Following His Calling: Dentist Helps Those In Need
January 16, 2011
Dr. T.J. Morris is engaged in the work he loves at his dental clinic in Atmore, a full-time practice made possible largely by tuition loan repayment assistance from the National Health Service Corps.
Morris (his full name is Terry Jack Morris, Jr., but he goes by T.J. to avoid confusion with his father) has treated both adults and children at the clinic since the spring of 2010. “I fell in love with the people and the community here,” said Morris. “It has been a blessing from God to be able to serve these people, do what I love, and be compensated for it.”
Morris is one of the few Medicaid providers in the tri-county area. He sees patients from neighboring counties, which is a big help to those who cannot afford to pay for dental care. Payments are charged on a sliding scale based on income, but no patient is turned away. Patients have shown their appreciation by offering him squash, fudge and homemade cakes.
“This is what God has called me to do,” he said. “I have never enjoyed working like this before.”
Atmore is located in a dental health shortage area, which is defined as an area where there are not enough dentists to serve the needs of patients in a particular geographic region.
After the death of Dr. Thomas Rice and the closure of another dental practice in Brewton, there was a definite need for dental services in Atmore and surrounding areas. Dr. Morris learned about the opening through a dentist in Mobile.
With special permission granted by the Alabama Board of Dental Examiners, Morris was able to purchase the established practice from the estate of the late Dr. Rice. He said this would not have been possible without federal financial support because he had a sizable student loan debt. Without the repayment assistance, he would not have qualified for additional loans.
For almost 40 years the National Health Service Corps has helped thousands of healthcare professionals practice in communities where they are most needed because of the financial assistance provided through student loan repayments and scholarships. Thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, an additional $300 million was allocated to assist more professionals repay student loans.
Pictured: Dr. T.J. Morris provides dental care to a young patient at his Atmore office. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Featured Recipe: A Twist On Grilled Cheese And Tomato Soup
January 16, 2011
This weekend’s featured recipe from Janet Tharpe is “Grilled Cheese And Tomato Soup”. No popping a can and American cheese here — wholesome ingredients are used for a homemade tomato soup and a blend of cheese combine for the sandwiches.
To print today’s “Just a Pinch” recipe column, you can click the image below to load a printable pdf with a recipe card.
Stop Crape Murder: Don’t Cut Back Your Myrtles
January 15, 2011
Proper pruning is one of the most misunderstood of all gardening practices, yet it is one of the most important procedures in a landscape. A common victim of bad, improper pruning is the crape myrtle. Crape myrtles will occasionally need pruning to obtain the desired landscape effect, but many times these plants are butchered for no good reason.
According to Dan Gill, LSU AgCenter Horticulturist, an unfortunate trend in crape myrtle pruning is to lop off their tops, which results in a tree reduced to large branches ending in stubs. The lush growth that occurs at these cut sites appears vigorous but is actually structurally weak and more susceptible to fungus diseases such as powdery mildew. And when pruning is conducted improperly over several years, unsightly large, swollen knobs form at the point where pruning is done each year.
Flowers are not the only virtue of this tree. Many varieties have beautiful bark and growth habits that can be enjoyed all year if trees are not heavily pruned.
Crape murder
This unsightly, ugly pruning known as crape murder is not recommended. Once it’s done, it ruins the tree’s graceful natural shape for the rest of its life.
Often gardeners think they are supposed to prune their crape myrtles that way, and nothing could be farther from the truth. Many think that crape myrtles need to be cut way back to bloom well. This is not accurate. The flower clusters may be larger on lopped trees, but the added weight on the ends of long branches causes them to bend over awkwardly, especially after it rains. And since the tree is smaller, it actually produces fewer flower clusters.
Many people say they need to cut a crape myrtle back because of its size. If the height of the crape myrtle is not causing a problem with a nearby structure or power lines, there is little reason to reduce the tree’s height. To cut a crape myrtle back for the vague reason of “it just seems too large” ignores the fact that these plants are trees. They are supposed to be large.
To prune a crape myrtle properly, first decide if it needs to be pruned. As with any pruning project, you must have a specific, valid purpose in mind before you begin. In other words, if you can’t come up with a good reason to prune your tree – leave it alone. If you do see something that calls for pruning, study the tree carefully and determine what needs to be pruned to accomplish the specific purpose identified.
There are a few valid reasons for pruning a crape myrtle. One reason is to eliminate crossed and rubbing branches because rubbing branches can lead to open wounds.
Over time, branches that are too low on the trunk will need to be pruned to raise the canopy. We often need to remove weak, thin branches from the inner part of the tree to produce a cleaner-looking tree. Selected branches may need to be pruned back to a side branch or the trunk to create a shapelier tree. Of course, you need to prune to keep suckers removed from the base of the trunk.
Generally, avoid cutting back or shortening branches much larger than your finger, although cutting larger branches back to a side branch or to the trunk when needed is fine.
Visitors to our area often marvel over our crape myrtles. During summer, their colorful flowers, attractive bark and beautiful shape make them among our most valuable landscape plants. Please appreciate this – and stop the unfortunate trend of hacking them back.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Pictured top: Crape myrtle trees do not need pruning for new growth. Pictured below: These Crape myrtles were ruined with unnecessary topping. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com.
Local Art Students Honored During Mask Exhibit
January 14, 2011
Several North Escambia students were month those honored during the fourth annual mask exhibit by Escambia county School students.
The exhibit is January 11-21 at the Artel Gallery, 223 Palafox Place in the first floor of the old Escambia County Courthouse.
Northview students Kiani Okahashi, Charles Rolin and Katelyn Garrison where awarded first through third places, while Tate student Mercedez Rocheblav’s ceramic piece “Dragon” was named Best of Show.
The names of North Escambia area winners and participants are listed below, along with their award, title of their piece, medium and school.
High School
- Mercedez Rocheblave, Best of Show, “Dragon”, Ceramics, Tate
- Kiani Okahashi, First Place HS, “L’homme Ridicule”, Mixed, Northview
- Charles Rolin, Second Place HS, Itcho Tastanagi (Deer Warrior), Mixed, Northview
- Katelyn Garrison, Third Place HS, “Octavius”, Mixed, Northview
- Hailey Garrison, “Foreign Body”, Mixed, Northview
- Elizabeth Wright, “Recycle, Reuse, Renew”, Mixed, Northview
- Katelyn Varhalla, Steel Magnolia, Ceramics, Tate
- Shane Sahli, “Big Al”, Ceramics, Tate
- Saber Gipson, “Tribal Love”, Ceramics, Tate
Elementary:
- Lauren Mills, “The Crazed Mask”, Paper and yarn, Jim Allen
- Alexanderia Harrison, Honorable Mention, “Coco Crazy”, Paper and yarn, Jim Allen
- Brooklyn Jensen, “The Crazy Mask”, Paper and yarn, Jim Allen
- Corey Ryland, “The Crazy Mask”, Paper and yarn, Jim Allen
- Paige Owen, “The Mystery Mask, Paper and yarn, Jim Allen
Pictured top: Katelyn Garrison and her mask. For other students and their masks, scroll down this page.
Kiani Okahashi (above).
Hailey Garrison (above).
Elizabeth Wright (above).
Charles Rolin (above).
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Billy, Lois Ward To Celebrate 65th Anniversary
January 9, 2011
Billy and Lois Ward of Walnut Hill, Fla. will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary on Sunday, January 30.
Friends and relatives are invited to attend a reception held in their honor at the Walnut Hill Community Center, from 3 until 5 p.m.
Mr. Ward is a retired county judge and Mrs. Ward is a homemaker.
The couple has two sons and daughters-in-law, Roy and Jackie Ward of Bratt, Fla., and Russ and Allison Ward of Birmingham, Ala. They have four grandchildren, Jordana Ward of Bratt, Jocelyn Drew of Atmore, and Hope and Seth Ward of Birmingham.
Featured Recipe: Irish Nachos
January 9, 2011
This weekend’s featured recipe from Janet Tharpe is “Irish Nachos”, a satisfying take on traditional nachos that will fill up even the hungriest sports fan. Control the heat by adding or adjusting the jalapenos.
To print today’s “Just a Pinch” recipe column, you can click the image below to load a printable pdf with a recipe card.
Yes, You Can Grow Potatoes In North Escambia
January 8, 2011
These cold winter days make gardeners yearn for the warmth of April to be able to get their vegetable garden started, but they needn’t wait so long. Late January through February are ideal times for establishing some potatoes in the garden. When you are eating YOUR home-grown, fresh potatoes in May, you won’t even think of those the day you braved a cold, brisk wind and drizzly skies to get your potatoes planted.
For those not familiar with growing potatoes, you don’t plant the typical seed to get more of the wonderful vegetable. What growers call “seed” is actually a portion cut from a potato tuber that has an active growing point called the “eye”. Many gardeners plant seed potatoes that they cut themselves from potatoes purchased at grocery stores, but it is better to purchase seed potatoes that have been certified. Certification insures that the seed tubers are free of disease. You can usually purchase seed at farm and garden supply stores in our area, and you can usually order seed. If you are unsure of where you can buy the seed, call the Extension office.
Before you plant any new crop, a soil test should be taken to determine soil fertility. Based on University of Florida fertilizer recommendations about 0.75 lbs of nitrogen(N) and about 0.5 lbs of potassium(K) are required per 100 ft of row at planting. This is roughly equivalent to 7.5 lb of a 10-0-10 complete fertilizer at each application. The remaining nitrogen and potassium fertilizer (0.75 lb N and 0.5 lbs K per 100 ft of row) should be placed in a band about four to six inches to either side of the plant approximately three to four weeks after planting. The fertilizer should be buried about two inches deep.
Mark the day you plant your seeds on the calendar. You will need to keep track of the age of your young potatoes. Plants should be spaced at about 6-8” within the row with at least 36” between rows. Seed pieces should be planted 4” below the soil surface. Seed pieces should be planted with the cut side down and eyes (or sprouts) facing up. Hilling is the act of adding soil to the top of the potato row. Since the seed piece was only planted 4” below the soil surface, there is the possibility that new potatoes will push up above the soil surface. Add about two or three inches of additional soil on the potato row when the sprout emerges from the soil (the sprout generally emerges around ten days to two weeks after planting). Soil can be moved from the furrows between rows and used for hilling.
Once you have your potatoes up and growing, you should see gradual growth of the vines. If we continue to have very cold temperatures, you might have to provide frost/freeze protection for the plants. Plants that are smaller than four to six inches can be covered with more soil if freezing temperatures are forecast. You can also cover them with fabric. Some people loosely mound hay over young plants and move the hay to the furrow when temperatures improve.
Should you start to see distortions in the leaves (from an insect, animal, or disease), don’t hesitate to contact your Escambia Co. Extension office. We can help you determine the cause of the problems and often provide a solution.
Potatoes that grow well here usually mature and ready for harvest 80-115 days after planting. Home gardeners who will be consuming their potatoes within a month or two can dig up their potatoes when they are ready, being careful to limit damage to the tuber when using tools. Most people don’t grow enough potatoes to be concerned with storing them for long periods of time, but if you do, please contact the Escambia Co. Extension office to learn more about how to keep potato tubers.
For more information about growing potatoes in the Home Garden, please visit http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/HS/HS18300.pdf As always, you can contact the Escambia Co. Extension office at (850) 475-5230.
2010 Persons Of The Year: Lawrence And Doris Cooper
January 7, 2011
NorthEscambia.com is naming Persons of the Year for 2010 each day this week. Click here for previous recipients.
Lawrence and Doris Cooper have been named two of our North Escambia Persons of the Year.
The Coopers operated Cooper’s Grocery in Bratt for well over 50 years. They announced in October that they were closing the store; however, the store was later sold and remains open under a new name.
Reprinted below is our October story in which the Coopers announced the store’s closure.
A long chapter in the lives of many North Escambia residents is closing soon — Cooper’s Grocery at the Bratt Crossroads will soon be no more.
“I don’t know for sure when we will close it, but it won’t be long. Probably by the end of October,” Doris Cooper, 77, said Tuesday. She and her husband Lawrence Cooper, 84, have owned the country store at the heart of the Bratt community for 54 years.
Besides church, Cooper’s is, without a doubt, the center of the Bratt community. Mornings are a hustle and bustle of activity at “Coop’s”, with moms and children buying those last minute snacks for the school day at Bratt Elementary. Northview High students grab sugary snacks and caffeine to fuel their day.
The wooden front door creaks and moans as it opens and rings the bell to signal another customer. Wooden shelves are stocked with most everything imaginable. Cokes are sold in various sizes of plastic bottles like any other store. But there’s the sound of pure American nostalgia each time the top is popped on a glass bottle of Coca-Cola using the bottle opener located at the front counter. Glass bottles of Coke have been sold at Cooper’s since it first opened at the end of World War II.
The Coopers have offered credit to members of the community for decades. Customers were, and are still, able to add their purchase to their “ticket” for later payment. No credit checks needed, basically just residency in the community.
Some of the charge tickets are old and yellowed, waiting for decades payment. Tuesday morning, Mr. Lawrence located one from 1957. “3 doz. eggs $1.65. Gas $1.55. Groceries $21.35.” They know they will never be paid for the purchases 53 years ago. The gentleman that made the charges is long since deceased.
“But sometimes they will come back in here and make a payment,” Mr. Lawrence said. “I had a guy come in here and make a payment on an old one that I could not find right away. It wasn’t much, but he knew how much it was down to the penny that he owed.”
“I hope and pray that we’ve helped a lot of people,” Mrs. Doris said. “Sometimes that just what it is about.”
Anyone that has grown up around Bratt will happily tell you their memories about the candy counter. Well-stocked with all-time favorite candies, its the stuff dreams — and memories — are made of for little ones.
“Momma would give me 15 cents. We may have been poor, but I was spoiled with my 15 cents in here,” Donnie Bass, longtime Cooper’s Store customer said. “I would get a big candy bar, they were much bigger back then; a Coke and a honey bun.”
Bass, 64, has never really stopped going to Coopers. These days, it’s not uncommon to find Bass at the end of the counter, sharing his lighthearted outlook on most any subject that’s fit for discussion.
Known as the defacto mayor of Bratt, Bass and his buddies gather most mornings at the store to discuss the latest “news” of the day. They talk about the world’s problems, America’s problems and the local problems. And they always have a solution in mind.
“The world’s problems have been solved right here in this store,” Bass said, as he contemplated where he and his buddies will meet after the store’s closure. “I hate it when traditions are broken, don’t you? We might meet at my house, but I don’t know if that’s going to fly.”
It’s no secret that the solutions proposed by the men of Cooper’s Store have not solved America’s problems — the problems that have led to the demise of the store.
“It’s the economy really,” Mrs. Doris said as to why the store will close by the end of the month. And she said the couple hopes to do a little traveling. Then she started naming the trips taken through the years, all funded by the their little country store.
“We were blessed,” she said. “We able to do a lot with our children. We were probably one of the first families from Bratt to be able to go to Disney World.” Then there was the trip to California during which Mrs. Doris refused to get out of the car in Nevada because of legalized gambling.
“It was a Sunday and I wasn’t going to set foot on the ground in that state,” she said. As his wife continued to recount found memories of road trips with their children, Mr. Lawrence interrupted.
“We went to Wawbeek one day,” he said, bringing a chuckle from those around the counter. Even at 84, his humor is quick-witted.
Cooper’s Store adapted over the years to changing times. They once stocked a full line of groceries including fresh meats, hardware, clothes, shoes and animal feed. The store sold gasoline until just recently, and they also added a pizza/deli counter. “We would sell so much back then,” he said, from suppliers like J.U. Blacksher, Flomaton Wholesale and Lewis Bear.
The meat and cheese scale is still at the front counter — mostly used to weigh babies, she said.
Mrs. Doris’ own children are no strangers to the store, with all having worked behind the counter at one time or another.
“It’s been our family for all these years,” she said. “I’m going to miss seeing all the people in the community. They are like our family.”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
2010 Persons Of The Year: Jack Moran
January 6, 2011
NorthEscambia.com is naming Persons of the Year for 2010 each day this week. Click here for previous recipients.
Jack Moran of Century has posthumously been named one of our North Escambia Persons of the Year.
Moran served a director of the Arts Council of Northwest Florida, a director of The Century Community Development Partnership and a director of the East Hill Academy for autistic children. He was founder and director of the Arts Committee of North Escambia County Florida, a director of the African-American Historical Society, founder and director of The Teaspoon Foundation and he was an active member of his political party’s County Executive Committee.
He also served as one of the founding organizers and member of the board of the Century Community Development Partnership, Inc., a non-profit organization with a mission that included working toward affordable housing in the rural communities of north Florida following the devastating hurricanes of 2004 and 2005.
Moran loved Century and passionately fought to help make Century a better place to live. He strongly encouraged people to get involved in what was going on in their community and attend town council, school board and other meetings.
As a board member of the Early Learning Coalition which introduced the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to the children of Century and surrounding areas. Over 300 area children have been enrolled in the program and now receive a free book each month until they turn five years old.
Moran also worked to bring “Opera in a Box” to the students at Bratt and Byrneville elementary schools, along with several presentations by Ballet Pensacola.
Moran was vested as “Sir Wallace”, a Knight in the Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem (OSJ) by Crown Prince Michael.
Born Wallace David Moran in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, he was a Navy, USMC, Seabee veteran and recipient of the American Spirit Honor Medal. After finishing graduate school, he was hired by his personal mentor, Charles Tandy, chairman of the Tandy Corp.
Later, he owned his own small business, designing and manufacturing children’s furniture and wood toys, and a retail antique business from in Louisiana. He was the father of twins -a boy and a girl – and a step-daughter.
After his son died at the age of 25 from a rare form of cancer, he worked from Northwest Florida as a business development and reorganization consultant, mortgage broker, business broker and fraud examiner.
In his retirement, Moran continued to work with his wife Julie, who is managing partner of Century Pharmacy, L.L.C.
Moran passed away July 20, 2010. He was 68.
Pictured: Jack Moran and his wife Julie.
Northview High NJROTC Cadets Attend Military Ball
January 5, 2011
The Northview High School NJROTC recently held their annual Military Ball at the Naval Aviation Museum aboard Pensacola Naval Air Station.
The ball included the presentation of the staff and seniors from each school and a POW/MIA ceremony. A king and queen, and junior, sophomore and freshman prince and princess selected by the cadets’ peers were named.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
The following were named to the Northview Military Ball court:
- King and Queen: Elliot Ross and Shaniqua Jones
- Junior Prince and Princess: Jody Day and Kayla Miles
- Sophomore Prince and Princess: Jonathan Moretz and Jessica Mahon
- Freshman Prince and Princess: Willie Owens and Kasie Braun
“Everyone had a great time. The cadets are already looking forward to next year’s ball,” said Capt. Charlie Code, Northview NJROTC instructor.
Over 120 cadets and their dates attended the joint event with Washington High School.
Pictured top: Sophomore Prince and Princess Jonathan Moretz and Jessica Mahon at the Northview High School Military Ball. Pictured below: Freshman Prince and Princess Willie Owens and Kasie Braun. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
