St. Vincent’s to provide free clinic at Soul Food Festival

 GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Ascension St. Vincent’s will partner with the Soul Food Festival on Saturday, Oct. 3, during the community-wide event dedicated to serving those in need by providing essential resources such as food, clothing, healthcare screenings and access to vital information.

The event, at Vera Francis Hall Park from noon to 7 p.m., is free and includes flu vaccines, free groceries provided by LASMarketplace Ministries, Vituity Emergency Services, Dispensary of Hope Program, City Behavioral Health, free medical and dental assessments, medical equipment giveaways, health education, a kid’s zone, face painting, arts and crafts, toys giveaways, balloon animals and haircuts.

Spread the word (and peanut butter) during Peanut Butter Challenge

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Spread the word – or in this case, the peanut butter. The 14th annual Peanut Butter Challenge provides people across the state with an opportunity to donate jars of the protein-packed spread to hungry Floridians.

Donations will be accepted at the Clay County Extension office, 2463 State Road 16, from Friday through Nov. 26.

Agents and volunteers with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension (UF/IFAS) and Florida A&M encourage residents to participate.

Jars of any size and variety are welcome, but they must be new, sealed and not expired.

Last year, Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton strained the state’s food pantries, so Floridians stepped up to help through the Peanut Butter Challenge. That led to an increase in donations.

In all, 40 of Florida’s 67 counties participated last year, and people donated 39,898 pounds of peanut butter, a 14,201-pound increase over 2023.

As they collect peanut butter, Extension agents from various counties challenge each other in a friendly competition to see who can collect the most peanut butter. Last year, Orange County collected the most peanut butter, with a total of 5,065 pounds. That’s a new record for a single county.

“I think that the energy from the county Extension offices has definitely ramped up,” said Kevin Camm, director of UF/IFAS Extension Orange County. “I definitely think (statewide) we will be well above 40,000 pounds – quite possibly 45,000 pounds.”

Regardless of the quantity donated, the challenge is a great initiative, Camm said.

“At the end of the day, every jar collected means a family has food on the shelf that is nutritious to eat,” he said. “That is the real impact of this collaborative effort.”

The Peanut Butter Challenge unites the Florida Cooperative Extension Service with the Florida Peanut Federation (FPF), the Florida Peanut Producers Association (FPPA) and community partners throughout the state.

UF/IFAS Extension offices in the Panhandle launched the competition in 2012 to provide hungry residents with a shelf-stable, protein-rich food before the winter holidays.

The challenge spread statewide in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated food insecurity and increased demand for help from food banks. Matching donations from the Florida Peanut Producers Association (FPPA) and the Florida Peanut Federation (FPF) have helped the program increase donations year over year.

Peanuts are a major crop in Florida. In 2024, Florida’s peanut production totaled 550 million pounds, 5% more than in 2023, according to the Florida Agricultural Statistics Service (FASS). Peanuts contributed more than $137 million to the state economy, according to the FASS.

“Peanut butter is more than a staple — it’s a symbol of nourishment, comfort and hope,” said Laura Goss, executive director of the FPF. “At the Florida Peanut Federation, we are proud to support this annual challenge because we believe no child should go to bed hungry when we grow one of the most nutritious and shelf-stable foods right here in Florida. We commend the Extension offices, volunteers and community members who turn compassion into action by helping fuel a future, one jar at a time.”

For more information about drop-off locations and participation, visit sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/peanutbutter.

Health Department, Library to present healthy stories for preschoolers

CLAY COUNTY – The Clay County Department of Health and Library System will continue its “Healthy Tales: Story Hour with the Health Officer” to promote nutrition and healthy habits among younger children.

The one-hour storytelling schedule includes stops at:

• The Orange Park Library, 2054 Plainfield Ave., Wednesday, Oct. 8, 10:30 a.m.

• The Keystone Heights Library, 175 Oriole St., Thursday, Oct. 16, 11 a.m.

• The Green Cove Springs Library, 403 Ferris St., Thursday, Nov. 6, 10:30 a.m.

• The Middleburg-Clay Hill Library, 2245 Aster Ave., Middleburg, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 10:30 a.m.

“This initiative empowers young minds through nutrition education one story at a time,” said DOH-Clay Health Officer Heather Huffman. “Our partnership with the Clay County libraries is a perfect way to reach families and create a fun learning environment.”

“Healthy Tales” combines storytelling with lessons about nutrition, emphasizing the importance of healthy eating and physical activity, making it an engaging and educational experience for preschoolers. Each session features a story about healthy eating, followed by activities designed to reinforce the lessons learned. In addition, the first 20 children receive a copy of the featured book to take home.

“We are thrilled to bring back this program for another round,” said Director of Libraries Mary Canfield. “This initiative not only nurtures a love for reading but also encourages children to make healthier food choices.

Murray Farms is on CR 220 between College Drive and Knight Boxx Road.

Murray Farms community opening on CR 220

MIDDLEBURG – PulteGroup announced it is offering a new 87 single-family home community on County Road 220.

Murray Farms is between College Drive and Knight Box Road, offering 40- and 50-foot lots with 10 floor plans. The development is expected to be opened later this fall.

The annual Dreams Come True 5K event raised $374,523 to benefit local children facing life-threatening medical conditions.

Dreams Come True 5K raises more than $370,000

JACKSONVILLE- Capes were flying and spirits were soaring as more than 2,500 runners, walkers and rollers joined Dreams Come True on Saturday, September 13 at the University of North Florida J.B. Coxwell Amphitheater for the Dreams Come True 5K, presented by TOTE. The annual event raised $374,523 to benefit local children facing life-threatening medical conditions.

The University of North Florida J.B. Coxwell Amphitheater was transformed into a celebration of courage, hope and community. Participants of all ages donned superhero costumes, complete with capes, masks and face paint, all to show support for real-life heroes in the Northeast Florida community: children facing serious medical conditions.

All proceeds from the event go directly to Dreams Come True, Northeast Florida’s locally based dream-granting organization since 1984. Dreams Come True has fulfilled more than 5,000 dreams for local children and currently is working with nearly 600 children and families on the First Coast. Proceeds from the Dreams Come True 5K will assist in fulfilling local children’s dreams over the next year.

In addition to the professionally timed 5K run, the event included a 1-mile fun walk, sponsored by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty, and Dreamfest, a kid-friendly area filled with games, prizes, and breakfast hosted by the Chick-fil-A Jacksonville Market.

The biggest highlight of the event was 5-year-old Novalee being surprised with details of her Disney Dream. Novalee and her family will be traveling down to Orlando in 2026 to explore all the theme parks and enjoy a special stay at Give Kids The World. Novalee was one of 17 Dreamers who served as event ambassadors. The DCT5K Ambassadors formed run teams, helped promote the event, and were honored on stage for their bravery and determination. Additional Dreamers were also recognized during the event’s festivities.

“Our superheroes may not fly or shoot webs, but their bravery is unmatched,” added Valent. “This event is about giving our community the opportunity to join us in celebrating them and giving them the support they deserve.”

Sheriff Cook puts out APB for winning cookie recipe

CLAY COUNTY – Sheriff Michelle Cook is looking for help – not looking for a fugitive, but for a great cookie recipe.

She will participate in the Second Celebrity Christmas Cookie Challenge to benefit Operation Barnabas on Dec. 5 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Toasted Yolk Café, 10915 Baymeadows Road, Suite 135, Jacksonville, and she wants to know if you’d like to share your can’t-miss winning recipe.

She asks that you submit your entry to sheriff@claysheriff.com.

Tickets are $75 and are available at operationbarnabas.com, which includes food and refreshments.