The sary a20nniver YEARS Serving the St. Johns County Community MAY 2020 Volume 20 Issue 5 CreekLineA Florida NewsLine Publication page 13 page 18/19 page 3 Get to Know . page 14 Local OPEN businesses! BFF Best Furry Friend Kelly Brewer Puzzles Coronavirus pandemic Masks, masks and more masks gives Bartram Trail By Martie Thompson students an unexpected [email protected] interruption to school year In light of recent shortages of PPE (per- vetting and patent- sonal protective equipment) due to the ing this new design By Delaney Cantrell coronavirus pandemic, many local people [email protected] and while it cannot have heeded the call to sew masks of all be used in place of kinds at their homes. Some, like St. Johns the N95 mask yet, The coronavirus outbreak and its direct resident Jean Rolke and Shorty Robbins, studies are optimis- effects on people’s health have been district secretary for State Rep. Cyndi tic that it might be publicized all over the media recently, Stevenson, say it is the perfect activity to proven even more but its indirect effects haven’t been keep busy and be helpful during the stay effective. For now, Photos courtesy Shorty Robbins spotlighted as heavily. This worldwide at home order. Rolke is one of a Shorty Robbins sews masks in her tiny house pandemic has stolen the end of year group of volunteers celebrations for high school students “Everybody has their part to play to help who is making these everywhere, including Bartram Trail out,” Rolke said, “and this is mine.” masks from the specialized fabric and masks,” Robbins said. “I’m doing what High School students. returning her finished products — 68 so Rolke said she learned to sew in home ec I can for individuals in need, especially far — to the hospital. class in high school. Over the years, she in light of the recommendation to wear sewed some clothes for herself and chil- “I’ve learned a lot about masks,” Rolke face coverings when out in public. Some dren, but recently had gotten away from said. of the masks I have made have even been it as other activities occupied her time. custom sized.” Shorty Robbins also said she learned to “But when the information came out that sew in home ec class and said she has con- Robbins is using all donated materials, volunteers were needed to sew masks, I tinued sewing as a hobby her whole life. since in her tiny house she didn’t have a hopped on it,” Rolke said. Robbins lives in a tiny house and even stash of material to use — except for some built a sewing table in the precious little coveted flamingo material, which she says She currently sews most days of the week space she has. she has “sacrificed” for the cause. When Photo courtesy Brian Seaman for six to seven she began making the masks, she did Brian Seaman uses distance learning to complete his hours a day. Over She has been working some online research and found a pattern senior year. the approximately from home, serving with a tutorial for a mask she felt was the 150 volunteer most comfortable to wear. It calls for a Since the introduction of coronavirus State House District hours she has pipe cleaner across the nose for a snug fit to Florida, St. Johns County schools 17 constituents. In the logged, she has and hair elastics to hold the mask behind have moved their courses to online evenings, she looked sewn 230 masks. the ears. Her masks have a pocket in them instruction, providing a very different forward to catching up on some sewing for a coffee filter which provides addi- ending to the year for students. Rolke said she projects, but first tional protection, but Robbins is quick started out sewing to point out that her “My online distance learning experi- the cloth masks Some of the personal use masks that Shorty Robbins masks are intended ence has been iffy,” said Bartram Trail with elastics and has sewn. only for personal use. senior Brian Seaman. “The best part of then moved on to it is that I work on my own schedule the ones with ties that are more com- decided to make As friends and friends and decide how I’m going to use the fortable to wear. She has gotten some some cloth masks of friends, along day to my full potential. The most materials donated, especially the ¼ inch for her son, who is with members of the challenging part is staying focused and elastic that has been in short supply with asthmatic and lives tiny house commu- getting my work done.” so many people using it to make masks. in Orlando. Since he nity requested masks, She said several neighbors who had some Junior Kelli Moore agreed that it has works for Universal Robbins has tried to of the elastic tucked away with their sew- been a “trying experience.” Studios, she found oblige. She doesn’t ing notions donated it to her and another some Harry Potter Photo courtesy Jean Rolke accept payment for neighbor has helped her with some of the Equipment and supplies that Jean Rolke uses in her Coronavirus pandemic cont. on pg. 13 fabric in the store for her masks, but instead sewing. home to make surgical masks with the Halyard H600 asks people to donate his masks and some specialty fabric. to the GoFundMe While Rolke still sews these types of for his friends. Then, account of a fellow masks, she recently became aware of an other friends of her son who worked tiny house friend in Tennessee who has initiative by UF Health for a new design at Walt Disney World requested masks children with learning and health disabili- of surgical mask. She receives special ma- made with Star Wars materials and she obliged. Then she sewed masks for her ties and has been very adversely affected ECRWSS terial for these masks from the hospital; by the coronavirus situation. Jacksonville, FLJacksonville, Permit No. 1858 Permit US Postage Paid US mom, other friends … and it just took Presorted Standard it is called Halyard H600 and is used to wrap sterilized surgical equipment. It can off. “The tiny house community is all pulling be autoclaved for sterilization and reused. “I know that a lot of people are address- together, just like our local citizens,” Rob- Rolke said that UF is in the process of ing the very real needs of hospitals for bins said. “It is a great thing to see.” Frustrated with Homeschooling? Residential Customer Call today for a Free **************ECRWSSEDDM**** Diagnostic NOW 100% ONLINE! Assessment 904-230-2855 Florida NewsLine Florida 102 State Road 13, Suite 1, St. Johns, Florida 32259 TutoringClub.com Offer valid until 5/31/20 Page 2 | The CreekLine May 2020 Give your home GiveGiveDiscount your your home homethe protection the protection it deserves. itthe deserves.up protection to 30% itwith deserves. Drive Safe TM Your home is where you make Jim Register,* Agent & Save12058 San Jose! Blvd, Suite 302 some of your best memories, Jacksonville, FL 32223 Bus: 904-268-5522 and that’s worth protecting. www.jimregister.com I’m here to help. 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