Issuu

Co-Chairs Dawn Alexander and Brogan Hill were recognized for their efforts to bring the Red Shield Ball to fruition through hard work, planning and a high bar for fundraising effort.

COMMUNITY NEWS

READ MORE ON PAGE 27

Tim Taylor and Vanessa and Blake Fickling join Art with a Heart in Healthcare in celebrating 25 years. READ MORE ON PAGE 20

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RESIDENT COMMUNITY NEWS

RESIDENTNEWS.NET

PUBLISHERS’ NOTE

NOVEMBER 2026

A LOT OF GOOD TO BE THANKFUL FOR PUBLISHERS Seth H. Williams seth@residentnews.net Pamela Bradford Williams pamela@residentnews.net SALES DIRECTOR Debra McGregor debra@residentnews.net MANAGING EDITOR Michele Leivas michele@residentnews.net

1650 Margaret St. #310 Jacksonville, FL 32204

904.388.8839 RESIDENTNEWS.NET

residentnewsjax circlescharitymag The Resident is a monthly newspaper mailed to homeowners in Riverside, Avondale, Ortega, Murray Hill, San Marco, San Jose and St. Nicholas. For advertising information, please call 904.388.8839. Editorial submissions are welcome, but subject to editing at the publisher’s discretion. Facts and statements expressed in the editorial content are not necessarily those of The Resident. All content is copyrighted and may not be reprinted, copied or reproduced without written permission from the publisher. ©2026.

CORRECTION In the October issue, the article “A Bold Night in the Bold City,” covering the third annual Bold City Ball, omitted recognition of Springfield Preservation and Revitalization (SPAR) as the event’s host organization. We regret the oversight.

November may be the month of gratitude, but in Jacksonville, giving is a year-round affair. And right now, our philanthropic community is certainly giving us plenty to talk about! Social season is in full swing, and this issue is filled with familiar faces, generous supporters and memorable moments from some of Jacksonville’s most anticipated fundraising events. Throughout these pages, you’ll find photographs celebrating a community that certainly knows how to come together for a cause. As we prepare to celebrate The Resident’s 20th anniversary in January, we’re reminded of just how fortunate we’ve been to spend two decades telling your stories. Being a voice for our neighborhoods and a conduit connecting nonprofits, businesses, donors and the community has been both a privilege and a responsibility we never take for granted. And there’s more good to come! We’re busy putting together our 12th edition of Circles Charity Register & Social Datebook, appropriately themed “Giving Is Changing.” We’re especially excited about our In Good Company feature, highlighting businesses that understand giving back is simply good business, and good for Jacksonville. Know a business making a difference? We’d love to hear about it! And if you’d like to support Jacksonville’s philanthropic community, raise awareness for a cause or become part of Circles, we invite you to get involved.

Seth and Pamela Williams

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Michele, A quick note to say thank you for your reporting. I saw both articles you wrote recently on Amendment 3 and the Oxford Economics announcement, with reference to the Civic Council in both. Both topics are complex and important to our community, and I appreciated the thorough and clear reporting you provided to your readers. Best, David Garfunkel Chief Program Officer, Jacksonville Civic Council

I am writing to express my sincere appreciation for the wonderful work your team does. As a resident of San Marco, your publication is the only newspaper I read, and it is consistently well done, engaging, and deeply rooted in our community. In a time when local journalism can be hard to come by, your coverage of our neighborhoods, local businesses, and community events makes a real difference. Thank you for your dedication to keeping San Marco and the surrounding historic neighborhoods informed, connected, and celebrated. Keep up the fantastic work! – Mrs. M Thompson

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RESIDENT COMMUNITY NEWS

RESIDENTNEWS.NET

NOVEMBER 2026

Fleet Landing Secures DIA Support, Incentives

A rendering of the river-facing restaurant included in the proposed Fleet Landing development.

By Michele Leivas Fleet Landing has found its footing in Brooklyn, clearing yet another hurdle – this time with the Downtown Investment Authority (DIA). At its Oct. 21 meeting, the DIA Board unanimously approved the 20-year Recapture Enhanced Value (REV) Grant of up to $49.27 million, covering 75% of eligible property tax revenue from the project. DIA CEO Colin Tarbert said the proposed grant exceeds the Business Investment and Development (BID) Plan’s usual 50% ceiling for REV grants on riverfront properties in Brooklyn between Riverside Avenue and the St. Johns River. Because of this deviation, Tarbert said the

REV Grant will likely require City Council approval. According to the DIA staff report, the applicant requested the deviation to 75% based on its not-for-profit status, and staff recommended approval of said deviation so long as Fleet Landing agreed to certain REV Grant reinvestment requirements. No reinvestment conditions are established for the first 10 years of the REV Grant. However, years 11 through 20, Fleet Landing will be required to reinvest an amount equal to 1.33 times its REV grant payments into the project to maintain its quality. “This is for wealthy individuals, and so it’s a very high-end product that they’re

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providing,” Tarbert said. “We wanted to make sure that that component is maintained over the life of the REV Grant.” Fleet Landing previously obtained conceptual approval for its proposed project at the March Downtown Development Review Board meeting. Planned for Brooklyn, the senior living development proposes a high-rise of 26 to 31 stories featuring approximately 284 residential units, broken down into 238 independent-living units, 28 assistedliving units and 18 memory-care units. Public amenities would include a 5,000-square-foot restaurant facing the Riverwalk, 3,200 square feet of retail space fronting Riverside Avenue and a 40-foot-wide ADA-accessible pedestrian and bicycle corridor connecting Riverside Avenue to the Riverwalk. Beyond the property tax revenue for the city, attorney Steve Diebenow, representing the applicant, said the project offers additional benefits for the city – and Brooklyn, in particular. “You’ve got tenants who are relatively affluent, who are active, who are going to be out…patronizing Whole Foods right next door, going on the Riverwalk to walk all the way up and down and around, able to cross over into San Marco, the Southbank,” Diebenow said. “So you’ve got a really active population that has resources available to spend.” Diebenow added Fleet Landing would also create 130 to 140 permanent jobs, including positions for highly skilled caregivers, while the planned retail and dining spaces would generate additional economic activity. Fleet Landing CEO Josh Ashby added to that, stating, “This is going to be home

to almost 500 affluent seniors, so when their families visit, they’re going to be using the public amenities along the Riverwalk, activating the parks. They’re going to be using the restaurants. It’s going to have a very impactful spillover effect to the Brooklyn neighborhood to have such a high concentration of wealth, and not only wealth but also a lot of available time to put that wealth to action.” That action, Ashby said, could be through retail activity or through philanthropy in the community. Ashby added that interest is already strong for the proposed development, with more than 100 inquiries submitted for more information about the planned Brooklyn project before any marketing has even begun. With a development in Atlantic Beach and another one underway in Nocatee, bringing their project to Brooklyn fills a gap in the market for senior living in this area. “We hear from potential customers who live in these historic neighborhoods of Jacksonville, San Jose, San Marco, Riverside, Avondale, Ortega, who say, ‘We love the product, but we love our neighborhood. We’ve been part of that neighborhood for, in some cases, 40 or 50 years,’ and the idea of uprooting and moving to the beach is as traumatic as moving out of Jacksonville,” Ashby said. “So that’s why we’ve strategically selected this site so that we can serve those historic neighborhoods and those seniors.” Fleet Landing is planned for the site of the former Haskell headquarters at 111 Riverside Avenue. The estimated total project cost is $635 million, with construction costing roughly $326 million.

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RESIDENT COMMUNITY NEWS

RESIDENTNEWS.NET

NOVEMBER 2026

Reshaping the Southbank A proposed development by Ashco Centers could reshape the Southbank skyline with a pair of high-rise towers.

A rendering of Ashco Centers’ proposed Southbank development, the Seaport at St. Johns.

By Michele Leivas The proposed Seaport at St. Johns mixed-use development combines retail, residential, dining, and hotel components with public amenities designed to enhance the riverfront parcel and connect it to the Southbank Riverwalk. The two towers would house high-end residences and a luxury hotel, with 110,000 square feet of boutique retail, a grocer and waterfront dining. Designs also include a marina and a public promenade and plaza with access to the Riverwalk. The development would sit on the 4.87acre site at 1701 Prudential Drive, replacing the existing Duval County Public Schools headquarters. “This project puts Jacksonville’s greatest natural asset, the St. Johns River, at the heart of downtown life,” said Ashco Centers Founder Edward Ashurian. “We envision a community gathering place on the St. Johns River where everyone can dine at the water’s edge, stroll the riverfront and explore new amenities.” Ashco Centers Vice President of Leasing and Acquisitions Tiffany Ashurian said this

development is an opportunity to shape how future generations will experience and interact with the river. “The best developments don’t just fill space; they define a city,” said Tiffany. “The Seaport at St. Johns is our bold vision for the future of the Southbank…” It will be some time before that future takes shape, however. At its October board meeting, the DCPS Board approved the sale of the district’s administrative headquarters to Ashco for $15.1 million, but the district has three years to identify its new headquarters and relocate its staff to their new offices. Before casting their votes, board members held a robust conversation surrounding the sale of the building. “I know that we’ve had two outside appraisals, and I know that a lot of people think that this dirt is worth a lot more than what the appraisal is,” said DCPS Vice Chair April Carney. “But at the end of the day, the market dictates what the market dictates, and I think we’ve got a great deal, and we need to strike while the iron is hot.”

DCPS District 3 Board Member Cindy Pearson echoed the sentiment. “So I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about this and going back and forth, and I’m at a point now where I am a yes. People wanted us to do this. The majority of the board wanted us to do it, so let’s just do it,” Pearson said. “I feel like we have the best possible situation I think that we’re going to get, and we do have three years to make the move and make it happen.” Following the October meeting, DCPS Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier shared the following statement with Resident News regarding the sale and eventual move: “For more than four decades, the DCPS headquarters building has been a familiar landmark for our employees, families, and community. When the building was constructed in 1980, the surrounding area was largely industrial in nature, including the Southside Electric Generating Station located next door. As the Southbank has changed over the years, so have the opportunities for this waterfront property. The decision to sell the property represents

an important step forward as we continue planning for the future. While we recognize the history connected to this building, we’re excited to turn the page and embrace the opportunities ahead for our district.” In February of this year, Chase Properties terminated its contract with DCPS to purchase the building, claiming the associated RiversEdge Community Development District had not been disclosed. Language in the purchase and sale agreement with Ashco Centers specifically addresses the CDD, reading, in part: “The parties hereby agree and acknowledge that portions of the Property are located within The District Community Development District (CDD) and agree that Seller shall not be obligated to take any action whatsoever with respect to the CDD under this Agreement, including, by way of example, to seek removal or release of such portions of the Property from the CDD.”

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RESIDENT COMMUNITY NEWS

RESIDENTNEWS.NET

NOVEMBER 2026

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The historic Woodlawn Baptist Church is being transformed into a Health and Wellness Center for Jacksonville firefighters.

Stockton Street Wellness Center Takes Shape for JFRD By Michele Leivas A new health and wellness center for Jacksonville’s retired and active-duty firefighters is nearing completion as the project team continues transforming the former Woodlawn Baptist Church building on Stockton Street. The Firefighters’ Health and Wellness Center located at 618 Stockton Street is eyeing a February 2027 opening, according to Buck Smoak, director of business development for Auld and White Constructors. Architecture firm LS3P and civil engineer Baxter and Woodman join Auld and White on the project team. Smoak said the design team found ways to pay homage to the building’s history

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while bringing a new façade to the Stockton Street frontage. “We paid honor to that additional structure that was added onto the back and kept the bones of that added structure in the background, but put a new façade along Stockton Street,” Smoak said. “So, it all looks like a new building and is seamless that way, but at the same time, the actual building is still there – the bones of the building – to pay honor to the historic nature of what the church was.” City officials and project stakeholders broke ground on the project in February. JFRD Director/Fire Chief Percy Golden II spoke to what the incoming wellness center represented. “Between the smoke we breathe, the contaminants that stick to our gear and skin, and the physical and mental demands of the job, firefighters carry a lot over the course of a career,” said Golden in a press release about the groundbreaking ceremony. “This building sends a powerful message that this department values the health, safety, and longevity of its members.” Transforming the former church into this new space for firefighters has taken nearly a year, with the first building permit issued this past March for the $2.9 million renovation and addition for the center. According to county records, the Jacksonville Association of Firefighters, IAFF Local No. 122, acquired the property in 2004. The parcel is just over 1.5 acres, with three structures, including the original church building and two later additions. Smoak said the project was especially meaningful to Auld and White, given its involvement in constructing several fire stations for JFRD in the past, which has allowed the company to build relationships

with the various fire chiefs and firefighters serving the Jacksonville community. “This is a culmination of a lot of different things,” Smoak said. “It’s our history in Jacksonville and what Jacksonville means to us, and to be able to feed into that by paying honor to an historic structure, but also then providing a community space for the firefighters… It’s a full circle moment.” Plans for wellness center stretch back several years. JFRD’s Health and Wellness initiative launched in 2018 to include services like annual physical screenings, pulmonary function testing, cardiovascular stress testing, ultrasound screenings, blood work, blood pressure monitoring, vaccinations and hearing and vision testing. According to the February press release, the wellness center will serve as a centralized location where JFRD can “expand these services, improve accessibility for members across the department’s 68 stations and deliver care in a purpose-built environment for firefighters.” In 2023, the Jacksonville City Council approved legislation authorizing a lease of the property to the Association of Firefighters, IAFF Local No. 122, Inc. for the center, with project oversight assigned to the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD). According to the bill summary for Ordinance 2023-0499, “this center will provide a central facility for several major health services including medical fitness, injury/rehabilitation, and mental health.” The prior year, additional legislation appropriated a $2.5 million grant from the Division of State Fire Marshal, with a $2.5 million local match.

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RESIDENT COMMUNITY NEWS

RESIDENTNEWS.NET

NOVEMBER 2026

CAP Marks Funding Milestone with Nearly $4M in New Support The Cathedral Arts Project is celebrating a major funding milestone with the announcement of $3.95 million in new federal, state and philanthropic dollars. CAP held a press conference for this announcement at its downtown headquarters on Thursday, Oct. 15, attended by CAP Board Members, families, students, community leaders and elected officials. The new funding includes a $2.55 million Assistance for Arts Education grant from the U.S. Department of Education, marking the largest government grant in CAP’s history and the organization’s first direct federal education award. A $991,758 one-year state appropriation from the Florida Department of Education and philanthropic dollars, including $100,000 from the Hearst Foundations, $50,000 from the Find Your Light Foundation, and a $260,000 matching gift from an anonymous national foundation, round out this influx of dollars for CAP. What does this mean for CAP and the families it serves? It expands its arts education opportunities in Northeast Florida, including, for the first time, extending CAP’s model to classrooms nationwide through educator professional development. “What began with 10 students in Duval County has grown through the extraordinary commitment of a community that believes every child deserves access to the arts,” said CAP President and CEO, the Rev. Kimberly Hyatt. “Seeing what Jacksonville helped build now recognized and supported at the state and national levels reflects growing confidence in the power of arts education to unlock the potential of every child. We are incredibly grateful to

CAP Board Chair Nader Farhat, CAP President and CEO the Rev. Kimberly Hyatt, CAP parent Montoya Crew and daughter A’laiya listen as Reimagine Campaign Chair Mark LaBorde speaks during the Oct. 15 press conference.

the educators, families, partners and supporters who made this growth possible, and proud to carry what we have built here into classrooms across the country.” This new funding will help carry forward the momentum generated by CAP’s Reimagine campaign. This past August, Reimagine exceeded its $26 million goal to expand CAP’s Teaching Artist Fellowship model, bolster student exhibitions and performances, and reach more students. “Reimagine challenged us to think bigger about what is possible through arts education,” said CAP Reimagine Campaign Cabinet Chair Mark LaBorde. “We believe investing in arts education is an investment in the future of our community. To see that momentum now build through unprecedented support from government and philanthropy at both the state and national levels shows that the ambition behind Reimagine was only the beginning.”

Mission Accomplished at Mission Possible

Operation New Uniform CEO Michele McManamon with Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd and Esther Byrd

Operation New Uniform (ONU) launched a successful mission to celebrate support for veterans and military families at its Mission Possible Gala. The evening took place at the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort and Spa on Saturday, Oct. 17, with Florida Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins and Secretary of State Cord Byrd among the many distinguished guests in attendance. Former CEO of BSE Global and Prospector Baseball Group Co-Founder and CEO John Abbamondi delivered the keynote speech, while guests also enjoyed ONU’s Service to Success presentation, which featured program alums sharing their personal and professional journeys. “Our 2026 Heroes Gala, Mission Possible, was an extraordinary success and a powerful reminder of what happens when a community comes together for a shared purpose,” said ONU Co-Founder and CEO Michele McManamon. “…Together, we are transforming the lives of service members, veterans, and military spouses by helping them build meaningful careers and brighter futures. That is what makes our mission possible.”

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NOVEMBER 2026

Proposed Hard Rock Hotel Draws Support, calls for Stronger Riverwalk Connections Arquitectonica. “We’ve created some somewhat whimsical, special moments throughout the project – the shape of the pool as well.” While board members were overall supportive and enthusiastic about the project, their feedback indicated the development team needed to make changes before it returned to DDRB for conceptual approval. Feedback included questions about further activation along the waterfront, with more connections between the Riverwalk, Bay Street, and the building. “I’m not sure how much play there is with the Riverwalk,” said Board Member Peter Deiulis. “…There’s so much happening with this new building, and then it’s almost anticlimactic at the waterfront….In the spirit of taking full advantage of a project of this magnitude, it

An early rendering of the Hard Rock Hotel fronting Bay Street

would be very interesting to see if there was anything that could be done at the water’s edge as well.” Board Chair Linzee Ott echoed comments from fellow board members regarding authenticity, emphasizing the importance of making the project authentically Jacksonville. “I want to underscore, both in terms of our approach to the musical storytelling and history storytelling, as well as the building and design itself,” Ott said. “… It’s a beautiful design, but we do want this to be a fabulous asset on the Jacksonville skyline. It will be, so how is that uniquely Jacksonville.” Munz said the team is aiming to break ground in the first quarter of 2027. However, Downtown Investment Authority staff told Resident News that the proposal will not appear on the review board’s Nov. 12 agenda.

By Michele Leivas A proposed 30-story Hard Rock hotel at the former Berkman II site drew enthusiasm from Jacksonville’s Downtown Development Review Board, along with calls for stronger Riverwalk connections and a design that reflects the city’s identity. Florida Innovation Capital presented preliminary plans to the board at a special workshop at City Hall on Thursday, Oct. 1, with Michael Munz, the firm’s founder, president and general partner, calling the proposed project “a spectacular addition to the downtown.” “This Hard Rock is going to give Jacksonville’s musical identity a real lift and a global lift, which I think it’s deserving of,” Munz said. “The musical heritage spans not only decades but actually centuries.” The development at 500 E. Bay St.

would include about 350 hotel rooms and 152 branded residences. The proposal still requires conceptual and final approval from the board. Additional features would include a 15,000-square-foot ballroom and a 17,000-square-foot venue space, along with retail, dining, and a signature restaurant and club in a circular “sky level” roughly 230 feet above the ground. Unlike some Hard Rock locations worldwide, Jacksonville’s concept would not include a casino. The design team proposes subtle musical references in the building’s architecture. “Some of the profiles at the top of the roof are sort of taken from the edge of a guitar or the baby grand piano and the idea of this record notion,” said Sherry Gutierrez, principal at the Miami office of the global

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The Hard Rock Hotel would sit on the former Berkman II property on Bay Street, near the USS Orleck.

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Allison Steilberg has added to her team at Berkshire over the years. Dominey launching her own real Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty. estate career with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices For nearly 25 years, Steilberg has built a successful represented a full-circle moment for what began as a real estate business upon three core values: a passion for personal relationship and is now transforming into a the industry, a commitment to her clients, and a drive to professional one. deliver a seamless experience for them, whether that’s “Sarah’s excitement and passion for the real estate helping them sell their existing home or finding that industry is palpable, and her professionalism and work perfect listing that will become their dream home. ethic blend seamlessly with the dynamic Sandy and For years, Steilberg has worked alongside Sandy I have fostered within our team over the years,” said Hume, who provides invaluable behind-the-scenes Steilberg. support to keep things running smoothly so Steilberg Having grown up in San Marco and currently can focus on her clients. living in Avondale with her husband and two children, “Sandy’s dedication and skill make her an Dominey has a local’s knowledge of some of unparalleled asset and incomparable colleague I Jacksonville’s most charming, historic communities, couldn’t imagine working without,” said Steilberg. along with an intrinsic understanding of what A licensed real estate agent herself, Hume has makes them so special. That, coupled with her deep spent the past three years working alongside Steilberg connections throughout Jacksonville, including Ortega as her full-time assistant, marketing coordinator, and Ponte Vedra Beach, equip her with an unteachable and transaction coordinator. Hume has become skill set that positions her for success as she hits the indispensable to the business, helping streamline ground running with Steilberg and Hume. operations, coordinate marketing, and manage the many details involved I feel I am uniquely positioned to bring in real estate transactions. a new team member on board who will She will continue in this essential role as the allow me to expand my capabilities team expands. and serve more clients. “I feel fortunate to – Allison Steilberg have been able to work with and learn from Allison these last couple of years and look forward to “I’m excited to be part of Allison’s team. She has many more,” said Hume. done such a great job for my husband and me on several With Steilberg at the helm and Hume working transactions, and I’m thrilled to learn from the best,” behind the scenes, their team has led to a banner year Dominey said. of sales, with 53 houses under contract or sold this year Whether you’re preparing to put your property on alone. With more than $300 million in career sales, and the market, searching for your next home, or simply a business that is continuing to grow, Steilberg has curious about your home’s current value, Steilberg decided the time is right to transform that powerhouse and her team welcome the opportunity to share their duo into a trio with the addition of Sarah Dominey. knowledge of the Jacksonville market and help you “Not only have I been blessed with an incredible develop a strategy for your next steps. colleague working by my side, but this year has been tremendously successful in terms of sales volumes,” said Steilberg. “I feel I am uniquely positioned to bring a new team member on board who will allow me to expand my capabilities and serve more clients.” Steilberg met Dominey when she was hired to sell the condominium Dominey and her husband were renting. Later, Steilberg helped the couple purchase their own home, and the two have stayed in contact

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R ES I D E N T C O M M U N I T Y N E W S

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Tailor-Made for a New Generation Alistair York Clothier has opened its doors at 1957 San Marco Blvd. in the San Marco Square and prepares to expand into Historic Avondale as well. At the helm is Omar Mustafa, a Bolles School graduate and son of Seddiq Mustafa, whose family has spent more than 30 years in the garment industry. Representing the next generation of the family business, Omar has honed his knowledge of custom clothing through Chicago, New York and Miami fabric and apparel trade shows, bringing his expertise and fresh perspective to the company’s expanding retail presence. Mike Gass joins him, bringing 50 years of experience in tailoring, custom clothing and personal service to Jacksonville menswear. He began his career at Furchgott’s Department Store in downtown Jacksonville and now applies his decades of expertise to help customers achieve an exceptional fit. The boutique offers custom suits, professional measurements, alterations and wardrobe guidance, alongside respected brands including Zanella, Coppley, Ballin, Santarelli, Eterna, Alan Payne and Paige. With experienced tailors serving as personal stylists, the emphasis remains on craftsmanship, individual attention and helping customers look their best. The San Marco showroom welcomes holiday shoppers, while the forthcoming Avondale location at 3541 St. Johns Ave. will occupy the former Old School Barber Shop space, with a November opening anticipated just in time for holiday shoppers.

Omar Mustafa and Mike Gass

Entrance FashionaforbleA’propos

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With Jacksonville’s social season in full swing, San Marco has a fashionable new address to help residents dress for galas, cocktail parties and celebrations. A’propos Boutique, an established Ponte Vedra shopping destination known for its curated designer collections and personalized service, opened its second location Oct. 1 at 1853 Kings Ave., Suite 102, inside Maison Beaute, a luxury coworking studio dedicated to beauty services. Owner Cathy Jenkins sees the expansion as an opportunity to help women discover pieces that reflect their individual style, whether they’re refreshing an everyday wardrobe or searching for something special for an evening out. “There is something wonderful about a woman finding that perfect piece… the one that makes her stand a little taller and feel absolutely beautiful,” Jenkins said. The boutique’s fall collections feature chocolate brown, wine and sage green, with selections ranging from cashmere sweaters to cocktail attire. Featured designers include Johnny Was, White and Warren, and Alice + Olivia. For shoppers who enjoy a designer discovery, the new location also features A’propos Rack. Tucked toward the back of the building, it offers designer finds priced at $49 and $99. The setting within Maison Beaute gives customers an opportunity to make an afternoon of their visit, meeting friends, enjoying a facial, sipping a glass of wine and browsing the latest collections. A’propos also offers private shopping appointments for customers seeking a more personalized experience, whether they’re updating their wardrobe or dressing for a special event. With a busy season of celebrations ahead, Jenkins hopes the boutique will become a welcome addition to San Marco’s shopping scene. For more information or to schedule a private appointment, call 324-200-9544. Follow A’propos Boutique on Facebook or Instagram at @aproposboutique.

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B the Bakery bustles with teamwork, chemistry and sweet accomplishments On Park Street in Avondale, the holiday season starts in the early morning, as the bakers at B the Bakery get to work on pies destined for tables across North Florida. Thanksgiving and Christmas sharpen the pace inside a building already busy with cakes, breads, cookies and tarts. Handmade holiday pies add another layer to the schedule, drawing on a team whose work often begins well before the customers who will enjoy it have started their day.

pastry. Others have developed their skills over years in professional kitchens or followed an enthusiasm for baking that began at home. Together, they put formal training and practical experience to work during the busiest stretch of the year. “People ask us all the time what goes on in here. During the holidays, I wish they could see the team at work. Everyone has a part in getting those pies out the door,” said General Manager, Kris Creveling.

People ask us all the time what goes on in here. During the holidays, I wish they could see the team at work. Everyone has a part in getting those pies out the door. – Kris Creveling, General Manager A holiday pie carries its own expectations: the familiar dessert after a long meal, the dish someone has promised to bring, the taste a family looks forward to each year. Those separate occasions converge in a single kitchen’s production schedule. A pie must be assembled, baked and cooled before it can be packed. Those steps take time, even when the order list grows. Keeping production moving means coordinating ingredients, oven space and the work of several people, each responsible for a part of what eventually leaves the kitchen. The bakers bring different backgrounds to that shared task. Some have culinary school educations and training in French

For the pecan pies, part of the preparation happens beyond the bakery. Pecans are picked up directly from farms in Georgia, connecting a familiar holiday dessert with the people who grow its central ingredient. Before there is a pie to slice, there is a grower’s work and a baker’s decision about what belongs in it. That attention to sourcing echoes Slow Food, the international movement promoting good, clean and fair food. Its local chapter, Slow Food First Coast, emphasizes the relationship between growers and consumers, care for the environment and fair treatment of the people producing food.

At the bakery, the seasonal push comes amid a broader expansion. B the Bakery acquired Country Harvest, another wholesale bakery, in 2025, a move intended to support increased dessert production. Holiday orders now sit alongside the ongoing work of supplying restaurant kitchens. Among those customers are Biscottis in Avondale and bb’s in San Marco. Desserts prepared at the bakery arrive ready for restaurant service, with packaging designed for storage. For kitchens managing limited space, staffing and budgets, that arrangement takes pastry production off an

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already crowded list of responsibilities. During the holidays, those regular commitments continue while pie orders place their own demands on the team. The work calls for the same consistency whether a dessert is headed to a restaurant dining room or a family gathering. By the time a holiday pie reaches the table, much of that effort is out of sight. The early start, the farmers supplying Georgia pecans and the teamwork on Park Street have become something far more familiar: a slice passed across the table. And, a tradition that continues for the Holiday Seasons and beyond.

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Movers & Shakers | 17

From Dough to Deposits Community First Murray Hill branch eyes December opening Passers-by can see substantial progress as construction of the incoming Community First Credit Union branch in Murray Hill nears completion. After groundbreaking in January, construction crews have been hard at work transforming the former Edgewood Bakery at Edgewood Avenue South and Post Street into the new credit union branch; while the exterior is now clearly recognizable as a bank branch, the interior continues to take shape. Community First invited stakeholders and media on a Hard Hat Construction Tour to see these updates firsthand on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Part of what makes this branch unique to its location, nestled not only in the heart of Murray Hill but also within the walls of a former

neighborhood landmark, is the steps Community First is taking to preserve and recognize that history where possible – starting at the front door, where clients will spot iconic pretzel-shaped door handles installed at the main entrance. Additional nods to Edgewood Bakery will be found throughout the branch, from the original neon “cappuccino and coffee” sign in the lobby to the display case featuring memorabilia from the Polletta family – former owners of the Edgewood Bakery – along with other items found during construction. Emphasizing its commitment to its new community, the Murray Hill branch will also feature a Community Room. This public meeting space will be available for reservation to accommodate up to 49 people.

Forever in Focus A birthday trip to see Kacey Musgraves perform in Nashville turned out to be so much more for Riverside resident Jessica Scott, when her girlfriend Lane Colyer popped the question. Spying a vintage photo booth at Sid Gold’s Request Jessica Scott and Lane Colyer celebrate their recent engagement. Room, the pair hopped into it to snap some old school-style photos, and it was in between flash pops that Lane pulled out that small box and asked Jessica to marry her. The resulting photo strip captured the moment’s love, surprise, excitement and happiness as Jessica accepted. October marked two years since Jessica and Lane first met. They spent their first date in Riverside, exploring The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens.

Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside will receive nearly $53 million of $317 million in post-disaster funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for projects throughout the state. These funds are awarded through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which focuses on projects aimed at reducing or preventing damage from future disasters, from strengthening buildings to protecting infrastructure from flooding and high waters and more. The dollars designated to Ascension St. Vincent’s will help fund improvements to the hospital’s roof, walls, exterior windows and other critical building updates. “This nearly $53 million investment will have a direct impact on the resilience of healthcare in Northeast Florida,” said Ascension St. Vincent’s Health System CEO Scott Kashman. “Protecting access to care and investing in the future of our facilities are all part of our responsibility to the communities we serve. This funding will help ensure Riverside remains a strong and reliable healthcare resource for generations to come.”

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“Community First Credit Union has always been about people,” said Community First Credit Union CEO Sam Inman. “When someone walks through our doors, I want them to feel like they’re walking into a place that genuinely cares about them and their future. And when they walk back out, I want them to know we’re just as invested in the neighborhood around them.” Arble Baking Company will operate a permanent outdoor cafe space. The branch is expected to open mid-December, while the community room and outdoor café are expected to open in January 2027.

The Murray Hill branch will feature unique nods to Edgewood Bakery, like these iconic pretzel door handles installed at the entrance.

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Movers & Shakers |

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NOVEMBER 2026

German Roots, Riverfront Tradition Marking its 123rd anniversary, the Ortega River Club welcomed guests to an Oktoberfest-themed celebration last month, nodding to its origins as the Germania Club. Plans for the Germania Club first took shape at Wolff’s Casino on Riverside Avenue in 1903. Three years later, founding members purchased a parcel for their own clubhouse, planning to demolish the lot’s existing building and bringing in famed architect Henry Klutho to design the new building. At the same time, the Germania Club adopted a constitution with 215 members. In 1913, the club held a six-day grand opening to celebrate the new building, including a dedication with 1,000 members. During World War I, the building was sold when membership dropped to only 65 members, who moved to a small space on Bay Street. Klutho’s building would be demolished in 1926. Fortunately, club members had purchased property “out

in the country” on Lakeside Drive for $6,000. Several iterations of the name occurred over the years – from Germania to German American Club to Metropolitan Club, following backlash from World Wars I and II. It didn’t officially become the Ortega River Club until 2011. The present building was built in 1922 for $20,000, with many members doing the work. In 1928, the new clubhouse was completed, with Mayor John T. Alsop and City Commissioner T. C. Imeson giving welcoming addresses during the grand opening ceremony. Then, in 2011, under the leadership of then President Karel Moerings, the club took out a mortgage, renovated and remodeled the facility, and the rest is history. A popular social club for dining, dancing, socializing, and with spectacular views of the river, it is a fabulous event venue. Members celebrated the club’s heritage and 123rd anniversary with displays of historical artifacts and photographs, dinner and, of course, dancing. In attendance

Chris Atchison, Elaine Atchison, Wayne Turner, Debbie Shortz, Lee Edgar, Rick Gehert, Steve Trow

was long-time member Lee Edgar, whose club lineage dates to his great-great-grandfather, Frances Xavier Schreiber – a founding member and the first president of the Germania Club.

Celebrating Charlie Patton About 100 former colleagues, friends, and fans gathered at Wayne Wood and Lana Shuttleworth’s historic home for a fun, festive reunion and belated celebration of Charlie Patton’s 75th birthday. Patton has been a familiar voice in Jacksonville as a journalist for The Florida Times-Union and Jacksonville Journal for 41 years and seven months. He stated that his retirement in 2018 began “with a mixture of reluctance and celebration from a job I mostly loved for more than four decades. Now it’s time for some adventures.” And what a range of topics Patton has covered: Jacksonville’s arts scene, Tiffany glass at the Cummer, exciting events at MOCA, the Jacksonville Symphony, Jacksonville History Center, dilapidated docks of downtown Jacksonville, health issues, a column on pop culture, radio and television industries – plus, he was editor of the Sunday books page. You name it, Patton has probably written about it. Highlights of the joyful gathering were the testimonials about this affable, humorous gentleman. His friend,

comedian Adrian Smith, known Nehl, after she won as A-Train, joined the throng of the Eve well- wishers as did Charlie’s Award for son Tyler. There was no roasting – only toasting as old friends and new gathered to celebrate his journalistic achievements over the years and to hug, visit, and rejoice in his 75th year and honor him. Patton moved to Jacksonville from Asheville, Wayne Wood and Lana Shuttleworth with Charlie and Robin Patton. North Carolina, and joined volunteerism in 1992. the staff at the Times-Union at 25. As fate would have it, he met Jacksonville native Robin Hughes in 2002, and Patton had a great time at his party, and host Wayne they married 10 years later in Steve and Cecelia Werber’s Wood stated, “Robin and Charlie have done so much for backyard on the river in Venetia. the community and I’ve been friends with Charlie since 1989. It was so wonderful to have so many of his friends Part of the Times-Union team since 1996 as the paper’s senior new media consultant, Robin was familiar with and long -time journalist colleagues attend the party to Charlie’s work, and he interviewed her mother, Evelyn pay tribute to him.”

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RESIDENT COMMUNITY NEWS

RESIDENTNEWS.NET

Movers & Shakers | 19

New Appointees Join Baptist Leadership Several new members have joined Baptist Health’s system and hospital boards of directors, including three at Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville. Karen Mitchell Curran spent nearly 40 years at KPMG LLP, leading client and market teams in South Florida and managing more than 200 professionals in audit, tax and consulting. She retired in 2025 as managing partner of the firm’s Fort Lauderdale office. She is active in the Jacksonville community, serving in leadership and governance roles with various philanthropic and community organizations. David Garfunkel currently serves as chief program officer for the Jacksonville Civic Council, overseeing advocacy, research and program execution. Previously, he served as founding president and CEO of Lift Jax. His experience also includes work with FSG, a nonprofit social impact consulting firm, as well as the Peace Corps and Fonkoze in Haiti. Jason Spencer is the senior vice president of Middle Market Banking at Regions Bank in Jacksonville. He previously spent more than 15 years at Wells Fargo, where he most recently served as senior vice president of Middle Market Banking for the North Florida region. The

Karen Mitchell Curran

Jason Spencer

David Garfunkel

Jacksonville Business Journal recognized him as a “40 Under 40” leader in 2021. Spencer is active in Jacksonville’s philanthropic community, serving on the boards of several organizations, including Goodwill Industries of North Florida, Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida. New to the Baptist Health Board of Directors is Richard T. Ray, CEO of The Parc Group. For 25 years, Ray has served at the helm of the development firm, which has been named developer of the year by the Northeast Florida

Richard Ray

Builders Association for 12 consecutive years. Ray’s previous experience includes serving as an adviser on corporate mergers and acquisitions and holding executive roles at several publicly traded companies. Additional appointees include Marcy Stoudt (vice chair) and Bryan Hassel at Baptist Medical Center South; Christine Hoffman (chair) and Brian Buchner (vice chair) at Baptist Medical Center Beaches; and Jodi Henson (chair), Michael Howington, MD (vice chair), Ginny Bieber and James Staton Jr. at Baptist Medical Center Nassau.

A Streamlined Approach to Urologic Care

Brittany Page of Streamline Urology with Marquis Health Consulting Services Regional Director of Market Development Pam Montemurno

A new partnership between Riverside Post Acute and Streamline Urology is bringing much-needed on-site urologic care to the Jacksonville skilled nursing center and filling a gap in post-acute care. Streamline Urology is a physician-owned mobile specialty practice providing comprehensive services, from catheter management and urinary retention to oversight of complex chronic conditions, and more. “The Riverside team is pleased to partner with Streamline Urology, bringing specialistlevel urologic services to all those in their care,” said Pam Montemurno, regional director of market development at Marquis Health Consulting Services. “The providers at Streamline integrate seamlessly with Riverside’s dedicated clinical care team.”

PathPoint Health Opens Florida Clinic with Ascension St. Vincent’s Ascension St. Vincent’s and PathPoint Health are celebrating the opening of their new PathPoint Health – Jacksonville Southside clinic on Monday, Oct. 5. This new clinic, the first in Florida for PathPoint – and the first outside of its home base in Tennessee, represents a new joint venture between PathPoint and Ascension St. Vincent’s, blending medical weight loss – including GLP-1 prescription and management – with lifestyle support, including nutrition and exercise planning and behavioral health support. PathPoint is partnering closely with Ascension St. Vincent’s bariatric surgery program for

coordinated perioperative care for patients pursuing weight loss surgery, ensuring those patients are supported as they prepare for surgery and have continued follow-up care, providing connected support before, during, and after their procedures and into recovery. “Metabolic conditions like diabetes and obesity can affect nearly every aspect of a person’s health, which is why patients can benefit from care that looks at the whole person,” said Ascension St. Vincent’s Southside President and CEO Cory Darling. “Through our partnership with PathPoint Health, we are helping make it easier for people

across Northeast Florida to access the resources they need to improve their health and manage these conditions over the long term.” Salma Makhoul Ahwach, MD, leads the clinical team, serving also as PathPoint’s market medical director for North Florida. A board-certified endocrinologist, Makhoul Ahwach focuses clinically on the metabolic drivers behind weight. She has practiced as an endocrinologist in Jacksonville since 2020, and is fluent in Arabic and French, with working proficiency in Spanish.

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A Record-Breaking Night for a Silver Anniversary

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Art with a Heart in Healthcare marked its silver anniversary with record-breaking fundraising at its Oct. 24 gala at WJCT Studios. Guests raised $200,000 at the signature charity event, which honored Louise Freshman Brown, who spearheaded the organization’s internship program at the University of North Florida in 2003. The gala’s Visionary Sponsor was the Carter Family, whose involvement stretches back to its founding year, when daughter Catie became AWAHIH’s very first patient. Kerrie

Carter, Catie’s mother, has served as a lifetime board member and remains deeply involved in the organization, carrying Catie’s legacy forward. “It was an honor to be part of such a wonderful evening. As Catie’s mom, it made my heart happy to share her story and see the impact she is still having 25 years later,” said Carter, who shared Catie’s story with guests during the gala. Since its founding at Wolfson Children’s Hospital by Lori Guadagno and Lisa Landwirth Ullman in 2001, AWAHIH has served more than 150,000 patients and family members.

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A Toast to Hope and Happy Tails

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Aura Fuentes with Auld and White CEO Nate Marty

Toast to the Animals, Jacksonville Humane Society’s premier charity event, returned for its 28th year on Friday, Oct. 2 Guests gathered at The Jessie Ball duPont Center, enjoying crowd favorites like the Mutt Putt and Wine Pull, plus a cocktail-style experience with bites from more than 15

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area restaurants, accompanied by wine and beer selections. The Cuddle Corner provided an irresistible opportunity to meet adoptable pets. Funds raised from the evening, which also included live and silent auctions, will support the JHS Medical Fund.

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FSCJ Foundation Board Member and Alumna Emily Lisska speaks with Frederick Kent III while Susan Brice stands by.

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Elizabeth Todd, Dawn Emerick and MJ Fratianni

Community Spirit Takes the Field It was a sold-out affair at Citri San Marco for the 10th annual Jaguars Foundation Cocktail Party on Friday, Oct. 2. Celebrating a decade of community impact, the evening offered guests delicious food from a dozen Jacksonville restaurants, including several from our Resident communities, fine wine and spirits, live music, a silent auction, and more. Jaguars icon Jaxson de Ville made a special appearance alongside the ROAR cheerleaders. A VIP experience provided exclusive access to Jaguars Legends during happy hour, with proceeds from the entire event benefiting the Jaguars Foundation.

Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville CEO and Executive Director Diana Donovan and Tinesha Tutt

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Current Student Speakers Ejan Fusetti, Jacqueline Gray and Agatha Cruz with Janet Avendano and FSCJ President Dr. John Avendano

Honoring FSCJ’s Past, Endowing Its Future

More than 400 guests raised more than $244,000 for a new endowed scholarship at Florida State College at Jacksonville’s Diamond Anniversary Gala. The gala took place at the Conference Center at GuideWell on Friday, Oct. 2, marking the institution’s 60th anniversary, with proceeds helping to establish the FSCJ 60th Diamond Anniversary Gala Endowed Scholarship Fund to support future generations of students. “From our perspective, existing relationships were strengthened, new ones were formed, the milestone was celebrated well, and there is a renewed spirit to go forth and make the next 60 years even better,” said FSCJ Foundation Executive Director and Vice President of Institutional Advancement Scott Evans.

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Red Shield Ball Celebrates Generosity and Service A New Orleans spirit and a celebration of local generosity marked The Salvation Army of Northeast Florida’s 13th annual Red Shield Ball, held Saturday, Oct. 17, at the University of North Florida’s Adam W. Herbert University Center. Chaired by Dawn Alexander and Brogan Hill, the evening honored longtime supporters and introduced the Krewe of Compassion, part of the organization’s new Ambassadors of Hope program. Will Law of Duval Ford earned grand marshal honors as the Krewe’s top fundraiser, receiving his Salvation Army shield cape from Alexander and Hill. Fellow Krewe members Lindsey Craft of Intercontinental Exchange and Karlie McCutcheon of Dream Finders Homes joined Law in raising more than $30,000 ahead of the ball, supplementing the evening’s fundraising. Sally Ragsdale received the 2026 O’Quinn-Buresh Red Shield Ball Award for her longstanding support of the event and The Salvation Army. An advisory board member since 1997 and a former board chair, Ragsdale has championed the ball since its inception. Hosted by Mike Buresh, the celebration included auctions and music by Faze Band. A Fund-a-Need appeal sought support for an 80-seat outdoor dining pavilion at the Towers Center of Hope, furthering the organization’s work with individuals and families seeking stability.

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Parisian Flair, A Purpose Beyond Compare

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Parisian elegance met heartfelt purpose at Nemours Children’s Health’s Night with Nemours, held Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Sawgra ss Marriott Golf Resort & Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach. Inspired by the romance and sophistication of Paris, the evening brought together supporters, community leaders and friends of Nemours to help create brighter futures for children and families. Behind the glamour was a shared commitment to advancing pediatric health care through compassionate care, medical innovation and continued investment in children’s well-being. The celebration highlighted philanthropy and community partnerships as essential to Nemours’ mission of providing exceptional medical care, a reminder that the evening’s most lasting impression would be the difference generosity can make for families throughout Northeast Florida.

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Recognizing Champions of Justice Jacksonville Area Legal Aid welcomed guests to the 24th annual Robert J. Beckham Equal Justice Awards Celebration on Thursday, Sept. 24. Held at the Downtown Jacksonville Public Library, this year’s event celebrated the Florida Veterans Legal Helpline as the 2026 Equal Justice Honoree for “transforming access to justice by creating Florida’s first statewide civil legal helpline dedicated exclusively to veterans.” The evening also featured remarks by keynote speaker David Finkel, bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist.

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The Farm at Okenofee welcomed guests to an exclusive Insider’s Night at Avondale’s Southern Grounds and Co. to celebrate the “Trembling Earth” documentary. The evening took place on Tuesday, Oct. 20, ahead of the documentary’s November premiere, providing guests with an evening of live music and complimentary drinks and

Alex Gebicke with Kedgar Volta

passed hors d’oeuvres in a celebration of regenerative farming. The Farm at Okenofee will return to Jacksonville on Nov. 12 for the premiere of “Trembling Earth” at the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts. All proceeds from both evenings will support the Regenerative Farm Initiative.

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CHARITY CHAT Jacksonville’s generosity doesn’t always arrive with a giant check – although this month, one did. A San Marco concert set a giving record, Hubbard House is celebrating half a century of service, and a downtown nonprofit is making room to help more neighbors. Add some new faces in leadership and big plans for the months ahead, and there’s plenty to talk about this month. As we prepare the next edition of Circles, themed “Giving Is Changing,” one thing is clear: Jacksonville keeps finding new ways to show up for its neighbors. Here’s who’s making news, and making a difference.

Beyond the Ballrooms Good neighbors, big milestones and plenty worth sharing

A High Note for Breakthrough T1D The San Marco Chamber Music Society hit a particularly generous high note in September. Led by Eric and Ellen Olson, the society performed a benefit concert for Breakthrough T1D. The result: a $14,717 contribution, the society’s largest-ever donation, according to Breakthrough T1D. The check was presented recently to Breakthrough T1D Board Member Leslie Burkhalter. The nonprofit’s Jacksonville Gala takes place Nov. 14, World Diabetes Day, and its next Jacksonville Walk is set for April 10, 2027. Two more opportunities to help turn community support into progress toward a cure for type 1 diabetes.

Hubbard House is marking a milestone: 50 years of helping local survivors of domestic violence find safety and a path forward. The organization says it has served more than 168,000 survivors and their children since opening Florida’s first dedicated domestic violence shelter in 1976. Its anniversary brings a new bridge-inspired logo and the tagline “Life-Saving. Life-Changing.” A yearlong “Since Hubbard Street” campaign will highlight the organization’s history and services. The celebration will include the Anchored in Hope gala Feb. 27, 2027, at the Florida Yacht Club. The Hubbard House Foundation is also marking its 20th anniversary.

The musical partnership between mother Michelle Chen Kuo and son Christopher Kuo has taken them to Carnegie Hall and helped raise more than $3 million for nonprofits. But one of their longest-standing relationships is right here, with Lutheran Social Services of Northeast Florida (LSS). Their latest Jacksonville benefit was scheduled for Oct. 24 at Jacksonville University’s Terry Concert Hall, with proceeds designated for LSS programs addressing food insecurity, resettlement and family stability. The partnership comes at a particularly important time as LSS faces shortages at its food pantry. Christopher Kuo with Michelle Chen Kuo

City Rescue Mission Prepares for a New Chapter After 11 years with City Rescue Mission, CEO Paul Stasi has announced plans to retire. Stasi, who has served as CEO since January 2021, will remain through July 31, 2027, while the board conducts a national search for his successor. The mission has served Northeast Florida for more than 80 years. The mission says its programs and services will continue without interruption. Board Chair Craig Henderson praised Stasi’s leadership, compassion and commitment to the people the organization serves. Stasi said he remains committed to guiding the mission through the transition.

Bring Back Joy to Local Kids in Crisis

The abused and neglected children that come to Daniel have experienced more heartache than happiness. With your help, we can provide the therapy and support they need to rediscover the simple joys of childhood.

Big changes are ahead for Downtown Ecumenical Services Council (DESC). Its $3.6 million DESC Rising campaign is fully funded, and the organization expects to open a new 10,000-square-foot home at 956 N. Liberty St. in January 2027. The new facility will expand food, clothing and emergency financial assistance, along with the Help Hub for referrals, coaching and transportation. Baptist Health has awarded DESC a $160,000 grant to support the pantry and Help Hub. In 2025, DESC supplied groceries to 7,581 people and clothing to 6,543 people. More space will allow the organization to expand services for neighbors in need.

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Artist and philanthropist Brette Petway has committed $500,000 over five years to the Women’s Center of Jacksonville. Her unrestricted gift will match qualifying multiyear donations dollar for dollar, potentially generating $1 million in private support. The center also received a $461,710 state appropriation for its Sexual Assault Forensic Exam program. Together, the funding offers immediate help and something less visible but just as valuable: room to plan for the future.

A Bigger World, A Stronger Jacksonville Jacksonville had its own Global City Day on Oct. 20, proclaimed by Mayor Donna Deegan. The recognition came during a World Affairs Council of Jacksonville and Jacksonville Civic Council luncheon that drew 160 civic and business leaders to hear former U.S. Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti in conversation with Civic Council President and CEO Dennis Whittle. The conversation focused on how Jacksonville’s global connections can translate into opportunities for residents. The World Affairs Council’s next event is a Nov. 3 Global Medical Innovation Series program in partnership with Mayo Clinic, featuring artificial intelligence expert Micky Tripathi.

Baptist Earns Stroke Honors The American Heart Association has awarded its Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award – its highest recognition for stroke care – to all five Baptist Health adult hospitals. According to Matthew A. Zuino, Baptist Health president and CEO, Baptist Health has spent more than a decade developing its comprehensive stroke network.

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NEW FACES ces New Pla

Taking the Lead

DESC’s board has named Tina Wirth executive director following her interim service since June. She brings three decades of nonprofit and community experience, including launching the JAX Chamber’s Earn Up career pathways initiative.

Less Screen, More Green Project One Health JAX marked three years and a leadership transition. October launched with $6.1 million in seed support from the Winston Family Foundation. The initiative is moving into a new phase led by the Children & Nature Network and community partners, with support from the University of North Florida. In its first full year of evaluated neighborhood programming, the initiative reached more than 470 young people at 13 sites and delivered more than 4,300 hours of screen-free, nature-based activities. The Winston Family Foundation also announced plans to become four separate philanthropic organizations led by its trustees.

A Four-Legged Hero Gets His Own Mini-Me

Participants gather on the course during the Borland Groover Foundation’s inaugural Fore! To Get Screened golf tournament at King and Bear Golf Course.

A First Round for Screening The Borland Groover Foundation’s inaugural Fore! To Get Screened tournament brought supporters to King & Bear Golf Course on Oct. 2. Proceeds will support colorectal cancer screening access, including colonoscopy vouchers for underinsured patients, and assistance of up to $5,000 for eligible patients facing treatment-related expenses. The foundation hopes the tournament will become a recurring event alongside its March To Get Screened 5K.

Bides Joins Ability Housing

Meet Stone, a Jacksonville-based golden retriever with a serious job – and now, a stuffed-animal look-alike. Stone and his handler, John Long, travel the country responding to disasters, including the Surfside condominium collapse. He is one of three working dogs honored in Firehouse Subs’ new K-9 Crew plush collection. The limited-edition dogs went on sale Oct. 28, National First Responders Day, at participating Firehouse Subs restaurants for $9.95 each, while supplies last. All net profits benefit the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, which reports awarding more than $112 million in equipment and resources to first responders since 2005.

Mike Freed, founder of Freed to Run, holds a commemorative plaque celebrating a decade of impact at the 2026 event.

A Son’s Legacy, A Mother’s Mission

Volunteers join Natasha Jackson for Matthew’s Legacy of Light’s inaugural Care Package Outreach to distribute 100 care packages throughout the community.

Riverfront Alliance Names First CEO Jax Riverfront Alliance has named Tony Moore its founding chief executive officer. Most recently, Moore served as president and CEO of Trinity Park Conservancy in Dallas, Texas, where he oversaw the design, construction and operational development of Harold Simmons Park. Jax Riverfront Alliance Board Chair David Sweeney said Moore possesses the perfect combination of experience and expertise to lead the organization at this critical juncture.

Miles with a Mission Nearly 100 participants came out to the Jacksonville Equestrian Center on Oct. 3 to participate in the 10th annual Freed to Run, supporting Jacksonville Area Legal Aid’s Shelter for Elders Endowment. A range of different races offered something for everyone running to raise funds for housing-related legal services for vulnerable seniors facing various threats to stable housing.

Ability Housing has appointed Paula Naugle Bides chief of strategy and development. She brings decades of health care, nonprofit and community relations experience as the affordable housing organization marks its 35th anniversary.

Volunteers joined Natasha Jackson for the inaugural Care Package Outreach event on Sept. 27 for Matthew’s Legacy of Light Foundation. One hundred care packages were distributed to seniors and people experiencing homelessness. The nonprofit is founded in memory of Jackson’s son, Matthew, whom she lost to gun violence last year; it transforms her loss into action through gun violence advocacy, outreach, mental health awareness and youth support.

Spicer on the Wire for American Heart Association Ashley Spicer is the new marketing communications director for the American Heart Association’s First Coast chapter. Spicer will lead local marketing and communications efforts, working with local media partners to share stories of AHA’s impact in Northeast Florida.

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JASMYN Board Chair Issis Alvarez and CEO Ashley L. Coleman Kyle and Bruce Musser

NOVEMBER 2026

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Open Hearts and Shared Tables JASMYN welcomed guests to a celebration of love, community and bravery at its 20th annual Coming Out Day Breakfast at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront. The breakfast took place on Friday, Oct. 9, and centered around the theme “Still Here. Still Proud.” – words that JASMYN Board Chair Issis Alvarez said in her opening address sent a powerful message. “They remind us that love, compassion and courage are always, always, and I’ll say it again, always stronger than fear,” Alvarez said. At this milestone 20th annual event, JASMYN recognized three community champions for their leadership and commitment to community and equity for LGBTQ+ people in Northeast Florida. The honorees were Edi Castro (Diamond Award), Deutsche Bank (Sapphire Award), and Julia Torres-Carmichael (Emerald Award).

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RESIDENT COMMUNITY NEWS

Nathan Ballentine, the man behind Overalls Farm

RESIDENTNEWS.NET

Sweet peppers are on the menu at Overalls Farm

Nathan and his neighbors have invested $150,000 in raised beds and other infrastructure.

Urban Agriculture on the Rise By Fabrizio Gowdy and Michele Leivas On a once-vacant lot in Springfield, papayas, peppers, herbs and leafy greens grow from neat rows of raised beds. Neighbors come and pick what they need, some having to travel no further than across the street. That simple concept is at the heart of Overalls Farm, a network of three small urban farms Nathan Ballentine has spent years developing in Springfield. But getting Jacksonville’s zoning code to accommodate something so straightforward has proven anything but simple. Ballentine hopes “Pathways to Urban Agriculture,” new legislation recently introduced to the Jacksonville City Council, will change that – not only for Overalls Farm, but for others who want to follow in his footsteps by turning vacant land into productive urban gardens. The concept has been years in the making for Ballentine, who planted his first garden at age 8 as a school project with his mom’s help. He quickly discovered what he enjoyed more than growing and eating food: a front yard garden that gave neighbors who might otherwise exchange little more than a greeting a reason to stop and talk. “My whole life I have loved how gardens help people be human,” Ballentine said. “It’s a natural conversation starter.” After college, that interest became a career. Ballentine graduated in 2008, just as the economy began to unravel. On the final day of a summer job driving tour buses through Glacier National Park, his group stopped to buy a newspaper and saw news of Lehman Brothers’ collapse across the front page. “I don’t know how to fix the economy, but I know how to grow food,” Ballentine remembers thinking. He had grown up hearing stories about how his family relied on gardening and farming to get through the Great Depression. Ballentine put on overalls – a nod to his grandfather, who wore them nearly every day – and began helping people build gardens. That work eventually led him to help establish a youth farm in his hometown of Tallahassee, on an empty lot in an economically disadvantaged neighborhood. Even though neighbors had advised him to fence off the property, Ballentine noticed residents seemed to enjoy walking through the garden on their way home from work and school. Some would even pause to sit for a few minutes and decompress. FARMING BY SUBSCRIPTION Though his community gardens had been a success, a major problem remained: The food they grew had to be transported and sold elsewhere, so some of it inevitably went to waste. When Ballentine moved to Springfield about a decade ago, he began experimenting with an entirely different model. Rather than harvest, wash, package and transport produce to market – which Ballentine estimates accounts for about half the labor on a small farm – Overalls Farm members harvest it themselves.

Think Netflix, but for fruits and vegetables, Ballentine said. Instead of buying produce from a stand that has to be manned, members pay a subscription in exchange for access to the farms. They can pick produce as they need it, when they need it. The idea is to replace a trip to the store with a fun “micro-adventure,” as Ballentine calls it. “You’re cooking dinner, and you’re like, ‘Oh, I want to get some rosemary or oregano.’ So you turn the burner down low, walk around the block, and get what you need,” Ballentine said. He started with five families harvesting produce from a farm in his backyard, which quickly grew to 30. A second farm at First and Liberty streets soon served 40 more subscribing families. Two years ago, he started a third farm at 125 E. Seventh Street, his largest yet, which will one day accommodate about 150 families. However, that growth has not been enough to keep up with the more than 600 families currently on a waiting list to become members. Ballentine hopes to take the concept to other Jacksonville neighborhoods eventually. The farms have become a natural place for neighbors to gather, talk and get to know each other, hosting small events and educational programs. Each Friday, children from Sanctuary on 8th Street visit to learn about building beds, installing irrigation and planting crops. Plans for the property include a memorial garden, a long, shaded pergola and what Ballentine calls a “cathedral of trees”: edible trees trained to create a vaulted canopy over part of the farm. Despite worries that some nearby residents wouldn’t like a functional farm next door, the community’s response has been the opposite. Overalls Farm does everything it can to be a good neighbor – there are no farm animals and the property is kept tidy. Ballentine and his volunteers have even started mowing the adjacent alleys and filling in potholes. A ‘PATHWAY’ TO A RESOLUTION After tireless advocacy for the urban gardening movement, Ballentine is welcoming the proposed legislation while pushing for changes he says would make it more effective. Ordinance 2026-0807, known as “Pathways to Urban Agriculture,” was introduced to the City Council at its Oct. 13 meeting. Ballentine and several others spoke in support of it, while adding improvements were still needed. “We’re getting really close to making market and community gardens permissible by right here in Jacksonville,” Ballentine said in his public comment at the Oct. 13 meeting. “However, to make this ordinance truly work as intended, we need a few critical amendments.” As it’s currently written, the legislation allows for a maximum of 12 “public sales” days during which markets can operate; however, any additional programming –

NOVEMBER 2026

including educational and community activities – would also count as a public sales day. Ballentine argued that number is too low for market gardens to be effective, using Overalls Farm as an example. “Our monthly Greens and Means Community Meal uses up all 12 allotted days,” Ballentine said. “When teenagers from the Sanctuary on 8th Street walk over to learn and farm with us on Fridays, we would be out of compliance. When a neighborhood church meets on our farm during good weather, that would also be noncompliant. So would garden club tours or any workshops we might host or teach.” Addressing these and other issues Ballentine said currently exist in the proposed legislation, he put forth the following amendments, urging council members to consider them: renaming public sales days to “community access days” and increasing the allotment from 12 to 70 days for “markets, any and all markets, workshops and events, while preserving exemptions for routine operations and rolling sales.” Ballentine also proposed an amendment to allow market gardens to sell “agricultural and valueadded food products from other Duval County growers.” “Let’s pass an ordinance that empowers our urban gardeners to feed and foster community,” Ballentine said. City Council Members Raul Arias, District 11, and Jimmy Peluso, District 7, introduced the legislation, and Ju’Coby Pittman, District 10, co-sponsored it. Before returning to the full council for a final vote, the legislation must go before three committees: Rules, Land Use and Zoning and Neighborhoods. Public hearings for this legislation are expected to begin this month, including at the Nov. 10 City Council meeting and the Nov. 17 LUZ Committee meeting.

In his signature overalls, Nathan Ballentine addresses the City Council in support of “Pathways to Urban Agriculture” at the Oct. 13 City Council meeting

RECONNECTING WITH OUR FOOD Laureen Husband, chair of the Duval Food Policy Council and one of Ballentine’s neighbors, sees value in urban farms extending beyond economics or even health. “Overalls Farm is about more than growing food,” Husband said. “It’s a third space where people can gather surrounded by growing fruits and vegetables, and where neighbors from different backgrounds sit down together.” In an era when much of our food travels thousands of miles and arrives pre-packaged, Ballentine wants people to get their hands dirty again. He and his supporters say the goal is not to replace supermarkets, but to supplement them. And, of course, to remind us that dinner does not begin wrapped in plastic or frozen on a shelf. Jennifer Leggett, chair of the Duval Agricultural Council, said Overalls Farm helps bring agriculture home. “Projects like Overalls Farm remind us that agriculture isn’t something that only happens somewhere else. It happens right here in Jacksonville,” she said.

A Decade of Growing Together

RAP Celebrates 10 Years of the Community Garden For a decade, the small garden at the corner of Azalea Terrace and Park Street, sitting within the footprint of Willow Branch Park, has served as a gathering place and growing space for neighborhood gardeners. The Riverside Avondale Preservation (RAP) Community Garden celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, marking a decade of growth, literal and figurative, for the neighbors who tend it. Operating as a publicprivate partnership between the City of Jacksonville’s Parks and Recreation Department, JaxParks and RAP, the garden currently boasts 32 plots maintained by 52 gardeners.

To mark the garden’s milestone anniversary, with major support from Bold City Properties, all the wooden garden beds were replaced. Later this fall, new educational signage created by Carson Schwab, a student from UNF’s Environmental Leadership Program, will be installed to help educate visitors about seasonal produce, insects and more. “The Community Garden is a gathering point for so many people from this neighborhood and beyond,” said RAP Executive Director Shannon Blankinship. “I’m proud that RAP has continued to manage and operate a public space that means so much to so many people.”

The garden first opened in April 2016 and was designed by Dorina Bakari of Jacksonville’s American Institute of Architects through its Emerging Design Professionals subcommittee. The future is bright for the Community Garden, with plans to add a Kids Pizza Garden next spring, providing a free, interactive space for children to harvest their favorite pizza toppings like tomatoes, peppers and herbs. Those interested in supporting this new addition can make donations at riversideavondale.networkforgood.com/ projects/214731-general-donation-form, noting that the gift is for the Kids Pizza Garden.

Treasured for Generations and Worth More Than You Think

As old videos, family albums and keepsakes come out for the holidays, A-Coin & Stamp Gallery reminds families to look again at coins, currency, jewelry and collectibles that may be hiding real value this season.

The holidays send families back into closets, cabinets, attics and old trunks. VHS tapes come out. Photo albums open to faces and places not seen in years. Military keepsakes, framed documents, inherited jewelry and old boxes get passed around as stories resurface. But what if one of those memories is worth far more than anyone realized? At A-Coin & Stamp Gallery, Bill Hatchett and his team see it all the time. A framed bank note, an envelope of old currency, a watch tucked into a dresser, estate jewelry, silver dollars or a canvas bank bag filled with coins can turn an ordinary holiday discovery into something very different. “Most people don’t realize what they’re holding until they take a closer look,” Hatchett said. That closer look matters because value is rarely determined by age alone. Preciousmetal content is important, but rarity, condition, mint marks, historical significance and collector demand can move an item well beyond face or melt value. The same is true for old currency tied to particular banks, towns or periods in American history.

Hatchett has seen that surprise firsthand. “This note had been in the family over 100 years,” Hatchett recalled. “We paid almost $10,000 for it...and it was a $10 bill.” That is the kind of discovery that makes digging through family possessions more than nostalgia. Warservice memorabilia may include medals, currency or collectibles brought home from overseas. Estate jewelry may hold gold, silver, diamonds or resale value. Coin rolls, proof sets, Morgan dollars and forgotten bullion may have quietly appreciated while sitting untouched. “Every collection tells two stories. There’s the value of the metal itself, and then there’s the value collectors place on history. Understanding the difference is where experience really matters,” shared Hatchett. For families wondering what to keep, pass down or convert into cash, A-Coin makes the process straightforward. Bring in one item or an entire collection. Hatchett and his team evaluate coins, paper currency, precious metals, jewelry and other valuables, explain what they see and make an offer when an owner is ready to sell. There is no need to let something

valuable sit unseen simply because it has always been there. A complimentary, noobligation appraisal can provide clarity. And when the decision is to sell, A-Coin can turn hidden value into cold hard cash on the spot. Some families choose to preserve a few sentimental pieces and sell the rest. Others discover that an object no one planned to use again can become money for travel, gifts, home projects or experiences. The point is not to sell everything – it is to know what you have.

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That money can help cover holiday expenses, fund a family trip, pay down a bill or simply be enjoyed today. A keepsake can carry a story without staying locked away forever. Sometimes the best way to honor value is to recognize it, understand it and put it to work in your life. Hatchett still approaches each collection with the curiosity that has defined his career. “It’s like a treasure hunt and highlights an important part of history,” he said. “It’s my quest to find these rare items and help owners reap the gain from their value.” So while the family videos are playing and old memories are making their annual return, take another look at what is stored beside them. The next holiday surprise may already be in your home. Bring it to Bill Hatchett and the team at A-Coin & Stamp Gallery for an experienced evaluation, a straightforward offer and cash on the spot. Because at A-Coin & Stamp Gallery, We Pay More.

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The New Wellness Equation Why the future of fitness is becoming less about doing more – and more about creating balance.

For decades, the language of fitness centered largely on effort: go farther, lift heavier, move faster, burn more. But the definition of wellness is changing. Today, people are increasingly looking beyond the workout itself and considering what happens around it: how they move, how they recover, how they manage stress, how they sleep and how the practices they choose work together over time. It is a shift from fitness as an activity to wellness as a lifestyle. The numbers reflect that evolution. According to the Global Wellness Institute, the global wellness economy reached $6.8 trillion in 2024 and is projected to approach $9.8 trillion by 2029. Physical activity remains an important part of that landscape, but it now exists alongside rapidly expanding areas including mental health, traditional and complementary practices, personal care and restorative experiences. Perhaps the more interesting change, however, is philosophical and a trend away from technology tracking and measuring every part of your routine and day. Wellness no longer needs to be an either-or proposition. While technology has made it possible to quantify nearly every aspect of our health—from steps and sleep to heart rate, strain and recovery—another idea is quietly gaining relevance: perhaps not everything that matters needs to be measured. For years, the wellness industry has encouraged us to pay attention to our bodies by looking at data about them. That information can be extraordinarily useful. But there is a difference between tracking the body and developing an awareness of it. The next evolution of wellness may involve doing both. Notice the quality of the breath. Where the body feels strong and where it feels restricted. Whether another demanding workout is actually what is needed today.

Whether rest leaves us feeling guilty or restored. Whether movement is something we experience or simply another metric we collect. This does not require abandoning technology. Rather, it puts technology back in its proper place: as one source of information among many. Data can tell us a great deal about the body. Awareness helps us understand what to do with that information. That distinction is also helping fuel renewed interest in analog, lowerstress wellness rituals: yoga, walking, breathwork, massage, sauna, restorative movement and simply creating periods of time in which nothing needs to be tracked, optimized or shared. In a culture increasingly built around measurement, there may be something surprisingly modern about learning to pay attention again. A runner does not need to become a yogi. A dedicated strength-training routine does not need to be replaced by Pilates or mobility work. Someone who loves cycling, tennis or high-intensity exercise does not necessarily need another demanding workout. What may be missing is the counterbalance. That philosophy is helping shape Alchemy Yoga & Wellness, currently taking form in Jacksonville’s Ortega neighborhood. Rather than approaching yoga and wellness as alternatives to traditional fitness, Alchemy was designed around the idea that different modalities can serve different purposes within the same practice. Yoga can complement strength and cardiovascular training by developing mobility, balance, proprioception, breath awareness and intentional movement. Strength-focused movement can help build resilience and stability. Restorative practices create space to slow down. Massage provides another avenue for recovery

and body care, while experiences such as infrared sauna and cold plunge introduce dedicated recovery rituals. None needs to do the job of the other. That distinction matters. In an industry often driven by the newest workout, newest technology or newest wellness trend, there can be a temptation to search for the single practice that does everything. Increasingly, however, wellness is being viewed less as a collection of competing modalities and more as an ecosystem. The question becomes not, “Which one should I choose?” but rather, “What does my body need to support everything else I ask it to do?” For one person, that might mean pairing strength training with yoga. For another, running with massage and restorative movement. Someone else may benefit from vigorous movement on one day and intentional stillness on another. Even within yoga, the answer need not always be the same. Some practices build heat and strength. Others emphasize mobility, mechanics, balance or restoration. The value comes from understanding the purpose behind the practice. That idea has informed Alchemy from its earliest planning: movement, recovery and wellness services intentionally existing under one roof, not because everyone needs everything, but because wellness rarely exists in only one dimension. It also reflects something increasingly absent from modern fitness: permission to recover.

Rest has traditionally been treated as the space between workouts—the thing one does before returning to the “real” work. But recovery is increasingly becoming part of the practice itself. That cultural shift may ultimately prove more important than any individual wellness trend. Because sustainable wellness is not simply about how hard we can push ourselves. It is about developing enough awareness to recognize when to challenge the body, when to support it and when to allow it to restore. For Alchemy, that is where the different pieces begin to make sense together. Not yoga instead of strength training. Not recovery instead of movement. Not restoration instead of effort. But each, intentionally placed alongside the others. As Jacksonville’s wellness landscape continues to evolve, perhaps the next chapter will be defined less by finding the one perfect workout and more by creating a personal practice that can change with us. Because the future of wellness may not be about doing more at all. It may simply be about understanding how the pieces work together.

4343 Colonial Avenue home@alchemyjax.yoga www.alchemyjax.yoga

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RESIDENT COMMUNITY NEWS

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NOVEMBER 2026

Playing a Hand in Brighter Futures

Nancy Barnard and Rick Cartlidge with Rusty and Caroljo Creighton

Photos: The Simmons Agency

BIG HAIR, BIG HEARTS, BIG IMPACT Sanctuary’s ’80s Shindig celebrates a record-breaking night

2026 Shindig Host Committee Members Robert and Erin George, Phyllis and Chip Tousey and Vicky Watkins with Natalie and Mark Rosenberg, Rick Cartlidge and Chip and Allison Keller

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Youth Crisis Center’s annual Poker Tournament returned for its fourth year, with guests calling bets and raising stakes in support of the agency’s mental health and homelessness programs. Sixty-five players participated in this year’s tournament, which took place at BestBet Jacksonville on Thursday, Oct. 15, competing at No Limit Texas Hold’em.

The Sanctuary on 8th Street’s annual Shindig was a night to remember for more than one reason. Held on Thursday, Oct. 1 at Emerald Station, this year’s Shindig 80s Night: Flashback for a Cause broke records, both as the highest attended – more than 300 guests – and the highest amount raised – more than $260,000 – all in support of the organization’s mission. Beyond these record-setting numbers, the evening featured several standout moments, including the Shindig’s inaugural costume contest, a co-ed dance performance by Sanctuary kids, and a commemoration of former executive director Vicky Watkins’ 80th birthday. The theme came to life with 80s music for dancing and an arcade game machine, along with other fan favorites, including a wine pull and silent auction.

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Give the Gift of Memories This Holiday Season

Memory Lane Jacksonville helps families bring treasured moments back into their lives Some of the most meaningful holiday gifts are already tucked away in a closet. They’re on the videotapes labeled “Christmas 1992,” the reels of Grandpa’s home movies, and the slides from a family vacation everyone still talks about. They hold a child’s first steps, a wedding-day promise, or the voice of someone whose laugh you would give anything to hear again. The memories are priceless. The problem is finding a way to enjoy them. For many families, the VCR stopped working years ago. The projector is long gone. Setting up an old camcorder means finding cables, chargers, and a television that will connect to it. Those irreplaceable moments remain packed away, waiting for “someday.” Memory Lane Jacksonville helps make someday happen. With more than 30 years in business, Memory Lane digitizes older media so families can rediscover, share, and enjoy their memories using today’s technology. Services include VHS, VHS-C, Hi8, MiniDV, DVDs, 8mm and 16mm film, slides, photographs, audio cassettes, vinyl records, reel-to-reel audio, and more. That variety matters because family history rarely comes in just one format. A wedding may be on VHS, childhood birthdays on film, and a parent’s voice

on an audio cassette. Bringing those pieces together gives families a chance to experience chapters of their lives that have been difficult to access for years. And at Memory Lane, the process begins with a personal conversation. Owner Regent Ducas says “Memory Lane is Jacksonville’s only storefront offering this range of digitizing services with the work performed locally”. Customers bring their originals directly to the store and meet the people who will handle their memories. There is nothing to mail, no shipping box to track, and no need to arrange a drop-off at someone’s home or a coffee shop. There is an established business to walk into, people to ask questions, and a familiar place to return when the work is complete. For families handing over their only copy of a wedding video or a reel of childhood memories, that personal connection can make all the difference. Memory Lane also offers something especially helpful for anyone staring at a box of mystery tapes: a preview room. Not knowing what is on a tape is one of the biggest reasons people postpone digitizing. Is it a treasured family gathering, a school performance, or several hours of recorded television? Customers can preview their videotapes before deciding which

ones to digitize, helping them choose the moments that matter most. Most jobs are completed within a week or less, depending on the size of the project. With the holidays approaching, bringing materials in early allows time to discuss the collection and plan a meaningful family surprise. Imagine gathering after a holiday meal and watching the children see their parents as children. Hearing a grandparent tell a story again. Laughing together at the hairstyles, the decorations, and the familiar traditions captured decades ago. Those moments can become a gift shared across generations. Families considering the service can also read Memory Lane’s customer reviews to learn about others’ experiences. Then they can stop in, ask questions, and meet the people who will work on their own collection. Memory Lane Jacksonville is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. No appointment is necessary. This holiday season, the perfect gift may already belong to your family. Memory Lane can help you bring it back to life.

Digitize Your Memories for Generations. 8431 Baymeadows Way | Jacksonville | Hours: Mon. – Fri. 10a.m. – 5p.m. / Sat. by appointment You can reach Regent and his team at (904) 730-9999 or info@memorylanejacksonville.com

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The Developing Artists Foundation is proud to support the arts and students at Douglas Anderson in their pursuit of artistic development. The Developing Artists Foundation supports the best and brightest students at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts as they pursue their passions across ten disciplines in Dance, Theatre, Music, Visual Arts, Writing, and beyond. With DA Foundation support for guest artists, artist residencies, and enrichment from instructors of exceptional caliber, students receive the world-class training that has made Douglas Anderson a nationally recognized leader in arts education, along with the preparation they need for the nation’s top colleges, universities, and conservatories.

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JUNIOR RESIDENTS

From Bolles to the Blue Skies Members of the Class of 2030 spend time at Ronald McDonald House during Bolles’ Spark Day.

Spark Day Ignites Inspiration Beyond the Classroom

Bolles upper school students volunteered with local nonprofits and explored career paths during Spark Day on Oct. 7. Director of Global Learning and Engagement Allison Chandler led freshmen in “Act Local, Think Global,” a program that sent students to organizations including Ronald McDonald House, Pine Castle and Sanctuary on 8th Street for a morning of service. Sophomores heard career advice from 28 Bolles alumni and one Bolles parent through a new program coordinated by Bolles Mentorship Program Coordinator Ellie Dalkin and Advisor Programs Coordinator Daphne Vagenas.

Students at the Bolles Lower School Whitehurst Campus had the opportunity to meet Air Force Thunderbird Pilot Tyler Keener, his wife Allison Regas Keener, and their family on Thursday, Oct. 15. Keener serves as Thunderbird 7/director of operations for the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron and shared insights from his career and words of wisdom with students in McGehee Auditorium. Both Keener and his wife are Bolles alumni.

Allison Regas Keener and Tyler Keener pose with their family during a visit to the Bolles Lower School Whitehurst Campus.

Faith and Fellowship at Stockton Park

Episcopal School of Jacksonville St. Mark’s Campus families take service to the riverfront with the school year’s first Chapel in the Park.

The Episcopal experience means learning extends far beyond the classroom. Our graduates Seek Understanding as lifelong learners; Develop a Sense of Self earned through challenge; Live with Honor and Purpose, choosing to lead, do good, and serve others; and Pursue a Life of Faith, in a way meaningful to them while respecting the dignity of every human being. Across our Four Pillars — Academics, Athletics, Fine Arts, and Spiritual Life — Episcopal students find their passions while shaping who, not what, they will become.

Visit ESJ.org To Explore Your Future

EPISCOPAL EPISCOPAL SCHOOL of JACKSONVILLE

SCHOOL of JACKSONVILLE

Episcopal School of Jacksonville St. Mark’s Campus families, faculty and staff gathered at Stockton Park for the school year’s first Chapel in the Park last month, overseen by the Rev. Teresa Seagle, ESJ chaplain and dean of spiritual life and service. A beloved tradition at the St. Mark’s Campus for its first through fifth graders and their families, Chapel in the Park offered a meaningful opportunity for the community to come together in song, prayer and reflection while enjoying nature’s beauty along the St. Johns River.

NOVEMBER 2026

RESIDENT COMMUNITY NEWS

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Episcopal Seniors Earn National Merit Commendations

Tanya Burgess

Jr. Residents | 39

A Brush with the Great Outdoors

Lily Indelicato Jacksonville artist Kathy Stark shares stories of her artwork and inspiration with fourth graders at Riverside Presbyterian Day School

Fourth graders at Riverside Presbyterian Day School spent time with Jacksonville artist Kathy Stark last month, learning about the inspiration behind her work, which is currently on display in the Mary Lou Davis Family Life Center. Stark took students on a visual journey through some of the region’s parks, preserves, waterways, and wildlife that inspire her work, including her distinctive vintage-style Jacksonville park posters, which drew inspiration from the artwork of the 1930s National Park Service.

Henry Platt

Episcopal School of Jacksonville is celebrating five seniors – Tanya Burgess, Luke Graham, Lily Indelicato, Henry Platt and Aaron Zacharia – for being identified as Commended Students by the National Merit Aaron Zacharia Scholarship Corporation. Each student will receive a letter of commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation for exhibiting exceptional academic promise, placing them among the top 50,000 students who took the 2025 Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test and reflecting the dedication, curiosity, and passion for learning they show every day at school.

DA Grad Earns Theater Scholarship Photo: GeekChic Photography

Luke Graham

Austin Fields performs in the ensemble for Douglas Anderson’s production of “Hadestown.”

Austin Fields, a 2026 graduate of Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, is one of 11 students nationwide awarded the Bernie G. Yvon Memorial Fund Scholarship through The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida. Established in 2015 by the parents of Chicago-area actor Bernie G. Yvon, who died the previous year, the fund has supported more than 50 students. Fields graduated in May after serving as senior class treasurer and his school’s National Honor Society vice president of student tutoring.

Value Realized for Life

Students here are given the breadth to discover what they love and the guidance to pursue it with purpose. The value of that experience does not end at graduation. It continues in the way they think and in the confidence and connections they carry forward. It is strengthened by a school community and an alumni network that together continue to open doors long after students leave campus. From college preparation to lifelong possibility, a Bolles education keeps giving.

Bolles.org (904) 256-5030

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Making Time to Make a Difference By Fabrizio Gowdy A newly formed local chapter of a national nonprofit is proving that two of life’s most fulfilling activities can go hand in hand. The Jacksonville Young Men’s Service League (YMSL) brings mothers and their high school-aged sons together for volunteer opportunities where they give back to the community while spending quality time together. “The four years in high school go by so fast,” said Erin Avera, one of the moms who helped found the chapter in June. “You watch them play sports, you support them in school, but really having oneon-one time with your son is what every mother wants.” Although it launched only a few months ago, YMSL’s newest chapter already has 70 mothers and 80 sons participating. The organization has also quickly forged partnerships with more than 20 area nonprofits, including the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund, Blessings in a Backpack, Feeding Northeast Florida and UCOM’s food ministries. Volunteer opportunities are available every weekend and occasionally during the week. One weekend, the young men of YMSL might find themselves plucking invasive weeds as part of a dune restoration; the next, hauling 2,700 pounds of nonperishable goods to a food pantry; and the following weekend, organizing a ‘trunk or treat’ for children battling cancer. Melanie Moore, a San Marco resident and the chapter’s community relations chair, says volunteering at a food bank run by Christ Church in Ponte Vedra was especially eye-opening for both her and her son, Whitman. The program distributes food to more than 300 kids and families. “He didn’t realize that even kids living in more affluent areas have food insecurity, and I didn’t either, honestly,” said Moore. Volunteering is a great way for students to get service hours for college applications, but for those involved, the time spent giving back is much more meaningful than simply building a college resumé. “They’re learning how to be good towards others, and that’s what I want my son to remember,” said San Marco resident Ashley English, who volunteers with her son William. “When he gets

Barrett Perkins and his mother, Jennifer, volunteer at UCOM Grocery Giveaway.

older, and he has children, he can do the same thing with his son or daughter.” Another key part of the program is its monthly meetings, which focus on different life skills each month. Recent topics have included civic engagement, financial responsibility and practical skills. Lessons can cover something as casual as grilling techniques or changing a tire, or as serious as discussing recent events at Cornell University. The purpose is to help shape wellrounded, morally grounded young men who are equipped for college and adulthood. Mothers and sons from across Jacksonville have joined the program, many from the city’s historic neighborhoods. In keeping with the national organization’s standards, both moms and sons are expected to volunteer 20 hours throughout the year. And in keeping with the group’s core mission of promoting healthy mother-son relationships, 10 of those hours must be completed together. Jennifer Perkins, who joined YMSL with her son Barrett, said she felt it was important to get out of the “bubble” of Ortega, where she has raised her family. “I feel like they really needed to get out of our community and connect with what most families who aren’t as fortunate are dealing with,” said Perkins. “Our kids, so many of them have their heads in their devices, and I don’t think that’s reality. Social media isn’t reality.” The program is intended to be a four-year commitment, with 30 boys in each grade level, meaning there is still plenty of room for new members. Avera, the chapter’s VP of communications, emphasized that the group is not selective and all are welcome without limitations. She and others echoed the same sentiment – the most important part is the quality time participants get to spend together. “I really wanted us to have something we could do together before Whitman leaves for college, and what better than to do something for other people,” said Moore. “I was thrilled to have that outlet for him and me to do something special together.”

NOVEMBER 2026

Kiera Martin from UCOM with Erin Avera and John Avera at the UCOM Grocery Giveaway.

Mother Ashley English and her son, William, combine quality time with giving back at Feeding Northeast Florida.

Whitman Moore and mother, Melanie, brighten kids’ days by volunteering at Blessings in a Backpack.

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As poet and author Charmaine J. Forde writes, “The rich and golden blessings of November are the splendid hues of nature’s artistry.” It seems that those “splendid hues,” while somewhat subdued in North Florida, have captivated and inspired local artists: Kathryn Miller’s featured artist exhibit “Vibrant Journey Through Watercolor Art” at The Art Center (TAC) keeps the viewer engaged as her work “celebrates simple yet dramatic subjects through the interplay of color and composition.” TAC Gallery’s “Fall is in the Air” exhibit is open at TAC through Nov. 7. Ted Head was recently recognized with Florida Watercolor Society’s Distinguished Signature Membership in the Florida

Watercolor Society for having 10 pieces accepted into its annual exhibits. Drumroll, please, for the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, which received a bronze award in the Southeastern Museum Conference’s Exhibition Competition for “Touring the Landscape: Art, Travel, and the Shaping of American Identity.” The exhibit is a collaboration between UNF students in Dr. Meg McCrummen Fowler’s honors college class and the museum. Fowler stated, “I’m especially grateful to the Cummer Museum’s enthusiastic partnership that created such an outstanding experience for our UNF students.” Don Ladson won the Fan Favorite Award at the fourth annual Ortega River Club’s Evening of Art and Music, during which

club members and guests exhibited their art while enjoying libations, music by Jacob Barnes, and demonstrations by guest artists Aaron Jackson and Kevin Arthur. An exciting update: Lauren Waller, founder and designer of Inkling Creative, has won the logo design contest for the 50th annual Gate River Run, scheduled for March 6, 2027. Her design won by popular vote from the running community. Waller said she was inspired by her father -in- law, John Waller, one of 17 Gate River Run “streakers” – continuous participants. His encouragement to enter the contest, coupled with an “aha!” moment as she crossed the Hart Bridge and realized the curve of the road looks like the number five and the arch of the bridge resembles a zero, gave her

the push to create the winning logo. Nature and man’s artistry combined for a win- win situation for sure. Nature’s bounty was evident at Cork’s “Floribunda,” where more than 120 artists participated, and 215 pieces were selected and displayed. The reception was jampacked with visitors – approximately 600, according to Cork Director Crystal Floyd – enjoying a variety of paintings, sculptures, fiber art, and other creative interpretations of Florida’s bounty of plants, flowers, wildlife, and nature. Don’t forget the 15th anniversary of Open Studios at Cork Nov. 21 and 22 from 12 to 6 p.m. Of course, nature is what First Coast Plein Air Painters is all about. Members of the group, many of whom were in the

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Kathryn Miller

Melanie Mills with Lorenzo Pappalardo

Floribunda exhibit as well, are preparing for their “Footprints Through Time” exhibit at the Oldest House Museum Complex in St. Augustine, so they can be found capturing the beauty of our Oldest City and coming “face to face with nature” and history. Melanie Mills’ exhibit at UNICAT Gallery offered a contrast to nature with “Common Anomalies.” Her work falls outside of the expected, as the name implies, and is thought-provoking, humorous and sometimes startling, inviting the viewer to “question personal beliefs, and past and present influences.” Using repurposed materials and images, her work juxtaposes beauty with unexpected commentary. A recently retired psychotherapist, art therapist, and addictions counselor, Mills

Ted Head

draws viewers into her art with intelligent observations of the world. The “Sisters in Art” exhibit at JCA Vandroff Gallery was a stunning juxtaposition of Julie Feldman’s haunting, emotionally evocative portraits and Stephanie Pyren-Fortel’s fascinating, skillfully rendered paintings that draw viewers into intriguing narratives of the human figure. Both award-winning artists are masters of their medium with contrasting, yet complementary styles. Jacksonville Artists Guild kicked off its season at Church of the Good Shepherd with good food, fellowship, libations and the “Tis the Season” art exhibit, where T.C. Dixon took Best in Show and Leslie Krazicki and Laurence Walden took Juror’s Choice Awards. What more does one need to fall in love with art? FSCJ professor Sheila Goloborotko’s masterful, stimulating exhibit “What Was Then is Now” posed questions “about the earth, about one another, about memory,” and invited personal reflection. However, the exhibit is not about finding answers, but the “thrill of discovery.” Questions posed by the multi- dimensional installation provoke awareness of biodiversity and our call to action on pressing issues by promoting responsibility to live in harmony with nature and one another.

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Nov. 7, 14, 21 Art in the Park Riverfront Park

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Jacksonville Artist Guild Meeting with a Presentation by Peggy Harrell Jennings: “One Thing Leads to Another” Church of the Good Shepherd 5:30 p.m. | Free to attend | Register at www.jacksonvilleartistsguild.org

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Jacksonville Gets Another Shot at ‘Hamilton’

“Hamilton” returns to Jacksonville on Dec. 1.

Photo: Joan Marcus

The “$10 founding father” is coming back to Jacksonville next month for a two-week engagement at the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts with the return of “Hamilton.” The winner of 11 Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, “Hamilton” previously played in Jacksonville in 2021 following a pandemic-related postponement in 2020. This new engagement opens on Dec. 1 and runs through Dec. 13 as part of FSCJ’s Artist Series’ Broadway in Jacksonville. Previously portraying Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds, actress Lily Soto comes to Jacksonville as leading lady Elizabeth Schuyler, a role she said has challenged her as an artist and highlights the impact Eliza had in cementing Alexander Hamilton’s legacy. Eliza’s own legacy, Soto said, is embodied in the musical’s final song, “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story.” “It shows how much impact she had on Hamilton’s legacy and the things that she did that also helped the people around her,” Soto said. “It also shows how you don’t have to be in this big political position to make an impact. Sometimes it’s just the small things that you can do for others around you that can create a big impact.” Jacksonville is a stop on the Angelica Company’s Hamilton North American Tour. Following the Bold City, it will head north to Washington, D.C. to close out the year. Tickets, information, and showtimes for “Hamilton” are available at www.fscjartistseries.org/tickets/hamilton.

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Hudson, second from right, receives the honor of being a Distinguished Graduate during a 2026 ceremony at West Point.

A Lifetime of Service, A Legacy of Care Dr. Hudson “Hud” Berrey From military hospitals to Jacksonville operating rooms and surgical missions in Ukraine, Dr. Hudson “Hud” Berrey has built a career helping patients facing devastating injuries and cancer. But for the retired Army colonel and orthopedic cancer surgeon, the most meaningful recognition comes from the people he has treated. “Updates from prior patients and their families have been among the greatest accolades I’ve received,” Berrey said. Born in Harlingen, Texas, and raised by a career military physician, Berrey spent parts of his childhood in Germany and India. He now calls Jacksonville’s Southside home. At West Point, he competed in the 1971 NCAA Swimming Championships on an 800-yard freestyle relay team that set an academy record. After serving as an artillery officer, he was selected for an active-duty medical school program at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. While studying tropical medicine during an externship in Panama, he met his future wife, Rolly (Rosalind), the daughter of a career infantry soldier. They married between his sophomore and junior years. Berrey trained in orthopedic surgery at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii, developing an interest in orthopedic cancer

Volunteers Overseas, helping programs serving amputees. In 1996, Berrey moved to the University of Florida in Gainesville as a professor and chair of orthopedic surgery. Later, at UF’s Jacksonville campus, he opened an off-site

Hudson and Rosalind on their wedding day

Hudson and Rolly with their family at the University of Texas Medical Branch in 2024

Hudson spends time with his grandchildren at a Veterans Day ceremony at Sacred Heart School.

clinic, started a podiatry program, doubled the residency program and expanded the surgical staff from four to 12. Recalled to active duty in Iraq in 2008, Berrey served as senior surgeon in Tikrit before a cardiac arrhythmia forced his medical evacuation. During his recovery

Updates from prior patients and their families have been among the greatest accolades I’ve received. – Hudson “Hud” Berrey

Retired Army colonel and orthopedic cancer surgeon

surgery. His career took him to Panama, a fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University, and Walter Reed Hospital. For a time, he was the Department of Defense’s only orthopedic oncologist, treating patients transported from around the world. He also led Walter Reed’s amputee program. His military service included combat surgery in El Salvador and deployment to Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield. After retiring from the Army in 1993, he joined the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and volunteered in Vietnam with Health

at Brooke Army Medical Center, he continued helping in surgery and attending the amputee clinic. After returning to Jacksonville in 2010, he organized former military orthopedic colleagues to provide care following Haiti’s devastating earthquake. The team operated on more than 100 patients and cared for many others. Berrey retired from UF in 2016. Within a year, Baptist MD Anderson in Jacksonville recruited him to begin his third orthopedic oncology practice. In June 2023, he began the first of 15 missions to Ukraine, teaching combat

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Hudson and his daughters, Alison and Jillian, sing in the choir at Westminster Abbey

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surgical skills and amputation techniques and operating on wounded Ukrainians. His honors include recognition as a 2024 Ashbel Smith Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Texas Medical Branch and a 2026 Distinguished Graduate of West Point. Away from medicine, Berrey serves on the local YMCA board and the vestry of St. John’s Cathedral, where he has sung in the choir since 2002. Singing with his two daughters at Westminster Abbey and Canterbury Cathedral was especially meaningful.

Rolly earned a master’s degree in computer science at the University of Hawaii. Their daughters, Alison Elizabeth and Jillian Elise, both became civil engineers and married civil engineers. The couple have four grandchildren. “We’ve been blessed,” Berrey said. “Rolly and I have both stayed busy and productive throughout our lives; we adore our grandchildren and visit with them often, and I’m a firm believer that daughters with jobs are a father’s best long-term care plan.”

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THANK YOU NOTES from my empty nest perch

Celebrating the Generosity in Our Community

By Susanna Barton

For the past few summers, I have been fortunate to work with the advancement team at The Bolles School writing annual reports, donor profiles and spotlights. It is such inspiring work! Every donor has a different story about the “why” behind their giving. No two are alike, but every single one of them make me shed happy tears. I love understanding what motivates people to give and make a difference in the lives of others. One of the unexpected pleasures of the work is discovering many of the people I interview are the same folks I wave to on morning walks or pass at the grocery store. They are our neighbors! We are so grateful to have some of these folks as our resident inspiration for community goodness. Their stories remind me that philanthropy is often less about wealth than gratitude. Take Mike and Jennie Shad, whose family has deep roots in the Resident Community and whose support recently helped create The Shad Family Robotics Lab at Bolles. Their investment story wasn’t just about equipment or technology. It reflected a broader, more important belief that young people should have opportunities to explore, create and solve problems in ways that prepare them for the future. Or consider the Dostie family, longtime supporters of faculty excellence and student opportunity. Their giving reflects a conviction shared by many parents and grandparents: that great schools are built not only by buildings and programs but by exceptional teachers who inspire students every day. The Ottenstroer family recently marked 25 years of supporting teaching fellowships that allow faculty members to pursue professional growth and bring

fresh ideas back to their classrooms. Their commitment is a reminder that some of the most enduring gifts are investments in people. The Pearson family is another model of teaching young people to give back at an early age. I could go on and on and on. The Bolles Annual Report isn’t the only source for such yummy stories of goodness; they are just the ones I am privileged enough to hear about firsthand. Every school, organization, nonprofit, church, faith-based ministry and public agency has a long list of donors that make a difference in the lives of those they serve. And very often, those difference-makers are people who live in our Resident Community. I am one of those weirdos who reads who gave at what level in annual reports and event programs and news stories. It gives me a very small hint about what’s important to a person. But just a hint. It doesn’t highlight the time or talent being invested. It does not provide scope or context. And it does not always explain the why. That’s why I enjoy being a part of annual report storytelling: I realized what connects these stories is sooooo much more than the size of the gift – it’s the spirit behind what drives them. Each donor profiled in the report is motivated by a desire to give back to a place that shaped their lives, their children’s lives or the future of the community they care about. They are expressing thanks in one of the most meaningful ways possible: by helping create opportunities for others. Oh, to have that passion, and the ability to put your money where your mouth is! I think that’s so incredible when a person is so personally motivated by an experience or an organization that they back it up with a

monetary gift – and make themselves an example of what is possible when we give thanks in this way. As someone who writes frequently about gratitude and community, I find that particularly inspiring. Strong communities are built when people choose to invest in something larger than themselves. Sometimes that investment takes the form of volunteering, mentoring or serving on a board. Sometimes it takes the form of philanthropy. Either way, it begins with gratitude and a good story. So, this month’s column honors and thanks the neighbors whose generosity appears in the pages of annual reports, programs and listings and to all those throughout our community who dedicate themselves to supporting schools, churches, nonprofits and civic causes without seeking recognition. Their gifts and example benefit all of us. In a time when headlines often focus on division and weirdness and WTH, it is encouraging to remember that many of our neighbors are still building, giving and believing in the future of our greater community. Susanna Barton supports the Women’s Giving Alliance, the Women’s Board of Wolfson Children’s Hospital, her church and many other organizations in Northeast Florida. 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.

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Christy Vlahos Bromberg Remembered for her loyalty, hospitality and generosity March 12, 1958 – September 25, 2026

Zoe Bromberg and brother, Clayton Jr. with their grandmother, Zoe Cassimus and mother, Christy Bromberg at Robin and Clayton Jr.’s Ponte Vedra Beach wedding in May 2011

The Bromberg family is mourning the loss of Christy Vlahos Bromberg, who passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 25 at 68 years old. With a larger-than-life personality and generous spirit, Christy never met a stranger, her son, Clayton Jr., recalls, adding that their home was always the gathering place for family and friends. Christy’s love of hosting and passion for cooking meant there was always delicious food on the table and warmth in the air that everyone in the room could feel, courtesy of the family matriarch.

She’s terribly, terribly missed, but she would want us to keep doing what we’re doing. Go to games and work hard. She’ll be there in spirit. – Clayton Bromberg Jr. “She was just an incredible, unparalleled cook and hostess,” Clayton Jr. said fondly. Her signature dishes included pastichio (Greek lasagna), stuffed Cornish hens and, Clayton Jr.’s favorite, meatloaf with mashed potatoes and broccoli. “She would literally call me when I was in law school or if I was living in Birmingham and say, ‘Guess what we’re having for dinner tonight? Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and broccoli.’ Almost like to taunt me because I wasn’t there, or maybe to try to talk me into moving back to Jacksonville. But it was pretty funny,” Clayton Jr. said. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Christy met her husband, Clayton, at Mountain Brook Elementary School. She attended Hollins University before transferring to the University of Alabama, obtaining a degree in political science and cementing a lifelong love for the Alabama Crimson Tide – a love so fierce, she insisted the Alabama

Clayton Bromberg Sr. and Christy with grandchildren, Zoe and Charlie, daughter-in-law Robin and son Clayton Jr. at Thanksgiving in Birmingham in 2023

fight song, “Yea, Alabama,” be played at her funeral. Those in the know at Christy’s celebration of life at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church recognized the opening notes of her favorite fight song before the organist transitioned into “Onward Christian Soldier” during the service’s departing hymn. “We were all smiling when they did that,” Clayton Jr. said. “It was pretty funny. She got her wish.” In 1974, the Bromberg family purchased Underwood Jewelers, and, after the couple relocated to Jacksonville in 1980, Christy’s gregarious, passionate personality spilled into business as well, working alongside her husband as the head gift buyer for several years. “She would entertain vendors and customers, and go on all these trips,” Clayton Jr. said. “She just was kind of like the life of the party.” Christy was deeply involved in the community in which she and her husband lived and raised their family, serving as president of the Jacksonville chapter of The University of Alabama Alumni Association while sitting on several boards and committees, including The Women’s Board of Wolfson Children’s Hospital executive committee and the Jacksonville Chapter of Children’s Home Society. She was also a member of the Junior League of Jacksonville. Christy was also a great lover of animals – dogs, particularly – and loved her dogs as if they were her children, Clayton Jr. added, recalling a moment when his mother instructed him to encourage people to direct any memorials to animal rescues in her name should something happen to her. Following her wishes, the Bromberg family has indeed included St. Augustine-based Ayla’s Acres Animal Rescue among the organizations to which people can make memorials, alongside Prime S. Osborn Foundation Scholarship, University of Alabama National Alumni Association, Attention Alumni Fund, P.O. Box 861928, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35486-1928 and The Bolles School.

While Christy leaves behind a family who will miss her dearly, Clayton Jr. said the family takes comfort in knowing Christy is at peace and reunited with her daughter, Zoe, who passed away in 2011.

We’re comforted by the fact that she’s with my sister now, and that she’s not in any pain. – Clayton Bromberg Jr. “She’s terribly, terribly missed, but she would want us to keep doing what we’re doing,” Clayton Jr. said. “Go to games and work hard. She’ll be there in spirit.”

Christy in her happy place at the family’s beach condominium.

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