- November 23, 2024
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The second annual Farm to Table Dinner was held on Friday, Sept. 29, at WP Rawl & Jankowski Farms in Bunnell. Local sponsors and organizations, as well as 142 attendees, came together to exceed the $15,000 goal by raising $15,116. The funds will benefit 4H, Youth Leadership Flagler and Flagler Palm Coast High School Culinary Program.
Chefs prepared a five course meal with ingredients donated by the Flagler County Cattleman’s Association, the Flagler Sport Fishing Club and local farms.
For YPG Flagler Chair Chelsea Herbert, the dinner was a chance to gather the community to appreciate blue collar work. After all, she grew up on the West side of Flagler County, her husband was raised on a farm and her father owns a construction company.
“I don’t think people recognize blue collar work and the importance of it in our modern day society,” Herbert said. “To be able to shed a light on it in our community for a night is extremely important.”
Last year, the event sold out within two weeks, but this year, it sold out in just three days.
Organizations and businesses that want to participate in Palm Coast’s Starlight Holiday Parade in December can sign up by Nov. 29 online at palmcoastgov.com/starlightparade. Those interested can also print out the parade entry form and turn it in as directed on the form.
The Starlight Holiday Parade will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at Central Park in Town Center. It will feature colorful, lighted floats, marching bands and prizes for the top entries. Parade entry is free. The judging categories will be: Best of Parade, Best Marching Unit, Best Float and Best Decorated Vehicle.
Before the Starlight Holiday Parade, the Parks and Recreation Department will host a fun-filled afternoon at Central Park starting at 4 p.m. Visitors can enjoy live entertainment and performances, visits with Santa, food and beverages. Call 986-2323.
Flagler Palm Coast High School Instructor Edson Beckett selected 12th-grader Jadyn Garcia as October’s Student Artist of the Month.
Q+A with Garcia, from Beckett:
Inspiration for artwork: “My inspiration derives from my childhood and where I used to live in the Appalachian Mountains. The mountains and forests were very important to me so I like to incorporate those elements into the pieces.”
What do these pieces mean to you: “They mean creating something that wouldn’t have existed before and making it into a reality through paper. They mean creating a new world with characters and stories waiting to be told.”
This is the second year that Beckett has had Garcia in one of his classes.
“This year I have her for the Advanced Placement 2D Design Studio Art Class — the most rigorous art curriculum available nationwide,” he said.
The two pieces seen here are the first two of the first half of Garcia’s AP portfolio.
“They are very interesting pieces and technically very well done,” Beckett said. “I could really see these pieces being illustrations for a children’s book. I definitely think that she has a future in the arts. I can’t wait to see her entire portfolio.”
By Brian McMillan
Staff Sgt. Robert Freyer enjoyed an Olive Garden dinner with his daughters — Kylie, Lailonie and Hailey — on Sept. 27 at Belle Terre Elementary School's Dinner with Dad event.
Freyer, who has been in the Army for eight years, said the event “gives us a chance to be with the kids alone” and “gives Mom a break as well.”
Belle Terre Principal Terrence Culver told the dads and students in attendance that parental involvement helps teachers do their jobs better.
CSI Lainie Weibling graduated from Keiser University with a bachelor’s in Forensic Investigations, and FCSO threw her a surprise party complete with cap and gown to celebrate.
“We’re so proud of you, Lainie!” FCSO said in a Facebook post.
After 21 years of service at the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, Commander Sam Ferris retired on Sept. 26. A retirement luncheon was held at Highjackers Restaurant at the Flagler County Airport the day before.
Executives, command staff, co-workers and friends came to wish Ferris well in his retirement.
Ferris is a Commander in the Detention Facility who founded the Gang Intelligence Unit in 2012. He has been in charge of the Unit since its inception.
“You have played a big part in making the jail what it is today,” Sheriff Rick Staly said in a press release. “We are certainly going to miss you, but we wish you the best in your retirement. Enjoy your time with your family and thank you for so many years of dedicated service.”
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Detective George Hristakopoulos was awarded the 2017 Greatest Save Law Enforcement Award from KinderVision on Sept. 25.
Sheriff Rick Staly nominated Hristakopoulos for the award after a March 2017 case involving sexual relations between a 16-year-old female and a 51-year-old neighbor.
“Through investigative techniques and determination to seek justice for the juvenile victim, Detective Hristakopoulos was able to arrest the suspect, who is currently awaiting trial,” Staly said in a press release. “If not for the efforts of Detective Hristakopoulos, this suspect would have had additional opportunities to inflict harm or prey on other potential juvenile victims within our community.”
Following Hurricane Irma’s destruction in some parts of Northeast Florida, leaders and community members from several counties, including Flagler County, rallied to help a farm community in Hastings.
Volunteers from the Hastings community were joined by Rotary member volunteers from Flagler County, Flagler Beach, Palatka Sunrise, Palm Coast and Jacksonville clubs.
District Governor Elect Jeanette Loftus of the Flagler County Club started making calls, which helped more than 160 families get food to take home. Honorary Rotarian Pastor Charles Silano of the Grace Community Food Pantry supplied the food for the families as an outreach of his organization, while President Tracy Loftus and the Flagler County Rotary Club provided the U-Haul and a driver to deliver the food.