🌱 Bonus Dad Spotlight + Student's Buddy Bench + City Hall Updates

Hello all! I'm back with your fresh edition of the Dunedin Patch newsletter, fresh off the presses. Follow along to find out the most important things happening in town these days, including updates on...

• City office closures and garbage collection changes on Memorial Day.
• Heartwarming text messages from dads shared ahead of Father's Day.
• A fourth grader is promoting friendship with her "Buddy Bench."

But first, today's weather: Couple of thunderstorms. High: 83 Low: 69.

Here are the top 3 stories in Dunedin today:

1. In celebration of Father's Day, Patch is partnering with T-Mobile to shine a light on awesome dads and share their funny or insightful text messages. Dunedin's very own Jayla Jones nominated her "bonus dad," Eric Davis! "My dad is special because he is my bonus dad!" Jayla wrote. "From day one of being a part of my family when he married my mom, he has pushed me to be the best version of myself in all that I do. He gets up every day and works hard to care for me, my mother, my sister, and everyone in our family. He's more than a dad — he's a father, a husband, a grandfather, and so much more! He's the absolute best!" You can nominate your dad here now through June 15! (Dunedin Patch)
2. Dunedin fourth grader Kaela Schmid is promoting friendship by raising money as part of her Gifted School Service Project for a "Buddy Bench." The outdoor bench offers a solution to students who have been bullied or are too shy to make friends. If they want to play with their classmates but don't feel comfortable approaching anyone, they can sit on the bench, so the other students know they're interested in playing. "I know some of the younger kids are shyer, so it helps them sit on this bench, and other people will know to play with them because they don't have anyone to play with," Kaela said. According to her mom, who teaches at the school, the Buddy Bench has been a big hit! (FOX 13 Tampa)
3. City officials celebrated the new city hall building during a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony, pointing out that city employees will finally be working under one roof. Prior to the new construction, departments were spread out across five buildings. "We are already getting to see the benefits and efficiencies and the synergies from bringing these departments and divisions together,” City Manager Jennifer Bramley said at the ceremony. Bramley also shared how officials kept "Mother Earth" in mind by including automatic lights, utilizing daylight harvesting, and adding electric vehicle charging stations. (Tampa Bay Newspapers)

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Today in Dunedin:

• Dunedin Downtown Market in Pioneer Park (9 a.m.)
• Dunedin Writers Group at the Dunedin Library (9:30 a.m.)
• Medicare Counseling at the Hale Senior Activity Center (10 a.m.)
• We Are Not Forgotten Beer Release at HOB (6 p.m.)
• Dunedin Sunset Music Series in Weaver Park (7 p.m.)

Dunedin Patch Pic of the Day:

Thank you, C.S. Roy, for sharing this beautiful photo ahead of the holiday weekend!

Don't forget to take some photos for us while you're out and about in Dunedin this weekend! If you'd like to share any with the community, submit them to Dunedin@Patch.com for consideration! Please confirm in the email that you own the rights to the photo and that Patch has permission to republish it.

From my notebook:

• All city buildings and offices will be closed on Monday, May 29, in observance of Memorial Day. Exceptions include Highlander Pool and Stirling Park & Driving Range. Solid waste and recycling collections will be pushed back a day. (Dunedin Gov)
• After June 28, the Kellogg Mansion Immersive Experience at the Dunedin Public Library will be moving to the University of South Florida. Be sure to sign up for the experience online before then if you'd like to check it out! (Dunedin Public Library)
• The City of Dunedin celebrated Throwback Thursday with a shoutout to Caledonia Brewing, which opened in 2017. Many people don't know that the brewery is housed in the old Dunedin Times Building, which was the original hometown newspaper that remained in print until 1965. You can see a throwback photo of the building at the link after it was built in 1925. (City of Dunedin via Facebook)
• Meet Ebony and Flicker, two water-loving pups waiting for their forever homes at the Pinellas County Animal Services shelter! If you're looking for a beach or poolside buddy, look no further. Stop by the shelter to meet them today! Adoption fees are only $5 through the end of the month. (Pinellas County Animal Services via Facebook)
• The City of Dunedin shared an incredible video of its Public Works department enjoying the recent Equipment Rodeo! Be sure to check it out! It looks like everyone had a blast. (City of Dunedin via Facebook)
• With the upcoming holiday weekend, remember to follow safe boating practices. The City of Dunedin recommends boaters always wear a life jacket, check the weather forecast before heading out, and be aware of their surroundings. If you plan on heading out on the water this weekend, be sure to read more tips on boat safety at the link. (Dunedin Gov)

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• Rasta Canna Bar | Live Music & Cannabis Drinks (May 26)
• Memorial Day Service (May 29)
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That's it for today. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update!