Today is Fat Tuesday and tomorrow is Ash Wednesday. Lent is upon us. John and I attend church on Base which is part of the military diocese. We have booklets with daily readings for Lent. Father Gerard gave an interesting homily about prayer and mentioned the new app - Hallow. One of the things I liked about moving down to this corner of our country is the ability of people to discuss faith in an open way as part of daily life. It is so liberating not to fear to offend someone with a stray comment about having heard a great message at church. Fr. Gerard also started a neat program where we "adopted" a seminarian priest so we could (will) pray for him as he goes though the process of study and ordination. One doesn't usually think of church as fun - but Fr. Gerard has brought joy and yes, fun, to our church. It should be noted that attendance has increased since his arrival.
John and I are off to Universal for our Mardi Gras parade event. I will post pictures on facebook. This is going to be so awsome! I will be back in the office Friday afternoon. You can always reach me by phone if you need me. Texting works best in the Parks with the noise.
If you are looking for something to do, here are some Fun Things Going On:
100 Herb Bauer Drive St. Marys, GA, United States, Georgia 31558
The Camden County Art League will be guiding our patrons through a Valentine's Day themed painting. Please stop by or call 912.882.4800 to sign up.
Full Masquerade ball! Dinner, drinks, dancing! no RSVP needed
790 May Creek Drive Kingsland, GA 31548
Tickets
bit.ly/3TJqbO3
We are excited to bring you an amazing experience to support The Salvation Army of St. Marys, GA Pathway of Hope program. Vintage to Vogue Fashion Show and Gala. This event will take place on February 17, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. You will have the opportunity to support the Pathway of Hope program while enjoying an evening of viewing the best of the best fashion that is available in your Salvation Army Family Store. You will experience a plated catered dinner, bid and win silent auction items and enjoy a special evening all while Doing the Most Good in your community. Sponsorship opportunities and Silent Auction in-kind donation items are still being accepted. Tickets to the event are now available for you to purchase. Seating is limited, so secure your seat at this event now. Tickets can also be purchased at The Salvation Army office, 1915 Osborne Road, St. Marys. Click on the link below to purchase you seats or to secure Sponsorship Promotion. https://bit.ly/3TJqbO3 #SalvationArmy #doingthemostgood #Pathwayofhope #vintagestyle #vogue
Coastal Camden Art League
Head to Coastal Camden Art League* in St. Mary's, GA for a FREE oil paint class every Wednesday!
Class is for all Veterans and Active Duty members. Class is an hour long and begins at 10:00 am- 1:00 pm every Wednesday.
Camden Art League will teach you the skills needed, all supplies are provided. Participants must call in advance to reserve space (class size is limited to 10 patrons).
Please call (912)-464-4146 to reserve your spot and with any questions. *No Navy endorsement implied.
6222 Charlie Smith Sr. Hwy 31558
Want to learn archery? Join us on the range to learn how to use a bow. Get the chance to show off your skills, and maybe find your next hobby.
Space is limited. Please call or visit the main office to register
Ages 8 and above only The fee is $15 per person
Join us as we gather to play Pokemon The Trading Card Game! This program is for all skill levels.
Oak Grove Cemetery
Tickets
mollysoldsouth.com/daring-scandal-and-heartache-the-loves-of-st-marys
On this walking tour, get in the Valentine's Day spirit by learning about action-packed and heartbreaking stories of St. Marys romance!
Visit the town's most iconic landmarks, such as Oak Grove Cemetery, and gain VIP access to the Goodbread House while you hear tales of locals' romance such as:
- A local Civil War doctor who crossed enemy lines to marry his sweetheart
- A Carnegie who pined after his deceased wife while almost getting killed by his second
- A local woman who erected side-by-side funeral monuments to BOTH her husbands
Afterwards, sip Happy Hour-priced Valentines cocktails created specifically for our group at Seagles Saloon!
Date Friday, February 16
Time 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Price $20 per adult
$10 per child (ages 5 to 12)
Starting Location Oak Grove Cemetery Corner of Bartlett and Weed Streets
Ending Location Seagles Saloon 105 Osborne Street
1719 Osborne Rd, St. Marys, GA, United States, Georgia 31558
Get ready to unleash the excitement! Madi's Mutts Doggy Daycare, Grooming, and Boarding Center is thrilled to announce our GRAND OPENING on February 17, 2024! Join us for a day filled with fun, food, and drinks as we open our doors to the public. Come tour our top-of-the-line center, meet our dedicated owners and team, and discover the exceptional care we provide for your furry friends. Plus, don't miss out on our 3 amazing giveaways!
Please note: While we adore your furry companions, we kindly ask that you leave them at home for this special event. We can't wait to meet you all and answer any questions you may have! See you there!
6222 Charlie Smith Sr. Hwy 31558
Learn how to tie a hook and catch a fish with a ranger!
This program is $5.00 per person
Space is limited. Please call or visit the main office to register before the above time
Petsense St. Marys
Join Camden County Animal Control at PetSense St. Marys for a No Cost Adoption Event on Saturday, February 17, from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
FEBRUARY 9, 2024
Steps to Securing a Lower Mortgage Rate
Buyers seeking a lower mortgage rate don’t have to just wait for a market adjustment. Instead they can make changes in their personal finances that could help.
NEW YORK – Mortgage interest rates have been headlining financial news segments for several years running. Much of that news has been met with less than open arms, as rates have risen dramatically in recent years, an increase that is related to the ripple effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mortgage interest rates did not immediately spike. In fact, data from the lender Freddie Mac indicates mortgage rates were still well below 4% on January 1, 2022. However, those rates hovered around 7% by the end of that year. and we’re still around that level at the start of 2024.
With such high interest rates, it's understandable if prospective home buyers feel helpless. However, there's much buyers can do to help themselves as they seek to secure the lowest mortgage interest rate possible.
Read your credit report and improve your score, if necessary. Many prospective home buyers save up for years in anticipation of the day when they will purchase their own home.
During this period, buyers can read their credit reports and address any discrepancies while taking steps to improve their credit scores. Lenders consider a host of variables to determine an applicant's credit worthiness, and credit history and credit scores bear significant influence.
The higher an applicant's credit score, the more favorable mortgage rate he or she is likely to get.
Take control of your debt-to-income ratio. Debt-to-income (DTI) ratio refers to what you owe in relation to how much you earn. The lower your DTI, the better you look to lenders.
According to Bankrate, lenders typically want to avoid issuing mortgages to individuals if the monthly payment will exceed 28 percent of their gross monthly income, and people who may be near that threshold for a given home may be denied a mortgage if their DTI is high.
Prospective home buyers currently carrying significant debt, including consumer debt like credit cards and/ or student loan debts, should make a concerted effort to pay down that debt prior to applying for a mortgage. Prioritize paying off consumer debt before applying for a mortgage.
Maintain a strong employment record. Steady employment and consistent earnings make mortgage applicants more attractive in the eyes of lenders. If you are currently shopping for a home or about to make an offer, now might not be the best time to switch jobs.
Self-employed individuals and freelancers working multiple jobs can still qualify for a good mortgage rate, but they may need to provide more extensive documentation that indicates their earnings going back several years.
Individuals who have been working full-time for the same company for years may only need to provide W-2 forms from the two most recent tax years.
Shop around for rates. Rates may not fluctuate much between lenders, but it's still worth shopping around for mortgage rates.
A study from Freddie Mac found that the benefits of shopping around for a mortgage rate were especially notable in 2022 compared to the decade prior, saving borrowers who took the time to shop for rates substantial sums of money.
Mortgage rates remain high compared to a half decade ago, but prospective home buyers can take steps to increase their chances of qualifying for a favorable rate.
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