April 2019 Luncheon: Fort Clinch Ranger Ofeldt

            A row of cannons staring across the St. Mary’s River into Georgia are silent testimony to the strategic importance of Fort Clinch during the Civil War.  Frank Ofeldt lll, Fort Ranger at Fort Clinch, will be guest speaker at the Men’s Newcomers Club’s luncheon, Thursday, April 18, at the Fernandina Beach Golf Club on Bill Melton Road. The meeting begins at 11:30 a.m. with a social half-hour. 

          Ofeldt began as a Fort Clinch volunteer in the fort's interpretive program in the 1980s. After college, he began a career in 1993 with the Florida Park Service, for which he has served 24 years. He is currently a Park Service Specialist with the Florida Park Service and author of one book about Fort Clinch with another more extensive volume due out this Summer. He is an avid reader, researcher, and collector of American military antiques. Frank's presentation will be on the history of Fort Clinch.

          The historic fort is only one aspect of this diverse 1,400-acre park. Maritime hammocks with massive arching live oaks provide a striking backdrop for hiking and biking on the park’s many trails. The park is known for its gopher tortoises, painting buntings and several other species of wildlife. Camping, fishing, shelling and shark-tooth hunting are also popular activities.

          Reservations for the luncheon must be made by email to bwesche6@gmail.com or by phone to 904-310-9055 by Saturday, Apr. 13.  Cost is $15 when reservations are made in advance.  The cost of the luncheon will be $20 for those without reservations. The $15 lunch checks can be mailed to the MNC PO Box 16291 Fernandina Beach, FL 32035 to arrive by Apr. 13.  Non-members, attending a meeting for the first time, will be charged $15 and if they join the MNC that day, the $15 luncheon cost will be applied to the membership fee.  Due to the golf club’s capacity, a seat at the luncheon cannot be guaranteed without a reservation.