Cabbage Patch Kid We Insure Doctor’s Inlet students get a HOMES lesson in farming. See Page 12 Jane DiLoreto Agency 215-2121 3701193-01 THURSDAY, JUNE 7, 2012 WWW.CLAYTODAYONLINE.COM VOLUME 42, NO. 23 75¢75 COUPON SAVINGS $AVE $ WITH82 COUPONS INSIDE THIS ISSUE NEWS FOCUS STAFF PHOTO BY STEPHEN KINDLAND Oakleaf High School graduates ip their tassels -- a rite of passage from student to graduate -- during the school’s inaugural commencement held on Friday, June 1. See more coverage of Clay County high school graduations inside. Fair captures 10th OHS dubs its fi rst straight Blue Ribbon SWIMMERS COMPETE Special to Clay Today See results of local GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Clay County Agricul- swim meet Pg. 17. group of Knights tural Fair is continuing its winning streak as a Blue Ribbon Fair. By Stephen Kindland writing the school’s alma mater and es- Four the 10th straight year, the Florida Federa- Staff writer tablishing traditions that forever will be tion of Fairs has recognized the annual fair after a ORANGE PARK – Two years ago, when their legacy. rigorous judging process. The Blue Ribbon Fair Merit more than 300 rising juniors transferred “They pulled together,” Vice Principal Program is designed to evaluate and reward fairs that from three rival high schools to attend Michelle Daly said. “They came through adhere to best practices for the industry. newly opened Oakleaf High, most of them with shining colors. They made [the The fair, which competed in the division for expected a dif cult transition. school] what it is.” fairs drawing 75,000 to 300,000 visitors, also re- But even school administrators were That cohesiveness was apparent ceived eight other awards at the state convention NATIONAL AWARD surprised at how quickly members of the on Friday, June 1, when 330 Oakleaf held earlier this month in St. Augustine. They are: Clay native wins NASA Class of 2012 put their differences aside, award. Pg. 11. focusing instead on making new friends, SEE KNIGHTS, 8 SEE FAIR, 14 The best deals! INSERTS •New Vehicles CHMABER IN MOTION •Pre-Owned •Service NEWS AMERICA COUPONS •Body Shop ZACH’S 272-2200 • 1166 BLANDING BLVD. 2 CLAY TODAY • JUNE 7, 2012 COMMUNITY CLAYTODAYONLINE.COM Remove fronds from newly planted cabbage palms Q:I just had a palm tree planted we can move palms and the installer cut off all the fronds with very small except the one in the very center. He root balls. said this is best for my tree. Is this In the case of true? woody plants, this R: The research which supports what is not the case and he/she has done came out of South Florida the roots remaining a few years ago and applies to our area. Seasonal concerns will still function The study on palm survival revealed that from gardeners as roots while they removing all the fronds on cabbage palms start growing more gave the palm a chance to grow new roots RAY H. ZERBA JR. roots from the cut Horticulture Agent IV, while it had no foliage to demand water Emeritus UF.IFAS Extension tips. The presence uptake, and thus was under less stress. Clay County (Retired) of foliage on them Survival rates were signi cantly higher in encourages more palms that were handled in this way. The rapid root formation. Unlike palms there- old practice of tying the fronds up so they fore, we want to keep as much foliage as look like a feather duster is rarely done by possible on woody plants after a transplant professional landscape installers anymore. and simply give them the additional water Properly bracing newly planted cabbage palms is critical to getting the plants to grow and In 3-4 months, new fronds should be push- they need to establish, because they do to keep them secure. ing their way out of the crown and the palm have the roots present to take it up. should start to look much better, if it sur- Because of its much reduced root sys- a palm. To properly brace it cut two foot plant question for you? Go online to http:// vived the transplant. On average, one out tem following a transplant, one important pieces of 2X4s, wrap them in cloth and se- clay.ifas.u .edu and under the heading of four do not survive transplanting since it practice to follow for a palm is to securely cure them to the trunk in a circle by band- “Horticulture” (left hand side of page) left is a very stressful thing in itself. stake it so it is not able to “wobble” in the ing them in place so that the nished job click on “Ask a Master Gardener” and a While we may cut off all the foliage on wind ripping those new roots as they form. resembles the “staves” of a wine barrel. reply will be sent plus a hyperlink to the the cabbage palm so it demands less water Because palms are so heavy, we have to Locate these high enough on the trunk so appropriate University of Florida Fact after a transplant, we do not do any cutting use stout 2X4s to do this staking – but do that the 2X4 lengths (that will be nailed Sheets. Please send us a digital picture back on woody plants following a trans- it properly. into them) will make a 30-45 degree angle of the problem. To speak to someone by plant. The reason is with cabbage palms, Unlike trees which grow a new ring of to the trunk. These supporting stakes are phone, call 269-6355. To read past articles once roots are cut, that plant has to grow bark each year and thus heal over wounds; left in place for at least a year, keeping the that might help you with seasonal prob- all new roots beginning back at the trunk, palms do not do that and so any injury to trunk immobile while the palm grows new lems, and to learn about upcoming Exten- so it really does have a problem taking up their trunk is permanent. For this reason roots. sion Programming in our area explore that water if fronds are left on it. This is why we should not drive nails into the trunk of Want someone to answer a speci c website further. Community Briefs Councils seeking elder advocates ORANGE PARK -- Florida’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is seeking vol- unteers to serve as advocates for residents in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult family care homes. The program’s local councils, including Clay County, are seeking additional volun- teers to identify, investigate and resolve residents’ concerns. Special training and certi cation is provided. Call Michael Milliken, head of the Clay County council, at (904) 391-3942. Those interested can also call toll-free 1-888- 831-0404 or go online to the program’s SPECIAL TO CLAY TODAY website at http://ombudsman.my orida. com for more information. Firefi ghter I graduates Nineteen graduates of Clay County Fire Rescue “Fire ghter I” training program recently celebrated with a graduation ceremony. The four- Sharps containers sites listed month course consisted of 214 hours of overall training, both in the classroom and in various hands-on re ground scenarios. Instructors GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Clay provided direction to the participants in re behavior, suppression techniques, safety, ropes, building construction, hazardous materials County Health Department is reminding response and the use of re ghting tools. From left are: Front row, Casey Smith, Kayla Losco, Cody Durbin, Jonathan Byrne, Louisa Pletz, residents using sharps containers with Teresa Bar eld, Jason Gomez and Wesley Parker; and back row, Travis Douglas, Tracy Knott, George Hildebrand III, Benito Rodriguez, Bryan Fernandez, Zack Sweat, Keith Watson, Eric Nuensinger, Volunteer Coordinator Richard Darby, Idania Diaz, Battalion Chief Scott Baltes, Mat- SEE COMMUNITY, 16 thew Brinley, Deputy Chief Richard Knoff. Not pictured : Chris Knoff POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Clay Today, Clay Today is published weekly on Thursday CLAY TODAY STAFF 3513 U.S. Hwy 17, Fleming Island, FL U.S.P.S. 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It’ll die when [other council members] see Staff writer pier or observation deck over the St. Johns “Economic times are difficultthe costs.” ORANGE PARK – Town council members River. right now,” Meeks said. “We have to Also on Tuesday, the council: are considering whether to proceed with Mayor Gary Meeks said the proposed be good stewards for our money.” • Agreed to spend $26,465 to build a plans to redevelop the three easternmost project could be the start of a theme for Councilman Jim “J.B.” Renninger, who cast 5-foot wide sidewalk on the west side of blocks of Kingsley Avenue that town offi- future construction that would give Orange the lone dissenting vote, was less optimis- Orange Avenue, from Chablis Court north cials say would serve as a much needed Park an identity that has been lacking.