Good Afternoon, Sunland
It’s Tuesday! So… You know those little free libraries around town? Most are painted bright and packed with books. I even have one outside Sunland Bookstore.
So, over the weekend I had the (wild) idea to build a map so we can track every local library, note its condition, and see which ones need books.
I’m swimming in donated titles while I finish setting up the store, so finding them good homes felt right. Check out the map at play.sunlandnews.com/libraries and come back to this email, reply, and tell me what you think. If you like it, share the link with a friend. I had a blast putting this together and I’d love your feedback. Alright…
Ja’Min Devon
🍋 The Main Squeeze: The City gives Back
TL;DR: This second summer giveaway turned his back lot into a free pop-up shop filled with clothes, shoes, books, puzzles, and hot plates. A hundred plus Facebook shares drew the crowd, and a crew of helpers kept the line moving all morning.
Walk-in moment: I stepped through the gate and saw stacked jeans, cakes cooling on folding tables, bowls being filled for lunch, and helping hands everywhere. Shoutout to everyone involved. Q, Rabbit, Stoney, Buffit, Jerrica!
What happened
Tables of clothes and shoes for all ages
Books and puzzles for the kids
300 hot meals served
300 ice cups passed out
Everything gone by noon
Why it matters 💬: Free help is good. Seeing people linger, talk, and pitch in makes it even better. Moments like this prove community care is more than a slogan.
What’s next: There’s already plans for year three!
Your move:
See the day: Browse the photo album ➡️ Drive folder
Share the story: Pass this link to a friend who loves good news ➡️ Share this story
🥳 What’s Happening: Out of Town Events
Wednesday, July 2
🎸 The Groove Experience with Derek Mack – Soulful guitar night at Sweet Desires Dessert Lounge, Vero Beach. | 7 PM to 10 PM | Free | Details
Friday, July 4
🛺 Downtown Abacoa Block Party & Golf Cart Parade – Decorate a cart, roll through Abacoa, then stick around for the block party, Jupiter. | 3 PM | Free | Details
Saturday, July 5
Tuesday, July 8
🎵 Hip Hop Music Bingo – Hip-hop hits turned into bingo at Brackett Library, IRSC, Vero Beach. | 6 PM | Free (registration) | Details
If you have an event, send it to me here
🤩 People Pass: What your support means!
From school coverage to better tools like play.sunlandnews.com, every upgrade you see is made possible by readers who pitch in. Thank you to everyone who already has. This is what the People Pass makes possible. Want to support it too?
📸 The Refill: 5 Secret Photo Spots in Fort Pierce
I’ve wanted to write this story for a long time. Like, a long time. But I’m learning the hard way that good things take time. And this newsletter, as much as it’s about news, has always been about beauty too.
Most people don’t know this, but before Sunland News, I did video for a living. My bread and butter was images. I love photos. I love visuals. I love framing the world in a way that makes you stop and stare.
So today’s Refill is something close to my heart. It’s not a full-blown guide yet. We’ll get there. But it’s a start. Here are five photo spots in Fort Pierce that I think are worth your time, whether you’re shooting something for the feed, for your family, or just for yourself.
📍Fort Pierce Sculpture by the Riverwalk
Grungy. Graphic. Dope textures. There’s graffiti underneath that adds depth to the shot. But traffic moves fast here. Snap quick and be careful. If you’re trying to go all out, block off the road the right way and get your shot safe.
📍Underpass off Avenue C
The lines hit. The light cuts clean through. It’s got that industrial feel that makes even a simple portrait feel cinematic.
📍Rooftop on Avenue A
This isn’t the high garage everyone knows. It’s a smaller rooftop that gives you the water in the background. Perfect light, open sky, and just enough height to feel like a secret spot.
📍Window Graphic Outside City Hall
Right outside the parking garage between Orange and Avenue A. Most people walk right past it. But if you stop and look, the colors and reflections make it one of the cleanest backgrounds downtown.
📍Peacocks Mural in the Art District
Yup, we’ve got an arts district. It’s small but growing. That’s my bet. The mural here is huge. Bright color. Soft light. Full wall. You can shoot it wide or tight and it still looks fire.
📸 Have a favorite photo spot I missed? Share it here
📤 Love this list? Share the story with a friend who needs new spots to shoot
🧾 Last Drop: Beer, Bills, and Boomers
🍺 Florida has the 9th highest beer tax in the country at 48¢ per gallon. Tennessee takes the top spot at $1.29. See how we stack up
👵🏾 The U.S. is aging fast. 11 states now have more seniors than children, including Florida. Read the new Census data
📜 More than 100 new Florida laws go into effect today. Here’s what’s changing
📕 Free Funeral Planning Guide from Yates Funeral Home. Helpful peace-of-mind info, no pressure. Get your copy here (Sponsored)
How was today’s newsletter?
👋 Thanks for reading! If you found it useful, consider sharing it with a friend.
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