Your Town

UNDERWATER FILMMAKER AT WHITNEY

The Evenings at Whitney Lecture Series hosted by the University of Florida Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience continues Thursday, March 10, at 7 p.m. with the program titled “What’s Underwater St. Augustine.”Joe Kistel, underwater cinematographer and TISIRI Founder, will be the speaker.

This free lecture will be presented in person at the UF Whitney Laboratory Lohman Auditorium, 9505 Ocean Shore Boulevard, in St. Augustine, just south of the St. Johns-Flagler county line. Those interested also have the option of registering to watch via Zoom live the night of the lecture.

Send Your Town submissions to editor@palmcoastobserver.com. The Family History Center, located at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at 402 N. Palmetto St., Bunnell, is open for walk-ins 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. Wednesdays, where consultants are available to help with research questions.

The FHC also offers free access to the following online resources: 19th Century British Library of 48 Newspapers; Alexander Street, including access to The American Civil War Research Database and Women and Social Movements in the United States between 1600 and 2000; American Ancestors; Ancestry Institution; ArkivDigital; FamNet; Findmypast; Fold3: military records, stories, documents, photos; Geneanet; MyHeritge Library Edition; Newspapers.com: 12,100 newspapers from 1700s to 2000s; Paper Trail: 19th century westward American migration documents; and Puzzilla.

For more information, contact Philip White at stakefhc@ gmail.com or 210-896-1591.

Aubrey Gartner as Mae Jemison

The Grand Reserve Ladies Golf Association recently held a Cancer Awareness Tournament at Grand Reserve Golf Club in Bunnell. A total of $828 was collected, and the proceeds were presented to Advent Health Palm Coast Foundation. Pictured with foundation director John Subers and Dr. Nevin Hanna are golf association leaders and volunteers: Joanne, Joan Gray, Elaine, Linda Huauanio, Trish Vevera, Judy Barefoot. Not pictured: Joy Epperson and Joan Bower.

BLACK HISTORY ON DISPLAY IN BUNNELL

To celebrate Black History Month on Feb. 28, 65 students in Nina DeBodisco’s classes at Bunnell Elementary School selected a figure from history who helped bring positive change to the world.

“The hallway was abuzz with students from fourth through fifth grade touring the exhibit,” DeBodisco wrote in a text message to the Palm Coast Observer.

Meiah Pinkins as Simone Biles. More photos at www.palmcoastobserver.com.

GRAND RESERVE GOLF LADIES DONATE TO CANCER CAUSE

TRIBUTES

Rita Coppola

Margherita “Rita” M. Coppola, 89, of Palm Coast, Florida passed away peacefully on Feb 8th with her loving husband of 63 years, Joseph Coppola, by her side.

Rita had a long career as an executive secretary to the CEO of Pitney Bowes in Stamford, Connecticut. After retiring together, Rita and Joe owned and operated a marina together on Lake St. Catherine in Vermont. Rita’s final years were spent enjoying the Florida lifestyle in Palm Coast.

Rita loved traveling, hosting friends and family, and all sorts of sports, especially Sunday football! She had a generous heart, a beautiful spirit, and a deep faith. Rita always felt she was blessed with amazing family and friends and an incredible life.

She is survived by her husband, Joseph, as well as many nieces and nephews who loved her immensely and will miss her dearly.

A Memorial Mass for Rita will be held at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in St. Augustine, Florida at 11:00 AM on Monday, March 7th. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Philip Church in Norwalk, Connecticut at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 19th. In lieu of flowers, Rita’s family encourages you to donate to the charity of your choice in her honor. Arrangements are being handled by Heritage Funeral and Cremation in Bunnell, FL. www.HeritageFlagler.com

Carey Rocco 1953-2022

Carey Rocco, 68, of Palm Coast, FL, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, January 14, 2022, at Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach surrounded by his daughters and friends.

Born in Hartford, CT on August 29, 1953, he was the son of the late Nunzio and Elsa (Ostrem) Rocco and predeceased by his sister Mary Rocco-Lewandowski.

He attended Bulkeley High School in Hartford, CT then served in the U.S. Marine Corps. After the Marines, he went back to school to earn his plumbing license. He spent most of his professional career at Hartford Hospital, where he met many of his lifelong friends. Before retiring, he earned licenses in five disciplines within the trades and worked for himself as a certified plumbing contractor. He was a man of many professional and creative talents. He loved being able to help his family and friends with projects and renovations in their homes.

He lived in Newington, CT for more than 20 years then retired to Palm Coast, FL. His dream was to live by the beach and enjoy his retirement. He loved boating, fishing, and spending time with his friends and family.

Carey is survived by his daughters, Melissa (Rocco) D’Angelo and husband Matthew D’Angelo of North Granby, CT and their 3 children, Dana Rocco of West Hartford, CT and her 2 children; his brother, Anthony Rocco of Englewood, FL; sisters, JoAnne Rocco of Hartford, CT, Leigh (Rocco) Hohman and husband Randy Hohman of Hebron, CT, Leslie Rocco of Naples, FL, and his brother-in-law Rich Lewandowski of Indianapolis, IN. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jayden, Antonio and Melina D’Angelo, Colton Russo and Dominic Dubois; nieces, Tarabeth Rocco, Brandi Piacente and Kirsten Hohman and nephew, Keith Piacente.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. on Saturday (March 5th) at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield, CT. Private burial with military honors will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Glastonbury.

To leave a message for the family, please visit www. desopofuneralchapel.com.

Q+A GEORGE REGO, MARTIAL ARTIST AND AUTHOR ‘The Founding of Jujutsu and Judo In America’

SUPERIOR SANTOS

Nailee Santos, an 8-year-old music student at Planet e Studios and Piano by Amy, received a superior rating in both singing and piano on Feb. 19, at the Florida Federation of Music Clubs festival, at Trinity Presbyterian Church. A total of 110 students participated. Those who receive a superior can go on to compete at the state level in May, at the University of South Florida.

What inspired you to write the book?

The muted level of knowledge that most martial arts students, including senior level practitioners, have about the foundations of the very martial art they practice is disappointing.

This unique history is a beautiful and intriguing one, even for the non-martial artist. It is worth preserving and understanding. Without a basic understanding of the foundations of the art, myths develop and become crystalized as “fact” in the pop culture of the art.

I wanted to write a book that would both be enjoyable and informative on the development of the martial arts — jujitsu and judo specifically — in the United States of America.

What is your book about, and what is your target audience?

As the title suggests, the book centers on the roots of how the Japanese art of selfdefense was brought from Japan to the United States. It begins with the first known encounter between an American and the art of jujutsu (sometimes spelled jujitsu or jiu-jitsu). We move forward in time to discuss notable events and personalities, including little known facts, such as President Theodore Roosevelt studying jujitsu/ judo and having a dojo in the White House. Letters regarding his practice of martial arts, from the presidential archives and other sources, are included. We highlight the role of World War II and how American servicemen coming back from Japan played a massive role in the

He loved boating, fishing, and spending time with his friends and family.

SERVICE: Saturday, March 5, 8:30AM D’Esopo Funeral Chapel 277 Folly Brook Blvd. Wethersfield, CT George Rego is chief instructor at Jukido Academy, in Palm Coast.

art having a permanent place in the fabric of America.

The book also includes five extended interviews with American jujitsu and judo pioneers.

The target audience is for anyone interested in sports history or those intrigued by unique stories of American cultural development.

From a local perspective, given that I’m a long time Palm Coast resident and run the longest running school of self-defense in Flagler County — the Jukido Academy — I would, of course, love the support of Flagler for one of its own!

What is joyful about writing, and what is painful or frustrating?

I’m a history nerd. I’m also a life long martial arts nerd. Putting both of those interests together made for an enjoyable experience.

The painstaking research required to provide evidence behind historical claims can be grueling.

The most challenging piece as a writer is to make “executive decisions” about what elements of the history are essential and which aren’t. The historian in me always wants more. However, the practical side of me has to decide how much or how little to address certain topics. Inevitably, you could always say a bit more about a particular person, topic, or event but you have to know when to “move on” to keep the flow of the story going.

What other authors have influenced you?

Donn Draeger was among the very first “real” scholars of martial arts literature. While his work isn’t always easy to read, it is highly informative and set the standard for all future martial arts scholarship written in the English language. There are others as well: John Stevens and Ryan Holiday.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received about writing?

Writing is thinking. To write well is to think clearly. That’s why it’s so hard.

While that isn’t exactly advice, that notion has helped me both as the author of this book, with articles I’ve written in the past, and my own private writing habits. When I need to “work something out,” writing, even if privately, is massively beneficial to organizing one’s own thinking. Like authentic martial arts itself, it affords you the opportunity to discipline your mind.

How can readers get a copy?

You can search my name or you can search the title of the book, “The Founding of Jujutsu & Judo In America,” on Amazon. Soon we’ll also have copies at my dojo, the Jukido Academy of SelfDefense, here in Palm Coast.

As of this moment, it is number 1 in new releases under the categories of Martial Arts and also in Sports History.

The art makers

Matanzas students showcase their finest

BRIAN MCMILLAN EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Matanzas High School students showcased their finest drawing, singing, dancing, acting — and some showed talents in multiple categories — at Troupe 7108’s An Ode to the Arts on Feb. 24, at Pirate Theatre.

Theater teacher Noel Bethea helped organize the event, which she hopes to do again next year, featuring the school’s jazz band, vocal ensemble, steel blue percussion band, step team and acting students.

“It’s like a magnet school,” said another art teacher on campus, Amy Taylor, in praise of Bethea’s efforts. “It’s such a strong program.”

Taylor said her students take her art class “for an experience.”

“I try to spark them,” she said. “You have to go on a little journey with them.”

Her students’ African mask drawings were on the wall outside Pirate Theatre. She highlighted the mask made by Cebria Hunter, who researched African patterns to incorporate into her piece.

“Cebria worked really hard,” Taylor said. “I find that students aren’t really proud

Ethan Fink and Isabel Bethea

Courtesy photos by Ximena Alfaro

The Matanzas Steel Drum Band

Anthony Poorte

Andrea Oliveras and Andrew Khamtheang of their work a lot of times, so when they’re proud of what they do, and it’s a new experience, they surprise themselves.”

Another teacher whose students’ artwork was on display at the event was that of Bethea’s son, Ty Bethea. He’s an artist himself and got a degree in teaching because he wants to help all students — whether they aspire to create art or not — to develop into “admirable” human beings.

“Some aren’t excited about art,” Ty Bethea said. “They’ll say, ‘This is just drawing. I’ll never have to draw again.’”

And while that may be true, he tries to help his students understand that they still need to develop good habits and be responsible to get their assignments done well and done on time.

“That will matter when you have a job and have bills to pay,” he said. “It helps them grow as a person, and that’s what I’m trying to guide them to do. … I want to be that teacher they remember when they leave. I know I can make an impact.”

Photo by Brian McMillan Above: Cebria Hunter, art student of Amy Taylor, at Matanzas, with her African mask artwork. Below: Two teachers in the Matanzas art department: Noel Bethea and her son, Ty Bethea.

Mask by Jordan Youngman

African mask-inspired drawing by Juan Cortez, in Amy Taylor’s art class.

Drawing by Isaac Blankenship

Drawing by Milana Trakhtenberg

Drawing by Angelina Pineiro

FPC soph D.J. Murray closes out East Coast Classic with a bang

BRENT WORONOFF

STAFF WRITER

The last race of the day was a treat for local track and field fans who stayed to the end at the East Coast Classic on Feb. 25 at Flagler Palm Coast High School.

The Bulldogs’ boys 4x400 relay team won the event — FPC’s only win of the day — and sophomore D.J. Murray put on a show.

“He definitely opened up a big gap at the end,” FPC coach Dave Halliday said.

Murray, running the anchor leg, had a small lead when he was handed the baton. When he crossed the finish line, he was 15 to 20 meters ahead of the field.

FPC’s time of 3:25.26 was more than four seconds faster than second-place Ponte Vedra (3:29.54). Murray ran a personal-record 49.2 seconds in the event.

“It was about tied up three ways (when he was handed the baton), and I just thought, ‘I’ve got to get out and do this for my team,’” Murray said.

The team didn’t even have its regular quartet. Isaiah Joseph, who was scheduled to run with the Bulldogs’ 4x400 “B” team, filled in for D’Zirath Steward, who was nursing a

SEE SHOW PAGE 18

Above: FPC’s Michael Crockett competes in the long jump Right: Bulldog D’Zirath Steward completes a triple jump

SHOW STOPPER

D.J. Murray brings home the win for FPC in the 4x400 relay.

FPC MEDALISTS

BOYS

Pole vault: 5. Kris Sager, 12-1.5; 6. Josh Terry, 11-7.75. Javelin: 7. Daniel DeFalco, 149-6. 110 hurdles: 3. Isaiah Joseph, 16.26. 100: 6. D.J. Murray, 11.31; 8. D’Zirath Steward, 11.48. 400: 6. Thomonte Curry, FPC. 52.03. 300 hurdles: 2. Isaiah Joseph, 41.18. 800: 3. Kasey Wheatley, 2:01.01. 200: 2. D.J. Murray, 22.62; 4. D’Zirath Steward, 22.83; 7. Vijay Weeden 23.19; 8. Brandon Kalasnik, 23.20. 4x400: 1. FPC (Vijay Weeden, Brandon Kalasnik, Isaiah Joseph, D.J. Murray), 3:25.26.

GIRLS

Triple jump: 3. Taylor Spann, FPC, 33-10.75; 8. Shyleigh LeBlanc, FPC, 36-5.5. 800: 8. Savannah O’Grady, 2:31.16. 200: 7. Summer Barnes, 27.14. 4x400: 4. FPC (Fabiola LaPlante, Savannah O’Grady, Ma’Shuyn Jeffers, Summer Barnes), 4:20.05. “(D.J. Murray is) going to be pretty special in track and field. It was definitely an impressive day by a 15-year-old sophomore.”

DAVE HALLIDAY, FPC track and field coach

Photos by Michele Meyers

Flagler Palm Coast High’s Jada Dotson and Aun’yale Howard run the 100 meters