Community Archive

At the end of a dead-end road in Holley, the largest known collection of artifacts from the turpentine industry is kept in a tidy clay-colored building behind Raymond Melvin’s home.

Melvin, whose dad, granddads and great-granddads all trace their roots to the industry, started his collection when he was 22. More than 50 years later, it includes more than 1,000 items ranging from tools and scales to cut trees and cups to hold the sap.

Jay Chapter No. 208, Order of the Eastern Star, installed new officers Friday night for 2022-2023 at the Jay Masonic Lodge. Debbie Maxson assumed leadership of the local chapter as the Worthy Matron. Serving with her is Mickey Brown, Worthy Patron. Chapter members and visitors enjoyed the formal installation ceremony in the beautifully decorated chapter room. Visitors came from several chapters in Pensacola and Milton to share in the festivities and congratulate all the new officers on their installation.

Milton Chapter No. 189, Order of the Eastern Star, installed new officers Saturday for the 2022-2023 year. The formal ceremony was held at the historic Santa Rosa Masonic Lodge #16 in Milton. Roberta Brown will serve as Worthy Matron for the upcoming year and Jason Weaver as Worthy Patron. Jason is also the Worshipful Master of Pace Masonic Lodge #349 this year.

To a passing motorist, the corner of Hamilton Bridge Road and Glover Lane may look like others in Milton. The city-owned utility easement has patches of scrubby grass and a circle of landscaping near the triangle formed by the intersection.

“He grew up in the shadow of his brother Charles Jiminez, who at 17 was the youngest member of the Seattle Mariner’s baseball team to be drafted. Will wanted to emulate his brother’s accomplishments, and I always knew that his optimism and enthusiasm for whatever he took on would one day allow him to achieve his dream.”

The first meeting with FABA is always on the organization, after that we encourage you to join this fine organization. Membership is by family and for a family to join go to https://blacksmithing.org (click on the membership tab), the cost is only $30 per year.

Citizens Moving Forward is organizing this year’s Santa Rosa Black History event Feb. 27 at the Milton High School Auditorium. The celebration will feature the gospel choir at Florida A&M University.

The headstones were provided through the City of Milton, with the help of a large donation from Gulf Coast Wilbert, a Crestview company. Private donations also helped.

Five years ago, Patrick Fitzgerald founded the local parading krewe known as the Emerald Coast Krewe of Airship Pirates, and on Saturday, Feb. 12, they, in partnership with the City of Milton, will host the 4th Mardi Gras parade in downtown Milton’s recent years.

Milton’s team scored a 238.1 to earn its first win of the season. Trigger Time finished with a score of 207.9.