17 minute read
Buzz Around Town
Public Safety Announcement
Razor Blades were found north/main beach area by Reefer Road. A citizen has informed The Yulee News that she was approached by a gentleman on the beach with a metal detector who had found around 20 razor blades sticking out of the sand, someone having intentionally placed them there. She quoted, “I don’t know who would do this, but they’re obviously messed up. Just wanted everyone to be aware of their surroundings when walking on our beaches. Keep your eyes peeled folks and stay safe!” A Message from Janice Ancrum, President & CEO
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I am very happy to report that we made it through Governor Ron DeSantis’s approved state budget for Fiscal Year 20222023! NCCOA’s Fernandina Beach Senior Life Center at 1901 Island Walk Way will receive a $1.3 million appropriation for interior and exterior safety-related renovations. These include parking lot repair and resurfacing, streamlined updating for the AC and heating system, restroom upgrades and outdoor green space for post-COVID activities. As you may know, the state’s approved $109.9 billion budget included more than $3.13 billion in vetoed spending. However, thanks to the hard work and dedication of Sen. Aaron Bean (D-4), President Pro Tempore and Chair, Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, and newly appointed Secretary of State and former Rep. Cord Byrd (D-11), NCCOA’s Life Center will be even more safe and secure for Nassau County seniors. Our Westside Senior Life Center benefited from renovation- and repair-related updates during the 2020 and 2021 state budget appropriation process. Since the grand opening in 2018, our Fernandina Beach facility has welcomed thousands and thousands of seniors. Parts of the campus are now in desperate need of maintenance and repair work. This recent appropriation will go a long way to enable us in providing continued safety and security for our members and guests. Gov. DeSantis, Sen. Bean and Sec. Byrd, you have our endless gratitude! In other news, we hosted a very special guest at the Fernandina Beach Senior Life Center in late May. Michelle L. Branham, Secretary, Florida Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA), stopped by to see our operation for herself and discuss issues affecting Northeast Florida seniors. (See article in this issue.) The Florida DOEA is the primary state agency responsible for administering human services programs for the elderly and for developing policy recommendations for long-term care. In so many ways, NCCOA and Florida DOEA share the same mission of helping to ensure quality of life for Nassau County seniors. Needless to say, Sec. Branham was extremely impressed and promised her continuing support.
Thank you for your support of our programs, our services and our seniors!
Passion and Purpose Drive Nassau County Young Republicans
Nassau County has a unique appeal to those not native to the area with what seems to be a county that is especially hospitable to diversity and outsiders. The days of everyone being born and raised here are gone. Now, we have a community of people who perhaps weren’t born and raised here but instead are made to feel as if they were.
Since the 50s, the Florida Federation of Young Republicans has been an organization full of passionate, competent people who want to serve and better their community. To me, this local charter of the FFYR acts as a beacon of hope, doing an excellent job of bringing people together.
The first time I went to an NCYR meeting, I immediately felt a connection. I was greeted by strangers and was instantly welcomed into the community despite not being a native. The leadership of the club listened to the members, not dictating the meeting. They were able to guide conversations while agreeing, without taking control. I believe their leadership style is why the club is continuing to blossom. After several meetings and discussions, I began to find a role inside the club overseeing the social media operations.
At our May meeting, we had the pleasure of hosting Senator Aaron Bean. Senator Bean is one of those souls that remembers the people he interacts with. He went above and beyond to join our family of motivated members. He remembers the stories of my father who was a career firefighter. My father died in 2013 from work-related cancer that wasn’t recognized at the time. The good senator recalled with me the images I shared with him years ago of my father’s struggles. What makes Senator Bean relevant to this is that he is a deep thinker and considerate of the dynamic within the club that he feels a relation to. Our senior leadership served in the military, and it is obvious that the senator appreciates the struggles they must have faced.
This leadership is operated by two brothers - chairman and vice chairman of the club - who both served as Marines in Iraq. Senator Bean recognized that and emboldened the club by it with his open arms and proud affiliation. These are characteristics of people that need to be advertised. After just one single in depth conversation with either of these brothers on the topic of your choice, you will suddenly realize that they are the patriots to surround yourself with when getting involved in politics. They don’t point out their glory but instead illustrate it through action. These are the things that I look for when knowing who to associate with. Politics will always be politics. I will never agree with one elected official on every single issue.
However, I look for their heart and motives. You can tell when a person is authentic. It’s natural.
There is no such thing as a perfect person, let alone a perfect politician. You just must find the ones that want to serve and listen at the same time. In this rare case, I’ve found that they include those who want to serve without being politicians, who I greatly admire.
At our May meeting, candidates were there to give their heartfelt testimonies of why they are passionate about running. Candidates who are involved in the same race sat in the same room with respect and care for their opponents. This is what makes the Nassau County Young Republicans so special. We are a family that truly respects each other, even if we disagree on policy issues. We can disagree but understand the heart behind why each person feels the way they do. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to candidates share why they are running. Then, I look at their actions. Have they only showed during election cycle? Have they been someone who’s active with the people and consistently served no matter the time period?
Voting is such a sacred honor and responsibility of us that recognize those that bled and died for, and I encourage each voter to research the candidates they believe is the best person for the job. You will never agree with one single candidate 100% of the time, but you can at least discern who is most likely to listen and take your issues to heart. I, for one, will never forget when Senator Bean showed up as we were fighting for certain cancers to be recognized as a health-related illness for firefighters. I also encourage people to show up and be passionate about the people they support. If there is a club to be a part of, it’s this one hand down. The leadership seems to be most concerned with national level issues but especially allows their platform to be used for local issues. It is why they have asked me to write this article knowing and considering my argument of how equally important local issues are. Be an informed voter on the data, but don’t forget to look at the heart of the candidates. Get to know them and see if you truly feel like they listen. If they currently serve, think about their track record. Have they been available for you to ask questions? Did they listen to your concerns and act on them?
At the end of the day, I want to be a part of organizations that can come together to promote a healthy collaborative community. The Nassau County Young Republicans is a great example of like minded Americans that truly care about each other and their community. We are looking forward to our June meeting on the 21st at Gator’s Dockside in Yulee, at 7 PM. We will have guest speaker Sheriff Bill Leeper to give us words of wisdom and encouragement in these hard times. Aside from having the good sheriff do us this honor, we will also be allowing all interested candidates to be video interviewed for our Facebook page. We look forward to seeing many new faces! Please bring your A game as the patriots will be present.
Buzz around Town
Passport Day
The Fernandina Beach Library will be hosting another Passport Day on Saturday, June 25, 2022 from 9am-5pm. During this event, you can apply for a passport and get your passport photo taken on site!
Appointments are strongly encouraged, however walk-ins are also welcome. If you have any questions or to make an appointment, call (904) 530-6508 or email libraryinfo@ nassaucountyfl.com. Event sponsored by the Friends of the Fernandina Library.
Keep Nassau Beautiful Announces Annual Board Recruitment Campaign
Keep Nassau Beautiful today announced opening its summer board recruitment campaign running from June 1 through June 30, 2022. Keep Nassau Beautiful, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is seeking new board members who bring diversity, fresh energy and a passion for community service. These newest board members will join our team’s 2-year board member rotation. In addition to attending five or more bimonthly meetings, board members are expected to join Keep Nassau Beautiful, attend two or more volunteer events per year, and actively participate in one of the organization’s standing committees.
“When I moved to Nassau County in 2019, I learned about Keep Nassau Beautiful and reached out – and I’m so glad that I did. It’s been a wonderful way to meet new people, participate in great events, and to make a positive contribution to my community,” says Kelley McCarter, a second term KNB Board Member from Yulee, FL.
New board members are eligible to seek officer positions after one year of satisfactory service. Directors find that they gain valuable experience while making a positive impact throughout Nassau County communities. While board members serve in a volunteer capacity, they are provided liability insurance with respect to their roles on the board.
To obtain a copy of the full roles and responsibilities of Keep Nassau Beautiful board members and the board member application form, https://keepnassaubeautiful.org/aboutus/#join or contact the Nominating Committee Chair at knb@keepnassaubeautiful.org.
Chapter 2273 of NARFE (National Active and Retired Federal Employees Assn.) is meeting on Tuesday, June 21 at 11:00 AM. The meeting will be held at The Pig Bar-B-Q at 450102 S.R. 200 in Callahan. Our guest speakers will be Hupp Huppman and Paul Lore. Hupp and Paul were 2 of the 4 local vets that rowed across the Atlantic to raise funds for veterans care. In addition, Chris Miller, the Chief of Staff for Congressman Rutherford will be attending. All active and retired federal and postal employees, and their families are welcome to attend. Attendees start arriving after 11 AM and have lunch on their own. The formal program will start around noon. Chapter 2273 has regular luncheon meetings the third Tuesday of the month, except Dec. For additional information and non-members, contact Greg D’Alessio at 904-347-3338 (C) or gregdale713@gmail.com.
Photo Credits: Deremer Studios
FAC Calendar Contest
The Florida Association of Counties’ Annual Calendar Contest has opened! This year’s them is “Keep Calm and Love Water” which will highlight Florida’s beautiful bodies of water including lakes, rivers, oceans and springs. If you have photos you would like to enter, you can do so by visiting the Florida Association of Counties https://www.fl-counties.com/2023-fac-calendar-photo-contest/.
Please note that there is no limit on the number of photos you can submit however to be considered for publication, your photo must be at least 3000 pixels / 300 DPI. Photos with logos, names, titles, date stamps, or watermarks will not be considered. Photographers will receive photo credit if their photo is chosen for the publication.
The deadline to submit photos is Tuesday, August 19th. The winners will be announced in November during FAC’s Legislative Conference. If a photo from Nassau County is selected, we will share that information here as well.
Puzzle Solution
Buzz around Town
Leadership Class 20 Graduates
Please join us in congratulating the graduates of Leadership Nassau Class 20, including Nassau County’s very own Assistant Facilities Director, Jeff Little! (pictured back row, far left)
Leadership Nassau is a 10 month program sponsored by the Nassau County Chamber of Commerce designed to develop the skills of community leaders by providing an understanding of problems, opportunities and issues facing our community. Class 20 was put on hold in 2020 due to the onset of COVID. Fortunately, the participants were given an opportunity to complete the course and graduated in May of this year. We commend them all for their dedication and look forward to seeing their future achievements!
The Chamber is currently accepting applications for Class 22. The deadline to apply is 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 30th. If you are interested, please fill out the attached application and return it to the Chamber. If you have any questions, please contact Lynne Starling at (904) 261-3248 or via email at Lynne@NassauCountyFLChamber.com.
Ribbon Cutting for Public Safety Training Center
On Wednesday, July 13, 2022 at 11:00 a.m., the Board will host a Ribbon Cutting celebrating the completion of Phase One of the Public Safety Training Center. The event will take place at the site located at 153322 County Road 108, Yulee, FL 32097. The Board hosted a ground-breaking event on March 21, 2021, to celebrate commencement of construction. The first phase consisting of gun ranges and temporary parking is now complete. Phase Two of the project will commence in the very near future and will include construction of the classroom building, a storage building, and resurfacing of the parking lot.
Standing left to right are Paul Lore from FOAR from Home; Mike Doran, Chairman of the Veterans Council of Nassau County; Fred Blaz, Veterans4Veterans Executive Director; Nassau County Commissioner John Martin, Mentor Coordinator for Veterans Treatment Court; and finally, Cameron Hansen and “Hupp” Huppmann, who are both members of FOAR from Home.
Veterans Council of Nassau County
In Service to Veterans of All Eras and Their Families
The Veterans4VeteransNassau gathering, sponsored by the Veterans Council of Nassau County, has been dubbed a resounding success. Veterans from all over Nassau County gathered at West Nassau High School to network, listen to guest speakers, and to visit the booths staffed by representatives of veteran and veteran service organizations based in the county. The keynote speaker was FOAR from Home, a team of veterans who rowed across the Atlantic Ocean to raise awareness of veteran suicide and the programs offered to prevent it. Coffee to fuel the day was provided by Southern Donut Company. Firewatch, a veteran suicide prevention program, sponsored lunch catered by Callahan Barbecue.
Veterans Council of Nassau County:76347 Veterans Way, Veterans Service Office Yulee, Florida 32097 904.548.4670.
Buzz around Town
Upcoming Events
Sunrise Yoga at the Williams House - Sat, Jun 18, 11:30 AM. Amelia Island Williams House. 103 S 9th St, Fernandina Beach, FL. Sunrise Yoga at at Amelia Island Williams House with tickets starting at $35.00.
Radium Girls - Saturday, Jun 18, 2022 at 7:30 p.m. Amelia Community Theatre. 207 Cedar Street, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034. Tickets are $25. Based on a true story, Grace works for the U.S. Radium Corporation, painting dials on watches. She is taught to twist the glowing paintbrushes with her mouth to get the perfect lines on each watch. Graces’ coworkers fall ill and die from mysterious causes; always explained or hidden away by U.S. Radium Corporation. Did the women know each drop of paint was killing them? Grace fights against everyone for her day in the courtroom and all their rights.
Amelia Cruizers 3rd Saturday Cruise In
- Sat, Jun 18, 3 – 6 PM. Cold Stone Creamery Amelia Island. 808 Sadler Rd, Fernandina Beach, FL.
Nassau County Young Republicans - Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at 7pm. Gator’s Dockside Yulee. Join us for our June Meeting! Guest Speaker Sheriff Bill Leeper visiting.
The Wonders of the Okefenokee Swamp
Wed, Jun 22, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM. Nassau County Public Library Fernandina Beach Branch. 25 N 4th St, Fernandina Beach, FL. Come here about the exciting adventures on the Okefenokee Swamp and the importance of ecosystem as told by expert guides Kim Bednarek and Michael Lusk.
2022 Supporting Cross the Line Foun-
dation - Fri, Jun 24, 9 AM – Sun, Jun 26, 1 PM. Fernandina Beach, FL. We will again be traveling to Fernandina Beach Florida to help and support the Cross the Line Foundation. The paddle will take place on Saturday June 25th from St. Mary’s, GA to historic downtown. Grand Opening! Saturday, June 25, 2022 at 8am-1pm, 850895 US Highway 17, Yulee, FL. Selina’s FriendSip Cafe is brand new café in Yulee!! We offer Coffee, Baked Goods, Milkshakes!!
Shrubs & Trees Workshop - Saturday , June 25, 2022 at 9am-12pm. 85831 Miner Rd, Yulee, FL. Shrubs and trees are major components of our landscapes. Properly selected shrubs and trees can significantly reduce the amount of work and maintenance for a landscape. Program registration is $25.00 and will cover the program’s materials and costs. Minor refreshments will be provided. For more information contact Dr. Taylor Clem, UF/IFAS Extension Nassau County, Horticulture Agent, at 904-5306351. Registration: https://bit.ly/ShrubsTrees_2022.
Auditions - Neil Simon’s Last of the Red Hot Lovers. Saturday, June 25, 2022 at 3pm. Yulee Lions Club 851023 Highway 17, Yulee, Blue Fire Theatre presents this classic Neil Simon comedy, Barney Cashman is happily married, the father of three children, and a successful businessman, when he realizes that the sexual revolution is passing him by. If you are intrested in auditions please fill out the audition form on our wesite at https://www.bluefiretheatre.org/auditions-1
Riverkeeper Meet and Greet - Thu, Jun 23, 7 PM. Mocama Beer Company. 629 S 8th St, Fernandina Beach, FL. Are you interested in learning more about St. Marys Riverkeeper? Join us for a Happy Hour Mingle at Mocama Beer Company in Fernandina Beach!
Fresh Conversations - Thu, Jun 23, 9 – 10 AM. Nassau County Council On Aging. 1901 Island Walkway, Fernandina Beach, FL. Join us to learn more about the Foar from Home Team and what they’re doing to end veteran suicide.
Planning Meeting - Fri, Jun 24, 11 AM – 2 PM. Amelia Island Tea House. 122 S 8th St, Fernandina Beach, FL. Join us at this planning meeting for a new Fernandina Beach Branch Library book club. This book club will focus on current, popular novels. Help us! Let’s discuss and decide on things like location, date/time, selections, name of the club, etc!! Drink and food available for purchase. For more details, call 904-530-6500. Casual Knitting - Thu, Jun 30, 1 – 3 PM. Nassau County Council On Aging. 1901 Island Walkway, Fernandina Beach, FL. Beginners Welcome 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm.
Vocal Coaching with Jenn- Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 4:30-5pm. Blue Fire Theatre. Jennifer will be offering vocal coaching on a first come first serve basis with a limited time frame so that we may gage interest in our community. If you or someone you know has expressed an interest in finding a good vocal coach, please reach out to us at - info@bluefiretheatre.org.
Nassau County Young Republicans - Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at 7pm. Gator’s Dockside Yulee. Join us for our June Meeting! Guest Speaker Sheriff Bill Leeper visiting.
To Submit your free listing please email theyuleenews@gmail.com attention Events.
Dozens of people showed up at the Janice Ancrum Senior Life Center this past Friday for “The Great Giveaway 2.0” to claim hundreds of free, donated items that were up for grabs, including assistive aids, mobility aids, adult absorptive products, face masks and more. Stay tuned for future giveaway opportunities -- or call us to see if we have what you’re looking for in our inventory of donated items.
