State EOC helps deluged residents

Hi Y’all, we are sadly awaiting the outcome of another hurricane hurting us and our neighbors. Our part of Florida was fortunate while our neighbors further south were devastated and who would have thought that the north of us would be destroyed in some cases? My thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost so much. Thank you to our community for coming forward and helping where they can. Many organizations have contributed along with our Franklin County Sheriff’s Department.

In our little area of Lanark, we have an additional issue with some of our neighbors who flood without any hurricanes. Last week they got some relief after county officials and the residents went to the state. After many days of pumping with heavy-duty pumps that the flooded residents rented, and with the St. James Lanark Fire Department’s assistance, some of this water was removed. The state emergency management office stepped in and began pumping. The largest hole is still being pumped. 

As of Friday, the water was almost pumped out, but in less than 24 hours it was filling back up again. Hopefully, these residents will get some permanent help. This is not in a specified “flood plain.” The workers who are doing the pumping will be staying, considering Hurricane Milton.

I will enlighten you on the upcoming events in case we don’t have electricity and/or internet. 

The Lanark Village Association members’ meeting will be Monday, Oct. 7 at 6:30 p.m. in Chillas Hall. Please plan to come to find out what is going on and to be advised of the elections at the December meeting.

The regularly scheduled Lanark Village Golf Club Meeting is canceled for Oct. 10. It will be Thursday, Oct. 17 at 5 p.m. ET at the boat club.

There will be the Fresh Market at the Lanark Village Boat Club, 2364 Highway 98, this Saturday, Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., held indoors.

The boat club will have its regularly scheduled board/members’ meeting on Thursday, Oct. 17 at 6:30 p.m. Please be advised the board will conduct their business meeting before the members are included. On Saturday, Oct. 19 the boat club will have their monthly pancake breakfast, from 9 to 11 a.m 

The American Legion will have its Oktoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 19. One week later, on Oct. 26, they will have its “Scaryoake” with times to be announced. Earlier that same day the golf club will sponsor a “Trick or Trunk” for the little ones off Heffernan Drive across from Chillas Hall, followed by a golf cart parade to the American Legion for “Scaryoake” and food. Wear your costumes for a fun-filled evening.

The Lanark Village Association will sponsor a civic meeting at Chillas Hall at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 21. Invited are our leaders of the community, who will offer information to let you know what is going on.

On Sunday, Oct. 27 at 1 p.m., the association will sponsor a covered dish to celebrate the unveiling of a mural painted by Joan Matey and Barbara Ryan to honor Lanark with a portrait of Lanark Village’s first queen, Gene Sewell, and all the organizations that make up what Lanark is today. The mural will be hung on the golf club’s garage wall facing Gene Sewell Park. More information to follow.

On Thursday, Oct. 31, Halloween Night, join us at Chillas Hall starting at 7 p.m. ‘till later for a fun night. Party with your costumes on (not mandatory), and bring a snack to share, and what you want to drink. There will be fun music, skits, dancing, and lots of fun. All adults are welcome, $5 at the door.

Love Lanark, and be safe through the coming days.

Pat Sewell Funderburk is the Times’ Lanark News columnist. Be sure to send news and society items about Lanark Village life to her at p.funderburk@yahoo.com.