YOUR TOWN

ED FOUNDATION DINNER RAISES $80,000

The Flagler County Education Foundation raised $80,000 at its annual dinner on June 8.

The funds will help the Ed Foundation continue supporting and innovating programs for Flagler Schools, according to a press release.

“What a success,” said Stephanie Ellis, the foundation’s assistant director for marketing and communications. “Thank you to all our supporters of the foundation. We could not do it without each of our donors.

And it was all happening here, where everyone could watch them — and me — squirm? A door, a curtain, even an umbrella would give us all a little dignity.

“It’s like an open wound, but it doesn’t feel like an open wound,” Hailey was saying.

It was all happening so fast.

“I pierced an 11-month-old, and she didn’t cry until the second ear,” the teen-like employee said. Then she said, holding up a tablet, presumably loaded with liability waivers, “One of you can fill this out.” She handed it to Hailey, not even pretending to consider me as an option.

“If you’re going to feel squeamish, you really don’t have to stay,” Hailey said to me again.

The Teen was snapping on rubber gloves, picking up The Device, which looked like a cross between a pistol and a staple remover. Ellie was on the chair, looking more and more nervous.

“It’s OK,” I mumbled, forcing a smile.

“Will it hurt?” Ellie asked one more time.

“By the time you go to bed at night, you won’t feel it,” The Teen said.

“Will my ears be red?” Ellie asked.

Hailey, the realist, said, “Well, she is stabbing something through your ear.”

Before anyone could ask any more questions, The Teen, with one eye on the line forming at the cash register, lined up The Device and pulled the trigger. A flash of silver plunged into Ellie’s ear and disappeared for a split second. When it was over, a tiny earring remained.

There were tears, there was redness, an expression of shock at the intensity.

I may or may not have seen the

“It was an incredible night with many wonderful speakers who shared their impact and involvement.”

The Ed Foundation also installed new board members and congratulated officers who had stepped own second ear pierced. I distracted myself by gazing around the store at the regular-size backpacks made entirely of pink fuzz. Next to those, there were smaller backpacks made entirely of sequins. And then, tiny backpacks on keychains. The orderliness of the descending sizes and utility was oddly calming. It was like a peace offering from the universe — or at least from Claire’s. Kennedy was up next. “Owwwwwwwwwww,” she said, followed by a sincere but illogical prayer: “I wish the other one happened at the same time!” Tears were in her eyes as the second ear was pierced.

The foundation also announced that Executive Director Teresa Rizzo has been selected to participate in Leadership Florida’s 2023-24 Education Class program.

During the eight-month program, education leaders from across the state focus on the challenges and opportunities associated with raising Florida’s public schools to national prominence, according to the press release.

For more information on how to get involved with the Flagler County Education Foundation, visit flagleredfoundation.org.

Now it was time for post-op. Perhaps a hospital bed, a TV mounted high in the corner, perhaps a paper gown, mashed potatoes on a cafeteria tray?

Not at Claire’s. We were all expected to go on with our lives and shop for stuff.

Unfortunately, if you bought three pairs of earrings, you got another three for free. We were going to be here all day.

Trying to be helpful, I held up some attractive pairs. Each time, they were rejected. I was getting a little offended, so I decided to protest by not making any more

Stand-up paddleboard rental kiosks added at three Flagler parks

Stand-up paddleboards and paddleboarding equipment are now available through self-service rental kiosks at three Flagler County parks: Herschel King, Bings Landing and River to Sea Preserve.

The kiosks contain four boards, paddles and life preservers, according to a news release from the Flagler County government. The rental fee is typically $25 per hour.

“Residents are seeking more access to the water, and we are always looking for ways to add amenities to our parks facilities. We were provided with a very good opportunity by company called PADL out of Key Biscayne,” County Administrator Heidi Petito said, according to the news suggestions. No one noticed.

Hailey finally prodded the girls along by saying, “These are not the last earrings you’re ever going to get.”

“Well,” I said quickly, “they might be.”

Hailey said, “No. Definitely not.”

The stress was getting to me. I continued to wander through the tiny aisles, careful not to sneeze for fear the merchandise would fly into someone’s Chinese food in the food court.

I was looking for something to soothe my nerves. I absentmindedly picked up a keychain made of a plastic globe half full of yellow slime, and a Kirby character floating in the middle, wondering who on earth would ever invent this, let alone buy it. It was out of place, lonely in a crowd of mini fire extinguishers that promised to blast future owners with sour candy powder. I moved yellow-slime Kirby to another rack that contained several of its relatives, back where it belonged. Home.

As I followed my wife and daughters out of the store and across the parking lot, I felt I had made a significant contribution, at least in the life of that Kirby.

PALM COAST

Observer

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Veteran Of The Week

release. “They work with other counties and state parks, with kiosks throughout the state of Florida.”

The website www.padl.co provides information on how to download its app (available at the Apple App Store and Google Play) and how-to videos about “How to PADL” – renting, riding and ending the rental.

“You do have to download the app to rent,” said Park Manager Frank Barbuti. “The kiosks have everything you need to paddleboard out of these three parks. Each park has one kiosk except River to Sea, which has two.”

The website also has an FAQ page:

 Renters must be 18 years old to ride

 Hours are sunrise to sunset or 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. as weather permits

 Renters are only responsible for equipment theft if they failed to lock it up after use and it is subsequently taken.

 The boards weigh about 28 pounds

 Riders must weigh no more than 250 pounds

 No reservations are taken – first come, first served only

 The PADL app will store the payment method and process payments for rides.

Ronald Young

 Branch of military: U.S. Air Force  Dates of service: 1965-1972 

Rank/occupation: Sergeant / Aircraft Maintenance Crew Chief  Hometown: Nassau, Long Island, New York

Ron Young is a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was assigned to the Strategic Air Command and was responsible for keeping the B-52 Stratofortress Bomber missionready. He served several tours in Southeast Asia and other overseas locations. For his honorable service, he received the Air Force Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze service star, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. After separating from the military, Young had a 25-year career with the New York State Unified Court System as a peace officer and firearms and training instructor. He rose through the ranks to major and was placed in command of 65 court officers. In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of 9/11, he was assigned to the New York State Office of Emergency Management and coordinated security details around Ground Zero in cooperation with the New York City Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York State Police and other agencies. Young retired from the court system in 2002 and soon after moved to Palm Coast. Young is a proud veteran, member of the Disabled American Veterans and supporter of Wreaths Across America, which his wife, Janet, coordinates with the Craig Flagler Palms cemetery.

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