PROUDLY SERVING RIVERTOWN
“THERE IS NOTHING IN THE WORLD SO GOOD AS GOOD NEIGHBORS” – LAURA WILDER
DEAR NEIGHBOR, DEAR NEIGHBOR,
Dear RiverTown Neighbors,
June has arrived, and with it, the chance to celebrate some of our favorite heroes — dads. This issue of the link is dedicated to fatherhood in all its forms: the backyard-grilling, joketelling, late-night-diaper-changing, life-advice-giving kind of heroes.
Being a dad is one of life’s greatest blessings — and greatest mysteries. How can one man simultaneously assemble IKEA furniture, coach a little league game, and still misplace the remote that’s in his hand?
But in all seriousness, fatherhood is a sacred role. It’s not about perfection — it’s about presence. It’s in the bedtime stories, the driving lessons, and the steady hand that reassures us when life gets bumpy.
To all the dads, stepdads, grandfathers, uncles, and father figures — we honor you. Thank you for showing up, standing tall, and loving big.
Wishing everyone a meaningful, memory-filled Father’s Day.
The Thomas Kids - Settlment
OPEN HOUSE
CUL-DE-SAC, DOUBLE PRESERVE, UNPARALLELED PRIVACY. Stylish. Sophisticated. Welcome to a show stopping pool home tucked away in the highly touted Orchards at Rivertown - Rivertown’s only neighborhood with exclusively 80’ homesites. Located on a peaceful cul-de-sac and surrounded by preserve on both the side and rear, this is arguably the best homesite in all of Rivertown. This home offers nearly 3,700 square feet of refined living space, featuring 4 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms with soaring 12-foot ceilings throughout. Inside, you’ll find custom touches at every turn - from the chef’s kitchen with top-of-the-line finishes, to the open-concept filled with natural light and indoor/outdoor living. Every space has been designed with comfort and elegance in mind. Step outside and fall in love with your own private retreat: an oversized 18x45-foot pool under a full screen enclosure, complete with a fully equipped summer kitchen perfect for hosting gatherings or enjoying quiet evenings at home with the family. Immaculately maintained, move-in ready, and set in one of the area’s most desirable communities. This is cul-de-sac living at its finest.
The Classic Old Fashioned
Some things get better with age.
According to a Chicago barman, quoted in the Chicago Daily Tribune in 1882, the recipe for the “old fashioned” cocktail is a combination of spirits, bitters, water, and sugar similar to a drink of seventy-six years earlier, which takes the first known origin of this lovely drink back to 1806.
Today, it is the number 1 cocktail that is sold in America...the perfect drink for a dad!
INGREDIENTS
1.5 oz Bourbon or Rye whiskey
1 Sugar cube
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Few dashes plain water
BUILD
Place sugar cube in old fashioned glass and saturate with bitters, add a dash of plain water. Muddle until dissolved. Fill the glass with ice cubes and add whiskey. Garnish with orange slice, and a cocktail cherry.
Serve on the rocks; poured over ice Garnish with a Cocktail cherry, Orange slice.
Enjoy in moderation.
FATHER’S DAY a short history
Sonora Smart Dodd was a genius.
Her father, A Civil War veteran, was a single parent who raised her and five of her siblings alone in Spokane, Washington. In 1909, Ms. Dodd heard a sermon about Mother’s Day at her church, and an idea took hold. She told her pastor that Fathers should have a similar holiday to honor them. She floated the idea of June 5 [her father’s birthday], but there wasn’t enough time to prepare their sermons. The church elders chose the third Sunday of June instead.
The concept got a rather slow start. Ms. Dodd was busy with college, and the idea languished. However, after college, she tirelessly promoted the concept, and gradually it gained nationwide recognition. A bill was introduced in Congress in 1913, but was voted down - Congress did not want to commercialize another holiday for Americans.
As the decades and two World Wars passed, the idea never truly disappeared. There were various proclamations over that time period, but nothing truly concrete was done about this special day.
In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson issued a Presidential Proclamation designating the third Sundey in June as Father’s Day.
Six years later, President Richard M. Nixon signed Father’s Day into law as a National Holiday.
And the rest, as they say...is history.
Thank you, Sonora.
We dads owe you one.
HOME SERVICES
SMALL ANGLE BIG IMPACT
When it comes to your putter, one often-overlooked detail can make all the difference: lie angle. But what is lie angle, and why should you care? Let’s break it down.
WHAT IS LIE ANGLE?
The lie angle is the angle between the shaft of your putter and the ground when the putter is properly soled. Imagine your putter as a lever. If that lever is off by even a few degrees, it can lead to a stroke that’s off target, no matter how perfect your aim feels.
WHY IT MATTERS?
An incorrect lie angle means your putter face won’t be square at impact. This can push your putts left or right of your target. The right lie angle ensures a more repeatable stroke, minimizing the need to constantly adjust your setup. A properly fitted lie angle means your putter sits flush to the ground, improving your comfort and confidence.
Dialing In Your Setup
n 6° Flat: Toe-down setup causes the face to open slightly, leading to pushed putts and off-line rolls
n Correct: Sole flush to the ground keeps the face square, promoting consistent aim and pure roll.
n 6° Upright: Heel-down setup closes the face slightly, often causing pulled putts and misalignment.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR LIE ANGLE IS CORRECT?
Check Your Setup: Make sure the putter is flat against the ground at address. Look for Wear Marks: If the sole of your putter has wear on the heel or toe, your lie angle may be off. Get Fitted: The best way to know for sure is through a professional fitting.
from God (Psalm 127:3), and they grow up faster than we realize. Every moment we invest in them – whether it’s a bedtime story, a shared laugh, or simply sitting down to listen – shapes who they become and the relationship we’ll have with them for the rest of our lives.
Our kids don’t need perfection; they need connection. They need to know we’re there – not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. The kind of dad we want to be is the one whose kids light up when he walks through the door. But that kind of relationship doesn’t just happen – it’s built through intentional time, consistent love, and joy that overflows even when we’re tired.
There’s something powerful about a dad who brings joy into his home. When we laugh with our kids, smile at our spouses, and carry peace in our presence, we model the love of our Heavenly Father, who delights in His children. It’s not always easy, especially after long workdays or during stressful seasons, but joy is contagious – and it helps build a home that our kids want to come back to, even when they’re grown.
Work is important, yes. But here’s the hard truth: work will come and go. Projects finish, roles change, jobs end – and we can be replaced in all of them. But in our families, we are irreplaceable. You only get one chance to be the dad your kids need. And no title or paycheck will ever matter more than the legacy you leave in your children’s hearts.
So be the dad who’s there. The one who chooses the backyard over emails, the dinner table over deadlines, the bedtime prayer over late-night meetings. Be the dad who shows your kids what it means to love deeply, laugh freely, and live fully in Christ.
Let’s lead our families with purpose. Let’s love them like Jesus. And let’s never forget: our greatest calling isn’t out there – it’s right here at home.
Keep up the good work, Dad! And Happy Father’s Day!
Your neighbor, Nathan.
St. Augustine has a wonderful secret.
St. Augustine Distillery was founded by 20 local families with a common vision: To create world-class spirits and leave St. Augustine better for future generations. They preserved, restored and transformed Florida’s oldest ice plant into the most visited craft distillery in America.
You should treat yourself to a bottle today. And you should treat yourself to a tour today.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
REV UP YOUR SPACE.
Chris Woodward and his team specialize in transforming garages with complete remodel makeovers that truly reflect your personal style. Their work is nothing short of stunning. They take pride in their craftsmanship and believe in being clear, honest, and trustworthy with every customer.
Chris’ goal is to provide outstanding service from start to finish, and he’s excited to support our community with tailored solutions for anyone looking to upgrade their garage.
In addition to upgrading your garage, it’s important to maintain your garage door for longevity. Garage Up provides service and fixes in a timely manner ranging from;
Regularly lubricating the moving parts to ensure smooth operation and prevent wear.
Checking and tightening any loose bolts or screws to maintain the structural integrity.
Inspecting the weather stripping at the bottom of the door to keep out drafts and debris, and replace it if necessary.
Testing the door balance periodically to avoid strain on the opener.
These maintenance tasks can significantly extend the life of your garage door and keep it functioning optimally!
When you’re ready to own the garage bragging rights on your street, call Chris and the team at Garage Up First Coast. Visit garageup.com for their exceptional custom build and garage service capabilities.
FAMILY SERVICES
