Florida Gas Prices Drop A Dime
October 28, 2019
Florida gas prices have declined 10 cents in the last 10 days, according to AAA.
The average price per gallon statewide was $2.40 Sunday night.
In Escambia County, the average price per gallon was below the state average at $2.38, while the lowest prices in North Escambia was $2.27 at two Cantonment stations.
“Florida gas prices declined as anticipated last week, but could move slightly higher again in the coming days,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Refineries are still conducting maintenance, and gasoline demand is at a higher level than usual for this time of year. This has led to lower gasoline supply levels, which pushed wholesale gasoline prices a few cents higher last week. As a result, the state average could soon return to around $2.43 per gallon. Despite the anticipated increase, Florida drivers are still paying 30 cents per gallon less than last year. Which means, they’re saving almost $5 on a full tank of gasoline.”
This Is A Story Of Great Love: Local Church Helps Groom Pull Off Surprise Wedding
October 27, 2019
Joseph and Fisayo were from different tribes in Nigeria, a love that was almost forbidden. Joseph’s education brought him to Jay, and the couple married via the internet. No hand holding, no hugs, no kiss.
Now imagine a husband telling his wife they were headed out to a date night with a quick stop to see some friends…but she instead walks into her surprise wedding.
It’s an amazing love story that took place in Jay.
Nina Henricks tells the story for NorthEscambia.com with photos by Kelsei Frazier Photography.
by Nina Hendricks
Jay United Methodist Church is my church. It’s a small church in a small rural town, but we are big with the love of Jesus. Last December, we received a special visitor, who would inspire a special celebration to honor our Lord in the blessing of a marriage.
This is a story of great love.
Joseph Iboyi is an agronomy doctoral student from Lagos, Nigeria. His master’s degree is in plant breeding from the University of Ibadan, and he is conducting his research on carinata through the University of Florida Research Center in Allentown, FL. Last year, he received a link to an application from a friend, and on a whim he completed and submitted it to UF. He was utterly shocked when he was selected as the single scholarship recipient! He and his fiance, Fisayo, who has a BA in English Language from Kwara State University, had planned an Easter wedding this year. His abrupt departure meant they would have to postpone their plans. The opportunity was indeed bittersweet, but the two decided it was best for Joseph to come to the US to study.
Joseph arrived on December 8, 2018. His most important goal was to find a church. He attended a Methodist Church at home, and hoped to find one nearby. He spent a couple of weeks googling churches to find one small enough to feel like home, and close enough that he could ride his professor’s bicycle. He had to assure his mother and Fisayo that he was trying to find a church, as they were afraid he would get here and forget his Christian values. On his third Sunday here, we were his choice! He followed the GPS on his phone, which took him on the farthest possible route to our church. After two hours of peddling on the coldest day of December he arrived at our front doors. He was trembling with cold and anxious to come in late, but knew the torture of a return trip home alone if he didn’t enter the church. Surely, he hoped, someone would offer to take him home after services ended.
It was 11:15am when he entered the church and quietly sat at the end of the back left row. He was less than a foot from me, this stranger who slipped in to join us while our heads were bowed in prayer. I was startled. Too many news stories ran through my mind. I didn’t dare open my eyes to look over at him. I peeked through slightly cracked eye lids to see the knees and hands of a well dressed man wearing a nice watch, fiercely tapping the text screen on his phone. I prayed, Lord, please let us be safe! Who was he texting? Why was he coming in late? Who was this stranger sitting next to me? I remember asking God to let me feel His peace if all was well, and I did! After what seemed like the longest prayer ever, I was able to look at Joseph’s smiling face and welcome him to Jay United Methodist Church. As I held his frozen hand in both of mine, as if I could warm him through and through by cradling his hand, I asked who he was. He explained in a heavy British accent that he was a student at UF Research Center and found us online. (Thank you J P Roberts for keeping our website updated!) Forty-five minutes later, his hands were still freezing cold! He explained about the bicycle trip and my husband loaded him and the bike in his truck and took him home.
My husband and another church member, Cindy, rotated going to get Joseph for church each week, and he joined us for all of our family celebrations. He sent pictures home to his family, and his Mom was so glad he had a surrogate family in the US.
As time went by and we all opened up to one another, he mentioned he was in a relationship with Fisayo, and that they had married legally prior to his leaving Nigeria. That action is much like getting a marriage license here, but it is a legal status of marriage for them. He also explained the process of a traditional marriage, which would take place via internet on September 7, 2019. And, he did not even have to be there. Imagine that! The celebration began at 4:00 am CT due to the time difference. All Joseph’s family had to attend to confirm his intentions and wishes. The traditional service included family introductions, the payment of the dowry, a sermon, prayers, and much celebration afterward. It was a special service, but the pathway to it was not an easy one.
You see, Joseph and Fisayo are from different tribes, or ethnic groups, and inter-tribal relationships are not readily accepted, especially by the father. Joseph’s family is Edo, and Fisayo’s family is from Kwara, and Yoruba. They met on a street near the University of Ibadan, where Joseph had been working in the fields collecting data, and Fisayo was out running an errand for her mother. She thought he was a “hot mess” in his work clothes, all sweaty and dirty. He could have been a gardener for all she knew. As they passed one another, he turned around and boldly spoke to her. It was pretty forward for him to ask her name and suggest he get to know her. She said she wanted to let him down easy, as he was kind and seemed to be genuine, but she could not date a gardener! Joseph was impressed that she talked with him and regarded him as human, and could immediately sense her kindness and thoughtful heart. It was a short time later that they met again in the academic setting, and at that point she realized the well-dressed man in front of her was a student, and not a gardener. Additionally, Joseph’s lead professor for the master’s program was her father. Because of the differences in their cultures, and his relationship with her father, they were initially friends. Fisayo knew it would be difficult for her father to accept him as a suitor. However, through her prayers and those of her mother, over time her father came to accept Joseph and gave them his blessing.
As soon as Joseph told me of the internet wedding, I knew I had to do something to help him stand face to face with his wife and say their Christian vows to one another. Although the legal and traditional marriage is sufficient to be a married couple in Nigeria, the church wedding is what is most important in terms of their religion. They were very disappointed they could not pledge their lives together to the Lord. I was overwhelmed with the desire to help them have a wedding. I could not imagine not being able to hold my husband hands and say vows while looking into his eyes. I would never be able to accomplish an event like this alone, and wondered if our pastor could even hold a ceremony such as this. Rev. Cecil Jackson is our pastor, and he was the first person I spoke to about the ceremony. He thought it was a wonderful idea. Then, I met with Joseph to be sure he wanted to have a wedding at our church. He was so happy I mentioned it. It was something he wanted to talk with me about, but had no idea how to bring it up. I spoke to the ladies in our church, the Joy Circle, and they were thrilled to be of help. So, all we had to do was plan it!
The final decision was made on 9/14, the Saturday after the internet wedding. The one little caveat to this elaborate plan was that Joseph wanted the whole thing to be a surprise for Fisayo. I immediately panicked and began to hyperventilate as I thought of what I would do to my husband had he tried to surprise me with a wedding. Joseph was convinced that his bride would “love it”. I yielded to his determination, and by 7:00 pm on 9/16 we had a wedding planned. We knew we wanted to have the wedding on 10/19 following Fisayo’s birthday on 10/17, but we had to be sure we could find a dress on such short notice. In order to find a dress to fit, Joseph had to entrust his secret to Fisayo’s mother, who gave us her measurements. I have no idea how she was able to keep such a secret, but she did.
We were so excited when we walked into the Bridal Loft, full of dreams of the perfect gown in the perfect size, AND IT WAS THE FIRST ONE THAT BRANDI SHOWED TO US! We showed her a photo of Fisayo so she had an idea of her size and personality. She just walked right to the dress, and when she pulled it out we both knew it was perfect. Joseph even got a photo holding the dress and the “I said YES to the dress” sign. It was a precious moment.
Everyone, everywhere was so excited about the story of this surprise wedding that it was easy to enjoy every moment. Publix at 5 Points had the perfect cakes — Sweetheart Sensation and Macho Chocolate, and the bakery staff went above and beyond to make sure we were overwhelmingly happy with the cakes.
Kelsei Frazier Photography was an angel sent from heaven. She was available, and little did I know at the time, she would be able to capture all the joy and love of their special occasion in a creative and expressive way that fully portrayed the emotions of each moment.
All I had to do for flowers was call Designs by Glenda, tell her when and where, and she provided such a splendid floral garden that highlighted the beauty of our couple and our church. It was spectacular!
I texted Brenda at Nixon’s and explained what we needed, and I never had to think of it again. Joseph didn’t know he could rent men’s clothing and was pleasantly surprised when I explained what he needed to do. That was the only task Joseph had to do alone, and I know Brenda made it convenient and easy for him! He looked so handsome.
So, how did we get her there?
I texted so many lists to Joseph the week of the ceremony. I really was planning a wedding for my own children at this point. I had not even met Fisayo, but something in the hearts and spirits of them both that pulled at my heart from the first time a met him and heard about her. Every time I would think of something I would text him. He had no idea what an American wedding was, what it entailed, how it would proceed, what his responsibilities were, what he would say, do, and most of all how he would make sure this would be the happiest day of her life. I tried to be concise and clear and thorough. I made sure he had a script in his dressing room, so he could review it with the pastor when he arrived. I listed and revised lists to be certain he brought everything she would need.
And, then it was the day!
Joseph’s pretense for going to Jay, was that he needed to take something to someone at church. They had a grand date night planned, so they were going to drive to Jay early and be back to Pensacola for dinner. This, of course, gave Fisayo a reason to be dressed suitably for a wedding. On the drive they talked a lot about being in the US, but Joseph was able to ask her a few questions, too. One of them was, “What is something you regret not being able to do, and that you can’t go back and do.?” And, her response was, “I wish we could have had a church wedding; that I could have had a wedding dress, and walked down the aisle and said our vows.” WOW! Later, after she realized he had been so lovingly deceptive, she said, “…and he just kept looking through the windshield and kept driving like it wasn’t exactly what he was doing!”
I was hiding in our basement with Kelsei, Connie and Ann, the photographer and a couple of the ladies helping with the wedding, when they came into the church. One of my lengthy texts had explicit directions for how far to walk, where to stand so the photographer could capture her response and the decorations, how to stand, hold her hands and tell her his plan. It was perfect! Kelsei slipped up the stairs and at the perfect moment captured forever her overjoyed, overwhelmed, and raw emotion. Her deepest desires had been granted by the love of her life and a congregation who loved them, although she had only recently met them. Can you imagine what she was going through? It was such a blessing to hug her and tell her we had much to do to prepare her for her wedding. As she hugged and said so long to her husband, she was trembling. We supported her as we walked to her dressing room. Joseph went ahead to meet us there. Once in the room, she was able to see her wedding dress for the first time, and Joseph was able to see her reaction. She sobbed into his white shirt, already dotted with make-up and mascara, traces of emotions leaking from her beautiful brown eyes. She soon gathered her thoughts and we began the dressing of the bride. As soon as she was dressed she phoned her mother. The conversation was as you can imagine, excited, amazed that her mother knew all the plans and hadn’t told her, continuing over speaker phone so we could hold the phone for her mother and sister to see the dress from all angles, and then the sweet good-bye with promises of pictures later.
Weeks ago, Joseph asked my husband to walk Fisayo down the aisle. He said Rick was like a father to him. My heart melted. However, I had no idea how proud I would feel seeing him with her, supporting her as she walked to her husband as her dream unfolded. I know she was full of excitement, joy, but how could she not feel some trepidation entering a church, a community she had only met 3 weeks ago. The church was not packed, yet each row had church members and friends who were happy to see the culmination of our vision and planning come together in such a precious display of love for our Lord. The church has a lovely wooden ceiling and bright colored stained glass windows. The gold tones from the lights gave the room a soft and warm look. The flowers on the cross at the altar burst with color and helped to light up the room, as well as remind us of God’s love for us.
This was not the ceremony that formed a legal bond, it was not the ceremony to join two families, this was so much more. This ceremony was the most important of all to Joseph and Fisayo. As Christians, they pledged their lives and love to the Lord and vowed to love each other until the end of their days. It was a beautiful service, reverent and sweet. They looked at one another with such great love. It was such a blessing to witness this very special union. At the end of the service, everyone in attendance gathered around them for a group photo to help them remember all the loving faces there to share this time together.
Fisayo was once again surprised with the reception. After she and Joseph had wedding photos taken, they joined everyone at the reception, where the Joy Circle had prepared a wonderful meal. They were seated at a sweetheart table and waited on hand and foot. They enjoyed the attention and talked non-stop, I’m sure about how he was able to pull this off without her knowing. They were walked through our traditions of cake cutting. They said their farewells, gathered gift cards — another unexpected blessing — and packed the car. As they blindly trusted me and followed directions I led them through the crowd of guests to the front of the church, where they descended the front steps into a cloud of bubbles. They glowed with appreciation, love, joy, and could not stop thanking everyone for giving them this opportunity.
And then they were gone.
That was not the end of the story. You see, it was during this last month that our church realized we had been delivered a gift from God, in Joseph. His determination to be in God’s house spoke to many of us. We realized what we take for granted. Would any of us have ridden a bicycle two hours on the coldest day of the year to get to church? Would we have entered into a strange place, in a strange country, not knowing anyone and trusting God to place us in a congregation who would love us and consider us family? He trusted completely, moved beyond his comfort zone on so many occasions, presented his wife to us trusting we would love her, too. He embodied so many characteristics of the Christian faith that we overlook in our busy lives. It was so easy to surround them with love, cover them in prayers, and include them in our church family.
We are Jay United Methodist Church. We are a small, rural church who loves Jesus, we love our community, we love one another. Joseph and Fisayo gave us the opportunity to focus on a goal and work together to draw closer to one another and them. We gave from our hearts, we celebrated the union of a Godly couple, and God blessed our work. We have added to our congregation in more than numbers, and are anxiously waiting to hear what God wants us to do next. If you would like to be part of our congregation, please join us.
About 150 Gallons Of Crude Oil Released From Facility Near Century
October 27, 2019
An water and oil leak occurred Friday at a production line about four miles northeast of Century in Escambia County.
According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the release occurred at the Maze Header Production Line in extreme northeastern Escambia County, Florida, just south of Alabama/Florida state line. An estimated 171.5 barrels (7,203 gallons) of produced water and 3.5 barrels (147 gallons) of crude oil were released from the facility operated by the St. Regis Gas Treating Facility.
FDEP said Saturday that the field operator identified the leak and immediately started line isolation and called for assistance. A vacuum truck was called to remove the produced water and oil from the release site. The line will be blinded, clamped and flushed with fresh water in preparation for inspection and repairs. All impacted soil will be removed and disposed of at an approved landfill.
Century Charter Review Committee To Get To Work Shaping Future Of Town
October 27, 2019
The Charter Review Committee will get to work Monday to begin shaping the future direction of the town.
The meeting will be held at 5 p.m. on Monday at town hall.
The 11-member committee is tasked with exploring the town charter – the document that establishes the town, outlines its powers and spells out how it should operate. The current Century charter has not been updated in almost 40 years.
Members of the public are encouraged to attend.
Pictured: The Century Charter Review Committee held their first meeting October 3 to learn about sunshine and public records laws. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Extension Holds Garden to Table Exposition
October 27, 2019
Escambia County Extension held a Garden to Table Exposition Saturday in Cantonment.
The event included information and demonstrations on bringing the autumn harvest to the table.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Allentown Single Vehicle Wreck Claims One Life
October 27, 2019
A Santa Rosa County man died in a single vehicle crash in Allentown.
J.R. Welch, 68, of Milton was traveling north on Highway 87 approaching Allentown Road about 10:50 Friday morning when he attempted to pass another northbound vehicle. His 2008 Honda Accord drifted right and traveled off the paved roadway and collided with several trees in wooded area, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Welch was airlifted to Ft. Walton Beach Medical Center where he passed away from his injuries.
Northview High Names Veterans Of Foreign Wars Essay Contest Winners
October 27, 2019
Winners of Northview High School’s Veterans of Foreign Wars essay contest were first place Jesse Hughes, second place Tereasia Burt and third place Lakyn Bodiford. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Six ECSO Deputies Escort Daughter Of Late Officer In Tate High Homecoming Court
October 26, 2019
Payton Simmons didn’t have to worry about who would escort her Friday night during the homecoming court presentation at Tate High School.
The senior was escorted by six uniformed Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies, standing in proudly for her father. Payton’s dad, Lt. Ray Simmons of Oak Grove, passed away on November 24, 2007, at the age of 39.
He had been employed with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office for 14 years, and had served with the Pensacola Police Department and the Gulf Breeze Police Department.
For Friday night game photos and more from the homecoming court, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
Century Baptist Celebrating 115 Years, Highland Baptist Marking 100 Years On Sunday
October 26, 2019
Two Baptist churches in North Escambia are celebrating a combined 215 years on Sunday.
The First Baptist Church of Century will celebrate 115 years at their homecoming on Sunday at 11 a.m.
Highland Baptist Church in Molino will celebrate 100 years at their homecoming on Sunday at 10:45 a.m.
Histories of both churches are below (scroll down below photos).
First Baptist Church Century est. 1904
First Baptist Church Century was founded with 25 charter members in 1904 on land donated by the Alger Sullivan Lumber Company, which sold the church lumber at a discounted price for their first building. The church joined the Pensacola Bay Baptist Association in September, 1914.
In the beginning, services were held just twice per month on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. In 1947, under the leadership of Rev. B.A. Hawkins, the church went full time.
The First Baptist Church Century building on Church Street received minor damage when a devastating EF-3 tornado severely damaged much of the surrounding area.
Since 1905, the church has been led by 33 pastors, including currently by Pastor David Boyd.
Highland Baptist Church est. 1919
Highland Baptist Church was organized in 1919 after Miss Ruth Riddle, a local school teacher, began a Sunday School at Highland School on Molino Road, west of Highway 29. With a gift of $200 from the State Mission Board and the donation of some land by Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Hastings, a building was erected in 1922 across the road from the school. The Molino Baptist Church, constituted in 1908 with twenty members, voted to join the fellowship of Highland. “Molino-Highland Day” was set aside as the two churches combined their congregations. The building materials from the Molino Church were used to enlarge the educational building.
In 1942, Highland, striving to be more centrally located in the community, purchased land with a gift of $75 from the Pensacola Bay Baptist Association. Under the leadership of Rev. E. E. Roberts, a lay pastor, the church began to grow; and on April 30, 1950, a new block building consisting of an auditorium and six classrooms was dedicated.
In 1953, the same year Rev. C. D. Fant became pastor, the church built a pastorium. This pastorium served as “home” for the next six pastors. After Bro. Tim Patrick was called as pastor of Highland, and living in the pastorium for a period of time, the church purchased and renovated a home on Firehouse Road that Bro. Tim and his family lived in. The pastorium was then turned into the church office, as it still is today.
On September 30, 1973, the two-story interim sanctuary and educational space was dedicated. So different from the past, of baptisms being held in rivers, swimming pools, creeks, or a baptistry in a sister church, for the first time, baptisms were held in the baptistry that was built in this interim sanctuary. The mortgage on this building was paid off several years early, with a note burning on April 25, 1982.
Started by Highland Baptist as a home bible study in 1983 under the leadership of Rev. J. W. Dubose, the Dogwood Park Mission was established. With ground breaking in 1985, during the time Bro. Rick Wolfe was pastor, and a sanctuary with classrooms being built, the mission was constituted as Dogwood Park Baptist Church in 1986.
The current sanctuary has a seating capacity of 500 and was dedicated on November 18, 1990.
For a more complete Highland Baptist Church History, including a list of pastors, click here.
Tate Aggies Fall To Chiles, Celebrate Senior Night And HOCO Part II (With Photo Gallery)
October 26, 2019
It was a night of many emotions Friday night for the Tate High School Aggies as they Tate High School Aggies celebrated Senior Night, Homecoming Part II, and worried about a player taken away by ambulance.
The Aggies fell to Tallahassee Chiles 45-7.
Tate’s lone score of the night came on a pass from senior Ethan George to junior Keishawn Qualls with a good extra point kick from Matthew Johnson.
The Homecoming Court, including Queen Tayler Mills, first runner-up Avery Young, and second runner-up Baylor Phillips, had a chance to walk across the field after the October 18 homecoming game was postponed by Tropical Storm Nestor. And one homecoming court member, Payton Simmons, was escorted by six Escambia County deputies [learn why by clicking here].
After taking a hard hit, Tate Aggie Jacori Simpkins was transported to the hospital for treatment. According to the Tate Quarterback Club early Saturday morning, Simpkins was in good spirits and was allowed visits from his teammates and coaches.
The Tate Aggies (1-8. 0-2) will wrap up their season next Friday night at West Florida (1-7, 1-2).
For more game abnd homecoming court photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
