The family of Bobby Thompson would like to say thank you to the community of Port St. Joe, Fairpoint Communications Company, the members of Zion Fair Missionary Baptist Church and the class of 1977 for all your love and support during the passing of our beloved brother, Bobby. Our family cannot thank you enough.

With love,

The Thompson family.

The business of whittling the bottom line became tangible Monday for the Gulf County School Board.

During a special meeting, board members unanimously approved privatizing custodial services for at least the next school year, hoping to save $80,000-$100,000 as the district addresses a budget shortfall of nearly $900,000.

“That money is money that is keeping us from cutting into teacher ranks,” said Superintendent of Schools Jim Norton.

Norton has estimated that 12-15 teaching positions are likely to be trimmed.

And while tough just the start, the pain of removing employees, many of them long-term, from the district workforce was evident among board members.

“None of this is taken lightly,” said board member John Wright. “Anytime you have layoffs there is a real concern. We’ve looked at this for months and shed a tear or two.”

Board member Billy Quinn, Jr., said, “Some of these folks are our neighbors, people we see in the grocery store. We are going to be watching this process.”

The process, though not formally ratified during Monday’s meeting, is to “piggy-back” on a similar move and contract from Bay County, Norton said.

Bay County went out for qualifications and bids and four companies applied. Bay County School District chose the lowest bidder, GCA Education Services out of Knoxville, TN.

GCA made a presentation at the prior Gulf School Board meeting and Norton said the intention would be to “piggy-back” on the Bay County contract since the district had been through the qualification and bid process.

The School Board has not yet finalized a contract with GCA, only specified that the district will privatize custodial services.

The privatization will impact 11-12 employees, who will be laid off by the district.

Through an agreement between GCA and the district, those employees will be provided first opportunity to apply for the same positions under GCA, Norton said.

He said the largest impact would be that the employees would no longer be paying into the Florida public employees retirement system though those vested would maintain their current balances.

“This really should as seamless a transition as could be,” Norton said.

The savings the district will realize should be on the high side of the ballpark provided Monday as the most basic level of services provided by GCA will be an improvement for county schools, maintenance/transportation director Greg Layfield said.

“We don’t have adequate coverage, especially at the high schools” in light of workforce cuts the past several years, Layfield said. “They would provide an upgrade from where we are now.”

But the decision to privatize custodial, Norton made clear Monday, was just a toe in the water for the coming budget cycle, which will begin in earnest at the regular board meeting next week.

The board will at that time take up the formal contract for custodial services as well as begin the examination of areas identified by Norton and district staff for possible cuts.

“The staff and I, we have our work cut out for us,” Norton said.

The district must still trim, at least, $760,000 from the budget, a process that is likely to mean impacts not only to the workforce but potentially to programs.

The pain was already showing Monday.

“It takes everybody, from the school bus driver to the lunch room server to teachers to custodial,” said board member Linda Wood. “Everybody is of equal importance.”

Caps will fly this week as the county’s two public high schools graduate the Class of 2013.

Clad in the red of Wewahitchka High School and the purple of Port St. Joe High School, 125 seniors will walk the stage for their diploma and entrance into the next passage in life.

Ceremonies will begin at 7 p.m. ET tonight in the R. Marion Craig Coliseum as Port St. Joe High bids farewell to its class of 75.

They are completed at 7 p.m. CT the following night at the Wewahitchka High School gymnasium as the 50-member senior class takes their proud processional.

The schools had yet to identify the entire honors and high honors list of graduates by press time and that information, along with scholarship information will be found in next week’s edition of The Star.

See Senior portraits on Pages A6 and A7 of this edition.

Port St. Joe High School

Graduates

Crysta Loraine Anderson, Javarri De Montez Beachum, Kyle Anthony Biggins, Mary Caitlin Bouington, Mary Frances Branch, Samuel Robert Buccieri III, Dallas Cole Burke, Michael Lee Burke, Joshua Dylan Cabaniss, Alyssa Lee Catha, Bre’Anna Gail Causey, Austin William Clayton, Carley Ann Clements, Jacklyn Brook Collinsworth, Jackson Ty Combs, Justin David Cothran, Abagail Maria Davis, N’namdi Qua’darius Davis;

Taylor James Deeson, Taylor Michelle Duhon, Kassandra Marie Favre, Thomas Clifton Gainous, Charles Colby Gentry, Alyssa Danielle Graziano, Tiffany LeAnn Greene, Miranda Dayne Gref, Nicolette Kayelynn Haddock, Guy Caleb Hall, Arnisha La’joyce Harris, Cassie Marie Hayes, Kendall Chance Hayworth, Robert Makale Hobson, Skye Bennie Hunter, Joshua Drew Hurd, Daniel Henry Jones, Jena Joell Julian;

Jaclyn Tyler Kerigan, Robert James Kopinsky, III, Sawyer Barden LaCasse, Joseph Alexander Love, Nathaniel Alexander Maestri, Anastasia Sergeyeva Maughan, Jenifer Lyn McLemore, Olivia Sariah Moree, Charles Ryan Nichols, Decorian Devante North, Dixie Mallory Oliphant, Alyssa Marilyn Parker, Brittnee Nicole Peak, Richard Eugene Pennington, Paul Lee Potts, Cameron Sterlin Pryor, Marchalle D’maya Pryor, Jada Christine Quaranta;

MaKayla Elissa Ramsey, Britney Elise Rich, Dusty McKay Richter, Chase Everett Royal, Cierra Rae Scoggins, Alexandra Lindsey Scott, John Witt Shoaf, Eric Anthony Slick, Tucker Bernard Smith, Bryanna Rose Stuart, Joshua Stephen Sundie, Briana Nicole Thomas, Jeremy Michael Thompson, Caitlyn Nicole Thursbay, Sha’Niqua Shanae Walker, John Wesley Wilson;

Kathryn Mackenzie Wood, Greyson Cole Woods, Ernest Tyler Worley, Devon Nicole Young and Ramello Dajuan Zaccaro.

Wewahitchka High School

Graduates

Jalyn Tadarius Addison, Alexa Estelle Allison, Sierra Sage Baker, Trent Warren Bruce, Tony Diamond Buckley-Paige, Robert Stetson Causey, Jordon Christopher Cue, Whitney Denise Daulton, Joshua Steven Epps, Taylor Shyanne Gainous, Mikaleh Dominique Graham, Justin Blake Haddock, Cole Garrett Harper, Taylor Marie Hill, Devan Tyler Holyfield, Rebecca Paige Holyfield, Gabrielle Stevonna Jones, Dustin Michael Kinner;

Earl Brian Knobel, John Edwin Linton, Micah Levi Lister, Matthew Tyler Morgan, Wyatt Lee Nunery, Maria Rosario Ortiz, Katie Leola Parker, Joshua Luke Parnell, Samuel Xavier Gus Peeples, Taylor Nicole Pitts, Brandon Shayne Price, Ellen Margarette Randig, Sean Michael Rice, Jesse Lee Roberson, Haley Brianna Romines, Weston Todd Sarmiento, Clayton Randall Sasser, Shaquille Larcess Scott, Brhiannan Shay Scruggs;

Brandon Allen Shaw, Jarvest Terrell Sherfield, James Herman Shiver, Stefan Levon Sims, Jessica Noel Smith, Emilee Danielle Strange, Kelly Marie Ward, Alyssa Marie Whitehurst, Natavia Celice Williams-Belton, Kayla Maria Wood, Shelby Anna Wood, Raheem Marquel Wright and Daneysia Rochelle Wymes.

The staff of North Florida Child Development is excited to announce that they have been picked to participate in this year’s National Center on Health UCLA Healthcare Training Institute. With nine regional centers and serving over 360 area families, North Florida Child Development is one of only 50 Early Head Start and Head Start programs, nationwide, and the only one in Florida, selected to receive the training.

The mission of UCLA Healthcare Training Institute is to educate parents in America to make better healthcare decisions for their children. North Florida Child Development applied for the training, which is 100 percent grant funded, and plans to conduct the parent training sessions in September of this year. Over 100 area families will participate in the initial two-day workshop receiving textbook and other valuable healthcare tools such as digital thermometers, free of charge.

“This training is designed to provide healthcare knowledge and enable parents to make better healthcare decisions for their children,” said Sharon Gaskin, Executive Director of NFCD.

The program is based on the “What to Do When Your Child Gets Sick” guidebook assembled by the UCLA group. In addition to the easy-to-read book, training sessions for parents will also include hands-on education on how to correctly measure medication and the correct hand-washing technique, among other things.

Flipping through the book, Gaskin said each chapter has the same four sections: What is it, what do I see, what can I do at home and when to call the doctor.

“It’s natural for parents to be worried when their child gets sick but it (the book) really takes the panic out,” said Gaskin.

A UCLA study showed that from 2002 to 2006 the program reduced participants' emergency room visits by 58 percent, doctor's visits by 42 percent and missed school days by 29 percent.

During the last decade, UCLA health experts have helped Head Start coordinators train over 45,000 families in 39 states to use basic tools including reference books, digital thermometers and liquid medical dispensers to treat their children and avoid unnecessary visits to doctor's offices and emergency rooms.

For more information contact Sebrina McGill, NFCD, at 639-5080.

Kevin Spencer will perform at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 1 at Hope Family Worship Center, located 2001 Garrison Avenue in Port St. Joe.

Spencer is a southern gospel singer who started singing with his family, “The Spencers,”when he was three years old. After starting his own group in 1992, Kevin Spencer and Friends, he now is enjoyed by his fans as a soloist.

Kevin has witnessed many lives changed through gospel music. He owns and operates the Some Dawning Music Company International, Inc., which includes recording, songwriting, promoting and producing southern gospel music.

Kevin Spencer has recorded several hit songs including, The Blood is Still There, If the Rapture was Yesterday, So Much to Thank Him For, Flow Through Me Holy Spirit, andGod Bless America Again.

A summer kids’ event called Kingdom Rock will be hosted at Long Avenue Baptist Church from Sunday, June 9 through Thursday, June 13.  At Kingdom Rock, kids participate in memorable Bible-learning activities, sing catchy songs, dig into yummy treats, experience epic Bible adventures, collect Bible Memory Buddies to remind them to stand strong, and test out Sciency-Fun Gizmos they’ll take home and play with all summer long. Plus, kids will learn to look for evidence of God all around them through something called God Sightings. Each day concludes with Fanfare Finale—a celebration that gets everyone involved in living what they’ve learned. Family members and friends are encouraged to join in daily for this special time at 8 p.m.

Kids at Kingdom Rock will join an international mission’s effort to share God’s love with children in India.

Kingdom Rock is for kids 4 years old through 6th grade (completed)and will run from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. ETeach day. For online pre-registration visit the website: https://www.groupvbspro.com/vbs/ez/labc

For more information, call the church office at 229-8691.

Miriam Blackburn Grace passed away peacefully on May 16, 2013 at her home.

She was born July 26, 1924 to the late James O. Blackburn and Mary Sites Blackburn of Chipley, FL.

She is survived by her husband of 43 years Dr. Wesley L Grace of Port St. Joe, FL; one son, Charles R. Grant (Jean) of Richmond Hill, GA; four daughters, Margaret G. Gilmore (Dow) of Chipley, FL, Carol G. Dixon (Tommy) of Port St Joe, FL, Joni Gilbert (Reggie) of Panama City, FL, and Linda Grace of Port St. Joe, FL.

She also leaves behind 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Covenant Hospice, Diana Williams, and Tina Surprenant for their endless hours of constant care.

Funeral services were held 11 a.m. ET Monday, May 20, 2013 at the First United Methodist Church in Port St. Joe.  Burial services were held at Glenwood Cemetery in Chipley, FL at 3 p.m. EST.

In lieu of flowers, you may make contributions to the First United Methodist Church Chancel Choir in Port St. Joe, Fl.

Local services were provided by Comforter Funeral Home

Orbie Benjamin Franklin Jr. "OB" was born December, to the late Orbie Sr and Eliza Franklin in Homerville, GA. OB was proceeded in death by his father and mother OB Sr. and Eliza Franklin, one daughter Octavia Franklin and three brothers. He later moved to Port St. Joe, Florida and was employed at St. Joe Paper Company for many years. He continued his education at Haney Vocational - Technical School where he received a certification in Auto Mechanic. Mr. Franklin life was concluded on May 6, at his residence. OB memories will live forever.

He leaves precious memories to three daughters: Cynthia Bell (Homerville, GA) Audrey WilIiams (Tallahassee, FL) and Shatavia Franklin (Port St. Joe, FL); two sons, Lamar Franklin (GA) and Dan Scott(AL); eight sisters and brothers: (Agnes V. Williams/Homerville, GA), Suzie F. Ford (TaIlahassee, FL),Terry Franklin (Connie ), Homerville, GA, Leathea Williams (Elisa), Douglas, GA, Jean Edmond (Keight), Homerville, GA, Tony Franklin,(Valarie), Milwaukee, WS, Larry Franklin and Michael Franklin both of Columbus, GA; 12 grandkids and a very special loving friend (Verline Franklin) and a host of sorrowing and caring nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A precious one from us has gone

A voice we loved is still.

A place is vacant in our family

Which never can be filled.

A place is vacant in our family

All services are under the direction of the Comforter Funeral Home

This year Mrs. Lisa Stripling, Mrs. Joy Asbrook and Mrs. Renee’ Combs classes were fortunate to receive a Science grant from the Gulf County Education Foundation.  This grant allowed science kits and other common core related materials to be purchased for their classes.  The first grade and Bridges students were able to work together in teams to complete experiments that included: Butterfly Pavilion, Discovering the contents of Geodes, Force and Motion and other activities.

It was a great opportunity for the classes to get some hands on experience with Science.  We found that the students loved working together to achieve their goals.  The experiments were very helpful in concreting the science concepts and will be remembered by all as a fantastic learning opportunity.

Pictured above are some of the students as they rotate through many Force and Motion centers.  We were able to service 43 students with more hands on activities. 

Pre-K-Brody Lemiuex, Kindergarten-Kate Fidler, 1st-Zoey Burkett, 2nd-Alex Harper, 3rd-Porter Hodges, 4th-Kassidy Raffield, 5th-Brandon Barnes and Madison Jasinski, and 6th-Aaron Godwin

Shayla Nickson, a graduate of Port St. Joe High School, graduated May 4 from Florida A&M University with a Bachelor’s degree in Health Care Management. Shayla is the daughter of Donald and Jacqueline Nickson of Port St. Joe.

For some people, snails or escargot are a gourmet delight.  But, a snail’s idea of a good dinner might be one of your prized ornamentals.  Snails, and their slimy cousins, slugs, are a common problem in the Florida landscape, but they can be controlled without too much trouble.  In this article we’ll help you identify these pests, we’ll describe their habits and habitats, and then offer some tips on their control.

Snails and slugs are members of the animal group known as Mollusca.  This family includes such creatures as mussels, clams, whelks, squids and octopuses.  My information was provided by Extension Emeritus Specialists Dr. Robert J. Black, of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

As we all know, the snail’s soft body is protected by a spiral shell.  The kind of garden snails you might find around your home varies considerably in shape size and color.  Some are round, some elongated.  Some are tiny, while others reach lengths of up to one or two inches.  Colors range from off-white to brown or black.  Some shells are striped or mottled with contrasting colors.

Slugs, unlike snails, do not have shells.  They are usually mottled in shades of gray, but may be whitish-yellow, brown or black.  Slugs vary from one-half inch to four inches in length.

Snails and slugs can cause various problems around the home.  They like to feed on seedling, flowers, vegetables and shrubs.  In greenhouses they attack young seedlings and the more succulent parts of matures plants.  They also annoy homeowners by their presence around foundations, or walks, and in window wells.

These pests are often found on molds, decaying organic matter, and on the foliage of plants.  They require large amounts of moisture to survive, and they prefer darkness.  In fact, slugs and snails are nocturnal, coming out of their hiding places in the evening to feed.  They chew ragged holes in the leaves of plants and return to their hiding places in the early morning.

Favorite hiding place for these pests are under old, decaying boards and logs, in rock piles, and beneath damp refuse.  Slugs leave a silver-colored, slimy trail whenever they travel.  Trails can be spotted on foundations, walls, and walks.

Elimination of slugs and snails begins with the destruction of their hiding places.  Remove rotted boards and debris from the premises.  Keep the area around flower beds clear of trash.  In greenhouses, check under rotted boards, flower pots, and debris beneath benches.

Measurol is the recommended chemical for controlling slugs and snails.  Most garden centers sell a snail and slug bait which contains the substance.  This bait should be placed on the soil surface in the vicinity of the plants, and the treated area can be covered with several sheets of newspaper soaked with water.  Apply the bait in the afternoon, or at night.  If possible, do not use the bait just before a rain, because its effectiveness will be reduced.  Because snails and slugs my feed intermittently rather than every day, the bait should be distributed at seven to ten days intervals until control is achieved.

A home remedy to control these pests involves filling shallow saucers with beer and placing the ton the soil in an area where they’re known to feed.  The beer will attract the pests into the saucers and they will drown in the liquid.

For more information on controlling snails and slugs contact the Gulf County Extension Service @ 639-3200 or visit our website:  http://gulf.ifas.ufl.edu  or www.http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

Gulf County schools rounded out the year with the annual Track and Field Day held at the Wewahitchka football field.

Students from Port St. Joe Elementary made the trek to compete in the Friday events that included the softball throw, 100-meter dash, sack race, and a tug-of-war that pit Port St. Joe against Wewahitchka.

Events were open to grades three through six. Concessions were provided on-site and the stands were full of supportive parents and family members to cheer on their student athletes.

Port St. Joe will bring some speed in 2013; Wewahitchka some size.

That was the general verdict last Friday as the two county schools ended 16 days of spring football practice by dominating a Spring Jamboree with Franklin County.

The Gators opened the night with by pounding the ball at Franklin County for 16 minutes to outscore the Seahawks 25-7.

Port St. Joe followed by running through Franklin County during a 28-0 whitewash and the Tiger Sharks finished the night with a touchdown with just over a minute to play to edge Wewahitchka 7-0.

“I thought overall we played pretty well,” said Port St. Joe coach Chuck Gannon. “The effort was there. We got to play a lot of kids. That is what we wanted to see.”

Wewahitchka 25, Franklin County 7

Wewahitchka coach Dennis Kizziah doesn’t keep stats during the spring game, but he is sure Rashard Ranie and the Gators’ running attack did all the damage against the Seahawks.

“I don’t keep stats because this is like training camp, the stats don’t really matter,” Kizziah said. “We played pretty good against Franklin County. We ran the ball and felt like we could do what we wanted on the ground. We might have thrown a pass or two, but we ran it at them.”

What Kizziah saw, however, was what he was hoping for, energy and excitement combined with a bit of success.

“We got a chance to play a lot of kids which is what we wanted to do, give a lot of the younger kids an opportunity,” Kizziah said.

“We have a team that really likes playing together. They are no individuals, it is about the team. They have grown up together, know what each other thinks. They just are a good bunch.”

 The domination of Franklin County pushed the fuel into summer, Kizziah added.

“They are excited,” Kizziah said. “I wanted them to be excited when it was over. They are ready to get going this summer, get in the weight room and get stronger.”

Port St. Joe 28, Franklin County 0

The Tiger Sharks did what Port St. Joe teams do to be successful – run and run some more.

Port St. Joe threw just one pass – it fell incomplete – during two quarters against the Seahawks but the Tiger Sharks but hardly needed it during 16 minutes during which they averaged more than 13 yards per rush while rushing 14 times for 184 yards.

The most damage was provided by Jak Riley who gobbled up 71 of those yards on a touchdown dash.

Cole Cryderman scored on a 16-yard run and Aaron Paul closed the scoring on a 26 year sprint.

Those runs sandwiched around a 26-yard pass interception for touchdown by Jarkeice Davis, who spent much of spring nursing a leg injury.

“He was cleared to play and he as chomping at the bit so we tried to get him in for some plays here and there,” Gannon said.

The Tiger Sharks were without Natrone Lee, who suffered a high ankle sprain in the final days of practice.

“If this was the regular season, he probably could have gone, but there was no reason to risk it,” Gannon said. “But that was my big concern, running the ball without Natrone.

“I thought the offensive line did a good job of blocking and I was real pleased by the blocking of our wideouts.”

Justin Hites and Drew Lacour split place-kicking duties, each hitting two extra points.

“We played pretty good,” Gannon said. “We got to play all our kids and I was real proud of that.”

Port St. Joe 7, Wewahitchka 0

The county rivals battled on relatively even terms for 15 minutes before Marcel Duarte, a junior this fall out for football for the first time, scored on a 10-yard run with 1:04 left in the final two quarters.

“They are very big up front, bigger than most of the teams we will probably play,” Gannon said. “I thought we played pretty good.”

The Tiger Sharks upped their pass attempts by one, but both passes were incomplete.

Port St. Joe again rushed for exactly 184 yards, this time on 29 carries, more than six yards per rush.

Davis had 70 yards on just five carries while Duarte rushed seven times for 44 yards and Carter Thacker added 41 yards on seven carries.

“We spread the ball around and we did a good job of blocking,” Gannon said.

Kizziah said the game was much different than in recent years in that the Gators played on relatively even terms with the Tiger Sharks, save a few miscues.

“We just made a couple of mistakes,” Kizziah said. “We were also getting a little tired, I think.

“It was much different than it has been the past few years. I thought we played them real well. They have a lot of speed and broke off some runs and punched it in late, but I thought we were there. Our kids played really hard and that is what I wanted to see.”

For the night, Gannon said he reached the goal he set for the spring game.

 “I think we found some kids who we can move around and play multiple spots,” Gannon said. “We were able to move them around and see how they would do and we have a better idea of our depth chart.

“And we had good effort. That was the main thing we wanted to see.”

Port St. Joe’s Kayla Parker, left, finished fourth in the 100 meter hurdles for the University of Kentucky last week at the Southeastern Conference Track and Field meet, qualifying for the NCAA East Prelims this weekend in North Carolina.

Parker was fourth in a time of 13.19, a personal record which is just .03 off the school record. Parker entered the SEC meet already ranked second in the Kentucky women’s history.

She is one of 13 Kentucky women to qualify for the NCAA East Prelims.

Parker’s 13.19 is the 11th best collegiate time this year in the 100 meter hurdles. Parker had the collegiate indoor season’s best time in the 60 meter hurdles.

How do you say good-bye to the love of your life?  How do you say good-bye to someone who has been your mate, your best friend, and even your best fishing buddy?  For Bonita Thompson, her husband John had been all these things and more.  When cancer took John’s life, Bonita knew how she wanted to say good-bye; she would build John a reef.

It wouldn’t be just any reef; it would be a reef in John and Bonita’s favorite fishing area, the Bell Shoals site three miles off the shores of Mexico Beach, Florida.  John and Bonita spent many happy days there, following their passion to hook a cobia, one of the largest, best fighting sport fish in the area.

The Bell Shoals site had just been re-opened for reef building after a 10-year hiatus.  The John Thompson Memorial Reef was the first new reef planned for this area.  Bonita initially planned to put down three modules, one with a plaque to honor John’s memory.  It shortly became evident that family and friends wanted to build John a larger reef.  With help from the Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association (MBARA), Bonita set up a memorial fund.  Donations rolled in and the reef grew from three to 21 modules. 

Building a reef this size takes time and planning.  The Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association, a non-profit organization that builds reefs off the coast of Mexico Beach, was there to give Bonita all the support she needed.  MBARA does a reef deployment one or two times a year.  John had passed away in December, so his reef was planned for the scheduled deployment the following April.  That allowed time to build all the reef structures, make a trip to build John’s reef, and plan a fitting Life Celebration to be held after the deployment.

On a beautiful day in March, Bonita and John’s sister travelled to Reefmaker’s yard in Orange Beach, AL, where John’s reef would be built.  They were joined by MBARA board members Bob and Carol Cox.  The Cox’s were there to support Bonita and build a reef for Bob’s grandparents. 

Everyone watched as Reefmaker’s crew set about pouring wet concrete into a triangular-shaped mold.  They carefully placed the heavy granite plaque lovingly designed by Bonita.  The plaque had a poignant message along with John’s portrait.  In a corner was a reminder of the happy life Bonita and John had together--a photo of John piloting his boat as Bonita stood on the bow searching out their favorite quarry, cobia.

With the plaque in place, Bonita placed John’s favorite cobia jig in the wet concrete.  After time to reflect, Bonita and John’s sister helped the Reefmaker crew add limestone rocks to the panel.  The limestone would allow quicker growth of marine organisms on the reef.  Once the concrete panel dried, it would be combined with two more panels to form a three-sided pyramid.

In April 2012, the day came for John’s reef to be deployed in the Gulf of Mexico, three miles from the Mexico Beach Canal where John and Bonita made their home.  The sun shimmered on calm seas as the Reefmaker boat, escorted by a school of dolphins, approached a small buoy marking the spot for John’s memorial reef.  As Bonita and a few family and friends looked on from their boats, the reef containing John’s plaque was gently lowered to its resting place in 21 feet of water.  The water was clear and the reef could be seen resting on the bottom.  Soon, the other structures were put in place and the boats returned to the canal.

Three days later, a flotilla of more than 30 boats made its way out to John’s reef, with Bonita in the lead.  This was John’s Life Celebration service.  The weather was almost unnaturally calm; the surface was glassy, and there was no current or wind.  With Bonita clutching an urn to her chest, the other boats surrounded her.  The engines went silent and Bonita said good-bye as she spread John’s ashes over his reef.  Then, as a procession of boats made their way over John’s reef, many friends tossed flowers as they said their own good-byes.   Later that day, friends and family gathered outside Bonita’s home to celebrate John’s life.

The next day, Bob and Carol Cox paid a different kind of visit to John’s reef.  They dived the reef and took underwater photos and video.  Although it had been on the ocean floor for only three days, signs of life where already emerging.  A large school of round scad, known by fishermen as cigar minnows, were already schooling around the reef.  A few tomtates happily swam around inside their new home.  A striped sea star slowly crawled across the sandy bottom.  As they returned to their boat and motored away, Bob and Carol were joined by two bottle-nose dolphins.

The story doesn’t end there.  John’s friends and family decided to keep building the reef.  In April 2013, two more modules were added to the reef.  Since then, MBARA has received more donations to add to the site during their next reef deployment.

When most of the reef had been in the water for just over a year, Bob and Carol did another dive.  This time they were joined on their boat by Bonita.  As they approached the reef, they were able to see how large this reef actually was; the modules were clearly visible from the surface.  As the two divers descended to the bottom, they were surrounded by a large school of Atlantic spadefish.  In the distance were elusive gag groupers, many of legal size.  Gray triggerfish boldly swam straight to the cameras.  The reefs had 1 to 3 inches of marine growth on them, such as barnacles and tunicates.  It made it difficult to locate the pyramid with the plaque. After much searching, Carol saw a dime-sized spot that looked like black granite.  With her dive knife, she was able to scrape off some of the growth and verify the location of the plaque.  She and Bob worked 10 minutes to uncover John’s dedication, while small fish picked at the tidbits released during their labors.  After taking pictures and video, they returned to the boat to tell Bonita about all the wonderful life that now surrounds John’s reef.  For Bonita, she said this was her therapy, to be able to come out to John’s reef and remember the happy times they had together. 

John’s story doesn’t end here.  His reef will nurture marine life for many generations to enjoy.  For those who knew John, going to the reef to fish for cobia is like visiting an old friend.  For those not lucky enough to know John Thompson, they will admire him greatly for the living legacy he leaves behind. 

Some people celebrate their birthdays with cake and presents.

Des Moines, Iowa resident Jack Day celebrated his 70th birthday by setting out on a 7,000 mile bicycle tour.

Day began the two-wheeled solo journey from his doorstep on March 15. Over the next six months his plan was to venture south to Key West, north to the tip of Maine and loop back to his original starting point.

He utilized biking and travel websites to create an itinerary for himself, locating couches to sleep on or safe patches of grass on which to pitch his tent at each stop.

After two months of pedaling, Jack hit a major milestone in his journey: on May 13, he reached Port St. Joe.

“He’s a real people person,” said Debbie Van Vleet, owner of Happy Ours Kayak and Bike Outpost on Cape San Blas.

Van Vleet played last-minute host to Day during his visit to Gulf County. En route from Panama City, Day was unable to find a couch in town utilizing his normal network. He sent an email to Van Vleet and she was able to save the day, offering a patch of grass for his tent.

The next morning Van Vleet had breakfast with Day and he entertained with stories of his trip so far as well as his future plans for the journey.

Day likes to make new friends and often highlights his hosts on his website as a way of thanking them for their hospitality and spreading good will.

“I really wanted to support his efforts,” said Van Vleet. “I hope I can do that at 70.”

Her father is 91-years-old and rides his bike 10 miles a day. She shared the story with Day who promised to take a bike ride alongside her father once he reached the town of Jupiter.

After the coffee was gone and the conversation had ended, Day loaded up his bike and hit the road.

His next stop was Fort Myers and then he’d be headed for Key West would mark the halfway point of his journey he’d then turn around and work his way up the east coast as he headed for Maine.

At his age, Day is regularly reminded that people have low expectations for him but he’s always happy to share his story as an inspiration to others.

“I'd rather keel over having fun, as opposed to slowly disintegrating in a rocker on the porch,” said Day.

The First United Methodist Church was on a mission to get kids reading even if it took giving away books to each and every student.

That’s exactly what church members did.

Last Thursday, the United Methodist Women hosted their ninth annual Book Give-A-Way where every child at Port St. Joe Elementary School received a new book purchased by the women’s group.

What started as a small church activity with around 100 children benefiting has grown exponentially and books were given to 615 students including those leaving kindergarten and entering the first grade.

“The most rewarding mission project our church does is right here in Gulf County,” said Donna Thompson, who is also the reading specialist at the school.

The books available covered a gamut of genres, from serious, to funny, to books about sea life and insects. Children scrambled to see what was available and carefully selected their summer reading.

Thompson held the give-a-way to coincide with the last day of the Book Buddies program where once a week, residents Phyllis Altstaetter and Martha Sanborn visit the classroom and read one-on-one with students in order to help students improve their reading skills.

The two have done so every week for 12 years.

“It gives us more than it gives them,” said Sanborn who taught home economics and English at Port St. Joe Jr./Sr. High School for 35 years.

She’s enjoyed the results of her efforts as students become better and avid readers and has watched many succeed in life.

“The kids think we’ve read every book ever written!” said Sanborn.

The congregation memorialized Rena Huie, the former secretary of the elementary school from 1961-1971 with a piece of scripture printed on the back of each book.

When Huie passed away, her family requested that the church donate to local missions and this project was selected to receive funds donated in her memory.

Rena’s daughter-in-law, Linda Huie was on-hand to oversee the festivities and represent the family.

“It was wonderful,” said Huie. “Rena would be so pleased.”

Dear Editor,

On behalf of the Gulf County Domestic Violence Task Force, we would like to express our extreme gratitude for all the attendees who were able to come to our Third Annual Ladies Night Out Event on May 9 in Gulf County. The event was a huge success and raised over $4,500 in contributions and generous donations. Our auction was a huge success thanks to each and every person! On behalf of the board and many volunteers we wanted to send our appreciation for your participation and support.

We’d also like to thank the special individuals who gave tirelessly to help make the event such a success:  Patricia Mamoran, Chairman of Ladies Night Out; Lindsey McCrary, Co-Chair; Georgene Brinkley, Past Chairman, Pat and Henry Horst, Director and Treasurer; Cathi Rigdon, Director; Joyce Downard, Director; Charlie Brock, Volunteer; Ann Jarozs, Volunteer; Liz Brenner, Volunteer; Martika Albino, Volunteer; Diane Pierett, Volunteer; Bobby, Volunteer; Olga, Volunteer; Alexander, Volunteer; Ebony and Elis, Volunteers; Larry Gay, Volunteer and Jerry Arhelger and Bill Small for our entertainment.

The Task Force could not do what it does without the generous support of a caring community, therefore we want recognize our local businesses and citizens who donated auction and food items for our cause:

Thank you to the following friends and merchants for our door and game prizes, gift bag items and financial support:

Coast2Coast Printing, Coastal Connection TV 17- Gina Vicari, Host of Talk of the Coast; Dillards, El Governor Motel, Gulf County Sheriff’s Office, Mimi’s Upscale Resale, Krispy Kreme, Parker Realty of Mexico Beach, 7th Street Salon, Subway, Sunset Coastal Grill, TGIF, Lookout Lounge, The Thirsty Goat Bar and Grill, Port Inn, Main Stay Suites, Thirsty Goat, Debbie Ashbrook, and Carol Dow, Joyce Downard, Pat Horst, The Star and Editor Tim Croft, and Ann Jarosz.

Thank you to the following merchants who provided to our silent and live auctions items:

Ace Hardware, Applebee’s Restaurant, Antiques on Reid Ave, Amy Walton (Scentsy), Bay Breeze Antiques, Beachwalk Resorts, Blue Water Outriggers, Bob Evans, Bo Knows, Bow Wow Beach Shop, Bobbe Johnson, Cathey’s Ace Hardware, Centennial Bank, Coconut Creek Family Park, Coneheads, Christina Adams-Volpe, Capital City Bank, A Design by Dorann, Dillard's, David Ashbrook, Mrs. Debbie, Dixie Hester, Daphne Howington, Fishhouse Restaurant, Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative, Gulf Food, Haughty Heron, Holly Atkins, Indian Pass Raw Bar, Josesph's Cottage, Judi McNeil, Jeannie Davis, Kelly Rene's Hair/Day Studio, Leanna Knapp, Leslie Wentzell, Lorinda Gingell, McDonalds, Mango Marley's, MainStay Suites, Melody Meschino, Mary Baird, No Name Café, Newk's Bistro, Piggly Wiggly, Portside Trading Company, Port Saint Joe Mariana, Pat Van West, Port Inn, Penny Weining, Radio Shack, Rock It Lanes, Ronnie B's, Regina Washabaugh, Salon Lux, Sharon's Café, Seashore Water Safaris, Sacred Heart Hospital, Seagrass Gallery, Sassy Nails, The Grove, Tammy Croft, Toucan's Restaurant Bar and Grill, The Antique Cottage, Zoo World, Sunglass Hut P.C Mall.

Thank you to the following merchants who donated and provided the food: Bailey’s Crab House for the She Crab Soup, Provisions for the Pasta Salad and Shell Shack for all of our Shrimp.

We would like give a special thank you to First Presbyterian Church who allowed us to use their facility for all necessary needs. We would like to recognize First Baptist Church who allowed us to borrow 120 chairs for the event and to the First United Methodist of Mexico Beach and Highland View Church of God for providing us with extra tables. Without any of them, this event would not have been possible.

We would also like to recognize the Senior Citizen and Community Center who allowed us to use their venue. It was absolutely perfect and we are very thankful.

In our final sincere appreciation, we would like to recognize Kelly Faircloth, Department of Juvenile Justice for providing his youth to help with several aspects of service. They were absolutely amazing and provided an intricate part to the success of our event.

Our purpose of the event was to raise local awareness of our services; and to raise funds to support and assist victims of domestic violence in Gulf County. The support was absolutely priceless.

Lindsey McCrary

Gulf County Domestic Violence Task Force

This will be a weekend of barbecues, family and good times.

For some it will mean an extra day in bed, at the beach, in front of the television.

According to forecasters, the weather outside will be delightful, with a small chance of rain and plenty o’ sunshine.

The beaches are inviting, the water intoxicating, with plenty to keep everybody busy.

Amid the hustle and bustle is time to pause to remember, to consider the price that was paid and continues to be paid for those bounty of choices.

From Lexington and Concord to Anbar Province, from the Chosin Reservoir to the Ardennes Forest, from Hamburger Hill to Hu Province, the price in American blood and lives is what affords us the ability to enjoy a “holiday” because it has surely been no holiday for the men and women of uniform.

Who have answered a call that some can’t imagine answering, who have suffered injuries many of us could not possibly comprehend, who have sacrificed beyond the pale, beyond what many of us could fathom.

We read, watch and hear their stories of battles in foreign lands, but we don’t, we can’t, fully appreciate the experience, the mind-set, the motivation required to defend your country, to sacrifice all for your fellow American, fellow man.

You can’t know until you have walked in their boots.

The price paid by men and women, who have fought and been seriously hurt – while many of their comrades have died – to provide the backbone to basic rights we enjoy, rights that seem under attack, the right to free speech, freedom to worship where we choose, a free press.

Memorial Day’s meaning was driven home to me since I came to Port St. Joe, one of the first stories I wrote for The Star, about the death of Christopher Blaschum, a Lieutenant Commander and Navy pilot who died while on training exercises in the Mediterranean.

He was a graduate of Port St. Joe High School who was known for his infectious laugh, out-sized personality and among the first of what has become the thousands of those who died in the wars that followed 9/11.

His funeral was in large part a celebration of his life and mourning of his passing, but also a heart-rending testament to the sacrifices of the soldier. Once the uniform is donned, soldier cuts to the front of the line from adjectives such as son, father, husband, wife, sister, brother and mother.

The uniform wipes it all away.

Over the years, I have also had the honor of writing about Major Buck Watford, who has spent four years since 9/11 in service to his country, leaving behind a wife and two, at the time, small children, because that is what you do when you sign up to serve in uniform.

The following “Motivational Analysis” was written by Lt. Colonel Richard T. Tallman and is contained within the file of Clifford S. Sims’ Congressional Medal of Honor file. Sims was awarded the Medal of Honor after throwing himself on a grenade to save his men in a far-off province in Vietnam.

He is the only man from Gulf County so awarded and if it does not capture what we should remember this weekend it is hard to know what would.

“Staff Sergeant Sims was not a man to act rashly; he made decisions with the firm belief that he was right, and he made them without counting the cost to himself. He was intensely loyal to his men, and never put his own interests above theirs. Just five days before he died he was assigned the task of securing an LZ during heavy fighting. He assured that his men were properly positioned and behind suitable cover. And he made certain that the wounded were expeditiously evacuated. Yet he never considered cover for himself during a full six hour period during which he was under a harassing sniper fire. His devotion was to his duty and to his men. And so I believe, as he never acted otherwise that I was aware of, did he consider the safety of his men on 21 February, fully aware of the sacrifice he was making, yet more poignantly concerned for the fate of his men were he to choose any other course. In simple fact, Staff Sergeant Sims knowingly and willingly laid down his life so that his comrades might live.”

Even having read that passage dozens of times, having read the testimony that was submitted recommending Sims – this man who rose from an impoverished, segregated life to marry, have a child and go off to war and not return due to his sense of honor and duty – for the Medal of Honor, trying to understand his sacrifice under fire still clutches the throat.

And particularly in this day and age when too much of what we read, hear and experience derives from the impacts of men and women, at home and throughout the country, who carry with them a false sense of entitlement, that life owes them, that their community owes them.

Sims’ life and his sense of patriotism and courage shames them all and is a lesson all youngsters should be taught and understand, as some will walk the stage for graduation this weekend.

An this Memorial Day we pledge to have a fine time, spend the extra hour in bed if able, go to the beach, have a meal out, but do so remembering that for more than 200 years and counting men and women have paid a price for this holiday in blood.

That such men and women have existed through the years is sufficient to remember; that they continue to walk among us is reason for celebratory awe.