Vilano Beach, FL – Vilano Main Street presents: “Evenings on Airstream Row: featuring Tale Tellers Drew Sappington and Wayne Sims performing
“Spanish Dons, English Pirates, and Florida Crackers”
Two well seasoned and nationally acclaimed storytellers, Drew Sappington and Wayne Sims, perform humorous but true stories from St. Augustine’s history. Fascinating tales include: Indians attacks on pirates to rescue cowboys; potty-mouthed governor bluffing buccaneers; fake ear starts a war; pirate helps build fort after his execution; Ralph Waldo Emerson and the banking Methodists; and single boat attack pirate fleet.
Masks required and provided free, with sanitizer available * Seating limited and socially distanced * Drinks available
$10 donation supports expanding the art of storytelling in the community.
Gate open at 6:30 pm
TICKETS – online at www.vilanobeachfl.com. Pre purchase is encouraged for savings and to ensure access. Limited to 125 tickets. $10. Group discounts for $9 and $8 available.
Saturday *April 17th, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. – gates open at 6:30 pm
Airstream Row – 190 Vilano Road, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Airstream Row Events are produced by Vilano Beach Main Street and Collaborating Community Partners with proceeds benefitting our community’s quality of life.
Flagler County, FL (April 9, 2021) – Parkview Church, Walmart, and Walgreens all have available appointment slots for interested individuals – open to anyone at least 18 years old – within the coming weeks. This is in addition to appointments available through the Florida Department of Health-Flagler sites operating at the county Fairgrounds and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.
“There are plenty of options available to our residents,” said Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord. “We are doing well with 37% of our population vaccinated, but we’d like to see that number higher. The faster that happens, the quicker we will be able to return to normal activities.”
Links to all of the online registration sites are available at www.FlaglerCounty.org/COVID. Appointments are required at all of these locations.
Florida Department of Health-Flagler (also commonly referred to as the Flagler County Department) currently offers the Moderna vaccine. In addition to the online appointments, those who do not have email or internet access may call 866-201-1541 (TTY: 833-476-1450).
Parkview Church has appointments for the Moderna vaccine available.
Walmart and Walgreens also have appointments available, however the vaccine manufacturer varies. When available, Publix offers both the Moderna and the Johnson & Johnson (Janseen) vaccines. Both CVS and Winn-Dixie offer vaccines when available, but the manufacturer varies.
For more information – including the nearest federally-supported vaccination sites that offer the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine without an appointment – go to www.FlaglerCounty.org/COVID.
Residents can also use their cell phones to sign up for text message alerts about vaccine availability and COVID-19 testing opportunities by texting the single word FLAGLERCOVID to the mobile phone number 888-777. To cancel these alerts, reply with the word STOP in the same text message thread.
“A recurring question we get is, ‘Do I need to wear a mask and avoid close contact with others if I have been fully vaccinated?’ According to the CDC, it depends,” Lord said.
For now, fully vaccinated people can gather indoors without physical distancing or wearing masks with:
Other people who are fully vaccinated
Unvaccinated people from one other household, unless any of those people or anyone they live with has an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19
“Until more is known, fully vaccinated people should continue to wear masks and stay 6 feet apart from other people in other settings, like when they are in public or visiting with unvaccinated people from multiple households,” according to the CDC website.
To find answers to other frequently asked questions about coronavirus vaccinations, visit the CDC website.
Jacksonville, Fla. – The University of North Florida (UNF), the City of Palm Coast and other MedNexus partners today announced new developments and initiatives for UNF MedNexus in Palm Coast including the expansion of educational and developmental programs and scholarship funding to produce high-quality, trained nurses and medical professionals.
UNF President David Szymanski, Palm Coast Mayor Milissa Holland and MedNexus partners were onsite to officially announce the UNF MedNexus location within the Town Center of Palm Coast at 145 City Place where construction is currently underway on classrooms, offices and a skills lab for nursing students.
UNF MedNexus in Palm Coast will have an inaugural cohort beginning in fall 2021 and is in the process of appointing a program director from the local area who will be instrumental in establishing and leading the program. Career days for local high school students will be held this summer for those interested in pursuing healthcare education and plans are underway by the UNF’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation to host a Health and Medical Innovation Challenge for Palm Coast high school students in the fall.
President Szymanski and Mayor Holland also announced that $1 million in scholarships will be given to local students as part of the UNF MedNexus scholarship program. This local investment, in collaboration with the City of Palm Coast, will allow MedNexus Palm Coast scholars to gain exposure to the invaluable experiences and education provided by the UNF Brooks College of Health School of Nursing.
“UNF MedNexus in Palm Coast provides an opportunity for local students to receive the healthcare education, experience and essential skills needed to enter the workforce as trained nursing professionals,” said UNF President David Szymanski. “Our strong local partnerships and engagement with the Palm Coast community will allow UNF MedNexus to lead in advancing our region’s healthcare education.”
In addition, an academic partnership with UNF MedNexus and Daytona State College has been established that will create a ‘2+2 Master’s Pathway’ for Daytona State College students to get a head start in UNF’s nursing graduate programs. The master’s pathway will allow senior students in Daytona State College’s RN-BSN program to enroll in up to nine credit hours in UNF’s nursing master’s program as MedNexus Fellows.
AdventHealth, another committed partner of UNF MedNexus, is also providing many opportunities for MedNexus students to gain real-world experiences with the development of a state-of-the-art simulation lab and incorporating onsite clinical rotations as part of the nursing cohort program.
UNF MedNexus is designed to be the nation’s first comprehensive, university-based medical and healthcare nexus, partnering with local medical centers and connecting healthcare providers with University students, faculty and researchers to addresses the growing healthcare needs in Florida, expand educational programs and enhance medical research. More information can be found at www.unf.edu/unfmednexus.
Photo Caption: UNF President David Szymanski, City of Palm Coast Mayor Milissa Holland
About University of North Florida
The University of North Florida is a nationally ranked university located on a beautiful 1,381-acre campus in Jacksonville surrounded by nature. Serving more than 17,000 students, UNF features six colleges of distinction with innovative programs in high-demand fields. UNF students receive individualized attention from faculty and gain valuable real-world experience engaging with community partners. A top public university, UNF prepares students to make a difference in Florida and around the globe. Learn more at www.unf.edu.
Media Release: Ginny Walthour Director, Media Relations
Palm Coast, FL (April 9, 2021) – The Palm Coast-Flagler Regional Chamber of Commerce applauds the efforts of the Florida Legislature, which recently passed SB 50, a major legislative priority of the Chamber. This is the second major Chamber-backed bill to pass the Florida Legislature.
SB 50 will:
Require out-of-state companies who sell products in Florida to collect the Florida sales tax and remit payment to the state,
Direct the tax revenue collected from online sales to relieve an immediate $713 million tax increase on job creators in the form of increased unemployment compensation taxes,
Reduce the Florida-only Business Rent Tax from 5.5 percent to 2 percent, a more than 60% reduction.
Greg Blosé, President & CEO of the Palm Coast-Flagler Regional Chamber said, “This bill will level the playing field for our brick-and-mortar businesses, who regularly tell us consumers visit their shop, only to look up the item online to avoid paying the state sales tax. SB 50 also reduces the Florida-only Business Rent Tax by more than 60 percent, which will help businesses save hundreds of millions of dollars statewide and help organizations emerge from the pandemic recession even stronger.”
Blosé continued, “Finally, SB 50 will replenish the state unemployment compensation trust fund until the trust fund reaches a balance of pre-pandemic levels. Job creators were expecting a hefty increase in their annual unemployment compensation bill, according to notices sent to all businesses in late December. However, the unemployment compensation trust fund rate increase will be recalculated after this bill is signed by the Governor.”
The Chamber would like to thank Senator Travis Hutson and Representative Paul Renner for their work on supporting this bill in Tallahassee.
For more information, contact Greg Blosé, President and CEO of the Palm Coast-Flagler Regional Chamber, at 386-846-1864 or via email at Greg@PalmCoastFlaglerRegionalChamber.com.
Flagler County, FL – It’s one of the biggest fundraisers for the nonprofit agency Flagler Volunteer Services, and the dollars raised with these semi-annual sales ensure that children from across Flagler County will have gifts to give their families through The Giving Store, each holiday season.
Members of the Flagler Volunteer Services teams help kids wrap their gifts for family members during The Giving Store.
Filling Cattleman’s Hall at the Flagler County Fairgrounds with almost everything under the sun, it’s two days of deals, galore, lovingly organized by some of Flagler County’s most dedicated volunteers.
From furniture and home goods, to clothing, household items, books, and more, the Flagler Volunteer Services Rummage Sale is set for April 16-17th. CDC guidelines are in effect for this public event.
Young shoppers select gifts at no cost from purchases provided by Rummage Sale dollars.
Friday, April 16th, 8am-3pm
Saturday, April 17th, 8am-1pm
Everything will be priced to sell. Per CDC, masks must be worn and capacity will be limited.
Donations will be accepted on Wed, April 14 & Thurs April15th, 1pm-3pm only.
All proceeds benefit The Giving Store.
Questions? Call 386-597-2950 or email flaglervolunteer@cfl.rr.com.
Pam Capela releases a weekly inspirational video on Facebook called “Getting Real with Real Estate”, and her tips and advice translate with viewers in any business.
Tell readers a bit about yourself and how you got into real estate.
I was married at the age of 18, and have been married to my wonderful husband, Tony, of 32 years. I am a mother of 4 grown children whom have collectively blessed my husband and I with 5 grandchildren. I was recruited as a volunteer at the age of 16 to join the medical profession. At the age of 18 I was sponsored into a medical program where I would later obtain my medical sonography degree, specializing in cardiac sonography. My family and I moved to Florida in 2006, after my husband suffered a life-altering accident. Simultaneously, I commuted between Massachusetts and Florida to work in my medical profession and quickly I realized this was not my true calling. I would often frequent model homes built by local builders with friends and family, whom would vacation to Florida with aspirations of relocating as well. Through my copious amount of “guided” tours of the aforementioned model homes, friends and family continuously pressured me into obtaining my Real Estate License.
In the midst of a housing collapse and economic crisis, I was all in!
My lack of knowledge of the industry, many would consider a hinderance, I considered it a step-up. However, I did not have a solid grasp of the real estate market in Florida, only Massachusetts. Let me tell you, the difference between the two is astronomical. Starting a new career 1,200 miles from a place I once called home, I had no family, no friends and no sphere of influence. My only option was to hit the ground running. I found myself cold-calling, door knocking and forcing myself to leave my comfort zone to build relationships with people I came in contact with on a daily basis. Shortly thereafter, I was recruited by RE/MAX. I opened my 1st franchise in 2010, and with GOD’S blessings, we have continued to grow. Today, through all of life’s challenges, our office is home to 30 full-time sales professionals.
You’ve launched a cool new video series. What’s it all about?
Empowering others! I have come to realize that people formulate judgements of others, merely based off their successes or failures. Yet, these people casting judgement have very little knowledge if any at all, about what it took to get to that level. Also, leading a private life in the position I am in professionally, people often perceive as a wall, My true desire is to show others that life is hard for all. Many people see successful people, yet never see the tears, sweat and blood shed it took to get to that level. Only through our authentic transparency we can empower and help others grow and achieve their life aspirations what ever that may be.
You’ve been pretty candid with your advice. Why are the points you’re focusing on so important?
It’s imperative to allow others new to the industry that struggle is a part of success. To be new in this industry and not finding success right away could be related to being stranded on a sinking ship. However, I feel it is important to drive home, they are not alone nor will they ever be should they allow others to help guide them. Many people are ashamed of their past, and many are of the mindset to never to look in the rearview mirror. I believe that everyone’s past defines them in one way or another. What’s meant by this is that everything you went through in the past has brought you to where you are today. No one should ever be ashamed of who they are or where they have come from. By embracing the past, we can truly move forward. We all have a purpose, we are all meant to impact the lives of each other. I strongly feel that my true mission in both my personal life as well as professional is to impact and empower others.
You talk about relationships. How can building relationships be beneficial not only in business but life in general?
Everyone needs to feel loved and appreciated! Small gestures such as a smile, wave or even a head nod of acknowledgment can make someone feel worthwhile. Though this may seem cliche, we live in a world with so much judgement and hatred. We never know what someone else is going through when we cross paths with them. If you appreciate others from a place of sincerity and compassion, it’s only natural that it will be reciprocated.
People like to do business with people they like, know, and trust!
Appreciate your customers and your business will appreciate you in return. Something my oldest son always says “If you help enough people get what they want, you in turn will get what you want”. My mindset is never how the sale can affect me or how much commission I will receive, yet how can I provide my assistance to help families achieve their goals whether it be purchasing their first home of selling their current home.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve ever faced and how did you overcome it?
I have several, and the common dominator is finding grace, hope, and closure in the face of suffering and tragedy. I have personally suffered watching my spouse suffer from a tragic life-altering injury and my father struggling through a terminal illness. Honestly, I am not sure one could ever push past a tragedy or trauma. We just find a way find the good in all evil and transfer the negative energy into positive actions and pray for a blessing. At the end of the day we take nothing with us, but the impact we leave behind lasts forever.
After a year of loss and physical illness as well as economic stress due to the virus, we have waited for the pandemic to subside and the opportunity to invite a limited and smaller audience into the Playhouse to produce and share the experience of theatre.
Talking With by Jane Martin (May 7-9th, 13th-16th) and The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey by James Lecesne (June 11th-13th, 17th-20th) will be our first productions.
With these productions the Playhouse inaugurates the Flagler Theatre Workshop, a new feature to the Playhouse.
Both productions are smaller in scale than regular season shows, but not lacking in scope or entertainment value. They were chosen for running time, cast requirements and production complexity, necessary considerations in a time of re-opening during a lengthy hiatus. The focus in both plays is the storytelling basic to the experience of drama and the theatre as a whole.
It seemed logical and sensible to begin after having been “dark” for a considerable period.
Re-opening in a climate where safety continues to be emphasized and encouraged will be observed. A limited number of seats will be available and audience members will be required to wear masks throughout the performance.
Flagler Auditorium Director Amelia Fulmer enjoys the car show courtesy of the Palm Coast Cruisers as part of the 50's throwback Community Celebration Series event at the Flagler Auditorium on Saturday, April 10, 2021.
Flagler County, FL (April 10, 2021) Hot rods and cool classics were on tap for the Flagler Auditorium’s fourth Community Celebration Series 2021 event over the past weekend.
Featuring fan favorites among the display of classic cars, auto enthusiasts were out to get a peek under the hood and talk shop with members of the Palm Coast Cruisers.
Known for supporting charitable causes and participating in feel good opportunities like birthday drive-by events, Steve Lancour, president of the Palm Coast group said collaborating with the auditorium’s community celebration series featuring 50’s throwback Doo Wop entertainment was a great way to spend their Saturday.
The purr of the engines as they found their places were sweet sounds to car enthusiasts during the 50’s throwback Community Celebration Series event at the Flagler Auditorium on Saturday, April 10, 2021.
“We’re all a lot of old guys, so the doo wop stuff is kind of our era, most of us. It goes hand in hand with hot rods,” shared Lancour, who said it gives people a chance to reminisce when seeing the classic cars.
The morning’s pre-show event also included the Palm Coast Historical Society (PCHS), whose members have been celebrating the city’s 50th anniversary with fanfare.
“We’ve partnered with the Flagler Auditorium to offer the community a daylong experience,” said PCHS president Elaine Studnicki. “The big theme about today is 50 – the 50’s cars, the doo wop show and Palm Coast is 50 years old.”
“We wanted to get more people out during the day and give them the opportunity to come. They don’t even have to go to the show, they can get out and enjoy what we have as a community. It’s all about community, sharing our history and our future.”
Palm Coast Cruisers supporter Texas Roadhouse provided free samples of their flavored lemonade and peanuts, with a bonus – a coupon for a free burger.
Kaila Throne shares goodies from the Palm Coast Texas Roadhouse during the 50’s throwback Community Celebration Series event at the Flagler Auditorium on Saturday, April 10, 2021.
Growing up in Flagler County, Kaila Throne enjoys participating in events like the community celebration series and connecting with others who share an appreciation for the small town feel.
“I’m born and raised in Flagler Beach and so I’m really passionate about being out in the community,” said Throne.
“We partner with Palm Coast Cruisers, they do a show monthly at our place with one coming up on Tuesday (April 13th), and in partnership with the Palm Coast Historical Society we do some things with them and their speaker series by donating fresh baked bread back into the community. It’s such a beautiful sense of community and it’s really why I love my job.”
Closing out the day with the main event – doo wop group “One Last Time” along with Buddy Holly and Fats Domino tributes, Amelia Fulmer said there’s just one show left in the 2021 series, featuring an all-star lineup of Flagler County alumni including the legendary Linda Cole, the Abe Alam Trio, vocalist Jill Vanderoef and pianist Nicole Tilton Cross, on April 23rd.
History lovers snapped photos with classic cars including the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office vehicle, during the 50’s throwback Community Celebration Series event at the Flagler Auditorium on Saturday, April 10, 2021.
“We’re feeling so blessed they’re willing to come out here and spend their Saturday morning with us,” said Fulmer of the car show and history on display. “We have a full house for the show.”
Featured Photo: Flagler Auditorium Director Amelia Fulmer enjoys the car show courtesy of the Palm Coast Cruisers as part of the 50’s throwback Community Celebration Series event at the Flagler Auditorium on Saturday, April 10, 2021.
Flagler County, FL – As part of their Disaster Volunteer Training Series, a monthly training series sponsored through a partnership with Flagler County Emergency Management and conducted by Flagler Volunteer Services in coordination with local organizations to engage and educate local volunteers that wish to serve during times of emergencies or disasters, April’s training will feature Active Assailant Training on April 15th from 5:30 p.m.
Held at the Flagler County Emergency Operations Center, located at 1769 E. Moody Blvd, Bldg 3, Bunnell, FL 32110, pre-registration for this free training event is required to attend, and space is limited.
Trainers from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office will present information on how to respond to an active assailant. Training is open to anyone that is interested. COVID 19 restrictions include: Limited capacity and attendees will be socially distanced, temperature will be taken upon entry, masks must be worn.
It takes a team, and they were on deck for the transfer and installation of the 1955 "Deen Dollhouse" on the Holden House Museum property Friday, April 9, 2021. From left, Ed Siarkowicz, Tonya Gordon, Preston Zepp, James Fiske, Michael Snyder and Fred Stefancik.
Bunnell, FL – (March 9, 2021) Preserving one more piece of Flagler County history, onlookers stopped to watch the transport of the 1955 playhouse belonging to one of Flagler County’s early founding families, as it made its way to the Holden House Museum in Bunnell on Friday morning.
With help from locally owned Cline Construction, the tiny house was lifted with care from its longtime perch at the William Henry Deen home, built in 1919 and located 805 E. Moody Boulevard, to the historic property housing the Flagler County Historical Society’s archives and Holden House Museum at 204 and 206 E. Moody Boulevard.
Under watchful eyes the transfer was managed by Flagler County Historical Society members James Fiske and Preston Zepp, who said they were honored to be part of the project.
“So many pieces of history both local and national are disappearing at a rapid pace that saving even just a small part of our local history is a blessing,” said Zepp.
“We hope that saving and restoring tis little building that has been a landmark since 1955 will start a resurgence and love of our local history and that it will continue to make people happy create more memories to add onto the ones that have been made for the past 66 years. Flagler County area has a rich history dating back to the 18th century and so much of it hasn’t been discovered by the younger generations. Our goal is to change that, even if it is one little playhouse at a time.”
Preparing the ground last weekend, Fiske said it was the suggestion of local historian Sisco Deen that led to the historical society gaining the building that sat out front of the family home for decades.
“A lot of people have seen it going by, and now there will be more people to see it,” said Fiske. “The ladies here at the historical society are already planning tea parties, and we’ll be fancying it up.”
Photo: Flagler County Historical Society
The custom made ‘dollhouse’, a gift to Delores Deen for Christmas in 1955, features panels of miniature windows along the door and across the front, and is spacious enough for a six foot tall person to stand up inside according to Fiske.
“It’s going to have quite a bit of restoration,” explained Fiske. “We want to get it back looking almost like new and it’s going to be a lot of fun for the kids. It really is.”
Delores Deen was excited to see the cherished building, enjoyed by several generations of her family and friends being preserved for future generations.
“I am so relieved that it is going to be restored, preserved and continued to be loved,” said Deen, whose aunt’s stepfather Perry Hunt, built the playhouse for her.
“I was thrilled and enjoyed having my friends come over to play in it,” she said. “Because the house was still in the family all this time after I had left home, my mother’s friends would bring their children and grandchildren over to play in it.”
The historical society has plans to restore the building and make it accessible for viewing by public once completed.
“We’re very excited to have this donated by the little girl it was built for, Delores Deen, and as we now place it next to the Holden House Museum, we have plans to restore it, renovate it,” said Flagler County Historical Society president Ed Siarkowicz.
“We’ve got a marker sign that’s going to go in that talks about the history of it, and as we start to have tours come through we’ll have children come in and have special events around this house.”
It’s a first step in creating an historic complex within the crossroads area, with the next building slated for installation being the addition of the Seventh Day Adventist Church from Espanola for a Florida Women’s Voting Rights Museum in 2021-22.
Featured Photo: It takes a team, and they were on deck for the transfer and installation of the 1955 “Deen Dollhouse” on the Holden House Museum property Friday, April 9, 2021. From left, Ed Siarkowicz, Tonya Gordon, Preston Zepp, James Fiske, Michael Snyder and Fred Stefancik. Not pictured: Bunnell Police Officer Jake Sanders
