Sacred Heart sets free flu shots, screenings
During October, Sacred Heart Health System will provide free flu shots at locations in Pensacola, Cantonment and Pace for adults who are poor, elderly or uninsured.
Only individuals ages 18 and up are eligible for these flu shots. In addition, heart-health screenings will be provided at locations in Pensacola and Cantonment.
Heart-health screenings will measure blood pressure, blood sugar and total cholesterol, and can detect anemia. The screenings are helpful in diagnosing conditions that put people at high risk for heart attack, stroke, diabetes and other health problems.
Following is the October schedule for adult screenings:
•Oct. 21 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at St. Monica’s Episcopal Church, 699 S. Highway 95A, Cantonment. Flu shots.
•Oct. 24 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at St. John Catholic Church, 303 S. Navy Blvd., Pensacola. Flu shots.
•Oct. 26 from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Community Clinic, 131 W. Intendencia St., Pensacola. Flu shots.
•Oct. 31 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at West Milton Church of Christ, 5300 U.S. Highway 90, Pace. Flu shots.
For more information about Sacred Heart's ''Mission in Motion'' community-health screenings, call 416-7826.
Santa Rosa Extension sets free 'Cooking with Herbs' class
MILTON — Experts from the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Santa Rosa County Extension Office will offer a class on cooking with herbs.
The session, free to attend without pre-registration, is available 10 a.m. Oct. 20 at the Gulf Breeze Library, 1060 Shoreline Drive in Gulf Breeze
Ginny Hinton, UF-IFAS Extension Santa Rosa County Family and Consumer Sciences agent, will discuss the secret to spicing up your dishes without adding extra salt or fat.
For questions about the class contact Bethany Diamond at 675-6654 or bethanydiamond@ufl.edu.
Santa Rosa County Farm Tour returns in October
MILTON —The 51st Annual Santa Rosa County Farm Tour will be held Tuesday, Oct. 24, beginning at the Santa Rosa County Extension office located at 6263 Dogwood Drive in Milton.
The farm tour will highlight a wide range of agricultural and natural resource stops including the Blackwater State Forest, Future Farmers of America and 4-H livestock projects, longleaf working forest, and invasive cogongrass management.
Annually, approximately 200 residents join on the tour and discover what the county's agriculture and natural resources have to offer. They ride in a charter bus and enjoy a catered lunch. The tour will award the Farm Family of the Year to Burlin and Levi Findley of Wild Boar Farms.
Bus space is limited. The fee to reserve your spot is $20. Register at www.SRCFarmTour17.eventbrite.com.
For more information, contact the Santa Rosa County extension office at 623-3868.
Dedicated Women in Christ Conference scheduled
MILTON — The Dedicated Women in Christ Conference 2017 will present anointed speakers and fellowship with women from around the country.
The event is set Thursday, Oct. 26 through Saturday, Oct. 28 at Heart of God Church Ministries Inc., 6151 Dogwood Drive, Milton. The Rev. Victor T. Alexander is pastor there.
Morning sessions start at 9 a.m.; evening sessions start at 6:30 p.m. The theme is “Waiting on God.” The conference is free for women who attend.
For more information, contact Sister Sadie Alexander at 476-2266.
Drive-through rabies clinic on tap
MILTON — The Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County (DOH-Santa Rosa) and Santa Rosa Animal Control will host a drive-through rabies vaccination clinic for dogs and cats on Oct. 27.
The clinic will be from 4-6 p.m. at the Animal Services facility at 4451 Pine Forest Road in Milton.
Veterinarians from Pace Veterinary Clinic and The Ark Animal Hospital will provide the vaccine and administer the injections for $10. Cash and checks will be accepted. A valid driver’s license will be required for all checks. A certificate of vaccination and rabies tag will be provided. No other services will be available. Pets must be secured in a vehicle, crate or on a leash.
“Once again we are happy to be able to partner with Animal Control and the local veterinarians to provide this service,” said Sandra L. Park-O’Hara, ARNP, administrator of the Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County. “These clinics are always well-attended. Typically, the veterinarians and their staff will vaccinate 200 to 300 dogs and cats. It’s a very worthwhile effort.”
Rabies is a disease that affects the brain. The virus is carried in the saliva of infected animals and is usually transmitted to people and other animals through a bite or scratch. In the United States, more than 90 percent of rabies cases occur in wild animals such as raccoons, foxes, skunks and bats, but domesticated animals can carry it as well.
Treating people who have been exposed to rabies can be expensive, and insurance does not always cover the cost. Those seeking post exposure treatment are usually seen first in a hospital emergency room to begin the shots, and may receive the rest of the series at the health department. Since Jan. 1, DOH-Santa Rosa has provided post exposure rabies shots to 16 people at a cost of about $15,704.00.
Christ United Methodist Church organizes pumpkin patch
MILTON — Christ United Methodist Church at 5983 Dogwood Drive is having its annual Pumpkin Patch 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct.6-31; it's open seven days a week.
There is a decorated area for picture taking as well as hay rides on the weekends. Native Americans nurture the pumpkins in the southwest United States.
All proceeds will go toward the children’s fund at the church. "Come down to the Pumpkin Patch and pick out your prized pumpkin or two," an event media release states.
Contact the church at 623-8820 for more information.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Santa Rosa Community Briefs