Page 10A – THE WAKULLA NEWS, Thursday, October 29, 2015 www.thewakullanews.com
Community
happenings in our community
Commissioner Kessler holds town hall meeting
Halloween events scheduled in Wakulla Staff Report Looking for local, spooky fun on or before Halloween? There are many candy-fueled events scheduled in Wakulla County. Here are a few to consider:
Thursday: AZALEA PARK STORYBOOK WALK Please join us for a SCARY good time as the Wakulla County Public Library and Parks and Recreation proudly present the First Annual Trick-or-Treat Story Walk at Azalea Park on Thursday, October 29th during the SPOOKY hours between 5:30 and 8:30 in the evening. The HOWLING fun will include a Storybook Walk, sweets and treats, games and prizes, a ghoulishly great dance party, a creepy and creaking haunted house, and CREEPY temporary tattoos. Don’t miss the fun!
Friday: THE BLACK LAGOON BALL Wakulla Springs State Park will host the Black Lagoon Ball on Friday, Oct. 30 from 7 to 11 p.m. Admission is free. The Billy Rigsby band will be playing outside under the stars, Bob Carey will be playing on the piano in the lobby and in the Soda Fountain there will be a 3D showing of the Creature from the Black Lagoon. In 1954, the fictional darkest recesses of the Amazon were captured on film by filming Americas classic horror film at Wakulla Springs. On Oct. 30, we celebrate with dancing at the Lodge at Wakulla Springs, and the showing of The Creature from the Black Lagoon where it was
filmed, and in 3D. At 7 p.m., we will also be unveiling the Jim Henson Creature Head. Jim Henson, famed creator of the Muppets made a mold from one of the original creature heads that was designed by creature creator Millicent Patrick. We have been fortunate to obtain a cast from this mold, and we are returning the head of the creature to Wakulla Springs. The film will be shown in the soda fountain at 7:30 p.m., and the dancing and live music will go on in the lobby and on the lawn all evening long. Come join the creature at his ball in the Lodge at Wakulla Springs built by Edward Ball. Costumes optional. For more information please go to www. wakullaspringslodge.com or call 850-421-2000. The park is located at 550 Wakulla Park Dr.
Commissioner Howard Kessler listens to and converses with citizens at the meeting.
Saturday: WAKULLA MOOSE LODGE Wakulla Moose Lodge #2510 will have on Halloween, Saturday, Oct. 31 a Classic Car show from is from 1 to 5 p.m. Cars, motorcycles, trucks and even golf carts are invited to enter. Trophies for top ten and best show. Hamburgers and hotdogs will be available for purchase. Halloween Haunted House will be open from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. with candy for the kids. Wear your favorite costume. D.J. provided by Rockulla at 7 p.m. Dinner will be from 6-8 p.m. Handcut ribeye steaks, cooked to order with sides. This all afternoon-evening affair is open to the public. Moose Lodge 2510 is located at 44 Jer-Be-Lou Blvd. just off U.S. 98 in Panacea. For more information please call: 850-984-2510.
2015-16 Optimist Club officers installed
NICOLE ZEMA
By NICOLE ZEMA nzema@thewakullanews.net
Commissioner Howard Kessler hosted about 17 people for a casual town hall-style discussion on Oct. 13 at commission chambers. The event was an opportunity to learn more about local government, ask questions and bring forward concerns. It was a brief meeting given the timing of the Democratic presidential debate, and discussion was mainly focused on the county’s comprehensive plan and governmental organization. While citizens
Operation Santa: Last day for families to apply is Friday Staff Report
NICOLE ZEMA
From left: Optimist Lt. Gov. Larry Massa, Vice President William Versiga, President Carol Ann Williams, Secretary JoAnn Daniels, Treasurer Lisa Wetherton, at-large Board of Directors Member Noah Posey are sworn in by Wakulla Clerk of Courts Brent Thurmond. (Not pictured, at-large Board Member Walt Dickson.) By NICOLE ZEMA nzema@thewakullanews.net
The 2015-16 Coastal Optimist Club Officers were installed at the weekly meeting on Oct. 22 at Posey’s Steam Room in Panacea. “This is my last day to officially be president,” said Sally Gandy, club member. “It’s been a great year. I’ve enjoyed it, but I’m ready to turn it over and let someone else have the fun.” Optimists Club District Lt. Gov. Larry Massa of Tallahassee also attended the installation meeting. He said Gandy achieved the highest rank of “distinguished club president” in the North Florida district. Carol Ann Williams is the new club president. William Versiga is vice president, JoAnn Daniels is secretary, and Lisa Wetherton is trea-
surer. Two at-large members of the Optimists Board of Directors were selected – Noah Posey and Walt Dickson. The new of ficers were sworn in by Wakulla Clerk of Courts Brent Thurmond, who said he has many fond memories of participating in the youth Oratorical Contest facilitated by the club. “It is an honor to be chosen for leadership,” Thurmond said to the new officers. “They have expressed confidence in your ability.” Williams read the Coastal Optimist mission statement and discussed her goals as president. Williams said she’d like to see $1,000 be contributed to the children’s cancer fund; establish a tutoring team for local students; and create a sports program to serve children with special needs, or those lacking in ad-
vanced skills. She would like to see continued participation in fishing tournaments, and pram and boat building. Williams proposed a flag project, and bringing in more fantastic speakers for the weekly meetings. Club members would like to thank guests, sponsors, auction donors, models, and retail stores that provided fashions for the annual fashion show on Oct. 8. Profit from the event totaled $4,000 and will be used toward scholarships for Wakulla County students. The Optimist motto is, “Friend of Youth.” All Optimist activities are centered around helping Wakulla County kids. The club meets at noon on Thursdays at Posey’s on Coastal Highway 98 in Panacea. New members are always welcome!
are limited to a three-minute speaking time at commission meetings, they were welcome to speak often and openly at the forum. Kessler hosted a similar forum in January, where he was made aware of poor residential road conditions and issues with Parks and Recreation. Both issues have since been addressed by the county, with improvements ongoing. At the Oct. 19 commission meeting, Kessler said he is willing to host more town hall discussions on various topics. Just give him a call 597-3856.
Citizens who need extra help providing their families with a good Christmas through Operation Santa have one more opportunity to sign up. The final application days are Wednesday and Friday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the workshop located at 4360 Crawfordville Highway. “If your family, or a family you know, is going through a difficult time, please come to Santa’s Workshop,” said Director Robin Lunn. Applying for assistance is not difficult. The family representative must watch a video to learn more
about Operation Santa in 2015, fill in application forms and come in for a personal interview. Everyone who applies must do so in person. The YouTube video and application forms are available online or at Santa’s Workshop. Forms are also available at the One Stop Community Center or the Wakulla County Public Library. Families who have been assisted in the past are required to submit an additional form. Go to Operation Santa Wakulla on Facebook, visit the web site www.OperationSantaWakulla.org or come to Santa’s Workshop for more information. Or call 926-1233.
Nathan James Mallow turns 1 Nathan James Mallow turned 1 on Sept. 10. He is the son of Joshua and Abigail Mallow, currently stationed in North Carolina. Paternal grandparents are Thomas and Cheryl Mallow, of Crawfordville. Maternal grandparents are Fritz Thor nton and Neva McQuarry of Dumfries, Va. Paternal greatgrandparents are Ron and Nancy Isham of Crawfordville; and Janet Mallow, of Brandon, Fla. Mater nal gr eat-grandpar ents are William and Betty Price; and Frederick and Olga Thornton, Sr.; and Barbara Evans.
Alzheimer’s Walk will be Nov. 1 in Tallahassee By Pat Ashley Coordinator, Wakulla Respite
The Annual Alzheimer’s Forget-Not-Me-Walk will be Nov. 1 at Cascades Park in Tallahassee. The Wakulla Walkers are collecting donations for our team. This fundraiser helps keep our Wakulla
Respite Program going and pays for our Certified Nurse Assistant that is at every Monday’s group. I would like to encourage each of you to be a part of this effort. If you can help our team, please bring a donation by the Respite Room any Monday prior to Nov. 1, or make a check out to the
Alzheimer’s Project, Inc. and mail it to Pat Ashley, 125 Tarpine Dr., Panacea, FL 32346. If any of you can come and walk with our team on Nov. 1, that would be great! Thanks for your continued support of the Wakulla Respite Program that is sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Project, Inc.
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