Church members from Harrisburg Baptist Church in Tupelo, Miss. visit Hilliard in March, assisting First Baptist Church Hilliard with construction and plumbing projects as well as neighborhood canvassing.
Church members from Harrisburg Baptist Church in Tupelo, Miss. visit Hilliard in March, assisting First Baptist Church Hilliard with construction and plumbing projects as well as neighborhood canvassing.
West Nassau High School hosted its annual academic signing ceremony May 8.
School officials, military representatives and family members attended the event to highlight students’ future plans. WNHS will hold commencement at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena Monday at 7 p.m.
Of the 242 graduation candidates, 115 plan to attend colleges or universities, eight have plans to participate in vocational programs and 20 will enter the military.
Keynote speaker and Asst. Principal Daniel Snyder encouraged the young adults to find their true paths.
The father of three sons, including twins, Ben and Zach, who are in their junior year at Florida State University, Snyder recalled how the boys joined forces as toddlers to maneuver a chair to the kitchen counter to reach Oreo cookies. Their parents watched in amazement of the teamwork as Ben stepped up into the chair, grabbed two cookies and handed one to Zach. Once the mission was accomplished, the pair toddled back to their bedrooms. Because they worked together, the boys enjoyed cookies that were otherwise out of reach.
“As you transition into the next important stages in your lives, don’t forget to go for what you want, be yourself, be leaders, make plans, and most importantly, work together,” Snyder concluded. “With the support of your family and friends, you can turn your dreams into reality. And who knows, there might just be a cookie in it for you.”
With high school nearly complete, Jazmine Schumacher plans to attend Auburn University at Montgomery. Elisa Harris will head to Bethune-Cookman University. Nate Sutton will attend Brewton-Parker College as a golfer.
Cameran Atwater will set his sights on attending Concordia University while Alex Clay will study at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Florida State College at Jacksonville will welcome Autumn Allen, Bailey Allen, Mason Allen, Riley Altman, Makenna Andrews, Madison Armstrong and Kaleigh Beasley. Armstrong will play softball for the Blue Wave.
Also attending FSCJ are Lydia Bennett, Marie Bergeron, Christina Bickford, Adam Burton, Hanna Bryant, Dymond Crews, Abigael Crouch, Baylee Deines, Billie Dykes, Madison Fout, Erin Haddon, Jobe Hannan, Alexis Harden, Isabella Havener and Tiffany Holmes.
Gage Ladson, Alyssa Langrell, Adrianna Leon, Dallas Lilly, Shayna Lupardus, William McGuire, Chase Mitchell and Ashlyn Moore also plan to attend FSCJ. Wanda Nettles, Nathan Nugent, Javier Ortega, Benjamin Pesek, Madison Pinkston, Hailie Pridgen, Justin Ray, Storm Rhoden, Jamie Rowell, Haley Shelby, Nicholas Siusta, Nicolas Snow, Alyssa Tharpe, Bethany Walls, Sammy Westmoreland, Alyssa Wilson, Brianna Wimberly and Darrian Wright will also enter FSCJ.
Joining the Seminoles at FSU are Emily Hall, Savannah Johnson, Ethan Knagge, Luke Libby and Courtney Wilkinson.
Davian Williams plans to attend Independence Community College in Kansas. The Warrior football player announced his intentions earlier this year.
Jacksonville University will welcome Jared Collins, Sarah Moloney and Gabriel Pesek.
Twin sisters Delaney and Sydney Ludvigsen will study at Pensacola State College.
Attending Santa Fe Community College are Chelsea Andrews, Destinee Brown, Angel Howard, Benjamin Kunkel, Jasmine Nelson, Rachel Page, Trey Park, Ashyln Range, Lukas Smack and Paige Wilsey.
Caleb Williams will head to Southeastern University and Morgan Baughan will attend Stetson University. Haley Love plans to study at Tallahassee Community College.
Justin Dean plans to attend the University of Central Florida. Haley Horton and Faith Powell will head to the University of Florida in Gainesville.
The University of North Florida will welcome Caroline Augustine, AnnaMarie Conrique, Chloe Crews, Kaylie Crosby, Joshua Fahlgren, Taylor Hill, Isabella Jadoo, Cameron Mullis, Marcanthony Perez, Caitlyn Phelan, Lilah Rozar, Brittney Smith, Caddie Temple, Grant Veto and Kameron Witt.
The University of Northwestern Ohio will welcome Kyle Wiggins.
Amber Davis, Calee Edwards, Breanna Hagemes, Benjamin Lewin and Javon Wright will attend Valdosta State College.
Nathen Petrie plans to attend J-Tech Institute. Cody Wilkinson will pursue a Randstad-JEA apprenticeship. James Shrowder will join an apprentice program at W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractor Inc. Hunter Curtis will enter the Transitioning Adult Program.
Serving the U.S. Air Force will be Brittany Jordan, Zach Lock and Conner Mathis. Hallie Bennett, Isaiah Daniel, Marcus Gaskins, Nash Rhoden and Tyrence Simmons-Powell will join the U.S. Army. Dale Wingo plans to join the U.S. Coast Guard. Garett Davis will serve as a U.S. Marine. Gabriel Albert, Matthew Gaus, Noah Frailey-Harris, Meagan Templeton and Maggie Wood plan to join the U.S. Navy.
Callahan Elementary School students high five Nassau County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Brian Blackwell as he carries the torch for participants in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics May 10. West Nassau High School sophomore Max Lucovsky also ran with the torch. NCSO staff, WNHS Air Force JROTC cadets and Special Olympics athletes ran from WNHS to Callahan Barbecue, carrying the “Flame of Hope.” The torch traverses Florida in an intrastate relay of officers throughout the state until the opening ceremony of Florida’s annual summer games.
Hilliard Middle-Senior High School honored the Class of 2019 during the annual military and academic signing ceremony May 17.
School officials, military representatives and family members attended the event to highlight students’ future plans. HMSHS held commencement at the University of North Florida May 18.
Of the 79 graduates, 47 plan to attend colleges or universities, 10 will enter the military and 22 will enter the workforce. Before the ceremony, more than $1.3 million in scholarships were awarded to seniors.
Serving the U.S. in the Air National Guard are Landon Conner, siblings Cade and Cole Johns and Reece Wade. Gabriel Wollitz plans to serve in the U.S. Air Force while Aaron Burnette, Elijah Eckels and Clayton Nelson will join the U.S. Army. Hunter Revill plans to enlist in the U.S. Marines. Timothy Cassel will serve in the U.S. Navy.
Many students will seek higher education, heading to Florida State University are Alexis Dortch, Makenzie Geiger, Natalee Sheffield and Kiersten Wright.
Colleen Geiger plans to attend Florida Southern University.
Florida State College at Jacksonville will welcome Allison Barber, Payton Bell, Kenneth Blalock, Tyler Browning, Bayley Canaday, Calem Cauley, Megan Colson and Peyton Conner.
Also attending FSCJ are Jillian Diana, Caleb Dunlap, Annah Dyal and Tristan Edwards, who plans to play softball for the Blue Wave. Madison Hamilton, Kaitlyn Harper, David Holoka , Nathaniel Hurst, Haley Jenkins, Breanna Johnson, Violet Knight, Blake Lunsford, Eric Mecom, Jacquelyn Reed, Cooper Ricketson and Raven Stroud will also study at FSCJ.
Rasmussen College will welcome Breanna Lowther while Rylee English, London Kassab, Constance Krolikowski, Madison Puckett, Claudia Romay and Josie Smythe will attend Sante Fe College.
Bailey Crawford plans to study at the District School of Ministry. Bo Hodges will attend The Baptist College of Florida.
Brealyn Holley will play softball for the Lady Vikings at St. Johns River State College. Cohen Adkins will study at the University of Florida. Headed to the University of North Florida are James Cannon, Emma Lewis, Ben Sharpe and Carly Smith.
Cameron Lee, Desmon’na Singleton and Brandon Whitley plan to attend Valdosta State University.
AVID teacher Amanda Moore hosted the event. Juniors from the AVID class assisted with the presentations. Amanda Sheldon is senior class sponsor.
VFW Post 10095 Commander Dave Lewis places a wreath to remember fallen comrades at the Memorial Day service in Jones Cemetery. The names of 53 Nassau County residents who died in combat were read in a roll call, including 42 who died while serving in the Army, four Marines and seven who served in the Navy. “We read these names so they’re not forgotten,” Lewis said.
Starting in early July, a culvert replacement project will cause a 27-mile detour on County Road 121.
The Florida Department of Transportation project will inconvenience residents living near Carroll Corner Road and Turkey Trot Trail as well as those who need to travel the area. The construction project is in the vicinity of where the two county roads intersect.
The detour will reroute motorists to U.S. 1 via County Road 108 and Henry Smith Road, according to a press release from FDOT.
Motorists who frequent C.R. 121 to access Hilliard or other points of interest have to take the detour to access the main areas of town.
“The bridge box culvert and roadway need excavated and repaired,” FDOT spokeswoman Bianca Speights said Thursday.
She described the project’s scope,
saying, “It’s pretty extensive.” The closure will be in place until rehabilitation work is completed on a bridge culvert damaged from erosion.
The $387,000 project should be finished by winter, pending weather and unforeseen circumstances, according to FDOT.
Electronic message boards will be placed on C.R. 121 in both directions, notifying motorists in advance of the project. Cell phone users are urged to download the Florida 511 app to plan ahead.
On May 15, County Extension Director Rebecca Jordi hosted the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Yulee Extension Office on Miner Road. Joining Jordi at the ceremony were Nassau County Commissioners Justin Taylor, Danny Leeper, Aaron Bell and Pat Edwards and County Manager Mike Mullen.
Community supporters and Extension volunteers in attendance included UF/IFAS Nassau Master Gardener volunteers, 4-H youth and parent volunteers, residents and advocates from local businesses.
Nassau Extension Advi-sory Chair Todd Duncan, who has served on the committee for 18 years, shared comments about the commitment from the Extension staff and the value they provide the community with programming meeting a variety of needs in Nassau County. He welcomed the new Yulee expansion facility and the myriad of programs it will make possible.
Co-hosting the celebration were Extension agents and staff members Kristin Poppell, Kelsey Irvine, Meg McAlpine, Denise Cox, Justina Dacey, Laura LaRoche and Amy Bell.
Commission chairman Taylor gave opening remarks, celebrating the additional programs and physical environment/acreage of the new site, which affords more Nassau residents and children to benefit from the resources available through Extension.
The new Yulee Extension office represents a financial commitment by the county of $320,000, with $200,000 designated for a modular building. The remaining funds are for infrastructure such as water, sewage, electricity and other permits for property development of the 8-acre site.
During her comments, Jordi expressed her gratitude for the support of the county in funding the building. She also announced several additional components that would maximize the impact of this new site. Extension’s wish list of items for the new facility include a teaching pavilion, a teaching kitchen and an aquatic education dock.
The “Nassau County Ex-
tension: Growing Together” campaign offers local businesses and citizens opportunities to be a part of this project. More details on the new Extension campaign will be shared in the coming weeks.
At the early age of 6, Wanda Nettles became determined to have perfect attendance in school.
The West Nassau High School Class of 2019 graduate achieved that goal before commencement May 20. She received recognition for her achievement during the school’s Senior Awards Assembly.
Nettles was a kindergarten student at Callahan Elementary when she announced her plans.
“I told my mom, ‘Mom, I don’t think I ever want to miss a day of school,’” she recalled. “And then it stuck.”
Jan Nettles never doubted that her daughter could pull off the feat.
“Oh yeah, I knew she would,” she said. “She’s very strong-willed, strong-headed and when she says something, it normally happens.”
Dad Al Nettles, Sr. and other family members were there to ensure she stayed on track.
“Of course, without her dad, we couldn’t have done that,” Jan Nettles said of his encouragement of their daughter.
Many of her teachers assisted along the way. CES teachers Amy Calhoun and Sonia Chancey helped Nettles when she was in first grade.
“They always let me go to sleep on the bean bags when I was sick,” Nettles recalled.
“I would literally be having a 102 fever and they would let me go to sleep so that I wouldn’t have to go home and mess up my perfect attendance.”
Jan said that Wanda’s former teachers inquired about her progress through the years.
“Every time we see one of them, they ask, ‘Is Wanda still (at) perfect attendance?’”
As Nettles grew older, she fought the temptation to stay home, saying, “There would just be random days where I really just didn’t feel like waking up or I was tired and I’d say, ‘I don’t want to go.’ And then high school hit and it would be senior skip day and I was like, ‘Nobody’s even going to be here, so I really don’t want to go.’ But I went anyway.”
She described the challenges of staying true to her mission.
“When you get to high school it gets harder, because there’s a lot of senior skip days you can’t go on,” Nettles said. “There’s things you can’t do because during the day. There’s homecoming parades you can’t go to because of an excused absence. You get sick during the day and you can’t leave so, I mean, it was a big struggle – but worth it.”
Her friends encouraged her, too.
“My friends are more like, ‘I can’t believe you did that. I could never do it,’” she said. “I’m like, ‘Well it’s happening now.’ It wasn’t easy. But it was worth it in the end.”
She encourages other students to strive for perfect attendance, saying, “Just set your mind to it and do it. It’s not as hard as you think it would be, but it’s not as easy as you think it would be either.”
Her persistent nature propelled her to accomplish additional goals.
Since December, the 18-year-old has worked the night shift as a certified nursing assistant. She napped before attending a fourth period gym class each school day.
An all-around athlete, Nettles played basketball, ran track and participated in flag football.
Sherrie Crosby coached Nettles for four seasons in flag football.
“She’s very energetic,” she said. “She has a great sense of humor. She’s a great all-around kid. She has it together. She knows what she wants. She’s a go-getter and she always accomplishes what she sets out to do. She’s a pleasure to coach. She was one of my captains. She’s going to be missed on and off the field.”
Jay West, Jenna Kish and Madison Pinkston were always there to rally for her during sports competitions, according to the teen.
“I love y’all,” Nettles added. “Thanks to my bestest friends. Thanks for being my sissies. Thanks mom and dad for adopting them all.”
In recent years she has participated in various clubs, including Teens for Change, AVID, French Club and Future Business Leaders of America.
She and friend Bailey Allen were instrumental in leading The Tribe cheering section during football games.
“We were always doing the cheers with the cheerleaders or we were cheering on the football team, so that was fun,” Nettles said.
Joining clubs and participating in sports allowed her to build friendships and immerse herself in school activities.
“I’m too outgoing not to be doing anything,” Nettles said. “I like meeting new people and making new friends, so I got to do that with all the clubs and sports and stuff I did.”
She would like to become either a traveling registered nurse or a social worker. She plans to attend Florida State College at Jacksonville so that she can stay close to home.
Nettles expressed her gratitude for AVID teacher and senior class sponsor Leanne Ludvigsen.
“She’s the only reason I stay sane at school,” she said.
“Wanda’s had a big family and a lot of support,” her mom added.
Nettles joined the family when she was four days old to share life with siblings Tonya Hughes, Al Nettles, Jr., Jennifer Sweat and Raymond and Mark Staine.
As the youngest, she’s the last to leave the nest.
“It’s breaking mine and dad’s heart,” her mom said. “When the rest left, I knew I still had another one to go. But this is it.”
A vulnerability assessment shows that areas in and around Callahan are at risk for flooding during hurricanes as small as Category 1.
The 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season begins Saturday.
The assessment’s first phase included results from areas east of I-95 in Fernandina Beach and west of I-95 along areas of A1A and U.S. 301 near Bryceville.
“We wanted to get more data, because what we found as planners, we do not have a lot of the good science and data behind where we’re especially vulnerable, so you can look at a map and make some predictions, but in our line of work, we need that science to tell us how to make that policy,” said Nassau County Department of Planning and Economic Opportunity Asst. Director Adrienne Burke. She submitted a Florida Department of Environmental Protection resilience grant application to fund the study’s first phase.
An additional grant request to cover the second phase of the vulnerability assessment is also planned.
More than 30 residents attended a meeting in the Multipurpose Building in Callahan May 21 to review maps, learn more about the study and voice concerns about flooding and drainage issues. A meeting was also held May 20 in the Nassau County Commission Chambers in Yulee.
The Balmoral Group Principal Economist and President Valerie Siedel and representatives Craig Diamond and Randall Parkinson were consultants on the $40,000 study.
“Our charge was to compile all the data to help all of the policymakers in Nassau County as they go forward with long-term planning for these rapidly growing areas,” Siedel said.
Available maps depict the effects of flooding that happen when hurricanes or tropical storms occur. Periodic and occasional flooding and long-term flooding such as sea-level rise were also studied so that the appropriate planning may be executed accordingly.
Sea level rise results show an increase of 1 foot along the tidal basins of Fernandina Beach. Though minimal, it still affects areas inland, according to Seidel.
According to a 120-plus year tidal gauge history recorded in Fernandina Beach, the county has seen a rise of 8 inches during that period, Burke said.
“Even if we only see another 8 inches in the next hundred years, that’s still a lot more water that we have to be prepared to deal with,” she added. “The planning horizon seems like a long time, but we need this information in our jobs to start making decisions around things that would go into our county’s comprehensive plan, in things that would go into our land development code and working with our building official on how to build safely and properly – public safety is a priority here.”
During the interactive portion of the meeting, representatives gathered flood information from residents as they marked areas on the maps where they were affected. Several Thomas Creek residents placed stickers where floodwaters hit their neighborhoods in 1996, 2008 and 2017.
Callahan resident Linda Colsen and other residents expressed interest in learning about hazard-mitigation grant programs. The group met with Nassau County Emergency Management Director Greg Foster separately to hear options.
She and husband Ken Colsen have experienced a 24 percent rate increase in flood insurance because her area of the county does not have base flood elevation data. The couple has repaired their home after it was flooded due to storms in 1996, Tropical Storm Fay in 2008 and Hurricane Irma in 2017. She asked Burke about the county’s lack of policy related to base flood elevation.
“That is partially, that is one of the things that helped us, I think, get this grant award, is because one of the things that I noted, and while this study doesn’t do it, but it helps us figure global understanding – is that no, a large part of our county does not have base flood elevation data determined because we don’t have flood insurance studies done by (the Federal Emergency Management Agency), that set those,” Burke replied. “So what’s happening is when like a big project comes in, a new subdivision for example, they’re having to prepare their own FEMA map amendments and have those hydrology studies completed as part of those projects, because we do not have that base flood elevation data. It’s a huge data gap in our county. And that was one of the things I pointed out in our grant application, was that in the interim, this vulnerability assessment will hopefully give us a global picture, because that is a huge data gap.”
Ken Colsen said that because Thomas Creek wasn’t properly cleared, his property still floods as the water isn’t draining quickly. He recommends dredging the creek regularly. He’s also frustrated because he doesn’t see the same level of activity occurring in Nassau that he sees in Duval County. Work on the creek has continued in phases since the initial work began in 2010.
“The desnagging thing wasn’t really done,” Colsen said, addressing the group. “I don’t hear any equipment. I did see them around those three bridges down Acree (Road in Duval) and they’re just walking out there picking up sticks, you know, it’s not helping it drain. But you’re getting it in my backyard really quick.”
He told the Record he plans
to continue to stay informed of the county’s efforts.
“I’m going to get on the website,” he said. “I’m going to try to come to more meetings to see where we’re at.”
After Tropical Storm Fay hit, Freedom Drive resident Gene Stokes and his family lived in a travel trailer for several months while their home was repaired.
Roy Booth Road area resident Claudia Witcher recalled how five homes in her neighborhood flooded during Hurricane Irma. She had just placed stickers on a map, indicating her flood-prone area.
“We’ve been working on getting information from the board of county commissioners,” Witcher told the Record. “I’ve met with our commissioner, Justin Taylor. We’ve gone to EOC meetings. We’re just trying to see what they’re doing to fix the problem or improve the problem. I will say, the studies they did tonight are impressive; they’re good. It’s great scientific data and it’s great for those young people. But at my age, I need to see some action now. Nothing is effective for now. Every time a hurricane comes up, talk about PTSD – it’s like we all have PTSD,”
Vicki Martin recalled how Hurricane Irma affected her Roy Booth neighborhood.
“This last time when the water came in, it was twice as fast and deeper,” she said. “I’ve got pictures of people in a row boat in front of the neighbor’s house.”
Senior Stormwater and Drainage Engineer Katie Peay just joined the county about two months ago. She said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will study the drainage and flooding concerns associated with Thomas Creek.
A contract for the county commission’s consideration will soon be submitted.
“That study should show all possible outcomes of the situation down there,” Peay said. “(It will) look at all sea-level rise issues, or just regular flooding issues, hurricane issues and the best possible course to mitigate those, whether it’s to desnag, or what permits we need or how much it’s going to cost and really get a comprehensive plan in place. Then we can go to the board and say this needs to happen and we can allocate money because we have this study to prove that this is what will fix it and not just grasp at straws.”
The next steps will include finding ways to fund the mitigation.
Storm drainage is also a concern for Callahan resident Wynette Eleby-Harris.
She has problems with standing water on her Historical Lane property along U.S. 1 North due to a non-functioning culvert.
“We’ve been filling in, adding dirt as much as possible so that we can get out of the front door when it rains,” she said.
County employees add-ress faulty or clogged culverts as complaints occur.
“If it’s a small section, it’s usually inspected and repaired as needed,” Peay said. “If it’s a large stretch, engineering or a consulting firm is called in to propose a project and get funding.”
Burke noted in an email Wednesday afternoon that the study would be forwarded to the county commission for its consideration for adoption as a resolution.
“We definitely will be continuing outreach in general around floodplain management and flooding,” she wrote.
To view the entire assessment, visit www.nassaucountyfl.com and click on “Review the draft Vulnerability Assessment here.”
“Milkweed” by Jim Ekstrom is the grand prize winner of the 11th annual Wild Amelia Nature Photography Contest. Adult winners included Erica Dodge, Joe Jones, Barry Hertslet, Diane Howell, Lisa Mallo, Lisa Patria, Gaye Pappas and Yvonne Randolph. In the under age 10 contest, Laney Fine won first place while River Plungis won second and third place. In ages 10-17, first place was McKenna Hiebel, second was Kate Badiall and third place was Landon Plungis. Honorable mention went to Julia Winston, Amanda Badiall and Adam Powell. The photos will be on exhibit at the Fort Clinch Visitor Center beginning July 12.
Callahan Boy Scout Troop 351 celebrates their successes May 23 for the beginning of 2019 at the Court of Honor, a formal recognition ceremony. The scouts collectively earned 23 merit badges along with two advancement ranks. For more information on Troop 351, visit http://callahantroop351.com or on Facebook at “Callahan Boy Scout Troop 351.”
Ferst Readers of Nassau County, Baptist Medical Center Nassau and Rotary Club of Amelia Sunrise teamed up to give babies a head start with a new partnership that allows babies to start receiving free books in the mail immediately after birth.
Each year, hundreds of babies are born at Baptist Medical Center Nassau and for the past four years, Ferst Readers of Nassau County has promoted the importance of early literacy in children from birth to age 5 by mailing books and literacy resources monthly to hundreds of registered children.
However, what kind of effect could be made if the babies born at BMCN were registered before they went home? Current research shows 85 percent of a child’s brain is developed by the age of 3. A child can receive up to 60 books if registered for the Ferst Readers program at birth. Imagine the impact of a child having 60 books in their home library and hundreds of opportunities to be read to before ever entering school.
Earlier this year, representatives from Ferst Readers and the hospital agreed to partner together to register the babies born at the hospital. Hospital President Ed Hubel pledged the hospital as the sponsor of the books for the first 100 babies born at the Nassau location.
Ferst Readers of Nassau County’s plan is to obtain monthly sponsors for the 30-50 babies born monthly at BMCN. When the Rotary Club of Amelia Sunrise heard about the partnership, they agreed to sponsor at least one month of babies born at BMCN. One of Rotary’s main causes is to support education and literacy. Members tutor fourth-graders through their Early Act Club. They look forward to helping children receive books and literacy materials to help them build school readiness skills before entering kindergarten.
If you know a local child under age 5 who is not receiving books, go online to www.ferstreaders.org to register. Registration forms are also available at all Nassau library branches.
To volunteer with Ferst Readers’ Community Action Team, contact Michelle Maddox at michelle@ferstreaders.org.
Individuals or businesses who would like to sponsor children to receive books may visit www.ferstreaders.org and select Nassau County or mail a donation to Ferst Readers of Nassau County, P.O. Box 2, Hilliard, FL 32046. All funds raised locally stay in Nassau.
Parents do not have to worry about preparing, packing or even paying for a nutritious breakfast or lunch for their children Monday through Friday for most of the summer.
Children 18 years of age and younger can get a free meal twice a day from June 3 until July 26 at four main sites throughout the county as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program, which is also known as the Summer BreakSpot program.
The program provides children with hot and cold meals such as burgers and sandwiches as well as fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the summer.
The four main sites participating in the program are Callahan Elementary School at 449618 U.S. 301, Callahan; Hilliard Middle-Senior High School at 1 Flashes Ave., Hilliard; Wildlight Elementary School at 550 Curiosity Ave., Yulee and Southside Elementary School, 1112 Jasmine St., Fernandina Beach.
Breakfast is served 9-10 a.m. Monday through Friday while lunch is served 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
A number of smaller sites are also participating in the program, but meal times and days will vary.
Jenny Carter-Nye, a food service specialist with the Nassau County School District, said that participants are encouraged to go to one of the four main sites rather than the smaller ones listed on the “Summer BreakSpot” website due to shorter time periods for meals and different hours and days that the meals might be available.
“At the main sites we have the ability to cook on-site. The others are delivered meals,” Carter-Nye said.
Rregistration is not required to participate in the program. For details about the times and dates of operation for all participating sites, go to https://summerbreakspot.freshfromflorida.com.
Meals will be served Monday through Friday through July 26, except for July 4.
Ashley Simmons satisfied her big city food craving by opening a deli in her new hometown of Hilliard.
Callie Kay’s General Store and Deli sells Boar’s Head meats and cheeses. The deli opened in April as an addition to the existing general store Simmons took ownership of 12 months earlier. She previously lived in Duval County.
“There’s just nowhere around here to get these products,” Simmons said. “I was driving to Jacksonville every Sunday to get these products myself.”
The store’s interior features a rustic theme with Simmons’ sauces, apple butter, jams and relishes on display. She creates them from her own recipes. Krispy Kreme doughnuts are also available.
The shelves are stocked with children’s games and toys, art supplies, handcrafted soaps, shampoo and aromatherapy items.
But in the deli, the sandwich is the star, with fresh bread delivered throughout the week. Customers may also order deli meats and cheeses in quantities of 1 pound or more each for delivery on Wednesdays. All major credit cards are accepted. Seating for inside and outside dining are steps away from the main shopping areas. Lisa Williams is the deli store manager.
Hanna Williams recently visited the deli for lunch.
“I love it,” she said. “I love subs in general. I feel like it fits in Hilliard because it’s nice and country and everybody’s laid back. Everything they have is in style.”
Wallace Lee also enjoys the food and atmosphere. He likes that the store is close to his Hilliard home.
“It’s very good,” he said. “It’s kind of unique. It’s different and Hilliard needs something like this. It means not having to drive all the way to town. They have superior products.”
The store’s inventory is a nod to western Nassau as many of the children’s toys have a rural theme or are based on occupations in the area.
“We have a 7-year-old daughter that goes to school here, so if she gets invited to a birthday party, she can get a nice gift without my driving to Jacksonville,” Simmons said.
The original Callie Kay’s General Store and Outfitters opened in 2002 and was named for Callie Kay Franklin, who was then 12 years old.
Simmons and Lewis Rhoden opted to retain the store’s moniker, listing themselves and children Ridge, Marissa, Ashley and Kennedy as storeowners.
Simmons appreciates the feedback and support that she receives from fellow business owners.
“That relationship is what gives me faith that owning a brick and mortar store in an online world in a town that has one red light will make it,” Simmons said.
Regular social media updates inform customers of soup and dessert offerings available. The store and deli are open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“We just want to keep serving fresh sandwiches and products that our customers want and need,” Simmons said.
Shoppers can find boots, outerwear, work clothes and western clothing for men, women and children. The store includes an expanded area that is stocked with sporting goods, ammunition and firearms, gear for hunting and fishing, bait and deer feed.
“If you think of it, I’ve got it,” Rhoden said.
He encourages residents to save a trip to Jacksonville and buy local instead.
“It’s been good,” Rhoden said. “Everybody’s been supportive. I like to treat people the way I like to be treated and the feedback has been positive.”
Rylee English has worked as a sales associate since October. She plans to stay on until she starts college in the fall.
“It’s hometown-y,” she said. “You see people you know in here all the time and I get a chance to help them.”
Coworker Cassie Bran-nan receives merchandise and expedites it to the sales floor.
“I love it,” she said of working locally. “I live, like, two minutes down the road. I’d rather stay here. I love my hometown.”
Manager Dawn Colley supports the homespun atmosphere.
“We want them to feel welcomed in the store,” she said. “We want to help find what they’re looking for and we try to keep prices unbeatable. If we don’t have it in the store, we will try to order it for them so they don’t have to drive to Jacksonville.”
The outdoor sportsman section is open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Nassau County 4-H'ers attend 4-H Day at the Capitol April 4. The event brought about 800 4-H’ers from throughout Florida to Tallahassee, where they met with members of congress. Senator Aaron Bean explained the legislative process while Representative Cord Byrd shared tips on public speaking. The 4-H Shooting Stars Archery Club had a visit from a gobbler as turkey enthusiast Pat Zeorlin shared information about a turkey’s growth and the sounds the bird makes. Youth practiced with various calls prior to target practice. To learn more about 4-H, call 904-530-6353.
Around 80 people gathered together on a recent Saturday morning in Baker Hall at the Amelia Island Museum of History as the Amelia Island Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution hosted its annual Student Awards Ceremony. It proved to be a rewarding experience for everyone concerned.
The Amelia Island Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution present several students with awards recently. Jean Worley, chair of the chapter’s DAR Good Citizens committee, conferred the Good Citizens Award on Rob Gray from Fernandina Beach High School. Gray also won the Florida State society’s Good Citizens Award. Awards, each accompanied by $200, also went to Bailey Crawford of Hilliard Middle-Senior High School, Elizabeth Elliott of Yulee High School and Calee Edwards from West Nassau High School.
The chapter’s American History Essays Committee was chaired by Amelia Phillips, who oversaw the review of more than 160 essays written by fifth through eighth grade students in Nassau County. First place awards in each grade came with $50 and second place was accompanied by $25.
Zoey Gamba from Emma Love Hardee Elementary School won first place for fifth grade locally and also placed third in the statewide contest. Jeffrey Clinton from Wildlight Elementary School won second place locally.
Callahan Middle School’s Grady Wayne Stephens won first place in the sixth grade category. Fellow CMS student Brody Singley placed second.
CMS’ Baylee Cruce was awarded first place for seventh grade while classmate Kaitlyn Raulerson received second place.
Eighth grade winners were Lydia Motonaro of Yulee Middle School in first place and Katherine Bogush from St. Michael Academy with second place.
Four Nassau County high school seniors received $1,000 scholarships from the Amelia Island Chapter, including Elizabeth Elliott of Yulee High School, Kiersten Wright of Hilliard Middle-Senior High School, Taylor Alvare’ of Fernandina Beach High School and Joshua Fahlgren of West Nassau High School.
Ben Weiser, a teacher at Fernandina Beach High School, was the recipient of the Outstanding Teacher of American History Award from both the Amelia Island Chapter and the Florida State Society of the DAR.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is the largest women’s service organization in the world and contributes over one million volunteer hours a year. The approximately 200 members of the Amelia Island Chapter contribute 5,000 volunteer hours and $5,000 in scholarships and awards in Nassau County each year.
Barnabas Center has received several donations and announces assistance in planning for future donations.
Chances are there will be people in need in Nassau County for a very long time. In response, Barnabas launched a new wills and estates program to help the community understand more about making a financial contribution to benefit others through their wills and estates.
Local resident Carolyn Phanstiel shared her reflections on the reasons she provided for Barnabas in her will.
“An important motivation is my wanting to be a good role model for my children and grandchildren. I have met with them to explain why, along with them, I have written Barnabas into my will. More than anything, I want this kind of legacy to be a Phanstiel family value.”
Barnabas asks that potential donors and supporters leave a legacy to help others through their estate planning.
Estate planning can sound intimidating and like something that can wait for retirement. Many people believe it is only for the very wealthy, but in reality, it is important for everyone to consider and the time to create a plan is now. Without a plan, decisions about your assets, your healthcare and the care of your children are left to the courts and state laws to handle.
Barnabas offers free estate and will planning information. Interested persons should contact Tania Yount, chief development officer, at tyount@Barnabasnassau.org or 904-261-7000.
Barnabas Center’s mobile food pantry team will hold a free food distribution for lower-income Nassau County residents June 24. Sign-in begins at 10:30 a.m. and the distribution will last until all the food is distributed at the Northeast Florida Fairgrounds, 543378 U.S. 1, Callahan. The fairgrounds are located 1.2 miles north of Callahan on U.S. 1.
The Bank of America Foundation recently granted Barnabas $10,000 to support the Barnabas Meal Pack Program.
Barnabas Center, in partnership with the Nassau County school system, operates the Meal Pack Program, which provides nutritious food to impoverished schoolchildren ages 5-12. Each pack of food helps to sustain a child over weekends and school holidays.
If you or someone you know needs food or other assistance, or you’d like to help be part of the solution contact Barnabas at 904-261-7000.
Barnabas also operates a food pantry, providing more than 370,000 pounds of food to individuals and families each year.
On May 11, the National Association of Letter Carriers collected food donations to aid the millions of Americans who struggle with hunger.
The “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive is the nation’s largest single-day food drive, having collected more than 1 billion pounds of food since its inception as a national food drive in 1993. This one-day food drive benefited the Barnabas Food Pantry locally.
Sorting, unloading and boxing the food required the help of many. Barnabas appreciates the volunteers and partners, including Rayonier and Amelia Island Rotary and the community at large for making the 2019 “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive a success.
This year, 21,061 pounds of food were donated and delivered to Barnabas. The postal carriers did the hard work of loading the donated food into their trucks along their mail routes and bringing it to the Barnabas Food Pantry. Volunteers helped unload and sort the food.
Barnabas recently received 5,100 pounds of food from Publix through its “Food for Sharing” program. The program is held twice a year and gives people the chance to donate food to help the hungry. People of the community choose one of three donation amounts and Publix donates the food in that bundle to local food pantries.
The donation will support the Barnabas Food program by supplying the pantry with non-perishable food items to be provided to people in the community experiencing hunger.
Barnabas serves more than 2,000 unduplicated households in Nassau County, every year, who don’t know where their next meal is coming from.
WestRock donated $7,000 to Barnabas recently as its support of the sixth annual Empty Bowls Luncheon and to assist the food pantry.
For more information about Barnabas’ Food Pantry programs and how to volunteer or receive assistance, visit www.BarnabasNassau.org.
Local artists paint the town with colorful visual images to draw community interest.
Gus Bomgardner’s art delivers messages through renderings painted on windows, outdoor buildings and other mediums.
Bomgardner recently completed a series depicting the military seals of the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marines and the U.S. Coast Guard. The display at Callahan Barbecue’s windows also includes a silhouette of a kneeling soldier with the phrase, “Remembering those who gave all.”
“It was just something I wanted to do to honor those that gave all,” said Bomgardner. “I had the idea (at the time) for the upcoming Memorial Day.”
After getting permission from Callahan Barbecue owner Danny Murray to paint the project, Bomgardner spent seven days and 70 hours, including touch-ups, to complete it. He worked at night and added the images with the aid of a projector. Once the image was traced by hand, he filled in the details with latex paint. Bomgardner completed the work for free and expressed appreciation for Murray’s willingness to allow him to render the images onto glass.
“I couldn’t do it if I didn’t have the canvas,” he said.
When Bomgardner asked to start the project, Murray was all for it.
“I jumped on that,” he said. “We’re just blessed to have it. He did everything. He wouldn’t let me give him any money for it. He gets all the credit for doing that, but, that’s just Gus. He’s such a great guy.”
Bomgardner plans to update the images by removing the kneeling soldier image and adding art to highlight first responders.
“That would be awesome,” Murray said.
Bomgardner moved to western Nassau as a third-grader in 1971 and attended Callahan Elementary School. His artistic abilities began to flourish after high school. “I’ve always loved drawing – when I was little, coloring,” Bomgardner recalled. “I never pursued it. I took a few classes after graduation.”
He worked various jobs before joining the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office for a time and he was also a member of the Coast Guard auxiliary in Fernandina Beach. He was a Nassau County first responder as well as a volunteer firefighter before retiring in 2010. Bomgardner began window painting projects around 2014 after learning how to do it by watching YouTube videos.
“I thought it would be neat to try for something to do,” he said.
Sometimes he accepts payment for his work. Other times, he does it for free.
“I do a lot of canvas work,” he added. “I’ve done some wall murals. I’ve done some wood art for area businesses.”
He’s put his artistic touch on Carrie’s Florist, El Dorado Mexican Restaurant, Gator’s Discount Outlet, First Coast Pawn and More, Winn Dixie, the former Flash Foods and First Baptist Church of Callahan. R&R Wing Café in Hilliard, Junior’s Seafood and Grill locations in Callahan and Yulee, Jacksonville’s Gore’s Nursery and Sam’s Club on Dunn Avenue have also featured his art.
Winn Dixie Manager Jared Murphy said the painted windows featuring West Nassau’s iconic Warrior emblem, a tomahawk, a football, pom-poms and a megaphone represent the community.
“Winn Dixie, Southeast-ern Grocers – our parent com-
pany, we very much want to be involved in the communities we serve,” he added. “West Nassau High School is a central part of the community and we wanted to showcase his artwork.”
Bomgardner painted a Mexican-themed drawing of two cacti on the windows at El Dorado Mexican Restaurant for Cinco de Mayo. He’s painted the windows at least twice this year.
“He’s great,” said restaurant manager and co-owner Miguel Ruiz. “He does a really good job. It makes the windows look awesome. It’s different when someone local can do that. It’s great for us.”
Ruiz also likes the military-themed art at Callahan Barbecue.
“I think he really outdid himself,” he said. “I really do think it’s awesome – 100 percent.”
Bomgardner’s renderings also include portraits of children and family, which he reproduces from photographs. He once presented wife Mary with a color portrait of her late parents, Betty and Bill Lunsford, which he did from a vintage black and white photograph.
He also enjoys creating Bible-themed art.
“I try to push toward realistic stuff – landscapes and seascapes,” Bomgardner said. “I’m wanting more Bible stories and themes.”
He attributes his artistic leanings to God.
“The Lord’s given me the talent and ability to do this and I want to do this for His glory,” he said.
Karen Clifton takes a whimsical approach to her artwork. She recently painted a colorful display of Noah’s Ark at a local shop along U.S. 1 in Callahan.
The former Noah’s Arc, recently under new ownership with a name change to Noah’s Ark II, displays animals afloat in the vessel as well as a pair of giraffes. On another window, Clifton brushed in flowers and verbiage to alert shoppers of the store’s rear entrance.
The Callahan artist has also painted the windows at Small Town Rags.
In 2014, she completed a mural of characters and animals that represent various selections of beverages available at SCW Liquors.
“I come from a long line of artists and creative people,” Clifton said.
She grew up in Baker County surrounded by artisans. She began drawing and painting as a child. She illustrated two children’s books, “Jack Gives a Smack” and “Mabel is Able” written by her aunt, Beth Evans Caldwell.
Grandfather Milton Meeks built furniture and
did woodcarving. Grand-mother Mable crafted jewelry, sewed and crocheted. Mother Carol Baker is a multi-medium artist who lives in Baker County.
Like Bomgardner, Clifton has created murals of all types, completing about 10 projects a year. She has also painted whimsical flowers and other motifs on furniture, creating personalized signs and even decorating graduation caps for commencement.
“I love whimsical,” Clifton said. “My signature thing is I outline in black.”
She described her penchant for acrylics and how she applies white paint to provide the foundation for her window displays.
“I jut love to put paint somewhere,” Clifton said. “It calms me. It’s just an outlet and it just makes me feel good to spread color and joy around town – anywhere.”
Callahan residents Jack and Raquel “Rocky” Mounce learned that less is more when living in a tiny home.
The couple’s 800 square-foot home at 54058 Lawhon Road is supposed to be highlighted on the FYI Network’s “Tiny House Nation” this fall. Zack Giffin and John Weisbarth co-host the show, which has aired for five seasons. As of June 5, FYI has yet to cancel or renew the show for a sixth season.
To be featured on the show, the couple responded to a request from Tiny House Nation for first responders. Jack Mounce is a family nurse practitioner and a lieutenant with the Jacksonville Fire Department. Although requested by the Record, the couple is prohibited from providing complete details of the home until the program airs.
Jack and Rocky knew early on that they wanted to live in a smaller home. They discussed the idea for several years before starting the build in September. The three-bedroom and two-bath home was completed in a little more than 60 days. The home cost more than $140,000 to build. The couple moved into the home in December with daughters Keirstyn, 12, and Mila, 16 months and house cat Scally.
“I’ve always been a minimalist,” Jack Mounce said. “You don’t need a lot of extra. You don’t need a lot of the other things. You also hear a lot people in Florida say, ‘Hey, you know, hey, my electric bill is $600 a month in the summertime.’ My electric bill is $50. I have the same lifestyle you do. You know what I mean? I have a 3/2 house with plenty of space and storage for what I need. I don’t have any dead space.”
He added that the more space people have, the more likely it is that it could become overrun with personal items.
The downsized lifestyle has taught the couple that less is more.
“If you buy a 3,000 square-foot house, your goal from that point forward is to fill it, is to make it feel lived in,” Jack said. “Well, once you start that trend, you continue to do that. And eventually, it’s, “All right, I have too much. I just have to get rid of this stuff.’ And then the more you own – the more it owns you. And the more, ‘I can’t go anywhere, because I have this 3,000 square-foot house. I can’t afford a vacation because I’m house poor now.’”
Paring down belongings from a 2,500 square-foot home in Atlantic Beach to their current home wasn’t as difficult as they thought it would be.
“Once you get started, you just get rid of everything,” Rocky said.
“We realized that we had, like, three cold mist humidifiers for the baby, but we didn’t realize it, because one was in our upstairs Jack and Jill bathroom and we hadn’t been in there in a year-and-a-half,” Jack said.
The pair designed the home, including choosing the colors and finishes. The home’s interior has all of the modern amenities and storage areas that a traditional home does.
The structure is built on an acre, with the foundation set on 10-foot reinforced pylons to lift the structure. It was also built to withstand hurricanes Category 3 and above.
“We wanted that U-
shaped house because we wanted a central deck in the back,” Rocky said. “We told them what we wanted, what our designs were. They checked my Pinterest boards – everything. And then they put together a portfolio and with like, ‘This is choice A, B and C; which would be your first choice? Which would be your second choice for everything, the lighting, the flooring, the sink, everything?’”
During the final stages, when the TV production crew was at work on the premises, the couple stayed away until the reveal.
Tiny living has broadened their financial horizons to some degree.
“We like the simplicity of it,” Jack said. “We don’t have a mortgage. In that aspect, we owe nothing to any bank. Being free and clear at our age is really nice.”
His wife likes that the home is easy to clean. She only spends about 15 minutes a day managing responsibilities.
With the financial freedom, the couple now shares traveling experiences with their family, spending funds on trips that would have been put toward utilities or other expenses a larger home requires.
The family has enjoyed the customized home that is outfitted for their needs. As can happen in life, the couple will soon face a life change. Jack recently accepted a job elsewhere. The home is already on the market.
Through it all, Rocky said the tiny living experience was positive and she doesn’t rule out the possibility of the family living in a non-traditional home in the future.
“I would live in an RV,” she added. “Like now, seeing – like, it’s not intimidating living in a small space, I would go smaller. I know we could do it.”