Nominate North Escambia Persons Of The Year
December 13, 2010
NorthEscambia.com will honor several North Escambia residents as North Escambia Persons of the Year as 2010 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 2010. We will choose several of them to be named as a 2010 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 2010.
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 Monday, 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 We need your email and phone number just in case we have questions, but your name and contact information will not be published.
The 2010 North Escambia Persons of the Year will be named after Christmas.
Last year, the following were named 2009 North Escambia Persons of the Year:
(These persons are not eligible for the 2010 Persons of the Year.)
- Jerry Fischer [Read more...]
- Sonja Luker [Read more...]
- Rev. Willie H. Carter [Read more...]
- Charles Williams [Read more...]
Pictured top: The 2009 Persons of the Year (L-R) Charles Williams, Jerry Fischer, Sonja Luker and Rev. Willie H. Carter. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Church Uses Cardboard Testimonies To Share Stories Of Faith
December 13, 2010
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. But a few words on piece of plain brown cardboard can tell a life story and story of faith in a way a thousands words could not touch.
The concept is simple. A piece of cardboard. A permanent marker. On the first side of the cardboard for all to see is the story of a sin, a trial, a struggle or battle. On the flip side is where the person stands today though Christ.
A young woman walks into the spotlight at Highland Baptist Church in Molino with a few simple words written on a piece of cardboard. Words that perhaps would be hard to verbally express about childhood abuse in front of strangers, much less friends, family and neighbors in a rural church.
“Innocence Taken as a Young Girl,” one side of her cardboard says. The other side: “By God’s Grace Finally Healing. One Step Closer to Peace.”
Her “Cardboard Testimony” was one of many shared at a recent service at Highland. The biggest challenges, hurts, prayers of a lifetime condensed into moments in the spotlight on plain cardboard.
“Told Preacher – Stay On Your Side of the Fence,” one man’s Cardboard Testimony read. The other side: “God Removed the Fences”.
Removing fences – that’s what Cardboard Testimonies do in a figurative manner , according to Highland Baptist Pastor Brian Calhoun.
“People that might not be able to step up and speak out their testimony in words in front of others can do a cardboard testimony without speaking,” he said. And sometimes the visual is the evidence of the powerful.
“Only child born with severe (heart) defects. 2 cardiac arrests. 4 heart surgeries. Gave Her Back to God,” a mother’s cardboard reads. Her child’s cardboard: “8 Year Old Heart Survivor. Standing here by God’s grace and love.”
“The point is that even in the darkest hour, there’s a time a strength and God provides,” Calhoun said.
Watch the Highland Baptist Church “Cardboard Testimonies” in the YouTube video at the top of the page. If you don’t see the video, it is because your church, school, home or work firewall is blocking external videos.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
People To People: Jay Teen Headed To China
December 13, 2010
Jay High School freshman Jeremy Gibbs has been selected to participate as a student ambassador with the People to People International Student Ambassador Program in a 17 day trip to China next summer. He is the only student from the north end of Santa Rosa county to take part in the program this year.
Students are selected for the People to People ambassador program based upon outstanding scholastic merit, civic involvement and leadership potential.
The People to People program provides international travel opportunities to students in a State Department program that was founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956. Student Ambassadors experience hands-on learning opportunities and immerse themselves in the arts, sports and family life of cultures around the world.
Jeremy is the son of John and Michele Gibbs. The family has offered their thanks to the two Jay businesses and 13 Pensacola area businesses that that have made Jeremy’s trip to China possible. Further financial help is needed, email mgibbs8192@yahoo.com for more information.
Move That Bus: Pensacola Extreme Home Makeover
December 12, 2010
The Emmy award-winning reality show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition episode in Pensacola aired nationwide Sunday night, as well as locally on WEAR TV 3.
On October 18, Finis Gaston and his family received news from special guest Mariah Carey that they were recipients of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. While the Gaston family vacationed in Disney World, EM: HE design team, local builder Heritage Homes and thousands of community volunteers built their 3,600-square-foot dream home located at 1301 Rainbow Avenue in Pensacola.
The volunteer partners included several from the North Escambia area, and the Tate High School Showband of the South was featured in the “big reveal” parade.
The red dirt used for foundation was donated by Campbell’s Sand & Gravel in Century owned by James Campbell. Four dump trucks and seven 18-wheelers each dumped two loads of dirt at the construction site on Rainbow Avenue.
American Concrete, located in Molino, donated the concrete for the foundation of the home, and lumber for the house was donated by Cantonment Building Materials. Both companies are owned by Billy Campbell.
Rock Solid Surfaces in Cantonment, the exclusive training facility and distributor of Granicrete for south Alabama and Northwest Florida, did the front walkway and courtyard. Granicrete is a decorative concrete designed to adhere to concrete, tile, and even laminate countertops producing the look of natural stone (field stone, slate, marble, etc.) with the consistency and durability of concrete.
“We are excited for the nation to see the story of Finis and this Pensacola community,” said Frank Lott, III, president of Heritage Homes. “Together, we built a great home for Finis and his family, and weʼre ready to gather again with all the volunteers and partners to enjoy the experience together.”
The newly completed home is 3,600 square feet total with 3,100 square feet heated and cooled and a 500 square foot garage. Layout includes four bedrooms and a nursery as well as three bathrooms.
Pictured top inset: The Tate High School Showband of the South marches in the “Big Reveal” parade. Pictured middle inset: Cantonment Building Materials donated lumber for the home. Pictured bottom inset: Tyler Hochstetler (Atmore), Steve Gaier (Orlando), Berry Nall (Atmore), Rocky Williams (Cantonment), Matt Cummings (Cantonment) and Mike Mathews (Pensacola) of Rock Solid Surfaces in Cantonment. Pictured below: Campbell’s Sand & Gravel of Century dumps a load of dirt for the foundation of the ABC Extreme Home Makeover house. Pictured bottom: “Move That Bus!”. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Merry Christmas Y’all
December 12, 2010
Our redneck friends and neighbors in north Santa Rosa County celebrated Christmas with their annual Chumuckla Redneck Christmas Parade Saturday. An estimated 18,000 people attended the parade and BonfireJam with Rodney Atkins and Little Big Town.
Deer, camo, trucks and tractors were a common theme, along just good redneck fun.
For more photos from the Chumuckla Redneck Christmas Parade, click here.
Pictured above and below: The annual Chumuckla Redneck Christmas Parade was held Saturday afternoon in north Santa Rosa County. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sims, Golson To Wed
December 12, 2010
Darryl and Ellen Sims of Bogia announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Chelsea Sims, to Ethan Golson, the son of Ricky and Cheryl Golson of Bratt.
Chelsea is the granddaughter of Buck and Glenda Kelley of Bogia and Gene and Gwen Sims of Brewton. She is a 2009 graduate of Northview High School and is currently attending Pensacola State College. She is pursuing a degree in education. She is employed with Heather Leonard’s Danceworks as a dance instructor.
Ethan is the grandson of Marlene Forester of Atmore and the late Curtis Forester, and the late Walter Lee Golson and Doris Oline Hopkins. He is a 2008 graduate of Northview High School. He is currently serving in the U.S. Navy and is stationed in Norfolk, Virginia, aboard the U.S.S. Scranton.
The wedding will be at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 1, 2011, at Highland Baptist Church in Molino. All friends and relatives are invited to attend.
Local Residents Celebrate Christmas At Sabal House
December 12, 2010
The Sabal House Adult Living Facility in Pensacola recently held their annual Christmas Family Night. Residents Gail Fillingim (seated, left) from Bay Springs and Betty Meadows (seated, right) of Davisville, were joined by their daughters, Susan F. Purvis and Sheila M. Bass, and other family members. They were treated to a delicious prime rib dinner and entertained by The Silvertone Summer Band with a special appearance by Santa Claus. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Featured Recipe: Impressive Athenian Chicken Rolls
December 12, 2010
This weekend’s featured recipe from Janet Tharpe is a “Athenian Chicken Rolls”, flavorful little bundles of chicken, feta and spinach.
To print today’s “Just a Pinch” recipe column, you can click the image below to load a printable pdf with a recipe card.
Here is the sauce that omitted from the recipe card above:
ATHENIAN CHICKEN SAUCE
2 Tbsp butter
3 Tbsp mushrooms, chopped
1 Tbsp flour
1 c chicken broth
3/4 c white wine, dry
1/2 lemon, juiced
1 Tbsp capers, drained
To make sauce, drain most of oil from frypan, leaving brown bits on bottom of pan; add butter and melt over medium heat. Add mushrooms and saute about 2 minutes. Add flour, stirring to blend and thicken. Add chicken broth, wine, lemon juice and capers. Cook about 4 minutes or until thickened.
Photo Gallery: Byrneville Elementary Presents Jingle Bell Jukebox
December 11, 2010
The third, fourth and fifth grade students at Byrneville Elementary School presented their annual Christmas play with “Jingle Bell Jukebox” Friday night at Northview High School. The play was under the direction of Elaine Holk.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured above and below: Byrneville Elementary presented “Jingle Bell Jukebox” Friday night. Submitted photos by Heather Leonard, click to enlarge.
Friday: Decorate For The Holidays With Potted Plants
December 11, 2010
With Christmas approaching, homes are being decorated with lights and trees and other festive adornments. While the chiller weather discourages the use of decorating with potted plants outside, the indoors can come alive with festive potted plants.
Poinsettia
Very few plants are as closely associated with a holiday as poinsettias are with Christmas. The poinsettia, native to South America, was given the botanical name Euphorbia pulcherrima, which literally means “very beautiful.”
The showy portions of the poinsettia, which most people think of as the flower, are actually colorful leaves called bracts.
In addition to the traditional red, bracts can be pink, white, orange, and even purple. Poinsettia plants come in many sizes and their bracts come in a wide range of shapes.
Contrary to popular belief, poinsettias are not poisonous, although some people are sensitive to the sap, which contains latex.
With proper care, your poinsettia may stay colorful for months after the holidays. Because they are tropical plants, keep them in a bright light and away from chilly drafts. To learn more about how to care for your poinsettia, read the UF/IFAS publications titled “Poinsettias at a Glance”. It’s available online at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep349 or by calling your local Extension Office.
Amaryllis
Potted amaryllises excel as small but stellar holiday gifts. These easy to grow winter bloomers produce surprisingly exotic flowers, yet are still unknown to many people. The bulb is large, the flowers are huge. They grow and bloom for weeks on end – indoors in the middle of winter.
If you purchase a bulb, plant it in a pot with well-drained potting soil. Place the pot in a sunny window and keep the soil evenly moist. When the flower stalks begin to emerge, rotate the pot every few days so the stalks will grow straight. If you provide your amaryllis with too little light, the flower stalk will grow excessively tall and may even fall over.
Each stalk will produce several flowers. As each bloom fades, snip it off. When all the blooms on a stalk have faded, cut off the entire stalk about an inch from its base. Don’t assume the show is over after the first flowers fade. Your bulb will probably produce a second stalk with more flowers. Sometimes a third one pops up.
For more information on how to grow and care for amaryllis, read the UF/IFAS publication titled “Amaryllis.” It’s available online at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep060.
Rosemary
To add the fragrance of the holiday season to your home, include a rosemary plant. Available in many stores in a Christmas tree shape, rosemary is an easy herb to grow.
When a rosemary Christmas tree is purchased it is usually a large plant in a small container. That means that there is probably a pretty good size root mass with not much soil to hold onto the water. The more soil a container holds, the longer the plant can go between watering. One of the tricks to growing rosemary is to allow it to dry out between watering.
One of the first things you can do to improve its ability to survive is to replant it using well-drained potting soil. Using a terra cotta pot will help keep this somewhat top-heavy plant from being easily tipped over. Since rosemary likes it on the dry side, terra cotta pots are an especially good choice. After a good initial watering, keep the soil moderately dry. Also provide plenty of light with a south or west exposure. Low light will produce leggy growth.
Enjoy the holiday season by adding Christmas plants to your décor.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.