After arguably the wettest “rainy season” in recent memory, we have officially entered “dry season.” Did you notice that the swale at the front of our campus has finally dried out and was able to be cut? Once it cools down a few more degrees, we will experience “Chamber of Commerce” weather for the foreseeable future.
As I write my column this week, I reflect on the same week last year when Hurricane Sandy was making landfall in the northeast, changing the lives of those in her path forever. One year later, more than $1.4 billion in Individual Assistance has been provided to more than 182,000 survivors, and an additional $2.4 billion in low-interest disaster loans have been approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration. More than $7.9 billion in National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) payments have been made to policy holders, and FEMA has approved more than $3.2 billion to fund emergency work, debris removal, and repair and replacement of infrastructure.
Although it will not be installed prior to Veterans’ Day, did you know that we are working on the final piece of granite for the Veterans’ Memorial? In the grassy area immediately to the east of the flagpoles, we will erect a granite memorial in the shape of a hexagon recognizing the five branches of our military. We are currently in the design stages, but feel confident that the finished product will be an amazing testament to our military.
Thanks to a $14,000.00 donation from our illustrious Men’s Club, we are the proud owners of a Hearing Loop System in the church. The system was installed over the summer, so many of you may not be aware of its existence unless you read my column on our website while up north. By installing this loop system, we are one of only approximately 100 facilities offering this technology in the entire state of Florida. Thank you Men’s Club for your incredibly generous donation! Below, I have included some information that may be of interest to those of you with poor hearing.
Hearing Loop Installed
St. John the Evangelist has installed a Hearing Loop to assist those with hearing loss hear more clearly during services. A Hearing Loop is an assistive listening system that transmits sound directly into ones hearing aids or cochlear implants rather than depending on sound coming from the loudspeakers. To receive the Loop signal, manually activate your T-coil or telephone setting on your hearing aid or cochlear implant. If you don’t know if you have a T-coil or if yours is properly programmed, consult with your audiologist or hearing aid professional. If you don’t wear hearing aids, ask to use a Loop receiver to receive the sound. Loop receivers are available in the sacristy. If you have further questions about Looping, please contact the installation company, Complete Hearing Solutions at www.CompleteHearingSolutions.org or call 727.260.3488.
As promised, the surveillance system is now complete in the church and we are diligently working on installation in the Parish Life Center. The wiring has been quite a challenge, however, we were adamant that this system must be wired to ensure that we receive the quality picture required to properly identify any individual.
In His work together,
Scott Schlossberg, MBA
General Manager