Magnolia Point Women’s Club’s Designer Bag BINGO raises $6,500

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Magnolia Point Women's Club raised more than $6,500 at its Designer Bag BINGO fundraiser on Monday, Oct. 2. The event helped the Club’s efforts to improve the lives of underserved residents of Clay County, and to offer educational incentives and opportunities to children.

The Women's Club, a nonprofit organization founded in 2001, celebrated its 25th year, and it remains true to its original mission of helping. Despite the monsoon-like rains that evening, the Elks Lodge was packed with BINGO players, eager to win a designer handbag, as well as one of the many raffle items available.

The event could not have been made possible without the generous support of the Elks Lodge, including David Miller, Rob Loryea, Paul Orvosh and Ed Weston. Emcee for the evening was Rebecca Padgett, with Kacie Harley modeling the purses. Both are members of the Rotary Club of Green Cove Springs.

Representatives from Challenge Enterprises were also present to collect discarded BINGO paper to recycle and shred in conjunction with Shred-It.

Lisa Ullsperger, chair of the event, and Nancy Catudal, the Club's fundraising director, also express thanks to the many Women's Club members who worked the event, donated items for the raffle table, and generally provided support for the evening

 Impact Clay hosting Trunk-or-Treat at Asbury United Methodist on Oct. 23

ORANGE PARK – The College Drive Initiative will host a Trunk-or-Treat on Friday, Oct. 23, at the Asbury United Methodist Church, 16 College Dr. The project will strengthen the community by connecting people and creating welcoming opportunities to gather.

From 5:30-8:30 p.m., guests can enjoy trunk-or-treating, live music, food trucks, fun games and a pumpkin patch. Leashed pets are welcomed.

Volunteers for event setup and breakdown, welcoming and directing attendees, supporting event activities, helping with games and family-friendly activities, clean up and general support can sign up at volunteer.claycountygov.com/need/detail.

Support Special Olympics with simulated round of Pinehurst No. 2 at Top of the Tee

FLEMING ISLAND – Here’s a chance to play iconic Pinehurst No. 2 and help Clay County Special Olympics, all without leaving town or worrying about the weather.

From 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 20, Special Olympics is hosting its first golf tournament at the Top of the Tee at the Fleming Island Golf Club, 2260 Town Center Blvd. Players will play Pinehurst No. 2 on the Toptracer simulator – all to support the cost of year-round training, competition expenses, uniforms, equipment, transportation and athlete wellness programs at no cost to athletes and their families.

There will be an auction for sports memorabilia from the Florida Gators and Georgia Bulldogs. Special Olympians are accepting registrations for teams, event sponsorships, raffle and silent auction items.

To register, contact Clay County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Zach Cox at (904) 445-0521.

Pace Center for Girls’ Fall for Pace looking for auction items

 FLEMING ISLAND – One of Pace Center for Girls’ most important fundraisers, Fall for Pace, is offering tickets and looking for auction items for the Nov. 5 event at Whitey’s Fish Camp.

Tickets to the gala are $40 and available at pacecenter.org/clayfallforpace. Attendees can enjoy a buffet line, live music, a raffle, silent and live auctions.

The center, which partners with a variety of community agencies to provide girls with a multitude of resources to best meet their development and social service needs. Its academic classes are aligned with the local public school district, ensuring girls stay on track academically, and where girls can catch up on credits, if needed. The program is offered at no cost to families, and we offer year-round enrollment.

Pace is still accepting silent auction items like restaurant gift cards, theater tickets, bottles of wine, movie gift cards, jewelry, overnight stays, date nights and spa packages.

To donate, or for more information, call (904) 458-0840.

NE Florida RV Association select board officers for 2026-27

JACKSONVILLE – The Northeast Florida Chapter of the Florida RV Trade Association (FRVTA) has elected new board officers for Fiscal Year 2026-27, including four from Orange Park.

Jeff Lavallee, an RV sales consultant at Camping World in Orange Park, was reelected as board president. A resident of Orange Park, he is also active as a volunteer youth baseball coach. Lavallee worked in the restaurant business and owned a restaurant on Fleming Island prior to joining the RV industry about 15 years ago.

Gerard (Jerry) Tempio, who works in quality control for the service department at General RV Center in Orange Park, was elected board vice president. Tempio has been with General RV Center since 2012 and has more than 20 years in the industry. He started his sales career at SunCoast RV in 2004, followed by a short stint in RV sales at Camping World. He served nearly 20 years as the chapter’s board treasurer before being elected to the new role.

Alex Wallis, Sales Manager at General RV, was reelected board treasurer. Wallis, who joined General RV in 2025, has been in the RV industry for seven years. He previously served as general manager at A & L RV Sales in Columbia, Tennessee. During that time, he was recognized by the 2024 Recreational Vehicles Dealers Association as a ‘RV Pro 40 under 40’ Honoree.

Kathi Heestand, a receptionist/scheduler with General RV Center, was reelected board secretary. She has been with the RV dealer for seven years – spending her first three as a delivery specialist and then as a service advisor before assuming her current position. Prior to joining General RV, she worked for business services provider Cintas for 16 years and was the co-owner of R&K Roofing for 10 years. She also served in the U.S. Air Force for six years prior to her civilian career.

Michele Berg, owner and technician with Iceberg Mobile RV LLC, a mobile RV repair service, was reelected to a second two-year term as chapter director and represents the region at the state level of the FRVTA. Berg is a Florida Certified RV Technician and holds a Florida Master Liquid Petroleum (LP) license.

Pick Up the Pace 5K accepting sponsors to support Pace Center for Girls

CLAY COUNTY – Sponsorships are available for the Jan. 9 Pick Up the Pace 5K and one-mile Fun Run at the Oakleaf Village Athletic Center, 370 Oakleaf Village Pkwy.

The New Year’s Resolution Presenting Sponsorship is $6,000, and it includes race-wide notoriety and company logo on runner T-shirts, while Fresh Start Sponsorship is $4,500 and it includes many of the presenting sponsorship perks. The run supports Pace Center for Girls of Jacksonville and Clay County. A runner sign up page will be announced soon.

For more information contact Tamara.Garrett@pacecenter.org.

SJR State College offering online Criminal Justice-Applied Intelligence Studies degrees

ORANGE PARK – Through a new partnership with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), St. Johns River State College is giving intelligence-focused graduates a distinct competitive advantage. Students enrolled in SJR State’s Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice – Applied Intelligence Studies can now complete specialized coursework to earn an official FDLE academic certificate alongside their degree.

The curriculum incorporates two state benchmark programs: FDLE Core Analytical Training (FCAT) and Florida Law Enforcement Analyst Training (FLEAT). These industry-standard credentials prepare aspiring investigative and intelligence analysts with key practical skills, including oral briefings, open-source research, analytical writing, and data interpretation.

"While our online bachelor's degree uniquely combines criminal justice with intelligence analysis, this new certification takes student preparation a step further," said Tim Adams, Dean of Criminal Justice at SJR State. "It directly bridges the gap between college course work and real-world intelligence operations, giving our graduates a powerful head start in the workforce."

The certification helps graduates enter the intelligence analyst profession by:

• Demonstrating to prospective employers that the students successfully completed rigorous academic studies which included FDLE’s specialized and industry recognized coursework

• Further enhancing the skill set developed through the degree program

• Demonstrating professional competencies required for intelligence analysts

• Accelerating the path to full certification

Applications are available for the 2027 spring semester. For more information, email BaccalaureateAdmissions@sjrstate.edu.

Additional Criminal Justice Programs at SJR State include:

• Crime Scene Technology & Forensic Science (A.S. degree)

• Paralegal Studies (A.S. degree)

• Florida Law Enforcement Officer Academy (Career Certificate)

• Florida Corrections Officer Academy (Career Certificate)

UF/IFAS presents 15^th annual peanut butter challenge

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Don’t pass up those peanut butter sales. You can help fight hunger in your community. For the 15^th year in a row, 38 of Florida’s Extension service offices will be collecting the protein-packed favorite. All donations will be distributed to local food pantries to feed the communities they serve.

The event is collaboration between University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension and Florida A&M University (FAMU) Extension Collection begins October 1 and runs through the month and, in some counties, into November.

The Clay County Extension Office is at 2463 State Road 16, in front of the Clay County Fairgrounds.

“Extension cares for the people of Florida every day, providing programming to improve their lives,” says Andra Johnson, director of the Florida Cooperative Extension Service. “The Peanut Butter Challenge lets them involve their whole community in that kind of support.”

Participating county Extension offices will collect sealed, unexpired peanut butter in any brand, size or type of container, from the individual cups to the big family-sized jars. The project has gained popularity every year with schools and organizations conducting friendly competitions to see who can collect the most.

The event began in the Florida Panhandle in 2012, and the event has expanded every year, sparking friendly competition between counties and giving schools and community groups a fun way to help their neighbors. The 2025 event resulted in 44,472 pounds of peanut butter donations, or roughly enough to make 622,608 sandwiches based on a 2-tablespoon serving size per sandwich.

Peanut butter is a prized product for food pantries because it is nutrient-dense, shelf-stable and a great ingredient for sandwiches, snacks and other easy meals. It is also big business for Florida, as the state ranks third nationwide in peanut production (2024). In 2025, Florida’s peanut growers harvested 167,000 acres, resulting in 651 million pounds of peanuts.

Registration underway for players, sponsors for Quigley House Golf Tournament

OAKLEAF – The Quigley House Golf Tournament will be at the Eagle Landing Golf Club on Nov. 13, and the tourney’s past success will lead to another full field, Quigley House is encouraging sponsors and players to register in advance.

Players can sign up at quigleyhouse.org/golf-tournament-2026. Sponsors can email the development team at development@quigleyhouse.org.

Sponsorships range from $250 to $3,500. To sponsor a hole for $250, a company or organization will get hole signage. An Advocate sponsor costs $800, and it includes admission for a foursome. Educate sponsorship ($1,000) includes a foursome, event and hole signage; Equip sponsorship ($2,500) includes a foursome, event and hole signage, logo placement on Quigley House’s website and event social media recognition; and Empower sponsorship ($3,500) includes two foursomes, prominent local recognition, event and hole signage and logo placement on Quigley House’s website and event social media recognition.

Quigley House is a nonprofit that’s committed to breaking the cycle of domestic violence and empowering survivors to live a life free of violence by providing free and confidential services.

Appeals accepted by County for new flood zone designations

CLAY COUNTY – The 90-day appeal period for the FEMA flood zone changes are underway and tuns until Wednesday, Nov. 18.

FEMA is updating Clay County’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps, which determines flood risk and may affect whether some residents are required to carry flood insurance. The appeal period allows residents to request changes or inform FEMA of issues.

Some residents could be required to carry flood insurance as a result, and for others, this could no longer be a requirement. To see which flood zone your property is listed, visit public.claycountygov.com/floodzone/.

To appeal, property owners must have technical data to support proposed appeals. This includes scientific or study data. FEMA will also consider comments and inquiries regarding data such as incorrect street names, typographical errors, and omissions. You may submit appeals by emailing floodteam@claycountygov.com. Appeals without data will be denied.

The updated maps use improved science and data, offering more accurate information than the 2014 maps. While most properties will see no change, some will be added to or removed from Special Flood Hazard Areas.

Clay County urges residents and business owners to review the maps and learn how changes may affect their insurance, property protection activities, and emergency planning.

Here are Flood Zone categories:

• High-risk areas (Special Flood Hazard Areas, or SFHAs) are designated as Zones A, AE and AE Floodway, and are required to have flood insurance if a federally backed mortgage is involved.

• Flood Zone X -The area of minimal flood hazard and is generally not required to have flood insurance. No flood permits are required for development.

• Shaded Flood Zone X Shaded – (500-year floodplain) An area of moderate flood hazards which has a 0.2% chance of annual flooding and is generally not required to have flood insurance. No flood permits are required for development.

• Flood Zones A & AE – (100-year floodplain) These areas have a 1% annual chance of flooding. Flood Zone A does not have a measured Base Flood Elevation. Flood Zone AE does. Flood insurance is required for mortgaged structures in these zones, as are flood permits for development and elevation certificates for new structures or substantial improvements.

• Floodway – This area is defined as the channel of a river, creek or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be preserved to safely discharge the base flood without causing increases in water elevation. Flood insurance is required for mortgaged structures in this zone, as are No-Rise Studies for any new development, flood permits and elevation certificates for new structures or substantial improvements.

Jaguars offering ‘Fan First Favorites’ concessions for $4.99

JACKSONVILLE – To kick off the 2026 season, the Jaguars are introducing a new value pricing menu at EverBank Stadium featuring the venue’s most popular concession items. The Fan First Favorites menu will include several food and beverage options for $4.99 in the general bowl and Gallagher Clubs East and West. Complimentary packaged snacks will also be available to Club ticket holders.

The items on the Fan First Favorites menu include hot dogs, popcorn, pretzels, nachos, candy, 16.9 oz. water and 12 oz. select domestic beer, located at the four ‘Stadium Classics’ concession stands on the Main Concourse level and the “Stadium Classics’ locations in upper East and West Clubs. The complimentary snack items available at the Club ‘Stadium Classics’ locations will vary from game to game.

“The Fan First Favorites menu offers an array of fan-favorite concession items at a great price,” said Jaguars President Mark Lamping. “From the beginning of the Stadium of the Future planning process, the Jaguars set out to create a better fan experience, including the variety and price of food and beverages. We're proud to begin delivering on that commitment this season.”

The Jaguars will continue to permit outside food to be brought to the stadium provided it is unwrapped and placed inside a one-gallon clear plastic bag, and two 16.9 oz. factory-sealed water bottles.

UF/IFAS Extension Clay County offering free online gardening classes

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The UF/IFAS Extension Clay County Master Gardener Training program will offer a series of online classes this summer, including pruning for health, beauty and bloom at 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 26, rethinking turf in Florida landscapes at 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 23 and designing with Florida natives at 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 14.

The free online training is open only to Clay County residents and is taught by Master Gardener volunteers. If you have any questions, please email whhobbs@ufl.edu or call (904) 284-6355.

To watch replays of the events, visit UF/IFAS Extension Clay County.com.

Orange Park Elementary’s Fall Festival pushed back to Oct. 23

ORANGE PARK – In an abundance of caution, the Orange Park Elementary Fall Festival was postponed from Friday, Oct. 9, to Friday, Oct. 23, from 4-7 p.m.

The school decided to push back its annual affair after reviewing the weather forecast. With a line of storms associated with Hurricane Isaias moving through Northeast Florida Friday and Saturday, the celebration ahead of the school’s 100^th anniversary will be two weeks later.

On Oct. 23, there will be “old school” carnival games, food, a silent disco, cake walk, inflatables, bounce house and axe throwing. Tickets for games and food can be purchased at the gate.