By Rachel Galvin

On June 16, the Deerfield Rotary Club held a social event at The Deerfield Historical Society Museum & Cultural Center, bringing in about 25 people to eat, drink and be merry. It was a great night of fellowship and fun. Their next event at this location is slated for July 21 at 5:30 p.m. To find out more and see more pics, visit www.facebook.com/RotaryClubofDeerfieldBeach. 

Photo by Rachel Galvin

Photo by Simon Millar

Photo by Rachel Galvin

By Rachel Galvin

The Deerfield Beach Historical Society started doing something new– Pioneer Grove Fest, which was held June 11-13 at their history museum and cultural center, located across from the Butler House, at 84 SE 4th Avenue in Deerfield. 

The event kicked off with an International Film Night. They showed the film “The Hidden Face.” The weekend continued on Saturday with food and drinks, with local singer Stephen Minotti with special guests “The Beachnicks.” Also, at that event was technically a meeting and the voting of board members. But also they gave long-time president Emily Lilly a plaque for all her “Happy Days” and great service through the years, as she passed the torch on to T.J. Eagen. Angelica Rosa from the Community Foundation, was in attendance, along with her husband, members of the historical society and members of the community. Leola Brooks led some festive dancing and everyone enjoyed a box lunch, and drinks. On Sunday, they were slated to have a Jazz picnic with music by 5th Street Jazz, featuring Tom Monte (and food and drinks again). They also had a Sandra Canning photo exhibit all weekend long.

Below are photos from Saturday’s gathering.

www.deerfieldbeachhistoricalsociety.com.

Emily Lilly receives plaque.	Poppi talks to the crowd.
TJ Eagen & Stephen Minotti perform.	Stephen, Jeff & Amie Kay enjoy the event.	Emily’s well-deserved plaque.
Leola Brooks gets everyone to dance.	The Beachniks perform.	Angelica from the Community Foundation, Poppi Mercier & Emily Lilly.

Photo by  Aditi Sarkar

The Kiwanis Club of Deerfield Beach gave out 14 scholarships to local students on May 13th at the Historic Butler House. The amount totaled  $10,000.

Bob Fass, the President of the Kiwanis Club of Deerfield Beach, opened the ceremony with an invocation led by Kiwanian, Carina Baurley and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Past-President, Joe Santiago. Fass said a few encouraging words to the scholarship winners and then introduced the emcee, Past-President and current Lieutenant Governor Designate, Kerri Gordon who used a metaphor in her presentation, comparing the Covid Vaccine to the “Kiwanis Vaccine”, made of 1 part Kindness, 1 part Caring, 1 part Motivation, and 1 part Determination. Gordon is also the Scholarship Coordinator and has been the Kiwanis Advisor to the DBHS Key Club since 2014. The closing remarks were given by Tim Sullivan, who will become the club’s President on Oct 1st. The scholarship presenters were: Gordon Vatch, Janice Muenzenmaier, Carina Baurley, Dave Gravelle, Bob Parton, Irwin Rozen, Ed Dietrich, Deborah Eller, Darin Eller and his 4 children, Jesse, Jake, Nova and Evangeline Eller.

The recipients, their families, and a few special guests including District 1 Commissioner, Michael Hudak and Deerfield Beach High School Administrators, Miderland Delance and Gwen Smith were also treated to a delicious dinner during the awards presentation. 

Kiwanis is a group of volunteers dedicated to improving the lives of children, one community and one child at a time. If you have an upcoming graduate, be sure to have them be on the lookout for a scholarship application by February 2022. The best ways to be in the know are to either join Key Club in high school or have a parent join Kiwanis. 

For more information about the Kiwanis Club of Deerfield Beach please visit their website deerfieldbeachkiwanis.org.

The Deerfield Beach Historical Society is doing something new– Pioneer Grove Fest, which will be held June 11-13 at their history museum and cultural center, located across from the Butler House, at 84 SE 4th Avenue in Deerfield. 

The event kicks off with an International Film Night. They will be showing “The Hidden Face” at 6:30 p.m.The weekend continues from 1 to 4 p.m.  with food and drinks, with local singer Steven Minotti with special guests “The Beachnicks.” And on Sunday, there is a Jazz picnic with music by 5th Street Jazz, featuring Tom Monte (and food and drinks again). They also will have a Sandra Canning photo exhibit all weekend long.

Admission is $10 per day. For more information, call Judi Stanich at 954-461-1152.

FYI: The annual meeting for the historical society will be at 2 p.m. on June 12th. To be a member, it is only $25 per year dues. www.deerfieldbeachhistoricalsociety.com.

JR Dunn at Dunn’s Run (Photo by David Volz)

The Observer is sorry to report the passing of local business man and philanthropist Jim (better known as JR) Dunn. Dunn was instrumental in the community. His Dunn’s Run, a 5 K walk/run, 5 mile run, brought out huge crowds to the beach yearly to participate and watch, all benefitting the local Boys & Girls Club. He also founded JR Dunn Jewelers. He was a staple in the community who always loved giving back. He will be missed.

Obituary

James R. Dunn, Co-Founder of J.R. Dunn Jewelers and philanthropist in the South Florida community passed away on May 21, 2021 at the age of 78.

Jim Dunn, Massachusetts native, founded J.R. Dunn Jewelers in 1969 with his loving wife, Ann Marie Dunn—and continued the family business together alongside their son, Sean Dunn, growing it into one of the most successful omni-channel family-owned jewelers in the county.

Those who knew Jim knew him as one of the kindest most genuine souls, most dedicated workers, and most of all someone who would do anything for anyone. “My Dad was the type of guy whose life experience helped so many people, no matter what they needed. Whether they had a little car trouble in the parking lot, needed help paying their rent, or just a shoulder to lean on he was there. You could always count on Jim Dunn”, said Sean Dunn. 

Jim could also make you laugh like no other, always sharing a great joke to make sure you enjoy the deepest laugh. His passion for life, family, and his business were infectious and always inspired one to do better. He was an invaluable leader to anyone who had the opportunity to work with him, with wisdom that only his years and life experience could bring. Many will say because of Jim, they are a better person, and it is true.

Jim came from the humblest of beginnings, which had a lasting influence on the way he later lived his life and cared for his community. He lost his Dad when he was just seven years old, leaving him and his brothers in the care of his hard-working mother. She often had to work double shifts as a visiting nurse just to put food on the table and care for their family. This is where Jim’s incredible work ethic originated from, as well as his desire to give back to those who need it most.

His entrepreneurial beginning started when he was young running a paper route, where he learned to deliver the product to customers for the first time. After graduating from the University of Bridgeport in 1966, he began working for IBM as a salesman where he found much success and soon met his wife and future business partner, Ann Marie Dunn.

What the couple once began as the House of Gems in a quaint older home in Hanover, Massachusetts, J.R. Dunn Jewelers has now become an over 8,000 square foot luxury jewelry and timepiece destination in Lighthouse Point, Florida with a team of over 40 dedicated people and successful e-commerce business on jrdunn.com. 

“Jim was so incredibly proud of the business he and I built together. It showed in his passion for moving the business forward each and every day from the most important strategic initiatives right down to the simplest of tasks, like stocking the water bottles or making the shipping boxes. No job was too big or too small for Jim Dunn and I look forward to continuing on his legacy”, said Ann Marie Dunn. 

During his career, Jim had achieved many accolades including the Sun Sentinel’s Excalibur Award in 2002 for Small Business Leader as well as being inducted into the NSU Entrepreneur Hall of Fame. The company was also honored with Luxury Jeweler of the Year in 2015, celebrating its milestones and forward-thinking endeavors.

Giving back to the community was something incredibly near and dear to Jim’s heart, with his and Ann Marie’s many initiatives for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County, the Humane Society of Broward County, and many other different philanthropic causes supporting our military, veterans, and first responders.

In 1996, Jim founded the iconic Dunn’s Run, a 5k walk/run and 5-mile run benefitting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County, which has raised over $3 million dollars in its duration. This year marks the 25th Annual Dunn’s Run, a momentous milestone that he was so proud of, and will be dedicated to celebrating his honor. Jim’s favorite moment of Dunn’s Run was always seeing a huge American flag raised above Deerfield Beach from the fire truck. He loved that it was an event built around family for people of all ages, from the young future of our community to its experienced elders.

Jim (on right) with wife Marie and son Sean. (Submitted photo)

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Ann Marie Dunn; son and daughter in-law, Sean and Viviana Dunn; beloved grandchildren, Nico and Briana Dunn; and many other family members who will carry on the legacy Jim built.

A celebration of life will be held in his honor at a date to be announced.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity near and dear to your heart or one close to his; the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County. 

To see more photos & video, visit the Observer Facebook page by clicking here.

For more info., visit https://jrdunn.com.

You can donate to his favorite cause, the Boys & Girls Club, using this special site they have set up:  https://www.bgcbc.org/jim-dunn

Jim Dunn at MS Gala. (Photo by Rachel Galvin)

HURRICANE TAX HOLIDAY

Hurricane Season officially starts June 1, but there already are two storms brewing… one in the Atlantic and one on the gulf, neither of which seem to be heading toward Florida, However, this should be a reminder that the season is upon use. Now is the time to get prepared as they are expecting an above average season.

NEW TAX HOLIDAY

There is another sales tax holiday this year to help with your prep. It runs from May 28 to June 6. Some examples of tax-free items include: flashlights and lanterns costing $40 or less; radios costing $50 or less; tarps costing $100 or less, coolers costing $60 or less, batteries costing $50 or less; and, generators costing $1,000 or less.

In addition, the Florida legislation established a Freedom Week Sales Tax Holiday from July 1-7, in which purchases of admissions to music events, sporting events, cultural events, specified performances, movies, museums, state park annual passes, and fitness facilities for events held from July 1 – December 31, 2021, will be tax free. Additionally, purchases of season tickets are also exempted.

The Freedom Week Sales Tax Holiday also applies to sales of boating and water activity supplies, camping supplies, fishing supplies, general outdoor supplies, and sports equipment.

Boating and Water Supplies: The tax holiday applies to the first $75 of the sales price of life jackets and coolers; the first $50 of the sales price of safety flares; the first $150 of the sales price of water skis, wakeboards, kneeboards, and recreational inflatable water tubes or floats capable of being towed; the first $300 of the sales price of paddleboards and surfboards; the first $500 of the sales price of canoes and kayaks; the first $75 of the sales price of paddles and oars; and the first $25 of the sales price of snorkels, goggles, and swimming masks.

Camping Supplies: The tax holiday applies to the first $200 of the sales price of tents; the first $50 of the sales price of sleeping bags, portable hammocks, camping stoves, and collapsible camping chairs; and the first $30 of the sales price of camping lanterns and flashlights.

Fishing Supplies: The tax holiday applies to the first $75 of the sales price of rods and reels, if sold individually, or the first $150 of the sales price if sold as a set; the first $30 of the sales price of tackle boxes or bags; and the first $5 of the sale price of bait or fishing tackle, if sold individually, or the first $10 of the sales price if multiple items are sold together.

General Outdoor Supplies: The tax holiday applies to the first $15 of the sales price of sunscreen or insect repellant; the first $100 of the sales price of sunglasses; the first $200 of the sales price of binoculars; the first $30 of the sales price of water bottles; the first $50 of the sales price of hydration packs; the first $250 of the sales price of outdoor gas or charcoal grills; the first $50 of the sales price of bicycle helmets; and the first $250 of the sales price of bicycles.

Sports Equipment: The tax holiday applies any item used in individual or team sports, not including clothing or footwear, selling for $40 or less.