🌱 Local Preserve Opens + Camp Dunedin + St. Patrick's Day Festial

Hello, neighbors! Kristen here with your Tuesday edition of the Dunedin Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about what's happening in town, including updates on:

• The Dunedin Music Society is looking for a new conductor
• Stage one of the Gladys E. Douglas Preserve is open for visitors
• Flanagan's Irish Pub's annual St. Patrick's Day Street Festival

Today's newsletter is sponsored by Lucky Dog Cuisine

Love your dog? Then why are you feeding them commercial “pet grade” dog food?

Would you eat your dog’s food? Sounds like a rhetorical question — because we all know commercial dog food is made from things humans wouldn’t touch with a 10-foot pole, let alone a dining fork.

Dr. Janice Elenbaas had a different idea. She loved her pups too much to give them anything but whole foods she’d serve her own family — grass-fed beef, chicken and fish, along with barley, rice, tomatoes, even extra virgin olive oil. Fifteen years ago, she and her husband started Lucky Dog Cuisine and offered their recipes to dog lovers everywhere. Their guiding principle: if you wouldn’t eat it yourself, why would you feed it to your dog?

(To prove the point, Dr. Elenbaas’ husband once ate Lucky Dog Cuisine every day for a month. It tastes great on a taco.)

You can get started with Lucky Dog for as little as $79 with their special introductory offer. And for $159/month, you can get enough Lucky Dog to feed a 20-25 pound dog, sent straight to your door. To see their full menu — and to make your dog incredibly happy, visit Lucky Dog Cuisine today. Dunedin readers can enjoy a free bag of homemade cookies when you order and mention Patch.

Now, today's weather: Partly sunny. High: 80 Low: 66.

Check out what our other local sponsor can do for you:

Want a one-of-a-kind portrait of your doggie or know someone who would love this as a gift? Debbie Lewis is a talented watercolor artist based in Clearwater. She creates beautiful watercolor paintings of your furry friends from your photos. You can check out examples of her work or place an order here.

Want to see your business featured in this spot? Click here to get started.

Here are the top 3 stories today in Dunedin:

1. The City of Dunedin opened the first phase of the Gladys E. Douglas Preserve over the weekend, fulfilling the dying wish of the land's previous owner, Gladys E. Douglas. After nearly two years of preparation, the public can now enjoy a half-mile of walking trails at the corner of Virginia Avenue and Keene Road with signs identifying various plants, including the last of Pinellas County's Florida rosemary. The second phase of the preserve will open up Jerry Lake to the public and include a fishing pier, picnic area, a canoe or kayak launch, a wildlife observation platform, and more trails. It's expected to be ready for public use in 2025. (Tampa Bay Times - Subscription Required)
2. Registration for City of Dunedin Summer Camps opens on March 8! Kids between 4 and 17 can sign up for a memorable summer at “Camp Dunedin,” which offers both full-day and half-day options. Specialty camps are also available in acting and performing, archery, arts and crafts, baseball, basketball, cooking, dance, dodgeball, fishing, fitness, golf, kayaking, multi-sports, nature, outdoor wilderness, soccer, tennis, and theater. Learn more about the city's camps and how to register on their website. Scholarships are also available to those who qualify. (City of Dunedin via Facebook)
3. Save the date! Flanagan's Irish Pub is holding its annual St. Patrick's Day Street Festival on March 17 between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. Stop by to enjoy live music, Irish-inspired foods, cold beers, arts and craft vendors, and much more. The festival has grown into the largest St. Patrick's Day festival in Florida, so you don't want to miss it! (Flanagan's Irish Pub via Facebook)

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Dunedin Patch Pic of the Day:

Thank you, Stacy Welser, for sharing this adorable photo of your daughter waiting to see all of her brother's favorite players at the Blue Jays Welcome Celebration!

Want to see your Dunedin photo here? 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:

• Wills, Trust & Estate Planning Seminar at the Hale Senior Activity Center (10 a.m.)
• Paint and Sip Party at HOB (6:30 p.m.)
• Yoga & Brews at HOB (6:30 p.m.)
• Liter of Laughs at Dunedin Brewery (7:30 p.m.)
• Game Night Live at Caledonia Brewing (7:30 p.m.)
• Music Bingo at HOB (8 p.m.)
• Hip-Hop Happy Hour at Reboot (10 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Meet Jordi Zapata in the City of Dunedin's recent Spotlight video! He was the keynote speaker at the MLK Day Celebration event and grew up at the MLK Jr. Recreation Center. Learn about Jordi's heartwarming experience moving to Dunedin at 6 and building a second family at the rec center. (City of Dunedin via Facebook)
• The Dunedin Music Society is looking for a qualified conductor for the Dunedin Concert Band. Those interested can learn more about the position and how to apply at the link. (Dunedin Music Society via Facebook)
• Meet Sir, a senior pup who came to the SPCA Tampa Bay shelter as a stray. According to his caretakers, "he takes treats very gently and is overall the sweetest guy!" Sir also plays well with other pups and would make a great addition to any furry family. Meet him today at the SPCA in Largo! (SPCA Tampa Bay via Facebook)
• The Pinellas County Government reminds all seasonal residents to prepare your property for the upcoming hurricane season before leaving for the summer. You can do so by securing any loose items or furniture outside and trimming dead branches from trees or palms. Check out their website for more tips! (Pinellas County Government via Facebook)
• The HOB Give Back Food Assistance Giveaway is growing steadily thanks to volunteers and donations from the community. They are currently serving over 200 families each Saturday! They're always looking for more donations as the families they serve are in need of toasters, toaster ovens, air fryers, bowls, utensils, crockpots, plug-in burners, personal hygiene products, and baby items. The next giveaway event is on March 11! (The HOB Give Back via Facebook)
• The New World Celts Dunedin Chapter is looking for people to walk with them in the annual St. Patrick’s Parade held at the On Top of the World Retirement Community! The parade is scheduled for March 4 at 10 a.m., located off Belcher Road in Clearwater. Stop by early to walk with them or hang out to enjoy it from the sidelines. (New World Celts via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Tarot Card Readings & Home or Office Cleansings —
• Add your business here

Featured events:

• Social Security Seminar at Countryside Recreation Center (March 2)
• Sausage Fest (March 4)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar at Largo Community Center (March 6)
• Proven Strategies for the Care of Aging People (March 9)
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For sale:

• Golf Cart (Details)
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You're all caught up for today. I'll see you soon!