Flagler Technical College Receives Florida Blue Foundation Health Literacy Grant

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August 20, 2021

ftc — Instructor Frank Santana, Curriculum Specialist for Flagler Schools Kay Barnett, Director of Flagler Technical College Renee Stauffacher and Student Services Manager Lynn Taillon, celebrate the proclamation issued by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recognizing February as Career Technical Education Month in Florida, on Tuesday, February 23, 2021.

Palm Coast, FL (August 20, 2021) – Flagler Technical College is pleased to announce it has been awarded a one-year, $5,000 grant for the implementation of a health literacy program to benefit its Adult General Education, ESOL, and Early Childhood Education students. Fourteen programs across the state of Florida have been awarded one-year, $5,000 grants for the implementation of a health literacy program to benefit their adult education, ESOL, and family literacy students.

This grant, awarded by Florida Blue Foundation and the Florida Literacy Coalition, will integrate health and nutrition information into Flagler Technical College’s curriculum. The focus is to help students acquire the knowledge, literacy skills, and resources that will help them navigate the medical system and make informed health decisions. More than 21,000 students from programs throughout Florida have benefited from this grant program initiative since 2009. More than 19,000 students from programs throughout Florida have benefited from this Initiative since 2009.

There is a growing recognition among health care providers and adult educators around the country that limited English language and literacy skills can have a significant impact on one’s health. According to the National Adult Assessment of Literacy, 14% of Americans cannot comprehend basic health information. The study indicates that health illiteracy is especially prevalent among: 1) adults who did not complete high school, with 49% having below basic health literacy, and 2) foreign-born adults who speak English as their second language.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, it has never been more important for people to be informed about good health practices and available resources. People who lack literacy and health literacy skills are much more likely to use medications incorrectly, have at least one chronic disease, spend more time in the hospital, and are four times more likely to have poor health than people with higher health literacy skills. The potential for cost savings and improved health outcomes are significant. Adult education, literacy and family literacy programs can play an important role in helping people to acquire these skills.

“Our mission is to help people and communities achieve better health,” said Susan Towler, vice president of the Florida Blue Foundation. “By improving health literacy in our state, we are addressing one of the obstacles to good health and health equity in our communities. Through our partnership with the Florida Literacy Coalition, we are making an immediate impact to help people keep themselves and their families healthy during the pandemic, while creating sustainable change throughout our communities.”

The Florida Health Literacy Initiative provides training, resources, and funding to assist Florida ESOL and family literacy programs to integrate health education into their instruction. The objective is to help students develop basic literacy and English language skills while gaining information to make informed choices regarding their health and nutrition.

“The continued support of this Initiative reflects Florida Blue Foundation’s strong commitment to helping adult learners, many who are new to this country, become informed health advocates for themselves and their families,” said Greg Smith, executive director of the Florida Literacy Coalition. “We look forward to our continued partnership with Florida Blue and this year’s grant recipients to help adult learners throughout our state achieve better health through education.”

During the 2021 – 2022 academic year Flagler Technical College will deliver health literacy content consisting of, but not limited to, medication safety, nutrition, healthy snack and dessert planning and preparation, and promotion of walking and physical movement for improved health. Students in FTC’s Health Sciences and Early Education programs will create presentations, distribute visual aids, and develop project-based learning activities for FTC’s Adult General Education (ESOL, ABE, GED) students, parents, and children. In addition, this project will include the development of age appropriate health activities for FTC’s New Beginnings Daycare Center children. FTC will also present opportunities to students and staff to “Get Their Move On” by teaching them the importance of moving more throughout the day and participating in competitive events.

“Learning how to navigate the health care system is an important part of living a healthy lifestyle,” said Renee Stauffacher, Director of Flagler Technical College. “We are excited to be able to implement this curriculum into our programs here at FTC. Especially with the COVID-19 pandemic that is currently upon us, this grant is helping our students communicate with health care professionals not only for themselves, but also for their families and friends.”

More information is available on the Florida Literacy Coalition’s website at floridaliteracy.org For questions, please contact Heather Surrency at Surrencyh@Floridaliteracy.org .

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Featured Photo: Instructor Frank Santana, Curriculum Specialist for Flagler Schools Kay Barnett, Director of Flagler Technical College Renee Stauffacher and Student Services Manager Lynn Taillon, celebrate the proclamation issued by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recognizing February as Career Technical Education Month in Florida, on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. (File Photo/Flagler News Weekly)

About FTC:

Flagler Technical College (formerly Flagler Technical Institute) is your local resource for career and community education. FTC is the adult division of the Flagler County School District and accredited through the Council on Occupational Education (COE). FTC’s Career and Technical Education program focuses on high-demand trades to meet the business and industry needs in Flagler and surrounding counties. Students learn practical specialized skills from industry professionals in a personalized and hands-on learning environment. The college also partners with flagship programs in the county high schools to create a seamless transition from secondary to post-secondary education. GED and ESOL classes are offered through the Adult Education programs while providing an authorized Pearson Vue testing site to complete certifications and licensing. FTC’s Community Education and Resource programs offer community classes, summer camps, extended day programs, day care, and enrichment programs. FTC’s Step-Up program helps the adults with disabilities population lead meaningful and productive lives, explore their potential, develop a sense of community, and pursue independence and employment. For more information visit FTC’s website at www.flaglertech.edu

About the Florida Literacy Coalition:

Established in 1985, the Florida Literacy Coalition (FLC) promotes, supports and advocates for the effective delivery of quality adult and family literacy services in the state of Florida. As a statewide umbrella literacy organization and the host of Florida’s Adult and Family Literacy Resource Center, FLC provides a range of services to support more than 300 adult education, literacy and family literacy providers. Special emphasis is placed on assisting community–based literacy organizations with their training and program development needs.

About Florida Blue Foundation

Florida Blue Foundation enables healthy communities by making grants, building coalitions and embracing solutions that create a meaningful impact in our communities. More than 6.5 million Floridians have received services as a result of our community investments since our founding in 2001. The Florida Blue Foundation’s programs are focused on advancing mental well-being, improving health equity, impacting food security and addressing systemic racism and resulting health disparities. It is a trade name of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Foundation, Inc., an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information, please visit www.FloridaBlueFoundation.com.

Up With The Sun: Free Centering and Gathering at Sunrise

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Flagler News Weekly

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August 20, 2021

Hosted by Find Your Peace by Pieces: Saturday, August 21, 2021 at 6:45 AM

Founder: Toni Mayes

Come join for a free centering and gathering at sunrise ♡ Beautiful beach access right next to Marineland Dolphin Adventure and Ragga Surf Cafe. We will start with a short guided centering, like in the beginning of a yoga class ♡ Grounding, connecting, breathing. Maybe a few seated stretches ♡ Watch the sunrise together. Bring your own coffee, or get coffee and breakfast from Ragga Surf Cafe, an amazing blue food bus.

If you aren’t able to afford a coffee, please private message me and we can help ♡ I will be staying after sunrise, and most likely staying through lunch. Anyone who would like to stay, bring your bathing suit and beach supplies! Families are welcome, my 11 year old joins us, enjoys the quiet moment in the beginning and then the fun at the beach after. Or join after sunrise with the kids When you pull into the parking lot, all the way to the left you will see the public restrooms. across from these there are steps going to the beach. We will be near those set of steps. if I don’t have my umbrella set up yet, just look for my blue hair, can’t miss me.Looking forward to seeing some familiar faces and meeting some new friends! I know sunrise is early ( I’m not a morning person lol ) but I did it once and now I know it’s worth it every once in a while! hoping to make it a monthly thing ♡

Sen. Rick Scott Calls for U.S. Service Academy Nominations Ahead of September Deadline

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Flagler News Weekly

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August 20, 2021

From the Office of Senator Rick Scott –

I have the great honor of nominating deserving young men and women from Florida each year to attend our nation’s incredible U.S. Service Academies. As a Navy veteran myself, I fully appreciate those interested in serving our nation, and am grateful for the opportunity to support young Floridians eager to attend our service academies.

This year, I need your help in identifying our state’s best young leaders! Please share this message HERE or below with any eligible and interested students.

About Academy Nominations:

All members of Congress are authorized by law to nominate candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S. Service Academies. These schools include the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment. In addition to requesting a nomination from a Member of Congress, or another nominating official, an individual seeking appointment to a service academy must separately apply to the service academies to which he or she seeks to be appointed.

To learn more about my nomination process, please read the information below and visit my website HERE.

Please find more information and frequently asked questions below, or on Senator Scott’s website HERE. For additional questions, please contact our office HERE or by emailing nominations@rickscott.senate.gov.

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Q. What documents are required in my nomination application?
A. The following documents must be completed and received by our office no later than Friday, September 17, 2021:

Completed and Submitted Questionnaire;
Three (3) Letters of Recommendation;
Headshot;
Unofficial High School Transcript;
If you’ve completed any courses at a college or university, please include unofficial transcripts for each of the academic institutions attended.
SAT/ACT Scores;
To directly submit your SAT/ACT test scores to Senator Rick Scott’s office, please use the SAT test code of 0220 and ACT test code of 7118. Please note, it takes approximately six weeks for our office to receive official scores. To provide equal opportunity for all applicants, we will not accept any late submissions.

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Q. What is the timeline for the nomination process?
A. All application materials must be submitted by Friday, September 17, 2021. Late submissions will not be accepted.

To ensure your materials are considered for review, please submit all required materials through the online application portal available HERE.

Please note, all other methods of submission will not be accepted.

Below you will find the official timeline for our nomination process. We expect all applicants to plan accordingly to meet all posted deadlines.

September 17, 2021:	Deadline to submit application and required materials
November – December 2021:	Applications reviewed \| Interviews conducted \| Final evaluations
December 2021 – January 31, 2022:	Nomination selections made
January 31, 2022:	Deadline for Congressional Nomination Submissions to U.S. Service Academies

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Q: How do I submit my application and the required documents?
A: All application materials must be directly uploaded to your online application profile. No other methods of submission with be considered, including sending to our office through any mail carrier services.

Access your online application profile HERE.

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Q: How do I upload my transcripts?
A: To fulfill the application transcript requirement, you must upload a scanned PDF of your unofficial transcript to your online application profile within the “Checklist Requirements” section.

If you’ve completed any courses at a college or university, please include unofficial transcripts for each of the academic institutions attended. Please note, AP courses will be included in your unofficial high school transcript, and will not require a separate college/university transcript.

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Q: How do I submit my official test scores?
A: To directly submit your official SAT/ACT test scores, please use the SAT test code of 0220 and ACT test code of 7118 on the applicable testing agency’s website.

Please note, it takes approximately six weeks for our office to receive and enter scores. Once we have received your official scores, we will update your online application profile to reflect the submission. If your application checklist indicates you are missing test scores, we have not received them.

To provide equal opportunity for all applicants, our office will not accept any late submissions. Our office will accept multiple official test scores sent and received by the September 17, 2021 deadline. The listed date of completion featured in the “Checklist Requirements” section of your online application profile reflects the date the requirement was originally fulfilled. This date will not be updated to reflect any additional submissions.

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Q: What are the requirements for the letters of recommendation?
A:To fulfill the letter of recommendation requirements, all applicants must receive three separate recommendation letters.

Each letter must be directly uploaded to candidate’s online applicant profile by the preferred advocates. For high school and college candidates, preferred advocates may include school faculty/staff, community leaders, athletic coaches, and extracurricular advisors. For active duty military candidates, preferred advocates must include two of your enlisted leadership and one from your commissioned officer leadership.

The applicant must send a file request to their preferred advocates by entering the preferred advocates’ email address in their “Checklist Requirements.” Our office will send a file request to the preferred advocate on behalf of the applicant. Once a file request is received, the advocate will be able to upload the letter of recommendation on behalf of the applicant.

Please encourage advocates to check their Spam/Junk mail folders to ensure they’ve received the file request.

Please note, all candidates are encouraged to proactively work with their preferred advocates throughout the application process to ensure all application materials are submitted by the application deadline of Friday, September 17, 2021. To provide equal opportunity for all applicants, our office will not accept any late or alternative methods of submission, no exceptions.

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Q: Is my application complete and submitted?
A: To determine the status of your application, please log into your online application portal. To complete your application, please ensure you’ve submitted each of the application requirements including your questionnaire, three letters of recommendation, unofficial transcripts, official test scores and profile photo.

Completed checklist requirements will be indicated with a checkmark and the statuses “Complete” or “Received”. If your online application portal lists one of these requirements as “Incomplete” or “Not Submitted” your application isn’t finalized. To maintain eligibility for further consideration, you are encouraged to complete all of the application requirements by the September 17, 2021 deadline.

If you have fulfilled each requirement, your application is considered submitted. You may receive reminder emails throughout the remainder of the application cycle.

Please allow our office until December 1, 2021 to deliver initial decision notices on the status of your application. Due to the competitive nature of this statewide process applicants are not guaranteed an interview.

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Q: If I am a rising Junior, can I apply?
A: We are currently accepting applications for rising seniors or high school graduates for the 2021-2022 U.S. Congressional Nomination cycle. If you are a rising junior, we recommend that you prepare for the 2022-2023 U.S. Congressional Nomination cycle.

For more information, please visit our website HERE.

Please note, application requirements, timelines, and processes are subject to change for each U.S. Congressional Nomination cycle.

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Q: What are the Active Duty requirements?
A: All applications and required documents must be submitted by Friday, September 17, 2021. To provide equal opportunity for all applicants, our office will not accept any late submissions, no exceptions. We ask all applicants to plan accordingly to meet the deadlines, and check our website regularly for updates.

Please review your preferred academies’ additional requirements for enlisted applicants.

To complete your active duty application, please ensure that you have submitted the following:

Completed and Submitted Questionnaire;
Three (3) Letters of Recommendation;
To fulfill the letter of recommendation requirements, each active duty military member must receive three separate recommendations– two from your enlisted leadership and one from your commissioned officer leadership.
Headshot;
Unofficial High School Transcript;
If you’ve completed any courses at a college or university, please include unofficial transcripts for each of the academic institutions attended.
SAT/ACT Scores;
To directly submit your SAT/ACT test scores to Senator Rick Scott’s office, please use the SAT test code of 0220 and ACT test code of 7118. Please note, it takes approximately six weeks for our office to receive official scores. To provide equal opportunity for all applicants, we will not accept any late submissions.
All additional required documents for your preferred academy.

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If you have any additional questions, please contact our office at nominations@rickscott.senate.gov.

Featured Photo: Rick Scott/Sun Sentinel

Palm Coast and Flagler Schools Partner to Form After-School Teen Program

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Flagler News Weekly

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August 20, 2021

Palm Coast – A partnership between Flagler Schools and the City of Palm Coast will allow for an after-school teen program at the Palm Coast Community Center. Beginning August 30, the program will be available to Indian Trails Middle School students from 2:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. each school day.

Flagler Schools will provide bus transportation from Indian Trails Middle School to the Palm Coast Community Center. The City’s Parks and Recreation Department will supervise the students through a variety of activities.

This new program will create a supportive and productive environment for teens while fulfilling a need for middle school aftercare. A counselor-in-training program will be offered during the aftercare program as a means to train students to become future camp counselor with the Parks and Recreation Department.

The program is free and will begin with between 50 to 75 students, with the hopes of doubling the amount of student participants in the near future. Additional enrichment programs will be offered for a small fee, such as robotics and rowing.

“We’re excited for this teen program to get started and we know that it will be a great experience for the students as well as their parents,” Lauren Johnston, Chief of Staff for the City of Palm Coast, said. “We are ready to have fun and we are very thankful for this partnership with Flagler Schools.”

Currently the only teen aftercare program in the county is the Flagler County Youth Center, and it has reached capacity. The past-president previously approached the City of Palm Coast requesting that the City begin an after school teen program for students on the north side of town – mainly focused on Indian Trails Middle School and Matanzas High School students.

For more information, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at the Palm Coast Community Center by calling 386-986-2323 or register at parksandrec.fun/teens.

Media Release: City of Palm Coast. Brittany Kershaw, Director Public Information & Engagement.

Biz Beat: Crazy Sock Divas Launch Flex360 Fitness

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Flagler News Weekly

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August 18, 2021

Fitness Promotion Group & Media Company Crazy Sock Divas has launched Flex360 Fitness, an innovative new virtual fitness platform designed to provide better workout options and versatility to accommodate the busiest of lifestyles, complete with an easy-to-use app.

Their team of highly trained, friendly instructors offers over 20 live stream classes per week with a focus on cardio, strength, and recovery, with fitness favorites such as Zumba® and Dance Fusion, numerous strength training classes such as Body Sculpt, Circuits, and Dynamic Core, and a Total Body Stretch Class. They even offer an indoor cycling class for those with a stationary bike at home. Class times are scheduled strategically with a busy workday in mind, offering morning, lunch hour, and evening class options. They also offer 30-minute express formats to get in a good sweat and get back to the day. Their goal is to provide a more holistic approach to a healthy, active lifestyle, and many of their formats are designed to be fun for the whole family.

“We’re finding that we get a lot of people that are brand new to fitness because they feel comfortable with our team and enjoy having the ability to try new workouts from the privacy of their own home,” says platform owner and fitness instructor Brandi Jaeger. “As instructors, we focus on making sure that our students are successful in each session and that every workout is attainable for every fitness level.”

“Teaching on Flex360 Fitness has allowed me to connect with members across the United States and to those who may not be able to make it physically to the gym due to COVID-19 restrictions. I LOVE our Flex360 team and believe this platform is for everyone!” says Miranda O’Brien, Elite Fitness Instructor for the platform.

Elite Fitness Instructor for Flex360 Fitness Miranda O’Brien

Since the pandemic emerged, Crazy Sock Divas has been at the forefront of virtual fitness by hosting over 1,500 live streams since early 2020. The new platform simplifies access to the live streams, gives users complete control over their experience, with no contracts and simple payment options to accommodate different levels of users, such as $6 drop-ins, class packages, and an unlimited membership option. They also offer discounts for first responders, medical professionals, military members, and teachers.

For more information, visit www.flex360fitness.com.

Flagler Executive Airport: Major Milestones Near Completion

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Flagler News Weekly

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August 18, 2021

August 17, 2021 – Flagler Executive Airport, one of the busiest general aviation airports in the country, is also a hub of activity for its seemingly continual array of projects and upgrades to keep the facility state-of-the-art – none at the expense of local property tax dollars.

“Because we are an enterprise fund, every cent we spend is paid for through revenues from grants, or earned through ground and building leases and fuel sales,” Airport Director Roy Sieger said. “This is why it is important for us to continually make improvements, and upgrade our facility.”

Runway 6-24 recently reopened after a nine-month closure to accommodate the work required for the $8.75 million project to refurbish it. The project included rehabilitating the entire runway pavement – a length of 5,000 feet and a width of 100 feet – the addition of new Medium Intensity Runway Lights (MIRLs), Runway End Identifier Lights (REILs), and an aircraft run-up area. Additionally, a new airfield electrical vault was constructed.

The work was paid through two grants: a Federal Aviation Administration grant for $6.77 million; and, a Florida Department of Transportation grant for $1.98 million. All flights had been using Runway 11-29 over the course of the construction, which was completed by Halifax Paving.

“They aren’t quite finished with the electrical vault, but it’s on schedule for the end of the month,” Sieger said. “We have reopened the runway. Residents may notice flight patterns have changed with the reopening of Runway 6-24.”

Other improvements at the airport include a new fuel dispenser with a high-visibility display, new self-serve fuel terminal, and two new fuel trucks. This gives pilots the option to receive full or serve-self fuel for their aircraft.

“For self-service, it’s like filling up your car at the gas station,” Sieger said. “You swipe your credit card, pump and go.”

Additionally, the design phase for the new T-hangars is being conducted by Hoyle, Tanner & Associates (HTA) and is about 90% complete for three new T-hangar buildings of 14 units each – a total of 42 new hangars. A Florida Department of Transportation Public Transportation Grant Agreement for $117,000 completely funded the design costs.

“The airport currently has 56 T-hangars, which are all occupied,” said Sieger. “The average waiting period is approximately two years to get a hangar. These T-hangars provide a nice revenue stream, which is important for us because we operate as an enterprise fund.”

Hoyle, Tanner & Associates is also spearheading the replacement of the Air Traffic Control Tower equipment project. This project will replace all the equipment necessary for the Air Traffic Controller to communicate with pilots. The Air Traffic Control Tower was constructed in 2009.

Flagler Executive Airport is a Fixed Base Operator.

“There are not a lot of airports that do what we do,” Airport Director Roy Sieger said. “A lot of airports contract out for those services, but we provide them ourselves.”

A Fixed Base Operator is the primary provider of support services to general aviation operators at a public-use airport and provides aeronautical services such as fueling, hangaring, tie-down and parking, as well as other services. At the Flagler Executive Airport – which was originally constructed in 1942 as an outlying military airfield for Naval Air Station Jacksonville – the airport itself is the provider.

“The quality of customer service we provide is 100% on us,” Sieger said. “This is ‘Where Service Soars.’”

Media Release: Flagler County. Julie Murphy, MPIO

FYO to Hold Open House on September 1st

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Flagler News Weekly

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August 17, 2021

Whispering Meadows Inspires English Artist to Share Talent for Fundraiser

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Danielle Anderson

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August 16, 2021

Laura O'Brien is spearheading the fundraiser to help Whispering Meadows Ranch with a series of fundraisers, including a trio of art works by English artist Kathy Nettles, on display at the Grand Gallery.

Palm Coast, FL/Devon, England – From single individuals to organized group efforts, the community has shown a vested interest across Flagler County in helping the Whispering Meadows Ranch since the equine therapy center made headlines this spring as a subject of a neighborly complaint.

Under real or perceived threat of closure, the community has rallied to help organization not only keep their doors open, but support the potential move to a new location in Flagler County.

Helping to coordinate a series of fundraisers on behalf of the ranch, Laura O’Brien, a past president of the Grand Haven Woman’s Club and member of the CJ Chapter of the Philanthropic Educational Organization known as P.E.O., is putting her skills and extensive network to work for Whispering Meadows.

“They are in the process of looking to expand to provide greater services to their clients and expand their client base. Whispering Meadows Ranch is a ranch dealing only with horses and they provide equine therapy to kids with special needs, and veterans with PTSD or other needs. And to support them in the relocation effort, we’re having a series of fundraisers,” she said.

Starting with three works of art prominently displayed at the Grand Gallery at Grand Realty, it’s the first in a series of fundraisers that will culminate with a charity golf tournament on March 28, 2022 according to O’Brien.

Showcasing the subject of the fundraisers – horses, O’Brien enlisted English artist Kathy Nettles to donate her talents for a cause both share a passion for saving.

“We have several paintings here done by Kathy Nettles. She is an English artist with a passion for horses, and for charity. When I found her online, this was strictly serendipitous,” said O’Brien.

After learning more about the Whispering Meadows Ranch and mission, Nettles was more than happy to help from her studio in Devon, England.

“When my husband, John and I relocated, in 2000 to an old farm in Devon we brought with us a small donkey, Hector, who we had rehomed from a very unpleasant fate, and Minty a small white pony that had been given up to an equine charity and had remained there for most of his life,” shared Nettles.

“Once settled it seemed a waste not to fill the stables and meadows with more horses and donkeys that needed new homes, some TLC and a place where they could live out their lives in peace and comfort,” she said.

It was also a chance for Nettles to further develop another passion of hers, art.

“Living in Devon also, somehow, reignited my love of art, something I’d not thought about since school and, in 2018 I took the first of what would be many, courses in art and painting,” she said.

“Once I started, I realized that this was what I really wanted to spend the rest of my life doing. It took a while to pluck up the courage to paint my beloved horses, and they are now one of my most loved subjects.”

It was her social media posting of her art business that brought Laura O’Brien and the Whispering Meadows Ranch into Nettles’ life, and became a perfect match for the pair.

“As an artist I often struggle with ‘the point’ of my art – but then an opportunity to use it to bring awareness and much needed funding for such a great, much loved, and needed charity presents itself. I was, and still am, humbled that Laura chose my art and I’m sure with her drive and infectious enthusiasm the events she has planned for the charity will be huge successes,” said Nettles.

Serving the community for the past 14 years, Kristine Aguirre, says need for Whispering Meadows Ranch’s services which include educational and equine-assisted activities for adults and youth with disabilities and special needs, has continued to grow.

“Alongside an amazing group of volunteers and community support the Ranch serves hundreds of participants throughout the year. These community members and volunteers have found purpose, comfort and healing through the programs at Whispering Meadows Ranch,” said Aguirre.

“As we move forward in positioning the Ranch for future growth, we are excited to build on our strong foundation and explore opportunities to expand our reach in Flagler County and beyond. While this is a large project we are committed to creating more services and connections for the underserved population in our community,” she said.

Aguirre is grateful for the dedicated support of members of the community like O’Brien who are not only advocates for the ranch, but critical to the non-profit’s mission.

“The Ranch does not receive any local or federal government funding, and we will continue serving our community with the generosity of supporters like the P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization),” shared Aguirre.

“We are thrilled this amazing group has chosen Whispering Meadows Ranch for their fundraising campaign and look forward to raising awareness as well as sharing the benefits of the Ranch’s services through their efforts. We are excited for the next phase in the history of our organization and hope the Flagler County community will join us for the ride,” she said.

The inaugural three works of equestrian art by English artist Kathy Nettles are on display at the Grand Gallery in Palm Coast, located within the Grand Realty offices on Colbert Lane from August 1- November 14, 2021.

Grand Gallery: 2298 Colbert Lane, Palm Coast, FL. Gallery Hours: M-Sat: 9 AM to 5 PM.

For more information, contact Laura O’Brien at email2lob@gmail.com or call 248-921-8714.

Featured Image: Laura O’Brien is spearheading the fundraiser to help Whispering Meadows Ranch with a series of fundraisers, including a trio of art works by English artist Kathy Nettles, on display at the Grand Gallery. (Anderson/FNW)

The Big Five … Josh McPherson, Florida Mortgage Dude

By

Flagler News Weekly

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August 16, 2021

It was an inspiring post on social media that many adults would probably say, “If only I’d known at a younger age” that makes Josh McPherson ‘The Big Five’ guest this week. His insight is a great lesson for the up-and-coming generation. His original post is below in red for a frame of reference, and we hope it will inspire you to share this good advice with the next generation in your life too.

Tell readers a bit about yourself and what you do professionally.

Hi! My name is Josh, the Florida Mortgage Dude. I am a Senior Mortgage Loan Officer at American Home Mortgage in Flagler Beach, Florida. We are a true local business in Flagler County and my primary focus is securing financing for homeowners. I work with people buying their first homes, dream homes, second homes or even help with refinancing. No matter what the loan program ,or type, I give all loan files my complete attention to detail to close on time.

How has your professional experience helped you as a young professional strategically set goals for you and your family personally?

When I first stepped into this industry, I had no idea how in depth your personal finances can go. I always thought that as long as you paid your bills on time and saved some money every month you would be ok. That could not be farther from the truth. There is so much that goes into preparing for you financial future and I have found the younger you are, the less aggressive you have to be to take advantage of compounding interest in retirement investments. I have reviewed so many loan files with older clients who did not prepare for their future and rely on social security income alone to live. Seeing this firsthand has motivated me to be more focused on our financial future to ensure that my wife and I can enjoy our retirement rather than stress about it. I want my future self to look back at this time in my life and be proud of the financial decisions I made rather than wish I made more financial sacrifices.

You recently posted some pretty impressive benchmarks for a person of any age. How have you been able to achieve these goals?

I recently published a success post on social media providing my friends, family and clients with a personal testimonial about me becoming a student of my craft and showing that it does work. For years I have been discussing credit and financial strategy but behind the scenes I have been putting those same strategies into action. This has increased my FICO from the low 700s into the 800s within a matter a couple of years. I didn’t realize how difficult it was to get into the 800s until I made it a goal to reach this. Funny enough, I when my personal credit was pulled for my recent refinance, I was thinking my credit score would be around 780 but it actually came in at 806! I was blown away. I could not believe the report I was reading through. All over those years of putting my own practices into action finally paid off and I unknowingly reached a goal.

Were there any pitfalls you had to learn from along the way?

Absolutely! When it comes to finances there are so many pitfalls you could face. Some are within your control, and some are not. There was a time after I started working towards an 800 credit score where I over extended my credit and had too many liabilities. I had 3 installment loans and 2 credit cards that were carrying a high balance. Once I realized this I started to make changes. We had a camper that was financed, and I sold it. My credit card balances were high which started bringing my credit score down, so I paid them off. I had a 2018 Silverado that was financed and, thanks to the chip shortage, I sold that for more than what I bought it for and purchased a used vehicle cash with the remaining equity. I feel fortunate that I have not had any major financial setbacks along the way like a bankruptcy, foreclosure or any outstanding balances go into collections. Once you start watching your credit you can see exactly what is affecting it either positively or negatively. I would say the most important lesson I learned along the way is to monitor your credit so you know exactly what’s going on.

High school graduates and young adults don’t often get advice or training on how to accomplish what you’ve listed. What are the steps they should be taking early on to achieve success?

I think it’s sad that a real-world financial class has not been implemented in schools. This can really help change a lot of people’s lives but instead we have to learn the hard way or learn through our family and friends. Those who do not have individuals in their network with strong financial experience will more than likely get a late start. My advice for your adults is listed below:

Start savings your money now to purchase a home. Renting a home is paying for somebody else’s investment. Let’s say you rent a home for 2 years at $1,500 a month, that’s $36,000 over 2 years with no opportunity to get any of that money back but if you owned that home you could potentially make that back or more.
Pay your bills on time. This should go without saying but I have seen so many clients with late pays. This is essential for a good credit rating.
Implement a credit card strategy. Put your normal monthly expenses on your credit card and pay that balance off in full every month. The golden ratio for a credit card balance is 30% of the max credit limit. Try not to exceeds this.
Don’t keep up with the Jones’. Nobody really cares what kind of car your drive, how nice your furniture is or how expensive your clothes are. It took me some time to realize this. When we’re looking at a big purchase, depending on what it is, the first place I check is Facebook marketplace or eBay. There are deals to be had on just about anything you need there with a substantial savings.
Start investing in your retirement NOW. Compounding interest on investments pays big on the back end. Consult with a financial advisor on the best investment accounts to open and stick to the plan.

There’s so much that goes into your personal finances and everybody’s situation and goals are different. All of this advice is based on what I have seen work for me and what I think achieving financial success is. At the end of the day you have to make the decision on what the best path is for you and your family.

Josh McPherson’s Inspiring Social Media Post:

– We just refi’d to a 15 yr at an absurdly low rate and are on a 10yr payoff plan without skimping on our retirement investments.

– I sold my new truck to buy an older (and cooler) truck cash so I don’t have a truck payment.

– I pay off my credit card balance in full every month so I’m not carrying that monthly debt

– I have one personal loan that I don’t want to payoff in full since it gives me a positive credit payment history and keeps my FICO in the 800s.

I’ve been a student of finances since day 1 of getting my Mortgage Loan Originator License and I have put to practice what I preach to my clients. I am a firm believer in leading by example and I want my referral partners, clients and future clients to know that not only do I know how to close your loan but I can show you how to get an 800 credit score and live a financially balanced life.

Intersection of Parkview Drive and Pepperdine Drive Will Be Closed for a Pump Station Rehabilitation Project

By

Flagler News Weekly

-

August 15, 2021

Palm Coast – A road closure at the intersection of Parkview Drive and Pepperdine Drive is scheduled due to a pump station rehabilitation project.

The closure will occur beginning August 16 and should be completed within four weeks. The road and all three sides of the intersection will be closed during this time and motorists will be directed to a detour. The residents near the pump will have access to their driveways. Detour signs will be placed out for drivers.

The City of Palm Coast appreciates the patience and cooperation of residents and motorists during this time.

For more information, contact customer service at customer-service@palmoastgov.com or 386-986-2360. A request can also be submitted through palmcoastconnect.com.

Media Release: City of Palm Coast. Brittany Kershaw, Director of Public Information & Engagement.

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