By VERNA BROCK
I want to report that Hidalgo, the Galicenos horse, continues to recover in Gainesville. Despite the devastating nature of his injury, his progress is encouraging. Your prayers are much appreciated.
I was delighted to serve as the time keeper for the Shadeville Elementary School Brain Brawl last week. Sponsored by the Coastal Optimist Club, this annual event is held at each of the Elementary and Middle Schools.Believe me when I tell you, fifth graders are pretty darn smart! It is always so much fun to participate, as well as a learning experience.
JoAnn Daniels, Jan Holtman and I joined school sponsor Ms. McCord in the running of the competition, and the students did a masterful job of answering questions while under the gun of a stopwatch. Both teams shone, with the lead traded back and forth, right up to the finish line.
Team A finally prevailed, with Miles McClure scoring the most points during the contest. His teammates, Kate Weaver, Maxx McCarty, Kadence Wilson and Mason Warner truly demonstrated the meaning of teamwork. Team B gave them stiff opposition, with Isabelle Scott, Parker Larson, Liam Helton, Tristan Childer, and Anabelle Stanley making the contest a heated race. Congratulations to each of these young contestants for a job well done, as well as to the teachers and parents who helped prepare them. Kudos all around!
I was really happy to see the showers over the weekend. We had a thunderstorm on Saturday afternoon, which naturally inspired all four of our dogs to seek refuge in Ed’s lap. Considering only one one of them is an actual lapdog, it made for an overflowing recliner.
Speaking of the Optimists, we were pleased to welcome Property Appraiser Ed Brimner as our guest speaker last week. Always a fount of information, Mr. Brimner answered our many questions concerning tax rolls, Homestead Exemptions, zoning and land use designations, and much more. I highly recommend you seek out him and his knowledgeable staff if you have any concerns about your property taxes.
At our next meeting (Thursday, Feb. 1st, at Myra Jean’s at noon) we will welcome Trevor Lilburn, the new editor of the Wakulla News. Please join us for lunch, and get to know Trevor better.
