Craig Morgan to perform at Thrasher-Horne in October

ORANGE PARK – Singer, author, actor and soldier Craig Morgan has made a name for himself as a country music hitmaker who has amassed nearly 2.5 billion career streams and charted more than 25 songs on Billboard, with signature hits including “Redneck Yacht Club,” “Almost Home,” “International Harvester,” “Soldier,” “That’s What I Love About Sunday,” and his faith-filled tribute, “The Father, My Son and the Holy Ghost,” the multi-faceted entertainer’s music has formed the soundtrack to our lives for over two decades.

He will bring his catalog of hits, along with some new music, American Soundtrack, with six songs to the Thrasher-Horne Center on Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets, which start at $37, are available at the box office or at thcenter.org.

Quigley House needs help from the community to help its survivors.

Quigley House in need of personal, household items

GREEN COVE SRINGS – Quigley House, the only dual-certified domestic violence and sexual assault center in Clay County, needs several personal and household items to support its survivors.

The list of urgently-requested items include Uber gift cards so survivors can attend legal and medical appointments from the shelter, body wash, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, feminine products, new extra-large twin-sized sheets and comforters, pillows, pillowcases, any new clothing, sports bras, short- and long-sleeved T-shirts, sweatpants, joggers, cleaning supplies like Windex, Pine Sol, 409, all-purpose cleaner, Lysol spray and wipes, toilet paper, paper towels, laundry detergents and fabric softener and new kitchen item like utensils, plates and bowls.

Items can be accepted Monday-through-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Quigley House Administrative Office at 3373 U.S. Highway 17.

Green Cove Springs’ Verizon giving away backpacks

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Round Room and the Verizon store at 1342 N. Orange Ave. will donate more than $3 million in backpacks to 140,000 students to ease the financial burden for parents.

The 13th Annual “School Rocks Backpack Giveaway” will be on Sunday, July 27, at 1 p.m.

Round Room, one of the country’s largest Verizon Authorized Retailers, will host its annual “School Rocks Backpack Giveaway” at more than 1,200 of its TCC and Wireless Zone stores, offering complimentary backpacks to families for the upcoming school year.

“This is one of those moments each year that reminds us why we do what we do,” said Scott Moorehead, CEO of Round Room. “It’s not just about the backpacks, it’s about showing up for our neighbors. When our teams gather in stores across the country to give back on the same day, it’s a magical thing.”

Additionally, Round Room will be gifting one winning school a bus filled with nearly $40,000 of essential supplies during Backpack Giveaway.

After years of inflation and ongoing economic uncertainty, families continue to feel the burden during the back-to-school season. Last year, U.S. families spent an average of $875 on school supplies, with costs rising by almost 24% over the past five years. Nearly three‑quarters of parents expect to spend the same amount or more this year despite financial pressures. For families facing financial strain, purchasing a higher ticket item such as a backpack can be challenging, highlighting why community initiatives like Round Room’s “School Rocks Backpack Giveaway” are more vital than ever.

Families are invited to attend to pick up a complimentary backpack, one for each present child and as supplies last.

Orange Park teens graduate from NASA’S Space Camp

ORANGE PARK – Frederick Tough, Ethan Long, Hayden Wood, Dayton Zeigler and Taylor Gheen were among the12- to 14-year-old Young Marines from units across the country who successfully graduated from NASA’s U.S. Space and Rocket Center’s Aviation Challenge Mach II in Huntsville, Alabama.

All participants completed a fast-paced, military-inspired program where young leaders are evaluated in their knowledge of aerodynamics and teamwork.

The teens are members of the Black Creek Young Marines from Orange Park.

The Young Marines is a national nonprofit youth education and service program for boys and girls, age eight through high school graduation. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral and physical development of its members. The program focuses on teaching the values of leadership, teamwork, and self-discipline, so they can live and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

Former NASA Astronaut, Ret. U.S. Marines Col. Kenneth D. Cameron interacted with the campers in hands-on activities. Selected by NASA in May 1984, Cameron became an astronaut in June 1985. A veteran of three space flights, Cameron has logged more than 561 hours in space.

“Completion of this difficult course is a major accomplishment and a life-changing experience for these Young Marines,” said Col. William P. Davis USMC (Ret), national executive director and CEO of the Young Marines. “Our Young Marines enthusiastically answered the challenge that the NASA camp put before them. With purpose, creativity and strategic thinking, our Young Marines completed every task assigned to them.”

During the six days, graduates’ main accomplishments included:

• Learning about aeronautics, propulsion, and aviation history.

• Flew in a UAV drone simulator to reinforce lessons learned at static displays and artifacts.

• Mastered aerial combat and competing to be the best of the best in “Top Gun.”

• Embarked on a search and rescue mission to bring a downed pilot back from behind enemy lines while communicating as a team and evading hostile forces.

Two donors help NFLT improve Smith Lake Reserve

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – North Florida Land Trust (NFLT) just completed a long-anticipated project at Smith Lake Preserve to remove an old fence from Smith Lake that was a significant obstacle for wildlife and a potential danger to boaters, swimmers and researchers. Two generous donors, Faith and Rick Hoffman, and the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Funds, made the fence removal project possible.

“We greatly appreciate the support from the Hoffmans and Delores Barr Weaver, both of whom have been a tremendous help to us and our mission,” said Allison DeFoor, president and CEO of NFLT. “This project was on our to-do list for a while, and thanks to our generous donors, our stewardship team was able to remove the fence that had become submerged in Smith Lake. Now the lake is safer for all.”

 Cross-fencing on Smith Lake was constructed in the early 2000s for livestock grazing during a drought when the land was privately owned.  Over the years, water levels naturally rose, submerging the fence and impeding the movement of aquatic species like fish, turtles, amphibians, and alligators, causing population imbalances, and disrupting ecological processes.

The stewardship team brought in North Florida Dock Service to assist with removing just over 1.5 miles of mostly submerged fencing. The fence at the freshwater marsh was removed by using mini-excavators, skid steers, barges and watercraft. The work had no effect on the environment. The fence removal restores natural migration, enhances the environmental balance, and ensures safe access to the lake.

Rotary clubs to honor heroes with flags, coins at OP Town Hall

CLAY COUNTY – The Rotary Clubs of Green Cove Springs, Orange Park Noon and Sunrise and Fleming Island are accepting donations to honor heroes with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Fire Rescue, Orange Park and Green Cove Springs Police Departments, Florida Army National Guard, Wounded Warrior Project and others by selling flags, coins and mentions at a special ceremony on Sept. 11 at 10 a.m. at Orange Park Town Hall.

To honor a veteran, current member of the military or a first responder, visit oprotarysunrise.com and click on flags-for-heroes. With all donations, your hero’s name(s) will be mentioned at the event. The costs are:

• Hero, $50 – one seven-foot flag displayed between Sept. 8-19 at Town Square with the hero’s name displayed on it and a custom-designed coin for the hero.

• Friend, $100 – As many as two flags and two coins.

• Bronze, $250 – As many as four flags and four coins.

• Silver, $500 – As many as six flags, six coins and a business logo.

• Gold, $1,000 – As many as eight flags, eight coins and a business logo.

• Platinum, $2,000 – As many as 10 flags, 10 coins, business logo and opportunity to display a table at the ceremony.

Cheer for Jags, support Quigley House – at same time

Quigley House is excited to partner with the Jacksonville Jaguars, The Jaguars Foundation, and the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida through the Jaguars Give & Go Program and the organization that supports survivors of domestic violence needs your help.

When you purchase Jaguars home game tickets through this special program, Quigley House can earn as much as $30 a ticket sold. It's a fun and easy way to support survivors while enjoying an NFL game at a discounted nonprofit rate.

When you purchase your tickets, be sure to select Quigley House as your designated nonprofit. Every ticket helps Quigley House continue its mission to provide safety and support for those affected by domestic violence and sexual assault.

For any questions, contact development@quigleyhouse.org.

To purchase Jaguars tickets, visit giveandgo.nonprofitctr.org/events.

Portions of Black Creek Bike Trail closed for construction

CLAY COUNTY – Crews are repairing the Black Creek Bike Trail, and portions are closed for construction.

Phase 1: Two boardwalk sections near County Road 220 are closed, and the work is expected to last a month.

Phase 2: This will start after Phase 1 is finished, and it will impact the boardwalk along U.S. Highway 17 between Harbor Island Drive and Pace Island Trace. The work is expected to last around three months.

The rest of the Black Creek Bike Trail is still open.

Vehicles, vendors needed for Touch a Truck event in September

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Touch a Truck: What Moves Clay County, the annual event that attracts thousands to the Clay County Fairgrounds, is registering vehicles, static displays, community partners and service providers for its Sept. 6 event.

Touch a Truck includes construction, first responder, military, agricultural and utility vehicles that will be displayed and available to be inspected and touched.

What Moves Clay brings together the people and machinery that power the community from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. We’ll host a sensory-friendly quiet hour from 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. and the day will feature dozens of vehicle displays, vendor booths (indoors and outdoors), food trucks, giveaways, and a kid zone.

Whether a group is showcasing a vehicle, hosting a booth, or sharing resources. Touch a Truck is a great opportunity to connect with Clay County families and highlight the work of the organization.

To register, forms.Monday.com/forms/58b9d81bd5150bb66fc9dead7f3348d4?r=use1.

Vendors need to complete a liability form and vehicle displays must provide certificates of insurance by Aug. 5.