In Case You Missed It – things I pulled from today’s Treasure Coast Newspapers to share with whomever might need to know:
1. Per FL Gov. DeSantis, K-12 schools will remain closed until April 15. There will be “per school” homework for students to do at home during that time, other than their spring break period.
2. Bars and Clubs in FL ordered closed for next 30 days, started on Tuesday March 17 at 5pm. Restaurants are to cut their crowd capacity in half. Some restaurants are closing with the exception of take out and drive thru. Just found out Macy’s and JCPenney closing their stores due to the virus. There are others, so check online or call before going on any shopping trip.
3. Many sports are cancelling events until further notice. It is now expected that Kentucky Derby might have to push its May 24 date back and that the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will be rescheduled for 2021. Stay tuned to see if that happens.
4. Gil Smart’s column in today’s paper talks about working people and that “40 per cent of our population is not equipped to handle an unexpected monthly expense”. Curfews are happening, businesses are shutting down, and the “C” virus as I (not Gil) call it, for short, will ultimately wind down. The devastation and effect on our generations, however, may last a long time. Gestures to help others are greatly appreciated, (I am adding, as long as they are doing it in a safe, secure way). He ends with “make a point to lend a hand”.
Right now, we are to limit ourselves to gatherings of 10 people or less. Some churches are suggesting a small in-home Bible study group to keep socializing and positivity going. There are positive things happening – read through the rest of my list.
5. Treasure Coast Food Bank is now serving more schools who are doing box lunches for pickup to help students usually fed at schools during this down time. A new grant from the USDA applied for a year ago will allow them to expand healthy-living initiatives and feed more people. This also allows them to help local farmers, buying fresh produce direct for distribution. Treasure Coast Food Bank is part of the Stop Hunger.org initiative and Feeding America.org as well. They are located at 401 Angle Road in Fort Pierce and their phone # is (772) 489-3034.
6. Tom Brady to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers! Even if on the other side of the state, it will give FL sports a shot in the arm, so to speak, right?
7. “TCPalm is dedicated to readers amid the coronavirus.” COVID-19 content provided free to all as a public service to the Treasure Coast Community. Here’s a quick summation of what they say:
A. Download the TCPalm app and activate the news push alerts to get up-to-the minute breaking news on your smartphone.
B. Sign up for USA TODAY coronavirus new3sletter and newly created Florida-specific one. www.usatoday.com/news/coronavirus/. Also www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local
C. Follow TCPalm on social media. On their Facebook page, they have a Treasure Coast coronavirus group for sharing.
8. Piper Aircraft is accepting apprenticeship applications for its 2020 program, in connection with IRSC. Set to begin in late July. Go to www.piper.com/careers for applications.
9. In the Your News, Hobe Sound Bible College is celebrating its 60th year! They had a gathering of 300 alumni and friends at their Homecoing. For info, www.hsbc.edu or (772) 546-5534.
Friends, neighbors and families, this is just something I am putting together as a hopeful help to pass along to others who might have missed some news, and to keep some from being lonely – passing along things like this help others keep active and involved. In this small way, since I get the newspaper and many don’t, some news may help others they would not otherwise get.
While I am doing this on my own time, and since my passions have to do with hearing loss and helping others, I must mention that I pray everyone retains the hearing level they have now, without losing more, by (1) avoiding noise, the #1 cause of hearing loss; (2) check their OTC and Rx drugs for side effects that affect hearing (many do) (3) check any chemicals, solvents, etc. they are around or use (smoke, fumes, powder, dust, chemicals involved with printing, painting, boat and aircraft building, construction, glue manufacturing, metal products, petroleum, leather products, furniture making, agricultural chemicals and mining). Also, some public safety officers, like firefighters, are exposed to both noise and chemicals including smoke.
In addition to keeping safe from virus of any kind, please consider saving your ears and eyes from damage that will change your life. The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA for short) (non-profit, unbiased 501 c 3 organization) website, www.hearingloss.org has webinars that include “Are You Ready? Emergency Preparedness for People with Hearing Loss”, and others, including about tinnitus, coping and purchasing a hearing aid (they have a handout for that, as well). All free. Consider checking these out. The Treasure Coast Chapter of HLAA meets (during normal times and during the season) on the first Saturday of the month at 10:30 am in the History Room, Indian River County Library. Speaker available for your organization about hearing loss. Contact me, if interested.
I am working on a low-cost Practical Lip Reading 101 DVD, but in the meantime, working on a way to send out lip reading lessons via email to those interested. If you are interested, please contact me at the email below.
In addition, the Fort Pierce Lions Club collects unwanted hearing aids and eyeglasses to recycle to those in need and does referrals to help those who can’t afford hearing aids or eyeglasses or eye procedures. They meet the first Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm (during normal times) at the Second Street Bistro in downtown Fort Pierce. Come and see the amazing things this club is doing for your community! For a free, emailed copy of the latest club newsletter, email me.
If you are in need of prayers or references in time of need, (I have a folder plus other materials on hand always), either I or someone from my church will add you without any obligation, let me know. We won’t put you on any list unless you want to be added. We are a small church but very community-minded and understanding. For questions about any of this, clnolte@msn.com. PLEASE do NOT send me a solicitation!
To God be the glory,
Cheryl L. Nolte