COMMUNITY NEWS
Michael and Morgan Roberts with Michael and Michaela Schmidt
ROOT BALL RETURNS FOR DERBY DAY Frosty mint juleps flavored Greenscape of Jacksonville’s 16th annual Root Ball fundraiser on May 6, aptly named “Ante Up for Derby Day” for its Kentucky Derby-themed watch party, complete with casino games, hat and bowtie contests and silent auction. Funds raised will assist in providing education, advocacy and tree-planting here in the River City. “We had record attendance this year and it was such a fun crowd,” said Lisa Grubba, Greenscape’s executive director. “We’re so grateful to our supporters, many of whom have been with us since our founding in 1975.” The event was co-hosted by Late Bloomers Garden Club. Club members Debbie Early and Sally Ragsdale, along with Greenscape board member Tiffany Davis co-chaired while Ann Hicks served as Honorary Chair. Greenscape of Jacksonville is one of the nation’s longest-running tree groups, serving Jacksonville for 48 years.
RIVERSIDE | AVONDALE | ORTEGA | MURRAY HILL RESIDENTNEWS.NET
FIERCELY LOCAL NEWS ... FIERCELY LOYAL READERS
JUNE 2023. VOL. 16, ISSUE 06
Garden Tour
2023
BUILDING COMMUNITY ONE PLOT AT A TIME
Riverside and Avondale neighbors’ dirt, foliage and blooms were on full display during Riverside Avondale Preservation’s third annual Garden Tour on May 13. Sue, Ellen and Tom Holbert made it a family event as they biked between stops on the self-guided tour. READ MORE ON PAGE 15
Tiffany Davis and Cathie Robinson
AFTER HOURS ACTIVITY AN ISSUE IN 5 POINTS BY MICHELE LEIVAS RESIDENT COMMUNITY NEWS ___________
Mike Munsch and Rebecca Black
PRSRT STD
US POSTAGE PAID STUART, FL PERMIT NO.300
Bruce and Kyle Musser
Barry Kirkland, Charles Samford, John Depietro, Robin Szabo and John Lemen
The 5 Points district in Riverside saw a considerable police presence in the late hours on Saturday, May 13. Local news outlet Action News Jax reported on a chaotic scene on 5 Points’ Park Street, where officers, including bike and horse patrol units, responded to several calls for service that evening. The Resident reached out to JSO to inquire about the recurring issues in the 5 Points area related to safety and security. JSO’s Public Information Office provided the following statement: “I can confirm that on the weekend of May 13th and 14th, the Sheriff’s Office took a proactive approach by having additional officers, to include mounted officers and bike units, in the 5 points area in anticipation of large crowds gathering after the closing of local businesses. Going forward, we will continue to monitor calls for service and any other concerns brought to our attention by members of the community and business owners. Based on that information, decisions will be made on how to best address the activity; however, I would not be able to discuss plans for the future.” The Resident will continue reporting on this issue in the coming month. Readers interested in sharing comments are invited to submit them to editor@residentnews.net.
50 YEARS FOR ’73 GRADS BY PEGGY HARRELL JENNINGS RESIDENT COMMUNITY NEWS ___________
Over 175 classmates of the Robert E. Lee High School, now Riverside High School, class of 1973 recently celebrated their 50th high school reunion. Attendees came from nine different states, including senior class president, Chase Morgan, who traveled all the way from Washington. Guests included former Lee High coaches Leon Barrett, Ed Johnson and Skip Cross, as well as Linda Rogers, representing her late husband, Coach Corky Rogers.
“I enjoyed seeing the coaches and players from the first few years Corky and I were at Lee. Great memories,” said Rogers. Ortega resident Becky Rood and her committee organized the fun-filled evening at the Ortega River Club, which included 27 members of the senior girls’ Powder Puff Football team, four varsity football players who were their coaches, and the “Yellers,” who performed as the Powder Puff team’s cheerleaders. Debbie Washington Rankin said, “It was great to visit with classmates and reminisce about our youth, but better yet to see the ‘aged to perfection’ we have become. It was a blast! Looking forward to the next reunion in 2028.”
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