New group crosses beautiful barrier to unite riverfront residents
Though the river is considered by some to be Jacksonville’s “great divide,” for Sandra Fradd and Dorothy Merrick, the St. Johns is a means to bring together residents living in downtown condominiums and apartment buildings. It began 10 years ago when Merrick moved to Jacksonville and, in her words, “became completely engaged with living in […]
Residents paint trees blue for art and awareness
Blue is the new green – at least temporarily. Thanks to grants from The Late Bloomers Garden Club, the 2016 SPARK Grant Program and Wells Fargo, with additional support from Deutsche Bank, more than 100 trees in several locations in Jacksonville are sporting a coat of a blue pigment. The Blue Trees, a project conceived […]
Taking up music later in life good for mind and body
“Mature” violin student Laverne Stearns of Fairfax Manor is hoping meet an equally mature drummer. “We could get together, find a couple of other musicians and form a group – play for the veterans or for people older than us,” Stearns said with a laugh, but with some seriousness. Lisa Kirkwood of Clark’s Music Center […]
Favorite lunch spot for politicians makes way for gas station
Not many businesses have the opportunity to go out on top. Judging by the number of recent and long-time customers who are dismayed that Two Doors Down shut its door on Nov. 25, Norman Abraham had a great run. “We built a great following here, the business has been wonderful,” said Abraham, a Lakeside resident. […]
You’re never too old
Lorna Bell, 90, really hasn’t ever known a time when she didn’t work. Even now, the Murray Hill resident still gets into her car once or twice a week to drive to the Jacksonville International Airport where she maintains the desk at the Visitor Information Center in baggage claim. Bell must love her job because […]
Quick thinking teen saves drowning toddler
Matthew Christenson, 13, didn’t set out to be a hero on Sept. 4, but that’s exactly what he is in the eyes of toddler Gavin Westcott’s parents, Gilliam and Dani. The Westcott family live in Lakeside next door to Matthew and his parents, Dan Christenson and Kimberlee Stewart, and his brother Luke, 8. The […]
Avondale home has national curb appeal
Secret was kept for more than a year Terry and Walter Woodliefs’ “15 minutes of fame” was planned, but still arrived unexpectedly. It all started in April 2014 when the Woodliefs were invited to participate in a hush-hush project. Although Terry Woodlief first thought the invitation was at best a ploy to sign up for […]
Taking the road past the unthinkable
This is a love story. After a life of being single, Pamela Telis found the love of her life in her mid-50s. It is also a story about living, not dying. Married five years, Telis received news two days before Christmas 2014 no one ever wants to hear: her husband, Harold McKeon, was diagnosed with […]
