From Wheelchair To Saddle 24 Years After Car Accident; Molino Ranch Makes It Possible
October 28, 2008
Debbie Thompson Dawson spent hours riding horses around Barinneau Park. Up and down roads. In the woods. In the river. From sun-up to sundown, she would ride with her friend Patricia Rigel. It was the passion in Debbie’s life.
But in July 1984 that passion to ride her horse hour upon hour came to a crashing end in a major automobile accident. In the blink of an eye, Debbie went from saddle to wheelchair. She could could no longer walk, and she could no longer ride horses around the Barinneau Park countryside.
But recently, Debbie was back in the saddle again for the first time in 24 years, thanks for her friend Patricia and the caring volunteers of The Leaning Post Ranch in Molino.
“I enjoyed being back on the horse,” Debbie said, her speech slow and slurred from a brain injury she suffered in the wreck. But through the speech difficulty, there was a smile in her voice. “It had been a long time. I did not thing I would ever get back on a horse. But I did. It was the best thing that happened to me in a long time. I love being on the horse.”
Twenty-four years after the accident, Debbie now spend her time confined to a wheelchair at her home in Gonzalez, someone assisting her with everyday life. Patricia is now the librarian at the Century Branch Library and a volunteer at The Leaning Post. The Leaning Post brought the two childhood friends back together.
“It felt like we had gone back to being 16 year olds,” Patricia said. “She was back in the saddle, back holding the reigns. That was probably one of the happiest moments in her life.”
“Pat is a good friend,” Debbie said. “We loved to ride horses together.” I love the horse.”
The horse that Debbie rode for the first time after all those years? It was Patricia’s horse Minnie, a registered Appaloosa that she had donated to The Leaning Post.
Debbie’s ride almost two and half decades after her accident was made possible by The Leaning Post, directors Fran and Newman Gersin and a host of volunteers at the Molino’s Leaning Post Ranch, a state-licensed facility and prevention program for developmentally disabled and at-risk young people.
The facility was established in 1992 by Fran and Newman Gersin. They started with one horse, and a dream to use that horse to encourage kids and keep them off drugs.
Now The Leaning Post Ranch has 40 acres, a barn, a new open-air arena, a multipurpose facility, a house, 16 horses and a pony…thanks to generosity of several local organizations. And the Gersins are quick to thank God for what happens at The Leaning Post.
Above all to God by the glory,” Fran Gersin said at a dedication ceremony in May. “There is no way two people could do all of this. Only God could do this.”
Debbie is now scheduled for her third session and her doctor is thrilled and has told her to keep it up. It not only is good for healthy bones but the therapeutic riding helps move all of the muscles in the body, Patricia said.
The Leaning Post is in need of Certified NARHA Instructors (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) and volunteers who can work Monday through Friday.
The Leaning Post Ranch is located at 4150 Cedar Springs Road in Molino. For more information, visit http://www.theleaningpostranch.com.
Students Of The Month Named
October 28, 2008
Students of the month have been named by the Escambia Associations for Administrators in Education. The following were named from North Escambia schools:
- Bratt Elementary: Allison M. Rice, second grade; Austin T. Campbell, fifth grade.
- Carver/Century K-8 School: Janay S. Page, sixth grade ; Mildred T. Jackson, seventh grade.
- Molino Park Elementary: Brandon E. Korinchak, fourth grade; Kayleigh G. Linam, fourth grade.
- Ernest Ward Middle: Logan J. Lee, sixthgrade; Jennifer N. Spears, seventhgrade.
- Northview High: Hunter R. Black, ninthgrade; Michelle D. Bellamy, 12th grade.
Pictured above: Hunter R. Black (left) and Michelle D. Bellamy were named as Northview High School’s Students of the Month for October. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com.
Thousands From Across Our Area Enjoy Williams Station Day
October 26, 2008
Thousands from across South Alabama and Northwest Florida enjoyed Williams Station Day in Atmore Saturday.
Residents and visitors alike turned 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. The regional festival featured a fun day of family entertainment. Williams Station Day was packed with great venues to fit every taste, with an old fashioned sampling of southern heritage seasoned with the blues, arts and crafts, cane milling and railroad memorabilia.
Historic Pensacola Avenue was the setting for two separate art shows, both fine arts and crafts. Ancestors and artisans demonstrated the art of making pottery, fine art, primitive art, painted gourds, soap making, bird houses, baskets, and photography. Many were shopping early for Christmas gifts.
Entertainment featured a “A Mission of Fun” with The Alabama Blues Brothers (a.k.a. Jamey and Justin Crisler from Town Creek, AL). Dressed in signature black suits and night-black Ray-Bans, these outstanding Blues impersonators accompanied by talented musicians, performed show stoppers that include “Soul Man”, “Rawhide”, and many other great R & B Blues Brothers tunes.
Engine running, a working locomotive was available for tours from the AL & Gulfcoast Railroad. On a much smaller scale, a model train show took place inside the YMCA.
For a complete NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from Williams Station Day, click here.
Williams Station, which would later become Atmore, was named for a Walnut Hill man. Click here to read that story from NorthEscambia.com.
Pictured above: Thousands attended the annual Williams Station Day in Atmore Saturday. Pictured below: The excitement was just a little too much for this guy to handle. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Leading The Cheer
October 25, 2008
Both the varsity and junior varsity Northview cheerleaders led the crowd at Friday night’s Homecoming game against Vernon.
The Northview Cheerleaders are coached by Anna Berry and Megan Carroll.
For a photo gallery of the Northview Cheerleaders at Friday night’s Homecoming game, click here.
Pictured above: The Northview High School cheerleaders at Friday night’s Homecoming game. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Atmore Remembers Founding By Walnut Hill Man
October 24, 2008
A Walnut Hill man’s founding of the railroad supply stop that would later become Atmore will be celebrated this weekend with the annual Williams Station Day.
This weekend’s Williams Station Day remembers Atmore’s past, a past that started with William “Uncle Bud” Larkin Williams of Walnut Hill.
In 1816, John Gaylor settled in the Walnut Hill area on land from a Spanish Land Grant. A great deal of that land was later sold to Williams who began a logging and cattle operation in the Walnut Hill area sometime prior to the Civil War.
Just after the Civil War, in 1866, Williams opened a supply stop along the Mobile and Great Northern Railroad in the area that would later become Atmore. The area around the supply stop thrived, later becoming known as Williams Station. The name of the settlement was changed to Atmore in 1897.
As for Walnut Hill’s Williams, he served as a spy for the Confederacy during the Civil War. He was captured by the Union Army but was later released after he convinced the Union soldiers that he was just an innocent man traveling to Pensacola.
Williams allowed the Florida 13th Calvary to camp at his Walnut Hill home, which was near the current Ernest Ward Middle School. A number of those soldiers died during their stay and were buried in a small cemetery. That cemetery was located between the current Walnut Hill Community Center and Bradberry Park. It is no longer recognizable.
Walnut Hill’s first log school and a Methodist Church were built on land owned by Williams near the present-day intersection of Highway 97 and Arthur Brown Road. The log church was later rebult and named the Annie Jones Methodist Church.
Sources: “Walnut Hill, A Historical Overview” compiled by Billy R. Ward from Escambia County Land Records researched by Robert Glenn Thrower, Sr. and “History of Ernest Ward School” by William Arthur Brown; and from northwestfloridacomm.com, compiled by students at Northview High School.
Pictured: William “Uncle Bud” Williams, the Walnut Hill man that founded Alabama settlement that would later become Williams Station and then Atmore. This photo is believed to have been taken at his 88th birthday celebration in McDavid on February 18, 1895. Click to enlarge.
Century Fire’s Engine 519 Crews Creates New Web Site
October 22, 2008
The crew of Century’s Engine 519 have put together a new web site to inform area residents about the firefighters that staff the Century Fire Station each weekday.
The four members of Engine 519’s crew — Lt. Greg Sims and firefighters Greg Therrell, Donald Merritt and Kyle “Crash” Kraatz — staff Engine 519 daily from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The new web site introduces the four crew members, provides information on Engine 519’s services, fire safety and more.
The new Engine 519 web site is www.engine519.weebly.com
‘Best Bountiful B Belebration’ Held
October 18, 2008
Carver/Century K-8 School improved their school grade in just a year from an F to a B, and they are big time proud of it. Friday, the entire school celebrated with the “Best Bountiful B Belebration”.
The entire school took part in a fall carnival of sorts, with a dozen activities ranging from a hubcap toss (inspired by the “My Big Redneck Wedding Show”), to a cupcake walk to a tour of a Marine helicopter.
Student played games for candy, prizes and cupcakes.
Click here for a photo gallery from the celebration.
Pictured above: A little bounce house bouncing at Carver/Century’s “Best Bountiful B Belebration”. Pictured below: Firefighter Kyle “Crash” Kraatz shows Carver/Century students Engine 519 Friday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Library Crammed With Costumed Kids For Annual Event
October 17, 2008
Witches, superheroes, princesses, cowboys and more crammed into the Century Branch Library Thursday afternoon for the library’s annual Halloween story time.
About 75 children in all sorts of costumes listened to a spooky story, painted pumpkins, entered a costume contest and enjoyed candy goodie bags as part of the event coordinated by Librarian Pat Rigel (pictured left in costume) and her staff.
For a complete photo gallery from the event, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Student Selected For 2009 Ambassador Trip To Italy, Greece
October 16, 2008
A Northview High School student has been selected as a student ambassador to Greece and Italy, and she needs your help to get there.
Alexis Roach, a 16-year old sophomore, was selected for the government sponsored People to People ambassador program. Students are selected to participate in the 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.
Alexis will take part in a program called “Modern and Ancient Civilizations” for 19 days beginning June 13. She will visit Italy and Greece, including Rome, Naples, Mount Etna, Athens and Crete.
“This trip isn’t about going on vacation,” she said. “I will be earning credits for high school and college.”
On the trip, she will learn about local cultures, visiting landmarks and museums along the way.
“I’m looking forward to learning about other cultures, what they have and don’t have,” Alexis said.
In order to participate in the program, Alexis must raise about $7,000 to cover her travel expenses. She plans to raise the money in a variety of ways, including fund raisers like fish frys.
“It’s a blessing to me to have an opportunity like this,” Alexis said.
Anyone wishing to support Alexis Roach’s trip to Italy and Greece can make a donation at any branch of Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union, including branches in Pensacola or Atmore.
A Mile-Long Sunflower Show
October 16, 2008
Two long rows of sunflowers are putting on a mile long show in Oak Grove.
The rows of sunflowers, if placed end to end, would stretch about a mile. They are located in a soybean field in the Oak Grove community. The field is bordered by North Highway 99, Highway 164 and Melvin Road, making it possible to drive all the way around the field. The closeup sunflower photos here were taking along the Highway 164 end of the field Wednesday afternoon.
Pictured above: A bee sits on a sunflower in Oak Grove Wednesday afternoon. Pictured below: More photos of the sunflowers. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
