MIDDLEBURG – In what’s considered one of the most significant nationwide surveys, Point in Time Count is looking for volunteers to help identify individuals and families experiencing homelessness in our community on Jan. 29. 

The event at Mercy Support Services from 6 a.m. to noon will help gather critical data that guides funding, resources and solutions to end homelessness. 

Volunteers are needed to survey those experiencing homelessness, assist with outreach teams and logistics and help with supplies and coordination. No experience is needed, and training will be provided. 

Volunteers need to register by Jan. 15 by contacting Charles Temple at outreach@changinghomelessness.org or calling (904) 570-5437. 

Library patrons can join Book Club in a Bag Club 

CLAY COUNTY – The county’s libraries are starting a Book Club in a Bag Club at its branches in Orange Park, Fleming Island, Green Cove Springs, Keystone Heights and Middleburg/Clay Hill. 

Patrons can check out bags of 10 paperback books for as long as eight weeks. In addition to books, each bag contains author information, book discussion questions and book reviews. 

Current titles include “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak, “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine” by Gail Honeyman, “Every Note Played” by Lisa Genova, “The Girl on the Train” by Paula Hawkins, “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn, “Heartland” by Sarah Smarsh, “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett, “The Immoralists” by Dani Shapiro, “The Inn at Rose Harbor” by Debbie Macomber, “Killers of the Flower Moon” by David Grann, “The Language of Flowers” by Vanessa Diffenbaugh, “The Library Book” by Susan Orlean, “Little Fires Everywhere” by Celeste Ng, “A Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman, “Never Let Me Go” by Kazuo Ishiguro, “The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstern, “Normal People” by Sally Rooney, “Orphan Train” by Christina Baker Kline, “Room” by Emma Donoghue, “The Rosie Project” by Graeme Simsion, “Sing, Unburied, Sing” by Jesmyn Ward, “The Stationery Shop” by Marjan Kamali, “The She Was Gone” by Lisa Jewell, “A Thousand Splended Suns” by Khaled Hosseini, “Unsheltered” by Barbara Kingsolver and “Wild” by Cherly Strayed. 

Clay County Fair take home record 14 awards at IAFE Conference 

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Clay County Agriculture Fair brought home 14 awards at the International Association of Fairs and Expositions Networks Awards conference.

The fair won a staggering nine first place awards, followed by four seconds and a third. 

Finishing first were New Class of Competition (Egg Contest), Sponsor Exposure (Synder Air Conditioning, Plumbing and Electric), Strategy to Encourage New Competitive Exhibits Participants – Plants and Art Auction, Creative Display (PRI Productions Selfie Room), Agriculture Individual Livestock Photo (UO Goat Show by Kram Kran Photo), Vendor Marketing and Promotion (Yummy Food Competition), Vendor Communications and Operations (Safety Playbook), In-Kind Sponsorship (Sunbelt Rentals) and Community Impact (Northeast Florida Scottish Games and Festival and Lowe’s Home Improvement). 

Best Marketing Campaign (The Social Bee), Facility Partnerships (HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital First Aid Building), Agriculture Individual Photo/Crops-Hort ID Contest (Kram Kran Photo), Agriculture Individual Photo: Other Agriculture Photo (Silent Goat Disco Party) finished second, while Scripted Videos – Meet Me at the Fair – People (Kram Kran Photo and The Social Bee) wound up third). 

Craig Seaton releases radio single ‘Morning Glories’ across U.S., Canada 

ORANGE PARK – Orange Park’s Craig Seaton new single, “Morning Glory,” is now being played on radio stations across the United States and Canada, and the album version is streaming on major services worldwide. 

The song carries a special history. Written in 2001 by Judy Davies, the late wife of Mark A. Davies of Penney Retirement Community, the song celebrates the vibrant flowers she loved and uses them as a metaphor for human beauty. 

Last year, Mark entrusted Craig with Judy’s piano score. Craig arranged, recorded, and produced the single, bringing her words to life for a new generation of listeners. 

Seaton brings classic roots and heartfelt songwriting to today’s airwaves. He first found his voice in the 1970s as the lead singer and keyboardist for Littlerock, a Sarasota based southern rock band. Today, he channels that same musical passion into piano ballads that inspire faith, hope and love. 

A familiar face in the Northeast Florida music scene, Craig regularly performs as a guest musician and vocalist at community events and Golden Oldies concerts for senior audiences. He is also the author of “Some Perfect Tomorrow,” a collection of true stories that reflect his deep appreciation for life’s joys and sorrows. 

Corrections offering bonuses for officers at Florida State Prison 

RAIFORD – The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) is proud to announce a $1,000 hiring bonus available at select correctional institutions statewide, including Florida State Prison in nearby Raiford. This bonus is in addition to the numerous incentives and benefits offered to those who choose to become state correctional officers with the FDC. 

“Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ ongoing dedication to strengthening public safety, the Florida Department of Corrections is proud to provide new opportunities and incentives for those ready to serve,” said FDC Assistant Deputy Secretary of Institutions Hope Gartman. “A career in corrections offers more than professional growth—it’s a chance to serve, to lead, and to make a lasting difference in the lives of others across Florida.” 

FDC correctional officers receive paid training, high-risk retirement benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement, and a comprehensive benefits package available to all State of Florida employees. 

Upon certification by the FDC Criminal Justice Standards & Training Commission, new FDC correctional officers will be eligible for bonuses at 17 institutions. 

THE PLAYERS invites artists to join Military Appreciation Ceremony  

PONTE VEDRA BEACH – THE PLAYERS Championship is inviting talented individuals and groups from Northeast Florida to audition for a special performance opportunity during the Military Appreciation Ceremony and Concert on Tuesday, March 10. 

As part of this annual tradition honoring the service and sacrifice of our nation’s military, THE PLAYERS is accepting audition submissions from vocal performers interested in singing during the ceremony. Separately, THE PLAYERS is also accepting applications from American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters to sign the same song and the National Anthem as part of the performance. 

“The Military Appreciation Ceremony is one of the most powerful moments of THE PLAYERS Championship,” said Lee Smith, Executive Director of THE PLAYERS Championship. “We’re proud to invite local talent to help us honor the brave men and women who serve our country.” 

Interested vocal performers should submit a video clip of their rendition singing "America the Beautiful”, and ASL interpreters should submit a video of their signed performance of the same song, by 5 p.m. on Jan. 7. Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of judges, and selected performers will be notified via email. 

Thrasher-Horne putting memorabilia on sale ahead of holidays 

ORANGE PARK – Throughout the years, the Thrasher-Horne Center has welcomed some of the biggest names in entertainment. Now you can own a piece of that incredible history. 

The center is opening its archives with a limited sale of signed and unsigned posters and banners from past performances, including William Shatner, Trace Adkins, Joe Nichols, Howie Mandel, The Addams Family, Craig Morgan and The Oak Ridge Boys. 

Each pieces captures the magic of the night and starts who’ve graced the stage. Each is perfect for framing, collecting or gifting to a fellow fan. 

Availability is limited, and once these items are gone, they’re gone for good. 

For more information, visit thcenter.org. 

You can support Bags of Hope to feed families, rebuild lives 

ORANGE PARK – Clay County Outreach’s Ministry Council is accepting donations of non-perishable food items for its pantry for its Bags of Hope program. 

The organization has served more than 1,020 families since May 31 by providing bags of food every Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and the second and fourth Sunday from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 1125 Kingsley Ave., Suite B. 

By providing bags of food, Clay County Outreach also restores hope and rebuilds lives. 

If you’d like to host a donation box, donate food or partner with the Ministry Council, contact them at (904) 444-1215 or email infoccomc@claycountyoutreachministrycouncil.com.