RACING: A ‘FORMULA’ FOR SNOWBALL DERBY WEEK SPORTS, A12 Farmers Santa Rosa’s Press bring goods to help Gazette feed needy Tweet us @srpressgazette and friend us on facebook.com B1 Saturday, November 24, 2012 Find breaking news at www.srpressgazette.com 75 cents Seasonal shopping under way By OBIE CRAIN The volume of busi- fortably among stores. selves, getting together in “I think it (the econ- “I don’t see where things 288-0037 | @SRPG_News ness sales for the post- “I’ve talked to a lot of a spirit of cooperation that omy) is going to be slow (the economy) are going to [email protected] Thanksgiving holiday had business people (concern- is certain to bring about a this season,” said Margi get any better in the next not been tallied by press ing the local economy) very successful season for Anderson at Margi’s Em- four years… No, make that Holiday shopping in the time, but the outlook for around the area, and ev- them,” Tucker said. porium. “I’m hoping it will 12 years,” White said. area is alive and well. the number of shoppers eryone seems to have a She also said the Cham- pick up, but I’m not sure it “I think the business That’s the outlook most leading up to the day fol- positive attitude about ber is putting together will. Money is tight right climate and the economic area business managers lowing Thanksgiving was their expectations,” Santa a “shop local” campaign now. People just don’t have environment in general and a chamber of com- optimistic. Rosa Chamber of Com- that is also expected to it to spend.” are good and will continue merce executive director The weather, an ele- merce Executive Director have an impact. “The cam- Barry White at Tops Ap- to be good in the foresee- have following Black Fri- ment that weighs heavily Donna Tucker said. “In- paign will urge people to pliances in Milton appears able future,” Milton Mayor day, the year’s most in- on shopper turnout, also ventories are high, spirits support local businesses to agree with Anderson, Guy Thompson said. tense shopping day in the cooperated, allowing shop- are high and businesses by shopping here, rather except he isn’t quite as country. pers to move more com- are promoting them- than out of the area.” optimistic. See SHOPPING A3 Auction HOLIDAY DUTY features Those who work to serve local the public sacrifice holidays businesses By BILL GAMBLIN few others do not understand how 288-0037 | @SRPG_Bill it feels to have a holiday off, but Special to the Press Gazette [email protected] they knew this coming into the profession. The only thing bet- Most of us enjoyed Thanksgiv- “We find a way to work it out,” ter than a discounted gift ing with the family, but some were said Paul Gilliard, a firefighter certificate is a discounted ready to spring into action despite with the Milton Fire Department. gift certificate from a local the occasion Thursday. “(My wife) would rather have me retailer. Firefighters, doctors, nurses, at home, but it is just the way the Toward that end, The law enforcement and select oth- shift falls.” Santa Rosa Press Gazette ers either celebrated the holiday Gillard has worked every holi- and its sister Halifax Me- early or waited until their shift day this year, and he knows that dia Group newspapers in ended. They unselfishly did this Christmas Day and New Years the area will launch their so you would be safe and protect- Eve are on his schedule as well. first online Emerald Coast ed in case of an emergency. Holiday Auction on Nov. Professions like these and a See HOLIDAY A3 25. It’s billed as the largest ever gift certificate auction on the Emerald Coast. The gift card has be- come a staple of the gift- giving Christmas season. And Press Gazette readers will soon have a chance to purchase nearly $150,000 worth of gift certificates from more than 90 local businesses. The auction is perfect if your shopping list includes jewelry, high fashion, furni- ture, a remodeled kitchen or bathroom, professional photos, a new vacuum or surfing gear. For the more active among us, consider bidding on a gift certificate for some rounds of golf, a personal trainer, dance les- sons, a gym membership or SPECiaL to the Press GAZette even martial arts classes. If you’d rather give the Above: Lifeguard EMT Sue McMillan and Assistant Chief Shawn gift of relaxation in the form Bradberry are seen pulling out a stretcher to help transport of good Emerald Coast someone as part of the “Home for the Holiday” program offered eats, a spa treatment, a by Lifeguard ambulance to help skilled nursing and assisted professional mani/pedi or living facility patients to spend time with their families this holiday a hotel vacation package, season. Top right: Milton fire fighter Paul Gilliard spots fellow fire we have you covered there fighter Steve Maddox as they workout to pass the time away on too. Thanksgiving. Gilliard and Maddox are just a few who forego the People can view the se- holiday with their family to help protect those who live in Santa lections online now at th- Rosa County. Bottom right: Milton fire fighter Paul Gilliard works out edestinlog.com before the bidding begins Nov. 25. on an elliptical machine. See AUCTION A3 Melanie works at the Santa Cab for Cutie). Rosa County Chamber of IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD WITH Q. What was the last book you Commerce and is involved with read? Americorps. A. “A Clash of Kings” by Q. What brought you to Santa Melanie Watson George R.R. Martic. Rosa County? Q. What is your favorite food A. My dad was stationed here and why? at NAS Pensacola. A. Italian. It is always so Q. If you had the power of a growing up and why? A. Juice, cheese and pickles. good, and you can’t go wrong super hero, what power would A. A veterinarian, because I Q. What would we hear on the with spaghetti. that be and why? love animals. radio of your car/truck during a Q. Where would your ideal A. I would want to fly. I Q. Name three things road trip? vacation spot be? absolutely hate driving. you will always have in your A. I never listen to the radio. I Q. What did you want to be refrigerator? always listen to Pandora (Death See watson A3 Jim Fletcher TABLE OF CONTENTS Publisher Obituaries ..................................... A2 Opinion ........................................ A8 623-2120 Speak Out ..................................... A2 Sports............................................ A12 [email protected] Sudoku.......................................... A2 Classifieds ..................................... B5 Volume 104 Issue 94 A2 | Santa Rosa’s Press Gazette Local Saturday, November 24, 2012 Speak OUT Obituaries If you have a short the access road. Edward Eugene Cunningham Jr. comment you would like My car is still getting 1921 - 2012 to make, call the Speak beat up. Either you are Edward Eugene Cun- “Big 10 Tires”) in he was a volunteer of Milton, Sherman Sutton Out line at 623-5887. covering for them or they ningham Jr. (III) passed Milton’s Gateway at 15 Place in Mo- of Provo, Utah, Tracey Sut- Longer comments are are lying. This is a mess. away Nov. 15, 2012, at his Plaza, managed bile and was the ton of Gloucester, Va. Also better suited as a letter to My tax dollars at work home in Mobile, Ala. at the the “Thrift Motel”, 2004 recipient of surviving are his previous the editor. like this makes me happy. Editor’s note: Those age of 91. then co-owning the Heart of Gold wife, Carol (Cunningham) were the words we Born in Ashville, N.C., and managing the Award. He consid- Bartlett of Milton, and pre- he was a long-time resident Online comment: were given by the “IGA” Food Store at ered volunteering vious son-in-law, Allen Ates of Mobile, Ala. after living the corner of Park an honor. Looking each night Florida Department of Milton. in Milton for a number of Avenue/Dogwood EDWARD Cunningham Services were held as I am driving across of Transportation years. road. CUNNINGHAM was predeceased Sunday, Nov. 18 at Serenity town, it is just plain Spokesperson. JR. threatening. It’s like He served for many Known as “Mr. by his sister, Marce- Funeral Home in Theodore, watching communism years in the U.S. Navy as C.” he employed many Mil- line Martin, and his daugh- Ala. In lieu of fl owers con- KGB police each night. Monday, 8:46 a.m. a fl ight instructor and was ton residents before open- ter Stacey Sutton. He is tributions may be made The police race up and Hi, Ron here. To the stationed at both Saufl ey ing an “Orange Bowl” when survived by his wife, Sarah to 15 Place, 15 Joachim down the highways, blue people in Florida, this as well as Whiting fi elds. University Mall opened in Cunningham of Mobile and Street, Mobile, 36602 or lights everywhere, seeing dispute over public He loved to fl y both in the the early 1970s. He then his “two batches of kids”. Ozonam Charitable Phar- cars parked with police funding for a OHV facility Navy then as a private pilot moved to Mobile, where Pamela (Geoff) Harrison macy, 571 Dauphin Street, blue lights. This scene is in Milton is getting nasty. where he built and restored he worked for “Greer’s” of Remer, Minn., Mary (Da- Mobile 36602. on every part of Milton Some dirt bike people airplanes he owned with Food Stores and “McLeod vid) Raisler of Milton, Kar- Let the family know you nightly.