Local Folks: Bil Reed
Bil Reed is a semi-retired construction worker and logistics expert. He’s been living on the edge of Ortega since 2005. He’s been living on the edge of adventure for a whole lot longer. He’s ridden a motorcycle to every state except Hawaii. Reed’s been riding for nearly six decades. He started in his early teens […]
Local Folks: Emily Johnson
Emily Johnson is a third-generation Jacksonville native who’s holding onto a dream and working hard to fulfill it. “My goal is to eventually live in Five Points,” she said. Johnson is a full-time occupational therapy assistant at HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital, formerly Orange Park Medical Center. She began working there last year after having […]
Animal House: First Duval Public School Police K9 Maverick
K9 Maverick, the first Duval County School Police (DCSP) K9 and Northeast Florida’s first Firearms Detection K9, was sworn in by DCSP Chief Greg Burton on Wednesday, May 31, at Cline Auditorium. The new Duval County School Police Honor Guard presented the flag and the Pledge of Allegiance. The two-year-old Belgian Malinois received his DCSP […]
Local Folks: Numa Saisselin
Since 2012, Mr. Numa Saisselin has been president of downtown’s historic Florida Theatre, a non-profit organization and one of the most attended theatres in the world. “Our business is better than it’s ever been,” he said. Numa and his wife, Laurie, moved from New Jersey to Avondale 10 years ago specifically for his position at […]
Animal House: Kittens, Kitnapping & Krusaders
When a gorgeous, but gaunt, tabby cat with swirly fur appeared at Connie Williams’s home begging for food, Williams rushed to feed her distressed visitor. While the cat would approach and meow for food, it would run if Williams attempted to pet her. Thus began a daily routine between the nervous cat and the retired […]
Local Folks: The Burnham Family
Jen and Brandi Burnham are the owners of Lush Leaves, a San Marco plant nursery. They opened their Hendricks Avenue doors in 2019. In addition to selling organically grown houseplants there, they offer workshops and classes, host discussions at local garden clubs, and plan vendor events that promote other businesses within the community. “Our outside […]
Animal House: Pet Program Comforts Hospice Patients
The smile of joy on the face of a hospice patient who sees his or her beloved pet coming through the door for a visit, lifts the spirits of anyone privileged to witness the sight. Community Hospice & Palliative Care, Pet Peace of Mind Program volunteers make these visits possible for patients who can no […]
Local Folks: Khoranhalai J. Washington
Khoranhalai J. Washington’s first name is Hawaiian, though she is a native of Durham, North Carolina and still has 144 cousins there. Six years ago, she married a Navy man from Tallahassee, Florida, Dean Washington. For four years, the Washingtons lived on the NAS JAX base near Ortega, while Dean was stationed there. “We would […]
