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

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

Gospel’s Yolanda Adams to appear at Thrasher-Horne in December 

ORANGE PARK – Known as the “Queen of Contemporary Gospel” Yolanda Adams rose to prominence after beginning her career with the Southeast Inspirational Choir and releasing her first album “Just As I Am” in 1987. 

Adams has sold 10 million albums worldwide, achieving multi-platinum status and earning numerous accolades, including four Grammy Awards and recognition from Billboard as the No. 1 Gospel Artist of the decade in the 2000s. 

Come join Hot 106.5 for “One Joyous Night: A Gospel Concert Celebration,” hosted by Wanda P. & Shawn Knight and featuring Yolanda Adams, along with live performances from local choirs at the Thrasher-Horne Center on Dec. 7 at 5:30 p.m. 

Tickets, which start at $48, are available at the box office or at thcenter.org. 

Corrections offering bonuses for new 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, taking place 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 of "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. A panel of judges will review submissions, and selected performers will be notified via email. 

Trash pick-up affected by the Thanksgiving holiday 

CLAY COUNTY – Curbside trash collection in the FCC service areas scheduled for the Thanksgiving holiday will be picked up on Friday, Nov. 28. 

Friday collection will be delayed until Saturday, Nov. 29. 
Regular collection schedules will resume on Monday following the holiday. 
Additionally, the Rosemary Hill Solid Waste Facility and the Environmental Convenience Centers will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 27. 

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, featuring artists such as William Shatner, Trace Adkins, Joe Nichols, Howie Mandel, The Addams Family, Craig Morgan, and The Oak Ridge Boys. 

Each piece captures the magic of the night, starting with those 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. 

Vintage Market Days returns to fairgrounds Nov. 14-16 

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – More than 125 vintage curators, specialty makers and food creators will return to the Clay County Fairgrounds Nov. 14-16 for the Vintage Market Days to kick off the holiday shopping season. 

The event features original art, vintage items, holiday decor and gifts, repurposed treasures, boutique clothing, handcrafted jewelry, furniture, food trucks and live music. 

A portion of the proceeds benefits Clay County 4-H. 

Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. 

Tickets start at $5 and are valid for reentry throughout the weekend. Children 12 and younger can enter for free. Tickets are available online at vintagemarketdays.com/market/jacksonville or at the gate. 

It’s time to like Boston butts from Vineyard Transitional Center 

CLAY COUNTY – It’s time to pre-order Boston Butts from The Vineyard Transitional Center as construction on the new facility enters its second stage. 

A fully smoked Boston butt costs $40, and they’re available by calling John Sanders at (904) 305-5641 or Joseph Smith at (904) 343-1869. 

The center will provide rooms for up to 16 men as they gain job skills and placement training, as well as life skills training, while transitioning back into society to reduce the chance of recidivism. 

The Center will deliver butts to businesses on Nov. 21 after 1 p.m., while residents can pick up their butts on Nov. 22 between 1 and 4 p.m. at the Center, 518 Pine Ave. 

Sanders said this year’s goal is to sell 600 Boston butts. 

Sheriff Cook puts out APB for winning Christmas 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, and they include food and refreshments. 

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 gives people across the state a chance to donate jars of the protein-packed spread to hungry Floridians. 

Donations will be accepted at 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. 

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.