San-Marco_Resident_February_2025

A recent meeting for the San Marco Merchants Association included updates on the Lasalle Street Pump Station and a new conversation about the Scottish Inns

ON PAGE 10

The Cathedral Arts Project (CAP) announced Christopher E. Begley, principal of Samuel Wolfson School for Advanced Studies, as the recipient of the inaugural Principal of the Arts Award for 2024. This honor recognizes principals who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to arts education.

Science Fair. Caccam, the valedictorian of his class, will be attending Yale University this fall.

Honoring Legacy

Celebrating Past Presidents

The Past Presidents of the San Marco Preservation Society (SMPS) gathered recently for a celebratory dinner to honor their collective efforts in maintaining the beauty, preservation, and quality of life in the historic San

neighborhood. The

held in the Society’s event space at Fletcher Park on Jan. 15, was a warm, intimate affair where attendees shared memories, enjoyed food and drinks, and reflected on the impact of their leadership. In its 49th year, the SMPS has long played a central role in

Hightower Emerging Leaders Graduate Class VIII

The JAX Chamber’s Hightower Emerging Leaders Fellowship celebrated the addition of its latest class to the rank of alumni at its annual black-tie event last month.

Class VIII graduates include Leah Adams, PRI Productions; Dane Bennett, Baptist Health; Brian Bush, Tom Bush Family of Dealerships; Lucy Chen, Cathedral Arts Project; Lauren Eakins, Walmart Health; Rachael Tutwiler Fortune, Jacksonville Public Education Fund; Maya Francis, Blue Zones Project Jacksonville; Michael Haskins, Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Council, Inc.; Andrew Holley, England, Thims & Miller; Darian Jackson, Dapper D’s Cigars; Sarah Mannion, King & Mannion, P.A.; Eric Miller, Downtown Vision, Inc.; Derod Moody, VyStar Credit Union; Brittany Norris, City of Jacksonville; David Paulk, Jacksonville Jaguars; Andrea Reyes, Reyes Legal, PLLC; Nemiah Rutledge, Body Paradox.

Held this year at the Tom Bush BMW Jacksonville, the evening also marked the end of Belkis Plata’s year as chair with Whitney Meyer, Plata’s chair-elect, stepping into the leadership position.

Marco

event,

Wolfson student, Abram Caccam, took 1st place overall at the District

Jennifer Newman (’01-’02), Robin Robinson (’01-’02), Desiree Bailey (’21-’22), Diane Martin (’12-’13), Tim Martin (’05-’06); Second Row: Pat Andrews (’98-’99), George Foote (‘09’-’10), Rob Smith (’06-’07), Valerie Feinberg Evans (’08-’09), Andrew Dickson (’15-’16), Jon Singleton (’10-’11) and (left, back row) David Paulk (’23-’25), Terry Moore (’89-’90), Suzanne Perritt (’92-’93) and Richard Moore Jr. (’07-’08)

Front Row: Lucy Chen, Rachel Tutwiler Fortune, Lauren Eakins, Maya Francis, Mike Hightower, 2024 Chair Belkis Plata, Leah Adams, Andrea Reyes, Brittany Norris and Sarah Mannion. Back Row: Brian Bush, Darian "Jack" Jackson, Drew Holley, Dane Bennett, Derod Moody and David Paulk.

Seth H. Williams seth@residentnews.net

Pamela Bradford Williams pamela@residentnews.net

1650 Margaret St. #310 Jacksonville, Florida 32204

904.388.8839 | Fax: 904.423.1183 RESIDENTNEWS.NET

Publishers' Note

A Little Love

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we’re reminded of how much we truly love our neighborhoods – and the incredible people who make them thrive. This February, we’re celebrating love in all its forms, from couples who work together to the shared passion we all have for our communities. In this issue, we highlight couples like us as part of that special group who truly embody love for what we do and where we live.

Working alongside the love of your life is a rare and special privilege, one that takes not just patience but a deep bond of friendship and shared purpose. For nearly 20 years, we have poured our hearts into this community newspaper and Circles Magazine, starting from our kitchen in Avondale and growing with the help of an incredible team. The journey hasn’t always been easy, but our passion for what we do, our love for our neighborhoods, and the joy of creating something meaningful together has made every moment worth it. As we celebrate Valentine’s Day this month, we’re excited to share stories of other couples who, like us, have found the perfect balance between love, work, and friendship. We hope you enjoy reading about them as much as we’ve loved getting to know them.

There’s much to be excited about at The Resident News this month. We’re thrilled to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Circles Charity Register and Social Datebook, a publication dedicated to connecting Jacksonville’s philanthropic community. Be sure to pick up a copy of the special Anniversary Edition and find out how you can get involved in the city's most impactful social circles.

We’re also excited to introduce Circles Charity Chat, a new monthly column that will explore the world of philanthropy in our city. What starts here will evolve into a podcast and more, offering a platform to share the inspiring stories of those making a difference in Jacksonville. We can’t wait to bring these important conversations to the community.

In addition, we’ve launched our newly updated, mobilefriendly website, designed to keep you easily connected to the latest news and events.

Looking ahead, next month we’ll dive into the real estate market as we prepare for the busy spring season and all the opportunities it brings.

For over 18 years, we’ve been honored to serve as your trusted, locally-owned source for REAL LOCAL journalism, connecting you to the stories and people that shape our community. Thank you for being a part of our journey!

Pamela and Seth Williams

TO THE EDITOR Letter

The views and opinions expressed in the Letters to the Editor belong solely to the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of this publication or its editorial team.

Raising Jacksonville’s solid waste fee is a necessary, transparent, and fiscally responsible step to address an issue we can no longer afford to ignore. Our city’s current garbage fee of $12.65 per month has remained unchanged since 2010, despite the rising costs of collecting trash, yard waste, and recyclables. Today, the actual cost of residential garbage collection is $30.40 per month. This gap has forced Jacksonville to rely on loans from the general fund, accumulating an unsustainable debt that could balloon to over $500 million by 2031 if we fail to act; and this is a debt that the City must pay back. It is not fiscally responsible to allow the City to continue on this path, accumulating debt that drives us further and further into financial instability.

As of writing this, I’ve presented this proposal to five of the city’s six Citizen Planning Advisory Councils (CPACs). I’ve been met with a mix of thoughtful questions, concerns, and mostly positive feedback. Neighborhood leaders understand that inaction is no longer an option. One recurring question has been, “Why did we let it get this far?” It’s a fair question. For too long, we’ve hidden the true cost of this essential service, creating a deficit that jeopardizes other critical city functions. This issue has been highlighted by our Council Auditor’s Office (whose guidance truly keeps this city running and our budgets balanced) for years. However, the City Council has been slow to act.

By aligning the fee with actual costs, we’re not only addressing the financial shortfall but also ensuring greater transparency and accountability in how our government operates. Aligning the fee with the true cost of residential garbage collection ensures residents clearly understand what they are paying for and why. It eliminates the hidden deficits created by artificially low fees and allows the city to operate with greater accountability to what residents are paying. At the Greater Arlington CPAC, members even unanimously voted to support this proposal, recognizing it as a practical solution to an escalating problem.

This support from neighborhood leaders underscores the community’s recognition of the need for action. While some members and residents had questions and concerns, ranging from recycling issues to the idea of switching to a usage-based model,

most understood the urgency of the situation. The reality of our financial position is too clear to ignore. Facing these challenges, it’s evident that action must be taken to ensure the solid waste fee reflects the actual cost of the services our residents receive.

Some have raised concerns about the impact on financially vulnerable residents, and I share those concerns. That’s why my proposal includes a companion bill to exempt households earning less than 150% of the federal poverty level from paying the solid waste fee. This measure would ensure that our most financially vulnerable residents are protected while still addressing the city’s broader fiscal challenges.

Critics might argue that this is not the right time to raise the solid waste fee. But let me be clear: delaying this decision will only compound the problem. Continuing to borrow from the general fund not only escalates our debt but also diverts resources from other priorities like public safety, road maintenance, and parks. Acting now prevents future councils from facing an even larger financial crisis; something I cannot in good conscience pass to the next generation.

This proposal isn’t going to earn me political points or favor. In fact, I anticipated it might be an unpopular decision. However, it represents what I firmly believe is essential to safeguarding the city’s financial health and the future of our solid waste fund. I’ve been pleasantly encouraged by the mostly positive reception it has received in attending the CPAC meetings, and by residents’ willingness to hear me out and understand the scope of the problem, even if they don’t completely agree with the solution. Our citizens understand the need for difficult but necessary decisions, and I am confident they will either support this proposal or at least respect the integrity and accountability it demonstrates.

As I reflect on the discussions and questions raised during the CPACs I have attended, one saying stands out: the best time to fix a problem was yesterday, but the second-best time is today. Now is the time to address this issue, free ourselves from unnecessary debt, and ensure a stable and sustainable future for our city.

– Matt Carlucci,

Sr.

Council

Member At-large, Group 4

A New Chapter for the Laura Street Trio

By Michele Leivas

A page is turning in the story of the Laura Street Trio as ownership of the historic buildings is about to change hands.

At the Jan. 14 city council meeting, Live Oak Contracting President and CEO Paul Bertozzi informed the Jacksonville City Council that a purchase and sale agreement (PSA) had been executed between Live Oak Estates – a Live Oak subsidiary – and the current owner and developer, ownership expected to transfer within 45 days.

Two days after that January meeting, Live Oak Contracting Director of Marketing and Development Katherine Ruttell shared the following statement:

“We’ve officially signed the purchase and sale agreement for the Laura Street Trio, and this is an exciting step forward. As builders, we understand the challenges of urban construction and are ready to bring the care and dedication needed to make this project a success. The excitement and support we’ve seen from the community have been incredible, and we’re ready to get to work.”

An ordinance is still pending with the city council regarding a proposed settlement agreement for the estimated $800,000 in fines the city said has accrued against the Trio since 2015 for code violations. City Councilmember Kevin Carrico introduced the legislation at the end of November.

Following Bertozzi’s announcement at the Jan. 14 meeting, Mayor Donna Deegan’s Chief of Staff, Mike Weinstein, informed the council that discussions surrounding lien and associated lawsuit the city had refiled against the current owner will resume now that the PSA has been executed.

“We had to put a postponement on it until this happened,” Weinstein said. “…Now we’ll sit down and revisit that. When we stopped, we were all in agreement, so there’s nothing in the way of us redoing that lien situation with new dates.”

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DIA Considers Designs for Restaurant Near Friendship Fountain

By Michele Leivas

Design plans are beginning to take shape for the building intended to house a new restaurant in St. Johns River Park on the Southbank.

The restaurant would be adjacent to Friendship Fountain, with visitors passing it just as they enter the park from the roundabout near MOSH. While the restaurant would be run by a private operator, the building itself would be owned by the City of Jacksonville and leased to that third party. An example of this arrangement – municipal ownership with a third-party lessee – is Palms Fish Camp Restaurant on Heckscher Drive in the Palms Fish Camp Boat Ramp Park.

Representatives from CD+Urban Studio presented renderings to the Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) Board at a public workshop at city hall on Wednesday, Jan. 15 depicting three different options for the St. Johns River Park Friendship Fountain restaurant building, ranging from a single-story structure with indoor/outdoor seating to a two-story structure with a fully-activated rooftop space for a bar and al fresco dining.

Three Concepts

CD+Urban Studio Partner Joe Cronk gave detailed descriptions of the three concepts his team had created for DIA’s review. These designs are currently at 30% complete. During his presentation, Cronk expressed his firm’s gratitude for being selected for this project.

“We’re excited to be a part of this movement of riverfront activation,” Cronk said. “We take that charge and that responsibility seriously.”

Concept A was a one-story restaurant/bar with 2,400 square feet of indoor space with an additional 1,000 square feet of outdoor seating under a covered porch and includes a detached and covered exterior bar.

The more elevated Concept B featured a two-story structure with roof-top terrace space for public viewing, with view finders installed along the perimeter of the terrace, and a ground-floor restaurant/bar. This design featured an interior bar that has an exterior wall for outdoor serving.This concept offers an extended lawn area that could be used as flex space for restaurant patrons or park goers.

Concept C included a two-story structure with a ground-floor restaurant and bar with “1,500 square feet open-to-sky dining and bar terrace” including an enclosed bar and covered dining space. Concept C also included the detached bar from Concept A.

The baseline for all three concepts is 2,400 square feet of indoor dining space with 100 seats.

The estimated base costs for each concept are $2 million (Concept A), $2.7 million (Concept B) and $3 million (Concept C).

DIA CEO Lori Boyer informed the board that the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) would be able to fund any one of these options in next year’s budget, which will include an additional $3.5 million as this year concludes that CRA obligation to the RiversEdge development.

Park amenity versus restaurant

Following the presentation, DIA board members and visiting City Councilmembers Joe Carlucci and Raul Arias shared feedback on the three options, with Concept C emerging as a favorite, though board members and council members shared questions and concerns for the architecture firm to address as it progresses toward final designs.

“The first thing is we’ve got to figure out what identity we want to do,” Arias said. “Right now I’m looking at, is the goal to bring a hospitality to Jacksonville or is it to keep it as a park for public use? We can’t have both.”

Arias raised a concern regarding creating flex lawn space within the restaurant’s footprint that people could use without purchasing food or beverage items from the restaurant.

While he appreciated the idea of creating more greenspace for public use, he argued that would work to the detriment of the restaurant operator, who’d be paying for space that could potentially cost revenue were it used as picnic space by park visitors not purchasing anything from the operator’s business.

“As an operator, I would not want anybody to bring their own food,” Arias said.

Arias added it could create a liability issue as well.

Between Concepts A and C, Carlucci said he would “lean full bore into Concept C,” which he believed, like Arias, offered the best opportunities for higher revenue for the incoming restaurant operator.

“Zooming out from the bigger picture, this is going to be one restaurant of many that are going to be coming online along our riverfront,” Carlucci said. “What we don’t want is people…to get to probably one of the best spots on Southbank or along the riverfront and it’d be a lesser kind of impression.”

Community Involvement

During public comment at the conclusion of the meeting, Scenic Jacksonville Executive Director

•

Nancy Powell advocated for additional community involvement now that the conceptual designs have been presented to the board.

Alluding to a discussion the board had surrounding who would have control over the rooftop terrace – whether that would be under the restaurant operator’s purview or the City’s, by way of the Parks Department – Powell said community input could be helpful.

“We are excited about activating Friendship Fountain and food and beverage is something that people want,” Powell said

after the meeting. “We feel that a good next step would be to allow the general public to also review these plans and designs and understand plans related to what’s public, what is accessible, what’s not and as the designs progress.”

Additional public comments included considerations like shade, parking and possible spray from nearby Friendship Fountain.

With the feedback from January’s workshop, Cronk’s team will begin finetuning the designs and return at a later date with a more refined vision for the project.

Concept C

CONCEPT B

CONCEPT C

CONCEPT A

Thompson Takes the Reins

By Michele Leivas

A new year has brought change to the San Marco Merchants Association as Tracy Thompson has been named new association president, succeeding Immediate Past President Leah Roeseler.

Thompson’s two-year term began January 1.

Thompson is a real estate agent with Berkshire Hathaway Realty Services and has been involved with SMMA for approximately eight years. For six of those years, Thompson served as the association’s secretary before stepping into the presidency.

“I’ve seen the last four great presidents go through and they’ve all been instrumental in positive change,” Thompson said. “I’m just going to try to keep that going.”

If I can walk away and say that I improved all those relationships and made us stronger, I would leave with a smile on my face.

– Tracy Thompson President, San Marco Merchants Association

While continuing to work on what his predecessors have built,Thompson said some of the top priorities of his presidency are beautification, marketing, and events, particularly those in Balis Park, which Thompson said he

believes is underutilized as a prime event venue for the community. One new monthly event has already been introduced in the new year. Though postponed last month for inclement weather, Balis Beats and Eats, has been added to SMMA’s rotating list of monthly events, slotted for the third Saturday of every month. It features live music by local students and bands and offers food from local San Marco merchants.

Thompson said the association is also planning a more formal event to celebrate the community’s centennial anniversary later this year.

Another priority for Thompson is to continue to build on and strengthen the relationships the association has with the merchants, other organizations and the city, including District 5 City Council Member Joe Carlucci and the Downtown Investment Authority, to ensure the association remains a voice for and within the community.

“If I can walk away and say that I improved all those relationships and made us stronger, I would leave with a smile on my face,” Thompson said.

Last year, the San Marco Square, including Balis Park, saw landscaping updates and other beautification efforts under the San Marco 2.0 project, a joint venture by SMMA, San Marco Preservation Society and the City, which Thompson said was “just phenomenal.” Thompson said while he doesn’t have specific projects in mind yet, looking ahead, he would like to see beautification efforts extend beyond Balis for those off-Square merchants and association members.

“I want to make sure that we’re providing some of that beautification effort to them as well,” Thompson said.

Ask Anita UNDER CONTRACT

Tracy Thompson

DDRB Greenlights Transformational Baptist Emergency Department Expansion

By Michele Leivas

Baptist Medical Center has received the green light from the Downtown Development Review Board (DDRB) for an extensive renovation and expansion project at Prudential Drive.

The project calls for the expansion and renovation of its existing emergency services department and cardiovascular surgery suite, including the construction of a new, fourstory, 123,000-square-foot emergency and patient care tower. The new building would be constructed within the existing footprint that includes the current pedestrian plaza and will replace the existing emergency patient drop-off entrance, ambulance drop-off.

The plans were presented to the Downtown Development Review Board (DDRB) at its Jan. 16 meeting for both conceptual and final approval, both of which the board granted unanimously.

Projects seeking DDRB approval must typically follow a two-meeting cycle, going before the board for conceptual and final approvals separately, however the staff report stated that concurrent approvals can occur under “very limited and unique circumstances.”

“This is one of those unique circumstances in that this is an infill project that is not adjacent to any public right-of-way,” the staff report stated, noting that the new building site is entirely within a parcel away from any public right-of-way.

Trevor Lee, managing partner of architectural firm Hoefer Welker, presented the project to DDRB members at the January meeting, briefly explaining the breadth of the expansion and what it will accomplish.

“This is a complex project at a complex site and we have spent the better part of the year working on this project and designing it,” Lee said. “It is one of the more, in my opinion, transformational projects for the city.”

Construction of this project will be extremely sensitive and cautious given the fact

understanding what might not be on either infrared found utilities or on plans of what our utilities might be in this area.”

“The staging and the enabling of this project is going to take a very long time,” Lee added. “We’re going to be very, very careful.”

The project was well-received by all board members, with those sharing comments all expressing positive feedback to the applicant.

This is a complex project at a complex site and we have spent the better part of the year working on this project and designing it. It is one of the more transformational projects for the city. – Trevor Lee Managing Partner, Hoefer Welker

“I am so excited about this project,” said DDRB Vice Chair Joanna Berling. “It is a beautiful addition to the campus, which is a beautiful addition to our city, so thank you and good luck.”

In addition to Hoefer Welker, the development team includes contractor Batson-Cook Construction, landscape architecture firm Marquis Latimer + Halback, Inc. and engineer Osborn Engineering.

Hoefer Welker Managing Partner Trevor Lee addresses board members at the Jan. 16 DDRB meeting for conceptual and final approval of the Baptist Medical Center expansion project.

A rendering shows the new Baptist Medical Center building.

Another rendering depicts an aerial view of the new building planned for Baptist Medical Center.

orlando valle v. proficient auto transport, Inc., et al

$14.5 MILLION

(verdict, 5/4/2022)

Personal Injury: Trucking Crash

kathleen thomas* V. geico insurance company

$14.4 MILLION

(verdict, 8/5/2022)

Personal Injury: car accident

*Names changed to protect client privacy

john and debra Smith* v local glass company, Out-of-state glass company*

$4.5 MILLION

(set tlement, 8/17/2021)

Personal Injury: Workplace Negligence

*Names changed to protect client privacy

Merchants Association Meeting Reveals Community Updates

By Michele Leivas

The San Marco Merchants Association (SMMA) hosted its first general meeting of the new year on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at Aspire Church San Marco, during which guest speakers Joe Kantor from The Haskell Company and District 5 City Councilmember Joe Carlucci shared significant updates pertinent to the San Marco community.

Intersection Closure Ahead

Representatives from Haskell shared updates on the Lasalle Street pump station. Kantor, director of project development for The Haskell Company, informed merchants of the eventual closure of the intersection at San Marco Boulevard and Lasalle Street as part of the second phase of construction for the pump station. Phase II involves drainage improvements for the Lasalle stormwater collection system, including the construction of new inlets and pipes.

The intersection closure will allow crews to install a 72-by-48-inch pipe underground. Complicating that installation is the presence of an AT&T duct bank carrying fiberoptic communications running diagonally across that intersection, Kantor said, which will require crews to work with caution and in coordination with AT&T to ensure the pipe is properly threaded beneath that duct bank.

“It’s going to be quite the dance to get that to go under there,” Kantor said at the meeting.

Though timelines are fluid, Haskell is targeting the intersection to close in April for “more than a month” though Kantor said crews plan to work 12-hour shifts seven days a week to whittle that time down as much as possible.

Additional closures and detours are expected along area side streets for continued Phase II construction. Restoration and resurfacing along Naldo Avenue was underway as of the Jan. 29 meeting with crews already moving to work along a portion of Belmonte Avenue. Construction and associated detours are also expected along other residential streets including Larue Avenue and Riviera, Colombo and Laverne streets.

Residents within these designated work areas will be notified well ahead of the commencement of any construction, Kantor said. Additionally, Haskell hosts dropin meetings open to the community at its on-site office at 1604 San Marco Boulevard every third Friday from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. for anyone interested in learning the most up-todate information on the project. The projected completion date for the entire project is March 2026.

More information on the project can be found at www.jacksonville.gov/lasallestreetdrainagefaq

replacing it with an AC Hotel by Marriott, or similar.

Before that can happen, Carlucci said the city is looking into closing John Street - the side street separating the Scottish Inns and its neighboring, vacant lot - from Philips Highway to Mark Avenue. The Scottish Inns owner also owns that 0.93-acre lot and would see both lots combined to make way for the new hotel.

“We’re in the very beginning stages of it but right now what I’m trying to do is gage community interest,” Carlucci said after the January merchants meeting.

A traffic study of John Street revealed it sees minimal traffic and area residents would still have ingress and egress via other roads to their neighborhood.

“That’s what the teaser, so to speak, was today that ‘Hey, this could be coming,’” Carlucci said of the meeting update. “I know we’ve all talked about it but the owner is on board, he’s putting money towards it, now the City is looking at closing that street and that’s the first step of many to get it lined up.”

Carlucci added that a town hall meeting will be scheduled in the coming weeks.

Civil Plans Submitted for LaVilla Daily’s Mixed-Use

By Michele Leivas

Civil engineering plans for First Coast Energy’s Daily’s mixed-use project have been submitted to the City of Jacksonville.

The project is planned for the five parcels comprising the full city block in the LaVilla neighborhood bordered by Broad, West Bay, Jefferson and West Forsyth streets, with a 20,544-square-foot building planned for the southeast corner of the block.

The plans indicate the project will feature 16 fueling stations and 36 parking spaces.

Along with the civil plans was a letter from the Downtown Investment Authority approving the applicant’s request for a one-year extension. According to the letter, the extension would be one year from Aug. 24, 2024, predicated on certain conditions.

Downtown Development Review Board (DDRB) granted final approval for the project in August 2023, though the project did receive some pushback from the community. Plans call for a multi-story building to include a ground-floor Daily’s Market, Bold City Brewery taproom and restaurant and rooftop restaurant seating.

Currently, the lot is vacant save for a defunct drive-through bank building at 60 Broad Street North, for which the City issued a demolition permit last October.

First Coast Energy LLP acquired all five parcels, totaling approximately 1.5 acres, in 2020 for nearly $3.3 million.

Permit Approvals Buoy Progress at RiversEdge

By Michele Leivas

Work can finally begin on a new Southbank marina within the RiversEdge development after being delayed by leasing and permit approvals.

According to published reports, the Board of Trustees Internal Improvement Trust Fund of the State of Florida approved the submerged lands lease in December and the St. Johns River Water Management District approved the associated environmental resource permit last month. These approvals will pave the way for continued progress at the Southbank development.

While work is progressing steadily on other parts of the RiversEdge: Life on the St. Johns development, the Resident News previously reported the 125-slip marina and related components - including reconstruction of a section of the Southbank bulkhead, the kayak launch and a water taxi stop, among others - had been held up

pending the approval of an environmental resource permit and a state owned sovereign submerged lands lease.

Ultimately, the 34-acre project will accommodate more than 750 multifamily units, 200 luxury condominiums, a 125-slip marina and 120,000 square feet of retail space. The mixed-use development will also include 200,000 square feet of office space and a 200-room boutique hotel. Its system of four public parks - Central, Marshfront, Fitness and Northwest parks - will connect to the Emerald Trail and feature art installations, including “The Pearl,” a custom designed piece by New York-based architect Marc Fornes, which will be the project’s centerpiece, installed in the development’s Central Park.

According to City of Jacksonville Parks Community Program Manager Garrett Callis, the RiversEdge parks system and boardwalk are on track to open this spring.

Residential Component of One Riverside Nearing Completion

By Michele Leivas

The residential component of Brooklyn’s One Riverside development is on track to complete next month with hardhat tours and leasing already underway for prospective residents.

Live Oak Contracting is leading the vertical construction of the mixed-use development, consisting of 270 apartment homes coming online along the Jacksonville riverfront. Live Oak Contracting Division Manager Kirby Ingram said crews are in the final stretch on the residential buildings, with the detached amenity building already turned over to the owner and currently operating as the leasing office. He added crews were on track to complete the parking garage and Building 4000 - its adjoining residential building, which is already leasing - in January, clearing the way for residents to begin moving in.

The second residential building - Building 3000 - is freestanding and will include a ground-floor restaurant with a patio overlooking both the Riverwalk and the river itself. The restaurant space is complete and ready for buildout, which will begin once an operator is secured. Kirby said it’s elements like these that set the project apart and help integrate it into the surrounding community.

“We see this as more than just an apartment community - it’s about creating a lifestyle destination where people can live, dine, and connect with the waterfront in a way Jacksonville hasn’t seen before,” Kirby said.

Kirby said Live Oak is also bringing a separate commercial space to the project “designed to bring even more energy to the area.” Possible uses for the space could be a co-working space or another “vibrant commercial use.”

“It’s an exciting opportunity to create a mixed-use environment that connects work, living, and recreation all in one place,” Kirby added.

Next in line for Live Oak’s construction are the outdoor amenities, including the pool, grilling stations and Riverwalk connection. A permit was issued Dec. 2 for the installation of an in-ground commercial swimming for One Riverside residents and guests costing $300,000, to be completed by contractor Island Pools, LLC.

“What’s exciting about One Riverside is that it offers more than just a place to live–it’s a waterfront lifestyle with walkability, dining, and outdoor recreation built in. With Jacksonville’s growth, we know people are looking for communities that offer convenience and a true sense of place, and this development delivers exactly that.”

The development is replacing the former Florida Times-Union building. Atlanta-based TriBridge Residential is the developer. Live Oak Contracting is overseeing the residential component while Fuqua Development is handling the retail component, including the incoming anchor Whole Foods Market planned for the site.

The project broke ground in 2022.

Construction at One Riverside continues to make strides as the development's residential towers near completion.

rendering by Kimley Horn shows the marina planned for the Southbank at the RiversEdge development.

Collaboration, Connection and Chemistry

Couples who live and work together

By Lauren Weedon Hopkins

In honor of Valentine’s Day this month, we’re excited to feature 14 couples who share not only their lives but also their workspaces. It’s a unique dynamic, filled with joy, challenges, and special moments that come with balancing both love and business.

Dr. Eduardo and Kathleen Balbona, Art of Medicine, PA

Ed and Kathleen met in medical school. “She was a teaching graduate student and I was taking the class,” said Ed. “She was really good at dissecting cadavers.” Fast forward, the couple are married, having children, and living in Jacksonville. After working in corporate medicine for several years, Ed decided to open his own practice in 2002. “When you are starting out, you don’t have any money to pay anyone, so I asked Kathleen to join me,” laughed Ed. “The two of us did everything to get the practice going.” Ed says he tries not to talk about the office at home, which can be difficult. “Medicine takes over your life; it’s who you are,” said Ed. “Kathleen sees it and knows that sometimes, I’m just being a doctor, I’m not ignoring her. She has that insight.” The couple have survived hard times, including when Hurricane Irma destroyed the office. “Since we work together, we depend on each other, we didn’t turn on each other,” said Ed. Kathleen, who has a PhD in biomedical research, introduced Ed to birding, a hobby they now both enjoy, which has taken them as far as the Galapagos Islands.

Dori and Christian Thomsen, Soluna Yoga + Spa

After running into each other in college, the Ritz bar in Jacksonville Beach and a Jaguars game, Dori and Christian soon came inseparable. They have been a couple for 20 years and recently celebrated 10 years of Soluna Yoga + Spa. “After a busy workday, it’s comforting to have someone who knows exactly what is being talked about as we share the highs and lows of the day,” said Dori. “We can process and unwind together, which not only helps us manage stress but also strengthens our bond.” When they’re not working, they love to spend time cooking together, tackling house projects, and going on spontaneous road trips. “Our biggest tip for couples considering working together is to travel and experience the world together,” said Dori. “Immersing yourselves in new experiences and challenges will build trust, and teach you how to navigate uncertainty –skills that are invaluable when it comes to running a business together.”

Kelly and Clinton Ross, Davalt Optical

Kelly and Clinton Ross worked together for several years, building their respective professional experiences in opticianry and a solid double foundation as co-workers and friends before “sparks flew,” Clinton said. With a proven track record of working well together, they decided to take over Davalt Optical from its founding owner. Working together just works for them. “Once you get over those boundaries and kind of put away the ego, it’s the way to go,” Clinton said. Kelly and Clinton lean on each other’s strengths at Davalt Optical: Kelly said her strength lies more in math and numbers while Clinton is more the people person – “although I hate to admit it,” she said. They share a passion for their business as the second-generation owners of Davalt Optical and would have a sea otter or a monkey for a pet, if they could.

Kiley Wynne Efron and Sam Efron, Taverna and Taverna Oceana

Sam and Kiley met at a restaurant in San Francisco and only worked together a short time before falling in love. They moved to Jacksonville with the shared goal of opening their own restaurant. Soon, they were having lunch at Cafe Carmon, one of Sam’s favorite spaces, and designing their own eatery, not realizing a year later, they would be opening Taverna in that very place! “We share a passion for food and wine that was infused into our daily lives so we deeply connected over that,” said Kiley. “Restaurant management and ownership involves an intense work schedule and lots of late nights, so it helped that we were on the same page, and living the same lifestyle.” After 16 years of marriage and business, Kiley and Sam are most proud of their children and their two restaurants’ success. “We are both creative people, so we have made space for individual and professional creative growth,” said Kiley. “We have allowed our roles in the company to change, while making sure our marriage and relationship come first.”

Kerrie and Daniel Hileman, Fore Score Golf Tavern and The White Magnolia Bridal Collection Meeting during their senior year of college, Kerrie and Daniel moved to Jacksonville within a year and soon after, opened The White Magnolia, which was Kerrie’s dream. After 8 years, Daniel joined her full time in the bridal shop, and 3 years later, they also opened Fore Score. “It’s so nice having a built-in support system,” said Kerrie. “We understand the pressures each other are under, and we can celebrate each other's wins on a deeper level. We are both creatives, so it’s fun to be able to bounce ideas off one another at any given moment. It's also invaluable to have someone who knows you so well and can give feedback, even if it's tough to hear sometimes.” Running two successful businesses and raising three boys keeps the Hillemans very busy, but the family makes time for annual vacations, boating in the Florida Keys and skiing in Colorado. “Working with your spouse can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with unique challenges,” said Kerrie. “We think it’s important to define each person’s role so that its clear who is taking on which pieces of the business as well as establish boundaries between work and personal life as much as you can. Also, embracing each other’s strengths and differences can make you a stronger, more efficient professional team.”

Marie and Eric Juchniewicz, Hugh’s Riverside Automotive

Marie and Eric met while working together at the same McDonald’s in Gainesville. After marrying and moving to Middleburg, Eric began working at Hugh’s and Marie joined him 14 years later. The couple commutes to Riverside together, which gives them time to connect. “Conversations for some couples are reduced to a series of texts,” said Eric. “We have time during our shared commute to have conversations.” The secret to their success? “We decided that there was no need in arguing over trivial topics or things in life that we had no control over,” said Eric. “We are a united front for our marriage and our business.” The two are so intertwined, the office even served as the location for their daughter’s wedding during the pandemic! When they aren’t working, Marie and Eric enjoy spending time on their farm in Starke. And after 26 years of marriage and two children, they still go on dates.

Jane and Jeff Chefan, ONE Sotheby's International Realty, Chefan Group

A mutual friend introduced Jane and Jeff, and shortly after marrying, they moved to Jacksonville and started a business together. He was a building contractor and she helped with bookkeeping and design selections. “We enjoy being together so it’s fun to collaborate on ideas and solutions whether at work or at the dinner table,” said Jane. The couple have worked together for 35 years and both have a good sense of humor, trust, love, respect and similar interests. “Laugh as much as possible while working together,” Jane recommends, as she recalled getting locked out during an open house and having to climb through a small window to get back in. “Listen with an open mind and be patient and kind. Learn from mistakes and keep the past mistakes in the rearview mirror.” The couple’s proudest accomplishment is their two daughters, who also live in Jacksonville with their young families. When they aren’t working, Jane and Jeff love to spend time with their grandkids, travel, go boating, play golf and tennis, visit new restaurants and chill out with their four-legged babies, Lillie and Daisie.

Megan and Phil Visali, The Players Group

Melissa and Ethan Gregory, Allison James Estates and Homes

Fun-loving Melissa and Ethan met on the adult kickball field, playing for a team called Surrender the Booty. They decided to start working together after they had their first child. “We thought it would offer us work/life balance and allow us both to support our family while having the flexibility to be there for the major milestones,” said Melissa. They take a tag-team approach, so they never miss an important moment with their two kids. Melissa names understanding what each other deals with at work as the biggest perk to working together. Ethan handles the transactional items, while Melissa focuses on the marketing. “We draw boundaries so that work doesn't take over our whole lives,” said Melissa. “It's nice for each of you to have a lane that you can thrive and flourish in.” The couple enjoys traveling and trying new things. “We'll go on interesting dates where we learn a new skill like throwing pottery, glassblowing, ax throwing, or kayaking to name a few,” said Melissa. “They give us quality time away and allow us to catch up, typically while having a laugh at ourselves.”

After meeting at an insurance industry Christmas party, the following year, Megan and Phil began working together, which they have done ever since. Phil even proposed to Megan during a corporate convention. “We love the fact that we have so many common interests and goals, not only professionally, but personally,” said Megan. “It's been so rewarding to work with someone who has the same passion and vision as you do. Working with your spouse also allows you to always have a person to brainstorm with or vent to.” Megan admits it can be hard to get out of work-mode at home. “It’s our biggest struggle. We both want our business ventures to be successful within the community, but at the same time, having a strong family unit is just as important – if not, more,” said Megan. “We try to dedicate certain days and/or times to family time and leave work to the side. Family dinners, game shows, and board games are all common occurrences for us during the week.” A unique way they stay personally connected is through cold plunges together, a favorite mental challenge.

Brittany

and Mike Cooney, Gemma Fish + Oyster

Since Brittany and Mike met while working together, it was a natural decision to continue working together after they got married. “Our work is our life!” exclaimed Brittany. “We love what we do and it’s who we are. Everything about our businesses intermingle into our life. And we wouldn’t want it any other way.” The couple own and operate San Marco’s Gemma Fish + Oyster as well as Ember & Iron in St. Johns. Brittany says working together is the best thing a married couple could do for their relationship. “It’ll break you down at times but build you up 10 times stronger,” she said. “When you go down in flames with someone and climb back up, your bond becomes extremely strong. We have been through many rough roads, stressful nights, and tough times in our business and it’s made our marriage very strong because of it.” When they aren’t working, Brittany and Mike enjoy going on runs together, spending time with their six children and doing anything adventurous, like indoor skydiving.

Katie and David Ward, Introduced by mutual friends 16 years ago, Katie and David run a family business that has served the local community for 42 years. “The best part of working and living together is that, unlike most people, you get to spend the entire day with your best friend,” said Katie. “Plus, we never miss a meal together.” Their 4-year-old son is often at the office as well when he’s not in school, which keeps the office interesting, like the time he ordered $3,800 worth of Amazon goodies on his dad’s computer, and it was not discovered until a U-Haul delivery arrived! “We try to keep a sense of humor and find a way to laugh at each other and with each other,” said Katie. While it can be a challenge to keep work and home separate, they make an effort to “switch off,” and enjoy quality time together. “We love hosting Saturday night Kitchen Karaoke with our friends and neighbors, because nothing says 'we're relaxed' like belting out 80s hits after a couple of cocktails,” said Katie. “It's the perfect recipe for laughter, bad singing, and some of our best memories.”

Let’s game plan your giving

These days, the number of charitable organizations and opportunities can be overwhelming for an unprepared giver. And there can be a big difference between giving just to give, and giving in a way that truly makes a difference.

Creating a meaningful giving plan should complement your asset strategies and reflect your passions. That way, your money goes where it can have the impact that matters most to you — and who you’re giving to.

So if you’re interested in giving with intent, we’d love to offer you a complimentary session. Let’s connect.

Building Trust, Designing Excellence in 2025

For nearly 20 years, JAA Architecture has been crafting designs that Jacksonville homeowners truly love. With expertise and attention to detail, we’re here to bring your vision to life.

Lou Walsh, IV, CFA President

Nancy and Rich Darlow, The UPS Store #3458

Lovebirds Nancy and Rich met on the first day of college and decided to open The UPS Store upon recommendation of Rich’s father. “It was a chance to work in a new environment,” said Rich. The couple admits they don’t really separate home and work and their biggest challenge is “not killing each other!” laughs Rich. They often work separate shifts and enjoy dinner out at the end of the week. Key to their success is “lots of patience,” said Rich. “Our proudest achievement as a couple is we have grandkids who work for us!” In their free time, the Darlows enjoy cruising and wine tastings.

Missy and Scott Riley, Stellers Gallery and Missy Riley Art & Pieces

Missy was an art consultant looking for paintings for a client, when she walked into Stellers Gallery and met Scott. “We both admire and respect each other,” said Missy. “We definitely don't always agree with styles or tastes but somehow we know how to compromise. And I don't always win!” Missy says the best part about living and working together is supporting each other in both aspects and frequent communication. The couple has a healthy work / life balance because they have clearly defined their roles in business and at home. This is also her recommendation for couples who are considering working together. “Stick to your roles, use your strengths and let them use theirs,” said Missy. “And by no means, do not discuss business issues after a drink or two!” In their free time, the Rileys enjoy spending time with family and friends, and getaways for great dinners out near their home in Willmington, NC.

Keith Johnson and Chris Hardison, Design Additions

Laurie and Tony Jarvis, Cool Moose Cafe

Keith and Chris met through mutual friends while living in Savannah, and working together just happened naturally. “Design Additions started as a weekend hobby we both enjoyed, and over the years, it grew into the thriving business it is today, 24 years later,” said Keith. “Our love for each other is the foundation of our partnership. It’s not always easy, but mutual respect and patience make it work. We truly are each other’s best friends.” Working together also means having the same schedule, which is especially helpful since they both teach, and the consistency is great for raising their two children. At work, they play to their strengths: “Chris is more the front person handling the merchandising and display windows,” said Keith. “I am more involved in the production of our furniture pieces and the back office stuff - like paying the bills!” In addition to date nights, communication and thoughtful gestures, trips to New York City to “plunder” keep their relationship strong.

Tony noticed Laurie at the salon next door at Cool Moose Cafe and was able to get her phone number for a coffee date. He was running the cafe on his own and asked her for help. “She responded by telling me she had my back, took up a significant burden of the management, and we have had each other's back ever since,” said Tony. He says balancing work and life, and staying connected with his wife, are not an issue for the couple. “It's way more challenging when we are not working together because at that point we have separate problems and agendas at work and it's harder to get on some page,” said Tony. “The best part of living and working together is that we intuitively divide and conquer together.” Sometimes that means Tony does the dishes and folds laundry! When they aren’t working, Tony and Laurie enjoy spending time with their two sons, and trips to Little Talbot Island, Amelia Island, and the Golden Isles.

SPEAKER SERIES

Jacksonville Center for the Performing

Moderator:

CARL HIAASEN

February 12, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. Novelist/Journalist/Floridian Presented by

BORIS JOHNSON

October 29, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. Former Prime Minister of the UK Journalist/Author Presented by

DEEPAK CHOPRA MD, FACP, FRCP

January 15, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.

Physician, Author and world-renowned pioneer in integrative medicine and personal transformation Presented by Moderator:

John Delaney

Moderator: Mark Woods

Shad Khan

Dr Justin D’Arienzo Psychologist

Wendy Monger Academic Coach Mario Decunto Counselor Dr Michael Nackashi Psychologist Dr Amy Hartley Psychologist

Saleya Cafe and Bar Coming to San Marco

A new cafe and bar is coming to 2006 San Marco Boulevard between Town Hall Restaurant and the Maple Street Biscuit Company.

Saleya Cafe and Bar Nicois is a concept by restauranteur Matthew Medure and will be his third concept in the San Marco community. Residents will be familiar with his other restaurants: Rue SaintMarc - also on San Marco Boulevard - and Matthew’s Restaurant on Hendricks Avenue. The cafe is replacing Missy Riley Art and Pieces, which has moved to its new location further down San Marco Boulevard in space belonging to the former San Marco Theatre.

A zoning exception is currently in committee at city council to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages, including wine, beer or liquor, along with a administrative deviation to reduce the minimum number of off-street parking spots from two to zero.

Plans for the cafe and bar submitted with the zoning exception application show a 2,656-squarefoot space with booth, banquet and bar seating, with a maximum occupancy of 131 people. Plans were completed by JAA Architecture, Inc.

Medure is co-founder and CEO of Medure Brothers, established in 1996, which has launched seven restaurant concepts in the region. Along with Matthew’s Restaurant and Rue Saint-Marc, they’re also the team behind Restaurant Medure in Ponte Vedra Beach and M Shack in Nocatee.

Jacksonville Symphony Announces New Section Violinist, Kaiyuan Wu

The Jacksonville Symphony has hired Kaiyuan Wu as a Section Violinist for the 2025/26 season, following a highly competitive audition process. Wu, who will begin his role in September 2025, brings a wealth of experience and a distinguished educational background.

Born in Shanghai, China, Wu began playing the violin at the age of four and received his early music training at the Elementary School Affiliated to Shanghai Conservatory of Music, studying under Professor Lei Fang. He went on

to earn a Bachelor of Music degree at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where he worked with renowned instructors Wei He, Ian Swensen, and Chen Zhao.

Throughout his career, Wu has won several prestigious competitions, including the 2017 SFCM Violin Concerto Competition and the 2019 MTNA Chamber Music Competition. He has performed internationally at leading festivals and concert halls, and currently plays a 2016 violin made by Robert Brewer Young.

If

the lottery, what would you do with your winnings?

We have discussed this ad nauseam. We have a list of close friends and family with whom we would split the winnings once our luck

We

MURRAY HILL

Kaiyuan Wu

Saleya Cafe and Bar is coming to the former Missy Riley Art and Pieces space between Town Hall and Maple Street Biscuit Company.

“Echoscape” Exhibition on Display

A new art exhibition created by Bolles Upper School fine arts teachers is on display at the Florida State College at Jacksonville South Campus Gallery.

“Echoscape” is a collaboration by Bolles fine arts teachers Andrew Dickson, Tiffany Gonzalez, Chris Hicks and Lily Kuonen and is on display at the entrance of the Wilson Center for the Arts.

The exhibitionion statement reads: “Like the interplay between tides and terrain, complex relationships reverberate, as resonances bend, flow, carve, assemble and reassemble through the interplay of surface, mark and form. In the ‘Echoscape,’ we explore fragility, resilience, obstructions and mysteries, reflecting with reverence, joy and strength as we connect ourselves to the land and to one another.”

Kuonen will also be holding lectures and class discussions this month with an FSCJ Humanities of the Landscape class in conjunction with the exhibition. “Echoscape” will run until Feb. 19. Gallery hours are Monday - Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Community Foundation Now Accepting Applications for College Scholarships

The application period for The Community Foundation of Northeast Florida’s college scholarships is now open. Applications will be accepted until March 14.

The Community Foundation offers seven different college scholarships ranging from up to $2,000 to $8,000. These scholarships are: the Byon M. Morris Scholarship; the Sam and Lydia Payne Scholarship; the Dorothea B. Shaw Scholarship; the Talen Charles Birt Memorial Scholarship; the Cole Kelly Scholarship; the Elizabeth Edgar Hall Founders Scholarship; and the Della M. Levy Scholarship for Graduate Studies.

These scholarships are made possible through generous donations to The Community Foundation to benefit students in Northeast Florida seeking post-secondary degrees. Interested students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA) prior to submitting their applications to determine their expected family income (EFC), though a completed FAFSA application is not required to apply for these scholarships. The College Scorecard (available at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/) can help in evaluating the cost of college attendance.

Visit www.jaxcf.org/2025-college-scholarships/ to learn more about these scholarships or to submit an application.

McCurry Joins Berkshire Hathaway

With over 10 years of experience in the industry, Lezley McCurry has joined the team at Berkshire Hathaway Home Services.

As a mother of three, McCurry understands the importance of finding a home where memories are made, and families thrive. When she is not helping clients, you can find her in the kitchen, baking delicious treats, or volunteering to make a positive impact in her community.

“We are excited to welcome Lezley to our team,” said Josh Cohen, Managing Broker at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty. “Her expertise, combined with her genuine care for her clients, will make her an incredible asset to both our company and the families she serves.”

Jacksonville History Center Appoints First Chief Development Officer

The Jacksonville History Center has appointed Maureen Towers Natkin as its first chief development officer.

Natkin’s appointment began in December and Natkin said she’s honored to fill this position during a particularly “pivotal” point in the organization’s journey to fulfill its mission of fostering a strong and informed community of today through public education of its past.

Natkin joins a team of eight staff members at the Jacksonville History Center, led by CEO Dr. Alan Bliss. This new position was made possible through a grant from the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, matched by an anonymous donor.

“Bringing an accomplished fundraising professional to our team reflects our ambitious plans to meet Jacksonville's public history needs in the decades to come,” Bliss said.

Natkin comes to the history center, most recently, from Ability Housing, where she served as its development and engagement director, though she has nearly 14 years of experience in nonprofit leadership

beyond that position. Natkin said her job has been to show people how their support can make “tangible impact” for an organization.

Fundraising remains a crucial component to the success of the history center, Natkin said, and fostering community relationships to sustain that component is just as vital. She said engaging the community through these fostered relationships will help ensure the history center remains “a vibrant and relevant part of Jacksonville’s cultural landscape.”

Natkin said she sees future fundraising effort opportunities for community education and outreach. While fundraising has already helped secure the renovation of the Florida Casket Company building – the future home of the Jacksonville History Museum and Archive –Natkin added that project will also require additional fundraising as it shifts into its final phase.

“[The final phase includes] completing the interior design and furnishings, creating themed, experiential exhibits for the building’s first two floors, campus landscaping, and renovations to Old St. Luke’s Hospital,” Natkin said.

Maureen Towers Natkin is Jacksonville History Center’s first chief development officer.

Lezley McCurry

These pieces by Andrew Dickson (upper left) and Tiffany Gonzalez (center and upper right) are part of the “Echoscape” exhibition at FSCJ South Campus Gallery.

Cummer Museum Announces Key Appointments for Strategic Growth

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens has appointed three new staff members: Amy Pierce as Chief Development Officer, Mary Mantey as the Doolittle Family Director of Gardens & Horticulture, and Brianna Sharpe as the Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole Associate Curator. This curator position is named in honor of Jacksonville native Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole, an internationally acclaimed educator, scholar, and transformational leader.

“We are focused on enhancing the museum experience for our visitors and positioning the Cummer Museum as one of the country’s premier institutions,” said Andrea Barnwell Brownlee, Ph.D., George W. and Kathleen I. Gibbs Director and CEO. “The expansion of both our fine art and living collections is central to these goals. Amy, Mary, and Brianna bring passion, perspective, and expertise to our efforts, and we are excited to welcome them to our team.”

LJD Jewish Family & Community Services Expands Child Welfare Services

The LJD Jewish Family & Community Services (JFCS) is expanding its child welfare services to Alachua, Baker, Bradford and Union counties. Working alongside Partnership for Strong Families (PSF), JFCS case management staff will provide comprehensive case management services to families already involved in the court system and those at risk of entering it due to reported abuse or neglect.

“We were brought into this new partnership to bridge the resource gaps that were identified in these communities,” said Colleen Rodriguez, CEO of JFCS. “Our mission is to provide support by working alongside these families to Increase the scope and depth of the services already available. We’re committed to helping them build skills and support systems that will make a lasting impact on their lives.”

Fred Cromwell Isaac Recognized with Florida Bar Pro Bono Award for Decades of Service

Fred Cromwell Isaac, a respected attorney from the 4th Judicial Circuit, was one of 21 lawyers honored by the Florida Bar during a ceremony at the Supreme Court of Florida on January 16. Isaac was recognized for his longstanding commitment to providing free legal services to low-income and disadvantaged individuals, contributing over 150 hours of pro bono work in the past year alone. The Florida Bar President Pro Bono Service Award, established in 1981, celebrates the significant contributions made by lawyers across the state to assist those who cannot afford legal representation. These awards highlight the vital role of lawyers in ensuring access to justice for all, regardless of financial means. This year’s awards were presented by Florida Bar President Roland Sanchez-Medina, Jr. in a ceremony that also featured the presentation of the prestigious Tobias Simon Pro Bono Service Award.

Isaac, who has been practicing law for over 50 years, has earned a reputation for his tireless dedication to public service. Throughout his career, he has volunteered his expertise to hundreds of clients through organizations such as Jacksonville Area Legal Aid and the Jacksonville Bar Association. In recent years, he has focused on providing direct legal services to individuals and nonprofits in need, often at no cost. Isaac selflessly represents clients who might not be able to have a voice in court.

In the past year, Isaac’s pro bono work has included the administration of three probate cases, providing estate planning services to critically ill clients, and managing several contract negotiations and disputes. One of his most notable contributions involved more than 100 hours of work on a contract litigation case that took over two years to resolve. Isaac waived all fees for this client, a military veteran.

In total, Florida lawyers contributed more than 1.7 million hours of pro bono service during the most recent reporting period, from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, amounting to an estimated $11.6 million in donated legal services. Isaac’s efforts continue to reflect the profound impact lawyers can have on their communities, ensuring that justice is accessible to all, regardless of their financial situation.

Isaac's recognition at the Supreme Court ceremony is a testament to his unwavering commitment to justice and service to those in need, and it underscores the critical role of pro bono work in Florida’s legal community.

Amy Pierce Mary Mantey Brianna Sharpe

Fred Cromwell Isaac with Florida Bar President Roland Sanchez-Medina, Jr.

Art Ventures Names 2024 Ann Baker McDonald Award Winner

Marsha Hatcher is the recipient of the 2024 Ann McDonald Baker Art Ventures Award.

This honor comes with a $20,000 unrestricted grant, awarded to a local artist deemed to have brought distinction to Northeast Florida. This is the largest grant of its kind in the region and named for the late Ann McDonald Baker, a driving force behind the creation of Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, Greenscape, the Arts Assembly (now the Cultural Council) and The Community Foundation’s Art Ventures Initiative.

With her mastery of several artistic media, Hatcher has captured her experiences traveling the work through her artwork. Her work has exhibited in the Ritz Theatre and Museum, the Cummer Museum of Arts and Gardens, the Beaches Museum and History Park and Yellow House, among others. Hatcher also used her art to speak on issues surround racial injustice and is a two-time recipient of an Art Ventures grant. One of those grants was for her “Premeditated, Extrajudicial” exhibit at the Museum of Science and History.

“Marsha’s work over three decades truly speaks for itself,” said Isaiah M. Oliver, President of The Community Foundation. “Her contributions have made an enduring impact on helping Jacksonville cultivate and retain its talented emerging artists.”

New Board Members Join Sanctuary on 8th Street

Nonprofit Sanctuary on 8th Street has announced the addition of two new board members: Lidija Barauskas and Brian Hultgren

Barauskas is with the Bedell Firm, where she has worked as a criminal defense attorney since 2019. Prior to that, she served with the State Attorney’s Office. She holds a law degree from Florida State University College of Law. Prior to that, she completed her undergraduate degree from Emory University. She moved to Jacksonville in 2017.

Hultgren is the Vice Chair of Research Administration in Florida and the administrative partner to Dr. Alfredo Quinones Hinojosa, Mayo Clinic’s Dean of Research in Florida. Hultgren holds a master’s degree in applied sociology from the University of North Florida with an undergraduate degree in business administration with a focus on marketing from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has and continues to serve on several leadership committees and subcommittees, serving as secretary for the CRB Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Committee and the Florida Research Operations Management Team.

Chris Shee Honored as Hometown Hero by

Best Buddies

Chris Shee, founder of MasterCraft Builder Group, was recently awarded the Hometown Hero Award at Best Buddies' annual Champion of the Year event. The award recognizes individuals who go above and beyond to support Best Buddies’ mission to empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Shee’s involvement with Best Buddies began in 2002 when he was introduced to the nonprofit through a close friend whose daughter has Down syndrome. Over the years, Shee has become an integral part of Best Buddies North Florida, hosting numerous fundraising events such as Clays for a Cause and Concerts for a Cause, which have raised over a million dollars for various charities, including Best Buddies.

"Champions like Chris are what make our programs thrive,” said Sarah Jeter, Area Director for Best Buddies North Florida. “His continued support has made a lasting impact on the lives of individuals with IDD in our community.”

Lidija Barauskas Brian Hultgren

Sally Baker Lee and Missy Boney pose with Marsha Hatcher, Margaret Wetherbee and Tom Baker at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, which Ann McDonald Baker helped establish in 1985.

Jacksonville Symphony Receives $3 Million in Donations

Symphony, funding initiatives like the David M. Hicks Piano Series and a Steinway concert grand piano.

the

“It’s rewarding to celebrate Courtney’s decade with the Symphony,” Hicks said. “Under his leadership, the orchestra has

reached new heights.”

Ward and Glock donated $1 million to support the Jennifer Glock Endowed Clarinet Chair, continuing their legacy of artistic support. The couple previously contributed to COVID-19 relief efforts, helping the Symphony thrive during the pandemic.

“Supporting the Symphony is an investment in our community,” Ward said. “It enriches lives and strengthens our local economy.”

The gifts reflect the community’s belief in the Symphony’s role in enriching lives and its cultural impact on Jacksonville.

“These contributions will inspire, enrich, and unite through music for generations to come,” said Steven B. Libman, President and CEO.

With these transformative gifts, the Jacksonville Symphony is poised to continue its legacy of artistic excellence and community engagement.

enhancing the charm and vibrancy of San Marco, notably with its iconic Three Lions centerpiece in San Marco Square, which echoes the grandeur of Piazza San Marco in Venice, Italy. The organization’s commitment to preserving the area’s historic character was especially evident in the development of Preservation Hall at Fletcher Park – a revenue-generating venue that also serves as a gathering place for events like the annual Concert in the Park Series and countless weddings and engagement parties.

As part of the evening’s program, attendees rallied around Sheri Webber, the newly appointed Executive Director of the SMPS, who joined the group in celebrating the organization’s legacy and its ongoing efforts. The event, sponsored by Suzanne Perritt, a former past president and dedicated neighborhood advocate, also served as a prelude to the Society’s plans for this year's centennial celebration, marking 100 years of the San Marco neighborhood’s rich history.

With plans already underway for the upcoming festivities, the evening was a reminder of the strong sense of community that defines San Marco. For those present, the dinner was a testament to the enduring spirit of the Preservation Society and the neighborhood it serves, with more celebrations and events on the horizon. For more information or to engage and get involved in the important year ahead, visit www.smps.org to learn how you can engage or be involved, or contribute to the celebrations. Celebrating

Debra and Richard Moore Jr. (’07-’08) with Diane (’12-’13) and Tim Martin (’05-’06) and SMPS Executive Director, Sheri Webber

David (’23-’25) and Bianca Paulk

The Law Firm of Pajcic & Pajcic was established in 1974 and has handled more than 12,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases, recovering more than $1.5 billion for our clients. From the beginning, outstanding service was the signature of our firm and remains so today.

Our 17 attorneys have amassed more than 550 years of combined legal experience and zealously represent clients in their time of need. Some of the firm’s practice areas include car, motorcycle, and truck crashes, medical malpractice, as well as litigation concerning dangerous consumer products and unsafe motor vehicles. From

Deepak Chopra Graces Guests at the Florida Forum

Legendary spiritual guru, physician, author and worldrenowned pioneer in integrative medicine, Deepak Chopra, made his way to Jacksonville as part of the Women’s Board of Wolfson Children’s Hospital’s Florida Forum speaker series, Jan. 15.

Chopra shared his valuable time with patrons during his stage appearance at the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts alongside his longtime friend and the evening’s moderator, Jacksonville Jaguars owner, Shad Khan. Khan and Chopra enlightened guests with a back and forth about topics ranging from World Wars to COVID-19 and mRNA vaccines, AI, technological breakthroughs, and optimism for the future collective of humanity.

One of the most poignant insights from Chopra was a global concern regarding a major fork in the road; one where our future can take a direction one way or the other – to more Medieval times and weaponry; or a return to enlightenment, peace and prosperity for all of humankind. He is a fan of the latter, of course.

Chopra was the second of three speakers in the series, as the Rt Hon Boris Johnson visited in October of ’24, the third and final installment will take place Feb. 12. Novelist, journalist, and Floridian Carl Hiaasen will take the stage at 7p.m. at the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts.

For more information, to purchase tickets or to engage as a sponsor, visit www.womensboardwch.com/florida-forum-1

Taylor Clark with Ashley Plotts, Natalie Dehuff and Miles Tyler

Elle Goodman with Linda Stein, Elli Zimmerman, Marilyn Gilman and Aubrey Wessolowski

Sabrie Edmonson with Vanessa Andrews and Rebecca Flagg

Cheree Graham with Dominique Landry and Dawn Barlow

jaxcf.org/more

Kids, Dreams and Local Impact for Over 40 Years

Dreams Come True Jacksonville hosted its 40th Anniversary with its Royal Ball at TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse in Ponte Vedra Beach, Jan. 17, the nonprofit celebrated with its first Gala over the course of its historic run of forty years. Marking four decades and nearly 5,000 dreams fulfilled, the evening was hosted by The Players Championship and presented by Ice Mortgage Technology. Twenty-two Dreamers of all ages comprised the evening’s Dreamer Court, which was rolled out in fine fashion as patrons cheered for Dreamers as they made way down the blue carpet.

Chris and Jaime Kalin with Caroline and Robert Masucci Sheri, David and Courtney Long

JAX Chamber President and CEO, Daniel Davis and Rebekah Davis with JAX Chamber Chair, Ari Jolley and John Jolley

Jimmy Peluso with Jason Pratt, Benjamin Alcorn and Matt Brockelman

Alyssa Whitfield with Brandon Cornellier and Dr. Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa

Darian “Jack” Jackson and Ranisha Jackson

2

Bolles Students Shine in Art, Music and Technology

The Bolles School is kicking off the new year by celebrating the noteworthy accomplishments of several students across various fields.

Senior Eesh Majithia ended 2024 on a high note by winning Florida’s Fifth Congressional District’s 2024 Congressional App Challenge with his app “Notecandy,” which offers different notetaking services to accommodate various learning styles. A panel of IT specialists selected Majithia’s as the winning application and it will be featured on the Congressional App Challenge website. It is also eligible for display in the U.S. Capitol along with other national winners.

Freshman Lucas Costas, a violinist, and oboist and senior Amanda Tun have been selected to perform in this year’s Florida AllState ensembles. This constitutes Costas’ debut in the Florida All-State Concert Orchestra and Tun’s fifth consecutive year on the orchestra. Both musicians performed at the Florida Music Education Association Professional Learning Conference at the Tampa Convention Center from Jan. 8 to 11.

Fifty-six Bolles upper and middle school artists brought home nearly 100 awards in the 2025 Northeast Florida Scholastic Art Awards. Among these awards were 24 Gold Keys, 25 Silver Keys and 39 Honorable Mentions. The award-winning works of art were selected from more than 3,000 entires across 17 visual art categories. Gold Key winners will now advance to the national competition in New York City, with national winners to be announced in March.

Students Work to Support North Florida Oyster Population

Students with the Episcopal School of Jacksonville are building artificial oyster habitats to be donated and installed at Christopher Creek in Nassau County to support the oyster populations in the North Florida area. These habitats are Pervious Oyster Shell Habitats – or POSH.

This year-long project is being done through the school’s AP Environmental Sciences (APES) classes. Students will build one POSH every week for donation and installation.

David Wandel, APES faculty member, is collaborating with Jimmy Tomazinis and Dr. Rafael Crowley, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Northeast Florida Aquatic Preserves Manager and University of North Florida coastal and port engineering professor, respectively, to see the POSH installed throughout Northeast Florida.

“Next year we'll look into identifying a site for ourselves and writing the proposal for FDEP approval of deploying a strictly ESJ made artificial oyster reef,” said Wandel.

“This year has been an experimental year to familiarize ourselves with the process enough to walk students through making their own POSH, and so far it's been a success,” Wandel added. “There are a whole host of environmental benefits to an artificial oyster reef. The POSH structures are really revolutionary when it comes to artificial oyster reef construction.”

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.

Foster Thompson, Liam Gonzalez and Sean Wolff pose with a Pervious Oyster Shell Habitat (POSH).

Amanda Tun

Eesh Majithia

Lucas Costas

“Kelpie” by senior and Gold Key art portfolio winner Eleanor McArthur.

Samuel Wolfson Students

Earn Top Honors at Northeast Florida Scholastic Art Competition

Nine talented students from Samuel Wolfson School for Advanced Studies have been recognized by the Northeast Florida Scholastic Art Affiliation for their exceptional artistic submissions in various categories last semester. The winners were honored for their work in painting, photography, digital art, mixed media, and drawing/illustration.

• Isabella Chadbourne, 11th grade, received a Gold Key for drawing and illustration.

• Kate Curran, 9th grade, earned a Silver Key for painting.

• Dylan Hetrick, 9th grade, won a Gold Key for drawing and illustration.

Luella Legene, 11th grade, was awarded a Gold Key, Silver Key, and an Honorable Mention for her work in drawing and illustration, as well as painting.

• Ava MacDowell, 10th grade, received an Honorable Mention for photography.

Skye Cole-Raper, 12th grade, earned a Silver Key for mixed media.

• Clare Migliaro, 12th grade, received an Honorable Mention for digital art.

• Shelby Robinson, 12th grade, earned an Honorable Mention for mixed media.

• Sofia West, 12th grade, also received an Honorable Mention for mixed media.

Bishop Kenny Students Shine in Scholastic Art Awards

Bishop Kenny High School celebrated the success of seven students who received recognition in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Senior Sophia Nunez-Salinas earned five Gold Key awards for her work in Digital Art, Drawing & Illustration, Mixed Media, and Portfolio.

Also honored were Siena Bakkar ‘26, Kimberley Chong ‘28, Brittany Miller ‘26, Capri Pepin-Donat ‘25, Melania Rosasco ‘26, and Diego Ruiz Villar ‘26, each receiving individual awards for their creativity and talent.

Launching into the Future.

Liella Legene, Skye Cole-Raper, Shelby Robinson, Sofia West, Isabella Chadbourne and Kate Curran.

Sophia Nunez-Salinas

A Final Bow for the Jacksonville Debutante Coterie

The 2024 Debutante Coterie made its final, formal bow at the Christmas Ball and Presentation on Dec. 28. Normally held at Florida Yacht Club, last year’s ball was held at Timuquana Country Club due to renovations at the yacht club.

This season’s coterie included (front) Virginia Grace Burhyte, Elizabeth Bowles Ogletree, Catherine Sims Wachholz, Caroline McComb Hobby, Francesca Caroline Borghese, Madeleine Graham Runnels, Emma Katherine Beard, Mary Emma Cook, Katharine Lovett Fant; (back) Mackenzie Anne Trobaugh, Addison Leigh Anderson, Elizabeth Jane Gray Hager, Lilly Anders Moore, Lucy Avery Williams, Courtney Elizabeth Thompson, Bridget Elizabeth Monahan, Hadley Sims Ropp, Lucy Walton Rachels, Reilly and Elisabeth Shapiro.

RPDS 6th Graders Complete Two Days of Service Across Jacksonville

Riverside Presbyterian Day School’s 6th grade class recently completed two full days of service throughout Jacksonville as part of their Project Leads capstone servant leadership program. Last month, the students volunteered at 11 nonprofit organizations, participating in various activities including sorting food donations, creating pet toys, making sandwiches, assembling birthday bags, and cleaning up yard debris.

The project, which aims to cultivate servant leadership, is part of RPDS’s ongoing commitment to The Riverside Way—a philosophy that emphasizes showing God’s love through actions and putting others before oneself. Throughout their time at RPDS, students are given numerous opportunities to volunteer and grow as leaders.

Building Strong Foundations, Just Like Love

Let us help you build the perfect waterfront getaway. Whether it’s a dock, bulkhead, or a boat lift, we’ve got the expertise to create something lasting. Because just like love, a solid foundation makes all the difference.

Photo: Janet Masterson Photography

Only a He(ART)beat Away

By Peggy Harrell Jennings

Legendary artistic couples Frieda Kahlo and Diego Rivera, Alfred Stieglitz and Georgia O’Keefe, and Pablo Picasso and Françoise Gilot formed life partnerships based on power, passion and love. As Gilot said of her relationship with Picasso, “Lions mate with lions. They do not mate with mice.”

Competitive or Collaborative?

There is drama in every relationship but the opportunity to learn and explore diverse styles and push the boundaries of personal artistic expression are part of the enriched partnership of several local artistic couples. Kathy McCall, a mixed media artist, and woodturner Don Penny have different approaches to their artistic creations.

Penny said, “I’m a process guy and Kat is a visionary. It may seem to be the perfect pairing, but we’ve had to develop a safe relationship where constructive criticism and opinions are from the heart.”

McCall is consistently exploring new artistic possibilities while Penny has been more traditional in his woodworking until, inspired by McCall, he has taken his craft into art. He and McCall belong to The Art Center Cooperative (TAC) Gallery, the Jacksonville Artists’ Guild and often enter the same juried exhibits where they are in direct competition for prizes. They share their talents and knowledge with each other and others.

“We have each other’s back and celebrate our partnership,” said Penny. Their intertwined lives are enhanced through their mutual interests. The couple supports each other’s freedom to explore new ideas, get out of their comfort zones and celebrate the “thrill of discovery.”

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Different Perspectives, Shared Vision

Local muralists Ian Brodie Cleary and Danielle Cleary (a Jax Chamber nominee for Small Business Leader 2025) of Heartspace Art have individual strengths which complement each other.

Danielle said, “Our process is highly collaborative. When you live and work with someone, the lines between personal and professional can blur. Like all partnerships, open communication helps navigate misunderstandings.”

Collaborating on artistic designs is essential: Ian is very detail-oriented while Danielle’s strength lies in her attention to color harmony, conceptual elements and working closely with clients.

“Our shared vision from different perspectives makes the work stronger and we try to keep the end goal in mind- creating something beautiful and meaningful for our clients,” shared Danielle.

Shared Love, Separate Working Spaces

From sharing a fire escape while attending the University of Florida to sharing space at Cork Arts District, Laurie Hitzig and Larry Wilson have explored many partnerships including an interior design business, a floral design and wedding staging business, a retail shop “Nest of San Marco,” an interior design business, and Larry Wilson and Associates.

Presently, they share their lives and adjoining studios. A shared studio space did not work out for this couple since Wilson’s paintings and sculptures are wild and messy and Hitzig’s style is exceptionally clean and controlled.

“I fell in love with Laurie’s talent and artwork,” Wilson said. “Besides being an amazing person, she was really cute.”

So, he custom designed an engagement ring for her with tourmaline, emerald and sapphire even though he had yet to propose. He quickly changed to diamonds when

she just happened to mention that she did not like colored stones. Of course, for the wedding 38 years ago they made their own chuppah and Laurie designed and made her wedding dress. They did all the flowers and designed the invitations as well.

Highly respected and award-winning artists in their own rights with numerous solo shows to their credits, both artists are “very strong in their perspective” and have done several two-person shows including “Juxtaposition.” Wilson’s masculine “Warrior” sculptures, balanced by Hitzig’s delicate, ephemeral drawings and sculptures, are thought provoking and powerful. Hitzig and Wilson exhibit locally and throughout the Southeast and with their working appearing in numerous private collections.

“I am blown away by her work,” Wilson said. “I’m her biggest fan. I can’t help believing my bold approach to art might have influenced her and I’ve tried her approach- subtle, with a light touch and quietness, soulful – but I have to let the work go, let the magic happen.”

Don Penny and Kathy McCall

Danielle and Ian Brodie Cleary

Larry Wilson and Laurie Hitzig

A Heartfelt Congratulations to:

• The Community Foundation of Northeast Florida 2024 Ann McDonald Art Ventures Award Winner: Marsha Hatcher;

• “Naturally” Art Exhibition Winners: Lin Smith (Best in Show for “Blush Soul, Red Heart”), Roseanne Egidio (Jurors Choice for “Central Park”), and Sandy Harrington (Jurors Choice for “Winter Blooms”);

• And Nikki Rakov for the opening of “To Know, To Dare, To Keep Silent,” her M.F.A. Thesis Show at The Jessie Ball duPont Center

Salvation Army’s Top Volunteers March Into 2025

There is always important business to be discussed, especially when it comes to raising funds for homeless, underserved, and women that are raising children in poverty. The women of the Salvation Army Auxiliary heed the call to help and gathered members to enjoy a kickoff meeting in the New Year at Epping Forest Yacht and Country Club, Jan. 27.

The conscientious group of women rallied for updates and praised efforts of their ringers during Red Kettle fundraising at the holidays, which broke a record for North Florida at $285,000 in donations for the 2024 fiscal year, up from $153,000 in 2023.

North Florida’s volunteer corps are always hard at work raising funds through the Red Kettles, the Red Shield Ball and other efforts to fund their initiatives, which includes the Tower of Hope, housing mothers raising children; providing shelter, gifts and support throughout the year.

The guest speaker, and soon-to-be Celebrity Chef Kendra McCrary was welcomed to the podium by her friend, Diane Lott. McCrary graciously told the touching story of the founding of Wolfson Children’s Hospital and the Women’s Board, which she heads as President of the Board for yet another volunteer corps of women leading fundraising in North Florida. The Women’s Board has raised over $37 million dollars over its 52-year history, according to McCrary.

The membership meeting was made possible by the generosity of Marilyn Carpenter, who has made it a tradition to sponsor the gathering as they kick off the new year.

The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary’s upcoming 39th annual Celebrity Chefs Tasting Luncheon and Silent Auction is slated for April, 3, 2025 at the Prome F. Osborn Convention Center.

Feb. 5

First Wednesday DTJax Art Walk | 5 to 9 p.m. Feb. 5

Opening Celebration for Dustin Sims’ “Nature:

Do you know of an upcoming event or accolade that helps pump the rhythmic Artbeat of Jacksonville? Send the announcement to us at editor@residentnews.net for consideration in TheBeatGoesOn

Marsha Hatcher

Nikki Rakov at The Jessie

Laine MacWilliam and Jonathan Jennings at “Naturally”

Brette Petway Studio

Marilyn Carpenter with Area Commander Maj. Keath Biggers, Leyda Garcia of the Salvation Army and Area Commander Maj. Candice Biggers

Diane Lott with Michele Kehnert

LOCAL FOLKS MEET

Mike Wodrich

By Jennifer Jensen

Mike Wodrich has always been an artist in his heart, but not always in practice. In fact, he practiced something quite different during his 45-year-long career as a lawyer. Now that he’s retired, however, he has been focusing on creating his artwork full time.

“It’s so different in the means of thinking and different in the approach,” Wodrich said. “You get to go off in tangents and research what you want and then figure out how that is going to be made into a tangible means of expression.”

Wodrich grew up in Miami and moved to Gainesville to earn a degree in anthropology from the University of Florida. He then earned his law degree and moved to Jacksonville to work for Rogers Towers, where he worked for 40 years before becoming general counsel and vice president at Stellar. He retired five years later.

“I knew it was time to stop,” Wodrich said. “I decided I needed to have all my energy, my brain power devoted to the development of my art.”

He had been making art part time, but once he retired, he decided to dive in with the exact same enthusiasm he had for his career.

“It was a refreshing change from the practice of law,” Wodrich said. “You go from a mindset of working in a team toward a goal that involved a client or a case or business transaction. It was fun, but it’s a hard way to make a good living.”

His current medium, fused glass, developed from his work with stained glass.

“[Stained glass] didn’t do nearly what I wanted…” Wodrich said. “Everything I do now is a sculpture that involves glass.”

He now works as a glass artist and sculptor out of his studio in San Marco. He mostly works in three-dimensional sculptures and has been doing that full-time for about five years. He works with glass, steel, stone, wood, ceramics and objects he finds at thrift stores and vintage shops. Every piece tells a unique story, whether it’s made entirely from

glass or incorporates a base as well.

Wodrich incorporates a lot of his anthropology background into his pieces. For some pieces, he looks into different ways that different cultures do things and how they adapt those practices. A lot of his pieces have masks or faces because he believes it’s always better to take an idea and animate it with a face, because then people can identify it. He does not restrict himself to one area of study, though: He built another collection of pieces around cognitive psychology while a different piece juxtaposes forming one’s own personal religion with institutional religion.

Another piece centered around people’s ability to form their own personal religion that is separate from institutional religion.

No matter the field he’s drawing from for his artwork, he said he has to start with its title.

“I must have my idea first and the name,” Wodrich said. “I can’t name it afterward.”

Where law is, by necessity, more structured and precise, creating art allows him the complete freedom to do whatever he wants and say whatever he wants through his medium. It doesn’t have to work toward a final goal either, he added.

He makes his artwork for himself and if someone else is able to see something in it, well then that makes him happy too.

“No one makes art to sit in a closet,” he said. “And the viewer completes the piece. Without a viewer, you don't have a piece of art.”

Wodrich does take some commissions, but the parameters can’t be too specific. He only needs to know how big they want the piece, where they plan to display it and if they want a specific color of glass incorporated.

“They can’t tell me the name, subject matter or configuration,” he said. “I can’t work that way. And everything’s up for interpretation.”

In his artwork, he works with masonry in creating the bases, welds steel and has two different sizes of kilns for fusing and curing the glass.

“It embodies all those crafts,” he added.

He only works on three or four pieces at a time and once a piece reaches a particular stage, he focuses entirely on that one piece, though not every project is a success: He has boxes around his studio of unfinished projects or broken pieces.

“Glass is a funny substance,” Wodrich said. “It is liquid part of the time and solid most of the time. And it's the transition between liquid and solid and solid back to liquid that is dangerous to the glass itself. If it's not done correctly, it'll break, or it’ll have internal stress.”

There is a chemical aspect to the process as well. Wodrich has to make sure every piece of glass comes back to the same temperature at the same time, so tension isn’t created within the glass. Additionally, some colors are more susceptible to breaking than others and thicker pieces require more time in the kiln, which can leave it more susceptible to stress.

Wodrich is mostly self-taught, but he has taken a few seminars and has watched a lot of videos on YouTube.

degree in anthropology and a degree in law don’t really transfer over,” he said. He started out making pieces simply for himself and his friends and family were intrigued. They told him they had never seen anything like what he was creating.

“I received lots of positive feedback,” he said. “And my wife has been great. I think the more feedback you get, the more you put yourself out there and the feedback remains positive, the more you’re going to be encouraged.”

“A

Mike at work

A Mike Wodrich original piece

Mike works primarily with glass, though he does incorporate other mediums into his pieces.

Mike and his golden retriever, Wicklow, in his workshop.

Brandon T Whaley Financial Advisor

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You might be at that very threshold: the spot in your career where you are earning well and beginning to feel comfortable in your life, but also thinking about how to keep pace and continue this lifestyle through your entire life, even your retirement.

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When she got too ill to take care of herself, everything had already been arranged because she made the necessary steps with the help of a financial advisor years ago, while she was still earning money.

This smart move enabled her to spend her last days peacefully in her home surrounded by loved ones, and not in some far away nursing home relying on strangers’ kindness.

She chose a path and made smart moves that led her through a very nice and prosperous life and eventually got her to the kind of dignified ending that she wanted for herself.

I believe everyone deserves to be given the best possible chance of generating as much wealth as possible now, into and through retirement whilst saving the most amount on taxes. So that they can live the ideal retirement lifestyle.

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Office Information

1950 San Marco Blvd Ste 3 Jacksonville, FL 32207

904-731-0418

brandon.whaley@edwardjones.com www.edwardjones.com/brandon-whaley

Branch Team

Amanda Stockwell Branch Office Administrator

Work History

Edward Jones July 2024 - Present

Bank of America, N.A. June 2023 - July 2024

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner May 2023 - July 2024

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC September 2019 - May 2023

Education

Southeast Missouri State Univ Bachelor of Science - Law

THE WAY WE WERE

John Glessner

By Jennifer Jensen

John Glessner never thought a weekend dancing in a Miami night club would lead to a dance career of 40-plus years, but here he is. He is the owner of Avondale Dance, a full-service ballroom dance studio in Murray Hill that provides group and private lessons. He has owned the business since 2000.

Glessner was discovered one night at a disco club by a couple who worked at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio. They approached him and asked if he’d ever thought about teaching ballroom dancing. He had always been around music, holding a music education degree from Florida State University, but he’d never had any professional dance training.

“I had some talent,” Glessner said. “And they must have seen some spark.”

He decided to give it a shot and began teaching part-time while still working full-time at his retail job. When the retail business closed, an opportunity opened to teach dance full time.

“I went to the Fred Astaire Dance Studio there and said, ‘If you want me to be full-time, now is the time. I'm ready,’” Glessner said. “And I've been dancing full-time ever since.”

He moved to St. Petersburg and taught at the Fred Astaire studio there before relocating to Tampa and teaching at a studio there and Bradenton for more than 10 years. During that time, one of his students introduced him to his future husband, Ken Sutton. After meeting Sutton, he decided to move to Jacksonville.

He knew the people who owned the Fred Astaire studio in Murray Hill and told them he wanted to come and be a teacher, but that he didn’t want any responsibilities.

“I’m in a new city, in a new relationship, with a new job,” Glessner said. “Everything is new. So, I didn’t need the pressure of running a business.”

Then in 2000, the owners decided to move the business across town, and he wasn’t interested in working over the bridge.

“I had been here three years at that point and I’d kind of gotten my feet wet,” Glessner said.

He helped with the transition to the new studio, but decided to stay in Murray Hill like several of his students who did not want to make the drive across town either.

“They left a turnkey situation studio,” Glessner said. “I negotiated with the landlord and took off running by my lonesome.”

His studio teaches all types of partnership dancing, but it’s more than just ballroom dancing. He teaches beginners all the way up to competitive dancers. “You can go as far as you want to go,” he added.

Dancing has become more like a sport activity, Glessner said. Partnership dancing got a boost thanks to programs like “Dancing With the Stars.”

“It’s a little more generally accepted,” Glessner said. “And it made it cool for men to dance.”

He loves what he does and has a great group of students and staff.

“My idea is that we are kind of like a family or a team, and that's what I enjoy,” Glessner said. “I love people. I'm teaching, but it's really kind of like a ministry. I’m also a psychiatrist. You’re helping people find something out about themselves that they weren’t used to and obviously

John Glessner and his husband, Ken Sutton

John Glessner and his three dogs, Leo, Lewis and Leia

are many mental health

On top of that, the studio is also a great social outlet for people, he said.

“A lot of our students do things on the side with each other,” Glessner said. “As an owner, it’s nice to see that I helped cultivate that.”

“And without blowing my own horn, I think that starts from the top,” Glessner added. “I always wanted everyone to feel welcome and included. I try to keep that family, team spirit. Come in, have fun, have a good time and learn something along the way.”

His studio also hosts several social events as well, which includes dance or practice parties along with a lot of group classes.

In these types of classes, they teach the leads what to do and they get a chance to mix and match with everyone. It becomes a round robin type of dance, he said. It’s a great way to meet people and learn from others with different levels of experience.

“When you ask somebody to dance, you have no idea what you’re going to get,” Glessner said. “So social dancing is great. It prepares you for all those eventualities. The practice parties are like a battleground type of environment.”

The private lessons focus on the student’s specific goals, be they styling, technique, balance, weight loss, health or others.

“It’s fun to watch the progression,” Glessner said. “It’s what I imagine it’s like having kids. You’re the parent, the coach, the teacher.”

He also enjoys teaching couples. Specifically, those who are married and have children.

“Dancing really gives them that nonverbal communication,” Glessner said. “They’re doing a hobby and a skill that they both can learn. They can enjoy each other's company on a completely different level. And it's great fun.”

If the couple decides to do a recital or a show, it’s fun to see the kids watch their parents perform as opposed to the parents being the ones in the audience, he added. He also has a few students who dance competitively.

One of his students, Susan Walden, and himself were the undefeated ProAm United States American Smooth champions at the United States DanceSport Competition in Orlando. In 2008, they were also awarded Best Overall, as the No. 1 ProAm couple across all categories.

“It's probably the highlight of my career,” he said.

He and Walden have competed throughout the United States and she remained in the top six. They have been dancing together for 23 years now.

“She was in it for the medal,” he added.

He works Monday through Friday and his business is like a second spouse. He enjoys having that time on the weekends to spend with his husband.

“I try to keep the weekends just for us,” he said. “I was very lucky because he understood that. He got that it was part of the job.”

When he isn’t working at the studio or spending time with Sutton, he enjoys practicing yoga and going to the gym. He also likes spending time walking his three dogs, two dachshunds and a rat terrier-chihuahua mix.

Traveling is another passion of his and something he and Sutton can make time for thanks to the great staff and foundation he has formed at the studio. Some of his favorite places he’s visited are Peru and Alaska.

Do you know an interesting senior with a story to tell?

Nominate them to be featured in The Way We Were! Submit their names, contact information and a brief description of what makes them a good candidate to editor@residentnews.net

70 Years of Love and Memories

The Walkers’ Inspiring Story

Mr. and Mrs. Walker are celebrating a remarkable 70 years of marriage on January 17th. Mr. Walker, who recently turned 101, and Mrs. Walker, who will be 100 in February continue to share a deep bond.

The couple was warmly celebrated by the dedicated staff at Riverside Post Acute, who gathered to honor their incredible 70-year journey of love and commitment. Here's to 70 years of love, companionship, and a lifetime of memories.

John Glessner, Brenda Lidell, Laura Marder and Margo Shannon at the Tropicana Dance Challenge there

benefits.”

ANIMAL HOUSE

Early Veterinary Care Can Mean Life or Death for Puppies and Kittens

By Julie Kerns Garmendia

Dee Reibach finally was able to have a dog after she moved into her own home with a large fenced yard. Her remote job guaranteed the time and flexibility to care for and train the Labrador retriever puppy she had always wanted.

Because her only pet was the family dog she loved as a child and without any puppy experience, Reibach assumed that she needed to find a local breeder to purchase a Labrador retriever. People who choose purebred dogs typically do so because they are familiar

with the breed or prefer a dog with known traits and appearance. Reibach and her best friend Suji Lawrence, another dog-loving millennial, chose the easiest search option; they browsed the internet.

“My friend Suji and I looked at local breeders with puppy photos online and thought we had chosen the

perfect puppy from a person who presented himself as a reputable, licensed breeder. We had no idea that the puppy’s veterinarian certificate and other documents were probably forged and the ‘licensed breeder’ only cared about sales,” she said.

Reibach ended up purchasing two sibling puppies after encouragement from the breeder. However, because of her traumatic experience, she decided to share her story to publicize the importance of extensive research into dog breeders, basic facts about evaluating puppy health, the recommended veterinarian care for puppies younger than eight weeks of age, and how to recognize questionable sales transaction details.

Reibach said the Labrador retriever puppies, whom they named Grace (black) and Cooper (silver-blue), appeared healthy at first, although small for eight weeks. Yet within two days of being brought home, both puppies gradually stopped eating, drinking or playing. They began to vomit, had diarrhea and their gums were white instead of healthy pink.

Her veterinarian tested them for parvo: both were negative. However, the puppies were positive for internal worms. According to the American Kennel Club Health Foundation, their alarming symptoms indicated internal parasite infestation.

Reibach and Lawrence unfortunately soon learned a great deal about the importance of the recommended standard puppy veterinarian care as the veterinarian tried to save the desperately sick puppies. Both were drastically underweight for the average healthy eight-week-old Labrador puppy (10-15 pounds) and were deemed younger than eight weeks. Reibach's veterinarian confirmed that Grace only weighed 3.7 pounds, and Cooper weighed 4.5 pounds.

Frantic, repeated calls to the breeder about the puppies’ health were unanswered. Then he completely blocked communication while continuing to advertise Labrador puppies for sale, using the same photographs of Grace and Cooper.

Over the next days, the puppies continued losing weight and seemed too weak to survive. On day six, Cooper lost his battle and died, as the veterinarian worked to save Grace. The veterinarian bill for the puppies’ clinic stay, appointments, treatment, and medications reached thousands of dollars.

Grace finally turned the corner and began to recover. She slowly regained weight and strength, but Reibach still tears up when describing the heartbreaking story and death of Cooper; “We knew he had passed when he stopped crying.”

Cooper, severely infested with parasites, died on day six.

Rescue cat Jag with Grace

Healthy Charlee held by neighbor Sophia, 5

She said that worst of all was the suffering the young dogs endured, which continued even after Cooper's death. Grace paced the house, searching for her missing brother and mourning him. Their veterinarian said that if the breeder had given the standard puppy de-worming treatment, it would have prevented the hookworm and roundworm infestation that caused their illness and Cooper's death.

“De-worming and vaccines stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies that recognize and destroy diseases. They are essential to a puppy or kitten's health and well-being, helping prevent and protect against lifethreatening diseases. They promote a strong immune system and help avoid costly treatments or the spread of contagious diseases,” said Dr. Howard Acree of Cedar Hills Animal Hospital.

In hindsight, there were all-too-common red flags regarding the persuasive breeder they chose, the physical condition of the puppies, and the details of the sale. They did not recognize his questionable actions: insisting on meeting them in a Publix parking lot was one. The puppies cost $600 each, while the typical price for an AKCregistered purebred Labrador retriever puppy ranges from $800 to $2,000 or more, depending on the bloodline. Also, the documents they received looked authentic but were illegible, a typical sign of a scam. They never received any AKC purebred registry documents.

The state-required health certificate for the sale of a dog or cat must include all vaccines and de-worming treatments, including medications. By signing the certificate, the examining veterinarian confirms that to the best of his or her knowledge, the pet has no sign of contagious or infectious

diseases, including a clean fecal test with no evidence of internal parasites: hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, and whipworms. Additionally, cats must receive specific feline tests and vaccines before sale.

Officials familiar with unlicensed breeder scams warn that they create legitimate-looking online advertisements without legal credentials. They operate as “backyard breeders” with a few animals or puppy mills breeding hundreds of animals hidden from public view and law enforcement. The predictable outcome for buyers and the usually neglected, mistreated animals can be devastating.

Reputable, licensed dog and cat breeders hold verifiable credentials and adhere to accepted, regulated standards of animal care. They welcome potential buyers to their homes or kennels, where it is often possible to see a puppy’s parents and littermates.

The potential buyer has the legal right to receive legible breeder licensure and verified veterinarian documents. Puppies and kittens sold as purebred must be accompanied by AKC purebred registry documentation.

Reibach now has Grace and a chocolate Labrador named Hope, who came from a similar sad situation. Hope's breeder operated a puppy mill on a rural farm and was closed down by law enforcement. The sole feline in the family is her rescue cat Jag, whom she bottle-fed after he was orphaned and abandoned behind an office.

Like many people, Reibach was unaware of the nonprofit, licensed rescue organizations in nearly every state, including Florida, for almost every dog breed. These organizations rescue purebred or high-content purebred dogs from shelters and law enforcement confiscations.

Their websites advertise adoptable dogs of all ages. They screen applicants and charge an adoption fee for dogs and puppies, which are fully vetted prior to adoption. These breed-specific nonprofits have no physical shelters but use a network of volunteer fosters.

The nonprofit, all-volunteer Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida (LRROF) has a network of fosters in Jacksonville and throughout Florida . They rescue, rehabilitate, and place Labrador retrievers in forever homes and coordinate with shelters and other nonprofits. Their website includes information and applications for adoption, foster, or to contribute tax-free donations. Reibach recently contacted them to apply for the adoption of another Labrador retriever. The experience of adopting her rescue Labrador-mix puppy Charlee from LRROF was the complete opposite of those previous experiences.

“Charlee, his mother, and siblings were confiscated by law enforcement and accepted by LRROF for vetting until adoption. When I got him, Charlee was a healthy, perfectly happy, adorable puppy. When I noticed there were a few worms in his stool that turned out to be hookworms, I contacted LRROF, and they responded immediately. They paid for his veterinarian visit and medication and kept in touch with me,” Reibach said.

Adoption from a municipal shelter or private nonprofit animal rescue has multiple benefits. This adoption method helps a homeless pet, opens up desperately needed kennel space, and provides peace of mind due to the follow-up support and guaranteed, full vetting of animals approved for adoption. Most importantly, if an adopted animal does not work out for any reason, it can be returned.

On behalf of the hundreds of animals waiting for foster or adoption at Jacksonville’s Animal Care & Protective Services on Forest Street or the Jacksonville Humane Society on Beach Boulevard, from private rescue nonprofits or surrounding county shelters, local rescuers urge readers to adopt not shop for a new pet.

Nala

Dee Reibach with black lab Grace, chocolate lab Hope and new rescue lab-mix puppy Charlee

By Lauren Weedon Hopkins

I am proud to introduce the inaugural Charity Chat column! Each month will have a theme, a focus, and corresponding volunteer opportunities so you can get involved in our community. When Publisher Pamela Bradford Williams asked me if I was interested in writing this column, I was both humbled and excited.

As a Jacksonville native who has worked and volunteered in our local nonprofit community for nearly 25 years, I have extensive knowledge regarding philanthropy and the impressive collaboration between our many nonprofit agencies to serve those most in need.

Having lived in the San Jose area for many years, I’ve been an avid reader of Resident News since its inception 18 years ago, and I believe it’s the ideal platform for this meaningful column. In a serendipitous turn of events, the news group has just released Volume 10 of Circles – Social Datebook & Charity Register, North Florida’s only charitable giving magazine, which is now circulating its tenth anniversary edition throughout the city.

So, here we go! I hope you enjoy it and I would love your feedback. Please write to me at editor@residentnews.net with your thoughts and ideas.

February: Love and Kindness

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, our theme this month is Community, Support and Compassion. By caring for our neighbors in need with a compassionate heart, we can provide each other with support and kindness. This month, our two focus areas are mental health and domestic violence.

Mental Health

The Golden Rule tells us to “love your neighbor as yourself.” To be able to give love to others, you first need to look internally at how you treat yourself. Practicing self-care has become more popular in recent years but it can often be difficult to address topics of mental health. Nearly one in five people in the U.S. live with a mental illness, according to the Center for Disease Control and

Prevention. Unfortunately, despite being widespread, there can still be a stigma against mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety, which makes asking for help a challenge.Through Mental Health Matters, an initiative launched by Mayor Donna Deegan, the City of Jacksonville has partnered with Talkable Communities to offer Duval County residents Mental Health First Aid courses completely free of charge. This is an internationally recognized program that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health challenges. Registration for these courses is available online.

The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) has a local office in Jacksonville led by Executive Director Suzanne Mailloux. It offers free support groups in safe environments for those with mental health disorders, their families, caregivers and friends in Northeast Florida. Another NAMI resource is its nonemergency helpline.

Volunteers are welcome to join the Northeast Florida Mental Health Advocacy Group to help improve mental health legislation. If you feel you don’t know how to be an advocate, it also offers training. Other ways to volunteer include facilitating a connection to recovery support group for peers or for families, sharing your story, and answering helpline calls. Donations help provide support and advocacy for anyone affected by mental health conditions.

Hearts4Minds is a local nonprofit that grew from one family’s tragic loss. After the death of their son Alex in 2017, who suffered an overdose while struggling with depression and anxiety, Sheryl and Todd Johnson founded the nonprofit organization to break down the stigma associated with mental illness. A simple way to show your support is to purchase and wear a dragonfly pin, which is a symbol of hope, help and healing. A portion of sales is a donation. The organization also sells clothing, blankets, water bottles and sticky notes to write Messages with Heart and leave around the neighborhood as positive reminders that no one is alone.

(904) 731-0418 (866) 237-5844 www.edwardjones.com/brandon-whaley 1950 San Marco Blvd, Suite #3 Jacksonville, FL 32207

Hearts4Minds provides a resource database of therapists, support groups and more searchable by zip code called H4M Connect.

In emergency situations, there is 24/7 help. For anyone personally facing a crisis, or if you are concerned about a loved one, call or text 988 Lifeline to be connected to trained crisis counselors at United Way of Northeast Florida

Domestic Violence

Another focus in promoting love this month is addressing domestic violence. Every second, three people in the U.S. become a victim of domestic violence, which means each year, more than 10 million Americans experience domestic abuse. Types of domestic violence include coercive control, psychological and/or emotional abuse, physical or sexual abuse, financial or economic abuse, harassment, stalking and online or digital abuse.

Hubbard House is a full-service certified domestic violence center serving Duval and Baker counties. Led by CEO Gail Patin, Hubbard House’s core services include an emergency shelter, an outreach center, and a 24/7 Domestic Violence Hotline.

Hubbard House is the only local domestic violence shelter and relies on community donations. Give online to support basic but critical needs such as food for residents, cleaning supplies and staff support.

An easy way to volunteer for Hubbard House is by helping in its thrift store, You can also raise awareness at community events. Volunteering directly with survivors and their children requires 30 hours of training. This includes answering crisis calls and developing activities for children living in shelters.

Survivors of sexual abuse can find support and hope at the Women’s Center of Jacksonville. WCJ serves Duval, Nassau and Baker counties, providing full wrap-around care including immediate emotional support, sexual assault forensic exams, and explaining a survivor’s rights

and options, whether or not they choose to report to law enforcement. Executive Director Teresa Miles and her team provide rape recovery, counseling and support, community education, prevention programs and support groups.

To keep all these services free for survivors, community donations are vital. Consider giving online. Volunteers are also key. Interact directly with survivors through trained volunteer roles such as on-call hotline advocate and rape recovery team assistant. The organization can also use help with administrative and marketing tasks as well as outreach. Visit the WCJ website to learn more.

Thank you for strengthening our community through your support and compassion.

Inspired to get involved or give back?

Do you or someone you know require any of the services mentioned in this month’s column? Here is a full rundown of the contact information of the organizations we discussed:

Hearts 4 Minds hearts4minds.org

H4M Connect: h4mconnect.org

Hubbard House www.hubbardhouse.org

24/7 Domestic Violence Hotline: 904-354-3114, text 904-210-3698

Hubbard House Thrift Store: 6629 Beach Blvd.

Mental Health Matters talkablecommunities.org/coj

National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) Jacksonville www.namijax.org

NAMI Non-Emergency Helpline: 904-323-4723 or helpline@namijax.org

Women’s Center of Jacksonville thewcj.org

24-hour Rape Crisis Hotline: 904-721-7273

988 Lifeline 988lifeline.org

Reflecting on Love Stories

It’s February and love is in the air. I’ve never been much for Valentine’s Day mush, but sometimes it’s fun to think about how love and romance and affection have heartshaped our lives, especially here in the Resident Community we all adore.

I’ll start with my reflections of amore, with the hope it rekindles warm thoughts of your own Be-Mine experiences.

I met my love, my husband, David, at an apartment party at Hollins College in Roanoke, VA during the early ‘90s.

Actually, I’d met him several times before that. The dark-haired T-shirt entrepreneur from Hampden Sydney College had captured my attention before when he was peddling college merch on our dorm hall or making a scene at fraternity parties. He was the reigning Belly Flop Champion of HSC, if that gives you a hint of the splash he was known to make socially back in the day. A Jacksonville guy, David was also a hometown pal of one of my college friends, Erin Hadlow Bryan. So we all traveled and flopped around in the same circles.

But it wasn’t until our senior year at that apartment party that my eyes were opened and my heart swelled. The hardcharging, party-hopping David Barton from Jacksonville, FL had survived salmonella (!!) the summer before, stopped smoking Marlboro Light cigarettes and embraced veganism, and plus, he was no longer hurling himself into the pool from the high dive. He was into good conversation and healthy food. How could I resist? Luckily, our friend Erin suggested that if he wanted to land a girlfriend, he would actually need to ask me on a date, which he did and saw a return on. And so that all worked out well. Two years later, we were married in a very fun, extremely hot ceremony in San Antonio, TX with all our special friends and family in attendance. There was no belly-flopping either, thankfully. Just a sweet swan dive into life together.

At our quickie pre-marriage counseling with Ortega holy legend Rev. Barnum McCarty, he suggested that we stick to a plan of weekly dates, monthly getaways and annual big trips. That was such good advice! We have committed ourselves loosely to this plan for nearly 30 years and have enjoyed some important quality time because of it. In the meantime, we also worked jointly raising our two children, Ben and Marley and a small horde of house-ruinous animals. That, of course, is the biggest payback so far and why I love David so much more today than I did during our long walk down the aisle at Alamo Heights United Methodist Church, “The Metho-dome.” We make a good team – we respect each other, we listen to each other, we’re dedicated to the process and have found a way to apply our own strengths to the challenges that have come our way. Little did I know long ago that it’s

these kinds of qualities that make you love a person even more deeply over time.

David and our children are the real loves of my life. I dated a few guys back in my glory days of claw bangs and crimped hair but they were just a primer to the good stuff. It’s funny how it comes full circle though. My first boyfriend received a heartpatterned bathrobe for Valentine’s Day that I made during sewing machine instruction with my grandmother. It was the finest (and only!) piece of clothing I ever stitched! He broke up with me not long thereafter. But flash forward 10 years and my motherin-law was in the Carlisle Collection warehouse bargain basement in New York City, trying on marked-down ladies’ luxury clothing in a communal changing room. Turns out the lady next to her was my robesnob high school boyfriend’s mother and they had a fun small world encounter. I was pleased to know at least the mother was sad to see me and my sewing skills go. This was redeeming feedback.

The guy I dated in late high school and college was nice enough and fun. But he had no skills in belly-flopping, so he did not make the cut when it came to the dating decision I made my senior year in college. And I’ll always be so grateful and happy it worked out that way.

Today, David and I are just boring old empty-nesters keeping to our routine of early supper (that he prepares, always) followed by swooning over my TV boyfriend, Hottie Lester Holt, on NBC Nightly News and later testing our brain capacity during Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. Then it’s bedtime, pretty much. Early to bed is one of our favorite pastimes. I think the lesson I’ve learned about love and Valentine’s Day is that you can’t just dedicate yourself to it on February 14 or on your anniversary. It’s an ongoing commitment, a daily dedication that yields a deep connection and enduring friendship. This is something we can all make a splash doing if we just throw ourselves into the pool. Cheers to love!

Susanna Barton also thinks Anderson Cooper is hot. A Granada resident, Barton has written professionally for The Jacksonville Business Journal, The Resident, Jacksonville University and The Bolles School. She currently manages an online community called Grand Plans, which encourages healthy conversations about aging and preparing for it on www.mygrandplans.com

In Remembrance

Carl Wood Brown “Skip”

November 28th, 1937 – December 24th, 2024

Carl Wood Brown “Skip”, passed away on December 24th, 2024. He was born in Ellwood City, PA on November 28th, 1937, the son of Carl Willis Brown and Violet Wood Brown.

Skip was a 1959 graduate of Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA. He also received his MBA from Jacksonville University in 1987. In 1964 he moved to Jacksonville with United States Steel. Skip then became a sales manager with Neles Jamesbury where he was employed for thirtyeight years.

Skip was married to the late Susan Jo Miller and was the father of daughters, Victoria Lynn Moulder (Kirk) and Palmer Elizabeth Lamb (Chris). He was the proud grandfather of Anna Moulder, Ashton Moulder, Christian Moulder, Patrick Lamb, and Lena Lamb. He was the great-grandfather of Brandt Martel.

Skip was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd and served as Senior Warden. He was a Past President of the Board of Speech and Hearing. He served as President of the Jacksonville Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and was a member

Forever in Our Hearts

of the Florida Society of Sons of the Revolution. He was also on the board of the Jacksonville Historical Society where he participated in the purchase of its current headquarters. (Old St. Lukes Building).

“Skip was devoted to the Jacksonville Historical Society and its future,” recalled former executive director Emily Lisska. “He was particularly involved with the acquisition of the Old St. Luke’s Hospital property, and we were fortunate to work with him.”

A celebration of Skip’s life was held Jan. 15 at The Church of the Good Shepherd with Father Brent

Kenneth Nelson Soud

September 23, 1943 – November 10, 2024

A native of Jacksonville, Kenneth Soud was the eldest of four children born to Merck and Margaret Soud. He grew up in a close-knit Lebanese-American family, where Christian faith, family, and food were central to his life. His faith was nurtured at Mount Olive Presbyterian Church, where his Uncle Gabriel served as pastor.

Kenneth attended Robert E. Lee High School, was a proud member of DeMolay Riverside Chapter, and later graduated from St. John’s River Junior College, where he captained the Debate Team. He also attended the University of Florida and was drafted into the U.S. Navy during his senior year, serving as a Reservist for six years.

Kenneth’s career in life insurance began in 1967 with Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, and he later joined National Life Insurance Company of Vermont, where he became General Agent in 1978. He retired in 1996 after serving as President of the National Life’s General Agents Association and both the Jacksonville and Florida General Agents and Managers Associations.

A lifelong active member of his church, Kenneth served as Elder and Sunday School teacher at St. John’s Presbyterian in Jacksonville. He also enjoyed supporting his city through the Jacksonville Commodore’s League and was a charter member of Epping Forest Yacht Club.

Kenneth was known for his hospitality, especially through his Lebanese food heritage, which he lovingly shared with family and friends. His home was a place of joy and celebration, and he always made time for conversations about his faith in Jesus Christ.

In 2014, Kenneth co-founded the Abdullah Family Foundation with his Uncle Gabriel, which supports faithbased grants and scholarships. He was also a Chairman of the Board at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary’s Jacksonville campus from 2016-2019 and earned a Certificate in Christian Studies in 2020.

Kenneth’s legacy of faith, love, and community will live on in the many lives he touched.

Owens presiding.

THE ART OF REMEMBRANCE

A Brief History of Mausoleums

Mausoleums, with their grandeur and historical significance, are timeless testaments to human history. For centuries, they have evolved, serving as places of rest for royalty, nobility, and prominent figures. Their design and purpose have remained steadfast: a serene and respectful environment that preserves the memory of loved ones for generations.

The term “mausoleum” is derived from the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. This iconic structure established a model for building lasting memorials to pay tribute to those who have passed away. Choosing a mausoleum over other burial methods offers notable advantages. They serve as a tranquil and personal space for families to unite, reflect, and celebrate memories, rendering them a meaningful option for honoring our loved ones.

At Hardage-Giddens, we carry on this timeless tradition with our new mausoleum installment at Oaklawn Chapel & Cemetery. Designed with modern elegance and a deep respect for ancient customs, the mausoleum provides a tranquil sanctuary where families can honor their loved ones in a space imbued with history and dignity.

WE ARE ALWAYS HERE FOR YOU

Whether you need immediate help after the death of a loved one or would like to talk to someone about planning a funeral ahead of time, a Dignity Memorial provider is only a phone call away. Please call for a private tour.