Jackson County Senior Center

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Jackson County Senior Center is locate at 2931 Optimist Drive. The phone number is 850-482-5028. They also have a Facebook page, to follow them and get updates be sure to click the like button. They have a monthly calendar as seen in the photo attached. They do movie days, art classes, games, bingo, exercise classes, and health checks to name a few activities. They also offer in home services and you need to call for that information and the number for that is 800-963-5337. The hours are Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm.

The mission at Jackson County Senior Citizens is to provide an opportunity for the senior citizen population to participate in various functions offered on a regular basis. They are a non-profit organization that promotes and provides activities, entertainment, trips, and special workshops that are planned specifically with seniors in mind. It was founded in 1975. They also have a location in Graceville located at 5400 Cliff Street.

Saturday~August 10th

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Hope you have a fun and safe weekend. Here are a few things happening Saturday, August 10th. Details under each photo. It will be hot tomorrow, in the 90’s, so remember sun screen and water!

The Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge has set a date for their Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Celebration. The doors will open at 9am and Ribbon cutting will be at 10am. This event is in Holley,
Take the whole family to this free family matinee on the big screen, free lunch, and free school clothes and shoes(while they last!) The movie starts at 11am at the NorthStar Callaway Campus 162 N. Tyndall Pkwy.
Sunshine’s Flea Market of NW Florida located at 3310 US HWY 231 in Cottondale. They are open Friday to Sunday from 8am to 5pm.

 

Ice Cream Social~August 9th

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Who doesn’t love ice cream? Panhandle Pioneer Settlement is hosting an ice cream social on August 9th from 6pm to 8pm. They invite everyone to join them for a sweet treat. Admission is free and they will have games, homemade ice cream, and other refreshments. They will have all you can eat ice cream for $5. They plan to have more flavors and more ice cream then they did last year. For more information please contact the settlement at 850-674-2777. The Panhandle Pioneer Settlement is located at 17869 NW Pioneer Settlement Road in Blountstown.

This is a 5 acre historical living history museum located in Calhoun County.

Shoebox filling for Operation Christmas Child ~Thursdays

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Christmas is still 5 months away however it will take that long to try and reach this year’s goal of 3,000 shoeboxes bought, filled, and shipped. Eastside Baptist Church in Marianna took on local management of Samaritan’s Purse, “Operation Christmas Child” about a decade ago. This year would be a record if they are able to collect the goal. They have a core group of volunteers. They started collecting as soon as they were finished with 2018 boxes. They are taking donations and volunteers to help fill the boxes. Each box costs $9 to ship. Each box has a few hygiene items, a stuffed loveable animal, school supplies, socks, and a toy. The boxes are for ages ranging from 2 to 14 years old.

The packers meet on Thursdays from 10am to 2pm. For more information please call the church at 850-536-2004.

Houseplant lovers free workshop~Aug 8th

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The simple addition of houseplants to a room can instantly improve the aesthetics while also improving air quality. Growing and caring for houseplants can be easy if you choose the right plant and know how to care for it. Join Liz as she shares her favorite, easy-to-grow houseplants, how to care for them, and how to make your house a home with beautiful, healthy houseplants!

The Native Nurseries of Tallahassee located at 1661 Centerville Road is hosting this free class from 12pm to 1pm on August 8th. No need to register. They ask for you to please use the driveway next door to the nursery which is labeled with a “Workshop Parking” sign. It is visible from Centerville Road.

 

 

Williford Springs~open weekends only for this summer

Debbie Roney Smith on

Williford Springs is open for weekends only this summer. The spring run itself is still closed due to fallen trees from Hurricane Michael. If you are planning to go to a body of water this summer be sure to check before you go to make sure it is open. With all the damage from the hurricane it may be years before all of the water areas are back up and running. Canoe and kayak rentals are available at the Econfina Creek Canoe Livery which is next door to the Williford Springs. Open from dawn to dusk, they do not allow alcoholic beverages or ATV’s.

Williford Springs is a swimming basin located in Washington County on Porter Pond Road in Youngstown. Located about 1.5 miles north of State Road 20. This spring is one of the most popular recreation sites managed by The Northwest Florida Water Management District(NFWMD)who reopened the Williford Springs in July for weekend use only until repairs are complete. This gives them the week days to continue repairing the site. It has been closed since the hurricane since it sustained extensive damages. Only the parking lot, picnic pavilions, general recreation area of the spring, and the restrooms will be open. The boardwalk and walking trails remain closed.

Williford Spring is classified as a second magnitude spring. It is one of 11 springs or spring groups along Econfina Creek, which also features as many as 39 individual spring vents. Flow from Williford Spring and the other springs along the Eonfina Creek ultimately discharge into Deer Point Lake, which is the primary source of drinking water for residents in Bay County. The NFWMD manages 41,224.18 acres of public lands in the Econfina Creek area.

August 6th~National Night-Out

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National night out is an annual community building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships. The community is invited to join the Panama City Police Department and Naval Support Activity Panama City on Tuesday, August 6th for police and fire demonstrations, children’s activities, and free refreshments. Located at the Panama City Mall on Martin Luther King Jr Blvd from 5pm to 8pm.

Miss. Teen International is from Jackson County

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Jackson County native and resident Madeline Wright just took international pageant title of Miss. Teen International. She is studying at Chipola College for her AA degree and after her graduation next May she plans to transfer to the University of Central Florida for a degree in communications and journalism. Miss Teen International showcases the achievements of young women ages 13 to 18. Although a resident of Florida, pageant rules allowed her to compete for the Alabama title, since she lives nearby in the bordering state and because she did her “platform work” in Alabama, wherein she promoted agricultural awareness in many classrooms doing hands-on projects with children. She and the youngsters did several activities, like making ice cream in a bag and butter in a jar. She said she is looking forward to expanding her reach in promoting the theme and she is excited to put the crown to work promoting agriculture literacy among her peers. So many in her generation are removed from understanding how their food comes from the farm to their plate and she wants to change that so everyone makes food choices that best support their beliefs.” Congrats to the Jackson County native!

August 3rd~Wausau Possum Festival

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Wausau Possum Festival is being held in Historic Wausau on August 3rd starting at 10am with a parade. This is the 50th anniversary of this event and the biggest year ever. Plenty of vendors, music, food, and fun. Free to enter and enjoy. Take the kids for free games and entertainment all day. Crosscut sawing contest, Possum parade, and hog callin’ & rooster crowin’ are just a few of the fun activities planned! The weather in Wausau is supposed to be partly cloudy and starts out in the low 80’s. Be sure to take sunglasses and sunscreen! For more information click on the link below.

www.WausauPossumFestival.com

Aug 3rd~Smokey the Bear’s 75th birthday celebration and history

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Smokey the Bear’s 75th birthday celebration hosted by the Lodge at Wakulla Spring on August 3rd from 10am to 1pm. Celebrate Smokey the Bear’s 75th birthday at Wakulla Springs State Park. Smokey the Bear will be on sight for photos!! Take the whole family, and if you take a white tee shirt you will get a free iron-on to add to it! Fun activities planned for all.

Did you know Smokey the Bear was going to be 75? He was created in August of 1944, the Smokey Bear Wildfire Prevention campaign is the longest-running service advertising campaign in U.S. history. He is an American campaign and advertising icon created by the U.S. Forest Service with artist Albert Staehle. The Ad council, U.S. Forest Service, and the National Association of State Foresters employ Smokey the Bear to educate the public about the dangers of unplanned human-caused wildfires. In his 1st campaign “Smokey says~ Care will prevent 9 out of 10 Forest Fires.” It was 2001 that the slogan officially changed to “Only YOU Can Prevent Wildfires.” According to the Ad Council, 80% of outdoor recreationalists correctly identified Smokey Bear’s image and 8 in 10 recognized the campaign. Fun fact: did you know that Smokey Bear’s name has always been intentionally spelled differently from the adjective “smoky?”