Ascension St. Vincent’s, Clay recreation to host Summer Youth Camp in June

MIDDLEBURG – Ascension St. Vincent’s and Clay Park and Recreation Department will offer a Summer Youth Program for children 6-through-12 at the Hunter-Douglas Community Center from June 20-24.
The primary focus is to identify and serve youth from low-income or financially struggling families residing in the county. The group also has partnered with Clay Library, Clay UF Home Extension, Clay Sheriff Community Affairs and Clay Behavioral Center.
Camp activities will consist of STEM, hands-on education/preparation of daily nutrition food items, exercise games, CPR sessions, addressing self-esteem and peer respect, bullying, protective techniques for an active school shooting and social media safety. The final day will close out with fun day picnic and water games and much more.
Applications can be obtained by emailing willie.roberts@ascension.org or Clay Park and Recreation Department’s Justin Pierce-Director. The application deadline is June 13. Snacks will be provided. Children will need to have breakfast before arriving at camp.
The park is located at 4393 Longmire Road off Blanding Boulevard in Middleburg. The camp will operate from 8:15 a.m. to noon. On June 25, participants will be offered Youth School and Sports physicals from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at no charge.

First Jumpin and Jivin Juneboree to bring music to children

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Paul Wane Experience and DCL are planning a unique family-focused afternoon to build confident, caring children in our community by recognizing their accomplishments.
By creating the first Jumpin and Jivin Juneboree on Saturday, June 11, at Boogerville Hideout, they’ve made some startling discoveries as they attempt to create new partnerships.
Did you know there are no longer summer music programs in our area? Families struggle to pay for instruments for their children, and those who are fortunate to have an instrument may not have music programs in school?
What do we do? During their Guitars for Kids Giveaway, Wane gift complete new and refurbished instrument kits to children and adults with intellectual developmental disabilities.
Guitar kits include amp, cords, strap, picks, tuner, strings, case and chord chart at $300 each. This doesn't include customized Jay Murphy Guitar; Keyboard Kits include a stand, amp, and cords at $500 each, and drum kits are typically purchased including cymbals, throne, sticks with bag and, of course, a cowbell which are part of the package for a total of $750. Recipients then become a Rising Star for Life!
Throughout the year, Wane invited the Stars to return to showcase their accomplishments by providing an opportunity to perform live on center stage as a solo act, a band or with fellow musicians for a truly unique experience.
What you can do? As a sponsor, vendor or donor you will help to cover the costs of activities, giveaways (i.e. complete instrument packages, youth T-shirts, toy instruments, and a child's meal during the event) and raffle items to be won in some very unique ways!!! Individual/Group/Business Sponsorship includes placement on the backside of custom event T-shirt to be determined by the level of sponsorship ($500, $300, or $150) provided.
Vendor spots are limited. A $50 fee will be waived for those desiring to be a sponsor. Proceeds will benefit the Guitars for Kids Fund's efforts to expand the Rising Stars Program.
Donations can be sent to Venmo (LisaWane) and CashApp ($LisaWane) accounts.
For more information please contact Lisa Wane at (352) 234-0983 or use Paul Wane’s messenger account Paul Wane Music or DCL/Duval County Line or email Wane at Paulwanemusic@gmail.com.

State accepting applications for Boating Advisory Council

The Florida Boating Advisory Council makes recommendations to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Department of Economic Opportunity regarding issues affecting the boating community. Eleven of the 18 members of the BAC are appointed by the governor. The Executive Director of the FWC nominates individuals for the governor’s consideration.
Gubernatorial appointments to the BAC serve staggered three-year terms. They are not compensated but are entitled to payment for expenses under section 112.061, Florida Statutes.
The FWC is currently receiving and reviewing applications from those who are interested in being considered for appointment to the BAC, and whose experience qualifies them to represent the following interests:
• Manatee protection interests
• Water-related environmental groups
• Marine special events
Applicants are asked to complete the questionnaire located at the following link: (https://flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/Board_Appointments_Application_v1.pdf) as well as a statement of the experience and qualifications you possess in one of more of the boating interests above that qualify you to be appointed to the position.
Once completed, please submit the questionnaire and statement to both waterway.management@myfwc.com and by following the instructions for completing a board application located at the following link: https://www.flgov.com/appointments/.
To be considered timely, the questionnaire and statement should be received before close of business June 1.
Submission of the application documents is an expression of interest and willingness to serve on the BAC. Neither nomination by the FWC Executive Director nor appointment by the governor are guaranteed.

Hitchcock’s Markets accepting SNAP for online grocery orders.

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – The Florida-based regional grocery chain announced all Hitchcock’s locations that offer online delivery and pick-up orders will now accept SNAP benefits. SNAP beneficiaries can order groceries through the Hitchcock’s Markets website or app and use their EBT card to complete purchases.
Using EBT as a form of payment online is a simple process. Hitchcock’s customers can visit delivery.myhitchcocks.com or download the Hitchcock’s Markets app, create an account, and enter their EBT card information as a form of payment. Customers can then pick from a large assortment of SNAP-eligible groceries and add them to their virtual cart. Orders can be placed for same-day delivery or pick-up and can be scheduled up to eight days in advance.

New show, ‘Art in the Courthouse,’ now on display

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – As part of a new community outreach effort, Art in the Courthouse, the Clay County Clerk and Comptroller’s Office proudly announces Show 2, “Brush Strokes of Light,” brought to the community by members of First Coast Plein Air Painters, is on display on the sixth floor of the Clay County Courthouse.
This is a juried and judged show. The juror/judge for this show, Charles Dickinson, will award first-, second- and third-place awards, as well as three honor mentions. Following the reception, artwork is viewable during normal courthouse business hours, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-through-Friday.
Thousands conduct business inside the Clay County Courthouse each year and, regardless of the reason for their visit, the clerk’s office wants the building to be a peaceful venue where citizens and employees feel at ease when conducting business. This new program is a partnership involving the Clerk of Court and Comptroller’s Office, Clay County Judiciary, local art groups’ amazing artists, Clay County government, civic organizations, the school system and more.
New displays rotate into the gallery every three-to-four months.
The Clerk of Court’s public website (clayclerk.com) provides information about each art show and links to each organization. Other shows include the Clay County Women’s Clubs from July 18 to Nov. 3 and Holiday Season Children’s Art from Nov. 18 to Jan. 31.

Middleburg Garden Club to dedicate Blue Star Marker for military
MIDDLEBURG – The Garden Club of Middleburg is inviting the public to attend the dedication of the Blue Star Marker to honor former, present and future members of the military on May 21 at the Middleburg Clay Hill Library, 2245 Aster Ave. at 10 a.m. To reserve a spot, visit gardenclubofmiddleburg@hotmail.com or text (904) 252-7818 or (904) 343-8233.

Grant Professionals Association looking for new members

CLAY COUNTY – Northeast Florida fundraising professionals may apply for a scholarship to earn a 12-month professional membership to the Grant Professionals Association valued at $250.
The membership also includes entry into the North Florida GPA chapter. GPA serves grant professionals throughout the United States. Current members have diverse backgrounds and work in a variety of industries including higher education, K-12 education, healthcare, government, nonprofit, consulting and more.
The North Florida GPA chapter offers quarterly meetings and professional development opportunities with local and national subject matter experts. The chapter also hosts fun networking opportunities throughout the year to allow members to get to know one another, share and seek advice, and celebrate successes.
To request an application, please contact the North Florida GPA chapter at northfloridagpa@gmail.com. The application deadline is May 27.

Clay County 4-H Summer Day Camps start in June

CLAY COUNTY – Clay County 4-H Summer Day Camps Clay County 4-H is proud to offer summer day camps for youth to explore their interests. From animals, cardboard canoes, plants, art and beyond, we have a variety of camps to peak your child's interest. All 4-H camps are coordinated through the Clay County 4-H office and implemented by trained staff or volunteers. While the day camps are not overnight adventures, they do fill the campers’ day with education, hands on activities, and fun. The day camps offer field trips, guest speakers and activities that will make a lasting impression on the campers.
This summer’s day camps include:
• Cooking Camp (June 1) for ages 6-18, cost $30 from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. with Gerri Barron: If you love to cook or bake, come join us for a day of fun and cooking with fellow peers ages between 6-18. Basic cooking and baking skills will be taught, and you’ll be cooking your own lunch and dessert that day. T-shirt included in cost of camp.
• Kayak and Cardboard Canoe Camp (June 1-3) for ages 11-18, cost $200 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. with Elaine Giles: Join us and Clay County Parks and Recreation as we explore the concept of engineering through canoeing and kayaking. Throughout this adventure, campers will work in teams to build the sturdiest cardboard canoe and ride out on it to the water. Campers will be able to participate in a half-day kayaking adventure. Field trip and water bottle included. Bring bag lunch and kayak/water shoes.
• Mini-Master Gardener Camp (June 6-7) for ages 8-10, cost $40, from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. with Wayne Hobbs: Learn from our awesome Master Gardener Volunteers about gardening in Florida through two days of fun workshops and activities. Throughout the camp you will learn about growing vegetables, plant identification, growing your own flowering plants and even create your own portable pollinator garden.
• Tween Wellness and Adventures Retreat (July 27-29) for ages 10-14, cost $100 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. with Annie Wallau: The Tween Wellness and Adventure Retreat will help you focus on your own wellbeing, gain interpersonal skills, and provide hands-on experiences to lower your stress and enjoy life.
• Career Exploration and Job Preparation (June 12-17), ages 14-18, cost $75 from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. with Peyton Beattie: Do you know where you are headed after high school? Come explore all of your options – large universities, community college, trade/technical schools, and non-college career opportunities. We will take fieldtrips for you to experience these options hoping that you find your path beyond high school. Other activities: preparing resumes, professional etiquette and interview practice.
• All About Animals (animals and agriculture, June 27-July 1) for ages 5-10, cost $135 from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. with Stephanie Conner: Join us as we connect agriculture and animals to our everyday life. Throughout this adventure campers will gain communication skills, healthy-living tips and develop their creative side while gaining knowledge specific to agriculture and animal topics.
• Eat Smart, Play Hard Summer Camp (July 20-22) for ages 5-9, cost $30 from 9 a.m.-noon with Christine Snyder: This camp will provide hands-on activities to encourage little ones to fuel up with foods from each food group and to be physically active. Each day will include a storytime, healthy snack, arts and crafts, and fun physical activity. Participants will receive a t-shirt and a water bottle.
• Fur, Feathers, and Friends Camp (Aug. 1) for ages 5-12, cost $27 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. with Virginia Harris: A fun and educational day camp about rabbits and chickens. Learn about breed ID, general care, anatomy, at-home wellness checkups, nutrition, candling and incubating eggs for hatching and more.
For more information, visit clay4h@ifas.ufl.edu or call (904) 284-6355.

Clay County looking to fill several job openings

CLAY COUNTY – The Board of County Commissioners are 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.