San Marco: Resident June 2026

SAN JOSE | SAN MARCO | ST. NICHOLAS

Women’s Giving Alliance celebrated its 25th anniversary by funding 10 nonprofits working to end violence against

Thirty years strong, the River Garden Classic continues driving support for senior living and nursing

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.

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.

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.

Turning Dirt on THE Southbank

A Fundraising First for History Center

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.

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.

Held on Wednesday, May 20, the groundbreaking ceremony marked the start of construction of Southbank Residences. The $200-plus million development will feature the 25-story Icon Tower and eight-story Manor Tower, with just under 400 residences between the pair and approximately 4,500 square feet of ground-floor retail. It was designed by world-renowned architect Carlos Ott, whose work includes the Opéra Bastille in Paris and other major projects around the globe.

Plans for this development date back to 2021, and Related Development President and CEO Steve Patterson remarked on that passage of time as he stepped up to the podium.

“Mayor Deegan, I love it when plans come together,” Patterson said. “Five years, a couple bucks for attorneys’ fees. Look what we did.”

With additional amenities including a riverfront restaurant, a speakeasy, a rooftop resident lounge, resortstyle pool, spa, fitness centers, and sports simulators, Patterson said Southbank Residences will have it all.

Patterson, President and CEO of

“It’s not a building, this is a village,” Patterson said.

Deegan shared her excitement for this project with those gathered at the May groundbreaking for what she said will be a “catalytic project” for the City as it continues

to see development take shape in different parts of Downtown and the surrounding areas.

“It is a time for our downtown that many of us have dreamed of for many, many decades, and to see the renderings become reality has been absolutely incredible, and this is just another piece of that,” Deegan said.

This incoming development marks continued activation along the Southbank, as crews have roped off the former MOSH building in preparation for demolition, and Haskell continues work on its new headquarters just next door.

Following the groundbreaking ceremony, District 5 City Council Member Joe Carlucci said bringing this landmark development to the riverfront marks a new chapter for Jacksonville – one in which riverfront residents are needed.

“It just means Jacksonville is moving in the right direction. The last chapter of Jacksonville – River City Brewing – that was a great chapter, but the new chapter that

we’re in is going to be even better,” Carlucci said. “Same with MOSH – that was a great chapter, lots of memories there…but there’s a lot of things that are going to be complementing each other over here to where new memories can be made, even more experiences and residents on the river are one thing that we need more of.”

Related Group Founding Executive Chairman Jorge Perez is looking forward to bringing the same momentum to Jacksonville that the Miami-based development company has brought to other major cities in Florida, including Miami and Tampa.

“Related is not a company that builds buildings; it builds cities,” Perez said during his address. “We are so proud that we have changed neighborhoods, that we have changed cities, that we have made it inclusive, and that’s part of our DNA.”

The development team also includes MSA Architects, Coastal Construction and ID & Design International.

Fresh Updates Unveiled for Riverfront Plaza Phase II

By Michele Leivas

As several new public parks continue to open along the riverfront of the North- and Southbanks, the City of Jacksonville sought public feedback for the second phase of Riverfront Plaza at an open house last month.

The open house took place on Wednesday, May 13. City of Jacksonville Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services Daryl Joseph said he received significant community feedback that afternoon as residents had the opportunity to review updated renderings of the second phase of the park, which is currently under construction.

“People love it,” Joseph said. “With all the landscaping, we planted a lot of trees in the first phase, and we’ll continue the landscaping component into phase two.”

With progress continuing at nearby Pearl Square, Joseph said the design team has also communicated with Gateway Jax to ensure the landscaping will transition smoothly between the private development and the public amenity.

Updated renderings also featured the riverfront swing deck, a new amenity that residents had not previously seen, which Perkins&Will Senior Landscape Architect Brian Carson said came from prior community feedback.

“You can look over the river, you’re under the shade of the trees – it’s a lot about shade and comfort, diversity of use for different people,” Carson said.

While some new elements, like the swing deck, have been added to this second phase, updated designs still carry forward items previously discussed, including the beer garden and, most importantly, pedestrian and cyclist access to the park from the Main Street Bridge.

“That multi-use trail originally, and still does, go over the roof of the beer garden,” Carson said, adding that the beer garden will remain a full-service restaurant that will cater to families of all ages.

Hilltop Grove will offer a quiet, shaded seating area overlooking the park activity. At the same time, changes have been made to the previously more sweeping grand civic stair and plaza element of the park.

“We’ve kept the civic stairs and that moment to frame the view of the Main Street Bridge and the Water; it’s a little bit smaller, but we’ve sort of done double duty and added that shaded grove where you get the big civic stair view, you get the seating, you get the civic activity, but you also get somewhere to hang a little bit more comfortably in the shade and overlook the park,” Carson said.

The public meeting took place in the shell building that will eventually house the café in the Riverfront Plaza. Joseph said the City plans to turn that space back over to the community later this fall.

The following day, the Downtown Development Review Board had an opportunity to review these same renderings in a presentation at its monthly board meeting. Board members praised the designs and shared positive feedback, with some asking about lighting components within Phase II. DDRB Chair Linzee Ott shared similar remarks, commenting on this “clever” use of space beneath the Main Street Bridge.

“As we are seeing all over the world, activating under-bridge spaces, it just makes so much sense,” Ott said. “…I just want to make sure we do have lighting under there, but this is very exciting, and I think we’re all excited to see it come to life.”

While there will be updates to the community on Phase II’s construction progress, Joseph said he doesn’t anticipate any additional open house events. Phase II is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.

KATHY BROOKS AESTHETICS

Taking Note on the Northbank

By Michele Leivas

Nearly two years after the City of Jacksonville closed it off for construction, the stretch of the Northbank Riverwalk behind the Jacksonville Center for Performing Arts has transformed into the Riverfront Music Garden.

City officials, community stakeholders and residents came out to celebrate the official grand opening of this new public park on Wednesday, May 13. As he introduced Mayor Donna Deegan during the Wednesday morning ribbon-cutting ceremony, City of Jacksonville Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services Darryl Joseph spoke of what he called the “power of parks.”

“Our mayor understands the power of parks,” Joseph said. “How well-planned parks, well-maintained parks and activated parks bring us together. Today is a great example of that.”

While construction of this park began in July 2024, discussions surrounding it stretch back far longer, and last month’s ceremony represented countless hours of conversations with several stakeholders –from the Downtown Investment Authority to Groundwork Jacksonville – and the community itself as the development team worked alongside the City of Jacksonville to create a park that celebrated the Bold City’s bold musical heritage.

“This is what Jacksonville can do when we decide that Jacksonville deserves beautiful things,” Deegan said in her remarks.

‘A Century of Sound’ Beneath Our Feet

As guests enter the winding path cutting through the garden, which leads them through various musical stations and interactive experiences, they will notice the park’s Music Walk of Fame: an installation of 30 markers embedded in the concrete bearing the names of some of the City’s most notable and influential artists, musicians and composers in its musical history.

“These 30 names span more than a century of sound,” Deegan said. “They span gospel and blues, rock and country, hip hop and classical, R&B and jazz.”

To identify the inductees to this Walk of Fame – the first of its kind in Jacksonville – Deegan explained that the DIA assembled a committee of historians, musicians, educators, authors, and industry professionals.

Following the ceremony, DIA CEO Colin Tarbert called the Walk of Fame a celebration of a piece of Jacksonville’s history that doesn’t get the recognition it deserves.

“To me, it feels like you’re bringing back a piece of history that maybe I wouldn’t say it was forgotten, but it hasn’t been celebrated,” Tarbert said. “…You’ll be surprised at some of the names that are on there, and the range of diversity of both time period and artists and style of music – it’s very eclectic. It’s just an exciting moment for Downtown to be recognizing the bigger impact that Jacksonville has had, not just here but nationally and internationally.”

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

The names featured in the Music Walk of Fame are: 38 Special, 69 Boys, 95 South, Allman Brothers Band, Blind Blake, Charlie “Hoss” Singleton, Classics IV, Frederick Delius, Glenn Jones, Gram Parsons, Jahaan Sweet, JJ Grey & Mofro, Johnson Brothers (James Weldon Johnson and John Rosamond Johnson), Lil Duval, Limp Bizkit, Longineu Parsons II, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Ma Rainey, Mae Axton, Marcus Roberts, Molly Hatchet, Pat Chappelle, Quad City DJs, Ray Charles, Shinedown, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Tim McGraw, Ulysses Owens, Jr., Walter Orange, and Yellowcard.

A Place for the Community Residents immediately began exploring the park and its various stations. Among them was Avondale resident Pamela Telis, a staunch parks advocate and founder of Avondale’s Friends of Boone Park South. She beamed as she took in the new expanse of riverfront space, filled with people moving and grooving to the music playing from speakers throughout the park.

“Any of these big parks on the river in Downtown are so important because they really do bring people from all over the city, versus our neighborhood parks, where it’s really a smaller demographic,” Telis said. “This just brings all of our people, and it’s so much fun to see the diversity, see everybody enjoying themselves and feeling pride in our city, because these spaces haven’t always been utilized to their fullest capacity.”

Telis recalled the times she and her husband would come to the performing arts center to attend the symphony, and they would walk out the back doors to enjoy the riverfront vistas during intermissions. This new park, she said, complements the performing arts center wonderfully.

“What a perfect connection,” Telis said. “…I love this because when I travel throughout the country, I look for these very places to come visit, because for me, they give me the feel of the neighborhood, what’s important to the city. This is what’s important to our city, although we haven’t always been able to highlight it.”

A Golden Celebration of Preservation

The rain held off this year as San Marco neighbors, business owners and community leaders gathered at Preservation Hall for San Marco Preservation Society’s Annual Member Meeting and Beautification Awards.

On Thursday, May 28, the evening was especially festive as the organization marked its 50th anniversary, following San Marco’s centennial last year.

The program highlighted preservation, community, and progress, with speakers George Foote, Leah Roesler, David Paulk, and Robin Robinson sharing updates on the Centennial celebrations, partnerships, event programming, and SMPS history.

Special recognition was given to Pat Andrews, Desiree Bailey and David Paulk for their years of distinguished service, and a unanimous vote installed a new slate of officers for 2026-27, including Matt Little (president), Anita Vining (president-elect), and Raghu Krishnamachari (treasurer).

Commercial, Public-Private/Non-Residential Awards:

• LaSalle Street San Marco Drainage and Flood Mitigation

• The Centennial Oak at 1620 Marco Place

• JTA San Marco Shelter

• ‘The Gym’ at RiversEdge, Riverwalk Expansion

• Electric Dough Pizza, Co. Rue Saint-Marc

Residential Awards:

• 1118 Landon Avenue (The Claxtons) 1999 River Road (The Kobrins)

• 1014 Elder Lane (Shane and Christine Silver)

• 1205 Mapleton Road (The Sanicolas)

• 2565 Pineridge Road (Katherine “Kitty” Gundlefinger)

On the Ground at Pearl Square

By Michele Leivas

Jacksonville’s NorthCore is abuzz with the noises of construction as the Pearl Square development takes shape across multiple pads bounded by West Duval, Union, Beaver and Laura streets.

Resident News and other local media organizations joined Gateway Jax CEO Bryan Moll on a walking tour of the development on Tuesday, May 19 as he shared updates on construction progress and details of what’s to come in this sweeping development that will encompass a total density of two square miles, more than 1,250 residential units, 200,000 square feet of retail space, 100,000 square feet of office space, 109 hotel keys, 2,500 parking spaces and an acre of open space.

Standing before the Vandeveer building at 515 North Pearl Street, Moll described some of the potential tenants of the building, previously identified as Block N11, which will include more than 200 apartment units and 22,000 square feet of retail, with leasing tentatively expected late summer and move-ins swiftly following.

JetSet Pilates has already been named as an incoming tenant, with more announcements coming soon. Moll mentioned they will include several food and beverage options.

“We’ll likely have a coffee shop that will turn into a wine bar at night, three meals a day,” Moll said. “…We’ve

got a bagel and breakfast place, we’ve got ice cream. What am I missing? Another restaurant. So we’ve got a lot of exciting things.”

Moll said further announcements about incoming tenants are expected in June. When it comes to retail, Moll said there will be a combination of local and regional businesses.

“The good news is, with 200,000 square feet of retail, you can do all of the above, but what’s important to us is to make sure that we have both a mixture of local tenants – so we’ve got groups that are here, local to Jacksonville – some that are in the metro area, but outside of Jacksonville proper, and then, for instance, at the Hotel Merrydelle, the restaurant there is going to be operated by Steve Palmer, who’s from Charleston…So our goal is to make sure that we have both the local flavor and local restaurants, mom and pop, so to speak, as well as bringing in some regional influence.”

At nearby 119 West Beaver Street, demolition is imminent for the building formerly belonging to the First Baptist Church to make way for the incoming 32,000-square-foot, full-service Publix on the building’s ground floor with additional parking above it. Next door will be another 250-unit apartment building. Moll said the development team initially assessed whether or not to adapt the existing building.

Howland, Carlucci to Lead City Council as 2026-27 President, Vice President

By Michele Leivas

City Council Members Nick Howland and Joe Carlucci have been elected the 2026-27 Jacksonville City Council president and vice president, respectively.

Howland, the At-Large Group 3 council member, was the sole candidate for council president and was elected unanimously. District 7 City Council Member Jimmy Peluso initially abstained from voting for president but later voted for Howland after being informed that council rules require all council members to cast a vote.

Addressing the council as president-designate, Howland emphasized his desire for the council to work together as a team.

“I truly believe a 17-2 vote is better than a 10-9 vote because it means we’ve worked together,” Howland said. “I don’t want to force outcomes, I want to build them through discussion and through consensus, even in an election year. That will be a clear objective of mine over the next year, and that’s what this city deserves.”

“We do try to keep every historic building that we have, because that’s really important,” Moll said. “It just didn’t make a lot of sense from a constructability standpoint.”

The Pearl Square team is also in discussion with the City of Jacksonville and the Florida Department of Transportation regarding a road diet for Beaver Street, from Clay to Laura streets, to slow traffic. Currently, plans involve widening sidewalks, adding bicycle lanes and removing one lane in each direction. A middle turn lane will be added, along with a landscaped median where possible.

Moll added that while the current boundaries for the Beaver Street Road Diet – Clay to Laura streets – are what’s been approved, there are discussions about extending it beyond that.

A rendering is on display at each development pad under construction for Pearl Square, giving residents an idea of what each specific site will look like when it’s completed. Each rendering also provides a QR code residents can scan to learn more about the incoming building.

A runoff election was held for vice president between District 5 City Council Member Joe Carlucci and At-Large Group

vice president candidates – Carlucci, Miller and Council Members Rahman Johnson and Ken Amaro – obtained the required 10 votes in the first

In the run-off, Carlucci was elected 10-9.

“Now it’s time to build consensus,” Carlucci said, addressing the council. “It’s time to get back to work, and it’s time, like Vice President Howland

team back together [and] go forward in 2027.”

The 2026-27 leadership installation ceremony will take place in the council chambers on June 25 at 5 p.m.

Hajjar Joins Clinical Leadership Team at Riverside Post Acute

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist Dany Hajjar, MD, has joined the clinical leadership team at Riverside Post Acute.

Board-certified in internal medicine, Hajjar brings more than 20 years of experience in acute and post-acute care to this new role. His specialty – PM&R – focuses on restoring health and function through an integrated treatment plan that includes pain management and physical therapy.

“Dr. Hajjar is highly regarded in the region for his PM&R expertise and compassionate, patient-centered care,” said Pam Montemurno, regional director of market development at Marquis Health Consulting Services, which supports Riverside Post Acute. “He is working closely with Riverside’s leadership and the interdisciplinary teams guiding its specialty clinical programs.” Hajjar is fluent in English, French and Arabic. He serves as a hospitalist at Baptist Health. He is also president of Hajjar Medical P.A.

H.D. “Bo” Cotton Award Highlights Legacy of Service at RPDS

Riverside Presbyterian Day School has named Academic Resource Specialist and Admissions Associate Stephanie Milne the recipient of the H.D. “Bo” Cotton Award.

RPDS celebrated Milne’s commitment to excellence and compassion in educating the whole child. She displayed the same genuine commitment to collaborating with, supporting, and partnering with her colleagues, leading with intention and care.

Each year, RPDS awards this accolade to an exceptional faculty member. As the 2026 recipient, Milne has served in nearly every capacity, from student and alumna to parent, faculty member and administrator.

Adding That Wow to Your Windows

Mark and Sabrie Edmonston are bringing a fresh layer of beauty to Jacksonville neighborhoods – one window at a time. The Ortega Forest residents recently launched a local venture with WOW Windowboxes, blending creativity, craftsmanship and a passion for community into a service that enhances curb appeal across Northeast Florida.

For the Edmonstons, the move marks a meaningful shift. After years in the corporate world, Mark sought an opportunity closer to home. “I had been looking for a way to do something more locally focused,” Mark said. “Something where I could build relationships right here in Jacksonville.”

That vision came together alongside Sabrie, a Jacksonville native and healthcare professional, as the couple balances growing a business with raising their young family. Their lives are firmly rooted in the community they now serve.

Together, they saw an opportunity to bring a designforward concept to an area known for its pride of place –from historic neighborhoods to coastal communities. Their work reflects that appreciation, offering homeowners and businesses an effortless way to elevate their homes.

As they continue to grow, the Edmonstons look forward to building relationships with neighbors across the region, adding thoughtful touches that make homes stand out, season after season. To learn more, call (904) 560-6690, visit wowwindowboxes.com/jacksonville or follow them on Instagram.

Nemours Children’s Health Unveils State-of-the-Art Otolaryngology Center

Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville celebrated the new Betty and Jack Demetree Family Center for Otolaryngology with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, May 7.

This center is the region’s only pediatric balance disorder specialty program and the area’s largest cochlear implant program. At 8,500 square feet, the new space also allows for a 30% increase in patient capacity, with comfortable, home-like spaces designed to support the needs of the whole family. New features include 12 exam rooms, three audiology rooms, a state-of-the-art rotary chair used to diagnose inner ear disorders through vestibular–balance testing, updated communications technology, and increased research capacity to foster the development of improved therapies for hearing loss, ENT disorders, and related conditions.

“The opening of the Betty and Jack Demetree Family Center for Otolaryngology strengthens our ability to meet the growing needs of children and families across Northeast Florida,” said Nemours Children’s Health President and CEO R. Lawrence Moss, MD, FACS, FAAP.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the fruits of a $6 million, multi-year capital campaign for this renovation and redesign, with the Jack C. & Betty A. Demetree Family Foundation’s $2 million gift in fall 2025 playing a lead role in making the center a reality.

“We’re honored to support the new ENT Center, which will offer children access to state-of-the-art technology and exceptional physician care,” said Lisa Demetree, president of the Jack C. & Betty A. Demetree Family Foundation.

The Thomas M. and Irene B. Kirbo Foundation, Ring Power, the Jaguars Foundation, Hugh and Wendy Durden, the Fowler Family and the Alfred I. duPont Foundation were other major contributors.

Wolfson Bass Tournament Reels In $340K

More than 500 anglers cast their lines for Wolfson Children’s Hospital, raising more than $340,000 for the 37th annual Wolfson Children’s Hospital Bass Tournament.

Proceeds from the event will support the C. Herman and Mary Virginia Terry Heart Institute, funding advanced cardiology and heart surgery equipment and cutting-edge technology.

For the first time, the tournament transitioned to a two-day competition format with Friends of Wolfson Children’s Tournament and Lads and Lasses Tournament taking place on Friday, May 15, and the main Bass Tournament following on Saturday.

“Thanks to the unwavering support of our sponsors, anglers and community, the Wolfson Children’s Hospital Bass Tournament continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families across our region,” said Allegra C. Jaros, MBA, president of Wolfson Children’s Hospital. “This event is a powerful demonstration of what we can achieve together. Every contribution helps us advance lifesaving care, invest in innovative technology and ensure that every child receives the exceptional treatment they deserve, close to home. We are deeply grateful to everyone who makes this mission possible.”

A Quarter Century of Driving Support

Daniel President and CEO Lesley Wells shared comments on the quarter-century

of this annual golf classic.

“The incredible success of this 25th anniversary tournament is a testament to the generosity and heart of this community,” said Wells.

Racing Toward Impact

Empowering the next generation of Ironman athletes, the Ironman Foundation donated

the opening ceremony of the inaugural Jacksonville

The Ironman Foundation named Daniel its nonprofit recipient at the triathlon’s kickoff on Saturday, May 16. Ironman Foundation volunteers helped assemble the bicycles to distribute them to their new owners.

“We were thrilled to be selected as the nonprofit partner for the inaugural Ironman Jacksonville race,” said Dave Cognetta, Daniel’s chief development officer. “This is a wonderful event for our city, and the children at Daniel are incredibly excited to receive bikes of their own.”

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Baptist Health Recognized for Data Integrity

Joint Commission, an independent accreditation and certification nonprofit organization, has awarded Baptist Health the Responsible Health Data certification in recognition of Baptist Health’s commitment to responsible stewardship of health data to enhance patient outcomes, advance research and improve care.

Baptist Health leadership accepted this certification from Joint Commission in a May 15 ceremony in the lobby of the Borowy Tower.

Health data provides valuable insights that can inform health trends, identify potential treatment options and support earlier diagnoses. This certification underscores safe and consistent practices for the responsible use of de-identified patient information, prioritizing patient privacy.

To award this certification, Joint Commission measured Baptist Health’s compliance in several areas, including oversight structure, data de-identification, data controls, limitations on use, algorithm validation, and patient transparency.

“Health data can transform individual experiences into collective insight, revealing patterns that can enhance patient outcomes and how care is delivered,” said Baptist Health Executive Vice President and Chief Digital and Information Officer Aaron Miri, DHA, FCHIME, CHCIO. “We take patient privacy very seriously. This recognition reflects our pledge to handle secondary data responsibly, keeping patient information secure while applying insights to advance care here in Florida and across the country.”

Blue-tiful Moments

sons Jeremy and Richie.

The LJD Jewish Family & Community Services welcomed nearly 400 guests to Blue & Bright – Together We Shine on Thursday, April 23.

This annual event highlights JFCS’s programming and shines a light on its impact in the community, offering meaningful insight and reflection on the power of people coming together with purpose.

Pat and Inger Geraghty were the 2026 honorary chairs, with Glori and Mike Katz leading as annual event chairs.

Longtime volunteer leader Gayle Bailys was also recognized for her tireless efforts leading the organization’s Holiday Gift Giving program and more.

Proceeds from the evening will support critical programming addressing mental health, food assistance and Holocaust education initiatives.

Community members had the opportunity to make an impact even after the event: Donations supporting Holocaust education were accepted until the end of May, with every donation matched up to $30,000 by the Theodore and Pauline Cohen Charitable Trust.

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A Mission of Service

Ascension St. Vincent’s brought health and wellness services to more than 220 uninsured or underinsured people at its Medical Mission at Home last month.

This free event brought medical care directly to those who need it, with no appointments or insurance required for patients to be seen. More than 400 volunteers participated in this event, held at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center on Saturday, May 9.

“This event is extremely special because it reflects what the Daughters of Charity started over 110 years ago: bringing care out into the community,” said Ascension St. Vincent’s Interim Market Lead Scott Kashman. “It represents what we do at Ascension and our dual identity as a faith-based healing ministry and healthcare enterprise.”

On-site services included adult and pediatric medical, vision, and hearing exams, no-cost prescription dispensing, foot washing, ear washing, women’s health services, mental health resources, spiritual services, and free distribution of food, shoes, clothing, and other essential items, as well as coordinating follow-up

Champions of the Market

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty held a special event in Jacksonville Beach last month to recognize its top producers.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty welcomed its top-producing Realtors from its 11 branch offices and their guests to the exclusive event at Private 131 in Jacksonville Beach on Tuesday, May 21.

“We are delighted to celebrate our talented and enthusiastic Realtors who have made our company Northeast Florida’s market leader,” said Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty President Ann King. “I truly appreciate their dedication, commitment and contributions to our company’s success.”

appointments and medical home attachment.

A flagship community impact program for Ascension St. Vincent’s, Medical Mission at Home was first launched in the 2010s. It returned this year with plans to make this a recurring initiative.

Attendees like Water Elkins said the event had a

significant impact on people.

“I’m really, really happy that they’re here, because they’re providing services that are much needed,” Elkins said. “There’s a lot of people out there that don’t have the ability to figure out what’s actually going on, and that’s half the battle.”

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A Family Affair at the Neighborhood Table

Ortega residents officially have a new dining spot as Oxford Place is now open for business seven nights a week.

Residents have eagerly awaited this new restaurant, which has replaced Simply Sara’s at 2902 Corinthian Avenue in the heart of Ortega Village. Bringing Oxford Place to life took nearly three years as the Brown Family lovingly restored the space within the 100-plus-year-old building.

“We really tried to stay true to the history of the building,” Hughes Brown said. “The inside ceiling is these beautiful wood rafters that are original [to the building]…It’s on the National Historic Register, it’s a flatiron building, it’s a beautiful, beautiful space, so we’re really excited at how it all turned out.”

Oxford Place opened its doors on Friday, May 15. On May 31, it also launched its brunch menu on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m.

Welcome to the Flipside

Jeff Ohlrich wants people to “treat your feet,” and his new shop, Flipside, is the place to do it. The family-owned store recently celebrated its grand opening in the Shoppes of Avondale.

Growing up in Ortega, Ohlrich remembers visiting Avondale with his parents and was drawn back by the neighborhood’s small-town, family atmosphere. Now, he and his wife, Raeanne, a Chicago transplant, are bringing what he calls a “new vibe” for footwear, sunglasses and accessories to the area.

Flipside offers shoes, sunglasses and accessories for everything from neighborhood strolls to boating and beachwear, with inventory changing seasonally.

Jeff and Raeanne

Since opening May 2, Ohlrich said the community has warmly welcomed the new business. “The community has been great, lots of smiles and welcoming us to the neighborhood, and excited to have us here,” he said. “And we’re as excited as they are.”

From Driveways to Dockside

The same care and attention the Shine On team devotes

vehicles is

carried over to the water, as Shine On now offers mobile detailing services for yachts, boats, and watercraft of all sizes. These services include installing System X Ceramic coating, which provides an extra layer of protection.

Lyle became a certified System X Ceramic Protection installer last year. Expanding his services to boats is a full-circle moment for him, in a sense – a throwback to another time.

“I lived on a sailboat for a year and a half down in Fort Lauderdale,” Lyle said. “I’ve been around the marine industry for a while.”

These new services are just one facet of the expansion of this family-owned business, which launched in 2024. Lyle is adding a second mobile detailing vehicle to his fleet, allowing Shine On to serve more clients. Lyle said this experience has been rewarding in more ways than one.

“It feels great to be moving forward in the areas I’d hoped to,” Lyle said. “I’m thankful that the detailing business with the cars is going really well, and now that I can expand a little more, it does feel great to know your 18-year-old son is watching you and is proud of you for starting a business and making it happen.”

Shine On Mobile Detailing will travel within a 30-mile radius and offers a basic wash and vacuum, full-service auto and boat detailing and paint correction.

Women’s Board Celebrates Achievements at Spring Luncheon

The Women’s Board of Wolfson Children’s Hospital gathered April 30 at Ruth’s Chris Steak House for the organization’s annual Spring Luncheon, welcoming new members, honoring past leadership and celebrating another successful season of philanthropy in support of pediatric care across Northeast Florida.

The luncheon brought together a membership that filled the room with colorful Spring attire, orchid-filled table settings and the desire to further friendships. The ladies networked and reflected on the year’s accomplishments while setting sights on fundraising efforts ahead. Past presidents were recognized for their dedication and service to the organization, while new members were welcomed into the group during the gathering.

The luncheon also highlighted the organization’s latest fundraising initiative – a planned outdoor healing and play

space for children receiving care in Wolfson Children’s Hospital’s Behavioral Health and Wellness Unit. The Women’s Board has committed to raising funds toward the creation of the therapeutic outdoor area, designed to provide young patients with a safe and calming environment for play, fresh air and emotional healing during treatment. It will also serve as a respite for nursing and other related staff seeking a fresh, outside space to unwind during stressful shifts at the hospital.

The annual luncheon serves as both a celebration of service and a reminder of the impact the organization continues to make through its ongoing support of Wolfson Children’s Hospital and the families it serves. For more on The Women’s Board and their slate of fundraising events, visit www.womensboardwch.com

Tropic Like It’s Hot Women’s Giving Alliance Marks Silver Anniversary with $675K in Grant Gifts

With vibrant décor and bold cocktails, Florida Theatre transported guests to the tropics for this year’s Florida Theatre Ball.

Guests danced, dined, and delighted in An Evening in the Tropics, set against a backdrop of tropical music and dazzling performances inspired by the Havana nightlife. This swanky, signature fundraising event supports the very building in which it is held every year – the historic Florida Theatre.

Guests could count down to the event by participating in the silent auction, which opened a full month before the ball and featured premier items generously donated, including luxurious getaways, one-of-a-kind art and memorabilia, and more.

At its annual Member Forum, the Women’s Giving Alliance celebrated the power of collective giving by awarding $675,000 in grants to 10 area nonprofits addressing violence against women and girls.

These grantees were selected from a pool of 60 applicants and awarded either one- or two-year grants based on the size and operating budgets of the organizations, with one-year grants designed specifically for smaller organizations with operating budgets of $250,000 or less.

One-Year, $10,000 Grant Recipients:

• Rakad Dance Camp

• The Lotus Flower Project

• The Playful Family, Inc.

• Silent Women Speaking

• Empowering Changes, Inc.

Two-Year Grant Recipients:

• Arize Together ($100,000)

• Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center ($125,000)

• Family Support Services ($125,000)

• Catholic Charities ($125,000)

• Hubbard House ($125,000)

While the 2026 grant pool was initially $650,000, WGA awarded another $2,500 to each organization in honor of its 25th anniversary. In honor of this quarter-century anniversary, WGA President Sabeen Perwaiz also announced a 1:1 matching campaign from WGA Co-Founder Delores Barr Weaver for donations to the grant pool up to $150,000, which will run until Sept. 30.

Following the ceremony, Perwaiz said she was grateful for this matching campaign, which underscored a greater need in the community.

“There’s always a greater need that we can meet, and it’s wonderful that we have the match from Delores Barr Weaver to be able to add to what our agencies need, because this issue is important,” Perwaiz said.

Celebrating ‘The Most Good’

The Salvation Army of Northeast Florida welcomed guests to Aspire Church San Marco for its annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on Thursday, May 14.

The evening marked a celebration of the people who drive purposeful and meaningful impact throughout the region, giving their time, talent and treasure to embody The Salvation’s Army’s mantra of “doing the most good.”

Among the evening’s honorees was A. Chester “Chip”

Skinner III, who received the Capt. Kirk Lewis Volunteer of the Year Award. Skinner has been involved with the organization for more than 25 years, serving on the advisory board and, recently, receiving the designation of Emeritus Board Member. He was instrumental in securing and overseeing the renovations of the new Area Command Headquarters on Monroe Street, among many other contributions.

“He is often the very first to volunteer, always ready to offer thoughtful counsel and invaluable advice. More importantly, he demonstrates his love for The Salvation Army not merely through words, but through consistent action,” said Maj. Keath Biggers, Salvation Army area commander.

American Heritage Celebrated Aboard River Cruise Commodore’s

The Jacksonville Commodore’s League is steadily cruising into 2026, as it celebrates its 50th year of yachting excellence. Its membership acted as ambassadors for a recent gathering of the Colonial Dames of North America, as its national leadership took advantage of a curated voyage through Downtown Jacksonville, April 29.

By courting dignitaries, business groups and other potential investors discovering North Florida, a cruise down the St. Johns River by yacht makes every outing unforgettable. Many parties discover the majesty of the St. Johns River for the first time. Guests are often amazed by the grandeur of Downtown, as the skyline and subsequent neighborhoods lining the riverbanks showcase the City’s finer points.

The Club’s latest cruise entertained a group of more than 20-guests, who work to preserve American heritage through education, historic preservation and patriotic service all while celebrating lineage to ancestry of individuals who resided in an American colony before 1776.

Learning some maritime history along the way, the group embarked on the journey Downtown via the Conch Chelle, a 62-foot Grand Banks trawler-style motor yacht, casting off at the Florida Yacht Club and returning from the loop down river to Arlington nearby the Jacksonville University Campus. It was a fitting journey for an American heritage preservation group, as they made way down one of America’s Heritage Rivers.

An Evening of Corsages and Compassion

Ronald McDonald House Charities Jacksonville hosted its 2026 McGala at the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort and Spa in Ponte Vedra on Saturday, April 25, inviting guests to revisit the magic and nostalgia of the High School Prom.

The evening is a celebration of the organization’s mission, as it has expanded from a 10-bedroom house to a 53-room, 68,000-square-foot house in San Marco, where families can find comfort and support.

Guests helped raise funds for the nonprofit while enjoying delicious food, music, and dancing to support Ronald

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Boiling Over with

tradition is born with the

More than 230 guests gathered May 1 on the grounds of the Jacksonville fundraiser commemorating the 125th anniversary of the Great Fire its future.

JWB Real Estate Capital President Alex Sifakis and historian Rebuilder Award and Keeper of the Flame Award, respectively, for history.

Guests enjoyed shrimp, corn, potatoes and low country goodness raised to support museum expansion efforts and restoration of the

with Success

the Great Fire Gathering

Jacksonville History Center for an inaugural Low Country Boil Fire of 1901. Patrons reflected on the city’s past while supporting and author Wayne Wood were presented with the inaugural for their contributions to honoring and preserving Jacksonville’s goodness alongside fine wine, cold beer and cocktails. Funds were the former St. Luke’s Hospital building and campus.

A Record-Setting Night in Black and White

With more than 425 guests in attendance, Catholic Charities Jacksonville’s Black and White Soirée raised a record-setting $302,000 – more than half of last year’s total for this premiere fundraising event.

Guests gathered at Deerwood Castle on Friday, May 15, for an evening of delicious food, silent and live auctions, and more, raising funds for the organization’s Love Thy Neighbor campaign, which provides a range of vital programs – from hunger relief to ESOL classes – for neighbors in need. This campaign also funds Camp I Am Special, which provides services for individuals with developmental and intellectual differences.

Bright Lights, Bold Arts

The Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville’s largest annual fundraiser is an experience – not a gala.

The 49th annual Arts Awards: Neon Noir, held at Decca Live on Saturday, May 9, offered guests an interactive, multi-level experience as it recognized and celebrated the individuals and organizations that continue to power Jacksonville’s creative sector. With nearly 100% of the evening’s proceeds going directly back into the city’s arts and culture sector, this annual event continues to drive artistic excellence within the city’s creative economy just as much as the honorees it recognizes.

This year’s award recipients included:

• Art Educator: Doris McNeil

• Art of Giving: Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi

• Art Innovator: Willie Evans, Jr.

• Community Impact: Kady Yellow

• Robert Arleigh White Award for Advocacy: Darren Dailey

• Small Business of the Year: LOL Jax Film Festival

• Corporate Business of the Year: GFWC Jacksonville Beaches Woman’s Club

• Helen Lane Founders Award: Kandice Clark

• 2026 Creative Catalyst Recognition: (Public Funding)

Mayor Donna Deegan and City Council President Kevin Carrico (Private Funding) Bryan Moll

Now Open to Serve the Neighborhood

A Tradition on the Links

More than 100 golfers hit the links at Deerwood Country Club for the 30th annual River Garden Classic on Monday, April 27, in a celebration of community, camaraderie and impact that has now spanned three decades. Since its inception, this beloved annual tradition has raised more than $2.5 million for River Garden Senior Services. Proceeds from this event support educational and training programs for staff at the nursing home and senior living campus.

New Leadership Ushered In for Men’s Garden Club

Since 1945, the spirit of brotherhood (and sisterhood) has flourished in the Men’s Garden Club of Jacksonville. At its recent end-of-season business and BBQ gathering, the group celebrated the many accomplishments of the past year and the installation of new leadership, which includes:

President: Billy Dorsheimer

Vice President: Dave Savage

Directors: Beth Heyob, Sharon Basile, Lewis Buzzell, Bill Huebner and Kelsey Stroble

Secretary: Jim Lewis

Treasurer: Courtland Hunter

Walter Bryant is the immediate past president.

The group was formed to promote civic interest and appreciation for high standards in individual and community gardens through education, workshops, and community

A Decadent Dash

Wired for Creativity

Bolts & Bytes Maker Academy’s recent move from the Beaches to a more spacious location in Jacksonville’s Southbank community brings its creative, educational and fun programs closer to kids citywide.

The impressively transformed space at 3304 Beach Boulevard in San Marco inspires imagination and generates excitement. The activities build a strong foundation in STEM education through after-school classes,

Hundreds of runners converged in San Marco Square for the Asics Wine and Chocolate 5K, the annual run through historic San Marco that offers sweet rewards at the finish line.

homeschool programs and summer camps where boys and girls 6 to 16 build and battle robots, design with 3D printers, learn coding, craft skateboards, build drones and LEGO marvels, and much more.

Families had the opportunity to explore these programs at an open house at its new location on Saturday, May 9.

“We were ready to make a move to be more central to all families of Jacksonville, anyway,” said Reed Beaubouef, a selfproclaimed tinkerer who founded Bolts & Bytes in spring 2018. “Our new space is much larger with three main workrooms, a 3D printer room, and a LEGO room.”

An advocate for access to STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) activities for youth and for giving them the freedom to tinker, explore, invent, and create with their hands and brains, Beaubouef includes an “A” for art in his STEAM model.

Local organizations, including the San Marco Merchants Association and the Rotary Club of San Marco, poured choices of red, white and bubbly for runners after they received their Peterbrooke chocolate moments after crossing the finish line on Saturday, April 11. Funds

“Our most popular classes are the Battle Bot series and the woodworking series. They bring everything we do all together. Parents see the benefits, and kids have a lot of fun,” he said of his tools and tech makerspace.

Bolts & Bytes is also starting a series of adult classes soon. More information about Bolts & Bytes is available at www.boltsandbytes.club

Bingo, Books and the Magic of Little Free Libraries

Whenever my dog, Addy, sees me grab my headphones and crossbody bag, she knows it’s time to go for a walk and immediately does her pre-walk happy dance. If we have time, we do The Big Walk, which is just under an hour and takes us on a three-mile loop through our neighborhood. If we don’t, we do the shorter 30-minute walk. No matter which walk we do, though, we always, always

month, as I pondered what to write for my June column, I learned that May 17 to 23 was National Little Free Library Week, and behold, I’d found my topic.

According to the Little Free Library World Map, there is no shortage of these cheerful little libraries in our Resident communities, including more than 30 in the Riverside Avondale community. Thanks to Dana Shutters, owner of Happy Medium

pass the house with the Little Free Library set up in its front yard, and it just makes me smile every time I see it.

Little Free Libraries brighten my days whenever I spot them out in the wild. Last

Books Café, I learned that the Friends of Willowbranch Library compiled a “Field Guide to Little Free Libraries of Riverside Avondale,” and I swung by to grab a copy of my own.

“Riverside-Avondale is a bookloving neighborhood featuring more than 25 Little Free Libraries,” read a message from the Board of Friends of Willowbranch Library in the field guide. “Take a book, leave a book – it’s that simple…Like the houses in this historic neighborhood, each Library is unique, and all of them are worth a look.”

Little Free Library held a series of celebrations across the country marking its anniversary this year, one of which was Little Free Library Bingo, which I absolutely played, learning more about these little boxes of joy as I went.

I enlisted the company of my daughter, Lily, to go on an adventure to check off some bingo squares on the final day of National LFL Week. Some squares –“Read for 30 minutes” – I could check off immediately, while others – “Make a route of at least 3 Little Free Libraries in the app” and “Walk, bike or drive your route” – required a little more effort but offered a lovely Mother-Daughter Day out in our neighborhoods.

Checking off another square, Lily selected three books from her own collection to share with the LFL at Boone Park North. We also spotted several LFL’s that were mini replicas of the homes behind them (another box ticked!).

As a reward, we wrapped up the morning at Spruce, in Murray Hill, which just happened to be having a special pop-up event with the Paper Hare Book Truck, during which I may or may not have selected a new title to add to my private collection, checking off yet another bingo square.

By Michele Leivas

Michele Leivas loves any excuse to take her kids on little adventures in the Resident communities, and people may have spotted her covering community or family events with her not-so-littles and husband in tow. She loves the Little Free Libraries that look like tiny replicas of the homes behind them and, with a very handy husband, thinks it might be time to add another Little Free Library to her neighborhood – perhaps in her front yard?

CURRENTLY READING: “The Library After Dark” by Ande Pliego CURRENTLY LISTENING TO: “The Bone Door” by Frances White

Meet Mary Joan Hinson

By Fabrizio Gowdy

With the sheer number of pursuits

Mary Joan Hinson is involved in, it’s a little hard to believe she operates on the same 24-hour clock as the rest of us. A full-time artist preparing to open a new art gallery, she also teaches college courses, volunteers, practices martial arts, is a classic car enthusiast, is writing a book and is even preparing to start manufacturing her own garden light she designed herself.

Hinson says she feels like she has 10 new big ideas pop into her head every day.

“I love to create. I go to sleep every night excited to wake up to work,” she said.

Born and raised in Jacksonville, Hinson attended Hendricks Avenue Elementary School. She went on to take classes at FSCJ and to study art during the summers at the Florence Academy of Art before earning her PhD in philosophy from Capella University.

Naturally competitive, Hinson found she could quickly pick up most sports she tried. She spent several years in Reston, Va., training as a roller skater, becoming a regional champion and competing in the nationals.

More recently, she’s taken up Brazilian jiu-jitsu. She used to compete but now does it to stay active, wishing to avoid injury.

Hinson has also owned several horses over the years and was an avid equestrian. Though she hasn’t ridden in a few years, her passion for horses remains evident, as they’re frequent subjects of her artwork. She’s currently painting a large side profile of Secretariat, the undisputed greatest racehorse of all time, for the family that owned him.

Many of her other works of art are displayed prominently around town. Driving down Atlantic Boulevard, it’s hard to miss her colorful “Welcome to St. Nicholas” and “Florida Shorebirds” murals. River City Science Academy also commissioned Hinson to paint its 300-plus-foot mural, which she completed in two months.

Many of her favorite pieces are more abstract, however, often incorporating shapes and the Fibonacci sequence. For the last 10 years, she has lived and worked in a riverfront house with her English Bulldog, Bentley, where she has an art studio stocked with supplies.

A classic car lover, Hinson has recently begun hand-painting cars in her garage. She spent months painting a 1956 Porsche 356A, which turned quite a few heads at this year’s Amelia Concours d’Elegance.

She drives a classic of her own, a 1965 Corvette, and aspires one day to own one of her dream cars – a Jag XKE or a Mercedes 300 SL with gullwing doors.

Bursting with creative energy and spontaneity, Hinson is the type of person who jumps at the opportunity to teach herself new skills. When an epoxy floor installer told her that the special, checkered finish line design she wanted for her garage floor wasn’t possible, she bought the supplies and learned how to do the project herself.

“I always want to learn, I really am hungry to learn,” said Hinson.

Now, she’s even developing a prototype of a metallic butterfly garden light that will refract light off of its bent wings. She came

up with the idea after wanting to buy one like it, but discovered that nobody made what she was looking for.

Hinson enjoys teaching as much as she enjoys learning, teaching art and art history at FSCJ. She’s currently writing a book on Simonetta Vespucci, believed to be the model for many of Boticelli’s works, including “The Birth of Venus.”

On top of everything else she has going on, Hinson is preparing to open an art gallery at Ocala’s World Equestrian Center

in January 2027. Called “Brush and Oil Fine Art,” it will feature some of the world’s most talented equine artists.

She may stay extremely busy, but Hinson says she has no complaints. She expresses thanks for the opportunities she’s enjoyed and exudes deep gratitude for each new day, which, for her, is another opportunity to create, adventure, learn, and explore.

“I feel very fortunate in my life, I really, truly do. I’m very lucky, it’s such a gift,” said Hinson.

Today’s older adults have spent years gaining wisdom and experience. Now, they are living forward, focused on adding new rhythms to the rich composition of their

River Garden supports every note. We continually evolve to meet seniors where they are, encouraging independence for as long as possible with reassurance that our skilled team will be here when they need well-orchestrated support.

What Is Your Collection Worth Today?

As America prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of its founding in 2026, many families are reflecting on the stories, traditions and heirlooms that connect generations. For some, those treasures are found in photographs and family records. For others, they may be tucked away in a drawer, stored in a safe deposit box or quietly waiting to be rediscovered in a collection that has not been examined in years.

At A-Coin & Stamp Gallery, owner Bill Hatchett believes there has never been a better time to take a closer look.

For decades, Hatchett has helped collectors, families and estate representatives identify and evaluate coins, currency, precious metals and historical collectibles. What often begins as a simple question about value turns into something more meaningful – a connection to family history and America’s past.

Not everything of value announces itself.

Some of the most meaningful and valuable pieces that pass across the counter arrive quietly – stored in envelopes, inherited through family lines or rediscovered during periods of transition. At first glance, they may seem ordinary. With the right perspective, however, they often reveal something more.

Over the years, A-Coin & Stamp has

handled remarkable finds tied to family histories stretching back generations. Among the most fascinating are pieces of currency that many people once considered little more than souvenirs.

“There was a lot printed, and when the South lost, the notes were not worth anything,” said Hatchett. “As years have passed, people started saving them … they went from nothing to something.”

Today, Confederate notes, early American bank notes and other historic currency can command significant premiums when rarity, condition and collector demand align. Jacksonville offers a unique chapter in that story. Before the establishment of the Federal Reserve, local, regional and national banks issued their own currency, creating notes that continue to attract collectors more than a century later.

“Jacksonville had a lot of banks … national banks and private banks,” shared Hatchett. “There are a lot of those notes floating around.”

One memorable discovery involved a note that remained in the same family for generations.

“This note had been in the family over 100 years,” recalled Hatchett. “We paid almost $10,000 for it … and it was a $10 bill.”

Stories like that are more common than many people realize. Old currency was often tucked away in boxes, framed on walls or passed among family members with little thought to its future value.

Many collections also include gold coins, silver dollars and historic American

“Most people don’t realize what they’re holding until they take a closer look,” he said.

As the nation approaches its 250th birthday, Hatchett encourages families to revisit collections that may have been sitting untouched for years. Whether it is a Morgan silver dollar, gold coins, Confederate currency, historic Jacksonville bank notes or an inherited collection whose origins have been forgotten, a professional evaluation can reveal both value and history.

Every item tells a story. Some stories uncover unexpected financial value. Others preserve family history and connect generations.

“Collectors are looking for these notes,” he said. “And we are too … and I pay more!”

For families preparing to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, there may be no better time to rediscover the pieces of history tucked away in your home.

By Susanna Barton

Recognizing the Hardships

I was on a walk in our neighborhood several months ago with our grand dog, Fin. It was a beautiful morning, and I was thinking about how lovely our little community is – especially when the beeping and blowing are at bay. I ran into a friend I hadn’t seen in a while, and I lamented missing her and expressed my grief about when she was going to make an appearance at the Salon I host in my home each quarter. Why hadn’t she come? What, pray tell, was more important than coming to my house? She explained that a family member was gravely ill. Things had been pretty hard. Intense, she said. She rarely left the house after work. I shrank with embarrassment, having no clue this friend, one living near me, had been experiencing such difficulty in her life. I was some kind of bad, ignorant neighbor. I was ashamed.

I am so grateful for this reminder. We – I – are so caught up in our own business that sometimes we forget to pull our heads out of our you-know-whats and see where we can witness others’ challenges, meet needs, and support those who are struggling around us. Yet, the whole prospect can seem so impossible: How am I to know who’s wrestling with stuff when our doors are shut and no one talks about the gritty real stuff, and I’m worried who’s coming to my Salon or not?

This interaction was a nudge I needed to figure this out, stat.

Luckily, I’m not the only person in the world pondering the thought. Studies show most of us are walking around with more weight than we show. One large-scale public health research on Adverse Childhood

Experiences (ACEs) found nearly two-thirds of people in a CDC–Kaiser study reported at least one ACE, meaning hidden trauma and stress are far more common than we assume. The U.S. Surgeon General also warns loneliness and social isolation are harming health and community life – an “epidemic” of disconnection that makes everyday burdens feel even heavier. I learned all about this in my Gerontology studies: disconnection has a terrible impact on aging! The good news is that “better neighbor” behavior is measurable: studies show that doing kind acts for others reliably increases people’s sense of meaning, even compared with other positive behaviors. And because moods and well-being can ripple through social networks, small choices – even seemingly mundane tasks like checking in, listening without fixing, offering practical help, and making space for someone’s story – can shape the emotional climate of a whole community.

I’m not sure if there’s an answer or a prescribed course to be more others-focused in our neighborhoods, but these are a few ideas I’m chewing on:

• Get out in the neighborhood and walk around more, talk to people you pass, and get to know folks a little better.

• Join those Facebook neighborhood group pages. In my neck of the woods, we have a Granada Moms group, which is helpful when a pet is loose, someone needs a babysitter, there are termites in a park tree...or someone’s kids are ding-dong ditching everyone. There may be a story here; if we dig a little deeper, we can identify a need that needs meeting.

• Patronize local restaurants and stores more often and build community with the neighbors who may frequent that scene.

• Ask the hard questions. I mean, we should all aspire not to be creepy weirdos, but we also shouldn’t be afraid of seeking out deep, meaningful conversation now and again. People want to share! I think there just aren’t many opportunities to do it; we can create them!

• When there is a structured way to help a neighbor in need, sign up for it. Put your name on the meal train, buy the gift card, or offer your time or assistance. God bless the neighbors who organize these types of things.

• And maybe the best answer is to be more aware – to change our mindset purposefully. Every single one of our neighbors, the people driving next to us, the business owners, the teachers and folks leading our community – they’re all carrying around something heavy that hurts. And if they’re not, they just put it down for a second and will pick it up when they close their front door. Everyone’s dealing with something hard, which is precisely why they aren’t thinking about you and your big plans. When we assume that, we can approach others with more kindness and interest and compassion – even the neighbors we don’t like very much lol.

There is so much need out there in our neighborhoods, and I am grateful to have been reminded of this during my rendezvous. We can look out for others more and discover more purpose in our own lives as we seek to serve the people closest to us. I can be better at this, maybe you can be, too.

Susanna Barton will never forget how neighbors brought food over after childbirths and left gifts on the stoop following life challenges, it means everything to be thought of! A longtime Granada resident, she has written professionally for The Jacksonville Business Journal, The Resident and The Bolles School. She is a newly minted Gerontologist and manages an online community called Grand Plans, which encourages healthy conversations about aging and preparing for it on www.mygrandplans.com.

Bustin’ Out with Art Bustin’ Out with Art

Nobody said it better than Rodgers and Hammerstein in “Carousel:” June is bustin’ out all over – especially in the Jacksonville arts community, ushered in by “A Vision for Art” with more than 40 artists on display at Episcopal School of Jacksonville St. Mark’s campus and continuing with “In the Neighborhood,” the current exhibition of JAG artists at Church of the Good Shepherd – where LuAnn Dunkinson took Best in Show, Susanne Myatt Ulmer and Midge Scelzo took Juror’s Choice awards from Juror Randy Pitts and Lisa Lofton

introduced Stephanie Welchans, incoming 2026-27 JAG president.

The organization finished out its season with a presentation by FSCJ Gallery Coordinator Mico Fuentes.

“Art is about love and passion, the process of creating; then, as a viewer, experiencing and entering the world of the artist,” said Fuentes, a multi-talented artist as multi-layered as his artwork. Trained throughout childhood by his artistic grandmother, then attending undergrad at FSCJ before moving on to JU for his

Master’s of Fine Arts, the Riverside resident embraces printmaking, etching, screen printing, metal work, woodwork, and more as he continues to evolve and explore with layers of lights, sounds, and action.

He and his wife, Rebecca Levy, artistic director of Jacksonville Dance Theatre, frequently collaborate on their artistic journeys; both embrace the concept that art is ephemeral. Choreography, dance, and visual art are experienced in the moment –how the dancers interact, how the viewer interacts with and processes visual art.

Fuentes explained that it is personal and important to our human consciousness.

An example: For her choreography, Levy asked Fuentes to create lightweight boxes for her dancers to perform on. They needed a clear top that could support the dancers’ weight and movement and contain lights to illuminate the movement. Talk about some “conceptual objectification,” as Fuentes calls it. Fuentes called the project a creative challenge and opportunity to find “the value and reimagine; look for patterns, play with reality, explore.”

Meanwhile at MOCA, Frank Stella’s 30-plus-foot-tall sculpture, “Stacked Stars” which was created to celebrate MOCA’s 100th birthday two years ago was moved from the atrium to the outside entrance of MOCA and the recent ribbon cutting was an exciting affair with many notable local dignitaries including Preston Haskell –personal friend and collector of Stella’s work- and Mayor Donna Deegan, who said the acquisition “is a momentous milestone for the museum.”

Sharla Valeski, Mari Santana, and Sonia Noway-Vera are three women artists who are definitely “bustin’ out” with their art as they “thrive on spite.” A recent show at UNICAT Gallery displayed their sculptures – crafted in ceramic, fabric, soap, and mixed media – that used strength to connect with identity and emotion, and to promote social change by altering and transforming it.

Finally, Zora Neale Hurston Fellows in Storytelling Teresa Cook and Emily Mitchell celebrated their exhibit “Spaces and Places” at the Ritz Theatre and Museum. Part of Women Writing for (a) Change, Cook’s watercolors honored the legacy of Hurston with small, intricate architectural renderings and hidden histories of the city, inspired larger pieces which map Cook’s connection and reflections of the spaces and people of Jacksonville. Mitchell’s oil paintings are personal, nostalgic and glowing with the light of the impermanence of time and memory. Her paintings reflect her personal family history, which draws the viewer into her narrative.

A Neighborhood in Bloom

The sweet scent of flowers and the warmth of sunshine accompanied more than 700 visitors to the gardens, yards, and outdoor living spaces of the eight participants in Riverside Avondale Preservation’s sixth annual Garden Tour, which took place on Saturday. May 9.

Folks walked, bicycled, went Tuk’n and wandered through themed gardens, enjoyed entertainment by members of the Jax Symphony Youth Orchestra, viewed and created art with Amy Irizarry and MX Kay Creative, viewed designs by Nikki, designer of the Garden Tour poster, and enjoyed Bonsai demonstrations by SkyDog Family Bonsai.

Stout Creative, with Jessica Lee Vantassel, showcased floral designs, and guests could enjoy ice cream from GOAP (Greatest of all Pops) by Wendy Lou Golding.

Alex Gornik, this year’s Garden Tour Committee chair, thanked the homeowners who participated in this year’s event.

“We’re lucky to have some amazing homeowners who, after one of the coldest winters… have so graciously opened their gardens to the community and showcase them in full bloom,” Gornik stated.

A fun activity that added to the event’s joy was a scavenger hunt photo contest. Becky Rood and her twin sister Debbie Byrd “had a blast following the clues to each garden” and took the winning prize.

Now through July

“People & Place – An Intrinsic Connection” Gail Beveridge Solo Exhibition Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church

Fridays, All Month

Summer at the Cummer | Free Admission The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens 4 to 8 p.m.

June 3

First Wednesday ArtWalk and Reception for JAG’s “Red, White and Blue” Exhibition Downtown Public Library | 5:30 to 8 p.m.

June 6

Fifth Annual Duval Comic and Zine Festival Cork Arts District | 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

June 6

First Coast Pastel Society 2026 Members Show Christ Church in Ponte Vedra

June 7 Bold City Brass Saint John’s Cathedral | 4 p.m.

June 15 to July 17

“From Where I Sit: 25 Years of Exploration of the Figure” by Michele D. Lee The Art Center

The featured property was “Asian Inspiration” on Hedrick Street at the home of Michael W. and Dr. Linda Fisher, who have been Avondale residents for three generations and who ushered in the tour with a garden party evening celebration.

Michael Medill Fisher explained that he and his father renovated the gardens, adding bronze lanterns, statuary, and a brick patio.

Fisher explained that his mother, Dr. Linda Fisher, spent her happy time in the garden, the joy of her life.

Yun-Ting Kuo and Kayo Ishimaru provided music for the Twilight Party.

A Lifetime of Service

By Michele Leivas

If Major Keath Biggers could say one thing to his younger self when he was just starting out on his 44-yearlong career with The Salvation Army, it would be: “Hold on, it’s quite a journey.”

Keath and his wife, Candice – also a Major – recently celebrated their retirement from The Salvation Army, marking the end of their 44-year journey together as devoted servants of God and community.

Their careers have taken them across the country and beyond, providing unexpected experiences.

“I’ve shaken a president’s hand at a disaster, governors’ hands several times,” Keath said. “We’ve got to meet the owner of the [Dallas] Cowboys. We’ve got to travel for official functions to places that we wouldn’t have gone to otherwise.”

“We tease people and say, ‘You mean we get to do this,’” added Candice.

Even before the two met in 1979, The Salvation Army was already a part of both their lives.

Candice first learned of The Salvation Army when she

THE WAY WE WERE

was a coal miner’s daughter growing up in West Virginia. When she was 10 years old, the coal miners went on strike. As the strike continued – it lasted nearly two years, she recalled – Candice said her mother and father eventually agreed to seek assistance from The Salvation Army during the holiday season.

“We received gifts from the Angel Tree,” Candice said. “I can remember having little hard candies, fruits, nuts, and if it hadn’t been for The Salvation Army, my family would not have had Christmas.”

Growing up in Louisiana, Keath also became involved with The Salvation Army at a young age, attending its summer camps. As he grew up, he continued volunteering and providing relief after natural disasters.

“I just fell in love with the work of The Salvation Army and its ministry and its mission,” Keath said. “I felt God’s calling to full-time ministry as an officer as a teenager, and I went in 1978 to Atlanta to the college.”

They met at the training college in Atlanta in 1979, where Keath had completed his first seminary year, and Candice began as a cadet. They dated before Keath left for a month-long Christmas assignment in Mississippi, while Candice stayed in Atlanta.

“Coming back after January 1, we hooked back up, as they say,” Keath said, laughing. “[And] after about a year of courtship, she said yes.”

The two were wed on May 24, 1980. In an anniversary, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, birthday mash-up celebration, the pair recently vacationed in Oahu. But for the big, dayof celebrations?

“I’m taking her out to eat,” Keath said, as the two burst out laughing. “To one of her favorite restaurants.”

After completing the training college in Atlanta, the pair began their life together as a married couple and Salvation Army officers, which involved moving to different postings every three to five years. Their first posting was in Huntsville, Alabama, for two months, followed by Shreveport, Louisiana. Over the course of their careers together, they’ve lived all over the southeastern United States.

“[Living in so many places] was very, very rewarding – a blessing,” Keath said. “Even our boys, they had no problems with us moving as often as we did when they were still living with us, and they have friends from all over.”

They arrived in Jacksonville in 2019 from Fort Lauderdale, marking their longest tenure at a single appointment. After years of frequent moves, Keath appreciated the stability.

“We loved it, and, you know, it does get tiring moving that many times every three to five years, so we were grateful that the Lord and The Salvation Army decided to leave us here until we retired here,” he said.

When asked what moment, person, or story stands out from their 44 years of service, both Keath and Candice said there are many, though Keath said overseeing the summer camp programs was a full-circle moment for both of them as

they both attended the camps as children.

“Some of them [the kids], when you asked them what their favorite thing was, thinking they would say to go swimming in the swimming pool or the snack bars, for them to say, ‘Well, we get three meals a day, and we get to sleep in our own beds,’ was really, that’s an aha! moment,” Keath recalled.

Keath and Candice officially retired from The Salvation Army of Northeast Florida on Saturday, May 18. During their tenure in Jacksonville, they oversaw numerous projects, including the Emerald Harvest Community Garden and The Carpenter Family Marketplace – both of which are expected to open soon and will provide food sources for those who need them – as well as the relocation and renovation of The Salvation Army’s Area Command of Northeast Florida.

As they enter retirement, Keath and Candice plan to remain active with The Salvation Army’s church in Lakeland, Florida, approximately 30 minutes from their new home.

“We’re looking forward to that, and just doing some traveling and relaxing and visiting family and other things like that,” Keath said.

A New Era of Care

Riverside Post Acute celebrated the grand reopening of its Stockton Street facility with an invitation-only open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, May 13.

The celebration marks the completion of a multi-million-dollar renovation at its skilled nursing center, which includes the opening of the Journeys Memory Care neighborhood, a 60-bed, person-centered, comprehensive memory care model, as well as a state-of-the-art, expanded therapy gym.

With small bites and champagne for guests, the Marquis Health Consulting Services team welcomed several VIPs at the event, including City Councilmembers Ron Salem and Jimmy Peluso, as well as industry leaders and stakeholders.

Before the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Marquis Health Consulting Services Founder and President Norman Rokeach said they approached this renovation with the goal of creating top-tier programming tailored to the community’s needs.

“The hospital had a very robust rehab program prior to us coming here,” Rokeach said. “We looked at it and said, ‘How can we take that to the next level?’ So, we have pulmonary, renal, cardiac – all these various specialty programs that add a flavor to your traditional nursing home or even to your traditional rehab center.”

The May celebration also marked the second anniversary of the acquisition of the building from nearby Ascension St. Vincent’s Hospital. While it was certainly a milestone moment for Riverside Post Acute, Rokeach said there is still more to come.

“At the heart of it, it’s all patient care; at the heart of it, it’s all the clinical skillset of our nurses to provide the best care, and as we continue our reinvigoration of this facility to enhance every aspect of the care, I think it’s evident in what we’ve done,” Rokeach said. We’re just scratching the surface, and we have very high expectations to get better every day, and we’re excited to support them.”

Marquis Health Consulting Services Division President Michael Smith, RN, LNHA, shared remarks about his excitement for the renovated facility and the possibilities the future holds for it.

“We love our relationship with the hospital, and we’re really excited for the next two years, the next 10 years, and what’s to come,” Smith said.

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CONGRATULATIONS

Alabama State University

Appalachian State University

Arizona State University

Auburn University

Ball State University

Belmont University

Berklee College of Music

Bethune-Coookman University

Boston Conservatory

Brenau University

Brenau University

Buffalo State University

CLI Conservatory

Coastal Carolina University

Coe College

College of Charleston

Columbia College Chicago

Columbus State University

Converse University

Eastern Carolina University

Eckerd College

Elon University

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

| Cinematic Arts | Creative Writing | Dance | Guitar Orchestra | Piano | Theatre | Visual Arts | Vocal Music $18 Million Offered in Scholarships

Howard University

Jacksonville University

Johnson and Wales University

Lewis College

Long Island University

Lynn University

Fashion Institute of Technology

Flagler College

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical Univeristy

Florida Atlantic University

Florida Gulf Coast University

Florida International University

Florida Polytechnic University

Florida Southern College

Florida State College at Jacksonville

Florida State University

Florida Technical College

Fordham University

Full Sail University

George Mason University

Georgia Southern University

Georgia State University

Hartwick College

Hiram College

Hofstra University

Manhattan School of Music

Marquette University

Maryland Institute College of Art

Mercer University

Montclair State University

New College of Florida

New England Conservatory

New York Institute of Technology

New York University

Norfolk State University

Northern Arizona University

Northwestern University

Oklahoma City University

Pace University

Palm Beach Atlantic University

Parsons School of Design

Point Park University

Pratt Institute

Rhode Island School of Design

Ringling College of Art and Design

Rollins Collins

Stetson University

SUNY

SUNY Purchase

Syracuse University

Temple University

Tennessee State University

Texas State University

The New School

The Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts

The University of West Florida

Tulane University

University of Alabama

University of Alaska

University of Alaska

University of California

University of Central Florida

University of Cincinnati

University of Colorado

University of Evansville

University of Florida

University of Hartford

Saint Leo University

Savannah College of Art and Design

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Shenandoah University

South Carolina State University

Southeastern University

University of Massachusetts

University of Miami

University of Michigan

University of North Carolina

University of Ohio

University of Richmond

University of South Florida

University of Southern California

University of Tampa

University of Tennessee

University of Tennessee

University of West Florida

Utah State University

Valdosta State University

Valencia College

Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Military Institute

Viterbo University

West Virginia University

Wilks College

William Paterson University

$250K Grant Fuels Bright Futures

The Warren and Augusta Hume Foundation has awarded The Sanctuary on 8th Street After-School and Summer Camp Program a $250,000 grant, marking the largest donation in the agency’s history.

With this gift, the agency will be able to fund its campus and program improvement initiative: the Bright Futures Project. This initiative aims to improve student safety and support, increase engagement, and reduce barriers to learning. The Bright Futures Project includes the creation of an outdoor learning and mindfulness classroom, a secure welcome center, a sensory and developmental classroom, and a new summer nourishment meal program.

Herford Earns

Coveted

Morehead-Cain Scholarship at UNC-Chapel Hill

As high school draws to a close at Episcopal School of Jacksonville for senior Stella Herford, she steps into a bright future as a Morehead-Cain Scholar for the Class of 2030 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

As a Morehead-Cain Scholar, Herford has been awarded a fully funded undergraduate scholarship and access to key inroads to help her prepare for her future, including challenging internships and summer experiences, a network of peers and mentors and an opportunity to travel the world. Herford is one of 69 scholars representing 15 states, the District of Columbia, seven countries, and 33 North Carolina counties. Herford plans to study business and environmental science at UNC.

Making a Strong Case for Success

Bishop Kenny High School junior in the Ronald Reagan Presidential Debate, earning a $10,000 scholarship.

This inaugural debate series was part of the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative State Championship, held at New College in Sarasota, Florida. Modeled after traditional presidential debates, this competition is open to high school students of any grade and emphasizes effective communication, storytelling, humor, personality, and civility.

An active member of Bishop Kenny’s Forensics Club and Crusader Vision, Westerdale noted, “I love being able to challenge myself, and forensics allows me to educate more people through my debate performances.”

Eight Knights, Endless Possibilities

Bishop Kenny High School celebrated eight student-athletes as they committed to a continued future of academic and athletic excellence at the collegiate level on National Signing Day.

Bishop Kenny’s signing ceremony took place on Tuesday, April 21, as each of these scholars took major steps towards bright futures.

Three-time cross country state champ and a 2026 Florida Dairy Farmers Academic All-State Team member, Alexis Wilson, will continue her athletic and academic career at Emory University.

“Running taught me that discipline, consistency, and patience lead to success,” Wilson said. “More importantly, running at Bishop Kenny has shown me the power of being on a team where we all work together and cheer each other on to achieve those special milestones.”

Fellow cross country and track and field teammates Addison Evans and Olivia Jansen will attend Newberry College and Wofford College, respectively, while Olivia Lumpkin – also a three-time state champion – will attend Nova Southeastern University.

Maddie Wilkey will compete in volleyball and track and field at The Catholic University of America. Emilio Calderon’s soccer career will continue at Franciscan University, and Gavin Hawkins will play football at Hudson Valley Community College.

At Michigan State University, Emma Gallup will pursue her academic and athletic journey as a coxswain on the rowing team – a passion Bishop Kenny celebrated and wholly supported, though it does not offer a rowing program.

A Legacy of Team Spirit Award-Winning Rhythm

As Assumption Catholic School prepared to bid farewell to its graduating eighth-grade class, it took a moment to celebrate its eighth-grade athletics program during its Athletic Celebration last month.

Celebrating varsity teams and commemorating outstanding moments across all athletic programs, with coaches sharing heartfelt recaps and a special highlight video replaying some of the best moments of the year for these rising freshmen.

The Haddad family was also recognized during the ceremony, with Bizzy Haddad and Andrew Haddad receiving the 2026 Assumption Athletics Knight Awards, and their mother, Cristina, being named Parent of the Year.

As part of its 49th annual Student Music Awards, “Downbeat Magazine” has recognized the DA Jazz Combo from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts as its “2026 Small Jazz Combo – Performing Arts School” national award winners, with tenor saxophonist Spencer Carnochan named an “Outstanding Soloist.”

While the DA Jazz program has consistently been recognized by “Downbeat Magazine” over the last 20 years, this marks the first year the DA Jazz Combo has been tapped for this prestigious recognition. Past accolades include “Large Jazz Ensemble – Performing Arts School” national winners and numerous outstanding performers. Several DA students have also received “Outstanding Soloist” awards.

The six members of the Jazz Combo are Carnochan, Erik Links (trumpet), Ean Bricknell (trombone), Isaiah Newland (drums), Graham Guiler (bass) and Rory Ames (piano).

This award-winning combo performed live at the 2026 Jacksonville Jazz Festival on Riverfront Plaza’s brandnew Jazz in the Plaza stage.

A Silver Finish for Wolfpack Dance Team’s Inaugural Season

Wolfpack Elite Competitive Dance Team – a new addition at Samuel A. Wolfson School for Advanced Studies – ended its inaugural season on a high note by placing second at the Ignite Dance Competition.

The Wolfpack dance team performed its lyrical routine at last month’s competition, which took place at Orange Park’s Thrasher Horne Center from May 8 to 10.

“Our goal is to bring experienced dancers together to have fun and challenge ourselves through competition,” said Amanda Monday, Wolfson teacher and dance team coach.

Monday added that the team is looking for experienced dancers to join for the next full school year, and she hopes to have the team perform at sporting events, school events and more competitions.

Navigating His Way to the Top

James Birr squared off against other students in the region at the inaugural GeoGuessr Global Challenge, hosted by the World Affairs Council Jacksonville.

This geography-based competition allowed students to flex their global knowledge and problem-solving skills in an interactive game that places players in randomized locations around the globe using Google Street View imagery. Students must then analyze various clues, from architecture to landscape and cultural details, to determine their locations.

The Bishop Kenny History Club participated as the first Great Decisions students to compete in this challenge. Birr was no stranger to this game, and this competition was a natural fit for him.

“I played GeoGuessr during Covid for fun, and it was a great way to spend my free time,” James shared. “I haven’t played regularly since starting Bishop Kenny, but I was thrilled to represent BK in the GeoGuessr Global Challenge. It was good to see people from many different high schools who share a common interest in geography and having fun.”

Birr is active in the Bishop Kenny community, participating in Brain Brawl,

EPISCOPAL CONGRATULATES THE CLASS OF 2026!

Members of Episcopal School of Jacksonville’s Class of 2026 were admitted into the following colleges and universities:

American University

Appalachian State University

Auburn University

Bates College

Baylor University

Belmont Abbey College

Belmont University

Berry College

Binghamton University

Boston College

Boston University

Bowie State University

Brenau University

Caldwell University

California Polytechnic State University

Catawba College

Catholic University of America

Charleston Southern University

Clark Atlanta University

Clemson University

Coastal Carolina University

Coe College

Colby College

Colgate University

College of Central Florida

College of Charleston

College of the Holy Cross

Colorado College

Colorado School of Mines

Colorado State University

Covenant College

Dallas Baptist University

Dartmouth College

Davidson College

DePaul University

Drexel University

Duke University

East Carolina University

Eckerd College

Elon University

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Emerson College

Flagler College

Florida Agricultural and

Mechanical University

Florida Atlantic University

Florida Gulf Coast University

Florida Institute of Technology

Florida International University

Florida Polytechnic University

Florida Southern College

Florida State College at Jacksonville

Florida State University

Fordham University

Full Sail University

Furman University

George Mason University

George Washington University

Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia Southern University

Georgia State University

Greensboro College

Hampden-Sydney College

Hampton University

Hawai’i Pacific University

High Point University

Hillsdale College

Hofstra University

Indiana University

Bloomington

Ithaca College

Jackson State University

Jacksonville University

James Madison University

John Carroll University

Lenoir-Rhyne University

Liberty University

Long Island University

Louisiana State University

Lynn University

Manchester University

Manhattanville University

Marquette University

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

McPherson College

Mercer University

Miami University

Michigan State University

Middlebury College

Mississippi State University

Missouri University of Science

and Technology

Montana State University

Montclair State University

Morgan State University

Naropa University

New York University

Norfolk State University

North Carolina A & T State University

North Carolina State University

North Greenville University

Northeastern University

Oregon State University

Oxford College of Emory University

Pace University

Palm Beach Atlantic University

Penn State University

Presbyterian College

Purdue University

Queens University of Charlotte

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rhodes College

Rollins College

Rutgers University

Saint Johns River State College

Saint Mary’s College of California

Samford University

San Diego State University

Santa Clara University

Santa Fe College

Savannah College of Art and Design

Savannah State University

Sewanee: The University of the South

Shawnee State University

Skidmore College

Southern Methodist University

Southern University and A&M College

Spelman College

Stetson University

Stony Brook University

Syracuse University

Tallahassee State College

Temple University

Tennessee State University

Texas A&M University

Texas Christian University

The American University of

Paris

The Ohio State University

The University of Alabama

The University of Tampa

The University of Tennessee

Knoxville

The University of Texas at Dallas

The University of West Florida

Tuskegee University

United States Military

Academy at West Point

University of Alabama in Huntsville

University of Arizona

University of California San Diego

University of California Santa

Barbara

University of California Santa Cruz

University of Central Florida

University of Colorado

Boulder

University of Denver

University of Detroit Mercy

University of Florida

UF Online

University of Georgia

University of Kentucky

University of Maine

University of Maryland

Eastern Shore

University of Massachusetts

Boston

University of Miami

University of Mississippi

University of North Carolina

Chapel Hill

University of North Carolina

Asheville

University of North Carolina

Wilmington

University of North Florida

University of Notre Dame

University of Oklahoma

University of Oregon

University of Pittsburgh

University of Richmond

University of Rochester

University of South Carolina

University of South Florida

University of Texas Austin

University of Utah

University of Vermont

University of Virginia

University of Wisconsin

Valdosta State University

Vassar College

Villanova University

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Wake Forest University

Washington and Lee University

Wesleyan University

Western Carolina University

Wilkes Honors College of FAU

William & Mary

Wingate University

Winston-Salem State University

Winthrop University

Wofford College

Worcester Polytechnic

Institute

Xavier University

IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK

Marabanong Mansion Marabanong Mansion

By Fabrizio Gowdy

Editor’s Note: “If These Walls Could Talk” celebrates the rich history hidden within the structures that shape our Resident communities – from beloved family homes and neighborhood churches to stately mansions and iconic gathering places. Each building has a story, and through this column, we aim to preserve and share the people, moments and memories that have lived within their walls. Because these stories often reflect the shared history of Jacksonville as a whole, readers may occasionally see features from across both Resident News markets. Whether on one side of the river or the other, these historic places help tell the larger story of our city and offer readers the opportunity to discover the fascinating histories of neighboring communities.

Take a walk through the meandering, slightly hilly streets of Empire Point, and you’ll notice plenty of bungalows and midcentury ranch homes. But at the heart of the neighborhood, there’s a Victorian mansion that seems out of place. Yet, it belongs more than any of its neighbors.

One corner of the house rises into a steep tower with large windows facing all directions, while verandas wrap around two of the home’s three stories. The front yard features a rectangular pool flanked by rows of sturdy concrete benches and iron lamps, a bit reminiscent of the gardens at the Cummer. Large letters on a heavy wrought-iron gate announce where you are: “Marabanong.”

The land that is now Empire Point was once the site of several commercial sawmills and home to a mansion constructed by physician Thomas Perley, whom President Abraham Lincoln appointed Medical Inspector General of the Union Army during the Civil War. His home, “Perley Place,” featured a brick wine cellar built into the bluff near the river, which remains one of Jacksonville’s few surviving pre-Civil War structures.

Perley Place burned down in the 1870s, and the current home was built in 1876. That same year, a disputed presidential election infamously saw Florida’s contested electoral votes handed to Rutherford B. Hayes in exchange for the “Corrupt Bargain” that ended Reconstruction in the South.

A Storied History

Renowned British-born astronomer Thomas Basnett constructed the eclectic 6,000-square-foot residence. In his decade at Marabanong, he studied the heavens through his telescope and published books such as “The True Theory of the Sun.” Over the next 150 years, the string of characters who would call Marabanong home grew no less interesting, and the current occupant is no exception.

Basnett’s wife, Eliza Wilbur, who took ownership of the house after he died in 1886, was arguably even more accomplished than her husband. An inventor and scientist from New York, she patented an astronomical telescope and is believed to be the first woman ever to have lectured at Harvard. Wilbur also wrote papers and poems that were published everywhere from “Scientific American” to “The New York Herald.” Her most famous work is a long-form poem called “The Ulyssiad: An American Epic,” which celebrates the life of President Ulysses S. Grant in the style of Homer’s “Iliad.”

Wilbur eventually remarried after meeting French physician Mathieu Souvielle, and the two turned Marabanong into a wellness retreat for patients with chronic illnesses. A throat and lung specialist, Souvielle believed Florida’s climate was therapeutic, though his claims were met with skepticism even in his day.

Souvielle died in 1914, and Wilbur sold the home to her cousin, Grace Wilbur Trout. A nationally prominent suffragist, Trout pioneered the use of the automobile for campaigning, driving between Chicago’s suburbs on an “auto tour” to deliver speeches and rally support for women’s suffrage. Some in the movement criticized her designer clothes and extravagant hats. Still, there is no denying that her tactics were successful: Trout led the Illinois delegation at the 1913 Suffrage March in Washington, D.C., and was instrumental in a successful lobbying effort that same year that made Illinois the first state east of the Mississippi to recognize women’s right to vote.

Relocating to Jacksonville, Trout became a pioneer of a different sort – she built one of the first private swimming pools in Duval County. She and her husband also

assembled an impressive private zoo on the grounds, featuring deer, peacocks, and even crocodiles. The wildlife is long gone, but the pool remains, curiously placed in the front yard, while the large koi pond spanned by a stone bridge she installed is still tucked away in the back.

Trout never lost her civic-minded spirit, serving as the first president of the Jacksonville Planning and Advisory Board and the head of the Jacksonville Garden Club. She died in 1955 at the age of 91 and is buried at Evergreen Cemetery.

Marabanong was eventually inherited by Grace Wilbur Trout’s grandson, Tom, the very same Tom Trout who shared his billboard wisdom – usually witty, sometimes profound, always worth a glance – with millions of I-95 commuters for 40 years.

Trout owned the home until 1983, at one point attempting to sell it to a developer who wanted to turn the property into townhouses and villas. Neighbors persuaded the city to block the proposal, and Marabanong fell into disrepair. Soon, the home was so dilapidated that its demolition seemed imminent and unavoidable.

Restoring the Mansion

Enter Joseph Ripley. A lifelong Jacksonville resident, Ripley grew up on his family’s farm on the St. Johns River across from present-day Oaklawn Cemetery, living off the land. After completing his undergrad at the University of Florida, he debated whether to study law or return home to work for his father’s cement plant. He ultimately decided that if he were elected student body president, he would stay and attend law school, and if he lost, he’d return home. Much to his surprise, he pulled off an upset against a well-organized candidate backed by the school’s fraternities, and so began a legal career that has never really ended.

“Fate takes care of us, doesn’t it?” asked Ripley, smiling and reclining comfortably in his leather office chair.

Ripley had previously owned the Swisher Estate in San Marco but sold it

after his property taxes increased tenfold in a dozen years. He and his wife, Diantha, bought Marabanong in 1992 for $165,000 at a Ponte Vedra real estate auction. He remembers the several hundred bidders in attendance clapping when he won.

“Every time someone bid, I bid $5,000 more until they quit,” said Ripley, chuckling a little.

He embarked on a massive restoration project, replacing the roof and applying 110 gallons of exterior paint. Peeling back several layers of wallpaper in a downstairs bathroom, he revealed a long-hidden nautical mural depicting a galleon navigating turbulent seas and flocks of seagulls racing past. The Ripleys believe the scene was painted by a deaf and mute relative of Tom Trout’s grandmother, who lived at the house for a time. Diantha, an artist who works in acrylics and oil paintings, has since touched up the mural.

The restoration has never really stopped; it’s more of a constant battle.

“You can’t get all the way around the house replacing the wood before you have to start again,” explained Ripley.

Still, it seems he’ll never relinquish Marabanong. Ripley made headlines when he briefly put the home up for sale in 2017, only to take it off the market.

It would be hard to find someone more capable of appreciating the home’s rich past.

An avid reader of historical nonfiction, he has tried to solve one of the Marabanong’s enduring mysteries: the origins of its name. Tom Trout believed his parents named the home after a Māori word meaning “land of paradise,” but Ripley was unable to verify its existence when he visited New Zealand.

Ripley’s passion for history is also evident in the various treasures and artifacts he has collected for Marabanong, such as the converted buffet that was once a table used at the “Florida Times-Union” to arrange metal letters for newspaper printing.

There will come a day when Marabanong will belong to somebody else, but for now, Joseph Ripley remains its caretaker and historian.

Hail to the Chief Presidential visits to Jacksonville

Editor’s Note: Flashbacks is a recurring series of short vignettes contributed by the Jacksonville History Center that shines a light on the people, places and moments that have shaped Jacksonville’s rich and complex history. Each installment offers readers a glimpse into the stories – both celebrated and lesser-known – that continue to influence our city today.

James Monroe was the fifth president of the United States (1817 – 1825) when the town of Cowford’s 61 residents signed a petition on June 15, 1822, to be designated as Jacksonville in the U.S. Territory of Florida. Chances are Monroe did not, at any time, visit the city named after Florida’s territorial governor Andrew Jackson, who would become the seventh president in 1829, but several presidents after him have visited the Bold City.

Over the years, photographers with the Florida Times-Union, originally founded as the Florida Union in 1864, captured visits to Jacksonville by presidential candidates and those who held the highest office in the United States government.

The Jacksonville History Center’s Florida Times-Union collection of negatives from the 1930s through the ‘70s includes images of visits to Jacksonville by Herbert Hoover (one visit); Franklin D. Roosevelt (five visits); Harry S. Truman (three visits); Dwight D. Eisenhower (two visits); John F. Kennedy, Jr. (one visit); Lyndon B. Johnson (four visits); Richard M. Nixon (three visits); Gerald Ford (two visits); Jimmy Carter (six visits); and Ronald Reagan (four visits). These 10 presidents made a total of at least 31 photographically recorded visits to Jacksonville over five decades.

JUNETEENTH

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Dean Kate Carroll, keynote with Special Guests Dr. Raymond Wise, clinician Dr. Herbert Jones, director Dr. Barbara Bouie, asst. director

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