Flagler Auditorium director will defer retirement

A new law will allow Amelia Fulmer to continue leading the auditorium for up to three more years.

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Flagler Auditorium Director

Amelia Fulmer was scheduled to retire on July 31. But with the Florida Legislature extending the Deferred Retirement Option Program, Fulmer will now be able to lead the auditorium for up to three more years.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 7024 on June 9. The retirement bill, among other things, extends the DROP period from five to eight years for state employees.

“The great thing to me,”

Fulmer said, “is I’ll be able to build a succession plan.” That plan had been put on hold during COVID-19 when auditorium staff was cut, she said. Since then, the auditorium has bounced back. Fulmer said this has been the auditorium’s best year in ticket sales in her four years as director.

“Our net profit is enough where we’re looking to do some capital things. We’ll be installing new speakers. Our speakers are 22 years old,” she said.

The auditorium provided $16,000 in student scholarships and teacher grants this year. On June 17, the auditorium will present Rat Pack Universe and Marilyn Monroe, with all of the proceeds going to arts education in Flagler Schools.

Rat Pack Universe, a tribute to Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr., will be joined on stage by a six-piece swing band and “Marilyn Monroe.” Tickets are available at flaglerauditorium.org.

Fulmer has been a Flagler Schools employee for 35 years. During most of that time, she has been a music educator.

In an article on the Flagler Schools website, Superintendent Cathy Mittelstadt said, “Amelia Fulmer has been such a champion for children and the arts, not only in our school district but our entire community. She has personally opened doors to our students that they would have never dreamed of taking.”

Ormond Beach resident visits all 175 Florida state parks

Janet Frank, a former teacher and avid traveler, said she wanted to see the ‘real’ Florida when she moved to the state in 2017.

JARLEENE ALMENAS

SENIOR EDITOR

Ormond Beach resident Janet Frank made a goal when she moved to Florida in 2017: to get to know the “real” Florida.

What better way than to visit all 175 state parks?

Frank, 75, achieved her goal on April 21 with her visit to Egmont Key State Park, in St. Petersburg.

“It went super,” Frank said.

“When COVID hit, I didn’t think I was going to be able to finish, but after things started opening again, I was even more determined to finish.”

She and her husband, Carl, who moved to Ormond from South Carolina, started with Fort Clinch in Amelia Island in December 2018. The next year, the Franks were joined by Lois Hughes and her husband, but after he died, it became a girls-only venture.

Janet Frank didn’t see many parks in 2020 during the pandemic, but she and Hughes renewed their efforts in 2021, acquiring stamp after stamp for their Real Florida Passports, created by the Florida State Parks system. Visitors who receive all 175 stamps and submit it a form receive a free family annual entrance pass, valid for up to eight people.

Frank, a retired teacher and an avid photographer and traveler, makes photo album books of the places she visits. She has filled eight books with memories of her visits to Florida’s state parks. Seeing them in person, she said, has given her an educational appreciation for the parks.

“I think people that don’t see any or many of these are missing the boat, especially if you’re a Floridian,” she said.

“I think you should see these things. ... I know everybody can’t do them all, but I think they should see some of those aspects of past Florida life.

I know you can read about

304 IN THE CITY OF BUNNELL LIMITS FROM FLAGLER COUNTY “AC, AGRICULTURE” TO CITY OF BUNNELL “AG&S, AGRICULTURE AND SILVICULTURE DISTRICT”; PROVIDING FOR THE TAKING OF IMPLEMENTING ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF MAPS BY REFERENCE; REPEALING ALL CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR NON-CODIFICATION AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE as may be legally permitted on the day of the meeting. Instructions on how to participate by electronic or other means, if legally permitted, would be found on the City of Bunnell’s website at www. bunnellcity.us on the homepage. The public is advised to check the City’s website for up-todate information on any changes to the manner in which the meeting will be held and the location. The failure of a person to appear during said hearing and comment on or object to the proposed Ordinance, either in person or in writing, might preclude the ability of such person to contest the Ordinance at a later date. A copy of all pertinent information this ordinance can be obtained at the office of the Bunnell Customer Service Office, 604 E. Moody Blvd. Unit 6, Bunnell, FL 32110. Persons with disabilities needing assistance to attend this proceeding should contact the Bunnell City Clerk at (386) 437-7500 x 5 at least 48-business hours prior to the meeting.

NOTICE: If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Commission on this matter a recording of the proceeding may be needed and for such purposes the person may need to ensure that a verbatim record is made which includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is based. (Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes) them in a book, but it’s not the same.”

As someone who loves history, Frank said her favorite parks all had a historical aspect. Silver Springs State Park in Ocala was a memorable one for her because she and Hughes visited it on a day its Cracker Village, a replica of a 19th century pioneer settlement, was open.

“Before I moved to Florida, I had never heard of a Cracker,” she said. “So that was very interesting, plus we did the glass bottom boat ride.”

Other favorites included the De Leon Springs State Park, with its pancake house; Manatee Springs State Park — where she and Hughes swam — and Fanning Springs State Park.

She and Hughes stayed in a cabin to better explore the latter.

When asked how it feels to have completed all 175 state parks, Frank said it’s wonderful.

“I’m a goal-oriented person, and so that was just part of it,” Frank said.

1.59 MILES ON COUNTY ROAD 304 FROM US HIGHWAY 1 AND APPROXIMATELY 0.15 MILES DIRECTLY EAST FROM COUNTY ROAD 304 IN THE CITY OF BUNNELL LIMITS FROM “CONSERVATION-1 (CON1)” TO “AGRICULTURE & SILVICULTURE (AG&S)”; PROVIDING FOR LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT; PROVIDING FOR ASSIGNMENT OF THE LAND USE DESIGNATION FOR THE PROPERTY; PROVIDING