Today is Grandparents Day

Debbie Roney Smith on

Grandparents Day is an annual celebration here in the USA, held the first Sunday after Labor Day. This year, it falls on September 13th, today!

Grandparents Day became an official holiday in 1979 by proclamation of Jimmy Carter. Research has proven that the bond between grandparents and children not only helps grandparents live longer but also helps children grow more emotionally resilient. The best way to celebrate this national holiday is to spend some quality time together as a family, celebrating and talking about the special relationships shared by the various grandparent(s) and kid(s) in your family.

Despite any distance between your children and their grandparents, this day is an important opportunity to recognize and celebrate the connection between them. Some activities you can complete to acknowledge the important role of the grandparents in your life are as follows:

  • Check-in with your elders via phone, text, or video-chat 
  • Write a thank-you note on the back of a drawing done by your kid(s) to mail them 
  • Send them an edible arrangement or flowers

 

So remember to take a few moments to express your love and gratitude for the grandparents in your life today!

The “Phantom of Electricity”: The Silent Sucker Stealing 9 Percent Of Your Utility Bill!

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Want to save money and reduce the heat indoors this scorching hot summer? According to new research conducted by Alliant Energy, you can reduce electric use in your home by up to 9%, which saves you money, by checking everything plugged in and selectively shutting down unused, always-on devices. All electronics put off heat even when idling, so turning off unused electronics will also help lower the temperature indoors. 

John Beard of Focus on Energy says Alliant did a pilot study on ‘phantom electricity’. Phantom electricity is the energy that is used by your electronics as they draw power even though they are turned off or in standby mode. “These people can save up to 9 percent on their energy use by taking an inventory of everything that is plugged in and making sure things they’re not using are turned off. These ‘always on’ devices like your DVD player or remote top box that you have for your streaming service or your television or PC…”

Beard says there are a few free ways to save up to 9% on your electric bill. While the most obvious is turning devices off when not in use, there is an easier wat: advanced power strips. 

Includes premium-quality, fireproof surge protection; reduces standby power waste; features an adjustable threshold switch; improves connected electronics’ performance through EMI/RFI noise filtering.

They are just like the ones you might already have in your home, only they have circuitry that senses when your device is not being used or is in standby mode. It automatically shuts off the power at no effort to you! With the average Florida home spending around $130 a month, that 9% is $11.70 a month in savings (Source). A 7 outlet advanced strip with a standard 3ft cord like the one pictured below is $25-$30 (online vs in-store), and would pay itself off within only three months!

 

Lightbulbs can save you money on your power bill

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Did you know replacing five of your home’s most frequently used lights with energy-efficient ENERGY STAR bulbs could save you $75 per year in energy costs? One of the many costs of owning a home is replacing light bulbs and paying your power bill. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to save money with a bill that comes every month? 

Earning the ENERGY STAR certification means the product meets strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Lighting products that have earned the ENERGY STAR label deliver exceptional features, while using less energy. Saving energy helps you save money on utility bills and protects the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

ENERGY STAR Certified Light Bulbs:

  • Use up to 90% less energy than standard bulbs
  • Last at least 15 times longer and saves about $50 in electricity costs over its lifetime per bulb
  • Meet strict quality and efficiency standards that are tested by accredited labs and certified by a third party

Woman from Sneads~1st female to vote in Florida

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August 26th, one hundred years ago, the 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote in America. The next day, Aug. 27, 1920, a woman in Sneads made history by becoming the first to exercise that right in Florida, and one of the first in the country to do so, as well. Her name was Fay Gibson Moulton at the time and she was a widow with seven children. She would go on to marry a widower who had six children of his own, and from that point was better known as Fay Bridges. She was in her 20s and had come to work early on Aug. 27. She was sweeping floors when her boss came in and gave her leave to walk over and cast her ballot in a local election.

She and her second husband lived primarily in Miami, where they owned and ran a general store and coffee shop. She would lose that husband, too, in 1946, and from then on she ran the store alone, living in their apartment above the shop until advanced age and the dangers of a declining neighborhood propelled her to move far away, next door to her youngest son, the only child she and her second husband had together. It was back in Sneads that she’d learned about business. She worked at Liddon’s general store in what is now often referred to as “old Sneads,” the part of town that had once been the hub of commerce, before U.S. Highway 90 was relocated a bit north of its old pathway. That section of U.S. 90 is now Old Spanish Trail.

Her granddaughter, Melanie Barton, says her grandmother was proud of having made that milestone. She was interviewed by newspapers several times. Barton said her grandmother retained an abiding respect for Mr. Liddon because of his making accommodations that morning to let her leave duty to go vote.

Gloria Jean’s Sweets and Erma Jean’s Antiques and Gifts in Hosford

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Gloria Jean’s Sweets and Erma Jean’s Antiques and Gifts is located at 21539 NE Chester St. in Hosford. Hosford which is in Liberty County has two sisters who own an antique store/bakery/flower shop and it’s all under one roof…one old roof that is. The old wooden home, which used to belong to their grandparents, is estimated to be over 100 years old. Hours are: Wed-Fri 10am to 6pm and Sat. 9am-3pm Eastern Time. The phone number is:  850-379-3323.

 

Mask ordinance in Marianna

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The Mariana City Commission met in regular session Tuesday night with an over-filled room that found space six feet apart in the hallway outside the commission room. The Ordinance submitted for approval read as follows:
“An emergency ordinance of the City Commission of the City of Marianna, Florida, finding that a public emergency exists; requiring employees in businesses to wear a face covering; providing for exceptions; placing additional standards on retail establishments, food service establishments and bars; providing penalties for violation of this ordinance; providing for severability; and providing an effective date.
A motion was made by Commission John Roberts that the ordinance be considered as an emergency ordinance to go into effect September 02, 2020. Commissioner Rico Williams second the motion and it passed 4-1 with Commissioner Kenny Hamilton voting against.
My friend Bonnie still has some masks if you are in need. Below are a few photos of what she has. Her email is Thombk70@gmail.com email her with any questions. They are great masks, reusable cloth, most with adjustable ear straps and a pocket for you to add another layer of protection.
 

Drive-In Concert & Fireworks ~ Sept 5th

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Latitude28 Band is an international Top-40’s band based in Lake Nona, Florida. They specialize in bringing arena-style production to the local stage, performing songs that cross genres with something for everyone. They put on a great concert and love what they do! Take a friend or the whole family to this outdoor concert and from your socially-distanced parking space, enjoy the Top 40’s music production with synced lighting, LED panels, sparklers, and CO2 jets. They will cap off the night with spectacular FIREWORKS! Food and beverages will be available from Valhalla Grill as well as others!

–Address: North Florida Fairgrounds
441 Paul Russell Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32301
–Gates open at 6:00 pm
–Tickets on sale at eventbrite.com at this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/latitude28s-drive-in-concert-fireworks-extravaganza-tallahassee-fl-tickets-117683623887

Space is limited. Be sure to arrive early for the best viewing!
Gates open at 6:00 pm. The first 100 cars receive a SWAG BAG!–Tickets may also be purchased at the gates the night of the show if it is not sold out
–Space is limited
–No re-entry will be permitted
–Concert begins: 7:30 pm
–Fireworks: 10 pm
–Concessions Available: YES
–Restrooms Available: YES
–Family Friendly: YES
–NO outside food, alcohol, grills, firepits, weapons, personal fireworks, sparklers, or animals (service animals allowed)

JACKSON COUNTY BUSINESS SUPPORT GRANT PROGRAM

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Opportunity Florida, on behalf of Jackson County, will be accepting grant applications from businesses that have been financially impacted by COVID-19. The funding for these grants has been awarded to the County through the CARES Act 2020 from the federal government via the State of Florida.
To qualify, your business must be:
1. A for-profit privately held business that was established on or before January 1, 2019
2. Must have a physical location in Jackson County, Florida
3. May be a business franchise that is locally owned (not a company-owned location facility).
4. Must have a demonstrated reduction in sales revenue of 5% or greater due to the loss of business income related to COVID-19
5. A small business as defined as employing 1-50 employees** may qualify for up to $20,000.
6. A regular business as defined as employing 50+ employees** may qualify for up to $10,000.
7. Can be a sole proprietorship-based business.
More details are included on the Business Grant Application, which may be obtained on the following websites: Jackson County (www.jacksoncountyfl.gov), Jackson County Chamber of Commerce (www.jacksoncounty.com), or Opportunity Florida (www.opportunityflorida.com) .
Applications may be submitted via email to info@opportunityflorida.com or in person at the Opportunity Florida office, 4636 Highway 90, Suite K, Marianna beginning last Monday, August 31, 2020 at 8 am CDT. Please note, all applications submitted in person must be in a sealed envelope.
Applications will be reviewed in the order that they are received, according to the completeness of the application submission package (the application will not be fully accepted until all necessary support items are included in the submission package). Applications will be accepted until the business category grant funds are exhausted or December 15, 2020, whichever comes first.
To learn more about the Jackson County CARES Act 2020 Business Support Grant, visit the websites or call Roy Baker at (850) 633-4119.
Opportunity Florida is a regional economic development organization that serves the ten counties that make up the Northwest Florida Rural Area of Opportunity (RAO). The counties include Holmes, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Jackson, Liberty, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington.

September

Debbie Roney Smith on

Where did August go? Here we are in the first month of fall already and we for sure do not have the cooler days happening yet. We are up to N for named hurricanes of the season, COVID is still going on and masks are the new normal. Now is the time to buy a house for sure! School has started for the new year and Marianna has opened the doors of the new K-8 school. Restaurants are opening up more, movie theaters are starting to open although the one in Marianna is still closed. Salad bars are making a come back. They have mostly been closed since March even if the restaurant has opened. The Ruby Tuesdays in Marianna has a sign hanging on the fence saying in door seating and salad bar now available. Long lines at Dunkin Donuts and gas stations show things are getting busier again. The election is 2 months away. If you haven’t changed your address or registered to vote do it now!

 

PLEASE if you are going to wear a mask do it correctly. Covering your nose and mouth and not taking it off to rub your face with your hand.

 

Sept 1st~virtual lighthouse climb

Debbie Roney Smith on

If you’ve never participated in a Full Moon Climb at the Saint George Island Lighthouse and Museum, tonight is your chance. They are giving a full moon climb virtually on Facebook. Be sure to join them at 7:45 pm, tonight, September 1st. 

Virtual sunset/full moon climb – Tuesday, 9/1 from 7:45pm-8:15pm (weather permitting – if it’s not too cloudy or rainy) they’ll be going live from the top of the lighthouse for a virtual sunset/full moon climb. They hope you’ll join them on Facebook to view the Corn Moon. The September full moon in 2020 is called the Corn Moon because Native American tribes began harvesting their staple foods, such as corn, at this time. Full Moon names are attributable to native American tribes, most notably the Algonquin, who named the moons to mark the changing seasons.

Click this link to go to the FB page for them to watch it live! https://www.facebook.com/St.GeorgeIslandLighthouse