Veterans encouraged to attend Pact Act forum on Friday
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Are you a military veteran, or do you have one in your family?
The Clay County Veterans' Services Office is holding a free forum on Jan. 27 from 6-8 p.m. on the fourth floor at the Clay County Administration Building to explain the new healthcare expansion law that could benefit certain local veterans.
Military veterans who served in specific areas overseas after 1990 may have been exposed to toxic chemicals during their service. This forum will go over important information about the largest healthcare and benefits expansion in VA history under the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act.
The program is targeted for veterans who served after Aug. 2, 1990, in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia and Unit Arab Emirates and those who served after Sept. 11, 2001, Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Uzbekistan and the Philippines.
There's a full list of geographical areas and timeframes that were affected on claycountygov.com, and you can register there for the free event.

Island Theater to present Twain’s “Is He Dead?’
FLEMING ISLAND – “Is He Dead?,” a play written by Mark Twain and adapted by David Ives, will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 27. Jan. 28., Feb. 3 and Feb. 4, and at 2 p.m. on Jan. 29 and Feb. 5 at the Island Theater.
Tickets, which are available at theislandtheater.com, are $10 for students and $18 for adults.

Middleburg-Clay High Library hosting book sale
MIDDLEBURG – The Friends of the Middleburg/Clay Hill Library will be selling books for three days, starting Jan. 26.
The event on Jan. 26 will run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., while books will be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 27 and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 28.
The group only accepts cash and checks.
Saturday’s sale will include a “Friends Book Bag” promotion where buyers can fill a bag with books for only $5.
Friends of the Library will be allowed to see the selection on Wednesday, Jan, 25, from 4-8 p.m. Cost to be a member is $5 for a single and $8 for a family. It costs $25 to become a patron.
The organization also is accepting books and puzzles that are in good shape for the sale. For more information, call (904) 502-2605.

Wilkinson Junior High FFA selling Boston butts for Super Bowl
MIDDLEBURG – The Future Farmers of America organization at Wilkinson Junior High wants to help fans host the perfect Super Bowl party by selling 10-12-pound fully smoked Boston pork butts.
Orders are being taken through Feb. 3, call the school at (904) 336-6175. Pickup is Friday, Feb. 10 from 4-6 p.m. at Tanner Rosenbaum’s room.
Super Bowl LVII is Feb. 12.

Sheriff’s Office holding pistol raffle to benefit fallen deputy
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Clay County Sheriff’s Office will try to raise money to help the family of Dep. Eric Danella, who died on Dec. 20 after battling an illness.
For $10, everyone is encouraged to buy a ticket that may be picked for a new Rock Island Armory TAC FS HC .45-caliber handgun.
Tickets may be purchased at the Sheriff’s Office’s main lobby at 901 N. Orange Ave. in Green Cove Springs. The drawing will be at noon on Feb. 6 at the sheriff’s office. The winner does not need to be present at the drawing.

Yesterdays Festival at Gold Head Branch State Park on Jan. 28
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park, and the Gold Head Friends group, present the 17th annual Yesterdays Festival on Saturday, Jan, 28, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
The organizers want everyone to come on down to the unique, affordable and family friendly event. The festival is free to attend with the purchase of park admission of $5 a vehicle, up to eight people in a vehicle.
Meet hobbyists, collectors and enthusiasts as well as professional museum curators, archivists, archaeologists, and historians. Antique cars, tractors, tools and weapons of all kinds will be on display in the picnic area. Take a tram ride tour of the park, guided by a park ranger. Churn butter, grind corn, feel the heat of antique camping lanterns and watch cast iron cooking over a wood fire.
Live music will be performed on stage throughout the day.
There will be a weapon firing demonstrations and the The Kirby-Smith SCV Camp 1209 will fire confederate weapons and a cannon. Replica of the Hunley Submarine will be on display as well.
Food will be available from local vendors. A silent auction will be ongoing throughout the day in the park Recreation Building.
A scenic drive through the park’s rolling sandhills will lead to the picnic area where the festival takes place.
For additional information, contact the park at (352) 262-8129 or visit www.FloridaStateParks.org/mikeroess/.

Tickets on sale for NE Florida Scottish Games at fairgrounds
CLAY COUNTY – Six outlets have advanced tickets for sale for the Northeast Florida Scottish Games and Festival on Feb. 25 at the Clay County Fairgrounds.
Advanced sale tickets are $15 a person, while tickets at the door will cost $20.
Tickets can be bought online at neflgames.com and at Clay County Chamber of Commerce in Orange Park, AA Propane Gas Company in Green Cove Springs, Magnolia Hair and Nails in Green Cove Springs, Penney Farm Town Hall, Petsense in Middleburg and Spring Park Coffee in Green Cove Springs.
The festival runs from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and it includes whiskey tasting, Scottish music, dance, animals and athletics like caber tossing, sheaf throw, hammer throw, weight over bar and for distance.

‘Little Women” musical set for 11 performances in Orange Park
ORANGE PARK – The Orange Park Community Theatre will present 11 performances of Jay Richards’ musical “Little Women” at the theatre located at 2900 Moody Ave.
Byron Sparks will direct the play based on Louisa May Alcott’s book.
Performances are set for 8 p.m. on Feb. 17, 18, 24, 25, March 3 and 4; matinee shows are scheduled for 2 p.m. at Feb. 19, 25, 26, March 4 and 5.
The show is presented by the Florida Division of Arts Culture and the Tom Nehl Fund of the Community Foundation.
Visit opct.info for ticket information.

Mission of the Dirt Road offering free showers
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – Adults can sign up for free showers on Tuesdays and Fridays at the Mission of the Dirt Road, 7790 State Road 100.
Adults can utilize the services from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and from 9 a.m. to noon on Fridays. Families with children can get free showers on Tuesdays from 4-6 p.m. Showers are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Residents are required to sign up during the day of the shower. To make a reservation, call or text (601) 568-3473.

Clay Town Center to open soon in Middleburg
MIDDLEBURG – With an easily accessible location, the Clay Town Center will provide convenience for your patients and customers with proximity to a new medical complex, dining, storage and long-term stay options.
As rapid growth has already started with the expansion of the new expressway, establishing a business in this growing community, at a centralized location will provide all the resources a business needs to successfully serve the Clay County region.
That along with the unique heritage of the nearby historical World War II, Branan Air Field, Clay Town Center is an ideal location to establish a business in an up-and-coming area.
Clay Town Center is expected to open in the next few months.

Oscar Mayer Wienermobile coming to Diamond D Ranch
MAXVILLE – The Oscar Mayer Weinermobile, the iconic 27-foot-long hot dog-shaped car used to showcase the company’s line of hot dogs, will be featured at the Family Farm Fun Day on Feb. 4 at the Diamond D Ranch.
The Weinermobile will be at the ranch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 5903 Solomon Road. The event promotes knowledge of Florida plants and wildlife.

‘Cruisin for Boozer’ cancer run to benefit bike shop owner’s family
ORANGE PARK – Friends of Robert Boozer will meet at Locals Pub on Feb. 19 and make three stops as part of “Cruisin For Boozer.”
The popular motorcycle shop operator recently closed on Wells Road after he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The four-saloon poker run will start at 10:30 a.m. and make stops at Saloon 17 in Green Cove Springs, Renegades Bar and Grill in Crescent City and wind up at Boogerville Hideout in Green Cove Springs.
Cost is $20 a rider and $10 a passenger. The event will include live music, raffles, auction and a 50/50 raffle. Breakfast will be served by Locals Pub.
Money raised will help Boozer’s family with transportation and care costs.
To donate or for more information, call (904) 994-4956.

Entries being accepted for RiverFest singer/songwriter contest
FORT WHITE – RiverFest is an Our Santa Fe River Inc. annual fundraising event. Part of the RiverFest Celebration features the 11th Annual Singer/Songwriter Contest.
Entries are now being accepted and OSFR is inviting amateur and professional singer/songwriting musicians, of all ages and genres, to enter their original song about the Santa Fe River.
Contestants must submit their song’s entry form, lyric sheet, and mp3 audio recording online by midnight March 1 to: oursantaferiver.org/riverfest/osfr-song-contest-entry-form/.
The song contest will be held Sunday, March 26 from 1:45 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the RUM 138 Stage at 2070 SW County Road 138. On the day of the event, selected contestants will perform in front of a live audience and compete for first, second and third place cash prizes of $300, $150, and $50, respectively. A panel of three judges will determine the prizes based on specific judging criteria which can be viewed online at: https://oursantaferiver.org/riverfest/singer-songwriter-contest-judging-criteria/.
The Our Santa Fe RiverFest Song Contest brings local and regional singer/songwriters and music lovers to celebrate and learn about North Florida’s special beloved spring-fed river. The song contestants are a joyful part of giving the Santa Fe River a voice, a song and a legacy.

Thrasher-Horne: Show memorabilia on sale to fund future shows
ORANGE PARK –Signed posters, flyers and banners from recent acts at the Thrasher-Horne Center are on sale at the center’s box office at 483 College Dr. in Orange Park.
The money will go to the Thrasher-Horne Center Annual Fund to provide financial assistance for future programs.
Included in the items are items from Craig Morgan, comedian Bill Engvall, Diamond Rio, Electric Light Orchestra Experience, LeAnn Rimes, Michael W. Smith, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Pete the Cat, Ricky Nelson Remembered, The Marshall Tucker Band, The Young Irelanders and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.
Items range from $5 to $50, and they can only be picked up at the center.
The center also is selling tickets and gift certificates for upcoming shows
For more information, call (904) 276-6815 or visit thcenter.org.

Shred For Good: Challenge Enterprises offers shredding drop-off
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Shred for Good hosts Residential Shred Drop-Off events for the benefit of individuals that don’t have an ongoing need for regular shredding service. During the drop-off events every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon, participants may deposit their sensitive documents in secure and locked bins at 3530 Enterprise Way in Green Cove Springs. The bins are then securely transported to the Shred for Good facility, where it is destroyed.
After a six-month shutdown for the pandemic, Shred for Good rolled out a rebooted Residential Shred Drop Off Program in October 2020. On the first day, 92 households were able to destroy 5,116 pounds of sensitive materials in just two hours. Each one of these events is focused on convenience for the consumer and streamlined processes for the staff.
Residential consumers now follow the signs to the drop zone, complete a short form, donate and drive away without ever having to leave their vehicle. To save even more time, both the form and donation have been made available in advance online.
The average household drops off about 55 pounds and donates $14 a visit. Considering that most drop-off shred sites charge more than $.50 a pound; the Shred for Good’s Residential Shred Drop-Off Program at $.26/pound is a cost-effective alternative for the community it serves.
Business and Commercial Customers please call (904) 252-9786 to schedule a pickup using one of our secure bins.

Clay County looking to fill several job openings
CLAY COUNTY – The Board of County Commissioners is looking for a few good people – make that a lot of good people.
The county posted several job openings, including animal control officer, building inspector, deputy director of engineering, engineering specialist, equipment operator, firefighter/EMT, grants administration analyst, grounds maintenance technician, HVAC technician, kennel attendant, laborer, permit services technician, veterans’ services officer and 4-H young development extension agent (apply through the University of Florida).
For more information, click the Career Opportunities tab on the county’s website, www.claycountygov.com.