🌱 Honoring Vietnam Veterans + Iraq War Memorial + Run For Mayor

Good morning, everybody! It's Kristen, your host of the Dunedin Patch newsletter — here to tell you everything you need to know about what's happening in town these days. Including news about:

• The Kiwanis Sprayground closed Saturday.
• Successful event honoring Vietnam veterans.
• City Commissioner Maureen Freaney will run for mayor.

Today's newsletter is sponsored by Studio 1212 Art Gallery

Visit Dunedin’s Studio 1212 Art Gallery — voted Tampa Bay Magazine’s best small art gallery cooperative for 2022

Since 1971, Studio 1212 – a nonprofit art gallery owned and managed by an all-volunteer group of local, award-winning artists — has been a part of the creative community in the Dunedin area.

Here are a few things you can do at Studio 1212:

• Attend an exhibit of local artists (check out the schedule here)
• Get your own artwork critiqued for free by volunteer artists (on the first Saturday and third Tuesday of each month at 10am)
• Support local artists by buying their work — art prints, note cards and fine hand-crafted gift items — in the gift boutique
• Sign up for a workshop to expand and improve your own artistic abilities
• Join other local art lovers by becoming a benefactor of Studio 1212 (Learn more here.)

Studio 1212 is located at 234 Monroe St. in Downtown Dunedin and is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit Studio 1212 — a part of the Dunedin area arts community for over 50 years.

Now, today's weather: Mostly sunny and pleasant. High: 83 Low: 68.

Are you a real estate agent in Dunedin struggling to get leads in the current housing market? It's tough out there, but there is a way to stand out from the crowd and attract new clients. Our exclusive sponsorship in the Dunedin newsletter can help you do just that. Click here to learn more and discover how you can take your business to the next level today.

Here are the top 3 stories in Dunedin today:

1. Dunedin's event honoring Vietnam veterans on Wednesday was a huge success. Veterans received a lapel pin as a sign of gratitude for their service, which is more than they received when they came home. "It was terrible," said local veteran Mike Marshall. "I mean, I got called dog from Vietnam. And, you know, people make comments." The ceremony in Pioneer Park not only thanked veterans for their service but welcomed them home. (FOX 13 Tampa)
2. Dunedin resident Steve Udovich has raised $50K for a memorial that will honor Floridians who served in Iraq. The founder of the Iraq and Afghanistan War Memorial Foundation aims to raise $93K for the memorial that will be placed in a Port St. Lucie park. The organization is hosting a fundraising event on April 14 at 4 p.m. at Cove Cay Golf Club in Clearwater. Stop by to enjoy live music, food, raffles, and an auction that will include sports memorabilia and some classic firearms. (Tampa Bay Newspapers)
3. City Commissioner Maureen "Moe" Freaney has announced her plan to run for mayor in 2024 after completing her second four-year term on the commission. "I am a public servant at heart and always will be,” Freaney said. “I term out as a Dunedin commissioner next year. Coincidentally (Julie Ward Bujalski) terms out as mayor. It is my intention to run for mayor. There is still much to do to protect our charm and our vibe in Dunedin.” Freaney is a native of western New York and has lived in Dunedin since 1984. (Tampa Bay Newspapers)

Dunedin Patch Pic of the Day:

Thank you, Brenda D. Gelber, for sharing this awesome photo of the inside of TD Ballpark!

Want your photo to be included in the Dunedin Pic of the Day or Inspired by Dunedin section? Submit it 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.

Today in Dunedin:

• Intro to Taoist Tai Chi at the Hale Senior Activity Center (9 a.m.)
• How to Avoid Burnout in the Workplace at the Chamber Boardroom (noon)
• Geology Rocks S.T.E.A.M. Class at Hope Grove (1 p.m.)
• Sea Glass Bracelet Workshop at the Institute For Creative Arts (2 p.m.)
• Sunset Jazz Series at the Fenway Hotel (6 p.m.)
• Annual New World Celts Haggis Hunt at Flanagan's Irish Pub (6 p.m.)
• Ukulele Night at The Honu (6 p.m.)
• Paint & Sip Party at HOB (6:30 p.m.)
• LSD Yoga at The Source Chiropractic (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The Kiwanis Sprayground will be closed this Saturday, April 1, due to the Highland Games & Festival. It will reopen on Sunday at 9 a.m. (City of Dunedin via Facebook)
• The City of Dunedin has extended the deadline for teens to submit an application for Dunedin's Teen Leadership Program to Friday, March 31. This opportunity is for teens between 13 and 16 years old interested in working alongside Camp Leaders over the summer. (City of Dunedin via Facebook)
• Pinellas County is hiring seasonal lifeguards at Fort De Soto, Sand Key, and Fred Howard parks between April and September. Both full-time and part-time positions are available. Anyone interested can apply here. (Pinellas County Government via Facebook)
• Sacred Soul Sound Healing is hosting a free Sunset Sound Bath on March 31 at 6:45 p.m. in Kiwanis Park. During this hour-long immersive journey, attendees will be listening to the soothing sounds of various healing instruments. (Sacred Soul Sound Healing via Facebook)
• Studio 1212 Art Gallery is holding its monthly Art Critique on April 1 at 10 a.m. Bring one or two unfinished artworks to discuss with award-winning artists at no cost. (Studio 1212 Art Gallery via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Flea Market @ Clearwater Lodge (April 1)
• Creative Artist Guild of Dunedin Art in the Park (April 2)
• Scottish American Society Concert with Byrne Brothers and Skerryvore (April 8)
• Illusionist / Magician Jim Monroe (April 8)
• Jazz at the Ballroom Presents "Accentuate the Positive" (April 16)
• Add your event

Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next update!