MANNA announced today that DeDe Flounlacker will join the organization on August 15 as their new executive director.
““DeDe will bring great experience and compassion to MANNA. She was the unanimous choice of the board,” said Brent Lane, board president.
Flounlacker brings over 25 years in non-profit and volunteer management to MANNA, including vice president of membership services for the Pensacola Area Chamber of Commerce and executive director of the Ronald McDonald House.
“Thanks to the amazing support of organizations, faith-based groups, businesses, individuals and volunteers in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, MANNA has been able to serve those in need for nearly 30 years,” Flounlacker said. “While thousands were helped last year through our services, we have seen an increase in demand for food this year and expect that demand to continue to grow. As demand grows, so will our organization by expanding our partnerships and collaborations with the public and private sectors.”
MANNA is a private, not-for-profit corporation dedicated to alleviating hunger in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties through Manna Pantries, Manna Food Gardens and Manna’s Volunteers and Providers.
Gulf Power Working To Keep Those Air Conditioners Humming
August 4, 2011
This week’s high temps and heat indexes are causing air conditioners to work overtime along the Gulf Coast, and Gulf Power Company says they are prepared for record electric demands.
“We work hard to anticipate additional demand from our customers in the summer,” Jeff Rogers, Gulf Power spokesperson, said. “Through careful planning, we forecast demand years in advance to provide ample, reliable electricity for our customers. That includes planning for future power plants and other facilities. And, as part of Southern Company, we work with Alabama Power, Georgia Power and Mississippi Power to help ensure we have sufficient capacity.”
The utility can generate 2,659 megawatts of electricity on its own and purchase more electricity if necessary from sister companies and neighboring utilities. The all time peak record occurred in August of 2007 when Gulf Power customers demanded 2,634 megawatts. This year’s peak summer demand of 2,432 megawatts was reached on July 2, however a new summer peak is expected this week.
“What this means is our customers are buying more electricity to stay comfortable in the summer heat,” said Rogers. “About half of the electricity a customer consumes during the summer is for air conditioning.”
Two Area Farmer’s Markets Among Top 20 In America
August 4, 2011
Two Escambia County farmer’s markets are currently ranked among the top 20 in the country in a contest sponsored by the American Farmland Trust.
The Palafox Market in downtown Pensacola is number eight in the “medium” category, while The Market at St. Monica’s Episcopal Church in Cantonment is ranked number 11 in the “boutique” category.
Both markets feature vendors offering goods that include a broad range of local products, including local in-season vegetables, fruits, herbs, pasture-raised meat and poultry, free range eggs, freshly baked breads and pastries, homemade dog treats, honey, plants and flowers.
The Market at Saint Monica’s is open from 8 a.m. until noon on the first and third Saturday of the month through October (including this Saturday, August 6). The Palafox Market is open from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. each Saturday.
Voting in the 2011 America’s Favorite Farmers Market contest will continue through August 31. To vote, click here. After voting, American Farmland Trust will solicit a donation to protect American farmland. Donations are not required to vote.
Pictured: Scenes from previous Market at Saint Monica’s events in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Farm Services Agency Conducting Food Drive In Molino
August 3, 2011
The Escambia County Farm Services Agency is taking part in a national goal to collect two million pounds of food for families in need this summer.
“We are all excited about the opportunity to do a little something extra for the needy in our communities that we serve. We encourage you to participate with your donation to help our fellow citizens,” said Suzette Cooper of the Escambia County FSA Office.
A food collection box has been set up in the lobby of the Escambia County Farm Bureau Building at 151 Highway 97 in Molino. Non-perishable food items, as well as personal hygiene items, are being collected through August 31. All items will be delivered to local food banks for distribution. For more information, call (850) 587-5345 ext 2.
Items most needed include:
- Canned Fruits — in light syrup or its own juices
- Canned Vegetables– low sodium, no salt added
- Multigrain Cereal — Cheerios, cornflakes, Grapenuts, raisin bran
- Grains — brown and white rice, oatmeal, bulgar, quinoa, couscous, pasta, macaroni & cheese
- Canned Proteins — tuna, salmon, chicken, peanut butter, beans
- Soups — beef stew, chili, chicken noodle, turkey rice
- 100% Juice –all sizes, including juice boxes
- Condiments — tomato based sauces, light soy sauce, ketchup, mustard, salad dressing, oils
- Snacks — individually packed snacks, crackers, trail mix, dried fruit, granola/cereal bars, pretzels, sandwich crackers
- Paper Products and Household Items — paper towels, napkins, cleaning supplies
- Hygiene Items — diapers, deodorants for men & women, feminine products, toilet paper, tissues, soap, toothpaste, shampoo
Photos: Pirates Take Over Bratt AG For VBS
August 1, 2011
Bratt Assembly of God was taken over last week by pirates during the church’s annual Vacation Bible School. During the week, children searched for buried treasure, walked the plank and found treasure within their own hearts.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Do you have news or photos you would like to share from your church? Email news@northescambia.com
Molino Homemakers Create Bibs For Rehab Patients
July 31, 2011
The Molino Homemakers recently made adult-size bibs for rehabilitation patients at West Florida Rehabilitation Institute.
Club President Nancy Holland set up a station where members cut out terrycloth and plastic material from a paper bag pattern. At another station, the plastic and terrycloth pieces were pinned then sewn together. Other members trimmed and turned the bibs then the bottoms were hand stitched closed.
Holland delivered the completed bibs to patients who undergo rehabilitation from strokes and other illnesses or surgeries. The patients are able to take their bib home with them once they leave rehab.
The Molino Homemakers meet on the first Wednesday of each month (except July) at 10 a.m. at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino. The next meeting will be August 3. Visitors are welcome; dues are $5 per year.
Pictured top: Members of the Molino Homemakers create bibs for rehab patients. Pictured inset: Club member Shirley Clayton models a bib. Submitted photos and story by Terri Brown for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.