Weekend Fernandina Beach roving reporter . . .

Submitted by

Gerry Clare

Friday night at American Legion Post 54,  William (Marty) Martin, the Post Commander, conducted a moving POW-MIA remembrance ceremony at “a table for one.”  Assisting in the ceremony were Bonnie and Francis Quattrene (whose brother Tommy was missing in action in World War I).  As the bell rang out for each table item Francis held up in remembrance of a missing soldier, attendees had their own personal emotions.

Amazing Grace and prayers concluded the ceremony, which has been held for the last 3 years at the Legion on the third Friday night in September.

After the ceremony, Lenora Staples asked me to remind our readers about the event the Legion is sponsoring on Sunday, October 7th, to benefit Micah’s Place, a domestic violence shelter in Nassau County from 2 to 5 p.m.  There will be an afternoon of fun and Bingo with door prizes, silent auction,  prizes, free hors d’oeuvres and a jackpot of $250 all for a $20 (for 9 games).  Daubers will be available for $1.00 or bring your own. The American Legion meeting hall is located at 626 South Third Street in Fernandina Beach.

Steve Staples and Michael Petrusiak

Saturday at Central Park, volunteers from the American Legion, Eagle Scouts and the community were digging around the chimney of the old Legion log cabin to set up the area for a Veterans Memorial Park.  Led by Steve Staples, the group was getting ready for the pavers to go in and the September 30th groundbreaking event at 2 p.m. where the mayor of Fernandina Beach and other political and veterans’ leaders will speak.

A marble plaque has already been placed on the Atlantic Avenue side of the chimney.

Volunteers surround new marble plaque

The pavers will be laid by eagle scouts, Venture T troop 809.  Donations have been made by Home Depot and other groups, and memorial bricks honoring veterans will be available soon for purchasing. For more information contact Lenora or Steve Staples at 261-5097.

 

 

 

Petanque players enjoy a few games in Central Park

Saturdays at Central Park are busy for ball games and other events, but lately Petanque has been set up for every Saturday morning and this Saturday found quite a group of players under the trees near the old Legion log cabin., led by Phillipe Boets.  The game is a cross between horseshoes and bocce, the Italian bowling game and was introduced to our area by Boets several years ago.  Remember that the Petanque American Open returns to Fernandina again this year on November 10th and 11th.  To keep up with tournaments and schedules, check out their website on Facebook or www.fbfl.us/index.aspx?NID=737.

Saturday Motorcycles were everywhere from the over 200 motorcycles arriving from Georgia on I-95 and circling east on A1A to 17 south in honor of fallen police, with a Nassau County Sheriff’s escort to the over 60 motorcycles to call attention to End Alzheimer’s which gathered at Murray’s Grille, there was plenty of good noise this weekend.

Karen’s Ride to end Alzheimer’s

You may have seen the Alzheimer’s motorcycles at various stops in Fernandina Beach and Yulee, raising money for the cause..  Jill Powers, a local gal helped organize this ride for her team, called Karen’s Ride (KPG)  in honor of her sister’s early Alzheimer’s diagnosis to call attention to the upcoming November 17th Walk to End Alzheimer’s which will take place in Fernandina.  You can learn more or form your own team at ALZ.org.

September 24, 2012 7:43 a.m.