San Marco: Resident July 2025

J.F. Bryan IV Awarded All-Aboard Honor for City and Rail Yard Leadership

On the Cutting Edge of Medicine

Celebrating Community, Honoring Dedication at SMPS Annual Meeting

Community members, friends, and residents gathered at Preservation Hall on Wednesday, May 28, for the San Marco Preservation Society’s Annual Meeting. The meeting celebrated SMPS achievements and events from the past year, shared plans for the future, and recognized residential and commercial properties and public projects with this year’s Beautification Awards. VISIT RESIDENTNEWS.NET FOR A LIST OF HONOREES

the hospital teams had much to celebrate alongside their patients. Surgical specialists, clinicians, patients and donors were all on hand to recognize the accomplishments, growth and world-renowned care being delivered by the Structural Heart Program.

The San Jose Athletic Association’s 8u Snipers baseball team’s sharp teamwork earned them a pair of titles last month, including the Babe Ruth District 2 Championship and the runner-up state champions.

The Snipers competed against seven other teams in the district championship, including the Hendricks Avenue Baseball team. Coming off the district championship, the Snipers traveled to Lake City, Florida to participate in the 13-team state championship tournament. The three-day tournament took place June 12 to 15, ending their season with a 31-11-1 record.

The San Marco Centennial logo was designed by Sheri Webber, a Douglas Anderson School of the Arts graduate who began her journey in graphic design as a student. Now a loving wife, mother, and executive director of the San Marco Preservation Society, she brings her talents full circle – giving back to the neighborhood she helps preserve. Magnetic versions of the logo are available for a $10 donation at The Wardroom,San Marco Books and More, and the SMPS office.

Coaches Jonathan Ebreo, Daniel Glasgow, Jason Condrey and William Burrell with (back row) Harlin Klinedinst, Julez Potts, Greyson Ebreo, Rex Austin Bass, Remington Burrell and (front row) Briggs Glasgow, Gavin Condrey, Timothy Smithers, Titus Murphy, Nolan Dungey, Cassius Foote and Bryson Toney

SMPS Past President David Paulk honors Linzee Ott as SMPS Director Emeritus.

Hospital President Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville Nicole Thomas, MHA, FACHE with Dr. Siddarth “Sidd” Wayangankar, MD MPH, FACC, FSCAI, RPVI, structural interventional cardiologist and director of the Cardiac Catheterization Lab at Baptist Health, Dr. Ruby Satpathy, MD, FACC, FSCAI, structural interventional cardiologist and director of the Structural Heart Program at Baptist Health and Michael A. Mayo, DHA, FACHE, president and CEO Baptist Health.

Jeff Edwards and J.F. Bryan IV

Publishers' Note July 4th

As we celebrate Independence Day, we’re reminded of the profound gift we share as Americans: freedom. It’s easy to take for granted in our day-to-day lives, but on this holiday, we pause to appreciate the incredible privilege of living in a country where liberty is not just a word, but a foundation.

We are grateful for the freedom to speak, to gather, to worship, to create, to build, to dream, and to share stories like the ones we bring to you every month. As a community newspaper, the very ability to publish without fear, to report what matters to our neighbors, and to highlight voices from every corner of our neighborhood, is a freedom we cherish and protect.

But beyond the national flag waving high, we are especially thankful for the spirit of freedom we feel right here at home. We see the power of people being free to be themselves – to live authentically, to support one another, and to celebrate our differences with respect and unity.

Freedom, after all, is not just a national promise, it’s a local practice. And in that spirit, we thank our readers, neighbors, and friends for making this a place where freedom isn’t just celebrated on July 4th but lived every day.

By C.C. Snowden

Francis Scott Key, Knocked it out of the park.

As he described what he saw, During a battle in the dark. Little did he know, Generations would still care, About the ramparts and rockets, And bombs bursting in air.

He’d be amazed and amused, To learn fireworks are a thing. And that his poem are now lyrics, To our nation’s anthem we all sing. So when you’re lighting up a sparkler, Or singing that song at a game. Remember the words have great meaning, And the poet, a great name.

Northeast Florida Real Estate Market moves toward balance, encouraging sellers to list

In May 2025, Duval County saw a 1.5% drop in the median price of single-family homes from the previous month, down to $329,990. Homes spent a median of 36 days on the market. Closed sales edged up 0.6% to 991, while pending sales fell by 28.6% to 715. New listings dropped 11.4% to 1,430, and the county ended the month with 4,336 active homes on the market – a 4.4-month supply. The Home Affordability Index held steady at 78.

With that index rating, Duval finds itself ranked third in home affordability in the region behind Baker and Putnam counties, which received Home Affordability indexes of 98 and 96, respectively.

Across Northeast Florida’s six-county region, the median sales price rose slightly by 0.2% to $388,995, while the Home Affordability Index fell 1.5% to 66.

“In general, we are seeing the shift to a more balanced market for both buyers and sellers,” said 2025 Northeast Florida Association of Realtors (NEFAR) President, Mario Gonzalez.

Regionwide, closed sales increased 3.5% since April to 1,984 transactions. However, pending sales dropped 28.2% (1,408) and new listings declined 8.7% to 2,870. Active inventory grew 6.6% from April to 9,147 homes - a 20.1% increase from the previous year. The median time on market was 39 days.

“These changes may continue to signal more sellers to choose to list their home before things shift more to potentially favoring buyers,” Gonzalez added.

Design Wall, Pantries, Garage Flooring, Wall Units, Hobby Rooms, Laundry Rooms and more

Happy Independence Day! Seth and Pamela Williams

Dear Seth,

I am writing – “out of the blue” – to express my heart-felt appreciation for lending your remarkable gifts to the community for so many years. All those years, you have blessed us with information, reasons to remember, reasons to celebrate and so many other important contributions.

Thank you for all of your valuable contributions. This is a much better community because of you.

Faithfully, Hugh

P.S. Congratulations on your pretty daughter’s graduation.

To the Editor,

Thanks for all your great coverage. The last two issues have been extremely well done. This has been especially important to us as we spend the year celebrating San Marco’s Centennial!

I have gone through your archived issues for the last 10 years and made copies of all the articles relating to SMPS, had them printed in color and placed in a binder to be made available in our archives. It’s an impressive gathering of information and record of our activities!! We appreciate all your hard work!

– Robin Robinson

Calls for Change

By Michele Leivas

District 5 City Councilmember Joe Carlucci is calling for safety improvements for Baymeadows Road following a motor vehicle accident resulting in the deaths of two pedestrians - one of them a one-year-old child.

A man later identified as Mitchell Patch, according to published reports, was crossing Baymeadows Road in front of Wicked Barley Brewing Company with his son when both were struck by a vehicle around 8:30 p.m. May 16.

In a news brief held the morning after the crash, JSO Commander Dan Shelton stated a preliminary investigation revealed an older model Honda Civic headed eastbound on Baymeadows Road struck both pedestrians, both of whom were pronounced deceased at the scene.

“The driver of the vehicle was transported to a local hospital for some follow-up care and he is cooperating with detectives and at this time there is no indication of any impairment with the driver,” Shelton said during the brief.

Carrico, Howland Elected to Lead City Council TO THE EDITOR Letters

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In the days following, Carlucci issued a public statement calling for safety improvements to Baymeadows Road.

“My ultimate goal is to have an impactful improvement along this roadway as soon as possible,” Carlucci said, in part in his statement. “My opinion is that there needs to be a traffic signal, additional lighting, road striping, and signage to fully enhance this area. Once I receive the information from FDOT’s survey, we can make a full determination on what the most effective approach will be. Cars are flying down this roadway, and that needs to change. That will change.”

In his statement, Carlucci noted he had been in contact with both the City’s traffic engineering improvements director “to request urgency be placed on safety improvements for this roadway” and the Florida Department of Transportation District 2 director regarding a traffic study, which Carlucci noted must be completed before the installation of any traffic enhancements.

Resident News contacted FDOT regarding a status update of the traffic study. FDOT Community Outreach Manager Hampton Ray explained that completing it may take more than 90 days. Ray wrote, in part:

“Our hearts break whenever we learn of a fatality or serious injury on the roadway. To that end, reviewing crash reports is critical to understanding crash causes and prevention… As is standard operating procedure, FDOT reviews all reported crashes on state roadways and interstates – a special emphasis is placed on fatalities and crashes with injuries. If there are improvements that can be made to enhance the safety of the facilities, FDOT will work to implement them. This process includes careful analysis by professional engineers and other evaluations that may be warranted. This process is ongoing and relies on empirical data and engineering standards to guide roadway improvements and may take over 90 days to complete, depending on the proposed recommendations.”

Ray added that, to his knowledge, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is still investigating the incident. JSO Officer Christian Hancock with the JSO Public Information Office said no new information is available, adding, “The case continues to be active with our traffic homicide unit.”

City Councilmembers Kevin Carrico and Nick Howland are the new council president and vice president, respectively, for the 2025-26 year.

Carrico previously served as council vice president. He succeeds City Councilmember Randy White as council president.

Carrico represents District 4; Howland is the At-Large Group 3 city councilmember.

The selection occurred during a special council meeting on May 27, during which City Councilmember Terrance Freeman nominated Carrico for president.

“[Councilmember Carrico] has a heart to serve,” Freeman said in his nomination remarks.

A 17-1 vote, with Councilmember Matt Carlucci opposing, secured Carrico’s new leadership position.

City Councilmember Michael Boylan was absent for the vote.

“It means the world to me to be elected to lead this body,” Carrico said following the vote. “What means more than anything is that it’s an election of my peers, the people that I work with every day, the people that I spend more time with, in many cases, than my own family…I’m ready. I’m ready to lead this body; I’m ready to move this city forward.”

“I’m humbled and honored and touched to earn your selection as vice president,” Howland said.

The installation ceremony occurred on Thursday, June 26 at Deerwood Castle.

Lou Walsh, IV, CFA President

Christmas in July, presented by Subaru of Jacksonville, is a month-long, community-wide campaign to raise funds for activities, experiences and toys for Wolfson Children’s Hospital patients. Every year, corporations, civic organizations, groups and individuals — like you — help bring some midyear holiday cheer to the kids who need it most. You can make Christmas in July a little brighter when you visit ChristmasJuly.com and *virtually* fill Santa’s sleigh by making a donation or shopping our wish list.

DIA Board Selects Baltimore’s Colin Tarbert as New CEO

meets with the DIA Board for his final interview at a public meeting June 9.

By Michele Leivas

The Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) Board has selected Colin Tarbert as its new CEO.

The DIA Board interviewed Tarbert and two other finalists on Monday, June 9, in a public meeting for candidate panel interviews. These interviews marked the end of a nationwide search and subsequent vetting and interviewing process launched this past March, which drew nearly 200 applicants.

While all three candidates - Lara L. Fritts, Danny Chavez and Tarbert - came with a wealth of experience backed by strong resumes, Tarbert emerged as a clear favorite during the board conversation following the three interviews.

“Mr. Tarbert, to me, is the one that we need,” said Governance Committee Chair Sondra Fetner. “That type of experience, from redevelopment to architecture and economic development - those are all really important qualities for this role.”

Tarbert will join the Bold City from Baltimore, Maryland, where he has lived and worked for the last 20 years. Tarbert has spent that time building a breadth of experience in economic development, including several years working at the mayor’s office, both as the deputy mayor for the Office of Economic and Neighborhood Development and then as deputy chief for the Office of Strategic Alliances. Most recently, he served as president and CEO of the Baltimore Development Corporation, the economic development agency for Baltimore.

“It feels like the last two decades have been preparing me for this exact role,” Tarbert told the board as he concluded his interview. “…Some in the profession kind of go from city to city. I don’t do that, I haven’t done that. That’s not really my goal here. This is the only position I think I would relocate for, otherwise I’d stay in Baltimore. But I think it’s because I can see kind of see the opportunity with clarity and I think what you guys have done over the last, I guess, 10-plus years, you really set it up for success. I think it’d be awesome to be able to hopefully get it there.”

At the end of the meeting, current DIA CEO Lori Boyer informed the board that contract negotiations would begin once Tarbert was notified. Tarbert will succeed Boyer, whose six-year tenure at the helm of DIA ended June 30.

Legislative Updates

The day after DIA’s public meeting, the Jacksonville City Council passed legislation concerning the community redevelopment agency.

Bill 2025-0395 passed in a 17-0 vote at the council’s June 10 meeting, with City Councilmembers Reggie Gaffney, Jr. and Ju’Coby Pittman absent. Among its provisions, the bill grants DIA authority “to request introduction of proposed legislation from the council president” versus going through the mayor’s Budget Review Committee. DIA will now have the authority to approve Recapture Enhanced Value (REV) Grants without requiring council approval. Alternately, approval from the city council is now required for incentive packages - excluding REV grants - exceeding $10 million.

Emerging from the Special Committee on the Future of Downtown and introduced by City Councilmembers Joe Carlucci and Kevin Carrico, the legislation originally included language granting authority to the city council to confirm and fire the DIA CEO. Met with heavy opposition, this language was ultimately struck from the bill through a Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health and Safety Committee amendment introduced at its June 2 meeting. Later that same day, in the Rules Committee. Carrico supported the amendment.

“First, I want to thank the members of the committee and especially all of the public participation – we sat in chambers maybe six or seven times over the last year, heavily debating and discussing many different ideas on how to better land the plane with DIA to make it a little more autonomous so they can get things done, but still wanted to have our oversight, which is why we had the provisions in there that have been amended out – which I’m fine with,” Carrico said. “You know, at the end of the day, there are some really good pieces to the bill that aren’t really getting a lot of attention, but happy to get it passed.”

Southbank Residents Invite Parks Director for Beautification Talks

Southbank residents recently invited Jacksonville Parks Director Daryl Joseph to a meeting June 4 to thank him for his continued support and share praise for the City’s beautification efforts along the Riverwalk. Also in attendance were George Foote, representing Council Member Joe Carlucci’s office, and Al Ferraro, now serving as the City of Jacksonville’s lead on blight elimination.

Representatives from neighboring buildings – including the Peninsula, and San Marco Place – gathered in the San Marco Social Room for the meeting to discuss next steps for the area and highlight recent progress.

Following introductions, Joseph reflected on past communications with the community groups along the Riverwalk. He recalled receiving a detailed request for improvements years ago from Sandra Fradd, who organized the current meeting and formerly led the Downtown Dwellers group.

“It was a list, but it was also a request to meet; a request to understand,” Joseph said. “And, I will say, that meeting put us on the same page.”

Joseph praised Fradd’s clear and organized outreach.

“Just from a communications standpoint, thank you for that,” he said.

The conversation shifted to the “road diet” along Prudential Drive, which was implemented after more than 155 accidents over several years plagued the area with safety issues. Local developer Mike Balanky, who built San Marco Place and has longstanding ties to the area, shared his remarks on the transformation.

“It’s [the road diet] created a calming effect for the area, and it’s really made a big difference,” Balanky said.

He emphasized that the Southbank, which he considers the gateway to Downtown, should reflect that importance with thoughtful design.

Balanky also called for more cohesive landscaping, well-maintained bridge abutments and the use of vegetation to create a more welcoming, residential atmosphere. He encouraged private and public partnerships to help fund beautification efforts and raise property values.

“We want our area to look good, to look like it’s reasonable people… to draw people to where we are,” said Fradd.

Another resident praised the new playground at the RiversEdge development, highlighting its family-friendly design and quality features. Joseph noted its early success, but also mentioned that its sister Riverwalk park - the St. Johns River Park, featuring a brand-new playground and the recently renovated Friendship Fountain - has already seen more 600,000 visitors, each spending an average of 35 minutes there.

“It’s a destination,” he said, while introducing Garrett Callis, the City’s Riverwalk Parks programming manager.

Residents, property managers and public officials left the meeting with a shared commitment to making Jacksonville’s Southbank a more vibrant and beautiful part of the city. Resident News will follow developments with readers as further plans materialize.

Colin Tarbert

Colin Tarbert

Beautification Projects Ahead for Balis Community Center, Riverfront Park

By Michele Leivas

Beautification efforts continue in the San Marco community, with a new focus on landscaping at the Balis Community Center and Riverfront Park.

District 5 City Councilmember Joe Carlucci shared designs for the landscaping refresh at the community center, located at Hendricks Avenue and Lasalle Street, via his Instagram account in May. Carlucci filed legislation to appropriate $40,000 for the project, which was introduced in city council on June 10.

In addition to new landscaping, the project will also include irrigation.

Carlucci explained that the site had irrigation at one point, but it was either cut or turned off during a previous project.

“So it’s been without irrigation for years,” Carlucci said. “Part of this project was, ‘Hey, we need

plants are just going to continue to get scorched by the sun and that’s not what we want.’”

The project does have to wait for the funding to be approved before it can begin, though Carlucci anticipates it should start within a couple of months. The designs for the beautification project combine maintaining, trimming, or relocating existing vegetation with introducing new plants, including Minima Asiatic Jasmine, Dwarf Walter’s Viburnum, Society Garlic, and Imperial Blue Plumbago.

Residents can also expect to see a refresh at Riverfront Park along River Road. The City of Jacksonville Parks Landscape Architect team designed this beautification effort with community input. Ultimately, 46 new trees will be

“One of the goals with this project is to create a landscaped area that will improve the aesthetics of the very popular park,” said City of Jacksonville Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director Daryl Joseph. “The landscape enhancement will focus on native plantings that can withstand salinity and windy conditions while maintaining views of the river.”

Renderings also reflect future phases

With sustainability in mind, the designs call for a low-maintenance project that is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Tree Fund dollars funded it and costs nearly $60,000.

Joseph added there should be no interruption to traffic flow while this project is underway.

Forty-six new trees will be added to enhance the aesthetics at Riverfront Park.

Part two of a four-part series

Celebrating a Century of San Marco

By Michele Leivas

Editor’s Note: As the monthly publication serving our historic communities, it is our mission here at Resident News to keep our readership informed of the news of the day and how it impacts our residents and neighborhoods. While much of what we report consists of current events, when a community approaches a milestone anniversary – as San Marco is doing in this, its centennial year – we feel it necessary to take a step back in time and share the larger story of how that community came to be. As stewards of these community stories, we wish to share this history with our entire readership on both sides of the river. Please enjoy this second installation of a four-part series about the history of San Marco.

Telfair Stockton launched San Marco’s story with a vision to transform a clay pit

into the focal point for a new residential development in the first quarter of the 20th century. The fledgling community grew as time progressed, weathering the stock market crash and enduring a second world war. The next quarter century would bring milestone moments for South Jacksonville – and Jacksonville as a city – like the formation of the San Marco Preservation Society and San Marco Merchants Association and Consolidation. SMMA and SMPS would grow to become two of the community’s most pivotal grassroots neighborhood organizations, and the other would change the face and shape of Jacksonville and Duval County.

Infrastructure and Life in South Jacksonville

In the 1950s, San Marco – then still South Jacksonville – saw two major

Life Changing Results

infrastructural updates, both of which significantly impacted the city. In the early 1950s, the interstate came to the area, passing very near the community.

“It came very close to our neighborhoods and really kind of did away with a lot of the buildings from South Jacksonville,” said Robin Robinson, past SMPS president.

The construction of the Fuller Warren Bridge was another pivotal infrastructural development in 1954.

“That really changed how we related to the outside world,” Robinson said. “They had more access to San Marco.”

Robinson said the ‘50s also saw the construction of several churches or the relocation of existing churches closer to San Marco Square. The decade also marked the first graduating class of the newly constructed Bishop Kenny High School in 1952.

“Even though it’s not exactly in San Marco, it’s close enough that it affected where a lot of people went to school,” Robinson said.

In 1954, Oriental Gardens was sold to State Investment Company after nearly 20 years of being a major tourist attraction in the Southbank area. The 18-acre destination, which began as overflow for George W. Clark’s botanical collection and eventually opened to the public for the community to enjoy, featured an extensive collection of plants, vegetation andJapanese-inspired structures. After the land changed hands, State Investment Company – owned by Stockton, Whatley, Davin and Co. – transformed it into more than 30 lots for residential development.

“When they built the houses, they tried to keep the beauty of the gardens, but it still turned into a subdivision,” Robinson said.

Consolidation and Life in the Square

Of course, the major development

for all municipalities in Duval County was Consolidation, which took place in 1968. Before that, however, came another significant development for the San Marco area: the formation of the San Marco Merchant Association in 1964.

Predating SMPS by nearly a decade, SMMA has grown to become a critical component of the San Marco community. It fosters a strong sense of community for neighborhood merchants and provides local businesses with any support they need to continue to succeed and thrive.

However, the 1960s was a difficult period for the City of Jacksonville, as it faced several issues that spurred the conversation surrounding consolidation. In 1967, nearly 55,000 voters voted in favor of consolidation in a referendum, winning out over the nearly 29,000 voters who opposed it. Consolidation went into effect on Oct. 1, 1968, marking the beginning of the City of Jacksonville as we know it today.

Meanwhile, the experience San Marco Square in the 1960s and ‘70s was not how we know it today. While today it is known for its vibrant retail and dining scene, Robinson noted it was very different during that time.

“In terms of the commercial businesses that were there [in the Square], it was more service-oriented than retail and recreational,” Robinson said. “…[People] went Downtown to shop, we didn’t have anything to buy here retail-wise.”

According to its website, San Marco Preservation was founded in 1975 with a mission to “address[ing] the aging of San Marco Square and, more specifically, the aging fountain in the square.”

Addressing that aging fountain would usher in an era of change that would continue into the 1980s and bring with it the evolution of Balis Park and the iconic lion fountains – but that’s for the next installation.

Construction on San Marco’s Little Theatre begins in the late 1920s.

A view of the intersection of Kings Avenue and Atlantic Boulevard, 1957

residential road in San Marco, 1972

Though known today as a vibrant retail and dining destination, the San Marco Square was more service-oriented in the 1970s.

Photos courtesy of Wayne Wood

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

Completion Date Set for Brooklyn’s Park Street Road Diet

Upgrades

designed to make link from Riverside to Downtown safer for cyclists

and pedestrians

By Joe Wilhelm Jr.

With the Park Street road diet nearing completion, the City of Jacksonville is about to be rewarded with a safer street that will connect Riverside to Downtown through its developing Brooklyn neighborhood.

The city is set to celebrate the end of the project at 10 a.m. July 21 at 10 a.m., according to Melissa Ross, director of strategic initiatives for the City of Jacksonville. The project was estimated to cost

$5.2 million, according to the City’s Capital Improvement Plan, and includes the section of Park Street from Forest to Stonewall streets. Construction began last spring.The site of the celebration is yet to be determined, but many people are looking forward to the ribbon cutting.

McCoys Creek Greenway and Downtown. This goal will be achieved by modifying a formerly four-lane road to two lanes and adding a cycle track wide enough for twolane traffic. Additionally, it will provide on-street parking, expanding sidewalk areas, reducing roadway widths to allow for safer pedestrian crossing and planting trees to create shade for the sidewalks.

“This has been a long time coming and I am glad we were able to overcome some issues along the way,” said Lori Boyer, former CEO of the Downtown Investment Authority. “This is significant for the adjacent properties in the area, and it will help jumpstart development in those areas.”

The Park Street Road Diet was designed to transform the Brooklyn section of the street into a safer, multi-modal pathway that will link Riverside to the Emerald Trail,

“This is just one more example of how we’re creating safer, more walkable and bikeable opportunities that encourage people to connect with our city and with one another,” said Groundwork Jacksonville CEO Kay Ehas. “I am looking forward to the completion and excited about how it will enhance access to the Emerald Trail.”

Groundwork Jacksonville is the City of Jacksonville’s nonprofit partner in building

the Emerald Trail, a developing network of urban trails designed to connect 14 historic neighborhoods, schools, parks and downtown Jacksonville across its 30-mile layout.

Boyer was serving as city council president in 2017 when the DIA commissioned the Brooklyn Neighborhood Road Diet Study to develop pedestrian and bicyclist plans for the major streets within the area. It was in this research that the Park Street improvements were born.

“The project, overall, will stimulate more growth and development in that area,” said District 7 Councilman Jimmy Peluso, who represents the Brooklyn area. “The completion of this project, and some calming of the financial markets, should boost the desire for investment in the area.”

The street will also see the addition of roundabouts to slow speeds in the area, and local business owner Bob Brinton, of Brinton’s Paint Company, was glad to hear the project was nearing completion.

“With all the construction, we’ve had some trouble getting deliveries to the store and it has also had an effect on the customers getting to the store,” said Brinton, who has operated at the corner of Park and Jackson streets since 1986. “But we are glad to see it will be finished soon.”

Jorge Tubella lives in a Brooklyn apartment building on Park Street and is pleased with the project’s progress.

“I’m glad to see the progress. I used to walk my dog in front of the property and

avoid Park Street due to the conditions and people that would be out there, but it is looking great now,” Tubella said. “I also enjoy the information along the trail that provides history of the area. I hadn’t seen that until recently. It’s great to get to know the history of the neighborhood.”

While residents of the Brooklyn area are learning about its history, the City of Jacksonville continues to develop projects for its future. City council members present at the city council meeting June 24 voted unanimously to approve funding and property for a University of Florida graduate center campus in LaVilla. A majority of the project will be located at the site of the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center and the historic train station, which sit just beyond the North end of the Park Street Road Diet project.

“The Park Street project will be a great benefit to the students and employees who come to Jacksonville to attend the new UF campus,” said Peluso.

Expanded sidewalks are one component of the road diet, which is designed to improve the Brooklyn stretch of Park Street into a safer, multi-modal pathway.

The Park Street road diet includes a section of Park Street from Forest to Stonewall streets.

Investments in Cardiac Care Recognized During Celebratory Milestone

It’s been more than 10 years since Michael Mayo and Hugh Greene began recruiting talent for a specialized cardiac program – today’s Structural Heart Program – and put it in motion. Fast forward and Mayo is the current president and CEO of Baptist Health and Hugh Greene, the former president and CEO, has since retired. Both were instrumental, along with a strong hospital board and staff, for bringing top tier care to North Florida.

“I personally am so proud of it because I got to be on the very front end of when the program started, and when they brought the idea forward to move with,” said Mayo. “I’m proud to see, mostly, all the patients who have been effected and how much it’s put our community and our health system on the map.”

At a June 5 ceremony, these

achievements were on full display in the Weaver Tower lobby, where leadership took time to reflect upon the past while forging forward with success stories from patients, eventually unveiling the decade’s timeline in a photographic display following remarks.

“Today we’re celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Baptist Structural Heart program, and that means, we’re able to take care of, in a minimally invasive way, any issues associated with the structure of the heart,” said Nicole Thomas, MHA, FACHE, president of Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville. “So when you think about a leaky valve and learn that someone may have a hole in their heart, this team is able to fix those issues without opening the chest.”

“We have some of the most remarkable interventional cardiologists who are trained

in these structural heart techniques and we’re just grateful to be able to provide this level of care close to home,” shared Thomas.

Physicians leading the program were heavily recruited and have continued to recruit, attract and retain additional specialists throughout the growth of the program. Dr.

Ruby Satpathy, MD, FACC, FSCAI, is the leader, structural interventional cardiologist and director of the Structural Heart Program at Baptist Health.

“This is a basically a celebration of me being here 10 years, that’s where I started 10 years ago. So time flies when we’re having fun, I always say,” she said. Satpathy was instrumental in the formulation of the program; five years in, she recruited her partner, Dr. Siddarth “Sidd” Wayangankar, MD, MPH, FACC, FSCAI, RVPI, who joined her after working

at Cleveland Clinic and UF Health in Gainesville. He is now the director of the catheter lab. Since his arrival in 2020, the program has seen tremendous growth.

“I always say that, it’s that growth is only possible when there’s a perfect symphony – from administration to physicians to all the support staff – we have the perfect amalgamation here,” said Wayangankar. “We have an extra supportive administration that lets us explore different technologies, that’s why we’ve been able to offer such innovations to society. And as I say – when people talk about Tower - there is no ‘I’ in [Weaver] Tower; there is a ‘we’ though, and that ‘we’ is very important. Without the ‘we,’ there is no Tower.”

For more on the Structural Heart Program, visit baptistjax.com/heart-vascularcare/structural-heart-program

President of Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville Nicole Thomas, MHA, FACHE with Dr. Ruby Satpathy, MD, FACC, FSCAI, Isiah Owens, a mitral clip recipient and his wife Toni Owens, Dr. Siddarth “Sidd” Wayangankar, MD, MPH, FACC, FSCAI, RPVI, structural interventional cardiologist and director of the Cardiac Catheterization Lab at Baptist Health.

Dr. Siddarth “Sidd” Wayangankar, MD, MPH, FACC, FSCAI, RPVI with Ainsley Busch Carr, Max Harden, Dr. Ruby Satpathy, MD, FACC, FSCAI, Brooke Michaelis, Shannon Harden and Nicole Thomas, MHA, FACHE, president of Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville

Michael A. Mayo, DHA, FACHE, president and CEO Baptist Health with Dr. Vikram Gopal, Gastroenterologist

$90K Awarded to LGBTQ Nonprofits through LGBTQ Community Fund The Creative Printing Place Changes Hands, Remains Locally Owned

The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida’s LGBTQ Community Fund has awarded $90,000 in grants to several LGBTQ nonprofit organizations in Northeast Florida.

These grants bring the total amount of funds distributed through this field of interest fund, which was established in 2014, to nearly $1.2 million. This distribution is approximately $15,000 more than last year’s grant distributions.

“It’s heartening to be able to make these grants at a time when many nonprofits serving the LGBTQ community are facing hardship,” said Glenn Miller, chair of the grants panel. “We are grateful to everyone who supported our endowment during our anniversary celebration.”

This year’s grant recipients include (but are not limited to):

Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida

$15,000

Equality Florida

$10,000

Women’s Center of Jacksonville

$10,000

Fernandina Beach Pride, Inc.

$7,500

Southern Legal Counsel

$7,500

Jax River City Pride

$5,000

The Lotus Project Inc.

$5,000

The Queer Trans Project

$5,000

Jacksonville Campus Ministry

$2,500

The Lighthouse for Youth Inc.

$2,500

A new business owner is running The Creative Printing Place and Jax Paper Co., as Rebekah Clemons has taken the reins of the local, long-standing print shop. After training, learning the ropes and spiffing up the place, she’s finally in her groove and has her team in place.

Having been in the business for more than 14 years, Clemons was no stranger to the world of fine paper, quality print materials, fonts, fine inks and all of the industry’s intricacies, but she wasn’t an owner. Now that she’s an owner, she knows a great deal about the production side and proudly considers herself a maker. Her leap of faith wasn’t one she took lightly. Though her fondness for San Marco and her contacts in the area were a given, she just needed a spark to push her to acquire the company. It came in an unlikely form, the passing of her father in March 2024 at 66 years old.

Clemons found herself at a turning point in life, wondering what her next 10 to 15 years would look like. After serious soul searching, she wondered: Could she accomplish this goal of running her own business?

“It [his passing] kind of lit a fire under me; you know, you don’t have a lot of time,” Clemons said. “It was the positive that I took out of it; it was the push I needed to make my dreams a reality.”

Clemons added, “For so many years, I was the middleman working between the client and the printer. This is the right move, getting to be on the actual maker side of things.”

Since 1973, the business known initially as Kopy Kat has served local print needs for generations, filling a niche for locals seeking fine stationery, invitations, signage, and other print products. The business finally settled into its current location in 1991 at 1414 Hendricks Avenue as The Creative Printing Place. For three decades, the shop was run by the Welch family, with Dan Welch serving clients before retiring. With its freshly painted façade and a team poised to grow the business, Clemons is ready to welcome clients - both old and new - to her shop.

“This thing [the business] was grown organically, so he really didn’t do any advertising, or anything like that,” she said. “I knew that with a little sprinkle on top, this thing can really fly.”

With a newly redesigned website and social media channels up and running, The Creative Printing Place and Jax Paper Co. are ready for business. Visit creativeprintingplace.com to learn more or call 904-398-9546.

Stephanie Garry Garfunkel, Joe Barton, Wanda Willis, Michael Meyers, Janet Allen and Glenn Miller

Rebekah Clemons

Cleary Joins Memorial Park Association Board of Directors

Memorial Park Association has appointed Danielle Cleary to its board of directors.

Cleary co-founded Heartspace Art, a mural business that has completed dozens of public art projects promoting mental health awareness, environmental restoration and neighborhood beautification.

This appointment is not her first foray into the nonprofit community. Cleary brings more than a decade of experience with nonprofit organizations, including Hearts4Minds, Riverside Avondale Preservation, St. Johns Riverkeeper, Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation and the Aids Memorial Project.

Cleary has also collaborated with organizations like the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville and the Museum of Science and History through grant-funded initiatives to complete permanent public art celebrating resiliency, heritage, and inclusivity.

Anderson Joins OneJax as Willman Announces Retirement

Cilicia Anderson Evin Willman

Cilicia Anderson has been named the new director of communications and development for OneJax.

Previously, Anderson served as the communications and media relations manager for Edward Waters University. There, she spearheaded communications strategies, acting as primary media liaison. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Florida A&M University.

Anderson joins the team as Evin Willman announces her retirement after working for OneJax for more than 20 years. Willman’s announcement came last month. Willman served as a OneJax consultant, using her expertise in strategic marketing, public relations and development to work exclusively with nonprofit organizations on branding and other messaging initiatives to help promote their causes and missions.

Family Promise of Jacksonville Appoints New Executive Director, Board Leadership

Family Promise of Jacksonville has appointed a new executive director and tapped three individuals for leadership positions on its board of directors.

After serving as interim executive director, Beth Mixson has been named the organization’s executive director. Mixson has been part of Family Promise of Jacksonville since 2012, serving in various roles.

“I am honored to step into this role,” said Mixson. “The need for the services of Family Promise of Jacksonville is great. We have an excellent staff, a committed board and a strong network of partner agencies and congregations. Our best day is when a family graduates to housing, or we help a family to stay in their home.”

Additionally, Dr. Jennifer Peterson has been named president of the Family Promise of Jacksonville Board of Directors, with Jackie Van Laningham tapped for vice president and Ellen Friberg named vice secretary.

A resident of Ortega Forest, Peterson is a Jacksonville native currently working with TSG Advisors and previously served as Florida State College at Jacksonville’s associate vice president of resource development. In that capacity, Peterson worked to secure more than $80 million in external funding to support programming focused on STEM education, workforce development and postsecondary access. Peterson also served as chair for the Florida Council for Resource Development.

Van Laningham is with the firm Smith Gambrell Russell, specializing in trust and probate, banking, landlord-tenant law, administrative law and contract disputes. She has served on the Family Promise of Jacksonville board of directors since 2019.

Friberg has served on the Family Promise of Jacksonville board of directors since 2018, serving previously as board president and vice president. She is retired from the Internal Revenue Service’s Office of Chief Counsel, most recently serving as the agency’s Area Counsel for the Small Business and Self-Employment Division.

Danielle Cleary

Beth Mixson

Ellen Friberg

Jackie Van Laningham

Jennifer Peterson

Loafman Advances to Chief Administration Officer for RadiFi Credit Union

Bridgett Loafman has been named RadiFi Credit Union’s chief administration officer.

Loafman’s appointment underscores RadiFi’s expansion of branch locations and member services in Northeast Florida.

Prior to this advancement, Loafman served as chief human resources officer for RadiFi (formerly JAX Federal Credit Union) and she brings with her more than 40 years experience in human resources and management to this new position. As CAO, Loafman will spearhead key initatives in organizational development, training, administrative operations and human resources, all of

which are vital to RadiFi’s continued growth.

“With Bridgett’s proven leadership and deep understanding of organizational development, RadiFi is well-positioned to expand access to personalized financial solutions,” said RadiFi Credit Union President and CEO John Servos. “Her passion for empowering teams and enhancing the employee experience directly contributes to our ability to serve our growing member base with excellence.”

Previously, Loafman has held leadership positions at other organizations as well, including Community Hospice and Palliative Care, Payment Systems for Credit Unions and Coastline Federal Credit Union.

Cheers to 20 Years Pulitzer Winner Kevin Sack Returns to Jacksonville for Book Talk

Distinctive Dentistry by Mullens and Nguyen recently recognized a milestone anniversary for one of its team members.

Last month dental hygienist Lisa Gardner celebrated 20 years at the San Marco dental office, where she provides education on proper home dental care, periodontal care and preventative maintenance treatment. The team at Distinctive Dentistry celebrated the anniversary, thanking Gardner for her unwavering devotion to the patients she cares for at the practice.

“It’s so easy to celebrate you and the way you care so deeply for our patients every single day. Thank you for two decades of love, laughter and dedication.”

Distinctive Dentistry by Mullens and Nguyen is located at 3215 Hendricks Avenue #1.

Jacksonville’s own Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Kevin Sack was recently in town to speak about his new book, Mother Emanuel. The book is a sweeping history of the Charleston church that was the site of horrific, racially motivated murders a decade ago. Sack writes about perseverance and the outpouring of forgiveness for the killer.

Among those attending Sack’s book signing at the Main Library was his former teacher at The Bolles School, who oversaw The Bolles Bugle, where Sack once served as editor.

Bridgett Loafman

Lisa Gardner

Kevin Sack with Robyn Sieron and LaTesha O’Neal Austin

Vintage Vibes and Modern Pies

has found a home in the old

with nods to the historic theater visible in design elements throughout the 4,200-square-foot restaurant, from the exposed brick original to the building to the backdrop to its bar area, reminiscent of a vintage Hollywood vanity mirror, and beyond. As guests enter the restaurant, they can immediately spot the theater’s original film projector paying homage to the building’s bygone era.

“As we’ve looked for a place to begin this project – we hope to do other Electric Dough Pizza Companies –this felt like the perfect spiritual home to establish what Electric Dough Pizza Company will be and let it grow from here,” Gray said during the ribbon cutting ceremony held on Tuesday, June 17.

Gray announced his plans to move the restaurant concept into the old theater space last year. The “craft casual” dining experience allows guests to order at the counter, with table service for drinks from the bar, so guests can focus on enjoying their dining experience once seated.

Electric Dough Pizza Co. offers rectangular artisan pizzas with Roman-style dough and Detroit-style edges. It also has a full cocktail bar, wine and domestic and imported beer.

Electric Dough Pizza Co. is Grey’s third restaurant concept. Town Hall Restaurant is just a few doors down on San Marco Boulevard. Prati Italia, meanwhile, is located at the

Johns Town Center.

Office Images Celebrates Rebrand with San Marco Ribbon Cutting

On Tuesday, June 10, Office Images held a ribbon cutting ceremony at its Jacksonville location with the JAX Chamber, marking the final milestone in its rebranding journey.

Its Jacksonville office is located at 1524 San Marco Boulevard. It was founded as Office Environments and Services in 1955 and went through its rebranding as Offices Images last year.

“We are thrilled to celebrate this next chapter for our Jacksonville team,” said Office Images CEO Bryan Roberts. “Office Images is innovating the next generation of workspaces and social spaces, and our industry thought-leaders take a visionary approach to creating dynamic spaces that build connection and community.”

Office Images has additional locations in Atlanta, Georgia and Nashville, Tennessee, and is one of the country’s largest Haworth dealerships.

Boudreau Wine and Co. Opens with a Curated Twist

Boudreau Wine and Company is bringing a new wine market to the San Marco community, focusing on lesser-known labels that are equally worthy of attention.

Owner and sommelier Brandon Boudreau brings a superior knowledge of wines and a background in fine dining to his new boutique wine shop on Hendricks Avenue. Though originally from Jacksonville, Boudreau recently returned to the First Coast after working at Sea Island Resort, a luxury Forbes Five-Star resort on the coast of Georgia.

Boudreau said he selected this San Marco location for its centrality and easy access to and from other communities.

Boudreau Wine and Company recently celebrated its grand opening. Though it is a retail shop, Boudreau hopes to expand its

offerings to include on-site tastings to help introduce people to wines they may not have heard of before.

“We really just try to source wineries that follow what we think makes a great property,” Boudreau said.

That includes being eco-friendly, sustainable, organic – or maybe even incorporating regenerative farming, or are wines that have little to no exposure in the Jacksonville community – wines that are “a value add to the community,” Boudreau explained.

“Our shop is filled with small regions and lesser known grapes,” Boudreau said.

Boudreau Wine and Company is located at 1636 Hendricks Avenue. It is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. It is closed Sunday and Monday.

Brandon Boudreau and his wife, Priscilla, in the new Boudreau Wine and Company shop on Hendricks Avenue

The San Marco community is abuzz with the highly anticipated grand opening of Electric Dough Pizza Co.

Led by Chef Tom Gray, Electric Dough Pizza Co.

San Marco Theatre building at 1996 San Marco Boulevard,

St.

Chef Tom Gray and his team celebrates a June 17 ribbon cutting ceremony for Electric Dough Pizza Co. in the old San Marco Theatre building.

JAX Chamber Trustee Program Vice President Amanda Patch, Office Images Market President Madelen Salter, JAX Chamber President and CEO Daniel Davis and JAX Chamber Senior Account Manager Stephanie Deimling at the June 10 ribbon cutting ceremony.

A Return to Duty: Navy Veterans Continue to Serve as VA Doctors

By Lauren Weedon Hopkins

As a retired captain in the U.S. Navy’s Medical Corps, Dr. Mark Gould’s qualifications speak for themselves: Thirty years of experience as an orthopedic surgeon and countless surgeries performed. Today, he is a foot and ankle surgeon working out of the Jacksonville 1 VA Clinic on Jefferson Street, and it is one simple fact - beyond his experience or his credentials - that immediately impacts his relationship with his patients.

“When a patient comes into my exam room, the minute he or she knows that I was also in the military, our interaction transcends the typical doctor-patient relationship,” Gould said. “The vet feels comfortable and open to share anything going on in their lives.”

Gould is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served active duty in Iraq.

Gould remarked that the patient may spend a few minutes discussing the physical medical issue but then reveal other areas, particularly mental health, that are contributing to his or her overall well-being. These insights allow Gould to approach his patients’ care holistically, addressing the larger picture and providing a higher level of care.

A 1995 graduate of the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Gould spent 11 years stationed at Coronado in San Diego, California.

In 2002, he had a rare tumor removed. When the tumor returned four years later while he was fighting in Iraq, he decided to come to Jacksonville to receive treatment at Mayo Clinic. Another four years later, in 2008, he joined the team at Naval

Hospital Jacksonville at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. During that time, he met Dr. Don Carr, fellow retired Navy captain, who came on board as an orthopedic sports surgeon in 2014. They quickly bonded over their shared experiences, including serving overseas in wartime as orthopedic surgeons, and where they were now in their careers, as the “old hands, bringing the young ones along,” Gould laughed.

Carr had spent the previous 24 years

in Portsmouth, Virginia on active duty at its naval medical center. In addition to his clinical responsibilities, he developed a comprehensive Sports Medicine/ Human Performance program, mirroring a professional sports model for Naval Special Warfare Tactical Athletes. A graduate of The Uniformed Services University, F. Edward Hebert Medical School in Bethesda, Maryland, Carr completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Florida.

Florida is his wife Maria’s home state, so Carr returned to Florida in 2014 with plans to retire there one day. Nearly a

“We are standing up the orthopedic surgical practice together at the VA clinic on Jefferson,” said Gould. “Veterans used to have to go to Gainesville or Lake City for their surgical needs; now we can address them here in Jacksonville.”

decade later, Carr retired from active military duty in June 2023. He spent about a year as a technology consultant. Then, the VA called.

“Military people are really good people, and I enjoy taking care of them,” said Carr. It was the icing on the cake when he learned he would be working alongside Gould. Even though Gould left the naval hospital in 2017 to go into private practice, the two men had stayed in touch over the years. They both live at the beach and enjoy spending time with their families - Gould and his wife, Ellen, have four children, and Carr and Maria have two.

It has been an exciting learning experience for the whole medical team. Carr also appreciates the exceptional ties felt among service members. At the VA clinic, his office features a row of hats from all his military roles.

“It’s a great conversation starter,” Carr said. “Patients can find commonality and it helps to put them at ease. Veterans want to be taken care of by their fellow veterans.”

Both Gould and Carr feel fulfilled by working at the VA and providing highquality care to the wounded servicemen and servicewomen who have sacrificed for our country.

“We focus on the vet and what is in his or her best interest,” said Gould. “We have phenomenal nurses, and everyone is committed to serving our unique patient population.”

Private Joseph Albert Donahue poses with Dr. Mark Gould on the day he graduates basic

Fashion with a Purpose at Third Annual Hear Me on the Runway

Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech students and alumni hit the runway at Dillard’s St. Johns Town Center for the third annual Hear Me on the Runway.

During the fundraising event, held on Saturday, March 10, parents and siblings joined participants on the runway to help raise funds for Clarke Florida, ultimately raising more than $11,000 for listening and spoken language programs and services at the Jacksonville campus.

“Dillard’s has been a wonderful partner, helping Clarke Florida shine a light on the unstoppable talents of our students and graduates,” said Clarke Florida Development Director Melanie Jensen.

Ellie and Haley Wheaton Reagan Marsh

Emily Turner with Rodger Woika and Melanie Jensen

Fenton Family

Meghan and Maverick Adkins

Florida House Celebrates Irene Lazzara’s Decades of Service

The Jacksonville Chapter of the Florida House celebrated longtime supporter and trustee Irene Lazzara at its Jacksonville Trustee Reception at Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center on Tuesday, May 27.

A resident of Ponte Vedra Beach, Lazzara has been an active and passionate advocate for several organizations and institutions across Northeast Florida, championing multiple causes and nonprofits to further critical initiatives and missions in various fields, from arts and culture to education and children’s health. The American Cancer Society, The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida and the Jacksonville Humane Society are just some of the organizations she’s been involved with over the years.

Speakers included Trustee Emeritus Mike Hightower, Dr. Bill Putnam, Lee Ann Mengal, Brenda Adeeb and Hope Hana.

have multiple use redevelopment potential as the current owner has rezoned the property to include a variety of new uses, including residential, commercial, educational, medical, storage facility and more. The property is located in the Northeast Springfield / Phoenix Arts District near Jacksonville’s urban core and major transportation routes, including I-95, I-295, I-10, JaxPort and the Airport. The site is adjacent to MLK Blvd, just 1.5 miles from TIAA Bank Field, and it is nestled in a residential neighborhood conveniently located minutes away from Jacksonville’s Central Business District.

PANTHER CREEK

Irene Lazzara and Mike Hightower

Martha Barrett, Ginny Smith and Barbara Kurtz

Pam and Dan Shore

Susie and Robert O’Quinn

Inge Baker, Bonnie White and Holly Brooks

Photos: Dan Harris PhotoArt LLC

J.F. Bryan IV Honored at Local Motion Luncheon

The Rail Yard District Business Council welcomed guests to the second annual Local Motion Luncheon at The Glass Factory on Wednesday, June 11.

Several notable city and community figures attended this year’s luncheon, including District 7 City Councilmember Jimmy Peluso, District 9 City Councilmember Tyrona Clark-Murray and other City of Jacksonville

representatives. Civic leaders included Groundwork Jacksonville CEO Kay Ehas, United Way of Northeast Florida President and CEO Melanie Patz, among others.

J.F. Bryan, IV was the recipient of this year’s All-Aboard Award for his numerous contributions to the Rail Yard District and the city, including the instrumental role he played in launching Local Initiatives

Support Corporation (LISC) Jacksonville and his continued contributions to the local organization as board chair for two decades. Dr. Sherry Magill, former CEO of the Jessie Ball duPont Foundation and current chair of the LISC Jacksonville Advisory Committee, shared some words about Bryan as she introduced him to receive the All-Aboard Award.

“This Rail Yard District is living proof of JF’s leadership and his undying faith in us,” Magill said. “Tireless, exceedingly generous, other-centered, the greatest of civic leaders, JF Bryan IV exemplifies the best in us and elevates our collective spirit of generosity every single day.”

Since its inception in 2017, the Rail Yard District Business Council has advocated for its district, which is bounded by Downtown Jacksonville, I-10, and I-95 and is home to more than 350

businesses and 10,000 residents. RDBC President Annie Murphy said recent years have seen the Rail Yard District go from “overlooked to on the rise,” thanks to the continued efforts of the business council.

“We think we have a placemaking opportunity here in its purest form,” Murphy said. “It’s not curated; it is authentic, and that’s what makes it so powerful. We have an opportunity that most cities would envy, but we have to stay focused and we have to keep building and to do that, we need staying power.”

To that end, and to continue its steadfast advocacy and support for the district, RDBC announced its fundraising efforts to hire an executive director.

“Community transformation takes commitment, creativity and a little grit, and luckily, the Rail Yard District has never been short on any of these,” Murphy said.

Courtney Harris and Branda Bellard Harris with Dr. Pedro Cohen Sherry Magill with David Pierson and Davy Parish J.F. Bryan IV and Peggy Bryan with John Zell

Mary Pat Wallmeyer and Socrates Rivers with Jeff Bryan and John Zell

Melanie Patz and Liz Grebe

Richard Stein, Jeff Edwards and Jack Quaritius

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

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.

Catholic Charities Jacksonville raised more than $200,000 at the Black and White Soirée, its largest annual fundraising event.

The sold-out event, presented by Ascension St. Vincent’s at the Garden Club of Jacksonville on Saturday, May 31, raised funds to support the nonprofit’s various programs, services,

Hon. Chairs Lisa and Michael Obringer

with Stacy Tetschner and Diocesan Chancellor Dennis Johnson, Jr.

Brian Seuter, Catholic Charities Regional Director Eileen Seuter and Catholic Charities Board Chair Mike Robertson with Michelle Tetschner, Raymond Tetschner and Stacy Tetschner

Florida Blue Market President Darnell Smith with Celestine Smith

Charities Board Member John Gresnes and Jeannie Gresnes

Hearts and Hope Shine at DESC Defenders: Generations

Spirits were high and hearts were full at this year’s DESC Defenders: Generations –Downtown Ecumenical Services Council’s annual signature fundraising event.

Held at WJCT Studios on Thursday, June 12, the event raised more than $330,000 to continue DESC’s mission to support families and individuals experiencing financial crisis, hunger, or homelessness.

During the evening, guests saw the impact of DESC through personal stories, videos and audience interaction.

“I’m so proud of what we accomplished together,” said Hart. “The energy in the room was incredible. So was the generosity and heart behind every gift. You could truly feel how many lives will be changed through rent relief, restored power, clean clothes and nourishing food.”

Mary and Hank Coxe served as this year’s honorary chairs with Lanette Hart serving as event chair. Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Funds and the Hall-Halliburton Foundation, Inc. were among the presenting sponsors alongside the “DESC Angels” – the affectionate name given to two anonymous DESC donors.

Ron Littlepage with Mary Kress Littlepage, Alex Benavides and Julie Handley

Beth Wilson with Lani Redington, Beth Hood and Peyton Watford

Steve and Paula Rosenbloom with Mattox Hair

Teeing Up with Purpose

River Garden Senior Services held its 29th annual River Garden Classic golf tournament at

on Monday, April 28, drawing a group of avid golfers and philanthropists to hit the links for a good cause.

This year’s tournament was even more special as participants honored longtime supporter Joseph “Jody” Brandenburg, who passed away last year. Since its inception nearly three decades ago, the golf tournament has raised more than $2.5 million for the seniors served by River Garden Senior Services.

“The generous support we receive helps provide vital education and training for the dedicated professionals who care for our residents every day,” said Tournament Chairman Tom Harris “That’s the kind of impact we can all feel proud of.”

Next year’s River Garden Classic golf tournament will be held on April 27.

THE PORCHLIGHT SERIES

Shining a light on stories, rights and roots in Riverside & Avondale

The June sessions hit capacity quickly! Join us in July!

July 10: Historic Homes & Red Tape

July 24: Rent Well, Lease Smart A Guide for Tenants & Landlords

Both sessions are free and hosted at The Next Chapter Bookshop in The Shoppes of Avondale — 6:30-8pm You must RSVP! Scan the QR codes below.

next RAP! Invites, a quarterly social gathering exploring unique spaces in Riverside Avondale, is in August. Stay tuned to the “Events” page of our website for full details of the “Back to School” fun! www.riversideavondale.org

A Kind Gesture Celebrated

A weekend park clean-up project proved to be an opportunity to celebrate a kind gesture when Ortega resident Aron Stefanides reached out to Jacksonville family-owned Pyramid Lawn Services for extra help with a park near Ortega Elementary.

After “barely scratching the surface” at the park with fellow Ortega neighbor John Donahoo, Stefanides contacted Jose Luis Blandon to have a professional team come out.

“Jose [and his team] made the park look amazing,” Stefanides said. “I asked him to charge me and he said ‘I’ll do it for the neighborhood.’ We couldn’t be more thankful.”

With more than 400 public parks and public spaces, the City of Jacksonville has the largest park system in the country, and any generous act to help keep those parks clean - whether it’s nonprofits or community organizations hosting park clean-ups or simply a kind gesture from a local small business - is always deeply appreciated by our Resident communities.

SATURDAY, JULY 19

Jose Luis Blandon of Pyramid Lawn Services

Bobby Maldonado and Jon Passen with Brandon Trager and Kevin Potter

Ken Jacobs and Josh Jacobs with Ethan Plotkin and Rick Plotkin

River Garden Senior Services CEO Mauri Mizrahi and David Robbins

Harris Rittenberg and Steven Warfield with Tom Harris and Michael Price

Deerwood Country Club

By Peggy Harrell Jennings

As Seals and Crofts sang, “July is dressed up and playing her tune.” Cicadas sing lullabies, fireworks brighten the evening skies, and artists labor to capture joyful expressions of children at play and glittering sunlight in landscapes. Twenty-two members of the First Coast Plein Air Painters enjoyed two days of painting at the Jacksonville Arboretum and Botanical Garden’s 10th annual “Brush with Nature” on Saturday and Sunday, May 31 and June 1. Svetlana Shorey took People’s Choice Award and Sophie Dare won for the quick paint.

“This event is treasured by our community and brings such a beautiful vibe,” said Jacksonville Arboretum and Botanical Garden

Executive Director Dana Doody.

With bold stripes and bright stars, Abby Howard Murphy recently received first place at the Coastal Camden Art League in St. Mary’s while Sunil Ancha won Best of Show for “Crossing the Threshold,” his photograph in Jacksonville Artists Guild’s (JAG) exhibit “Act on It” at the Downtown Library.

Marlene Scheer and Cyndy Reynolds won Juror’s Choice awards for “La the painting “La Cafe des Jules” and the sculpture “Not Your Grandmother’s Lace,” respectively. At the TAC Gallery, Teresa Lim won first place for her photo of a dragonfly in the “Timeless Talent” exhibit.

Women Writing for a Change Jacksonville ’s “Metamorphosis: Then and Now” exhibit at FSCJ Kent campus brought out an enthusiastic crowd for the 40 artists and 85 writers whose works reflect what Women Writing for A Change Founder and Executive Director Jennifer Wolfe described as “personal transformational journeys to better understand, empathize with, and support others.” The stunning publication “(A) River Rising: Anthology of Women’s Voices” celebrates creative

writing, poetry, reflections, powerful personal reminiscences, and vibrant prints of artwork which editor Jordyn Bowen said “contributes crafted works that reflect the complexities and beauty of rebirth.” Surrender, immersion and emergence are the key ideas that inspired this powerful and beautiful exhibit.

Jacksonville’s art scene is like skyrockets in flight with new exhibits and featured artists such as Marcus Kenney, Emma Barnes, and Overstreet Ducasse at Florida Mining Company, Matthew Green and Zane Leyva at the No Name Gallery, and notable, established visionaries at Michael Dunlap’s Southlight Gallery. Beat the heat and celebrate the sweet days of summer at the many local galleries and arts supportive venues like Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church, which is currently featuring Ted Head’s solo show.

Meanwhile, JCA’s “Art in Bloom” exhibit included JAG members Lori Ann Sweet, Debra Mixon Holliday, Kristina Hoover, Jami Childers, Lin Smith and Dawn Inglis Montgomery.

Susanne Schuenke’s recent exhibit

reception at The Vault at 1930 in San Marco was a fun time for art enthusiasts, friends, and Schuenke’s dedicated National League of American Pen Women pals. Schuenke’s work inspires introspection and offers

Sunil Ancha

Svetlana Shorey, Plein Air winner Teresa Lim at TAC

Dr. Douglas Johnson

a portal to inner fantasies and visions.

TAC celebrated its 20th anniversary at The Grand downtown and a grand and glittering affair it was. Attendees enjoyed wonderful food including a beautiful, artsy cake donated by Resident News and designed by Avondale’s The Old Cup. There was great music and fun activities including Mark Montgomery creating caricatures of guests, an art auction, raffles and much more.

Renaissance man Dr. Douglas Johnson’s recently published book, “Portrait of a Kaleidoscope Life” is an amazing journey recounting this talented artist, author, aviator, physician and military man’s life of “defying convention and embracing reinvention.” His recent book signing at Happy Medium Books Café was exciting and interesting as he discussed “chasing clouds, cancer, culture, and creativity.”

Another creative person embracing re-invention is art consultant Leigh Fogle. Her newly branded specialty enterprise, The Frame Shop (at Fogle Art Consulting) offers artistic frames worthy of masterpieces. Fogle, whose college life at Indiana University was interrupted 32

years ago due to unfortunate life events, is celebrating her recently awarded degree in fine arts from the Linda Berry College of Fine Arts.

It’s been said that the heat of summer, like the intensity of a masterpiece, reveals the vibrant beauty of life. Let us embrace this vibrancy and beauty through creativity in all genres.

or accolade

Artbeat

Ted Head

Patricia Daly-Lipe and Jennifer Wolfe with Stephanie Pyren-Fortel and Julie Feldman

Reet Bilanchone, Susanne Schuenke and Rula Carr at The Vault at 1930

Leigh Fogle

Marsha Hatcher and Annelies Dykgraaf

The Way WE WERE

A Spirit of Adventure: Arnold and Pat Rogers

By Fabrizio Gowdy

Doing nothing is not something Arnold Rogers does well.

“If he didn’t have an office, I’d probably kill him, because he has so much energy that he has to be doing something,” joked Pat, his wife of 31 years.

Despite what Pat says, she likes to stay busy too – it’s how she and Arnold have lived their entire lives.

Arnold grew up on Yacht Club Road, while Pat lived two blocks away at Ortega Boulevard and Settie Avenue. They both went to Ortega Elementary Schools. Arnold was a Boy Scout at St. Marks Episcopal Church, while Pat was a Girl Scout there. Arnold and Pat’s siblings were friends and asked each other to dances. And yet, the two somehow never got to know each other.

“It’s a good thing she didn’t know me then, because she was cool and I was a nerd,” Arnold said.

Arnold went on to St. Johns Country Day School and the University of Virginia before completing Navy Officer Candidate School and being stationed on a nuclearpowered missile cruiser at a shipyard just north of San Francisco. To beat the boredom of a dry docked ship, Arnold and his friends entertained themselves by racing sailboats in the bay, skiing at Lake Tahoe, and whitewater rafting in Napa.

“There wasn’t much to do and the commanding officer wanted us to pretend to be busy, but I don’t pretend well, so I was a bit of a rebel,” Arnold said.

After the Navy, Arnold worked for The Charter Co., based in Jacksonville. There, he organized Downtown’s first building implosion, demolishing the Hotel Mayflower to make way for the EverBank Building. He later spent more than 20 years as owner and president of various companies and partnerships in retail convenience, wholesale fuel and trucking, and hotel and real estate development.

Trophy winner Steve Spurrier - responded, “Don’t you know who I am?”

A few years later, Pat was working the VIP lounge as a ground hostess for Eastern Airlines when the New York Jets touched

editor with the Florida Municipal Record. She was offered the women’s beat, but, at 22 years old, she was more interested in covering news than cooking and babies, which is how she became the city’s first female news reporter. Eventually, her career path wound back to Ortega: She opened a gift shop near Cortez Park and later worked for St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, spearheading a $2.5 million fundraising effort for renovations in the early ‘90s.

Meanwhile, Pat attended Lee High School and the University of Florida, where she met and briefly dated an Alpha Tau Omega brother named Steve. When she asked Steve why all he ever talked about was football, her date - future Heisman

down in Miami for Super Bowl III. Joe Namath strolled off the plane, offered to make Pat a drink, and invited her to come back to New York City with him. She politely declined both offers.

An English major, Pat became a reporter with the Jacksonville Journal and later an

Around this time, St. Mark’s Rev. Barnum McCarty suggested to the recently divorced Arnold that he ought to ask out “that cute Pat girl who works for me,” also divorced at this point. When Arnold made numerous phone calls to her office, Pat told her secretary to “find out what he wants and get rid of him.” Arnold was persuasive however, and Pat eventually agreed to go out to dinner.

“I fell head over heels in love,” Pat said.

The pair were married three and a half years later, with Pat every bit as up for a life of adventure as Arnold was. With their three children - Arnold’s two daughters and Pat’s

son - the family visited six continents and experienced everything from skydiving in Australia to descending thousands of feet into a mine in South Africa.

One of Arnold and Pat’s most cherished adventures is the two months they’d spend every year cruising the Bahamas on their boat. Not content to see the same islands over and over, they made a point to explore less-visited cays and waterways.

“We like the adventure, we like to explore,” Arnold explained. “Kind of like ‘Star Trek’ - go places where no one’s been before.”

These days, Arnold and Pat enjoy sharing the gift of travel with their grandkids and are looking forward to taking them to the Galapagos Islands this July. They also both continue to work part-time. Arnold does some business consulting and Pat still visits Jacksonville International Airport once a week as a partner in The Paradies Shops.

In their daily lives, Arnold enjoys working out and walking their golden retriever while listening to podcasts and college courses on tape, while Pat participates in her book club and travel club. They both love cooking and entertaining their many friends at their home.

Pat and Arnold have been married for more than 30 years.

Arnold and Pat

Arnold and Pat enjoy traveling and experiencing new adventures.

Meet Jennifer Newman, San Marco Preservation Past President, 2001-02

In anticipation of the San Marco Preservation Society’s 50th anniversary in 2026, Resident News has initiated a monthly series spotlighting the organization’s past presidents. This feature pays tribute to the individuals who have been instrumental in safeguarding the historical and architectural essence of the San Marco neighborhood. Stay tuned each month as we honor the legacy and ongoing efforts that continue to shape San Marco’s unique character.

When her husband’s job transfer brought Jennifer Newman to Jacksonville, Newman said they were both drawn to and fell in love with San Marco.

After settling into their new home and community, Newman quickly became entrenched in the neighborhood’s history by learning about their new home’s history.

“With the help of Joel McEachin on the City Historic Preservation Commission, our house was the first home designated as a local landmark in San Marco,” Newman said.

That process also marked the beginning of Newman’s involvement with San Marco Preservation Society: She joined the board and became an active member, serving on several committees and as treasurer. Newman became involved in several projects by writing grants for project funding. In 2000, she became president of the grassroots preservation organization.

Backed by an active membership and dedicated board, Newman said her time as president was both busy and successful, with the organization receiving an “Outstanding Neighborhood Association” award at the Mayor’s Summit during that period. SMPS pursued beautification efforts along Landon Avenue and established medians on Atlantic Boulevard to Hendricks Avenue through several grants, including a $5,000 Neighborhood Matching Grant and a Town Center Grant from the city.

Under Newman’s presidency, SMPS completed many other projects, including finalizing a multi-year project to construct the Balis Community Center. It also hosted several events, including reviving the family “Picnic in the Park” at Whatley Park, which hadn’t happened since the 1980s.

Newman said the most extensive project, however, was renovating and leasing the Old South Jacksonville City Hall building, which was being vacated by the Firefighters Union in 2002 – a project that began with a phone call from Matt Carlucci.

“He wanted to know if SMPS would be interested in doing the renovations and leasing it from the City,” Newman recalled. “Would we ever!”

So began a project that would take several years – and several SMPS presidencies – to complete. SMPS funded the necessary feasibility and engineering reports, but the project also required significant fundraising.

“We received grants totaling $334,000 from the State of Florida and $131,000 from the City of Jacksonville,” Newsman said. “We took a ‘lobbying trip’ to Tallahassee, and I wrote several grant applications.”

Renovations completed in October 2007. SMPS celebrated a grand opening the following January.

“Preserving this piece of history from the days when South Jacksonville was a separate city is a lasting tribute to the hard work of the leadership of SMPS, and I was proud to be a part of it,” Newsman said.

She added: “Although we no longer live in San Marco, I find myself in the area a great deal, visiting the many friends that I made here and taking in the marvelous restaurants and shopping in the Square.”

Jennifer Newman and Rob Smith

Past and Present Converge

By Peggy Harrell Jennings

William Faulkner said, “The past is never dead; it’s not even past.”

At the 3rd annual History Fair presented by The Jacksonville History Center, past and present came alive as attendees enjoyed 24 exhibits, including automobiles courtesy of First Coast Region Model “A” Club, speaker presentations, raffles and more.

On-site vendors offered history-related merchandise for guests to take home, including books discussing people, places and events from our local history. Several historical organizations were represented at the fair, from the Merrill House to St. Augustine’s Ximenez-Fatio House to the historic lighthouses of Florida, offering displays and presentations to inform and educate. Additional organizations at the fair included the Jacksonville Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Durkeeville Historical Society, the Mandarin Museum, Veterans Museum, the Jacksonville Naval Museum, the USS Orleck, Clay County Historical Society, the Augusta Savage Museum and Mentoring Center, Norman Studios, Ritz Theatre and Museum and St. John’s Cathedral. The

dove into history and artifacts. What a fun event to seek out knowledge and find inspiration for the present and future. Faulkner was correct – it’s not even the past!

Donors Gather, Share Treasures for Future MOSH Exhibits Executive curates relationships with contributors

The Davidson family, of Mike Davidson Ford fame in Jacksonville, continues to ensure its legacy lives on. Longtime supporters of local history, Mike Davidson Jr. and his wife Daisy recently attended a reception celebrating contributions to the city’s Museum of Science and History (MOSH). The couple previously donated a Ford Model T, now on display, and brought along additional nautical and automotive memorabilia tied to Jacksonville’s past.

Fellow donors John Hurtubise and Ric Goodman hosted the reception at their waterfront home in the St. Johns Quarter. Since the Davidsons couldn’t attend the last donor gathering, Hurtubise insisted they meet Dr. Alistair Dove, MOSH’s new CEO, to share the stories behind some of their artifacts and keepsakes. Boxes of memories featured historic documents, photographs, and keepsakes from the Davidson family’s deep Jacksonville roots, dating back generations.

Mike Davidson Ford began as Lynch-Davidson Motors on Hogan Street in 1933 before relocating to 9650 Atlantic Boulevard in 1968 under the Mike Davidson Ford banner, until it was sold in summer 2015. The family also has ties to the Huckins Yacht Corporation, and after the recent sale, many donated items could include boatyard documents, Huckins literature, and even mid-1900s comic books. A standout piece is the signed oak floorboard from the Model T, marked by signatures from multiple generations and soon to be part of an expanded transportation exhibit to be curated in the reimagined MOSH 2.0. Dove, formerly of Atlanta’s Georgia Aquarium, welcomed the opportunity to explore

the historical treasures. With a keen interest in Jacksonville’s past, Dove noted how Ford, the railroad, and major families like the duPonts and Flaglers shaped North Florida’s development.

When the new MOSH opens its doors, projected to occur in 2028, the Davidson family’s contributions will help tell the story of transportation in the region - and, more broadly, the city’s vibrant maritime and automotive heritage.

Jacksonville History Center’s Nancy Gandy and Holly Hamrick

North Florida Genealogical Society showcased ways to dig into your family history, while the Archaeological Institute of America and the Historical Recovery Association of North Florida

Hosts Ric Goodman and John Hurtubise with Mike Davidson Jr., his wife Daisy Davidson and MOSH CEO Alistair Dove

By Lauren Weedon Hopkins

Serving Those Who Served Our Country

By Lauren Weedon Hopkins

With several military bases in the immediate area - among them, Naval Air Station Jack-sonville and Naval Station

Mayport - Northeast Florida is a thriving military community providing a home base to active duty service members, veterans, and their families. The transition from active duty to civilian life can often be daunting and challenging, and organizations within Northeast Flor-ida’s robust philanthropic circle have stepped up to serve those who have served our country. With Independence Day around the corner, July is the perfect month to spotlight some of these local nonprofit organizations. These organizations provide critical support, from housing and mental health care to job training and community reintegration, to help veterans rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose. You can make a difference – please consider volunteering your time or donat-ing to support these life-changing efforts.

Wounded Warrior Project www.woundedwarriorproject.org

Headquartered in Jacksonville, the Wounded Warrior Project is committed to supporting the overall well-being of post-

9/11 wounded, ill or injured veterans and their families. Through programs focused on mental health, physical wellness, VA benefits, peer connection and more, WWP empowers veterans to live full, successful lives. With nearly six in 10 veterans facing underemployment, according to a recent survey conducted by the organization, finding jobs and financial wellness are two critical areas separating or recently separated veterans face, and WWP offers services to help with both. With WWP fundraising efforts held nationwide, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved and give back. In Jacksonville, the Carry Forward 5K happens in November, and the Soldier Ride is coming soon.

Operation New Uniform www.onuvets.org

Offering a free and comprehensive career development program for service members, veterans and military spouses, Operation New Uniform is designed to tackle the challenges of unemployment, underemployment, and career transitions. Through personalized training, one-on-one coaching and a lifelong support network, participants are equipped

Saluting Sisterhood

The 11th annual Women Veterans Recognition Week was held June 8 to 14. The weeklong festivities featured celebrations and advocacy, with the City of Jacksonville and Women Veterans Ignited hosting seven days of events including a mental health summit, Veterans Service Officer forum, lunch and learn sessions, the Women Who Rock Awards Tea Party a tea party and the “Ode to Hollywood” Gala.

with skills, confidence and professional tools to thrive in today’s job market and build fulfilling careers that reflect their talents and service. Mark your calendar for the 2nd Annual Patriot Games in October and the 10th Annual Veterans’ Cup Clay Shoot next April.

5 Star Veterans Center www.5starveteranscenter.org

With a focus on veterans in need between the ages of 22 and 55, 5 Star Veterans Center is a residential program for those facing mental health challenges and traumatic brain injuries who need assistance reintegrating into society. The residents participate in a sixto 12-month individualized program offering on-site services to restore their mental and physical well-being. The program includes education, job and life skills training, and continued post-residential support to ensure a successful transition back to civilian life. More than 400 veterans have graduated from the Passport to Independence program. Volunteers and donations are welcome.

We Can Be Heroes Foundation wecanbeheroesfoundation.org/nominateyour-hero

We Can Be Heroes Foundation’s mission is to celebrate veterans, military and other unsung heroes by sharing their stories online and at events. Nominations can be submitted via the foundation’s website. Additional services include a Speakers Directory featuring military personnel and veterans available for civic engagements and other events. Women Veterans Ignited (formerly Northeast Florida Women Veterans) forwomenvets.org

Dedicated to empowering women who have served in the military - whether on

active duty, in the National Guard, or in the Reserves - the mission of Women Veterans Ignited is to equip women veterans with the tools and support needed to achieve selfsufficiency. Their resource center offers essential services and connects women veterans with valuable resources. Some of their programs include wellness and business entrepreneurship, as well as financial assistance and counseling. Women Veterans Ignited advocates to raise awareness of women’s unique challenges and celebrate their accomplishments at the local, state, and national levels. The organization seeks volunteers and ambassadors to assist with outreach efforts, donations, and event sponsorships.

The Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program www.jacksonville.gov/departments/militaryand-veterans-affairs/homeless-veteranreintegration-program-(hvrp)

Managed by the City of Jacksonville’s Military Affairs and Veterans Department, this program provides homeless veterans with the tools they need to get back on their feet. Partnerships with local organizations, including Changing Homelessness, Goodwill of North Florida, I.M. Sulzbacher Center, Clara White Mission and CareerSource, means there are multiple access points through which veterans can seek assistance through this program. Through personalized case management, HVRP offers critical support services with a special emphasis on job placement and career development, including employment and training services, health and wellness referrals, and resume and interview preparation. Additional support services, including transportation assistance, housing referrals and other work tools, are also available.

Vietnam Veteran Susan Powell, Retired U.S. Navy, with granddaughter Alexis Derr

Nature always prevails, doesn’t it? Whether it’s in the manicured hedges of our Resident communities, at the beach, or in the mountains, wildlife shows us time and time again that it always wins. It cannot be controlled - no matter how much we want to exterminate, push out, build over or dominate it. Some folks may be skittish about this fact, but not me. I am grateful for it. And every time I see that magnificent little fox daddy skulk past our front yard, I am astounded by how powerful nature and its critters can beand why we must learn to be more neighborly toward it all.

I am writing today’s column at our home in Crescent Beach. Signs of nature clawing back what was taken from it are everywhere. The three sand dunes that used to be in front of our condo have drifted away, leaving one protective layer from the wind and sea.

Some summers, the dunes re-emerge at long last. Some hurricane seasons, they are blown away in an instant, leaving skimpy barriers for the human nests lining the shore. Further south past the Matanzas Inlet, you can see what looks like island ghost homes up on stilts, the ocean carrying on and doing its wave thing far beneath them. Nature wins in this neck of the woods, for sure.

It also wins in our neighborhoods, where water oak trees planted after World War II begin toppling over during hurricanes or on just average, ordinary, everyday days. They can ruin our roofs, block our roads and cause real damageeven death! Nature says water oaks have a lifespan of 40 to 80 years. Nature says they’re not meant to last forever like the southern live oaks that could be around for centuries. The beautiful Treaty Oak on Jacksonville’s Southbank is a reminder of how hearty those trees can be. The Treaty Oak is said to be 250 years old and may be one of the oldest persons, places or things that survives here in Jacksonville. Nature wins in its very own way, always.

The St. Johns River and its many waterways, also have a penchant for winning. We can pump and rebuild and pump, pump, pump some more, but the streets in our historic neighborhoods will always get soaked by the river’s brackish water thanks to nature’s tides and rainfall levels. That’s just

the way things work around here.

By Susanna Bar ton

But there is no more bullish example of nature’s victory than the four-legged and winged critters with whom we share our community amenities. They are winning every single day: the squirrels, the possums, the raccoons, the mice, the rats and, yes, the elegant foxes who patrol our neighborhoods with cunning grace. Try as we might to pest-control them out of existence, we will never know life without them. They were here first, we were their neighbors second.

day. Even worse, they scritch scratch and leave babies in some inescapable nook nest they’ve made for themselves in there. That’s when the pee-you begins to waft about and we are reminded by our olfactory systems that yes, nature wins again. Touché, squirrels. Touché.

The other night, the critters really got me good. I was home alone around 10 p.m. watching murder shows, minding my business and the doorbell chime starts going off like some unhinged Salvation Army bell-ringer. After unfreezing, I made my way to the front door to discover the sounds of some critter banging around in the walls by our coat closet, obviously having tripped the electrical wire that runs from the dingdonger to the doorbell. I about died. Nature always wins, and it’s not afraid ding dong ditch you to death, either.

But take a breath: This is the way of our neighborhood, our city, our planet. Nature, in all its beauty and murderous tendencies, was the first resident. We built our homes and our lives around it. Let’s be grateful it allows us to coexist with it in such beautiful shared spaces.

– Susanna Barton,

And they make sure we know that.

This spring, a fox mama and daddy made a den somewhere near Granada Park. That dad would sit in the middle of the park, unafraid, just observing all the human critters and their leashed pets walk by. One neighbor said the fox would just sit and watch her as she gardened in her yard. Most nights, you could here the foxes barking, reminding the neighborhood there is an answer to the question, “What did the fox say?” He says goodnight and good morning and “We were here first,” of course. Totally cool. It’s beautiful, very Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom.

A neighbor of unknown identity wrote the most beautiful letter “from the Fox family” sharing gratitude for welcoming them to the neighborhood. Shortly thereafter, some fox-hater called wildlife control and the fox family was not seen or heard from again. Annoying, such a fearbased response to our community’s original inhabitants. However, I have no doubt another fox family will explore the wilds of Granada again one day soon. It always happens that way.

We get reminders of loving and respecting our wild neighbors every few weeks or so when a squirrel or a rat or… whatever the actual what it is...somehow gets under our house and into our walls and scritch-scratcheties at all hours of the

Susanna Barton allowed her daughter to adopt a rat once and learned that critters, even ones named Leslie, make better outdoor neighbors. A Granada resident, Barton has written professionally for The Jacksonville Business Journal, The Resident 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

ONE

Countless Adventures

A PEEK INTO JACKSONVILLE SUMMER CAMPS

By Lauren Weedon Hopkins

School’s out, the sun’s out and adventure is calling. As the temperature heats up and the days stretch on, Jacksonville camps are keeping the summer doldrums at bay with a wealth of activities to keep children active, engaged and entertained. With offerings from sports to arts and everything else in between, these camps are packing summer break with fun. Here’s a roundup of experiences our neighborhood youngsters are enjoying this year.

Known for its excellent athletics facilities and programs, Bishop Kenny High School is offering camps for all ages in six sports: basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, football and volleyball. Led by talented coaches, camps take place at BK and Holy Family. For young players eager to elevate their game, the BK camps focus on building essential skills serve as a strong foundation for future growth. The goal is to help each player sharpen their fundamentals while deepening their passion for the game.

Members of Boy Scout Troop 35 at Southside United Methodist Church traveled to Camp Daniel Boone in Canton, North Carolina for a week of overnight camp last month. They completed merit badges, enjoyed camp activities, campfires and flag ceremonies. A highlight of the experience was the cool mountain air.

The Bolles School offers all-day, morning and afternoon camps for children from pre-school through 12th grade on all three campuses (San Jose/ Whitehurst, Bartram and Ponte Vedra Beach), combining a specialty camp in the morning with adventure camp or day camp in the afternoon. Extendedday options are also available. This year’s theme is “All Things Possible.” River access allows campers to enjoy tubing, boating, marine science study and water sports. State-of-the-art facilities make the baseball, tennis and swimming programs popular. The new robotics and computer labs take technology and computer activities to a new level.

A program of Catholic Charities Jacksonville, Camp I Am Special provides camp experiences for persons with intellectual and developmental differences and physical disabilities – teenage “buddies” volunteer as counselors to provide one-on-one companionship and care for their campers. Buddies are trained and earn service hours.

Students entering grades one through six are welcome to explore their inner artist at the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens this summer. Each week features a fun theme including Mystery in the Museum, Paws, Claws and Art, Earth Protectors and Myths and Legends. Young artists explore the galleries and gardens for inspiration, experiment with a variety of art materials in the studio and proudly showcase their creations at a weekly open house.

A day camp for kindergarten to eighth grade, Coach Polster’s at Assumption Catholic School offers weekly sports and enrichment/art activities. From PE camp, science camp, engineering camp, and a new favorite, Taylor Swift Camp, there is a camp to suit every child’s interests. Many camp counselors attended as kids and now help the campers have a safe and enjoyable experience. There are arcade game rooms, scavenger hunts, sports games like tennis, baseball and Gaga ball, and fun science projects throughout the summer – and every day ends with snow cones.

Troop 35 Scouts enjoy mountain views on the way to Camp Daniel Boone in North Carolina.

smiles at Camp I Am Special.

From art and dance to sports and strength training, Episcopal offers a variety of day camps and academic programs for pre-K through 12th grade. Some of the unique programs include beach fishing, film and TV acting and production, studio art, photography, lacrosse, sculling, study skills and intro to improv comedy. Campers enjoy lunch in the cafeteria each day, and extended-day options are available. Most camps include daily pool time supervised by certified lifeguards.

Camp at MOCA invites kids to explore contemporary art, artists and ideas in a creative, hands-on environment. Campers make new friends while learning art techniques across different media, guided by skilled museum educators. Each day includes time in the galleries, discovering exhibitions and studio sessions where imagination takes shape. Through observation, critical thinking and creative self-expression, young artists are empowered to explore, experiment and grow. Themes include 2D design, ceramics and clay, figure and character drawing, painting, theater and comics and animation.

For children ages four to 10, Epping Forest Yacht and Country Club offers a full-day or half-day camp option for its membership. Campers enjoy aquatics, tennis, fitness, culinary, crafts and more. Lunch is provided.

www.jcajax.org/camp/

There’s something for everyone at the JCA. It offers camp activities such as horseback riding, art, karaoke, sports, swimming, theatre, cooking and more. Campers build leadership skills, deepen their appreciation for cultural diversity, strengthen teamwork through group activities and enjoy unique experiences at three Southside locations. There are fun theme days for dress-up each week and field trips. The camp philosophy is to have a great T.I.M.E.: Teamwork, Instilling self-confidence, Making a difference and Empathy.

Offering a full summer waterfront program, the Florida Yacht Club features sailing, kayaking, fishing, power boating, paddle boarding and waterfront activities for kids of all ages. Many of the campers go on to join the club’s youth race teams that compete locally, regionally and nationally. There are Opti, Laser and 420 race teams. All participants are children of Florida Yacht Club members and/or children of their guests.

SMCC features four summer camp adventures: Apex for kindergarten through fifth grade, Apex Preschool for one- to five-year-olds, Vacation Bible School for preschool to sixth grade and a pickleball league for third to eighth graders. With a community focus and diverse programs, these camps cater to a broad array of interests. From art and music to travel and sports, science and nature, every day is an opportunity to learn, make new friends and create lasting memories.

www.thompsonsurfschool.com

and many of our neighborhood kids enjoy surf camp at 6th Avenue South in Jacksonville Beach. With safety a top priority, all students must be competent ocean swimmers. The co-ed camp is for ages seven to 16. Professional surf instructors with a 3:1 ratio to campers utilize soft surfboards and provide rash guards. Not only do they learn the fundamentals of surfing, but kids are also educated on ocean safety and the environment.

Emilia C. kayak together with instructor Mack Mairs in

Water Wiggler and Adventurer groups

Mini musical campers perform BUGZ.

Nora S. explores her artistic creativity at MOCA.

Campers at Epping Forest Yacht Club hit the pool to stay cool and have fun. Avery B. and Sadie P. explore their artistic expression during the first week of JCAmp.

During Crazy Hair Day, Jacob U. and Hunter G. made their own crazy hair drawing with oil pastels and watercolor paint.

Campers catch some waves at Thompson Surf School in Jacksonville Beach.

Animal HOUSE

Unseen Wildlife Crossings Save Lives

By Julie Kerns Garmendia

Wildlife crossings that mimic natural habitats - safe, manufactured animal passageways under or over roads - are unseen lifesavers for wild animals that might otherwise be struck by vehicles when crossing roads. Resulting collisions can injure or kill humans and wildlife alike. Pedestrians walking on foot across roads - in or outside a crosswalk - are legally protected by laws that obligate motorists to yield the right-of-way or stop and use “due care and caution” to ensure that no person is injured or killed by a vehicle. Wild animals on roads, on the other hand, are defenseless.

If drivers can see an animal on the road and it is safe, they can slow down, swerve, or stop to avoid collision. Engineered wildlife crossings, either newly designed or retrofitted passages combined with high-barrier roadway fencing or concrete walls with six-inch lips similar to those used in zoos, are far more effective than warning signs that can go unseen or ignored. According to wildlife and transportation authorities, out-of-sight crossings require no driver response and dramatically decrease vehicle-wildlife collisions by 97%.

“There was nothing there before,” Florida Department of Transportation Engineer Brent Setchell said. “It’s amazing to see how quickly wildlife have adapted to the crossings and start using them in just weeks or months.”

Wildlife cameras installed to document the use of these crossings have shown birds, panthers, bobcats, black bears, deer, wild hogs, turkeys, raccoons, opossums, foxes, mink, coyotes, beavers, North American river otters, American alligators, squirrels, skunks, marsh and Eastern cottontail rabbits, frogs, toads, salamanders, snakes, land and aquatic turtles, gopher tortoises, and armadillos all using these safe passageways.

FDOT is part of the nationwide movement to protect drivers and save wildlife, with more than 200 wildlife crossings completed and another 12 in development. Applications for millions of dollars in grant funds have been submitted to build more wildlife crossings in Florida, as the state ranks ninth in the U.S. for human deaths caused by wildlife-vehicle collisions.

Robert “Scott” Johns, natural resources program leader for FDOT District 2 planning and environmental management office, explained that Duval County’s three wildlife crossings are located under roadways identified as wildlife hotspots with high collision and fatality statistics. Duval County’s wildlife crossings are the Gold Star Family Parkway wildlife crossing, constructed in 2020; the I-295/First Coast Expressway crossing, completed in 2017; and the I-295/Monument Road crossing, built in the 1980s.

Johns, a wildlife biologist with decades of experience, informs the public that FDOT, Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service evaluate proposed road transportation projects in the state of Florida for potential environmental impact before approval, as required by the U.S. National Environmental Policy Act (NEP) of 1970.

This law requires environmental considerations to be part of every FDOT project to prevent ecological harm. Federally funded projects cannot significantly impact natural resources or wildlife, with special

consideration given to threatened or endangered species.

Required environmental studies for wildlife crossings identify chronically high wildlife fatality or vehicle/wildlife collision zones, biodiversity hotspots, important waterways or greenway links, rare native animal populations, and habitat types.

Several designs for wildlife crossings are available for new construction or retrofitting existing Florida structures: Underpass tunnels, larger pipe culverts, and elevated, dry shelves on either side of waterways are less expensive than over-road bridges with native vegetation, but all effectively divert animals away from roads to a safe route.

Award-winning author and environmental researcher Ben Goldfarb’s latest book, “Crossings: How Road Ecology is Shaping the Future of Our Planet,” examines the new science of road ecology. Road ecology

learned that roadkill had surpassed hunting as “the leading direct human cause of vertebrate mortality on land .” Current estimates for U.S. roadway vehicle/ wildlife collisions document the daily deaths of approximately one million animals. These are only the reported deaths; the actual count could be much higher.

Imagine the need to leap, walk, run, hop, slither, or crawl across a busy road or multi-lane highway during the day or night. Whether to find food, water, a safer habitat, or escape danger from fires or harsh weather, wild animals must face deadly traffic. Wildlife are instinctively compelled to migrate, mate, or establish a new territory, and they are driven to cross any roads blocking their path. The exponential growth of urban sprawl forces wildlife to travel ever-increasing distances to meet basic needs, compounding the risks.

brings together biologists, ecologists, wildlife experts, engineers, and road builders to study the impact of roads and infrastructure on the environment and wildlife and find solutions for their adverse effects.

Goldfarb reports that humans have historically built roads for convenience and connection, often with little to no planning to protect land and wildlife. That, combined with modern-day exponential road-building required by residential housing demand and breakneck commercial development, is catastrophically affecting both. Goldfarb said no location in the U.S. is farther than 20 miles from a road.

During the 20th century, scientists

A U.S. Forest Service report classifies some wildlife as “avoiders.” They appear to regard roads, high traffic, and loud noises as threats and exhibit avoidance behaviors that enhance their survival. Wild hogs avoid roads or reduce crossings, while deer and raccoons may pause for cars to pass. Some animals only travel at night or during the lowest traffic times.

U.S. Geological Survey researchers documented lizards and mice avoiding paved roads, turning back at the edge of pavement. Some wild animals learn caution from firsthand encounters they’ve survived or by observing and following the avoidance behavior of other animals.

Avoidance actions vary with some moving directly into traffic or freezing in the headlights, seemingly unaware of the inevitable outcome.

Wildlife crossings reconnect wildlife habitats that have been divided or fragmented by roads, railways, or pipelines and come in all shapes and sizes. From a six-inch duct that allows reptiles and amphibians to migrate under roads to a 200-foot bridge built over 10 highway lanes, these crossings serve as vital links for wildlife survival. High-barrier fences for mammals and concrete walls with a six-inch lip at the top help stop reptiles, amphibians, or other animals from scaling or climbing the wall, guiding them onto safe passages. Even panthers and bobcats dislike the walls and choose to move along them into the open wildlife crossing.

However, as devastating as roadkill is to animal populations, species that cannot travel freely become divided and isolated. That isolation predicts a restricted gene pool, reduced reproduction, lower survival rates, and ultimately, extinction - an irreversible biodiversity loss.

Loss of biodiversity - the variety of living plants and animals - is dangerous to all species’ survival, as an estimated one million wild animals are killed annually on U.S. roads. This reality, plus the injuries and fatalities to drivers and passengers caused by wildlife/vehicle collisions and the costs of medical care, vehicle, property and infrastructure damage, all urgently highlight the need for more wildlife crossings to keep pace with road expansion.

If a community or organization wishes to request a new wildlife crossing or a roadway retrofit from FDOT, it must provide scientifically based documentation or studies to substantiate that request. Accepted requests could be funded through financial partnerships with the requesting entities, affected property owners, or other interested organizations. According to Johns, affected or adjacent property owners are consulted during the early stages of planning wildlife crossings that could impact them.

In these accepted wildlife crossing projects, regulatory agencies coordinate with the public to identify and fund right-of-way and ongoing maintenance requirements, as outlined in the FDOT Wildlife Crossing Guidelines. Complete information, photo examples and requirements for wildlife crossing projects are on the FDOT website.

Johns said the best way for citizens to advocate for a wildlife crossing at a specific location is to attend the FDOT public hearings on new projects, which are publicized and held before new roadway construction projects. These hearings provide information about the proposed project, allowing attendees to voice their concerns, questions, or requests directly to officials.

The FDOT discourages the public from using wildlife crossings for any purpose, as this can frighten away the wildlife they are designed to protect. Officials regularly review hours of wildlife camera footage to document the species and numbers of animals using the passages. That footage also shows people using the structures for activities detrimental to the passages and dangerous to wildlife.

The I-295 at Monument Road Wildlife Crossing

The Gold Star Family Parkway Wildlife Crossing

A fawn safely travels through wildlife crossing.

By Holly Tishfield

Steve Seegmiller traded Salt Lake City’s red rock terrain and rugged beauty for Florida’s sunny shores about three years ago.

When thinking about the future of his family and his career, he knew that somewhere in the South would be part of the plan, but it took some research and time spent scouring the internet to decide that Jacksonville, Florida, would be the place to go.

The community of San Marco, to be more exact.

He was looking for a fresh start in a place that offered professional opportunities and a welcoming environment.

“I didn’t know a soul,” Seegmiller said, “but I fell in love with Jacksonville and thought it would be a great place to be.”

Seegmiller moved to the Bold City with

Local FOLKS 37 Steveeegmiller

his girlfriend and her two kids, which also worked out for his business venture.

“I liked that Jacksonville is a growing city. That it’s family-oriented and has a big demographic,” he said.

He was also drawn to the city’s energy, an up-and-coming metro area with room to grow and a strong sense of community.

Seegmiller owns two Crumbl Cookies locations in the city – one in San Marco and one in Oakleaf Plantation.

The business originated in Utah, so when Seegmiller got involved with ownership after finishing his master’s degree in business administration, it seemed like a perfect match: Crumbl wanted to expand in Florida; Seegmiller wanted to find a home in the South. The rest is history.

In the years following his move

to Northeast Florida, Seegmiller has thoroughly enjoyed exploring the smaller neighborhoods peppered throughout the city, especially San Marco and Riverside.

“San Marco is such a cool spot. It’s more like one big community. Everybody is supportive of each other,” he said.

He said that sense of connection, of neighbors rooting for neighbors, is one of the things that makes Jacksonville truly special. When it comes to being a business owner, Seegmiller said he can feel the support of not only the community but the city.

Two years ago, he completed the JAX Bridges program – an initiative through the JAX Chamber Venture Services Division that helps small businesses and new owners grow in the world of entrepreneurship through a series of entrepreneurial activities.

“It’s such a cool program,” Seegmiller

said, referring to his experience.

“Jacksonville really seems to go after getting growth out of its small businesses.”

The program provided insight into scaling his business and helped him build valuable local connections.

In his spare time, Seegmiller and his family are big fans of Jacksonville Icemen hockey games. They recently attended their first Jacksonville Sharks game, which Seegmiller said was a blast.

When he’s not running his businesses or sitting front row at a sports event, Seegmiller and his family enjoy frequenting the beaches (before the weather gets too hot, that is) and spending date nights on the banks of the St. Johns River.

He’s planning to stay in Jacksonville, happy with the home and career he’s spent the last three years building for himself.

Seegmiller and his family are avid Jacksonville Icemen fans.

Seegmiller and his girlfriend, Marissa Chunn, enjoy date nights in the Riverside area.

Steve Seegmiller, Marissa Chunn, Skylar Chunn, and Finnley Chunn.

Seegmiller and his family moved to Jacksonville from Salt Lake City, Utah.

A Slam Dunk for Duba

It’s been a busy spring for Charlie Duba

Not only did he graduate from Bishop Kenny High School, but just one month prior to graduation, he traveled to Chicago to compete in – and win – the KFC Dunk It Contest, presented by Barstool Sports.

Duba is no stranger to dunking; in fact, he’s been dunking since eighth grade and has already won two dunking contests at Bishop Kenny. Viewers can spot footage from his Jacksonville alma mater in Duba’s highlight reel before he begins dunking in the competition.

On April 16, Duba, the youngest competitor, faced off against three other participants in three elimination rounds of dunking, all of which were scored by a panel of four judges. Ultimately Duba emerged victorious.

Duba was selected from approximately 70 applicants to participate. Before the competition, Duba said he and his mother, Lauren, had the opportunity to explore the Windy City and the Barstool Sports headquarters.

“It was just a really cool experience, being on all their pages and their YouTube channel and live-streamed,” Duba said. “It was fun.”

In addition to a trophy and bragging rights, Duba brought home a custom basketball signed by the judges and $2,500, which Duba said he’s saving for college.

In the fall, he’s heading to the Florida State to study finance.

National Ice Cream Day is on July 20th!

Something Good This Summer Iced coffee, ice cream & a mission that matters.

Happy Brew empowers individuals with IDD through job training & leadership.

Bishop Kenny graduate Charlie Duba wins the KFC Dunk It Challenge in Chicago this past April.

Episcopal Recognizes Outstanding Fifth Graders

The St. Mark’s Campus of Episcopal School of Jacksonville recognized some of its outstanding fifth grade students at a special ceremony and reception on Thursday, May 22.

Honorees each received a certificate of achievement with special recognition going to Ginny Griffith (Academic Achievement Award); Kayde Earrey (Athletic Achievement Award); Eli Snyder (Fine Arts Achievement); Ann Palmer Chunn (Faith, Character, Culture Award); and Eloise Markley (Board of Regents Award).

Graduating with Global Designation

Four graduates from

Class

2025 are the first students to do so as

Abby Bradley, Alexiya Downer, Anaiya Nahar and Emerson Smith completed Bolles’ Global Scholar Program, earning global designations on their diplomas and transcripts for completing the program, which culminated with the global capstone – an in-depth research project the scholars completed in their final semester focusing on a global issue and taking action to impact that issue. These capstones were as follows:

• “Rethinking Fast Fashion” (Bradley)

• “Lessons from The Blue Zones” (Downer)

• “Increasing Employment Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities” (Nahar)

• “Reducing Household Waste with Backyard Hens” (Smith) Bradley, Downer, Nahar and Smith presented these projects to their family, friends and the Bolles community both on campus and via online portoflios.

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.

Fifth graders at Episcopal School of Jacksonville’s St. Mark’s Campus are recognized during a special May 22 ceremony and reception.

Emerson Smith and Anaiya Nahar with Alexiya Downer and Abby Bradley

The Bolles

of

Global Scholars.

Freshman Phenom Brings Home Bronze from 2025 Genius Olympiad

Christopher Trinidad brought home the bronze medal from the 2025 Genius Olympiad, an international competition hosted by the Rochester Institute of Technology. Students complete and present projects to help solve environmental challenges across eight disciplines: science, speech, robotics, business, art, music, short film and coding.

Trinidad earned his bronze medal for his project in the science category: Emotion Prediction and Virtual Reality AI Model. He also received a $15,000 scholarship. Trinidad and the other awardees were celebrated at the Genius 2025 Award Ceremony on June 13.

Jacksonville Debutante Season Opens with Magnolia Ball

The 2025 Debutante Coterie was introduced to society on June 6 during the Magnolia Ball at Timuquana Country Club. The debutantes will take their final bow during the Christmas Ball and Presentation at The Florida Yacht Club.

The Coterie: (front) Anne Tucker Sharp, Atlantic Elizabeth Diebenow, Olivia Kent Lanahan, Anne Catherine Grimes, Helen Emily Commander; (back) Cynthia Anne Wyatt, Kennedy Lee Green, Anne Elizabeth Hellman, Shelby Gatlin McCart, Mary Elizabeth Cofran. Not pictured: Kathryn Louise Adams, Kathleen Lovell Burhyte, Christina Grace Huie

Douglas Anderson Theatre Shines at Applause Awards

Douglas Anderson Theatre students dazzled at the 11th annual Applause Awards, held at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on May 31.

After being selected the Overall Female Winner for her performance as Diana Goodman in “Next to Normal,” DA’s Suliette Ortiz advanced to the National High School Musical Theatre Awards - the “Jimmy” Awards - as one of two Applause Awards nominees. The Jimmys were held on Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre on June 23.

Freshman Josef Wright earned the title of male first runner-up for his performance of Hermes in “Hadestown” and was awarded the Spirit of the Applause Award, along with a $2,500 scholarship. The first female runner-up went to sophomore Alayna Martus for her role as Natalie in “Next to Normal.” And for

his performance as Orpheus in “Hadestown,” senior Miles Melanson was tapped as a Top Four Finalist, earning a $500 scholarship.

The following DA students also earned awards or nominations and $1,000 scholarships:

• George Eastman: Lead Performer Winner for “Next to Normal” and the 2024 Jimmy nominee

• Haiden Matthews: Oustanding Actor Winner

• Miles Melanson: Lead Performer Winner

• JonAshton Reid: Supporting Performer Winner

• Thomas Tedder: Oustanding Dancer Nominee

• Gali Barak: Outstanding Set Design Winner

• Grace Klefman: Lead Performer and Oustanding Dancer Nominee)

Hot Days Cool Frames

Bishop Kenny High School Freshman

Christopher Trinidad

Photo: Janet Masterson Photography

Suliette Ortiz being announced the winner of the Applause Awards

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Helen Spratt Murchison Lane

June 1, 1924 - May 18, 2025

The Jacksonville community mourns the passing of Helen Spratt Murchison Lane, who passed away on May 18, just two weeks shy of her 101st birthday.

Helen stood as one of Jacksonville’s most stalwart champions and supporters, spearheading initiatives and founding organizations furthering arts and culture, in particular, for the city she loved so much. Her endless devotion to the City of Jacksonville left an indelible mark on our community and her passion laid the groundwork that allowed some of Jacksonville’s most notable nonprofit organizations to flourish, facilitating years of positive impact, change and growth in our community.

The eldest daughter of Helen Spratt and Charles Holton Murchison, Helen was born on June 1, 1924, in Boston, Massachusetts. When she was an infant, her family moved to Jacksonville, and she spent her life in the Bold City. She graduated from Bartram School and Sweet Briar College and married Edward Wood Lane, Jr., with whom she raised four children. Together, Helen and Ed stood as steadfast champions for the Jacksonville community through numerous philanthropic efforts.

Helen sat on multiple boards of trustees, including the Jacksonville Symphony, the River City Band, Bartram School, The Bolles School, the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, the Jacksonville History Center and The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida.

“Helen Lane was a strong community trustee who led with Southern grace,” said John Zell, SVP of Development at The Community Foundation. “She often laid the groundwork for efforts to improve our community with

her signature poise and style. In addition to creating permanent endowments with her husband, Edward, to benefit organizations in perpetuity, she and four other female trustees of The Community Foundation were founding members of the Women’s Giving Alliance. The WGA just celebrated surpassing $10 million in grants to improve the quality of life for women and girls in Northeast Florida. The WGA is just one of many movements in our community influenced by the leadership of Helen Lane.”

Sabeen Perwaiz, current WGA president, shared

sentiments on behalf of past WGA Presidents Paula Liang, Ellen Wiss, Julia Taylor, Susan Schantz, Barbara Harrell, Courtenay Wilson, Mary Pietan, Sandy Cook, Jan Healy and Sheila Collier:

“Helen was a remarkable woman who wanted to improve the lives of women and girls in Northeast Florida,” said Perwaiz. “She is fondly remembered and dearly missed by the Women’s Giving Alliance.”

Her tireless devotion to the City of Jacksonville was recognized through multiple accolades throughout her lifetime: She and Ed were honored with the Outstanding Philanthropist Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals First Coast Chapter. The Jacksonville History Center also named Helen a Woman of Distinction. Her work restoring Victorian homes in the Riverside community earned her the Florida Nation Trust Award for Historic Preservation. St. Johns Cathedral granted her the Bishop’s Cross Award and she received the Tillie Fowler Award from the Junior League of Jacksonville - to name a few.

“The Junior League of Jacksonville is deeply saddened by the passing of Past President Helen Lane. Her unwavering dedication to civic service and her remarkable spirit enriched our community in countless ways. Helen was a true community trustee and a distinguished leader whose legacy will continue to inspire. She will be profoundly missed.”

Helen is survived by daughter Palmer L. Dorne (Joe), daughter Anna T. Lane, son Charles M. Lane, son Edward W. Lane, III (Barney), 13 grandchildren, and nine greatgrandchildren. A celebration of life was held on Saturday, May 31, at St. John’s Cathedral.

All of us at Resident News and Circles Magazine, as well as the entire Jacksonville community, will deeply miss Helen Lane. Over the past 18 years, we had the privilege of getting to know her well. She was incredibly generous and devoted her life to giving. Helen graced the cover of our inaugural Circles Magazine as one of the extraordinary women leading the charge in philanthropy –a role she lived with grace, strength and humility.

Barbara Ann Hall

Barbara Ann Hall, a pillar in the San Marco community and champion of the San Marco Preservation Society, passed away on March 29.

Barbara was born on May 11, 1933, to George and Marie Bruck and called Jacksonville her lifelong home. She graduated from Andrew Jackson High School in 1951. That same year, she married Kirkland Alderman, her high school sweetheart, and she went on to obtain her associate’s degree at FCCJ.

Barbara spent several years as the secretary at Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church before working as an executive secretary at S. Regis Paper Company. After nearly 20 years of marriage, Kirkland passed away in 1970. It would be another nine years before Barbara married Palmer Hall and became the co-owner of Palmer Hall Floors.

When Palmer passed away in 1999, Barbara continued running the family business with her children until she eventually closed the business and retired in 2006.

San Marco always held a special place in Barbara’s heart, and that was evident in her heavy and steadfast involvement in the San Marco Preservation Society, which spanned more than 30 years. Twenty of those years were spent serving as SMPS secretary, from 1986 to 2006.

Barbara was instrumental in the 1995 acquisition of the Gothic Carpenter Church, which today resides in

May 11, 1933 to March 29, 2025

Fletcher Park and is known as Preservation Hall. The church had to be transported there - which involved floating it down the St. Johns River from its Northbank location at the Museum of Science and History. Barbara sat on a six-person committee overseeing the church’s care and renovation. When Stockton Cottage was relocated to the site in 2004, Barbara took charge of both buildings, from supervising the rental staff to overseeing building care and maintenance, holding the title of

Preservation Hall committee chairperson.

Barbara was given the title of SMPS Director Emeritus in 2005.

“Barbara went above and beyond her duties in every activity she was a part of,” said SMPS Past President Robin Robinson. “They simply couldn’t have done it without her because she handled so many things.”

Barbara resigned from the board and moved out of San Marco in 2018.

Outside of her involvement with SMPS, Barbara was also involved in the San Marco Garden Circle, building on her passion for gardening to become a University of Florida Master Gardener.

In her later years, Barbara married Pat Elmore and moved to Cypress Village after leaving San Marco. Throughout her life, her Christian faith never wavered, and she was a member of several churches. She grew up in Main Street Baptist Church and raised her children in Murray Hill Baptist and Hendricks Avenue Baptist churches. She would go on to be a member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church and St. Andrew’s Lutheran By the Sea.

Barbara is survived by her children, The Rev. Ann Marie Alderman (Robin); David Wayne Alderman; Susan Ruth Alderman; and Kittie Hall France (Scott); her seven grandchildren - Jessica, Amanda, Kate, Jenny, Ella, Kirk and Benjamin - and six great-grandchildren.

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