These days, we are all dealing with hard things and tough times. Grief is affecting communities at large. Have you recently lost someone close to you? Listed below are a few suggestions on how to handle the grieving process:
- Allow yourself to feel. Try talking to those you trust, journaling, spending time with pets, or share your feelings with yourself by voicing them aloud.
- Keep your loved ones alive in your memory and life. Author Sir Terry Prattchet said, “no one is actually dead until the ripples they cause in the world die away.” An effective way to cope with grief is to find ways to remember the lost ones; tell stories, share introspection, plant memorial gardens, or do something that reminds you of your loved one.
- Allow yourself grace. While scientists are just beginning to scratch the surface of the neurobiology of grief, they do know that it causes changes to established brain patterns, stresses the nervous system, and puts significant strain on the body. Treat yourself kindly; do your best to eat well, rest often, and stay hydrated.
June is National Homeownership Month! It celebrates the value that owning a home brings to families, communities, and neighborhoods across America. It helps spread the joys of being a homeowner and encourages others to achieve the same thing. Did you know that most Americans had no way of owning a home in the 1800s? Mortgages became common after the U.S. banking system came into being as a result of the 1860s National Bank Acts.
The lot has been vacant since Hurricane Michael in 2018. The McGuire parent company purchased the location last week; they estimate renovations will take around 12 months. A tentative opening goal for fall 2024 has been announced. 
The Marianna Police Department is stepping up on enforcement for the Memorial Day “Click It or Ticket” campaign. Happening now, the campaign will run until May 30, 2023. It’s an almost month-long endeavor designed to remind motorists to buckle up for safety. The “Click It or Ticket” campaign advocates for buckling-for-safety via 1) education and 2) law enforcement. 
The Jacksonville Jazz Festival has a rich, forty-year history of showcasing smooth beats and imaginative solos. It’s the largest free music festival and features three days of live music on TWO different stages. Some of the 2023 performers will include Wynton Marsalis, Samara Joy, Shemekia Copeland, the U.S. Army Ambassadors Jazztet, Marcus Miller, Larry Carlton, and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band.