August 27th – Just Because Day

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Just Because Day started out as a movable holiday called Because Day. Because Day was first celebrated on the third Wednesday in May in the late 1950s or 1960s by Joseph J. Goodwin of Los Gatos, California. He wanted to gift his wife a clock…just because! Since its inception, Just Because Day has grown into a wonderful movement that encourages random acts of kindness and happy spontaneity.

Wake up with the urge to have spaghetti for breakfast? Go for it!

Noticed your elderly neighbor has had a downed tree branch in their yard for a few weeks? Go ahead and pick it up!

Did you know Salvador Dali used to walk around Paris with an ant-eater on a leash? How unusual and amazing – just because!

August 26, 2020 – Women’s Equality Day

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Women’s Equality Day commemorates the 19th Amendment to the Constitution that gave white women the right to vote. Observed annually after its initiation in 1971, the date was chosen to reflect the passing of the 19th Amendment on August 26, 1920. Women’s Equality Day was created by a Joint Resolution of Congress encouraged by former New York U.S. Representative Bella Abzug. The day is meant to honor the culmination of effort put forth by decades of effort to win women the right to vote. However, the 19th Amendment was not an equal opportunity amendment. Asian Americans women couldn’t vote until 1952. Native American women were kept from voting in certain states until 1962. And Black women were kept from voting until 1965; that was only 55 years ago!

 

National Second Hand Wardrobe Day~ August 25th

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I bet you didn’t know today is National Second-Hand Wardrobe Day! Every August 25th is a chance to remind ourselves of the pleasures of shopping for second-hand clothes. Not only do you find interesting treasures and well-made vintage pieces, but you also save money and feel good about supporting earth by recycling/reusing. Know what you’re looking for — a wise suggestion for any kind of shopping and give yourself enough time to go through the clothing racks. Go back frequently and be willing to walk away with nothing.

Not all thrift stores are the same, so scout out the ones in your area to figure out which have the best clothes. Ask staff which days are the best to shop; these can change, depending on deliveries and stocking. For example, I know Tuesdays are the day for deals at my local shop because it’s closed on Mondays while staff are busy restocking shelves. Typically, the start of a new season is a good time to shop, when people are decluttering in preparation for the next.

Have you tried American Thrift in Dothan, Alabama? It is in the same parking lot as the mall. How about Innovative Charities in Marianna? They have fill a bag for $2.50! You can not beat that price. Plus they do so many other good things for locals. They have several locations.

Happy secondhand shopping!

Laser Show

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Cabin Fever Drive-in Laser Show! September 3rd, 4th and 5th 2020 to the Peanut Festival Fairgrounds in Dothan, Alabama!
Got Cabin Fever? Avoid the crowds, keep the family safe! Pile up into the safety of your own vehicle and head out for the fantastic Drive-in Cabin Fever Laser Show! 3 action packed mind blowing shows per night! The family friendly Laser Shows include the latest Musical hits, Mind Blowing lasers and fantastic Graphic Effects!
Make it a great romantic evening out or family friendly outing! This is an event for all ages! Tickets start at only $20 per car load! Get them before we sell out!
This is a Drive-in Laser Show intended to offer safety and social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19, they ask that you remain in or around your vehicle during the duration of the show. Tickets must be purchased in advance. They will not be taking cash or payment at the gate DUE TO COVID-19 precautions. Also take your own food and drinks since no vendors will be there.

10-digit dialing coming to Florida’s 850 next year

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Starting In 2021, to call a local phone number, you will need to dial 10 digits. Last year, the Florida Public Service Commission approved an “area code overlay” that will add 448 as a new area code to Florida residents in the 850 area code. They say this was necessary because the 850 area code is running out of available numbers.

Starting February 20, 2021, all local calls will have to have the area code plus the seven digit phone number.

“Customers will have six-months to transition, beginning August 22, when local calls can be made by dialing either 7 or 10 digits,” PSC Chairman Gary Clark said. “This also gives customers adequate time to check and reprogram electronics and other equipment to incorporate 10-digit phone numbers.”

Starting March 21, 2021, if you request a new phone number and live in the 850 area code overlay region, your phone number will have the area code 448. PSC officials say your current telephone number will not change, this will only impact new phone services beginning March 20, 2021, or after. They also say the price of a call, coverage area or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay.

So start getting used to saying your area code when giving your telephone number. And start reprograming your cell phones with the area code before everyone’s number.

Saturday August 22nd

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Saturday August 22nd at 8am be sure to stop at this multi-family yard sale on Magnolia Road (down from Bear Paw). You can also stop by the Marianna Farmer’s Market from 8 to 11. Or possibly check and prepare for upcoming hurricanes. They have 2 TS forming and headed for the gulf this coming week. Did you know if they both turn into hurricanes it will be the first time 2 hurricanes were in the Gulf at the same time? Keep an eye out for Marco and Laura. If we had a hurricane come are you ready?   Be safe, have fun, and enjoy your weekend!

             

 

Orange Hill Gator Farm

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Orange Hill Gator Farm is located in Chipley. They have alligator tours which include a two-hour informational dialogue about these reptiles, and a children-safe, family-friendly tour of our breeding houses as well as the natural habitats of the American Alligator. Tours start at 9am daily and last approximately 2 hours as weather permits and by reservations only.  CALL 850-527-1383 FOR MORE INFORMATION AND RESERVATIONS. Visitors are encouraged to bring a camera and are also cautioned to wear closed-toe shoes (no sandals please) for safety.

 

https://debbie7559.wixsite.com/orangehillgatorfarm

National Lemonade Day

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National Lemonade Day is August 20th. The use of lemonade dates as far back as ancient Egypt and has rooted its own beginnings all over the world. However, the concept for Lemonade Day was created when founder, Michael Holthouse’s daughter, Lissa, wanted to add a turtle to her pet collection. With so many pets already in the house, Michael said no.  Dedicated and determined, Lissa decided she would open a lemonade stand to raise money to buy her own turtle, and asked her dad for help.  

This brilliant and empowered idea gave founder, Michael Holthouse the inspiration for the National Lemonade Day Campaign. He wanted to give more children the opportunity to learn business skills, responsibility, financial literacy, goal setting, and team-work just like Lissa. Giving children across the U.S. lessons that could carry all the way to their future. More than any pop album, or hip-hop song, this day is not just about fun and enjoying delicious lemonade, it’s about providing confidence to our youth and teaching them basic business skills — but listening to Beyonce’s “Lemonade” at the same time doesn’t hurt. Giving our youth an entrepreneur’s spirit at an early age has an incredibly positive impact on their success in the future, and when our children are successful, the world is successful! So let’s slice-up some lemons and get to stirring up some learning!

Did you know Pink Lemonade gets its color from being mixed with other fruits or red dye depending upon whom and where it is gotten from? Did you know a 13 year old girl founded the world’s best selling lemonade brand Me & The Bee’s?

Enjoy a glass of lemonade today!

Jackson County COVID-19 testing now 7 days a week

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The Florida Department of Emergency Management (DEM) has opened a COVID-19 testing location in Jackson County. The local County Health Department will be discontinuing their routinely scheduled testing.
This Marianna location will offer 7-day a week testing availability between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
-The site is in parking lot of the Dollar General located at 4264 Lafayette St in Marianna.
-Testing consists of a shallow nasal self-swab. This means the patient will swab their own nose under the supervision of the technician.
-No appointment is necessary
-There is no cost to the individual
-Individuals wishing to be tested must be age 18 or older.
-Negative results will be notified by the Florida Department of Health’s COVID-19 call center and positive results be notified by local County Health Department staff.

Open House schedule for Jackson County

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Jackson County School District has released open house dates for the 2020-2021 school year. They strongly encourage everyone to wear masks to the open house and stay home if they are sick.

Once school is in session, August 24, the mandatory mask on buses and in class changes (6-12 for class changes) will be enforced.