Lipscomb Elementary School Holds Veterans Day Parade
November 11, 2021
Lipscomb Elementary School honored veterans with a Veterans Day parade Wednesday morning.
The students waved American flags, made posters and created crafts for each participating veteran.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary School Honors Veterans With Program, Parade (With Photo Gallery)
November 11, 2021
Bratt Elementary School honored veterans Wednesday with a Veterans Day program and parade.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Guest speaker for the event was Commander George Trice, Jr., United States Navy, Retired. He retired in 2011 after 33 years of naval service. He began his career as an enlisted electronic tech in the submarine service. He earned his degree from the University of New Mexico and was commissioned an officer with naval surface warfare. The last years of his career were with Corry Station as the training director.
“I saw the young servicemen come right out of boot camp,” he said. “Seeing that the sparkle in their eye and the hope in there, and hope and dreams of what they intend to do with this country. This is the next generation coming up.”
“I thank you for what you what you’re doing,” Trice told Bratt Elementary’s third graders. “You listen to your teachers, and that you’re learning and going to become great Americans.”
“The hopes and dreams right here in front of us…this is what we feel, what we do for is to protect the next generation coming up behind us,” he said. “And give them and make sure that they have the opportunities that we have had and that they are privy to make the choices you’ve had. They all have dreams; they all have hopes.”
Following the third grade program, the veterans paraded through the Bratt hallways as enthusiastic cheered and waved American Flags.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle Honors Veterans (With Photo Gallery)
November 10, 2021
Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill paused to honor veterans from the across the area Tuesday morning.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
The outdoor program featured the Presentation of Colors from the Northview High School NJROTC Color Guard, a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance from the Ernest Ward SGA, patriotic music from the EWMS Band, a performance of “God Bless the USA” from Pastor Tim Hawsey and Gayle Hanks the First Baptist Church of Bratt. Guest speaker was Lt. Colonel John Eubanks III.
Patriotic wreaths presented to some of the veterans were handmade by the EWMS Family and Consumer Sciences classes, and each one of the hundreds of students had an American flag.
The annual Veterans Day program at Ernest Ward is a longstanding community tradition, held annually (except 2020) for over 25 years. Notably, this was the first year that no World War II veterans in the community attended the event; most have now passed on.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Cowboy Cheerleaders Win Multiple Competition Awards
November 9, 2021
The Cantonment Cowboy cheerleaders won multiple awards at the Emerald Coast Cheer Association competition recently at Pace High School.
There Cantonment Cowboy Midgets won first place, level one grand champions and high score grand champions.
The Cowboys Mighty Mites won first place, Mites won second place, and the Mini Mites won third place.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Saturday’s Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show
November 7, 2021
Thousands attended the 75th anniversary Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show Saturday at Pensacola Beach.
For a photo gallery from Saturday click or tap here.
For a photo gallery from Friday, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Perry Doggrell, click to enlarge.
This Tate High Teacher Is An Atlanta Braves Superfan. Check Out Her Classroom.
November 4, 2021
A Tate High School teacher is an Atlanta Braves superfan.
She was there with her 2-year old son at Game 6 when the Braves won the world series in 1995, and that son went on to work for the Braves. And her classroom? It’s dedicated to her beloved Atlanta Braves.
We asked Sherry Sherrill about her love for the world champion Atlanta Braves, her baseball family, and her Tate classroom that’s been dedicated to the Braves for over 15 years.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Why are you such a Braves fan, and how did it start?
It started when I was a teenager and my mother’s sister, we call her Sissy, had season tickets and she would take us to games. We all grew up loving Dale Murphy! And when the 90’s got here, we had a blast watching them win with Glavine, Maddux, Smoltz, Chipper, etc.
How long has your classroom been Braves-themed?
I’ve had my classroom like this since 2005 when I taught Reading in the Tate Building. I kept the same theme when I moved over to the Strange Building in 2015 and opened the school store, The Aggie Stable. I still teach some Reading, but most of my classes now are business classes called Customer Assistance I & II. These classes are meant to learn entrepreneurship and run the school store.
How did you feel when they won?
It was amazing because back in 1995, my oldest son Jamie (who was 2 years old at the time) my Aunt and myself were at game 6 in Atlanta when they won the last World Series, so it brought back all those awesome memories! Jamie who is now 28 years old worked for the Braves the last 6 years out of FSU but resigned 3 months ago to start law school at GA State. He and his wife live near Atlanta in Marietta and they were at Truist Park last night celebrating with all the employees!
Tell us more about baseball and your family?
Our youngest son, Jesse Sherrill, 21 years old, plays D1 baseball at Georgia Southern now in Statesboro, GA and he played here at Tate from 2014-2018. Our older 2 boys played here as well but Jesse is the only one still playing. The boys are Jamie age 28, Michael age 23 and Jesse age 21. Jamie was a pitcher at Tate from 2008-2011 and played 3 years of baseball. Michael was a pitcher at Tate from 2013-2016, played 4 years of baseball and went on to play a semester at PSC.
Tate teacher Sherry Sherrill is the wife of Northview High School Principal Mike Sherill.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle School Names Students Of The Month
November 4, 2021
Ransom Middle School has named their Students of the Month for September. They are Tam Tran (pictured above, left) and Drew Crutchfield (pictured above, right). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia 911 Dispatchers Help Deliver Two Baby Girls In Recent Weeks
November 3, 2021
Escambia County 911 emergency dispatchers have helped over the phone to deliver two babies in recent weeks. Both were healthy baby girls.
On October 17, emergency dispatcher Mara Given received a 911 call from a female who went into labor. After Given dispatched EMS, she remained on the line to provide pre-arrival instructions. Given remained on the line as the baby was born.
On October 28, Escambia County 911 dispatcher Abigail Trimpey received a 911 call from a female who was going into labor. After she dispatched EMS, Trimpey remained on the line with the citizen as she began to give birth. The baby was born prior to the arrival of the ambulance.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Graduate Serves As Member Of Navy’s Submarine Program
November 2, 2021
A Tate graduate is currently stationed at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, homeport to all East Coast ballistic-missile and guided-missile submarines.
Seaman Paul Ashton, a 2018 Tate High School graduate, joined the Navy almost a year ago.
“Growing up in a big Navy area and hearing my friends, parents and siblings talk about the Navy made me think it would be a great fit for me,” said Ashton.
Today, Ashton serves as a missile technician, whose responsibilities include maintaining and guarding nuclear missiles.
According to Ashton, the values required to succeed in the military are similar to those found in Pensacola.
“I was a Pensacola Beach lifeguard,” said Ashton. “From that, I learned teamwork. Boy Scouts taught me leadership.”
Known as America’s “Silent Service,” the Navy’s submarine force operates a large fleet of technically advanced vessels. These submarines are capable of conducting rapid defensive and offensive operations around the world, in furtherance of U.S. national security.
There are three basic types of submarines: fast-attack submarines (SSN), ballistic-missile submarines (SSBN) and guided-missile submarines (SSGN).
Fast-attack submarines are designed to hunt down and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; strike targets ashore with cruise missiles; carry and deliver Navy SEALs; conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions; and engage in mine warfare.
The Navy’s ballistic-missile submarines, often referred to as “boomers,” serve as a strategic deterrent by providing an undetectable platform for submarine-launched ballistic missiles. SSBNs are designed specifically for stealth, extended patrols and the precise delivery of missiles.
Guided-missile submarines provide the Navy with unprecedented strike and special operation mission capabilities from a stealthy, clandestine platform. Each SSGN is capable of carrying 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles, plus a complement of heavyweight torpedoes to be fired through four torpedo tubes.
As a member of the submarine force, Ashton is part of a rich 121-year history of the U.S. Navy’s most versatile weapons platform, capable of taking the fight to the enemy in the defense of America and its allies.
Serving in the Navy means Ashton is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy contributes to national security by ensuring trade routes are open,” said Ashton. “We also keep people at home protected by ensuring other countries don’t come into ours.”
With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through underwater fiber optic, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.
A major component of that maritime security is homeported at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay.
“We do two big things here in King’s Bay: we send SSBNs on strategic deterrence patrols and we forward deploy our guided missile submarines overseas,” said Rear Adm. John Spencer, Commander, Submarine Group Ten. “This work is essential to uphold the number one mission of the Navy: strategic deterrence. And this is the only home port for both of these types of submarines on the East Coast.”
Strategic deterrence is the Nation’s ultimate insurance program, and for decades, Kings Bay has been home to Ohio Class SSBN ballistic-missile submarines. Beginning in 2028, the new Columbia Class ballistic-missile submarines will arrive and provide continuous sea-based strategic deterrence into the 2080s.
As Ashton and other sailors continue to train and perform the missions they are tasked with, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy means protecting the people back from home from stuff that they don’t even realize,” added Ashton.
By Megan Brown, Navy Office of Community Outreach. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Amanda Rae Moreno for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Donate Now: Annual Peanut Butter Challenge Is Underway
November 2, 2021
The annual Peanut Butter Challenge is still underway in Escambia County help families in need, and along the way promote peanuts.
The Peanut Butter Challenge, UF/IFAS Extension’s annual jar collection for local food pantries, first launched in the Florida Panhandle in 2012. It has since launched statewide, giving counties the chance to compete for most jars of peanut butter donated. The challenge serves a way to feed hungry families ahead of the holidays and also promotes peanuts grown in Florida.
Unopened jars of peanut butter can be donated at the following locations through November 24:
- Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Escambia County Farm Bureau, 153 Highway 97, Molino
- Escambia County Public Safety, 6575 North W Street
- Holy Cross Episcopal Church, 7979 North Ninth Avenue
- Gilmore Services, 31 East Fairfield Drive
- Escambia County Administration, 221 Palafox Place, 4th Floor
- Pensacola City Hall, 222 West Main Street,
- Holy Spirit Catholic, 10650 Gulf Beach Highway
- Perdido Bay United Methodist Church, 13360 Innerarity Point Road,
- Pensacola Beach Visitors Information, 7 Casino Beach Boardwalk, Pensacola Beach
“We are always impressed and touched by the communities’ grassroots support for this program,” said Libbie Johnson, agricultural agent for UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County and co-organizer of the challenge since its inception. “The peanut industry is a great contributor to our state, but this event also shows how the nutritious food it produces can help our fellow community members who may be struggling.”
In addition to the community donations, the Florida Peanut Producers Association (FPPA) and Florida Peanut Federation (FPF) have partnered with the project for years. These organizations are based in the northwest and northeast peanut-producing regions of the state and will again contribute to the totals distributed to food pantries in those regions.
In the 2020 Peanut Butter Challenge, the first year the event was conducted statewide, participating UF/IFAS Extension county offices received over 27,000 total pounds of peanut butter.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.