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🌱 Patch AM: How Clearwater faith groups are turning America 250 into hands-on service

Spotted on the Clearwater calendar: Memorial Day Ceremony

Thursday May 21st Patch AM

Good morning Clearwater! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

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In today's newsletter:

  • How Clearwater faith groups are turning America 250 into hands-on service
  • Why one Clearwater salon owner ditched traditional insurance for a cheaper plan
  • Why a Clearwater pastor wants to reshape Southern Baptist leadership now

Also on today's calendar: Memorial Day Ceremony and 7 more events.

Today's riddle: Want to hear a joke about a broken pencil? 🤔 (Answer below!)


Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 89 and low of 77 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Friday: A t-storm around in the p.m., temps: high: 90, low: 77.
  • Saturday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 90 and low of 78 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Tampa Bay faith groups celebrate America 250 (tampabay28.com) — Clearwater faith groups are putting America 250 front and center, from patriotic music at Temple B’Nai Israel to weekly snack-bag packing at Lotz of Blessings for more than 220 local kids. Their efforts join a wider Tampa Bay tapestry of interfaith celebrations, food donations, and special prayer services, all emphasizing unity, service, and gratitude for religious freedom.    

2. Cheaper, alternative health plans are having a moment, but critics urge caution (cbsnews.com) — A Clearwater hair salon owner is highlighted as one of many Americans turning to cheaper, less-regulated health coverage as marketplace insurance premiums spike. His story, and others nationwide, shows how short-term plans and health-sharing ministries can cut monthly costs but may leave people exposed to big medical bills and fewer consumer protections, especially as Florida and other states loosen oversight.    

3. SBC Presidential Q&A with The Baptist Paper: Willy Rice (thebaptistpaper.org) — Clearwater residents may recognize Pastor Willy Rice of Calvary Baptist Church, who’s now in the spotlight as a candidate for Southern Baptist Convention president. In this Q&A, he explains why he believes the denomination needs renewed accountability, trust in local churches, and a sharper focus on global missions. His Clearwater-based leadership pipeline is highlighted as a model for developing new pastors and missionaries.    

4. Shocker baseball sneaks past FAU in first round of American Championship thanks to ninth inning heroics (thesunflower.com) — A major college baseball tournament game just played out at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, where Wichita State stunned Florida Atlantic with a two-run rally in the ninth inning. Late-game hits from Jacob Gutierrez and Jaden Gustafson turned a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 win, pushing the Shockers deeper into the American Athletic Conference championship bracket.    


📸 Around Clearwater

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Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Clearwater PatchAM possible:

  • Hank's Guitar Shop — (727) 228-0125
    Your Guitar’s Best Friend! Repairs - Setups - Used Guitars

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Keep Pinellas Beautiful Host World Oceans Day with Free Community Event, June 6 —Marsha De Sylva Strickhouser Read on Patch
  • Clearwater, Fla., industrial portfolio sells for $23.5 million —Ally Jandes Read on Patch
  • My grandchildren just found a sweet, adorable tabby cat on Hercules hanging out in the storm drain in front of Valencia Park, where the tennis courts are and basketball courts in the playground.
    Someone put a can of Vienna sausage and a little thing of water… I don’t know if that means it’s been hanging out there for a while or what? But it’s… (Nextdoor Weathersfield Dr/Allard Dr)
  • My friend found this dog a little while ago on Admiral in Dunedin.
    It’s near the Beall’s by 580. It has fleas so she’s not bringing it inside with her dog. She is calling rescues. But does anyone recognize this… (Nextdoor Weathersfield Dr/Allard Dr)
  • ClubCorp Corporation posted a job opening for Outside Services Attendant in Clearwater. Apply here.
  • Saint-Gobain S.A. posted a job opening for Compounding Operator - 3rd Shift in Clearwater. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Clearwater here.

Ok Clearwater! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Nevermind, it has no point. (Thank you Kristi B. for sending it in!)Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!


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