05-29-2014.Pdf

We Insure HOMES Congratulations Jane DiLoreto Graduates Agency 215-2121 3701193-01 THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014 WWW.CLAYTODAYONLINE.COM VOLUME 47, NO. 22 75¢ Clay Transit Big League Dreams dead seeks BCC assist By Pete Geiger By Debra W. Buehn Correspondent Middleburg may be dead, but the idea of hope we can push forward.” Correspondent baseball diamonds for Clay County is not. Davis was a prime advocate of the ORANGE PARK – After ve years a “Most people who opposed the plan scheme to spend up to $19 million in GREEN COVE SPRINGS – With medical dreaming, scheming and arm-twisting, were against Big League Dreams, not county taxpayer money to build ve ball transportation needs for many seriously ill the Big League Dreams plan for a sports to the ball parks,” said County Commis- elds and a soccer arena on 35 acres Clay residents in jeopardy, the Clay County complex off Branan Field Road north of sioner Wendell Davis in an interview. “We Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday to SEE DREAM, 19 support the efforts of the county’s Council on Aging to request funding for the trans- Memorial Day 2014: Honoring the fallen portation needs be returned to a more “reasonable” level. County commissioners voted 5-0 on May 27 to support a resolution from the Council on Aging of Clay County, which SEE TRANSIT, 16 Animal shelter in nationwide competition By Mike Ford Correspondent PENNEY FARMS – While proclaiming “Fur- ry Tails Are Coming True,” Clay County Ani- mal Care and Control will spend its summer competing in the 2014 ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge. The national competition consists of 10 like-sized shelters in ve divisions based O cials from the Town of Orange Park held a moving tribute to honor the service men and women who died defending freedom during the on the number of pets taken in through May 26 Memorial Day celebration at Magnolia Cemetery. See story and more photos from around Clay County beginning on Page 6. SEE SHELTER, 2 The best deals! •New Vehicles •Pre-Owned •Service & Body Shop SAVE $125 INSERTS CLAY COUNTY TAX ROLLS HOME DEPOT gordonchevy.com • 1166 BLANDING BLVD. NEW AMERICA COUPONS CAREGIVERS GUIDE GEICO 2 CLAY TODAY • May 29, 2014 COMMUNITY CLAYTODAYONLINE.COM by Clay County Mary Jo McTammany [email protected] Memories [email protected] Vietnam extinguished Middleburg star arry B. Jenkins, called L.B. by most towed the line. Suddenly those arms pulled in tight folks, was born into the warm cocoon L.B. was always tall for his age and to his body then that leg cocked up. The Lof Middleburg’s black community in when he reached adolescence he really batter saw only a blur when L.B. ung the summer of 1947, the fth of seven chil- stretched out and was soon towering over that fastball like a rocket. Most batters dren of Barney and Lula Belle Jenkins. older kids. He carried his height well and it were relieved to hear that ball thump in His parents were something special – seemed in keeping with his advanced ma- the catcher’s mitt and the umpire shout hard workers and generous of spirit. Bar- turity. As he had witnessed in the commu- “you’re out.” ney worked a rigorous and demanding job nity, he began more and more looking out L.B. early had a deep and abiding fond- at Florida Soap in Doctors Inlet. for the littler ones. ness for cars. While he was still in high Come quitting time, a bath and fresh L.B. was fun too. Long lazy summer- school he bought and paid for his own car. clothes were his rst priority. Then, he time days and after school, the neighbor- It was a little red and white Ford, which he was available to his family and neighbors. hood kids of all ages gathered in the Jen- souped-up to perfection buying the parts a Many folks without transportation relied kins’ yard to burn a little daylight under little at a time. on Barney for trips to the doctor, church the shade tree shooting marbles or play- Weekends he and his likewise infatu- and store. ing baseball. His easy smile and rumbling ated buddies raced on a track across the Lula Belle cooked at Moosehaven. It laugh were a comfort. The younger boys river in Switzerland. The older ladies loved was a known fact in those days that the would go after him in a pack laughing with to have L.B. drive them on their little er- Moose only hired the best cooks in Clay joy as he play wrestled them to the ground. rands. County. He was a gentle giant. After high school graduation, L.B. L.B.’s momma was also known for her Like all the children L.B. went to school worked for about a year at Burlington praying. Friends say her life was a con- in the one-room Black elementary school Hosiery Mill in Green Cove Springs then tinual conversation with God every waking in Middleburg then attended Dunbar High joined the Army and went to Vietnam in hour not just in church and at bedtime. Ev- in Green Cove Springs. L.B. was a baseball 1967. Barely 21, on April 9, 1968, Larry ery Sunday the whole family was in church player, a pitcher and he was good at what Jenkins was killed in action. Like a shoot- L.B. Jenkins was born and raised in at St. Mark Baptist. he did. He would stand out on that mound ing star his life burned bright but brief. Middleburg by a family and a community Barney and Lula Belle were good to the looking all loose and gangly with those long Wrapped in their grief, the Middleburg that taught by example the lessons of faith, bone but they were also realistic and made skinny arms and legs. He would ash the community and his Army comrades laid the caring and responsibility. sure that their house full of youngsters batter that little grin and start the wind up. noble warrior to rest in Grant Cemetery. number. ior and it frees up space at the shelter,” June 1 and August 31,” she said. “We are focusing on foster homes. Right Broadhurst said. The second event of the competition is Shelter now, it’s kitten season and we need to free In addition to the early release program Simba’s Kitten Shower from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. from page 1 up space in the shelter. So, we need foster of foster care, the shelter also conducts a June 14 at the Fleming Island Adoption homes that kittens can stay in until they program of temporary freedom for the dogs Center on Town Center Blvd. a 12-month period. The grand prize is are old enough to be adopted,” said Jenni- it shelters. “Our kitten shower is like a baby show- $100,000 and there are smaller grants to- fer Broadhurst, DVM, CCACC director. “The Bow Wow Breakfast Club gives er, but for kittens. It will be Lion King- taling $600,000 to be awarded along the Unfortunately, Clay County Animal Care volunteers the opportunity to take a dog themed and is a way to get people to think way. The Clay shelter will kick off a sum- and Control’s shelter is not a no-kill facil- out for the day – to the park or out to lunch about adopting kittens,” Broadhurst said. mer lled with events which those of the ity. Broadhurst took the director’s chair at – to get away from the shelter because There will be a Little Mermaid’s Beach American Society for the Prevention of the beginning of this year and is hoping to they become more adoptable that way. Party on June 21 and Alice’s Mad Tea Par- Cruelty to Animals will look at. There are implement a no-kill policy, but steps have Some of our volunteers will even take a dog ty will take place on the 28th. Events in several events geared toward increasing to be taken to make that feasible. She said to someone’s home to meet each other that July and August include Sleeping Beauty’s pet adoption and the shelter’s relationship that last year during kitten season, many way instead of doing it at the shelter,” she Pajama Party, Snow White and the Seven with the community, as the ASPCA looks little ones were euthanized, so setting up said. A slate of events has been scheduled (70) Dogs, Nemo’s Dog Wash and Vendor at those programs to the end of saving at an of cial foster care network is vital to for the summer as the competition runs Fair and more. least 300 more four-legged lives. caring for dogs and cats the way any hu- from June 1 to Aug. 31. The rst is “Before Broadhurst said the shelter keeps its The shelter took in nearly 4,000 ani- man would want to be cared for. the Clock Strikes Midnight” from 12 p.m.- website updated for volunteers and other mals last year and is in the process of cre- Alongside foster care is a new two- 6 p.m. on the rst day of the competition. interested residents to stay connected ating a foster care network so the shelter week-old program, which seeks to spring It will take place at the main shelter and with the organization’s efforts to save pets’ can focus on preparing dogs and cats for dogs loose as though they were certain will include food, activities for children and lives.

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