- April 20, 2024
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Brice McPherson crafted a ukulele out of a tree that fell in his yard during Hurricane Matthew. Photo courtesy of Brice McPherson
Brice McPherson holds up his homemade ukulele. Photo courtesy of Brice McPherson
Palm Coast Firefighter-Paramedic Thomas Bull (center) is congratulated for selection as the Flagler-Palm Coast Kiwanis Club’s 2017 Firefighter of the Year by Capt. Thomas Ascone and Lt. Jeffrey Poeira. Photo courtesy of Cindi Lane
Second-grader Lincoln Cottle learns about fire prevention from Palm Coast Firefighter Leroy Fisher, Lt. Joey Paci and Firefighter Daniel Bouillon at Belle Terre Elementary School. Photo courtesy of Cindi Lane
The Palm Coast Fire Department visits students at Imagine School Town Center. Photo courtesy of Nicole Puritis
Kindergartener Adam Fenty-Graifer scans books at the Old Kings media center as the media assistant for a day. Photo courtesy of Kim Weeks
JoAnn Freise, handler of Hope, stands with the Otterhound at the dog show. Photo courtesy of JoAnn Freise
Hope the Otterhound's ribbons. Photo courtesy of JoAnn Freise
After three months of night and weekend work, Palm Coast resident Brice McPherson crafted a tree that had fallen in his yard during Hurricane Matthew into a ukulele.
“The goal was to create something inherently valuable that would’ve been otherwise thrown into a chipper,” said McPherson, an architectural associate at Palmer Studio in Flagler Beach. “What better way than to be given a life as a voice?”
He said he resisted the urge to pick up more debris from Hurricane Irma to use for future works, as he still has plenty of wood left over from Matthew.
McPherson said he loves music, and while he’s made some woodworking attempts before, they were never this extensive.
Every December, Flagler Volunteer Services takes over Cattleman’s Hall and transforms it into “The Giving Store,” which allows Flagler County children who would otherwise be unable to purchase gifts for their families to select free gifts from the store.
While the store will take place on Saturday, Dec. 9, the semi-annual rummage sale was held on Saturday, Oct. 14 to raise funds for the project. The rummage sale raised about $3,400 for the store.
There will also be a luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, at the Hilton Garden Inn at Town Center to support The Giving Store. Tickets are $25. Call 597-2950 or visit flaglervolunteer.org/events-fundraisers/giving-store/.
Last year, over 478 local families came to The Giving Store, and Flagler Volunteer Services is anticipating a larger crowd this year due to Hurricane Irma.
The Giving Store is looking for new items (not clothing or food) that would make appropriate gifts for a family member. Donations can be made at the Flagler Volunteer Services office at 5400 E. Highway 100, Suite 117.
Palm Coast Firefighter-Paramedic Thomas Bull has been named the 2017 Firefighter of the Year by the Flagler-Palm Coast Kiwanis Club.
Bull, a veteran firefighter who has over 15 years of service, joined the Palm Coast Fire Department within the last two years after previously serving in New Smyrna Beach and Alachua County. He is also the emergency medical officer for the department.
“Firefighter Bull works close with our Medical Director, Dr. Kristin McCabe-Kline, and Capt. Thomas Ascone in assuring high-quality training for the department’s EMTs and paramedics,” Fire Lt. Jeffrey Poeira said in a press release. “Tom is helping our department enhance our EMS training with more hands-on training assessments.”
Throughout National Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 8-14, the Palm Coast Fire Department taught more than 7,000 students about fire safety.
The department visited elementary and charter schools throughout Palm Coast to emphasize the importance of “Every Second Counts, Plan 2 Ways Out!” and provide interactive opportunities for students.
“This is a fun way to interact with the kids, and most importantly, to share information that saves lives,” Palm Coast Fire Lt. Joey Paci said in a press release.
Staff visited Imagine School at Town Center on Oct. 20 to teach students the importance of talking to their families about choosing an outdoor meeting place in the event there is a fire in their home.
Old Kings Elementary School Kindergarten student Adam Fenty-Graifer got to be a media assistant for a day thanks to a schoolwide initiative called Positive Behavior Interventions and Support.
Through this program, every student learns the “Owl Promise” to be respectful, responsible and safe. Fenty-Graifer earned Owl Bucks by keeping the promise. The Owl Bucks get turned into a twice-a-month prize drawing, in which prizes range from media assistant for a day to private art lessons with the art teacher and more.
Media Specialist Kim Weeks said she was impressed by Fenty-Graifer’s work ethic as he helped her shelve and scan books, organize the seating area and assist with the Paws to Read program.
“He just kept helping,” Weeks said in an email. “He won the hearts of many with his great manners: 'Have a nice day, thanks for coming' he would say to everyone who visited the library. I just love this program and can't wait to have more students like Adam help in the media center.”
Indian Trails Middle School was named a “School of Excellence” by the State Board of Education during a meeting with the Board on Oct. 18 in Jacksonville.
“This is a result of the hard work and commitment by Principal Paul Peacock, his faculty, staff, students, and parents,” Superintendent James Tager said in a press release. “I have challenged everyone in the District to ‘Drive with a Purpose,’ and this goes to show the possibility that can be achieved through the effort of significant adults working collaboratively toward academic achievement for all students.”
Bunnell residents Jim and Nell Brown are the owners and breeders of Hope, a unique Otterhound. Otterhounds have webbed feet and a harsh oily double coat. There are only about 600 Otterhounds worldwide, making Hope a rare breed.
Hope won her American Kennel Club title by earning five points, which is the maximum number of points that can be given at one show, at a four-day dog show in Macungie, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 14-17.
