August 9, 2021 – Flagler County Parks and Recreation on Monday rolled out a new reservation system that promises to be more user-friendly and convenient for residents.
“This is the same system the City of Palm Coast uses, so many residents will already be familiar with how it works,” said Parks and Recreation Supervisor Craig Lenniger. “The new system allows us to show the guests pictures and more details about all we have to offer in parks.”
All reservations made on the previous system have been transferred over.
“There is no need for anyone to worry about that,” Lenniger said. “We’ve already taken care of that.”
Those wishing to make a new reservation should go here.
Customers will need to make a new account that consists simply of their name, address, phone number, and e-mail address and then they will be set to reserve pavilions, community centers, and camping slots. Reservations for cabins at Princess Place Preserve are currently still made here.
“We are really excited about the new system,” Lenniger said.
Media Release: Flagler County. Julie Murphy, MPIO. Lacy Martin, Marketing Media Manager
Heading up the Flagler County Junior Chamber of Commerce, senior Brian Soudrain (left) represents the organization he founded during the 10th Annual Back to School Jam on Saturday, August 7, 2021.
Flagler County, FL – Ready to get kids off to a good start, the Flagler County school district held the 10th annual Back to School Jam on Saturday.
Providing resources for parents already thinking ahead to the holiday season, Judy Mazzella talked with families about the importance of signing up for The Giving Store, while sharing details on their semi-annual rummage sale to raise funds for the holiday effort.
“Registration for The Giving Store is now until the beginning of December for kids fifth grade and under,” said Mazzella, volunteer coordinator for the Flagler Volunteer Services. “We would love items for our Rummage Sale as we take that money and buy gifts for The Giving Store.”
Palm Coast Staples store manager Moises Heipiz and Pastor Jearlyn Dennie help students get suppliles and share information on the upcoming Back to School Bash during the 10th Annual Back to School Jam hosted at Flagler Palm Coast High School on August 7, 2021.
Palm Coast Staples retail store manager Moises Heipiz teamed up with Jearlyn Ministries to provide school supplies and get the word out about the 8th Annual Back to School Bash on August 14th from 11 am to 2 pm at Church on the Rock in Bunnell.
“I am here to connect with the community and give back as an organization,” said Heipiz. “We know everybody’s in need right now with what’s going on. This is priceless. There are no words to say how important this is or how it makes you feel to give back.”
Also a big giver to the local schools, Kona Ice of Flagler County owner Chuck Cullen summed it up during the Back to School Jam. In addition to providing cool treats for families at events, his company has a giveback fundraising element and has provided checks for more than $70,000 to Flagler County schools since 2016.
With a heart for kids and families, Chuck Cullen supports Flagler Schools not only during the 10th Annual Back to School Jam hosted at Flagler Palm Coast High School on August 7, 2021, but throughout the year with his “Fundraiser Givebacks” totaling over $70,000 throughout the years.
“We love seeing the kiddos from the different schools, and our biggest joy is making those give back checks to thank them for all the support from the parents, students, teachers and staff,” said Cullen. “We love what we do, and it’s a great feeling.”
As parents talked with representatives from their child’s school on hand at various booths throughout the gymnasium, it was a chance to familiarize themselves with the administration and learn more about the upcoming school year.
Supporting the school district’s effort to help families prepare for opening day on Tuesday, members of the Flagler County Education Foundation offered up 500 pre-stuffed bags filled with supplies. The foundation’s immediate past president and current Palm Coast mayor David Alfin was excited to see the enthusiasm from Flagler families.
“I’ve been serving the foundation for almost the last 10 years and I’ve never had a more rewarding or inspiring experience,” said Alfin.
Flagler County Sheriff’s Police Explorer Program members get a firsthand look at the duties of those who choose to protect and serve.
“I’m happy to be here to today for the Back to School Jam to see everybody and wish the kids the kids good luck. The spirit is incredible today despite COVID and everything else. It’s a great turnout and everybody is very excited about Tuesday, and a very exciting school year ahead.”
Last year’s Back to School Jam was cancelled due to the pandemic, and the school district’s coordinator for communications and community outreach Sabrina Crosby shared the families’ excitement about the first day of school’s arrival.
“This is one of our best (special projects), the Back to School Jam, where we welcome children and families back to school,” said Crosby.
Super heroes come in all ages and kinds, on hand at the 10th Annual Back to School Jam on Saturday, August 7, 2021.
“You can see the families are visiting all the different providers with afterschool activities and giveaways. It just warms your heart, and it’s a joyful day. You can see that they’re very joyful and excited, as well.”
St. Johns County is hosting a FEMA Dune Enhancement Project town hall meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, August 10, at the Southeast Branch Public Library, 6670 US 1 South, St. Augustine, FL 32086.
The meeting will provide an overview of the upcoming FEMA Dune Enhancement project, the voluntary temporary easements, and the temporary closure of the Fort Matanzas beach access ramp. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions about the project and provide feedback.
On July 23, 2021, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office employees donated $13,763.00 to the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches (FSYR) making FCSO employee’s total donations to the FSYR over $113,000 since 2017.
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly presented the latest employee donation check to FSYR Executive Vice President Maria Knapp on July 23, 2021 at the Florida Sheriff’s Association semi-annual meeting of Florida Sheriff’s.
FSYR Executive Vice President Maria Knapp then surprised Sheriff Staly by awarding FCSO employees with a bronze plaque of a Sheriff and child recognizing the FCSO employees for reaching a $100,000.00 milestone in donations in support of the FSYR and the children of Florida.
“Our Agency and I have supported the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches for many years,” Sheriff Staly said. “I am proud of the men and women of FCSO who not only support our children and youth locally but donate to the FSYR to help youth statewide. FCSO firmly supports and believes in the organization’s mission to support our youth through ‘mending lives, healing hearts’.”
Sheriff Staly has served on the Board of Directors for the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches for the past four years and currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors.
The FSYR was founded in 1957 and has been improving the lives of at-risk children through several different Florida locations and comprehensive programs. The FSYR is credited with helping more than 165,000 children and families in Florida. Their mission is to support needy, neglected boys and girls, establishing a warm sense of well-being, safety, and guidance.
The FSYR instills strong work values, integrity, quality, a sense of responsibility and building character, to ensure they are given the same opportunities as their peers for school attendance and extracurricular activity participation. With these values in mind, the mission of the FSYR is to prevent delinquency and develop lawful, resilient, and productive citizens.
Date: August 4, 2021
Prepared by: Aviva Edrich
Phone and Email: 386-281-9880; aedrich@flaglersheriff.com
Release #: 2021-172
For more information about the FSYR, please visit their website at www.youthranches.org. If you would like to support the FSTR with a tax-deductible donation visit:
August 5, 2021 – Fire Rescue Lt. Andrew Keppler recently retired after a 28-year career that began in 1993 with the St. John’s Park Volunteer Fire Department, which is now Flagler County Station 71.
The Keppler Family has a storied history in Flagler County. Andrew and his brother, John III – also a lieutenant with Fire Rescue – followed the family’s firefighting tradition that dates back to 1860. The county’s fire training tower is named for their father John Jr., who earned the rank of captain at the St. John’s Park Volunteer Fire Department and responded to his last call on March 21, 2002.
“This is the first time in decades the Brothers Keppler are not on a fire department together,” said John III, while boasting of his brother’s knowledge and skill level. “He will always be known as a firemen’s fireman, the type of guy you want backing you up.”
Andrew was among the scores of firefighters who battled the 1998 wildfires that ravaged Flagler County and led to the first, and only, countywide evacuation. The fires – which consumed 148,000 acres, destroyed 71 homes, and damaged another 200 – burned from June 6 to July 12 at a time when most firefighters in the area were volunteer.
He was hired by Flagler County in 2000 as one of the first paid fulltime firefighters. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2010.
Andrew was a member of the Technical Rescue Team (TRT) that in 2017 helped rescue a worker trapped at the top of the water tower in Palm Coast. He was also a member of the Wildland Team, specially trained to fight wildfires.
He has been involved on both the training and teaching spectrums of Flagler County Fire Rescue. He was a founding instructor for the Fire Leadership Academy at Flagler Palm Coast High School from 2017 to 2019.
Over the course of his career, Andrew has received awards, honors, and letters of commendation including the following:
Letter of commendation for rescuing victims of a plane crash in March 2001
Letter of commendation for rescuing a man from his submerged vehicle in August 2013
National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution emergency services award
Appreciation of Service from the Columbian Club of Flagler County
Kiwanis Firefighter of the Year
Andrew is enjoying his retirement with his family – his wife Jennie, son Mason, and daughter Katie.
“I had the opportunity to work with Lt. Keppler at the State Fire Marshal’s Office as he led the Fire Leadership Academy,” Fire Rescue Chief Mike Tucker said. “Through that program several of graduates are now working as paramedics and firefighters serving the citizens of Flagler County. Lt. Keppler’s leadership has impacted the lives of people positively and that legacy will last for decades. His investment of himself into the Fire Rescue family has left its mark, and he will be missed. We are better because he was part of us, and we wish him well in the next chapter of his life.”
Media Release: Flagler County. Julie Murphy MPIO, Lacy Martin, Marketing Media Manager
Important legislation is being considered in the U.S. Senate right now. It’s important enough to have a special edition of The Big Five, with this call to action, featuring the President of Scenic America, Mark Falzone.
Tell readers a bit about yourself and professional background.
I came on board at Scenic America in 2017 as President. I had a background in nonprofit management and legislative experience from my long tenure as a Massachusetts state legislator. My passions have always centered around environmental policy and economic development—and that’s exactly where Scenic America works.
How and why did you come to be involved with Scenic America, and what is the mission?
When I was a teenager, I got involved with an environmental organization focused on scenic beauty issues, and now I am fortunate to bring my career full circle with my current role at Scenic America. Our mission is to preserve and enhance the visual character and scenic beauty of America. We want to create a safer and more scenic America for all people and communities. We believe that all people have the right to live, work, and play in beautiful places.
The issues we fight for are important across the country, and certainly in Florida, where we are fortunate to have a strong network of partners. Under the leadership of Bill Jonson, Scenic Florida has been a driving force in mitigating billboards in Clearwater and elsewhere. In Walton County, Leigh Moore (Scenic America Vice-Chair, Scenic Florida Vice President, and Scenic Walton Executive Director) is a critical player on our utility undergrounding initiatives, further supported by our Scenic Jacksonville affiliate.
Instrumental in restarting the National Scenic Byway Program and call for designations, what was it like to see so many communities across America apply for designation in the opening round?
It was extremely rewarding and gratifying. The program had been dormant for so long—no new designations in more than a decade, and nine years without dedicated funding. A scenic byways designation didn’t mean much anymore, aside from maybe a nice sign on the roadway. Byways’ real economic benefits as drivers of job creation and tourism promotion had fallen away. To see the program come back, and at such a critical time when communities are struggling to build back after COVID, is incredible. Many of us have spent more time at home than ever during the past several months, and to see communities embrace what’s special and scenic about their roadways, and come together for national recognition, is just terrific.
You’ve worked diligently with local byway organizations and the National Scenic Byway Foundation to help secure funding in the transportation package before Congress now. Why is the inclusion of funding so important?
If the program doesn’t have dedicated funding, it can’t deliver on its benefits. Byways have the opportunities to apply for grants to help with initiatives that create jobs and drive tourism—things like signage, enhanced interpretation, visitor amenities, marketing, etc. If there aren’t funds available, these grants can’t be awarded. The House’s version of the bill included moderate amount of funding, which is great, but much of it would be subject to appropriations. The Senate version of the bill doesn’t include any funding. However, Padilla/Cornyn/Van Hollen Amendment 2315 is on the table right now. It would provide a healthy stream of dedicated funding for byways from the Highway Trust Fund, which is not subject to appropriation. This is what we’re fighting for now, and we urge any Floridians who wants to take action on this to contact Sens. Rubio and Scott via our online petition: www.scenic.org/flsenatebyways.
What do you see as the future for byway communities across America over the next five years if funding is included?
Since the announcement of new All-American Road and National Scenic Byways designations, we’ve seen tremendous demand from travelers who want to explore the country in safe and scenic ways. If communities along byways routes are able to capitalize on that interest and tap into funding opportunities, we can drive tourism and inspire more community pride and engagement—much as we have seen in Florida around A1A ‘s new All-American Roads designation.
*We ask you to please take a moment to contact your state’s U.S. Senators to support funding for the National Scenic Byway Program as a co-sponsor of the Padilla/Cornyn/Van Hollen Amendment 2315, on the table right now.
Why does this matter? Locally, it affects Flagler County’s TWO National Scenic Byways – the A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway (All-American Road), and the Heritage Crossroads: Miles of History (National Scenic Byway) and opens the door to apply for project grants that will benefit Flagler County resident and visitors.
Bringing to the table interesting features and unique perspectives from the people across Florida, and in some cases beyond, who are making things happen to improve our quality of life, our understanding of how process works or impacting our communities in ways we’ve never imagined, it is what Top Shelf Florida Quarterly is all about.
This inaugural issue “America the Beautiful” features some of our state’s most fascinating people that are dedicated in some way, shape or form to making America a better place. Please take a moment to sit back and read this issue. From honoring our veterans, working towards civility in politics, keeping America scenic, exploring history and learning from those who’ve been there, it’s a snapshot of what makes America the most dynamic nation on the Earth.
As publisher and managing editor of Top Shelf Florida Quarterly, I’d like to personally thank each of the people who took time out of their very busy schedules for interviews, and were willing to be candid when sharing. Your contributions to our great state of Florida are noted and appreciated.
Our next issue drops in October 2021.
Editor’s Note:
It’s been an absolute dream of mine to launch this publication, and I’d like to welcome you to the very first issue of Top Shelf Florida Quarterly.
As a journalist and storyteller, it’s my honor to hear some of the most amazing stories of people’s lives, and fortunately they’re willing to share them on the record, with you.
Top Shelf Florida Quarterly aims to bring you the very best of what the Sunshine State has to offer. I truly hope you’ll enjoy reading each issue as much
as I enjoy being able to craft them for you.
Like a fine wine, Top Shelf will get better with time. Feel free to drop a line if you love a particular story or if you have a great story idea yourself.
And of course, we’d love for you to share Top Shelf Florida Quarterly with your friends and neighbors so we can all connect and appreciate what makes
Florida so special.
PALM COAST— Mad Dogs Flag Football of Palm Coast is proud to announce its board for the 2021-2022 seasons.
Since its inception in 2018, Mad Dogs has served the children of Palm Coast and Flagler County by providing a quality, competitive atmosphere unlike any other. Over the last three years, the league has grown unlike any other due to the great number of volunteers and the support the league has had from the community. To continue to grow into 2021 and beyond, the Executive Board is expanding and adding new members.
Joining Mad Dogs in our mission to grow the football community of the local area and put Flagler County football on the map, the head coaches of both local high schools are joining the board. Robert Paxia (newly hired earlier this year to be the head coach of Flagler-Palm Coast High School) and Matt Forrest of Matanzas High School have both been added. In addition, Chris Parks (a volunteer coach at FPC and a personal trainer who has coached with Mad Dogs) and Anthony Robinson (the Dean of Students at Matanzas) are also joining the board this season.
These additions strengthen already solid ties between Mad Dogs and the local high schools. Multiple coaches from both high schools have coached with Mad Dogs in the past, and Mad Dogs co-founders Jarrod Maxwell and Michael Schottey have both recently joined the Matanzas Football Coaching Staff. It has always been, and continues to be, the goal of Mad Dogs Flag Football to prepare young athletes either for tackle football or for whatever else comes next for our young athletes.
Three others have been added to the board for the upcoming season. All are longtime supporters of Mad Dogs and upstanding members of the community. They are Mark Ramirez, Will Buckmaster and George Holloway. Ramirez serves as the Head of Officiating. Buckmaster will be the Director in charge of gameday operations and Holloway will assist him.
Mad Dogs offers competitive play for boys and girls ages 5-15. Registration is open for the upcoming fall season which will run September 25th to November 13th. It promises to be the biggest Mad Dogs season yet. Please sign up at MadDogsFootball.net or by calling (386) 597-0215. Follow us on Facebook for more information.
Over the past 16 years, the River to Sea TPO has completed bicycle and pedestrian school safety review studies for all public elementary and middle schools in Volusia and Flagler Counties. The purpose of these studies is to make recommendations for projects that will improve conditions within the two mile walk zones for these schools, and potentially make walking and biking to school a more attractive mode of transportation for students. Each of the studies identified the schools’ concerns, documented the observed pedestrian and bicycle circulation routes adjacent to the schools’ sites and then made recommendations for improvements.
The assessments included the two mile walk zones surrounding the schools and evaluated safety issues that affected students walking or bicycling to school. Another goal of the assessment reports was to continue the coordination among the stakeholders to implement the recommendations of these studies. In FY 2021/22, the River to Sea TPO will be looking at undertaking school safety studies for additional selected schools within the TPO’s planning area.
Co-sponsors Sam Brunetti and AJ Barr, also the artist, admire Journey, the 12th turtle added to the Palm Coast Arts Foundation's Turtle Trail, on March 29, 2021.
Want to learn more about Flagler’s famed Turtle Trail?
Here’s your chance!
Nancy Crouch, Executive Director of the Palm Coast Arts Foundation is set to moderate a panel of Turtle Trail artists this Friday, August 6th starting at 11 am.
Location: Palm Coast Community Center
305 Palm Coast Parkway, NE
Featured Artists Include:
Participating Panel of Artists:
Bob Ammon (Alice)
Tom Anastasio (Claude)
AJ Barr (Journey)
Paul Beaulieu (Claude & Marc-Sea)
Erik & Helene Bess (Bessie)
Christine Broussard (Winged Victory of Samothrace)
