Tate Senior Best High School Auto Tech Student In Florida, Headed To Nationals
March 23, 2010
A young man from Cantonment really knows his way around under a hood; he has been named the best high school auto technology student in Florida.
Max Clark took first place in Escambia County in Automotive Technology at the University of West Florida. Then, on his 18th birthday, the Tate High School senior won first place in the CECF State Leadership Conference at an Orlando competition.
“It relaxes me, I like the challenge, it comes easy to me, and I’ve always liked working on hot rods,” Clark said of his love of auto repair.
On the recommendation of Gene Seales, Clark’s instructor at Tate, he will attend the Business Professional of America 2010 National Leadership Conference competition in Anaheim, California, in May.
“Max has been following in his dad’s footsteps since he was a little boy,” his mom, Cassie Clark, said. Max works at the family’s auto repair shop Wade Clark Auto Repair in Cantonment.
Max Clark’s trip to California is being funded in part by the Escambia County School District, Greenhut Construction and even his classmates at Tate. The students have sold doughnuts to help their friend.
Pictured above: Max Clark recently took a top automotive award in the state. Pictured below: Max Clark and coworker Shane at Wade Clark Auto Repair in Cantonment. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Sawmill Pageant Is Saturday; Students Win Poster Contest
March 23, 2010
The Century Sawmill Pageant is coming up at 10 a.m. this Saturday at the old Carver/Century K-8 School.
To promote the pageant the Century Lions Club recently held a poster contest in schools throughout the area.
Century Sawmill Pageant poster winners from the Escambia County (Ala.) Enrichment Program were first place Ronna Tullis, 5th grade at Flomaton Elementary; second place Kela Brazile, 6th grade at WS Neal Middle; third place Nakia Washington, 6th grade WS Neal Middle; and honorable mention Justin Pearson 5th grade at Huxford Elementary.
Tullis received $25 for her winning poster.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hundreds Take Part In Northview FFA Food For America Program
March 20, 2010
About 600 elementary school students from schools from Byrneville and Bratt to Pensacola Beach attended the annual “Food for America” program Friday at Northview High School. About 800 people total either attended or worked with the program.
The program, sponsored the National FFA Organization and conducted by the Northview FFA, gave the students a chance to learn about agriculture firsthand as they got up close and personal with farm animals, farm equipment and more. The students even had the opportunity to make their own butter and enjoy it on crackers.
The Northview FFA has participated in the program for 15 years, placing second in the state last year. Northview has placed in the top five in the state for the last ten years.
Friday’s program at Northview was dedicated to Philip Caler, a fellow FFA member from Booker, Texas, who accidentally fell 40 feet from the third floor at the October, 2009, FFA National Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana — an event that was attended by Northview students. He has remained in a coma most of the time since the accident.
“It is our hope and prayer that Philip will indeed make a complete recovery,” read a note attached to balloons released in Caler’s honor Friday at Northview. “We are dedicating this day to Philip, and would like you to join us…to live each day to the fullest, take time to laugh each and every day with friends and family, and strive to cultivate friendships that will last a lifetime.”
Click here for a complete NorthEscambia.com photo gallery with dozens of pictures from the event.
FFA students from both Northview and Ernest Ward Middle School conducted the program, including from Northview FFA: President Micah Byars, Vice President Lydia Weaver, Secretary Stephanie Solari, Treasurer Allison Vidak, Reporter Heather Kite, Sentinel Gavin Hinote, Parliamentarian Wes Chancery, Photographer and Historian Shelby Lewis, Chaplain Devin Bell and Advisors Perry Byars and Tommy Weaver.
Pictured above: Pictured top:A students pets a horse at Northview High School FFA’s Food for America Program on Friday. Pictured top inset: Students from Pensacola Beach Elementary School learn about bees. Pictured bottom inset: Northview FFA members release balloons to honor a Philp Caler, FFA member from Texas who has been in a coma for months. Pictured below: Tasting homemade butter. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
NHS Students Design Sawmill Pageant Posters
March 19, 2010
Northview High School’s 2-D Design art classes participated in the 19th Annual Century Sawmill Pageant poster contest sponsored by the Century Lions Club.
Freshman Julia Thorpe placed first in the contest to create the best poster to promote the pageant. Freshman Beni Joe Deron placed second in the poster contest, and Junior Victoria Childers placed third. Thorpe received a $25 prize for her efforts.
The posters will be used to promote the annual Century Sawmill Beauty Pageant on Saturday, March 27 at 10 a.m. at Carver/Century K-8 School. Registration forms are available at Whataburger in Century.
Pictured: (L-R) Century Sawmill Pageant Poster Contest winners Julia Thorpe, first place; Beni Joe Deron, second place; and Victoria Childers,third place. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Preschoolers Celebrate 100 Years Of Camp Fire USA
March 18, 2010
The preschoolers at the Camp Fire USA Child Development Center in Century kicked off their celebration of 100th birthday of the Camp Fire program on Wednesday. They formed the number “100″ (pictured above) and celebrated with birthday cupcakes (below). They also learned to count all the way to 100. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Area Students Attend Youth Tour In Tallahassee
March 17, 2010
Escambia River Electric Cooperative recently gave 14 juniors from the EREC service area in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties an opportunity to take part in a youth tour of the state capital.
The students traveled with EREC to Tallahassee to learn more about their state legislature and electric cooperatives. Participants included Allie Bryan, Taylor Fisher, Alexis Harris, Anna Hollingshead, Sarah Killam, A.J. Lambert, Sarah McLean, Nick McMellon, Courtney Penton, Justin Poley, Josh Scott, Ashley Stokes, Leely Trevino and Jami Wessel.
While in Tallahassee, the students toured the governor’s mansion and observed court in session in the Florida Supreme Court. The students participated in a mock session in the house chambers where various members of the House of Representatives addressed the group. In addition, the students enjoyed visiting the Challenger Museum and viewing the IMAX movie, Forces of Nature.
The Youth Tour program provides students an opportunity to learn more about their state government and electric cooperatives and also gives them a chance to interact with other students from co-ops throughout the state. It was a great educational experience and a lot of fun for the entire group, according to Sabrina Owens, EREC spokesperson.
Pictured above: Youth Tour participants on the steps of the capital and in front of the Florida Supreme Court. (Front, L-R) Leely Trevino, Alexis Harris, Sarah Killam, Allie Bryan, Sarah McLean, Courtney Penton and Jami Wessel. Back row: Anna Hollingshead, Ashley Stokes, Josh Scott, Nick McMellon, Justin Poley, A.J. Lambert and Taylor Fisher. Pictured inset: Sarah Killam plays the piano in the Governor’s Mansion. Pictured below: Jami Wessel, Courtney Penton and Sarah McLean participate in a mock session in the House of Representatives. Pictured bottom: EREC Youth Tour participants in Tallahassee. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
1,156 ‘Buckets Of Hope’ Headed From North Escambia To Haiti
March 16, 2010
Over 1,100 food-containing Buckets of Hope were donated by North Escambia area residents to help the victims of the Haiti earthquake.
The 1,156 buckets were donated in just over a month at host site First Baptist Church of Cantonment as well as the First Baptist Church of Bratt, area schools and other drop-off points. The buckets contain specific food items, including beans, rice, sugar, flour, cooking oil and other essentials. Each bucket contains enough food to feed a family of four for about a week, plus they have the bucket to reuse to haul water, store food items or even move rubble in the earthquake stricken land.
Monday, the buckets were loaded a trailer donated by Gilmore Services. The company will transport the buckets to Marianna to be made ready for delivery to Haiti.
Pictured top: Volunteers load over 1,100 Buckets of Hope into a Gilmore Services trailer Monday in Cantonment. Pictured inset: First Baptist Church of Cantonment Associate Pastor Larry Huff, Marc Wilson, Ottoway Fillingim, Dalton Smith and Dylan Smith. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Thinking Outside The Box: Area Couple Builds Dome Home
March 15, 2010
Energy efficiency is a hot topic these days, with many people thinking of ways to cut energy costs more than ever before. When Charlie and Margaret Simmons of New Iberia, Louisiana, decided to move back to Margaret’s hometown of Jay and build their retirement home, energy efficiency was an important factor in choosing the style of house they would construct. However, there were additional features that prompted them to ultimately choose to build a monolithic dome home.
A monolithic (one-piece) dome is an extremely energy efficient, steel-reinforced concrete structure that can basically be designed for any type of use. The dome structure starts with a reinforced concrete tension ring to which a plasticized airform (balloon) is attached and inflated. All subsequent work is done inside the airform. First, three to four inches of foam is sprayed on the interior. This is followed by a steel rebar structure and then covered with concrete, six inches at the base and about three inches at the apex. Having the insulation on the outside is non-traditional but as Charlie Simmons explained, “That is where God put it on sheep.”
The curved shape of the exterior structure actually reflects energy away. The multiple tons of concrete provide a very stable and well-insulated interior, which in turn, absorbs energy and keeps the temperature relatively constant. The insulation does not deteriorate with time, moisture or compaction. The dome provides a solid thermal envelope and the airtight exterior affords no, or minuscule at most, energy leakage. The dome is so well insulated that fresh outdoor air must be brought in through an air-to-air heat exchanger to minimize energy loss and a HEPA (99.9% efficiency) air filter to take out contaminates. This preconditioned, filtered, pressurized air enters the HVAC system for normal distribution. The pressurization prevents dust from entering even when doors are opened. This feature is especially appealing to Margaret Simmons.
A beneficial effect of this super-insulated home is downsized heat and air equipment. The Simmons’ home is 3,400 sq. ft. and a 1 ½ ton A/C unit adequately services the entire structure. A traditionally constructed home of this same size would most likely require a 5 to 6 ton A/C unit. According to C. Simmons, “The efficiency of the house appeals to me as an engineer, and I like having something that is a little different, too.”
Durability is another feature that attracted Simmons to the dome structure. Simmons commented that the model he chose to construct was tested in a wind tunnel at Texas A&M University to withstand 600 mph winds. The strongest hurricane winds recorded to date have been slightly over 200 mph and tornado winds at just over 300 mph. Typically during violent storms such as hurricanes and tornadoes, high winds acting on flat surfaces and negative air pressure combine and can get under the eves and soffits of a conventional house. This force, in turn, may cause the roof to be ripped off the house. The aerodynamic shape of the dome provides excellent above ground protection against powerful winds in any direction, allowing the wind’s energy to glide past without causing damage to the basic structure. Even sounds from the outside are virtually eliminated.
The durability attribute is also evidenced by its resistance to other forces of nature such as earthquakes, fire, and insects. The monolithic design of the dome has an even distribution of weight and a low center of gravity so that it actually moves with the earth. This design prevents the dome from damage, whereas, a traditional home can be shaken off its foundation as it wobbles with the earth’s lateral shifts in an earthquake.
Neither is fire a detriment to the home. The exterior of the home is painted with a silicon based GE (General Electric Company) paint that will withstand 550 degrees F. and the concrete used in construction doesn’t burn. Nor are pests such as termites a concern because there is no wood in the structure for the termites to eat. Because of the dome’s resistance to weather, fire, and insects, the structure virtually has a lifespan of centuries rather than years. As a result, home insurance costs are greatly reduced.
The dome house’s economic feasibility is another appealing characteristic. Because of the limited number of components used in the structure itself, the cost is about the same as a conventional home of the same size. The dome’s shape, design, and quality of construction materials keep required future upkeep and maintenance virtually nonexistent.
The Simmons decided a dome house would best meet their needs for a retirement home. Construction began in April of 2008 and was completed in November of 2009. Living in Louisiana during the various construction phases of the home could have posed complications for Simmons; however, local Virgle Bedsole served as project manager and could oversee the day to day operations of the home’s development. Bedsole says, “This project has been different from building a conventional house. Each step along the way, you have to think things through carefully, not just handle it the usual way.”
The interior of the home is beautiful with its teak wood flooring, cabinets and doors made of cypress salvaged from an old plantation home, and spacious floor plan. In addition, the home also features energy efficient LED lighting and the latest technological advancements. The Simmons seem to have thought of everything in regards to constructing a home they can enjoy for many years to come.
Pictured top: The Charlie and Margaret Simmons monolithic dome home in Jay. Pictured top inset: The dome’s airform fully inflated. Pictured middle inset: The garage entrance area of the home near competition. Pictured bottom inset: The kitchen area of the home. Submitted photos by Sabrina Owens for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Stop Crape Murder: Don’t Cut Back Your Myrtles
March 14, 2010
Crape myrtles are a favorite tree along the Gulf Coast. It seems that every yard has at least one tree and landscapers frequently rely on these flowering trees for street plantings and commercial properties. Crape myrtles are low maintenance plants that reward us with colorful flowers throughout the summer months.
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.
Unfortunately, many crape myrtles receive unnecessary pruning every winter in the form of topping or hat-racking. The practice of topping trees is so common that many people believe it to be needed in order for the tree to flower heavily. This is not always true.
Crape myrtles bloom on new growth which will occur without any pruning. Trees will continue to flower without topping and we all can then enjoy the natural shape and shade that the trees provide. Less pruning also saves the need to dispose of all the trimmings and may reduce your need for pesticides to manage unsightly powdery mildew or sooty mold. If you are pruning because your tree is too large for it’s spot, consider removing it and planting a tree or shrub that fits that spot.
There is a crape myrtle for any spot. Crape myrtles cultivars range in size from 1 foot to over 20 feet tall. Shop carefully so that you purchase a suitable plant for your landscape. The publication Crape Myrtle in Florida will help in your selection process.
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.
Source: The Escambia County Extension Service
Flomaton, Atmore, Brewton To Celebrate Great Alabama Homecoming
March 11, 2010
Atmore, Flomaton and Brewton will join more than 200 towns and cities that will stage homecoming events and unveil historic markers in 2010 as part of the state’s tourism promotional campaign for 2010 — the “Year of Small Towns and Downtowns”.
Flomaton will celebrate a Homecoming Weekend October 22-24. Events will include a special halftime show at Flomaton High School’s homecoming game on Friday night, October 22. Open houses are planned at the brand new Flomaton Library, the award-winning Turtle Point Science Center, the Flomaton Area Railroad Museum, the Flomaton Fire Department and the Flomaton Chamber of Commerce.
Area churches are being asked to move their homecoming celebrations to the weekend, and the First Baptist Church has already done so, according to Betty Jones, chairperson of the Flomaton 2010 Committee. The weekend will also feature a car show at Flomaton’s Lions Park, a vendors area downtown, music and more.
“We want everyone to come home to celebrate small towns and downtowns with us — the places we grew up and the backbone of the country we call home,” Jones said.
Vendor applications will be available at Flomaton’s Welcome Center for those interesting in selling their wares on October 23.
Atmore will take part in the Year of Small Towns and Downtowns with the annual Williams Station Day on October 23.
During Williams Station Day, Atmore residents and guests will turn back their clocks to 1866 when their community was named Williams Station – just a supply stop along the Mobile & Great Northern railroad. It was a simpler time, when life revolved around the railroads and folks marked time by the sound of the steam engines chugging through town or the whistle of the local lumber mill. We hope you’ll join us in Atmore for this regional festival that promises a fun day of family entertainment.
Williams Station Day is packed with great venues to fit every taste. For the young and young at heart we offer an old fashioned sampling of southern heritage seasoned with the blues, arts and crafts, cane milling and railroad memorabilia.
Williams Station Day will be October 23 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. To learn more, visit www.atmorechamber.com.
Brewton participate in the Great Alabama Homecoming on Saturday, June 19 at Burnt Corn Creek Park with the Alabama Blueberry Festival. There will be original arts and crafts, live entertainment, an antique car show, a motorcycle show and ride, a children’s section, blueberries, blueberry bushes, cookbooks, T-shirts, and a food court with blueberry ice cream. To learn more, call (251) 867-3224 or visit www.AlabamaBlueberryFestival.com.
Statewide, Alabama homecoming events will continue through mid-December. Historic markers written by local historians and provided by the Alabama Tourism Department will be unveiled at the events.
“As someone who grew up in a small town in Alabama, I know there’s something special about them. They have a unique character and charm. But in Alabama, even our bigger cities have a small town feel. As Alabamians, we’re truly fortunate that many of our hometowns really are like Mayberry,” said Alabama Governor Bob Riley, referring to the fictitious small town that was the setting of the “Andy Griffith Show”.
A total of 215 communities, ranging in size from Mooresville, population 54, to Birmingham, population 300,000, have scheduled events as part of the Year of Small Towns and Downtowns.
“It’s going to be a great time to reflect on the importance of our small towns and downtowns, and I believe when it’s all over, people throughout the state will come away with a greater appreciation for the special place we all call home,” Riley said.
The state Tourism Department has posted a list of towns and event dates on its homecoming web site at www.alabamahomecoming.com.
Pictured above: Alabama Governor Bob Riley announces The Great Alabama Homecoming. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.