- December 13, 2025
The Garden Club at Palm Coast has recognized Karen and Gary Trainor of Fort Caroline Lane with its Garden Selection of the Month honor for December.
The Trainors, moved to Palm Coast from Massachusetts in 2002. Gary is a tooling design engineer and works in Ormond Beach. Karen is an animal behaviorist and has rescued a deaf one-eyed cat teaching him, “Tommy Jack Sparrow” cat sign language.
On the left corner of their yard, they have a large Australian umbrella tree that can grow up to 50 feet. They had no idea how tall it could grow when they brought it down from Massachusetts in a small pot.
They were going for the fire-look when they planted their front garden with a variety of colorful mums, trumpet rose, poinsettias, a variety of crotons, evening primrose, vincas, Hawaiian Ti, schefflera, firecracker, and Sanchezia plants.
There is a column on both ends. The entrance has beautiful climbing red Mandeville’s. Behind this garden is their favorite place to sit outside and enjoy their bounty.
Karen has two blueberry bushes, two pineapples, rosemary, English thyme, parsley, basil, oregano and kiwi started from seed.
Inspiration of Hope Community Resources Inc. recently completed a seven-week Life Skills course with Flagler County youth designed to equip them with essential tools for personal and professional growth.
The interactive sessions focused on effective communication, problem-solving, goal setting and overcoming barriers. Other topics discussed were career readiness, job preparation, budgeting strategies and lifestyle choices that promote long-term success.
Sessions were led by Dr. Timothy King From Flagler College and held after school at the Carver Center in Bunnell. Participants received a certificate with community service hours and earned a monetary stipend.
The next Life skills curse will begin Jan. 18 with class sessions at the Flagler County Youth Center. Contact Donna Easterling at [email protected] for a registration packet.
The American Association of University Women Flagler County Branch hosted Dr. Mary Gatta, AAUW Florida Public Policy Issue Forum organizer, at its monthly meeting on Nov. 8 at the Cypress Knoll Golf Club. Dr. Gatta provided an overview of the 2025-2027 AAUW Public Policy Principles and Priorities that had been adopted in May.
“AAUW is nonpartisan,” Dr. Gatta said, “but we are never neutral about our values. We stand united for equity, education and opportunity, and we will always speak out when those values are under threat. Our mission is to advance gender equity for women and girls through research, education and advocacy.”
The Association’s priorities include support for affordable, inclusive higher education; public funds for strong public K-12 schools; expanded access to vocational and technical STEM training; equal pay for work of equal value; expanded access to paid sick and family leave; affordable child and elder care; access to contraception and reproductive healthcare options.
The AAUW Flagler County Branch meets on the second Saturday of the month. The public is invited to attend but registration is required. For more information go to www.flaglercounty-fl.aauw.net.
