Good News: Community rallies around yellow ribbons along Mandarin Road's stately oaks
Not only did she tie a yellow ribbon around an old oak tree, but Melissa Abbink wrapped them around pines, palms, poplars, bushes and mailboxes.
Her goal was to put ribbons on 162 trees on Mandarin Road in honor of the 162 soldiers in her son's Army unit who are being deployed to Afghanistan for a year.
"We wanted to show a small token of our support and let them know they will not be forgotten," she said.
Abbink far surpassed her goal. She and a small group of volunteers wrapped almost 300 trees and other objects.
Most were on scenic Mandarin Road, known for its stately centuries-old, moss-draped oaks. But some were on other streets.
Abbink said she was pleased with the cooperation she got from the city, residents, churches, organizations and businesses.
The trees were festooned in late April so Anthony Abbink got to help his mother tie the ribbons and said he appreciated the community support.
Abbink bought more than 2,300 yards of ribbon and has a few spools left.
She got $170 in donations from clients and her insurance company while she chipped in $100.
Here's more good news:
- Westside resident Cliff Newton is trumpeting a reunion - literally. Newton, who retired from the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra after being principal trumpeter for 32 years, is reuniting with conductor Joseph Kreines, his high school piano accompanist, for a free concert.
The pair will reprise a work from the "Concertino" by Vidal, which they first performed 46 years ago.
The concert is at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 22, at the Northeast Florida Conservatory, 11363 San Jose Blvd.
"He helped me get a scholarship for college and later coached me on proper performance of orchestral music." Newton said.
Now Newton is following Kreines' example, by mentoring other musicians. He will be joined by one of his youngest students - Ben Barton, age 11.
"Ben had been attending concerts I performed for several years and decided he wanted to learn to play the trumpet," Newton said.
- More than 150 Comcast employees, their families and friends recently improved Children's Home Society of Florida as part of "Comcast Cares Day."
They did projects throughout the 14-acre facility, including tree trimming, adding new shelving to the storage building, organizing donated items and planting shrubs, flowers and other plants.
It was part of a nationwide annual day of service involving more than 62,000 Comcast volunteers.
- The Sulzbacher Center recently hosted its annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon to recognize the 7,249 people who volunteered at the shelter last year.
They donated 23,781 hours.
Almost every program at the Sulzbacher Center is supported in some way by volunteers, a news release said.
Dorothy Flack, who coordinates a Bank of America tutoring program at the center, received the E.L. Toney Volunteer of the Year award.
Friends With a Purpose, a group started by Gail Wickenden to give people with developmental disabilities volunteer opportunities, also received special recognition.
- The Salvation Army of Northeast Florida has deployed two mobile canteens and a team of volunteers and staff to assist in tornado relief efforts in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Staff and volunteers from The Salvation Army Orlando Area Command are manning the St. Augustine canteen, which traveled to Birmingham, Ala., to assist victims.
Deployments are typically 14 days, a news release said.
- The Edith Brown Ford Community Center at 2839 W. Beaver St. has been spruced up.
Renovations include restored terrazzo floors, a new coat of paint, new interior lighting, addition of a computer lab with homework area and remodeled kitchen, restrooms and office space.
Councilman Warren Jones and JaxParks recently hosted a rededication ceremony to highlight the new look.
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