​I have had wonderful pets throughout my life and thinking back on each of them, I can honestly say that the relationships that I had with each of them are all special to me. I always purchased my pets until it was mentioned to me in 2014 to visit one of the local animal shelters before spending top dollar on my new to be pet. Well, I did just that. I searched online for a Doberman Pinscher as this was what I had my heart set on. I found one in Jacksonville, FL and recall the excitement I felt as I was driving to pick him up. They told me on the phone that he was just a puppy! I arrived and followed as I was escorted through aisle and aisle of wire compartments where the longing eyes of so many dogs were glued on me. We finally arrived at the holding place of my new Doberman puppy! I'll never forget the way he was crouch all the way in the back corner, shaking with fear, watching us as we entered his space. It was apparent at first sight that he was not a full-blooded Doberman and based on his markings and facial bone features, I knew that the dominant gene was definitely not doberman. Although, I had my heart set on a doberman Pinscher, it melted immediately into an "I really don't care anymore, this one is mine" kind of feeling. The gentleman picked him up by the scruff of his neck and asked me if this was the one and as this helpless, scared little puppy dangled in the air, I said to him, "Yes, he is exactly what I want".  I adopted a puppy that day that had been thrown away and brought BENTLEY Sir Extraordinaire home to the ranch where he would grow up running and playing in the hay fields! (Pictured below with his sweet little sister). ​I still have Bentley and found out from his veterinarian that he is a Doberman Bird Dog. He has markings of a doberman but his facial bone structure is that of a bird dog and he points! Yes, he does! He points and is the best hunter in the county! I love that he walks close to my side instinctively like a doberman and is extremely loving and loyal like a doberman but I also love to see him freeze and point when he's in hunting mode, lol!
So, now that you've heard my story, let me enlighten you as I have been enlightened, that The Humane Society is not simply in the business to save and re-home pets..... They offer vaccinations, health checkups, spay and neuter services, grooming, dog training and even have a pet food pantry. These are not all free services but are offered at low cost with programs and grants available for low income families. This is not an animal shelter but a full-service organization that you can bring your pets for much needed care!
​I wanted to share my adoption story with you because many times, it all begins there! You make the decision that you would love to have a pet and at that point, you must decide where and how you will find your new friend and pet companion. I just want to say that I cannot stress to you how happy I am that I decided to search for my pet at a place for lost and forgotten animals........ I'm all about being a change in the world by outwardly doing things that bring about a positive and choosing a pet, that for whatever reason, was being sheltered because it had no home, was a huge win, for him and for ME. I compiled a video with all the important information that you need to know about The St. Augustine Humane Society and all that they offer. You can view it on our YouTube channel at: https://youtu.be/JTQVo3INI6k
While you are there watching the video, please subscribe to our channel. Each week we post video's that offer valuable information about all of the new things we are doing at Leigh Insurance Agency and highlights of businesses and charities that are making our community a great place to live!

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Great View and Good Eat’s! I have to say that I really enjoy meeting people and going to new places when it’s time to blog about them but my visit to the St. Augustine Fish Camp was one for the books! When we arrived, the first thing I noticed was the valet parking booth… Of course, as luck would have it, a spot opened right in front of the restaurant and we snagged it! It was a gorgeous evening, not quite dark so the pink and purple colors of the setting sun danced across the water. We did not even think about making a reservation and was told very politely that there would be a wait. I really did not mind because I had already checked out the seating on the back deck and a very nice seating area on the dock and thought how nice it would be to sit and watch the sun set. We were told that we’d get a text when it was our turn to be seated and that there was an area set up outside that we could order drinks! To be honest, I can’t tell you how long we waited but I will go as far as to say that it wasn’t long enough because we were relaxing with the absolute best view. The atmosphere inside was very comfortable and relaxing. They have TVs in the bar area if you choose to be seated there but I noted that the layout of the restaurant was perfect in that we were not distracted by the televisions or loud conversations. The entire staff that attended to my date and I were all extremely polite and helpful.
Now, let’s get down to the meat and potatoes of this blog…. The food! I had a very hard time making a decision because there were so many wonderful choices but finally decided to start with the Fried Gator Tail with Datil Pepper Aioli. THIS could have very easily been my entree’! It was cooked to perfection and although I snooped a look at all the other plates passing by me (they ALL looked amazing), I was happy with my decision. For dinner, I chose the Fish Camp Shrimp & Grits and my date chose the Blackened Mahi. I cannot stress enough to you the presentation of each dinner plate as well as the mouth-watering tastiness that both of us experienced! Upon leaving St. Augustine Fish Camp, we had already decided on coming back and what dish we would be trying on our next visit!  I learned that they have 7 locations between St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach and Jacksonville. You can visit their website at www.thefishcamps.com to get the addresses and telephone numbers of each and check out their menu or find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/staugustinefishcamp/.
Leigh Insurance Agency selected St. Augustine Fish Camp as our business highlight this week because the area is buzzing about this new restaurant, what a great addition it is to our community and the 4-star dining experience you are afforded as their patron! I can attest firsthand that the buzz is well warranted and your friends here at Leigh Insurance would like for you to join us in welcoming them to the great city of St. Augustine!

This week’s business spotlight is on a team of photography professionals that just happen to be family! Morrell Management Group was a vision of it’s owner Cyndi Morrell. Her entrepreneurial spirit and education in business management and entrepreneurship has led her down a road of several business establishments over the years that grew into reputable organizations. She had a love for photography and always considered it a hobby but wanted to morph that hobby into a business. As she was developing the new business plan, integrating her daughter and son in-law into this plan was imperative because they we’re both professional landscape and architectural photographers and her son in-law is a licensed drone pilot as well. Her youngest son had just attained his bachelor’s in business and would come board as the business manager while still pursuing his career as a Physicians Assistant. She would eventually bring on her youngest daughter as the make-up and hair artist for business head shots. Morrell Management officially opened in August of 2019 and it did not take very long before word of mouth had the business booming!
Cyndi’s role is exclusively the real estate photographer and drone pilot for northeast Florida and we are happy to say that she is currently working on a part time basis here at Leigh Insurance Agency as our Marketing Manager. We are experiencing firsthand her skills in photography and videography! She recently had the opportunity to work with her 17-year-old grandson who is currently training in photography and videography and she tells us that her goal is to one day have him on the Morrell Management team! He shot an advertising video for the business that you will be able to see on our YouTube Channel! His grandmother beams that he is a natural and the video is her proof, lol.  ​Check out the video below!  

​If your trying to decide on a charity or cause to donate your time or money too, it can be a daunting task! There are so many organizations in our county that are set up to deliver assistance to a multitude of people that are in need and ALL of them are equally important. I have always believed that if each individual in our society who has the ability to give or the extra time to be of service and help another that may have a need, we should make ourselves available to do that. All of us working together is what makes the wheels turn towards all our tomorrows!
At Leigh Insurance Agency, we are fortunate that it is our job to invest in our customers protection through meeting their insurance needs AND we each have a desire to make a difference in our community by supporting other organizations that are helping folks in need!
I want to talk about an immediate need in our community that our work family here in the office will be supporting with hopes that you also will consider contributing to. INK (Investing In Kids) is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1994 and their focus is on our schools teachers and students. They provide funding opportunities to enhance public education by recognizing and inspiring teachers and students. I quoted directly from their Facebook page because after reading their bio, I could not have described what they do any better than this! You can research them on Facebook and after scrolling only a short time, you will see firsthand that this group is in action to be a strong support to our schools. Why is this so important? I will give you a perspective from the years that I spent raising my own (4) children – I was a single mother for a period during their childhood and my budget was planned to the penny. As each new school year approached, I vividly remember the panic that would come over me as I desperately tried to figure out a way to provide each of them the materials (not to mention clothing and shoes) so that they would be ready for their first day of school. I did not have the luxury of a job that allowed me to set aside a few dollars here and there so that when this time came upon me, I’d have it, so needless to say, I am not embarrassed to admit that I had to search out organizations that could help me! As I reflect back on those years, I am thankful that there were people there for me that I could call that would give me a hand. It’s in that spirit that I recognize the need for the Investing In Kids group and understand that countless families and teachers will benefit from the work that they are doing to provide resources that will give them the teaching and learning tools they need to be successful.
Our children are our future and in my humble opinion, it is an honor to invest in their future and their hope for a brighter tomorrow!
Let me give you a few links that will provide you with a plethora of great information about who they are, what they do and what they are doing right now that you can be a part of!
You can check them out on their website at https://ink-stjohns.org/      
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/InvestingInKids
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ink_investinginkids
 
 

I remember my Dad always telling me that a clean car ran better! It was one of those things that stuck in my head along with "change the oil every 3,000 miles and that car will run till the doors fall off!"  He bought my first car for me when I was 16, a 1964 Rambler. Now, many of you may be thinking what in the world is a Rambler, but others will know exactly what I am talking about! It was a 16-year-old car, faded and didn't even run, but it was sentimental to him because it was manufactured in the year of my birth. He completely refurbished this car and when he was finished, it looked brand new! So, off I went, having been taught by a great man how to properly take care of it. Well, the one thing I did most often was wash my car! Three and four times a week as a matter of fact. So, long story short, I believe he was right; as long as my car was sparkling clean, I felt like it was still "brand new" and was convinced it also ran better!
I gave you my background in car care 101 to introduce a new car wash in the St. Augustine area that I cannot stop talking about! Hopefully, I have set the stage so that you have a full understanding how important a good car wash is to me. The name of this car wash is Datil Wash (just like the pepper). We paid them a visit last week and I was completely impressed with the operation! This is a full-service car wash that offers packages from a full detail to a quick shine. If you’re like me and you want to keep your ride shiny and clean on a regular basis, you can choose one of their monthly packages which are very affordable. If you are a business with a fleet of vehicles or would like to include your family on a package, they have DISCOUNTED memberships! As I walked around checking out each area of the car wash, I was greeted by huge smiles from the staff..........Now, I don't know about you but this is a defining factor for me when I choose a service to give my business too! As I stood at the exit that rolls out the finished vehicle for the final touches, I had already made up my mind that Datil Wash would be getting my business every week!
To end this story, I have owned several cars throughout my life but never forgot the maintenance tips that my Dad gave me when I was 16 years old and have always searched out local car washes to keep my ride clean! I’d like to encourage you to pay a visit to Datil Wash at 145 Movie Street, next door to the Epic Theater for an awesome detail and car wash.
Also, if you give our office a call for an insurance quote and mention this blog, you will receive a FREE Spicy car wash, compliments of Leigh Insurance Agency!

​Life is short, which has been highlighted by the sweeping health crisis that shocked the world this year. The uncertainty of one's survival is now an unavoidable discussion, hence the need to get life insurance. Planning for whatever unexpected circumstance that may happen is practical.

​COVID-19 is the primary reason why people might look past other current pressing responsibilities. It includes home insurance, which is a necessity regardless of whether one owns their homes or not.

​Even if you aced your driving exam with perfect scores, it is still best to remember traffic safety basics all the time. Ensuring safety to yourself also ensures the safety of pedestrians and other drivers. If you want to avoid any unwanted accidents or collisions, please review the five road safety tips below.

Do you live in a flood-prone area? Flooding can be a conventional natural disaster in some regions of the world due to sudden and heavy rainfall. Review the safety guidelines below for tips before, during, and after a flood. Protect your property and increase your chances of surviving!

​Sanitizing and cleaning the surfaces in your home often touched by people can decrease the chances of contracting a virus. Additionally, it will also keep you from passing it on to someone else. Other than the basic and necessary self-hygiene guidelines, ensuring you have a sanitized home helps more than you think.