Fernandina Beach Proclamations: October 6, 2015

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
October 8, 2015 4:21 p.m.

 

Jean Lay (l) and Diana Parfitt (c) listen to Mayor Ed Boner read their proclamation.
Anita Lay (l) and Dianne Parfitt (c) listen to Mayor Ed Boner read their proclamation.

At the start of their Regular Meeting on October 6, 2015 Fernandina Beach Mayor Ed Boner delivered four proclamations on behalf of the City Commission.

National Colonial Heritage Month

National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century President Dianne Parfitt and officer Anita Lay accepted the city proclamation proclaiming October 2015 as National Colonial Heritage Month. Mayor Boner recognized the Amelia Chapter in recounting some of the organization’s history and dedication to honoring the hardship and heroism of those who sought spiritual and economic freedom in the New World.

Ms. Parfitt thanked the commission for the honors.

National Chiropractic Health Month

Dr. Mark Brown accepts city proclamation recognizing October as Chiropractic Health Month.
Dr. Mark Brown accepts city proclamation recognizing October as Chiropractic Health Month.

Mayor Boner delivered a city proclamation to Dr. Mark Brown, Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine, proclaiming October 2015 as National Chiropractic Health Month. Boner called attention to professional credentials of chiropractors, who are recognized world-wide for their health-enhancing and injury-prevention services that often help patients heal naturally without the need for unnecessary drugs and surgery.

In accepting the proclamation, Dr. Brown thanked the city and said that the very first chiropractic adjustment had been delivered in September 1895. He spoke about the complementary relationship between chiropractic and other medical disciplines. He concluded his remarks with this: “Remember that if your spine were on your face, you’d take better care of it.”

Les DeMerle Amelia Island Jazz Festival Week

Bonnie Eisele and Les DeMerle accept city proclamation recognizing the Amelia Island Jazz Festival.
Bonnie Eisele and Les DeMerle accept city proclamation recognizing the Amelia Island Jazz Festival.

Jazz artists Les DeMerle and Bonnie Eisele were on hand to accept a city proclamation recognizing the week of October 4-11, 2015 as the Les DeMerle Amelia Island Jazz Festival. Mayor Boner said that it is an honor and a privilege for the city to host such jazz greats as those who participate each year in this festival, which Les DeMerle and Bonnie Eisele, along with their dedicated committee, organize. In addition to providing world-class entertainment from the likes of Grammy Award-winning performers, the festival also promotes educational programs in local schools. This year the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort has partnered with the festival to expand presentations and increase attendance.

In speaking for the festival, Les DeMerle thanked the city and said that he and his wife Bonnie Eisele had been performing at sea for 8 months of the year, during which they obtained festival bookings and made arrangement with the schools. DeMerle invited the community to join in the festival events. He also thanked residents, volunteers and sponsors that have been critical to the success of the event each year. Bonnie Eisele said, “We just want to keep jazz alive, so swing it!” For information on upcoming festival events visit their website: http://www.ameliaislandjazzfestival.com/amelia-island-jazz-fest/

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Marianna McIntyre of Micah's Place accepts city proclamation in support of efforts to help domestic violence victims.
Marianna McIntyre of Micah’s Place accepts city proclamation in support of efforts to help domestic violence victims.

Mayor Boner recognized October 2015 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, calling for a commitment from the community to recognize the important work of local domestic violence prevention programs and “to be resolute in carrying on until domestic violence is no more.” Marianna McIntyre, Development Director of Micah’s Place, the local domestic violence shelter, accepted the proclamation and provided audience members and commissioners with purple ribbon pins in recognition of Domestic Violence Month.

In accepting the proclamation, McIntyre reminded the audience that Micah’s Place serves men as well as women, and will even take in domestic pets to shelter with families, because abusers often target them as well. She recapped many of Micah’s Place’s other programs such as anti-bullying programs and dating violence programs in the schools. She said that last year Micah’s Place received over 1500 phone calls to their hotline; this year already that number has already doubled. She was not able to attribute the increase to a single cause, allowing that while domestic violence could be rising, the increase could also be attributable to more people knowing about the help available through Micah’s Place.

More information about Micah’s place is available on the web at http://shelterpress.com/domestic-violence-shelter/micahs-place.html or on Facebook.