🌱 History Of Victoria Drive + Deborah Kynes Named Vice Mayor

Morning, neighbors! It's me again, Kristen, your host of the Dunedin Daily.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and nice. High: 78 Low: 66.

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Here are the top 5 stories today in Dunedin:

1. Deborah Kynes has officially been named Dunedin's vice mayor and will serve her last year on the commission in 2022. Kynes served on the commission between 1999 and 2009 and was then elected again in 2014. Her current term expires on November 8, 2022, as she can't seek reelection because of term limits. As a well-rounded member of the Dunedin community, Kynes is a member of Leadership Pinellas, Leadership Florida, the Dunedin Rotary Club, and the Junior League of Clearwater Dunedin. She also serves as city liaison to the Dunedin Fine Art Center, the Dunedin History Museum, the North Pinellas Cultural Alliance, and the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee. On Facebook, Kynes calls her last year on the Dunedin Commission "bittersweet" and looks forward to mentoring new members in the future. (Tampa Bay Newspapers)
2. The Rotary Club of Dunedin North takes a look back at some of its accomplishments after 50 years of community work. The club's 44 members have been involved in countless projects since its start, such as planting 18,000 trees and plants at Honeymoon State Park, completing the pavilion at Highland Park, helping to fund the St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra concerts, and recently providing water bottles to the staff and students at Dunedin Highland Middle School after the water foundations were turned off due to COVID. The club was chartered on November 21, 1971, during a time when women weren't allowed to join. Local chiropractor Pat Snair was the first woman to join the club back in 1988 and served as president from 1994 to 1995. (Tampa Bay Newspapers)
3. According to Zillow, Dunedin is the second most popular retirement town in the country. Zillow defines "retirement towns" as areas where at least 33 percent of the population is over the age of 65 and doesn't live with children or other relatives other than a spouse. St. Pete nabbed the third spot under the same category, while Lavallette, New Jersey was number one. Zillow also found during its analysis that during the pandemic, people have been thinking about moving more than ever. (Tampa Bay Business Journal - Subscription)
4. Downtown Dunedin has been attracting "snowbirds" as early as the 1880s, including wealthy families like that of former U.S. President Grover Cleveland, the “seven Malone brothers” from Cleveland, Ohio, the Boutons, Skinners, Hannas, and Bandeaus. Some would stay at the Blue Moon Inn Hotel where the Best Western Hotel is today, while others built large Victorian homes along the water on Victoria Drive, "three to four stories high with luxurious furnishings and elaborate docks ... for each of their yachts." You can learn more about the history of these families by joining The Dunedin History Museum on a historic stroll on the second Friday of the month between January and May at 5:15 PM. Reserve your tickets by calling the museum at (727) 736-1176. (Tampa Bay Newspapers)
5. The City of Dunedin will oversee upgrades made to the Dunedin Golf Club, moving forward with a hybrid plan that allows the city to employ senior staff and have complete control of the operation. "Something has to change," Mayor Julie Ward Bujalski said, "because there hasn't been enough extra cash to do the projects necessary to sustain the golf club." The golf club hasn't been financially self-sustaining in some time, which is why it's in need of millions of taxpayer dollars for repairs and updates. Commissioner Moe Freaney feels that since taxpayers are investing so much in the club, they should hold a "leadership role in it and it should have a board that is more community-oriented." The advisory board will likely be made up of residents, fee players, and Dunedin Golf Club board members. (Tampa Bay Newspapers)

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Today in Dunedin:

• New Years Break Camp at Dreamer's Dance Company (8:30 AM)
• In The News at the Hale Senior Activity Center (2:00 PM)
• Marvel Crisis Protocol at Table Action Games (5:45 PM)

From my notebook:

• Looking for a new pet? There are plenty of animals in need of homes in the Dunedin area including dogs, cats, bunnies, guinea pigs, and even rats! (Dunedin Patch)
• The Dunedin Stirling Soccer Club is hosting their New Years' soccer clinic on January 3, for boys and girls ages four and older. The camp begins at 9:30 AM and offers either a half-day or full-day option. You can register for the camp on its website. (Facebook | Dunedin Soccer)
• The Dunedin Chamber of Commerce is looking forward to the grand opening of its new workspace. The Hub will offer co-working spaces, private offices, workshops, networking events, and much more for local entrepreneurs. Follow the Facebook page to learn when The Hub's grand opening party will take place. (Facebook | The Hub)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday! I'll see you around.