Youth Show Off Their Beef Projects At Escambia County 4-H Labor Day Classic
September 7, 2019
Youth from Florida and Alabama showed their beef project animals during the second annual Escambia County 4-H Labor Day Classic at the 4-H property in Molino.
Youth showed their animals in the showmanship category, which focuses on the youth’s show abilities, and the breed and weight classes, which focus on the animal’s merits.
“This show was just a stepping stone for youth who are preparing these animals for shows later in the year where they will finish their project,” said Ali Schortinghouse, 4-H livestock agent. “Of the many hours a youth pours into a livestock project, shows like the Labor Day Classic allow the youth to demonstrate their growth throughout the project.”
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
97-Year Old WWII Pilot Fulfills Last Wish Of One More Flight
August 25, 2019
Attired in a fighter pilot’s suit, Albert J. Lane, 97. clutched a cold beer in his left hand and a century of life spirit in his heart.
Lane, a U.S. Army fighter pilot in World War II, had just taken one final flight, which included a flyover at Blue Wahoos Stadium, perfectly timed after the National Anthem, as a cheering, sellout crowd waved at the vintage aircraft.
Through Pensacola’s Covenant Care, a Blue Wahoos corporate partner and its “My Wish” program, Lane was able to exit his wheelchair and settle into the co-pilot’s cockpit of a vintage, dual-wing, 1943 Boeing N2S-4 Stearman aircraft and fulfill his own wish.
It was 82 years ago when Lane, a Michigan native, last climbed into an open cockpit plane of that era, training for a future role as a B-17 Bomber in the United States Army. He remembered how to do it again.
“How about that! I got in that plane,” said Lane, excitedly, about an hour after the flight, as young children and admiring adults gathered around him on the stadium concourse.
It created a powerful, emotional scene that made even Jhoan Duran’s no-hit bid into the seventh inning, along with the Blue Wahoos eventual 3-2 win against the Jackson Generals, seem secondary on this memorable night.
“That was really special to see,” said Blue Wahoos manager Ramon Borrego, who stood and cheered from the dugout as Lane was honored on the first base line in the bottom of the sixth inning. “When you see a guy like him who went to World War II and served this country…I was thinking about it and thought, ‘Wow, this guy fought in World War II. He gave everything to his country.’
“And he still had energy. He began to get up from that wheelchair. That was amazing to see. I could think and see this man, say back when he was in his 20’s in that airplane.”
Lane lives in Greenwood, a small town near Marianna in Jackson County, about two hours east from Pensacola. When Covenant Care got involved and arranged a My Wish request, the Blue Wahoos joined to help provide the flyover experience at the stadium.
“It’s such a great tie-in for us,” said Blue Wahoos president Jonathan Griffith. “The wishes Covenant Care grants are local and regional and in our own footprint, so it’s awesome to be part of, and meets our own mission to improve the quality of life in our area. It’s very cool to be part of this.”
The My Wish program began about a year ago and has provided a couple hundred such final wishes, according to Covenant Care president and CEO Jeff Mislevy.
We thought about how do we connect donors to these wishes. And it’s a unique platform,” Mislevy said. “Because an individual donor has an opportunity to entirely support a wish for someone. You make that person to person connection and there is just so much power in that.
“I wanted to be here to see him fly over. It chokes you up in a way. I can’t imagine the emotion that must be pouring through his veins right now. That’s what powers us to do this. And this was unique to him.”
The gold vintage bi-plane that Lane was flown in was provided by Pensacola’s Roy Kinsey, who operates Veterans Flight and annually participates in the Pensacola Beach Air Show.
Kinsey and others at Pensacola Aviation Center helped Lane from his wheelchair. They aided him to climb on a step-stool, hoisted him on the wing and into the open-air co-pilot cockpit of the plane. Kinsey then flew the aircraft.
Lane’s physician, Robin Albritton, who lives in Marianna and works there at Jackson Hospital, was at Blue Wahoos Stadium standing on the concourse, watching the flyover.
“When Covenant Care called me two weeks ago to tell me what they were doing, I put my phone down and cried,” said Albritton, his voice wavering with emotion. “He is a real American hero. He deserves this so much.
“Having taken care of him for the past eight years, I knew he probably got into that plane by himself. That man is sharp as a tack. He first came to me at 90-years-old and gave me the biggest, ol’ hug. I’ve had long conversations with him when he visits. I have done just enough to not get in his way these years. To see this is unbelievable. People like him remind me of why I do this.”
After the plane returned to Pensacola Aviation, Lane and his group traveled to Blue Wahoos Stadium. Covenant Care staff were there waiting to congratulate the World War II veteran.
The smile on his face, the throng of strangers, including so many children, who wanted to meet him and get his autograph, were poignant examples of how meaningful, how special this experience became.
Photos courtesy Pensacola Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Stranger Things: Check Out This Cloud
August 25, 2019
Afternoon storms brought an interesting weather feature to the area Saturday.
Teresa Dobson of Jay captures these images a little after 6 p.m. in the area of Chumuckla Highway and Mineral Springs Road southwest of Jay.
According to the National Weather Service in Mobile, it appears to be a shelf cloud associated with a thunderstorm outflow. That’s the cooler air spreading outward from a thunderstorm.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
‘Operation Sprinkles’ Collects 300 Plus Stuffed Animals For Kids
August 21, 2019
Remember the lost stuff animal Bubblegum Sprinkles that led to stuffed animal drive at a local doughnut shop? In about two weeks, over 300 stuffed animals were collected, and now they’ve been donated to local groups.
As we reported earlier this month, the stuffed animal husky named Bubblegum Sprinkles was accidently left behind at Maynard’s Donut Company on Nine Mile Road. Maynard’s knew he was something special, so they found the surveillance video of the young lady that left him behind and set out to find her on social media. That led to a sweet reunion with with 3-year old Nina English and her dad Michael.
And that led Maynard’s to launch “Operation Sprinkles” to collect the stuffed animals.
Operation Sprinkles collectd over 300 stuffed animals and passed them along to Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Florida.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High Army JROTC Cadets Attend Camp
August 20, 2019
Thirty-three of Tate High School’s Army JROTC cadets attended JCLC at Camp Rudder on Eglin Air Force Base recently.
The Cadet Leadership Challenge provided experiences including first aid and survival skills, physical training, rappelling, rock wall climbing, land navigation, and leadership and team building activities. Cadets Eva Miller and Winfred Allgyer were recognized for their outstanding performance.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
McDavid Native Trains U.S. Navy Future Warfighters
August 19, 2019
Sailors are some of the most highly-trained people on the planet, according to U.S. Navy officials, and this training requires highly-dedicated instructors.
At Naval Education and Training Command, this obligation falls upon hard-charging, professionals who train and mentor the Navy’s future warfighters.
Petty Officer 1st Class Jonathan Moretz, a native of McDavid, Florida, is an instructor at NETC, providing the fleet with sailors who possess the basic technical knowledge and skills necessary for naval service.
“The sense of pride training furture engineers for the fleet is what I enjoy most about teaching,” Moretz said.
Instructors are experts in the subject matter they teach, and they provide cutting-edge technical training transforming new recruits into mission-ready sailors.
Moretz, a 2013 graduate of Northview High School, credits success as an instructor to many of the lessons learned growing up in McDavid.
“I learned a great work ethic by working long hours and this really prepared me for my job as an engineer and helped me to adapt well to the Navy culture,” Moretz said.
NETC educates and trains those who serve our nation, taking them from street-to-fleet by transforming civilians into highly skilled, operational, and combat ready warfighters, while providing the tools and opportunities for continuous learning and development.
Six commands provide a continuum of professional education and training at NETC in support of Surface Navy requirements preparing enlisted sailors and officers to serve at sea, providing apprentice and specialized skills training to 7,500 sailors a year.
A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
Moretz plays an important role in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances, and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results, and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Moretz is most proud being appointed as the engineering duty officer while serving on a ship.
“The engineering officer entrusted me with the department in port,” Moretz said. “This gave me a great sense of pride knowing I was being entrusted with the responsibility based on my knowledge and integrity.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Moretz, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Moretz is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“Several of my family members served in the military but most importantly, my dad did,” Moretz said. “I’m working hard to beat him out of his pay grade.”
As a member of one of the Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Moretz and other instructors, know they are part of a legacy lasting beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“There’s a sense of honor serving my country while seeing the world and training junior sailors,” Moretz said. “I continue to learn every day.”
Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jesse Hawthorne for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
National Thrift Store Day: Waterfront Mission Store Has Served Cantonment Since 2011
August 18, 2019
Saturday was National Thrift Store Day.
The first Waterfront Rescue Mission Thrift Stores was founded in 1963 to support the work of the Mission. Today, there are eight Waterfront Rescue Mission Thrift Stores, including a North Escambia location in Cantonment that opened in March 2011 at 732 North Highway 29, next to the Grocery Advantage.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Smokey Bear Celebrates 75th Birthday
August 10, 2019
Friday, the Florida Forest Service joined the nation in celebrating 75 years of Smokey Bear, the face of the longest-running public service advertising campaign in United States history, continuing his legacy of bringing awareness to unwanted, human-caused fires.
“Wildfire prevention remains one of the most critical issues in our state,” said Jim Karels, state forester and director of the Florida Forest Service. “Florida’s climate creates a unique challenge for our year-round wildfire season, making it imperative for us to educate Floridians and visitors alike on the importance of Smokey Bear’s message.”
Smokey Bear’s wildfire prevention campaign has had a dramatic impact since its introduction in 1944. Progress continues today with an approximate 14 percent reduction in the average number of human-caused wildfires from 2011-2018, compared to the previous 10 years.
While his work has been successful, more than 75% of all wildfires in Florida are caused by human carelessness, which means Smokey’s message remains relevant. Since January, the Florida Forest Service has responded to 1,295 wildfires that have burned over 87,200 acres in our state.
Pictured: A 75th birthday party for Smokey Bear Friday at the Blackwater Forestry Center. Escambia County is part of the Blackwater district. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weekend Gardening: August To Do List
August 10, 2019
Here are gardening tips for the month of August from the UF/IFAS Extension program:
What to Plant
- Bedding Plants: The hottest days of summer limit planting now to heat tolerant vinca, gaillardia, bulbine, and coleus.
- Bulbs:Aztec lily, butterfly lily, walking iris, and spider lily can be planted any time of the year, even late summer.
- Herbs: Herbs that can be planted from plants (not seeds) include bay laurel, ginger,Mexican tarragon, and rosemary.
- Vegetables: This month starts the fall planting season. Many cool season crops can be planted now, including a final crop of warm-season vegetables such as pepper. Tomato can be planted for the fall garden.
- Lawn problems: Damaged areas can be the result of insects, disease, or irrigation problems. Be sure to determine the cause so the proper remedy is used. Use a sharp mower blade and only remove 1/3 of grass blade to reduce stress on the lawn.
- Palms: If older fronds are yellowing, you may have a magnesium or potassium deficiency. Apply an appropriate palm fertilizer.
- Poinsettias: Pinch back poinsettias and mums before the end of the month to allow time for buds to form for winter bloom.
- Ornamental Plants: Rapid growth and leaching rains may result in nutrient deficiencies in some plants. Fertilize those plants that show signs of deficiencies.
- Bedding Plants: Remove spent blooms, cut back, and fertilize flowering annuals and perennials to extend the bloom season into the fall months.
- Adjust irrigation based on rainfall.
- Deadhead flowers to encourage new blooms.
- Monitor the garden for insects and disease.
- Plant trees, shrubs, and perennials and water until established.
Master Gardener Info Day Held In Cantonment; Still Time To Join The Program
August 7, 2019
Twenty people took part in a volunteer open house Tuesday in Cantonment to learn more about the University of Florida’s Master Gardener Volunteer Program.
Attendees learned about training sessions, volunteer activities and the role of master gardeners in the community during the program at the Escambia County Extension Service offices on Stefani Road.
For information about the Master Gardener Program, contact Beth Bolles with Escambia County Extension at (850) 475-5230 or at bbolles@ufl.edu. Applications are available until September 2.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.