Council On Aging Seeks Volunteers For Expanded Meals On Wheels Program
June 25, 2020
In the past two weeks, Council on Aging of West Florida has enrolled more than 300 people in its pandemic-related Meals on Wheels expanded program. Now, the agency has a need for additional volunteers to deliver the hundreds of additional meals per week.
RELATED: Restaurants Partner With Meals On Wheels To Feed Seniors For Free
The onboarding process for new volunteers is quick and easy. First, a background check is performed on the prospective driver followed by an orientation and training so that expectations, procedures and rules can be fully outlined. Afterwards, the volunteer selects on which days and for how long he or she would like to deliver meals, then a route is provided along with meals, and they are sent on their way.
Council on Aging currently boasts nearly 500 volunteers throughout the agency, but as anxiety surrounding the Coronavirus pandemic continues, many have understandably temporarily suspended their volunteer status. Still, seniors are more in need of reliable nutrition than ever, and the agency provides personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves to all drivers.
“We certainly foresaw this level of need when we announced the expanded meals program,” said Council on Aging president/CEO John B. Clark. “However, as demand continues to grow, we predict an increased need for volunteers during this time. We and our clients would certainly be grateful for any help the community can provide—even just an hour or so a month.”
Those interested in volunteering should call Council on Aging volunteer manager Will Wirth at (850) 266-2518.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Rotary Awards $5K To Manna Food Bank, Presents Grants To Other Groups
June 22, 2020
The Rotary Club of Pensacola has made a $5,000 donation to the Manna Food Bank to help provide food for those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic and the loss of their jobs.
Each year the club awards community grants by selecting several non-profits who submit applications for grants to help their organization with annual operating expenses. Applicants are chosen based on how they address the Rotary goals of improving the lives of people and the community.
A total of $15,000 was distributed to the following organizations: Thirty Million Words Sailing Regatta Pensacola Yacht Club Satori Foundation, Gulf Coast Kids House, AMI Kids, Rotary Youth Camp, ECARE, Ronald McDonald House, Council on Aging, YMCA NW FL, Emmaus Road Outreach, and Alfred Washburn Center.
Ribbon Cutting Held For Upgraded Fidelis Community Park
June 20, 2020
A ribbon cutting was held Friday morning at the Fidelis Community Center and Park in north Santa Rosa County.
The park at 13774 North Highway 87 underwent a major makeover to provide accessibility for all and to support growing sports program needs, including:
- Basketball court renovations
- Improved ADA parking
- ADA-accessible family restrooms
- All-inclusive playground improvements
- Baseball field renovations including bleachers, lighted two-lane batting cage and extended field
- Modifications and improvements to the tennis court
- Picnic facilities
The Fidelis Community Center and Park was originally constructed as a school house in 1925, with additions in the 1940-60s. In the mid-80s, the school closed and the building was converted into a community center. Over the years, the county has made a series of improvements to the 8.5-acre property, including the addition of three ball fields and playground equipment.
“After hearing ideas from the public, we were excited to revitalize Fidelis Community Center and Park so the current and future residents of northern Santa Rosa County have a beautiful park to use for recreation and sports,” said Santa Rosa County Commission Chairman Don Salter, District 3.
The upgrades were funded by the Local Option Sales Tax.
Many residents in the area have used the facility for receptions, anniversaries, reunions and showers. The cafeteria has re-opened for reservations and picnic pavilions are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Navy Honors Civilians, Military Members For Bravery During NAS Pensacola Attack
June 20, 2020
Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) conducted an awards ceremony Friday at the National Naval Aviation Museum onboard NAS Pensacola, Friday to honor the bravery of both military members and civilians during the December 6 terrorist attack on the base.
The ceremony recognized the bravery and selflessness of those NETC Domain service members and federal servants involved in the Dec. 6 shooting at NAS Pensacola that left four dead, including the shooter, and eight injured.
Vice Adm. John Nowell, Jr., chief of naval personnel, provided opening remarks virtually from Washington, D.C.; Rear Adm. Kyle Cozad, NETC commander, presided over the ceremony; and Cmdr. Daniel Balsinger, Naval Aviation Schools Command (NASC) executive officer, was the guest speaker.
Twelve civilians and service members from NASC and Marine Aviation Training Support Group (MATSG) 23 were recognized during the event for their actions.
The awards included the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Department of the Navy Superior Civilian Medal for Valor and Department of the Navy Civilian Service Commendation Medal.
The awardees included:
NASC
- Ensign Blaine DaPra, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal-
- Ensign Breanna Thomas, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal/Purple Heart
- Ensign Kristy Lehmer, Purple Heart
- Naval Air Crewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class Carl Daniel, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
- Ronnie Moreno, Department of the Navy Superior Civilian Medal for Valor
- Kevin Groff, Department of the Navy Superior Civilian Medal for Valor
- Raven Smith, Department of the Navy Civilian Service Commendation Medal
MATSG-23
- Gunnery Sgt. Ryan Masel, Navy and Marine Corps Medal
- Staff Sgt. Samuel Mullins, Navy and Marine Corps Medal
- Staff Sgt. Andrew Pfannenstiel, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
- Staff Sgt. Andrew Fitzgerald, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
- Sgt. Kyle Armbruster, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
Two service members, Marine Capt. Kyle Whitlock and Airman Apprentice Ryan Blackwell, were previously recognized in May during a private ceremony. Whitlock received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and Blackwell received the Navy and Marine Corps Medal and Purple Heart.
Airman Apprentice George Johnson and Jessica Pickett will receive their awards in separate ceremonies.
Johnson, who transferred from NASC, will receive the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and Purple Heart. Pickett, who was unable to attend the ceremony, will receive the Secretary of Defense Medal of Freedom Award.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
‘A Question of When,’ Exhibition Reflecting On The World During COVID-19 Pandemic Opens At Museum Of Art
June 19, 2020
On Saturday, June 20, the Pensacola Museum of Art will open a new exhibition in response to our changing world during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Throughout history, art has played a unique and crucial role in times of change. Featuring works by Marc Chagall, Walker Evans, Joan Miró and other artists from the museum’s permanent collection, “A Question of When” is a visual representation of the collective grief and ongoing sense of hope felt by many as this situation unfolds.
The museum was originally set to host a permanent collection show to feature recent museum acquisitions, but due to the pandemic, the show has evolved with the crisis to reflect both the strangeness of a new reality and the unique role of art in times of change.
The objects in the show represent over 100 years of art making across a variety of media.
“Some works evoke the isolation of social distancing through their imagery,” said Anna Wall, chief curator of the museum. “Others demonstrate how artists reflect larger societal shifts through abstraction and the dissolution of form.”
Though the selections in this show represent a small fraction of the nearly 700 artworks held by the museum, they illustrate the breadth of the museum’s holdings and highlight the institution’s mission to preserve, interpret and share diverse artworks and artists from the past 150 years of visual culture.
“Exhibiting our permanent collection feels appropriate on the heels of a stay-at-home measure,” Wall said. “Spurred by funding cuts and decreased access to artists and artworks, many museums will undoubtedly look inward and showcase a larger percentage of their collection over the coming years.”
“A Question of When” is on display at the museum, which is located at 407 S. Jefferson St. in historic downtown Pensacola, until Sept. 6, 2020. For more information about the Pensacola Museum of Art, call (850) 432-6247 or visit pensacolamuseum.org.
Ransom Middle Innovation Center Renamed For Sandra Goldsby Ames
June 18, 2020
The Ransom Middle School Innovation Center has been officially renamed the “Sandra Goldsby Ames Innovation Center”.
The name change was in honor of Sandra Goldsby Ames who is retiring this year after serving the Escambia County School District for 39 years. She has served as an English teacher, administrative dean, assistant principal and principal. In the past she has also represented Ransom as their Teacher of the Year and ECSD as the Assistant Principal of the Year.
“My Ransom family and friends have been amazing to me,” Ames told the Escambia County School Board. “While I do not think I deserve such an important honor, I am extremely humbled and very appreciative of the love and support that they have shown me throughout my years.”
She is known to embody the values of pride, teamwork, privacy, safety, service, stewardship, and accountability, according a school board resolution. She has supported reading and language arts instruction, as well as encouraged the creative use of the school’s library as it transitioned into an innovation center.
Pictured top: Ransom Middle School Principal Dr. Regina Lipnick (left), Sandra Goldsby Ames and Superintendent Malcolm Thomas. Pictured inset: Ames addresses the Escambia County School Board. Pictured below: Ames will family, friends and coworkers after the school board meeting. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Things We Love: This Little Flower Stand In Bratt. It’s On The Honor System.
June 15, 2020
Flowers can’t solve all problems. But they’re a great start.
There’s a new roadside flower stand in Bratt, and it’s on the honor system.
The rustic stand is located next to a corn field on Highway 4, just east of Pine Barren Road and Northview High School. When we stopped by Friday, there were fresh cut bouquets priced at $10 and $20.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Local Students Selected To Receive Coveted State FFA Degree
June 11, 2020
Fifteen Escambia and Santa Rosa County FFA members have been selected to receive the coveted State FFA Degree.
The State FFA Degree is the highest honor bestowed upon any regular member of the Florida FFA Association. Each applicant will be recognized during the 2020 Florida FFA Celebration.
Local 2020 State FFA Degree recipients are:
Tate High School
- Grant Robert Gill
- Myles Dillan Harrelson
- Raven Hollis
- Olivia Helen Little
- Madison Elizabeth Lucio
- Gabriel Joseph Pfeuffer-Ferguson
- Ronnie Alexander Plenkers
- Hannah Lee Rogers
- Lindsay Lavelle Von Stein
- Zoe Sunshine Williams
West Florida High School
- Connor Ballard
- Tamara Barnes
- Rainy Ellis
Jay High School
- Logan Ryan Cooley
- Travis Stewart Godwin
The 2020 Florida FFA Celebration will be held June 23-26 online only.
Northview High Creates Senior Honors Video For The Class Of 2020
June 9, 2020
Northview High School created a video to honor the 70 members of the Class of 2020 that would have been recognized during the annual Senior Honors Night.
Gaetz Announces Florida’s First District Congressional Art Competition Winners
June 7, 2020
Congressman Matt Gaetz has announced the winners of this year’s Congressional Art Competition. Students from across the First Congressional District of Florida submitted artwork for the competition pertaining to the theme “Scenes of Northwest Florida.”
Each spring, a nationwide high school arts competition is sponsored by members of the U.S. House of Representatives. High school students from across Florida’s First Congressional District submitted their artwork for the competition, and a panel of local art professionals judged the pieces. The first-place winner’s artwork will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol, and the exhibit in Washington will also include artwork from participating districts across the country.
The winners of the 2020 Congressional Art Competition were:
1st Place: Gabriella Lanza, South Walton High School, “Ocean Layer”
2nd Place: Rhianna Cooley, Pensacola Catholic High School, “The Great Sea Witch”
3rd Place: Brooke Rorer, Pace High School, “Dimitri the Pensacola Fisherman”
Runner Up Winners:
1st Runner Up: Mary Claire Brown, South Walton High School, “Sunrise Trees”
2nd Runner Up: Jamie Harrison, Jay High School, “Equestrian Elegance”
3rd Runner Up: Rayne Henry, Gulf Breeze High School, “Thank You For Your Service”
Pictured top: “Ocean Layer” by Gabriella Lanza of South Walton High School, winner of Florida’s First District Congressional Art Competition. Pictured below: “Equestrian Elegance” by Jamie Harrison of Jay High School, second runner-up in the competition. Courtesy images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
