HAPPY FATHER’ S DAY
Heritage on the Water
COMMUNITY NEWS
SAN JOSE | SAN MAR CO | ST. NICHOLAS FIERCELY LOCAL NEWS ... FIERCELY LOYAL READERS | RESIDENTNEWS.NET | JUNE 2026 | VOL. 19, ISSUE 6
Brick by Brick
Members of Women’s Giving Alliance mark a quarter century of impact at the WGA Member Forum.
WGA Awards $675K to Local Nonprofits
Arnold Rogers and Tom Schacht San Marco Preservation Society past board members Desiree Bailey and David Paulk are recognized for their years of service to the organization and the community it works to preserve.
Women’s Giving Alliance celebrated its 25th anniversary by funding 10 nonprofits working to end violence against women and girls. READ MORE ON PAGE 19
At its annual meeting in Preservation Hall, San Marco Preservation Society celebrated board members who’ve made lasting impacts and people and projects shaping San Marco. CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
Putts and Purpose at River Garden Classic
The Commodores League welcomed the national leadership of the Colonial Dames of North America for a scenic river cruise along the St. Johns River, highlighting local hospitality and heritage and strengthening connections while celebrating shared traditions and community engagement. READ MORE ON PAGE 20
Turning Dirt on THE Southbank
City officials join project stakeholders and development team members in a ground-breaking ceremony of the new Southbank Residences on May 20.
Dr. Harris Rittenberg and Gil Horowitz
Thirty years strong, the River Garden Classic continues driving support for senior living and nursing care programs. READ MORE ON PAGE 26
By Michele Leivas Four years after Jacksonville’s iconic River City Brewing Co. was demolished to make way for a new mixed-use development, Mayor Donna Deegan and several other city officials joined the development team to break ground on Related Group’s incoming high-rise on the Southbank. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
Talent Takes the Stage
A Fundraising First for History Center
Danielle Groff performs in the April 23 Talent Showcase at Assumption Catholic School’s Fine Art Night.
Assumption Catholic School students dazzled friends, family and faculty at Assumption’s Fine Art Night on Friday, April 23. Food trucks provided small bites for guests as they perused the annual art show, featuring pieces created by students throughout the year, and applauded students participating in the annual Talent Showcase.
The Great Fire Gathering draws a crowd for awards, ambience and a Low Country feast, creating an unfortgettable kickoff and cementing a new signature tradition.
During the ceremonies, Executive Director Dr. Alan Bliss, Co-Chairs Courtney Gumbinger and Veronica Frazier presented Dave Auchter, Immediate Past Chair, with a beam-turned urn from the building, created by Jeff Thompson to commemorate his dedication to the JHC.
The Jacksonville History Center brought its top patrons together to raise funds, embark on bigger goals and kickoff a new fundraising idea – the Low Country Boil – dubbed The Great Fire Gathering; the debut event had a strong showing for the nonprofit that’s procuring our City’s history through its efforts to archive, showcase and build-out the new Jacksonville History Center on its grounds at the former Casket Factory.
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