More than 230 celebrate leaders during prayer breakfast

ORANGE PARK – Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and Pi Eta Omega celebrated its 35th annual Prayer Breakfast with 230 guests at the Thrasher-Horne Center.
The breakfast is held annually to recognize community leaders who serve in various leadership roles.
This year’s event honored Pastor Eddie Henley, pastor of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church and first Black Orange Park Town Councilman, Chris Tobey, CEO and founder of Safe Future Foundation, a nonprofit that includes a diaper bank, food pantry and college readiness and Leo Parker, Senior Pastor of The Emerge Church of Palatka who performs street ministries and works with the School of the Heights.

FSU to present “A Festival of Low Brass’ at Penney Farms

PENNEY FARMS – Florida State University’s College of Music will present “A Festival of Low Brass” at the Penney Memorial Church on Sunday, Feb. 19.
The group will be under the direction of Dr. Justin Benavidez.
In addition to a tuba performance by Benavidez and his accompanist, the second half of the performance will feature several pieces played by an ensemble for four tubas and euphoniums.
The concert at 4465 Poling Blvd. is free and open to the public.

Hogs for Dogs to raise money for Clay Humane

ORANGE PARK – Riders are encouraged to meet at Adamec Harley-Davidson on Wells Road on March 25 for the start of a poker run to raise money for Clay Humane.
The ride starts at Adamic and ends at Whitey’s Fish Camp on Fleming Island, with stops at Crossroads Saloon in Palatka, Howlin Wolf Bar in Melrose, Watering Hole at Smith Lake in Keystone Heights and Saloon 17 in Green Cove Springs.
Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. and costs $30 a person. Those who preregister by March 16 will receive a gift bag containing T-shirt and goodies.
Dinner will be served at Whitey’s at 3:45 p.m.
The ride also includes food, music, 50/50 raffle and prizes for the highest and lowest dice roll.
For more information, visit clayhumane.org or call (904) 276-7729.

Orange Park Chorale coming to Penney Farms, Orange Park Presbyterian

PENNEY PARK – The Orange Park Chorale invites the public to enjoy community voices joined together in song as the group presents its free spring vocal concerts, “Amazing Love” in two performances.
On Saturday, March 25, at 4 p.m., the chorale will perform at the Penney Memorial Church, 4465 Poling Blvd. The second concert is scheduled for Sunday, March 26, at 4 p.m. at the Orange Park Presbyterian Church, 1905 Park Ave,
Both concerts are free. Donations will be accepted.
Under the direction of Artistic Director David Holladay, “Amazing Love” concert selections will include sacred music such as Dan Forrest’s “And Can It Be,” Moses Hogan’s “Ride on, King Jesus” and “You Say,” arranged by Heather Sorenson and co-written by contemporary Christian performer Lauren Daigle.
Secular music includes a traditional Zambian song “Bonse Aba” arranged by Andrew Fischer and Thomas Morley’s “Now Is the Month of Maying!”
The Orange Park Chorale, founded in 1992, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
The group’s mission is “to provide opportunities for community participation in the area of choral music, by providing excellence in the choral arts; performing the works of living American composers; and enhancing the cultural life of communities in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia.”
Throughout its history, the members of The Orange Park Chorale have been committed to maintaining the group’s core values of: musical excellence, fellowship, mutual respect, character and dedication.
For more information about the Orange Park Chorale or the group’s upcoming spring concerts, please contact Board Chair Harolyn Sharpe at (904) 553-8487 or visit www.orangeparkchorale.com.

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.

‘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 the shows by Rumours, Always Patsy, Elvis, 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.