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Mandarin Community Club PDF Print E-mail

Mandarin Community Club now 85 years old

 

The Mandarin Community Club (MCC) turned 85 this year. First formed as the Mandarin Liberty League during World War I, the group reorganized as the Mandarin Community Club in 1923. The first meeting held on July 9 of that year addressed two main problems: poor roads and the absence of electricity. There were 27 members at the first meeting. Nine more joined shortly after.

Things have changed a lot since then and indeed it is often hard to appreciate what our country and our community were like in 1923. Warren G. Harding was president, replaced by Vice President Calvin Coolidge upon his death in August. The average price of a car was $285 and a loaf of bread sold for nine cents. You could mail a letter for two cents. Mandarin was a small village where the post office/general store (corner Mandarin and Brady Roads) was the center of activity. The population of the entire township was below 1800 persons and there was no electricity in Mandarin outside of that provided by batteries or acetylene gas systems. Mandarin, Loretto and St. Augustine Roads and even State Road 13 (San Jose Boulevard) were all narrow, unpaved country roads. Jacksonville and the beaches were “a long ways away”.

But before we conclude everything was different in 1923, familiar buildings that existed then and now include the Old St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Loretto Elementary School, the Church of Our Savior, the Freedom Schoolhouse (now home of the Mandarin Community Club) and the 1911 Mandarin Post Office and General Store.

Throughout its 85-year history, the Mandarin Community Club has played an active part in issues related to the Mandarin community. It has served social and educational roles as well. The number of members has grown considerably since 1923 but more are always welcome and vital to the continued success and life of the Club.

Current members and the public alike are invited to experience and enjoy what the MCC is like in 2008 by attending two events planned for the upcoming months: the Billard Commemorative Park Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, November 8 and the second Annual “Trolley Tour of Lights” through Mandarin scheduled for Sunday evening, December 14. For further information on these events or the Mandarin Community Club in general, please visit www.mandarincommunityclub.org or contact the MCC at 268-1622.

More on the history of Mandarin can be found in Mandarin on the St. Johns by Mary B. Graff. Copies are available through the Mandarin Community as well as local book stores.

 
Mandarin Holiday Trolley PDF Print E-mail

Holiday Trolley a special Mandarin treat

 

On Sunday evening, December 14 as the sun begins to set, enthusiastic neighbors, friends and visitors will gather in anticipation of the evening’s events at the Mandarin Community Center. While enjoying refreshments, the delicious cakes, pies and cookies of the bake sale will be eyed over – for just which luscious treat will be taken home? Santa will be on hand to visit and make himself available for a picture or two. This evening is a perfect even to treat the younger members of the family too.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Here it comes! All decked out for the holidays. Our transportation for the night’s even has arrived. Yes, it is the Holiday Trolley. It is here to take us on a ride through Mandarin’s neighborhoods, displaying their beautiful decorations and lights of the holiday season. Glowing luminaries will be lining many a route that will be taken that evening.

The Holiday Trolley will tour neighborhoods along Loretto Road, Mandarin Road and Brady Road. Neighbors and neighborhood associations along the route enthusiastically participate by turning out some very special and festive holiday spirit.

This annual even has become one of the Mandarin Community Club’s most looked-forward-to activities.

Club President Susie Scott says, “The whole community revels in the holiday spirit at this event.”

Last year the participation of the neighborhoods in presenting holiday spirit throughout Mandarin was spectacular.

Scott added, “Last year we were astounded at the number of people who joined us in this event. Hundreds came to take in the tour and enjoy the holiday spirit.”

All Mandarin neighbors and neighborhoods are invited to get into the spirit. Local businesses and organizations are welcome to participate by sponsoring the Holiday Trolleys. Donations are always welcomed to help support the event.

To learn more how you may become involved give a call to the Club at 268-1622.

Now, don’t be surprised that during your tour aboard the Holiday Trolley that a little impromptu carol or two begins. Just sit back enjoy the lights and spirit. Maybe even join in!

 
Eighteen Duval County Public Schools named Five Star Schools PDF Print E-mail

Eighteen Duval County Public Schools named Five Star Schools

 

The Florida Department of Education recently announced that 18 Duval County Public Schools were named 2007-2008 Five Star Schools. This symbol of achievement was created by the Commissioner’s Community Involvement Council and is presented annually to those schools that have shown evidence of exemplary community involvement. This designation is the highest award for community participation.

In order to earn Five Star school recognition, a school must have earned a grade of “C” or above for the 2007-2008 school year and must show documentation that is has achieved 100 percent of the established criteria in the categories of business partnerships, family involvement, volunteerism, student community service and School Advisory Councils.

“This is a great achievement for our schools,” said Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals. “The Five Star School Award is the highest award for community involvement that is bestowed by the Florida Department of Education.”

Mandarin area schools that received recognition are Crown Point Elementary, Greenland Pines Elementary, Loretto Elementary, Twin Lakes Academy and Mandarin High School.

 
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Newsflash 4 PDF Print E-mail
Yesterday all servers in the U.S. went out on strike in a bid to get more RAM and better CPUs. A spokes person said that the need for better RAM was due to some fool increasing the front-side bus speed. In future, buses will be told to slow down in residential motherboards.
 
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