The Mouse, Too Much Noise And Other Stories At The Library
July 9, 2008
Florida storyteller Windell Campbell brought talks of a loud mouse, a noisy house and more to the Century Branch Library Tuesday.
The appearance was part of the library’s ongoing summer reading program.
Campbell is a special education teacher at Cork Elementary School near Plant City, FL. He tours the state during summer break telling stories with the help of several puppets.
The library’s summer reading program will continue at noon next Tuesday when pirates will invade the libary. The program is at noon, and it is free for children of all ages.
Click here for a photo gallery from the library program.
Pictured above: Storyteller Windell Campbell tells the story of a “Loud Mouse” Tuesday at the Century Branch Library. Pictured below: An audience member helps with a donkey puppet in the story of “Too Much Noise”. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Barrineau Park’s Musical Fourth
July 9, 2008
The Aubie Fillingim Auditorium was rocking to the music of Chapel Strings and Rolling Tide Friday night. After a day of celebrating our independence, folks came out to the Barrineau Park Community Center for an evening of entertainment.
They were not disappointed as Chapel strings kicked off the show with “The Star Spangled Banner”, followed up with Emily Frank singing “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down”, “Uncle Bill” Fillingim playing “Last Date” on the keyboard, and Al Frank with his rendition of “Five Pound Possum”.
Then, Rolling Tide came on stage with George Brewer playing “Folsom Prison Blues” and “Down Yonder” on the electric guitar. The audience responded with whoops, whistles and clapping to show their appreciation.
Music Night in Barrineau Park is held on the first Friday night of each month at the Barrineau Park Community Center. It is a family atmosphere with free admission.
Submitted story and photos by Steve Jogan.
Pictured above (L-R): Chapel Strings with Bob Commings, Lynn Fillingim, Clint Fillingim, Tommy Fillingim, Al Frank, Emily Frank, Kathy Commings (hidden), Uncle Bill. Pictured below: Rolling Tide with (L-R standing): Beth Ryals, Jack Helms, Billy Burleson, John Decker, George Brewer; and (kneeling) Larry Ryals, Jim Butler. Pictured bottom: The audience at the Barrineau Park Community Center. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com.
VBS Going On This Week At Ray’s Chapel
July 9, 2008
Vacation Bible School is continuing each evening this week at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church in Bogia.
This year’s theme is Veggie Tales “Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything–Calling All Heroes”.
All kids 5-12 are still welcome to join in with crafts, science lab, snacks, games, fun and learning from the Bible.
The VBS continues each evening from 6:30 until 8:30. There will be a special program for parents on Friday, July 11 at 7:00.
Click here for more photos from Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church’s Vacation Bible School.
Submitted photos by Ramona Preston.
Out Of Africa: The Story Of The Walnut Hill Zebra And His Missing Giraffe Friend
July 7, 2008
A zebra and black bear in the back of a pickup truck created a stir in Walnut Hill on Friday afternoon, with some people nearly running off the road and others snapping pictures on their cell phones.
The zebra and the black bear were simply moving from one home to their new one in the Walnut Hill community. A far cry from their first move…about 9,000 miles from South Africa to Walnut Hill.
The attention-getting duo were being moved on the Fourth of July (pictured left on South Highway 99) to the new home of Richard and Vickie Beck on Tungoil Road in Walnut Hill. The Becks recently built their new home after selling their farm in South Africa.
The home features a wide variety of mounted animals from South Africa…from the zebra, to wild hogs, to monkeys, to big cats, even to a map of Africa painted on a preserved elephant ear.
But the largest mounted trophy is yet to come…it is a 19 foot tall full body mount giraffe that Vickie shot. There have been some paperwork delays in getting the giraffe out of Africa.
“This entire house was built to hold the giraffe,” Richard told NorthEscambia.com.
Six years ago, the Becks bought a 3,500 acre farm near of Alexandria, South Africa, near the Indian Ocean coast. They lived there April to August for each of the past six years, offering hunting and photo safaris during the South African winter. (Remember, the seasons are opposite south of the equator, so April to August is their winter.)
They have owned a sod business in Walnut Hill for the past 19 years. They had originally purchased the property in South Africa with the intent of opening an orphanage, but they ran into problems with local officials that just “wanted to pad their pockets instead of helping the children”. So they quickly turned their interest to hunting.
“I was fortunate enough to have a wife that would follow me 9,000 miles around the world to hunt,” Richard said.
Their hunting safaris did end up helping children in South Africa after all, he said. The meat from the animals often went to feed needy children in the area. The meat of most of the 27 different species hunted on the farm was customarily consumed by the South Africans, including the zebra meet. “It tastes like prime rib,” Richard added.
After owning the farm for six years, the Becks decided to sell. And the time could not have been better.
With the sluggish U.S. economy, the sod business has reached a historic low because of less new construction. If the Becks had not sold the farm in South Africa, Richard said they would have been in danger of losing the entire sod farm.
“The Lord has blessed us. We’ve been very blessed,” he said. “I definitely want to give Him the glory for all of this.”
The profits from selling the farm in South Africa allowed the Becks to build their new Tungoil Road home, and has provided money to make the payments on the sod farm. They have also been able to furnish the home with a complete African theme. The home features African hand carved cabinet doors, and an elaborate hand carved dining room set (pictured left).
The only thing missing from their new home is the giraffe, and Richard said he hopes it will soon be in a 40 foot shipping container on its way to the United States. Once in the states, the giraffe will join the zebra at home in Walnut Hill.
And Richard promised that he will invite NorthEscambia.com back once the giraffe arrives, so our readers can see the rare site of a full body mount giraffe.
For a complete photo gallery from the Beck home, click here.
Pictured top: The Walnut Hill giraffe was moved into his new home on the Fourth of July. Pictured below: An African scene painted on an elephant’s ear cut in the shape of the continent. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Century High Blackcat Class of 1948 Holds 60th Class Reunion
July 7, 2008
The Century High School Class of 1948 held their 60th reunion recently at the McDavid United Methodist Church.
Some of the class members present were Wilford Reid, Lillian Green, Elizabeth Armstrong, Doris C. Cooper, Lillie S. Entrekin, Jacqueline B. Freisinger, Christine S. Crockett, Earlene K. Hayles, James. E Kennedy, Frances H. Lee, Henry Ray, Jr., and W. Fred Petty.
Submitted photo by Junia Fischer.
Century Dedicates Wall Of Honor On The Fourth
July 5, 2008
Marion Brown stood quietly to the side as he Town of Century dedicated its new Veteran’s Wall of Honor Friday.
In her hands she held a picture frame with memories from her husband’s five tours in Vietnam. There is a purple heart and other medals from Willie H. Brown’s service in the 101st Airborne divison of the U.S. Army.
Willie Brown passed away last September from pancreatic cancer. Now the picture frame of memories honors his service to the country. But his name will soon be added to the new Century Veteran’s Wall of Honor.
“I wish he could be here today to see the wall,” Marion (pictured left) told NorthEscambia.com. “He had went to the mayor a few years ago and asked about some memorial to honor veterans. He would be so proud that it has finally happened.”
“He did not really like to talk about going to Vietnam,” she said. “But he served his country well. He was a courageous hero, just like all of the others.”
About thirty of those others that served from the Century area are now honored on the Century Veteran’s Wall of Honor that was unveiled in the Fourth of July ceremony at Century’s Roadside Park on Highway 29.
Several dozen families joined local dignataries in dedicating the wall, some waving American flags and wiping away tears as the crowd sang “God Bless America”.
Pictured top: The Rev. Willie Carter (right) prays a prayer of blessing over the new Century Veteran’s Wall of Honor Friday morning as an audience member holds a flag. Pictured above: Marion Brown holds a picture frame with items honoring her husband’s service in Vietnam. Pictured below: A young girls runs her finger along one of the names on the Veteran’s Wall of Honor. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
The Pearls Of The Pacific Perform At Century Care Center
July 4, 2008
The Polynesian dance group the Pearls of the Pacific brought their show to the Century Care Center Thursday afternoon.
From “Tiny Bubbles” to a selection from “Lilo and Stitch”, the girls performed traditional and interpretive hula dances. Several audience members also joined in on stage, trying their hand at the hula.
Pictured above: The Pearls of the Pacific at the Century Care Center Thursday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
EWMS Class of 78 Holds Reunion, Honors Former Teachers
June 30, 2008
The Ernest Ward High School Class of 1978 recently held their 30th reunion.
Former Ernest Ward teachers and class sponsors Patty Stone and Jean Webb were on hand for the evening that began with a special presentation of photos with 70’s music.
One of the highlights of the evening was Mrs. Jean Webb’s (now known as JJ) introduction and signing of her newly published book, “Feet of Clay”, with the reading of a special dedication to her former students.
The reunion was hosted at B&T Barbeque in Atmore.
Pictured above: (front, L-R) Mike Wilson, Alan Lowery, Ronald Hartner; (second row, L-R) Lenora Wilson-Grissett, Tony Killiam, Barbara Singleton-Hollingsworth, Linda Amerson-Jackson, Nancy Bentley-Barger, Judy Pickern-Parham; (third row, L-R) Richard Cook, June Hansen-Hall, Gary Gibbs, Dianne Crews-Hall, Becky Bryars-Angles, Anita Conway; (back row, L-R) Zelda Coon Berry, Jeffery Smith, Elaine Bryan-Holk, Tara Killiam-Wiggins, Cathy Dortch-Reynolds, Kathy McLain-Jones, Malcom Mitchell and Rita Powell Parker. Pictured below: Patty Stone (left) and Jean Webb. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Comes To Century
June 28, 2008
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has come to Century, with plans to provide a free book every month for every child under five years old.
In 1996, Dolly launched an e new effort to benefit the children of her home county in east Tennessee. Dolly wanted to foster a love of reading among her county’s preschool children and their families. She wanted children to be excited about books and to feel the magic that books can create. And she wanted to insure that every child would have books, regardless of their family’s income.
She decided to mail a brand new, age appropriate book each month to every child under five in Sevier County, Tennesee. With the arrival of every child’s first book, the classic The Little Engine That Could, every child could now experience the joy of finding their very own book in their mailbox. These moments continue each month until the child turns five,and in their very last month in the program they receive Look Out Kindergarten Here I Come.
Now children under in the Century area can signup for the same program under the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. They will receive a new age appropriate book each month until they turn five…all at absolutely no cost. And, there are no income requirements for the program.
“Parents will not pay a dime for the program,” said Larry Kenny from the Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County which administers the program locally. “They will not be added to any kind of mailing list; their information is kept private and used only to mail the books free of charge to their homes.”
Century area parents were able to enroll their children in the program for the first time during a celebration the the Campfire USA Child Development Center.
Parents can continue to enroll their children in the free program during regular business hours at Campfire USA on Industrial Boulevard and at the Century Pharmacy on Mayo Street.
Funding for the program in the Century area is provided by the Teaspoon Foundation and Century Pharmacy.
Pictured above: Jared Bevan, 4, enjoys reading one of the books from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at Campfire USA in Century Friday morning. Pictured below: Some of the books from the program. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Student Elected State Representative For National Council
June 27, 2008
Olivia Bryan of Bratt was recently chosen as Florida’s only representative on the national Youth Leadership Council while on a trip to Washington, D.C.
The Youth Leadership Council (YLC) is a joint effort of local electric co-ops, statewide cooperative associations and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Olivia attended the 2008 Youth Tour in Washington as a representative of Escambia River Electric Cooperative, one of about 1,500 high school students visiting the nation’s capital as representatives of their rural electric cooperative.
Each state is entitled to have one representative on the Youth Leadership Council. The YLC is designed to provide participants with stronger leadership skills, presentation skills and a broader understanding of rural electric cooperatives.
Students competing for their state’s spot on the Youth Leadership Council had to face a panel of judges and explain their goals and interests, academic standing and past accomplishments. Then each contestant was given six minutes to prepare a speech on a given topic and present it to the judges and fellow youth tour delegates.
The speech had to be address how youth could cause state at the national, state and local levels.
“In my speech, I focused on if we wanted to cause a change, we had to be the change” Olivia told NorthEscambia.com. “There was not a lot of time to prepare. I was surprised they liked my speech the best because some of the others were really good.”
Now that she is on the Youth Leadership Council, Olivia will head back to Washington for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Youth Leadership Conference in July for leadership training. And then she will attend to the NRECA Annual Meeting in New Orleans in February of 2009. At the July meeting, one student will be chosen as the national Youth Leadership Conference Spokesperson and will speak to the thousands at the NRECA Annual Meeting.
“I’m excited to see what kinds of doors this may open for me,” Bryan said. “I’m also interested to see what the leadership training in Washington will have to offer.”
While in Washington as EREC’s representative on the Youth Tour, Olivia visited the U.S. Capital where she met with Florida Congressman Jeff Miller on the Capital steps. She was also able to visit most of the national memorials, including the Lincoln Memorial and the World War II Memorial.
She was most impressed with the Lincoln Memorial, Olivia said. “It was huge. I never realized the scale of it.”
Olivia is the daughter of Robert and Rebecca Ryan of Bratt. She will be senior this fall at Northview High School.
For more photos from Olivia Bryan’s Washington trip, click here.
Pictured above: Northview student Olivia Bryan on the steps on the U.S. Capital in Washington. Pictured below: Olivia (turned sideways in the black dress) talks with Florida Congressman Jeff Miller on the Capital steps. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com.
