Clay Today - Sports Year In Review

Alyzabeth was mentioned in the Clay Today. Same article that was submitted in the past. 

Posted Wednesday, December 29, 2021 12:00 pm By Ray Dimonda and Randy Lefko
Fleming Island girls golf - oh, so close to state bid
GAINESVILLE - Fleming Island High girls golf coach Brian Nedrich encouraged his five golfers heading to the region 1-3A championship match on the Monday after a homecoming Friday weekend to just be ready to play a tough match on Monday.
“They were ready and they came through,” was Nedrich’s response after his girls team, led by freshman district champion Alyzabeth Morgan’s top team score, finished fifth team at the region 1-3A championships behind a cadre of state powerhouses; Niceville, Lake Mary, Bartram Trail and Ponte Vedra. “Now we wait.”
Nedrich’s anticipation of a good decision on Tuesday night, maybe Wednesday night, is in lieu of the top three finishers get team invites to the state tournament while at-large bids go out to top teams off the top three from around the state.
“My gut says we are going to state which would be a first,” said Nedrich, noting former coach Gary Anderson had state teams in 2013, 2014, 2015. “It’s all based on the strength of course kind of stuff, level of competition and some computer stuff. Either way, I’m super proud of this team.”
Morgan, who stormed to a district title last week, led the Fleming Island girls with a three over par 75 in her usual strong, steady style of play.
Unfortunately, because of the strength of the region, neither Morgan nor the team advanced to the state tournament.

NFJG - THE "YARDS", Ponte Vedra Beach, FL - 4th Place

AA played in the Yards. This event is a unique 12-hole event. The first nine holes will be the official event with the last three holes on the par-3 course being a special event without point value.

The 9-hole event will have two formats; individual stroke play and stableford with series points for each format.

Pairings:
Your pairings information for The "YARDS" is below.
Date: Dec 29, 2021 Time: 8:56 AM
Alyzabeth Morgan  2025, Fleming Island, FL
Madelyn Campbell  2022, Fernandina Beach, FL

Addy Vogt 2025, Jacksonville, FL

AA checking in at Hole 1:

From Jack's News:
Two formats in a 12 holes stretch is what ended our Fall Tournament Series. Nine holes would count for the official scores and the last three would be for some prize that Santa Claus left for the Par-3 Championship that never took place. More than $2000 in prize and gift certificates were awarded during and after the par-3 and “Beat the Pro” contest. Afterward we each enjoyed a burger grilled outside just for us.  Congratulations to the closest to the pin winners hole #10 Cambree Hodge – 4’ 10”,  hole #11 Danielle Dailey 1’ 8” and hole #12 Joshua Lay 3’-4”. You’ve each won a $50 gift card to “THE YARDS”.  Congratulations and great shot!
In the Elite Tour Girls Fernandina’s Madelyn Campbell, St. Augustine’s Danielle Dailey and Jacksonville’s Alyssa Hardy would come in 1,2 3 respectively on the award podium. Campbell would win in the stroke play event posting a 39, one stroke ahead of Dailey, but all three players would tie in the Stableford event.  A scorecard playoff would result in the same order as the stroke play results. All double medal winners. Kind of cool!
Fleming Islands Kalia Polete would post a very nice Rising Tour Girls division score of 38 to nip Ponte Vedra’s Maya Miller (40) by two pops and win the Girls Overall contest. Miller would tie at 40 with St. Johns Ashley Mikesell who always seems to be in the mix. The trio would also capture the stableford event and become double medal winners.

Greater Jacksonville High School Sports Awards: 2021-22 Girls Golf Nominees List

12/27/21 Read this news on line, there will be a live show in the spring 2022.

Greater Jacksonville High School Sports Awards: 2021-22 girls golf nominees list The Times-Union:

The Times-Union is proud to announce the nominees for the girls golf player of the year for the Greater Jacksonville High School Sports Awards to be held in the spring. The winner will be announced at the show. More details about the program are coming soon.
During the live show, these nominees will be honored, along with the top three finalists and the player of the year. All official nominees can receive a free ticket. Check back later in the year for information on how to RSVP. 
The Greater Jacksonville High School Sports Awards show is part of the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards, the largest high school sports recognition program in the country.
Here are the girls nominees:
Ciara Aitken, Providence, sophomore
Madison Balaskiewicz, Bolles, junior
Madelyn Campbell, Fernandina Beach, senior
Sahana Chokshi, Episcopal, 7th grade
Alexa Fallis, Bishop Kenny, sophomore
Alyzabeth Morgan, Fleming Island, freshman
Tori Mouton, Bolles, senior
Annabelle Mozingo, Providence, senior
Anika Richards, Fernandina Beach, senior
Violet Robbins, Bolles, sophomore
Addy Vogt, St. Johns Country Day, freshman
Emma Wells, Providence, sophomore

Christmas Day and Sunday!

Saturday: Christmas!! Roasted a 20 pound turkey, made gravy and took it to Cathy and Werner's.

First, in the morning, Ford, AA and I opened gifts, so many! I may write a separate post of all our presents. We enjoyed Ford's farmer's casserole for breakfast. 

I had a retake of Father's Day photo since AA now has her braces off.

Group photos: Hard to see Jesse and Carl in the 1st one; can't see Werner behind baby Miles in the 2nd!

Leaa showed AA how to play a card game:

Gifts: Wine and chocolate from Carl/Marsha; two Yeti type wine tumblers, chocolate red wine and a hoodie for AA; AA received money and beach towel from Cathy and Werner, we received an engineer t-shirt and a bottle of wine; snowman grapevine, card game from Leaa/Jesse.
Sunday: Ham dinner with Larry (Carolyn and Tyler begged off due to colds). I made a cherry-berry pie, delicious! LB gave us a bottle of wine plus Christmas gifts (see below).

Ham and mashed potatoes, plus the green bean casserole that Bill/Joan sent us. Yum!

Before LB arrived, we popped the champagne and took a selfie in front of the Jaguar football game (they lost).

Larry was so sweet and re-gifted some items he found and some of Charlotte's jewelry and her Step-Great Grandfather's pocket watch! I couldn't say much, tearing up now as I write this. He gave us two old games, we will try to figure out and a baked bean pot. He gave AA a sapphire bracelet that he bought for Charlotte from Kingsley Jewelers, that was Charlotte's birthstone and also AA's (which LB admitted he forgot, didn't put two and two together, both born in September), so it was perfect! Then he gave me her diamond tennis bracelet (also from Kingsley Jewelers) - which he did know my birthday is April, and my birthstone. Two for two match! 

For Ford (he said, no "men's" jewelry to gift), Larry decided to gift Charlotte's (her father's mother, Gumma's 3rd husband's watch) great-grandfather's pocket watch, LB estimated maybe was 80 years old (the watch).

We looked up the watch and found out it is a 1951 Ingraham Tower watch, which is Ford's year of birth. The Sears "dollar" watch had a different face each year, very identifiable as 1951. So Larry hit three of three with these gifts!

A Boston Bean pot used once! Larry said he loved baked beans so Charlotte made them once - and Larry said he thought the B&M baked beans tasted just as good, so she never made them homemade again!

And the official recipe; I will make a pot soon!

A wonderful and sentimental ending to the week!

Pie Crust - Pioneer Woman

This recipe uses both butter and Crisco shortening. I have always used just shortening, so will see how it turns out when I make a cherry-berry pie on December 26th! I made the pie and using it for two crusts is too much, the crust is too thick. Also, with so much butter in the crust, it literally oozed melted butter while baking so had to add a cookie sheet under the pie. I would make it into 2.5 pie crusts in the future or go back to my regular recipe that is 100% Crisco Shortening. Still tasted delicious! Ford loves cherry pie (AA and LB liked it too).

Here's the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zm_qSa_Yfx4

Recipe:

In a large bowl, with a pastry cutter, gradually work the buttrt and Crisco into the flour for about 3 or 4 minutes until it resembles a coarse meal. In a small bowl, beat an egg with a fork and then pour it into the flour/shortening mixture. Add 5 tablespoons of cold water, 1 tablespoon of white vinegar and 1 teaspoon of salt. Stir together gently until all of the ingredients are incorporated.

Separate the dough into thirds. 

***Note: Separating it into thirds will result in three thin crusts. If you prefer a more substantial crust, separate it in half.*** 

Form 3 evenly sized balls of dough and place each dough into a large Ziploc bag. Using a rolling pin, slightly flatten each ball of dough (about ½ inch thick) to make rolling easier later. Seal the bags and place them in the freezer until you need them. (If you will be using it immediately it’s still a good idea to put in the freezer for about 15 to 20 minutes to chill.)

Almost Christmas and a Northeaster! One-Day NFJG

Monday AA and I baked her gingerbread cookies (stars, trees and gingerbread men). 

We wrapped many gifts, then ran errands (shopping and grocery store) while AA stayed home and went to her 3:00 p.m. golf lesson in the very cold 52 degrees and WIND! Received news that her two-day NFJG tournament will only be held on Wednesday due to the wind/rain expected on Tuesday.
Tuesday: I had my hair color/cut. Went to the River House - the weather was bad! Put icing on AA's cookies.

Made a new recipe in the crockpot - pork chops and peppers.

Wednesday: NFJG Jacksonville Beach: AA had a perfect nine holes then did pretty bad on the back nine (+10 over!). She placed fourth.

I wrapped gifts, did laundry, walked Ginger twice, chatted with Mom plus worked my 4 hours. Gifts for JK and Kilee:

Gifts for Cathy/Werner, Cara, Christa, etc.:

Gifts for Nicole, Jordan and family:

Thursday: Ford and AA had a golf club fitting at the TPC, won't need new shafts until Spring. 

I made two pie crusts ahead and worked a few hours, took Ginger for her morning constitution, did the dishes, etc. Lunch from Sweet Sensations was delish! 

Our lobster meat from Mom arrived!! Lobster rolls for dinner! (separate post).

We made a new recipe, White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn. It was delicious!

Friday: Prepared the turkey and gravy. Made the Farmer's Breakfast casserole ahead, to be baked in the morning. Christmas Eve Church Service at 3:00 p.m. (nice to use battery operated candles).

We took some White Chocolate popcorn to Hugh and Maureen's and they invited us in for wine and snacks. It was so nice and relaxing, they are wonderful hosts.

Making the base for the turkey gravy:

Ready for Christmas Day!

Thursday, Lobster Meat Arrived from Mom!

Thursday - Mom gifted us with two pounds of lobster meat and it arrived safely, still frozen. We enjoyed fixing the lobster rolls with much melted butter in split top hotdog rolls (hard to find locally).

LOADED!

We ate one package and will have lobster rolls again next week! Yummy! Thank you Mom for our Christmas gifts!

Dick Blaisdell

I love when Dickie writes to me (and my Mom), always interesting words, creativity. When I first read this short essay, it really shocked me, the ending! So sad!
From his Email: Thursday December 23, 2021

Just sent this essay 200 words or less. Thank you Alyson for the Farmer’s Almanac where I got the idea. Won’t know until late next year if I win, $1-$300 prize. Hope you like it. 

Deadline: Jan 28,2022 Almanac.com/essay contest

"Essay Contest" The Old Farmer's Almanac

P.O. Box 520 Dublin, NH 03444

Thank you for entering The Old Farmer's Almanac essay contest! We will contact you in advance of publication if your essay is selected!

Deadline: Jan 28,2022 172 words. 

"My Most Memorable Wildlife Experience"

Corvus, the crow, caws raucously in groups instead of sing;  probably why they suffer eternal thirst.  Crows cooperate, mate for life and their eyesight and hearing is exceptional.  They circle and watch over the land.  Scouts warn danger when feeding.  Crows know the difference between a hunter with a gun and a farmer with tools. 

In the Fall I found a crow.  An arrow broke its wing.  I removed the arrow.  Placed the bird in my old guinea pig cage inside a glassed-in unheated piazza.  Cared for the crow.  Every day the wing healed, but could not fly.  A Nor'easter was expected.  Temps dipped to the teens.  I begged to bring my pet into the house or even the cellar for protection.  

"Crows are tough.  Put the dog's blanket around the cage. It won't freeze."  

I did.  After weeks of care, the crow was frozen, the beak open, gasping.  My dream of getting the crow to talk were shattered.  The ground frozen, there was no burial.

Christmas Gifts of Books to Maine Ladies

I sent nine books as gifts, hope they like them!

Christmas Gifts 2021 - Book List.

I hope you enjoy these books about Maine. If you are agreeable, here’s the list I gave as gifts if you wish to swap with them after reading your book. Merry Christmas!

v Within Plain Sight by Bruce Coffin (Britney)

v Sealed Off by Barbara Ross (Terri)

v Random Acts by Gerry Boyle (Mom/Nana Ann)

v The Country of the Pointed Firs by Sara O Jewett (Melissa)

v Silas Crocket by Mary Ellen Chase (Auntie Jean)

v Spoonhandle by Ruth Moore (Patti)

v Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout (Jamie)

v The Stranger in the Woods by Michael Finkel (Heather)

v Maine by J. Sullivan (Hilary)

Week of December 13 - 19th!

Monday: I worked several hours, mailed box to Terri's, Ford grocery shopped, long walk with Ginger, AA had her golf lesson, dinner was an Italian chicken dish (made once before). Busy day!!

Tuesday: School, work, AA dentist to check her new retainer, River House changed to Tuesday! And Terri sent us LOTS of garlic and a few onions - home grown in Maine!

Wednesday: Breakfast with Donna and Charlie at Metro Diner. AA has her first day of High School mid-term finals! She scored a (disappointed) 90 on the algebra, which makes her final grade a 95. Two more days of these tests! Wednesday, she attended the after half-day of school AICE holiday party (pizza, soda, chips and candy; plus they raffled off 100 gift cards, which she did not win).

Terri sent us a box of assorted goodies from Maine!

Thursday: I worked a few hours, Ford got his haircut, I picked up AA, after another school half-day. 

I went to the West Side Story movie with Kathy McDonald. Very good movie, very long too. The singing and dancing, plus Rita Moreno's character all was as expected. But the violence, the sounds and realism, too much for me!

Ford made a new Mexican casserole for dinner. AA's new eye glasses came in, fitted, but needs another adjustment.

AND - AA was named the 2021 Clay Today Super 6 - Girl Golfer of the Year. From FB: Alyzabeth chosen as Clay Today SUPER 6 Golf Girl Player of the Year. Way to go our talented freshman. fm - Congratulations Kalia, Alyzabeth and the entire Fleming Island Ladies Golf Team! So proud of each of you. Fantastic season! Maybe next year go to the States!

Friday: Half-day (early release). Semester mid-term finals are over!

We drove to Green Cove Springs to see the Christmas Trees in Spring Park.

AA signed up for her first social media account - Instagram.

Saturday: Since AA's Par 3 golf tournament was cancelled, we had time to make cookie batter and shopping! 

AA eating a Maine Apple - She can as no braces!

Yum! Apple Pie Jam from Mom!

Plus our usual Happy Hour at the RH with yummy appetizers: goat cheese with cranberries, smoked salmon on pumpernickel bread and our bruschetta with fig jam and blue cheese! AA and Carolyn did some shopping, then dropped by the River House.

Sunday: We wrapped gifts for three hours, then drove to Leaa's to drop off their gifts, put under their tree. A stop by Ancient brewery is always right on the way home! We watched the Jaguars lose again (no head coach as Urban was fired).

AA golfed until it rained, she worked through some bad cramping today. Dinner was a chicken pot pie from Fresh Market.