Romanza St. Augustine Returns with Array of Free Cultural Events
Presenting a spectacular array of music, arts, culture and entertainment, Romanza returns this year with a full lineup to to dazzle the senses.
Find out more here.
Community Cats of Palm Coast to Hold New Foster Orientation
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A Life Worth Binge Watching: Grit with a Side of Gratitude
A Life Worth Binge Watching
S1 E7: Grit with a Side of Gratitude
One of my all-time favorite movies is My Cousin Vinny, starring Joe Pesci as Vinny Gambini. A famous scene from this hilarious film is when Vinny cross-examines Mr. Tipton who witnessed the crime in question while cooking his breakfast. Here’s an excerpt from Mr. Tipton’s testimony.
Mr. Tipton : No self-respectin’ Southerner uses instant grits. I take pride in my grits.
Vinny Gambini : So, Mr. Tipton, how could it take you five minutes to cook your grits, when it takes the entire grit-eating world twenty minutes?
Mr. Tipton : [a bit panicky] I don’t know. I’m a fast cook, I guess.
Vinny Gambini : I’m sorry, I was all the way over here. I couldn’t hear you. Did you say you were a fast cook? That’s it?
[Mr. Tipton nods in embarrassment]
Vinny Gambini : Are we to believe that boiling water soaks into a grit faster in your kitchen than on any place on the face of the earth?
Mr. Tipton : I don’t know.
Vinny Gambini : Well, perhaps the laws of physics cease to exist on your stove. Were these magic grits? I mean, did you buy them from the same guy who sold Jack his beanstalk beans?
In an earlier scene, Vinny has his first experience with grits at a breakfast diner and is curious about what they are made of, and how they are served. Since I am from the South, I found this quite humorous. It’s a great movie. I’ll post the video clips on my column’s FB page.
So how do you take your grits? I love mine creamy with butter and sugar. My daughter likes hers with cheese. I can bet some of you like them with salt and pepper or mixed with your eggs, while others may gag at the thought of them in any form. It’s all good. We are all different and have unique taste palettes. If you are a grits fan, I’m sure that you can at least concur that the preparation is most important, and good grits take time to cook.
Why am I talking about an old movie and grits this week? Well, I wanted to make a comparison between “grits” and the new buzz word “grit” as it relates to the determination and perseverance needed to win in the game of life. A couple of years ago, I was introduced to a book by Angela Duckworth entitled Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance.
If you are looking for a motivating read, I encourage you to pick it up. Grit, like grits, takes time to cultivate. If you rush, you might miss out on the best result. In this world of instant gratification, we want everything right now and refuse to exercise patience. It’s in the waiting that we gain the most knowledge and perspective. Additionally, the more effort and time that we invest in something, the more we appreciate the success at the end of the journey. On the other hand, when faced with failure, it is our grit that makes us persevere, to keep going, to never give up. This is where your individuality defines the ingredients that go into your unique recipe for grit. I’ll ask again…how do you take your grit(s)? Will you add a spoonful of grace, a side of gratitude, or a dollop of persistence? It’s your recipe, add whatever you like. When life or current circumstances are not what you expected, put the pot on the stove but don’t watch for it to boil. Revel in the waiting. Be kind to yourself while you persist. There are no failures, only lessons and opportunities to rise. Be grateful for the experience and celebrate the small victories along the way!
This weekend marks a big milestone in my life as I turn the big Five-O.
Am I where I thought I would be at this stage in my life? No. Not at all, but I am enjoying the ride. Does anything ever really go as we planned? Probably not. If your life has been perfect, please share your secret with the rest of us! I definitely don’t have all the answers. I can’t fix your life or tell you exactly how to “do grit”. You have to just figure it out yourself and that’s part of the process. You all have the right ingredients, think slow cooker, not microwave. Trust me, it will taste better and you will savor every bite!
As one chapter of life leads to the next, it seems appropriate that this should be the Season 1 Finale. Stay tuned to next week’s column for the premier of A Life Worth Binge Watching, Season 2: This is 50.
Melodye Lewis is a Friday columnist for Flagler News Weekly giving you something to talk about over lunch. Follow @ALifeWorthBingeWatching on Facebook.
FCSO: Palm Coast Traffic Stop Leads To Several Stolen ID & Debit Cards, Drugs
A felon is behind bars at the Green Roof Inn this afternoon after Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies pulled him over Wednesday afternoon on Palm Coast Parkway and discovered multiple stolen identification, debit cards and narcotics.
Deputies conducted a high risk traffic stop after 37-year-old Kenton Chance pulled into a Publix parking lot. The tag on his truck had been reported stolen from Miami, FL. Chance, currently on probation for the offense of worthless checks, is currently being held on no bond as he faces 12 new felony charges after FCSO deputies found stolen driver’s licenses, credit cards, and blank checks from several different individuals in his possession.
Deputies also determined the truck was a rental. A call was made to Enterprise rental company who stated the vehicle was rented to a female in Fort Lauderdale. While searching the truck, deputies found a small zipper bag filled with an unknown rock like substance, and an unknown brown substance, unknown grey powder substance, and a bag containing a white powdery substance which field tested presumptive positive for Cocaine.
“This was a great effort by deputies to locate not only a stolen vehicle and tag but also to find this suspect had various peoples’ identities and various illegal drugs,” Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said. “Hopefully, this will teach him and other criminals to not come to Flagler County with stolen property because we will catch you and take you to the Green Roof Inn.”
This felon has arrests dating back to 1997. Among the charges he’s faced outside of Florida are Identity Theft, Forgery, Burglary and Driving without a License. Among the charges he’s previously faced in Florida are Grand Theft, Possession of Cocaine, Bribery of a Public Servant and Robbery with a Firearm.
Date: April 28, 2022
Prepared by: Ashleigh Taylor
Release #: 2022-103
City Repertory Theatre To Stage ‘Waiting for Godot’ to Close the Season
Palm Coast, FL – “Waiting for Godot” by Samuel Beckett is a play that lives and breathes for an audience, revolving around two drifting clowns simply waiting for someone, or something to happen. Premiered in 1953 in Paris, it has been voted “the most significant English language play of the 20th century.” Say critics, “The play is funny. It is profound. It is unforgettable.” Play dates are April 29 to May 1 and May 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m., and May 8 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15.00 for students and $20.00 for adults. To purchase tickets visit www.crtpalmcoast.com or call 386-447-1650. The Theater is located at 160 Cypress Point Parkway, Suite B207.
Now in its eleventh season, the City Repertory Theater has received significant critical acclaim not only for its bold and diverse repertory, ranging from musical theater to Shakespeare, but also its excellent production values and superb acting. It is recognized as one of Flagler County’s most important cultural resources.
Publicity: Sarah Ulis. Photo: Mike Kitaif
Flagler Palm Coast Kiwanis Honor Joe Rizzo with Memorial Scholarships
Wednesday April 20th at noon, the Flagler Palm Coast Kiwanis gathered at the Elks Lodge on Old Kings Rd, in Palm Coast, to honor the FPC and Matanzas High School Seniors of the Month. In addition, President Mike McElroy, together with Frank Consentino, Awards Chair, presented two special FPC Key Club Scholarships, in the name of Joe Rizzo, for his tireless efforts on behalf of the Flagler Education Foundation.
While the Senior of the Month Awards are ongoing, the Joe Rizzo FPC Key Club Scholarships are a first for the club. Teresa Rizzo was in attendance and spoke; she noted Joe’s special connection to the Key Club and Kiwanis.
Joe Rizzo Scholarships were granted to the President of the FPC Key Club Hailey Bovino and Treasurer Amber Johnson. The faculty advisor for the Club, Vicky Eaton, was also there to receive special recognition. The scholarships for both students were in the amount of five hundred dollars.
Also present from the School Administration was Jeff Reaves, Principal of Matanzas HS and Greg Schwartz, Principal of FPC. Janet, McDonald FPC Kiwanis Foundation Treasurer and School Board Member helped with the ceremonies.
Celebrating were Seniors of the Month along with parents, faculty and family. The Seniors of the month from Matanzas HS : Ethan Drost, Marisa Pereira, and Andie Tice. FPC Seniors were: Rayliana Giaccone, Kenneth Logan, and Aaron Cope.
