Ernest Ward Names Students Of The Month
December 21, 2010
Ernest Ward Middle School has named Haley Weaver, Denise Floyd and Tristan Brown (pictured L-R) as Students of the Month for December. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
NHS Students Of The Month
December 20, 2010
Northview High School has named senior Tyler Garrett and freshman Anna Donald as students of the month for the month of December. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century First Baptist Church Youth Spread Christmas Cheer
December 19, 2010
The Youth Department of Century First Baptist Church spent a recent Sunday afternoon spreading good cheer. Six teens stayed after the morning worship service and wrapped 34 gifts to be given to the children in Century’s Head Start Program.
“I was surprised at their organizational skills,” said Youth Leader Leslie Gonzalez. “Without any direction, each one of them took a job and this overwhelming task was completed in record time.”
For months the Century First Baptist Youth have collected empty toilet paper rolls and sugar free candy for a service project to benefit the Century Care Center. They stuffed the cardboard rolls with candy and wrapped them to look like giant pieces of candy. Afterward they walked the halls of Century Care Center and handed these out to residents, nurses and even a few visitors.
The Youth offered their thanks to chaperones Rene’ Bunch, Carrie Bryan and Cesar Gonzalez for their help and encouragement, and Kelly Gunter for her collection efforts for the Century Care Center candy project, and the entire congregation for their contributions toward the gifts and candy.
Have news from your church? Email your information to news@northescambia.com
Pictured: (Bottom, L-R) Emily Taylor, Kristen Gunter, (second row) Beverly Blackmon, Megan Bryan, Sara Grace Gunter and (top) Tristan Williams. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Featured Recipe: Best Ever Carrot Cake
December 19, 2010
This weekend’s featured recipe from Janet Tharpe is a “Best Ever Carrot Cake”, a 60 year old recipe with just the right amount of everything.
To print today’s “Just a Pinch” recipe column, you can click the image below to load a printable pdf with a recipe card.
Do you have a great Christmas recipe to share? Email it to news@northescambia.com
Santa Trades Sleigh For Fire Trucks In McDavid, Century
December 19, 2010
Santa traded in his sleigh Saturday for a big red fire truck as he visited many boys and girls in neighborhoods across North Escambia. Both the Century and McDavid volunteer fire departments gave the Jolly Old Elf a ride as he visited with dozens of children, listening carefully to those last minute wish lists.
Pictured: Santa travels through the McDavid area Saturday morning visiting with children. The McDavid Volunteer Fire Department has provided the Santa escorts for about 20 years. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Creative Gardening Gift Ideas
December 18, 2010
Still don’t have a Christmas present for your favorite gardener? Take heart, there is still plenty of time to find, or make, that perfect “green” gift.
Many gardeners don’t think of their landscapes as just plants in the ground. To the knowledgeable landscape designer, the landscape is a series of rooms; rooms that may require decoration.
Garden art can be anything from the whimsical garden gnomes, functional obelisks or metal sculptures.
Garden obelisks can serve many functions. In addition to providing interest during all four seasons, they can act as beautiful focal points in the garden. They can make your garden look as if it was designed by a professional.
In a flower garden, they provide support for plants such as climbing roses, flowering vines and many other climbers and twiners. In the edible garden, many types of fruits and vegetables, such as various types of beans, can be grown on obelisks.
Obelisks come in many different sizes and shapes. Common shapes include tall, rounded or oblong forms, rectangular forms, and pyramids. Most vining plants will take to any shape. Choose the shape that is pleasing to you and blends in with your garden design. Obelisks can be made from a variety of materials including cedar, copper and wrought iron.
Furthermore, if you are an avid recycler, there are plenty of materials just laying around that can be made into a functional obelisk with a minimum amount of skill and time. Take a look on the internet and you will find plenty of help in fashioning a home-made creation.
A “growing” trend is metal garden art. Metal garden art can be fun, playful or even classical. It can be used to create a focal point in the garden or to brighten up a dull spot. From small garden stakes, to colorful wall art, to sculptures small and large, the possibilities are endless. With so many materials to choose from and so many artists working in the field you will be sure to find at least one piece to add color and character to your yard.
Again, if you are an avid recycler, you will be able to find many pieces made from recycled metal. Recycled steel drums or tanks, discarded bicycle or tricycles, old car parts, these all provide the raw materials for the creative eco-artist.
Copper is widely used in metal garden art because it is beautiful, durable and adds elegance to any garden. If allowed to oxidize it will age gracefully to a natural weather worn green patina. It can also be preserved with a clear coating to maintain its bright, shiny look. Copper sculptures, wall art and garden stakes add a touch of class to any decor.
For a classic look add a bronze garden sculpture. Bronze sculptures have been around for thousands of years. They remain popular today because they are classic, timeless and will last for generations.
Whatever your taste, classic, contemporary or just playful, garden art will warm your heart even on the coldest winter day.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos Gallery: Santa Claus Visits Century Library
December 17, 2010
The Century Branch Library held their annual Christmas event Thursday afternoon. Dozens of children had a chance to enjoy a story, presents for everyone and a visit with Santa Claus.
From dolls to video games, Santa heard all kinds of Christmas wishes — including a laptop and even a cow (as in the living, breathing, I want one for our pasture kind).
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured top: Not everyone was willing to share their Christmas list with Santa as he visited the Century Branch Library Thursday. Pictured below: Other children were more than willing to get in their Christmas morning wishes. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Christmas Dance
December 17, 2010
Heather Leonard’s Danceworks students presented a Christmas program with ballet, tap and jazz Thursday night at the Byrneville Community Center.
For more photos from the event, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Ernest Ward Holds Womanless Beauty Pageant
December 15, 2010
Aaron “Amanda” McDonald was named Junior Mr. Miss Ernest Ward Middle School in a womanless beauty pageant Tuesday night. First runner up was Austin “Autina” Cunningham; second runner-up was Tristan “Trista” Portwood; and third runner-up was Jacob “Joselyn” Weaver. Tristan “Trista” Portwood was named Miss Congeniality, while Austin “Autina” Cunningham received the Physical Fitness Award. The Poise and Appearance Award was presented to Aaron “Amanda” McDonald, and the People’s Choice Award went to Tristan “Trista” Portwood. The womanless pageant was the school’s first ever, with proceeds benefiting the school’s cheerleaders. For a photo gallery with all of the contestants, click here. Pictured top: Contestants in a womanless beauty pageant Tuesday night at Ernest Ward Middle School. Picture inset: Junior Mr. Miss Ernest Ward Middle School Aaron “Amanda” McDonald. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Drama Students Compete At Districts
December 14, 2010
Seven Ernest Ward Middle School students recently attended the District 1 Florida Junior Thespian Festival in Jacksonville, with three students advancing to the State Festival.
Megan Bryan, Morgan Packer and Katelyn Born will participate at the state level in Melbourne in February.
“Many of the schools we performed against are prep, fine arts schools or academies so it is an honor to have our students compete,” said Katie Ward, Ernest Ward drama instructor. “It was tough judging this year, but all the girls did their best and made Ernest Ward proud.”
Ernest Ward students participating in the District 1 Florida Junior Thespian Festival were:
- Katelyn Born, performing a monologue entitled “Wedding Woes”
- Danielle Suggs, performing a monologue entitled “A Curse Upon You Sister”
- Amber Freeman, performing a monologue entitled “Class Pictures”
- Kendral Langford, performing a monologue entitled “Don’t Believe a Word I Say”
- Liberty Peebles, performing a monologue entitled “I Hate My Middle Name”
- Megan Bryan and Morgan Packer, performing a duet entitled “The Sister”
Pictured top: Ernest Ward Middle School drama students in Jacksonville: (L-R) Katelyn Born, Amber Freeman, Kendral Langford, Danielle Suggs, Megan Bryan, Morgan Packer and Liberty Peebles. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.