🌱 Massive Grouper + Halloween Happenings Volunteers + Meet New CPOs

Good morning, neighbors! I'm back with your new edition of the Dunedin Daily. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening in the community today, including:

• A massive grouper almost broke a 20-year fishing record
• Dunedin celebration of Florida City Government Week
• Dunedin Parks & Recreation is looking for volunteers

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 80 Low: 56.

Shoutout to the awesome local business that keeps this newsletter running:

Want to support local artists in Dunedin? Studio 1212 Art Gallery was voted the best small art gallery cooperative for 2022 by Tampa Bay Magazine. Managed by award-winning area artists, this non-profit gallery features original artwork and prints, and has a popular boutique of fine hand-crafted gift items. Stop by 234 Monroe Street, 11am - 3pm Wednesday to Sunday or visit studio1212.org to shop and to see exhibition schedules. Support local artists by becoming a Patron of Studio 1212 here.

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

Here are the top 3 stories in Dunedin today:

1. An infamous 20-year-old fishing record set by John Hardin of Dunedin was nearly broken at the 74th annual Destin Fishing Rodeo. A man named Garrett Thornton of Blackshear, Georgia, reeled in a 333.8-pound grouper with the help of Capt. Kyle Lowe and his crew. Despite its size, the massive fish was still 25 pounds shy of Hardin's 2003 record. The fish weighed 349 pounds before it was gutted and took over an hour and a half to reel in and get into the boat. However, it was caught in just 15 seconds! (The Destin Log)
2. Dunedin Parks & Recreation is looking for volunteers to help out at the Halloween Happenings event scheduled for Oct. 29 between 5:30 and 9:30 p.m. in Highlander Park. They're in need of over 100 volunteers to help run carnival games, bounce houses, and hayrides. They also need volunteers to hand out candy and prizes. Those interested must be 13 years or older and available to get to the event early. Call 727-812-4530 or email FMolinaryDunedin@gmail.com to learn more and sign up! (Dunedin Gov)
3. The City of Dunedin has new Community Policing Officers or CPOs from the Pinellas Sheriff's office patrolling our streets. You can get to know them a bit and learn about their objectives in a new video shared by the city. Officer Marquis Fitzgerald is a Pinellas County native and explains how the city can benefit from having a CPO unit on hand. "The main benefit for law enforcement having a CPO unit here in the city of Dunedin is we're able to figure out and learn the nuances of the city," he said. "There's back history here in the city, whether it's with residents or businesses, that we have the opportunity to learn about because we're dealing with the business owners and the citizens on a personal level which allows room to open up to us about things that may have occurred in the past and that are still going on." You can watch the full video on Facebook or YouTube. (City of Dunedin via Facebook | City of Dunedin via YouTube)

Dunedin Daily Pic of the Day:

Thank you, Joe Rodriguez, for submitting your spooky photo of some local haunted pumpkins!

Don't forget to send me some of your fall photos taken around Dunedin! 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.

Today in Dunedin:

• Free Caregiver Survival Tips Seminar at the Hale Senior Activity Center (10 a.m.)
• Dueling Pianos at The Rusty Lyon (6 p.m.)
• Black Light Halloween Painting at HOB (6 p.m.)
• Brews & Bundts at Cueni Brewing Co. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• This week, the City of Dunedin is celebrating Florida City Government Week! This celebration raises awareness about the importance of municipal government and its daily impact on residents. This year's theme will focus on what makes our city great. (City of Dunedin via Facebook)
• Meet Missy, who has been at the SPCA Tampa Bay shelter for 59 days now. Recently, Missy got a break from the shelter and spent time with an SPCA volunteer who shared that this adorable pup loves getting head scratches, has the best doggie manners, and can't get enough of the car! Stop by the shelter to meet Missy and all of her friends patiently waiting for their furever homes! (SPCA Tampa Bay via Facebook)
• Want to see some Barbarians? The New World Celts - Dunedin Chapter shared some incredible photos of the Barbarians on duty at Motorworks Brewing for Celtoberfest! (New World Celts - Dunedin Chapter via Facebook)
• Meet artist Jeff Mann who will be attending his fourth Junior League of Clearwater -Dunedin Art Harvest. "I’m a carpenter by trade," he said, "and started building my recycled pieces about 10 years ago. Originally from upstate New York now living in Belleview, Florida" You can check out Mann's work at the 58th Annual Art Harvest scheduled for Nov. 5 and Nov. 6 in Highlander Park. (Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin Art Harvest via Facebook)
• Dunedin Chamber of Commerce announced the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Miggs Craft Kitchen has been postponed. The ceremony was scheduled for Monday and will be rescheduled as soon as possible. (Dunedin Chamber of Commerce via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Tarot Card Readings, One on One and/or Parties or Groups —
• Add your business here

Events:

• Nova Musica — New Works by David Manson for O Som Do Jazz - FREE! (October 21)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar (October 24)
• Add your event

That's it for today. I'll see you around!