Your Town: Flagler Ed Foundation golf tournament raises $20,000

Also in Your Town: Palm Coast's Wood Carver of the Year.

By Paige Wilson
| 5:25 p.m. January 25, 2019

Mark and Shayla Gerling and Margaret and John Subers at the FCEF Golf Classic. Photo courtesy of the Ed Foundation

Palm Coast Observer
Your Town

The Flagler County Education Foundation’s annual golf tournament was held at Plantation Bay Golf Course on Jan. 18, with 140 players teeing it up, according to a press release.

The proceeds help fund the foundation programs, such as innovative teacher grants, the STUFF Bus program, Classroom to Careers Flagships and college scholarships. The tournament raised a record $20,000 for the programs, the release states.

There are currently 23 Classroom to Careers Flagship programs in Flagler Schools, with the newest being the Future Educators of Flagler at Flagler Palm Coast High School and Law and Justice at Matanzas High School.

“We are extremely humbled by the support of all our tournament sponsors,” said Foundation Executive Director Joe Rizzo. “We could not make such an impact in Flagler Schools without their support.”

The Foundation's next event is Mardi Gras at Grand Haven on March 5. Visit https://flagleredfoundation.org to purchase your tickets.

10th-annual Flagler Ecumenical Music Celebration

Members of the Hammock Community Church Choir at the 10th-annual Flagler Ecumenical Celebration of Unity. Photo courtesy of Anne Hile

The 10th-annual Flagler Ecumenical Celebration of Unity through song and prayer was held on Saturday, Jan. 19, at Santa Maria del Mar Catholic Church in Flagler Beach. With nine participating churches and the Matanzas High School steel drum band, it was a true gathering of the community, said Anne Hile, a local attendee.

The event encourages local choirs and music directors from multiple denominations to come together and celebrate through song. The participating choirs and churches included: First Church of Palm Coast, Flagler Beach United Methodist Church, Hammock Community Church, Mount Calvary Baptist Church of Palm Coast, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, St. Mark by the Sea Lutheran Church, St. Thomas Episcopal Church and Santa Maria del Mar Catholic Church.

'Celebration of the Trees'

Temple Beth Shalom members Rose Eberle (soon-to-be Rabbi), Muriel Hoffman and Temple President Robert Arkin during the Tu B’Shevat celebration. Photo courtesy of Marylynne Newmark

Tu B’Shevat, the 15th day in the Hebrew month of Shevat, has been celebrated by Jews worldwide to tithe their fruit harvest and plant new trees since Biblical times. On Sunday, Jan. 20, the 14th day of Shevat in the Hebrew year 5779, rabbis and members of Temple Beth Shalom celebrated the holiday by planting a young fig tree in front of the building with a prayer for the world, followed by a feast of foods that contain all sorts of fruit.

Incoming Rabbi Rose Ebert, Muriel Hoffman, Temple President Robert Arkin and Temple board member Steve Tollin helped plant a young fig tree before a crowd of about 30.

"It was a great feeling to be a participant in continuing this small part of our Jewish heritage here in Palm Coast," Tollin said.

Palm Coast Wood Carver of the Year

The presentation of the Palm Coast Wood Carver of the Year for 2018 took place in the Palm Coast Community Center on Jan. 22. The plaque was awarded by past Program Director Howard Hawrey to 92-year-old Jim Stephen.

Free help with taxes

AARP Tax-Aide volunteers will be available Feb. 1 to April 15, at multiple sites in Flagler County for free tax preparation, according to a news release. The service is available to all residents without age or income restrictions. It is not necessary to be an AARP member. Sites are on an "appointment only" basis. Starting Jan. 22, call 313-4048 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.