It’s The Holiday Season, And Gulf Power Says You Can Save Energy With These Tips
November 28, 2020
It’s the holiday season, and Gulf Power is offering tips on how to keep your utility bill from soaring.
Cooking
- Oven preheating is usually not required and wastes energy. When preheating is required, avoid preheating longer than necessary. Preheating takes about eight minutes.Turn off the oven a few minutes before cooking is finished. Retained heat will complete the job.
- Use the microwave whenever possible, it’s the most efficient way to cook or reheat food.
- Don’t use your range or oven to heat the kitchen. It’s inefficient and can be a safety hazard.
- Choose pots and pans that have wide flat bottoms that just cover the burner. They will absorb all the heat and cook food more evenly. Aluminum pans with flat bottoms, straight sides, and tight fitting lids are best for energy savings.
Dishwasher
- Proper loading is important. Operate only when it is filled to capacity.
- If manufacturer’s instructions permit, open the door of your dishwasher after the last rinse cycle to allow moisture to escape and the dishes to dry as they cool. Some units have a “power-saver switch” that automatically eliminates the drying cycle.
Refrigerator
- Keep the refrigerator between 37º and 40º and the freezer setting at 0º.
- Keep condenser coils clean. Vacuum the coils at least twice a year.
- Make sure the door gasket seals tightly. To test, close the refrigerator door on a dollar bill. If you can slip the bill out easily, or, worse, if it falls out on its own, the door needs to be adjusted or the gasket needs to be replaced.
- Let hot foods cool before placing them in the refrigerator.
- Position the refrigerator away from heat sources. If the unit has back coils, position it at least 4″ from the wall.
- Plan ahead and remove all ingredients at one time, and avoid keeping the refrigerator door open. Each time the door of a refrigerator or freezer is opened, its compressor has to run a bit longer to replace the cold air that spills out.
- Think about getting rid of your extra refrigerator or freezer as they generally are inefficient and can cost two to three times more to operate per month.
Thermostat
- If you’re having people over, make sure to adjust the thermostat before guests arrive.
- If it’s cold outside, lower the thermostat a degree or two. The body heat from guests as well as the heat from cooking will raise your home’s temperature without having to run the heater.
Ascend Cares Helps Feed Escambia County Homeless
November 27, 2020
A group from Ascend Performance Materials in Cantonment stepped up to feed the homeless this week.
The Ascend Cares group cooked and served warm bowls of taco soup at the Alfred Washburn Center, an Escambia County homeless shelter. Volunteers also prepared 200 to-go bags with a sandwich, drink, chips and snacks for each person.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview High School Names November Students Of The Month
November 25, 2020
Northview High School has named their Students of the Month for November. They are Blake Yoder and Sarah Bailey, pictured with Principal Mike Sherrill. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview NJROTC Places In Escarosa Area 8 Drill Meet
November 23, 2020
The Northview High School NJROTC took part in the Escarosa Area 8 Drill Meet in Milton over the weekend.
Northview received third place trophies in unarmed basic drill, unarmed exhibition drill, color guard and the 16×100 relay.
“This was the first meet for nearly half of our cadets,” Chief Jeffrey Simpkins said. ”Not a bad day for our first time out this year, especially in a field loaded with four former Navy National champions.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary’s Emily Tullis Named School District’s Stellar Employee Of The Month
November 20, 2020
Emily Tullis of Bratt Elementary School was name the Escambia County School District’s Stellar Employee of the Month for November. Tullis is the data specialist at Bratt Elementary and has been with the school district for 16 years. She is pictured above with Superintendent Timothy Smith and below with Bratt Principal Karen Hall at an Escambia County School Board meeting. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle Students Honor Malcolm Thomas For His Military Service
November 19, 2020
Last week for Veterans Day, Ernest Ward Middle School made patriotic wreaths that were presented to members of the community.
On Wednesday, they presented their final wreath to Malcolm Thomas, who just retired as Escambia County school superintendent. Thomas served with the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division.
The wreaths were made by Ernest Ward students in Glenda Bell’s personal development class.
For an earlier story about wreath recipients Michael and Gayle Hanks, and Louis Ward, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
God, Laughter And A Little Meanness: Local Couple Celebrates 77th Anniversary
November 15, 2020
Travis and Dorothy Baggett of Atmore recently celebrated their 77th wedding anniversary.
MawMaw, as she is called by her children and great-grandchildren, said it has been a long time — even a lifetime for some perhaps.
From Castleberry, Alabama, Travis is a direct descendant of Jesse Baggett, the original founder of Castleberry. He has outlived all 11 of his siblings. At 19, he met Dorothy Fussell of Evergreen, who had just turned 17 that summer.
“I had just served in World War II as a Navy fireman, and I had made it home. Between her looks and her cooking, she had me,” Travis (PawPaw) admitted. The couple married later that year after only two dates.
“Back then there wasn’t any of this going out on a date too much,” MawMaw said. “If you enjoyed somebody’s company, you just held on to that, and obviously, I guess we have just held on to each other. I wouldn’t know how to be single if I had to.”
The 90-lb. great- grandmother is known throughout the community for baking coconut cakes and pecan pies. “Cooking is my therapy. It’s all I know.”
PawPaw doesn’t complain.
“In all of our 77 years together, he has never eaten leftovers,” she added. MawMaw is getting ready to host the family Thanksgiving with her mouth-watering turkey and dressing — all made from scratch. Her family certainly agrees that she has the touch when it comes to the kitchen.
She has six brothers and six sisters. All are deceased except one, Sarah, who also married a Baggett.
“Travis and I have been through a lot of things,” MawMaw often reminds her grandchildren. “Some of them have been wonderful, and a lot have been so sad that you wonder what God is up to.”
Her family knows that she is referring to the loss of their oldest son, Steve, who was home from the Marines when his death occurred almost 50 years ago.
Travis, a retired Alabama Department of Corrections officer, credits Dorothy’s cooking for keeping him around this long.
“I look back now and know that she has worked hard, raising our boys and me too, always having every little thing done. I had the easy job compared to her at home.”
The couple also says that God, laughter and “a little meanness” is the reason they have had a long-lasting marriage. “Sometimes I have wanted to give up, but family is too important. I believe in commitment. I believe in staying the course,” MawMaw said with a smile.
The Baggetts can’t really get out and go as they once did. After all, PawPaw gave up his driver’s license when he turned 94, but he can still enjoy a good-natured joke and a nice hot meal any day — as long as MawMaw is right there with him and it’s her cookin’ he is eating, especially ham hock and rice.
The Baggetts have four sons: Steve (deceased); Donnie; Ronnie (Margaret); and Garry (Vicki). Their grandchildren are Steven, Krystal, Alex (Kaylee), Melissa, Corry and Lexxi. They also have five great-grandchildren.
Emily West Named Jim Allen Elementary School Teacher Of The Year
November 12, 2020
Third grade teacher Emily West has been named the Jim Allen Elementary School Teacher of the Year. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
EREC Awards Scholarships To Students After Washington Youth Tour Is Canceled
November 9, 2020
Two students were awarded scholarships by Escambia River Electric Cooperative after their youth tour trip to Washington, D.C., was canceled due to COVID-19.
The $2,000 scholarships were awarded to Amber Gilman from Northview High School and Katelyn Mayo from Jay High School.
EREC awards high school juniors an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. each June as part of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Youth Tour program. About 1,800 teens from electric cooperatives across the country convene in the nation’s capital to learn more about government, cooperatives and rural electrification.
“The cancellation of the trip was unfortunate,” said EREC CEO Ryan Campbell. “But these bright young ladies deserve to be commended for the efforts they put forth to win the Youth Tour competition. We are happy to offer them scholarships to further their education at the college of their choice.”
Pictured: EREC CEO Ryan Campbell awards scholarships to Amber Gilman from Northview High School (top) and Katelyn Mayo from Jay High School (below). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ashley Salter Named Northview High School Teacher Of The Year
November 8, 2020
Ashley Salter, culinary arts instructor, was recently named the Northview High School Teacher of the Year. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge..