Sexton receives ‘Rock of Community Award’ at annual celebration

Jacksonville Beach Mayor Christine Hoffman, Grace Allen, Susan Schaad and Charlene Shirk attend the Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra Beach’s Mineral City Celebration, held April 5 at the Northeast Florida Regional Airport.
Jacksonville Jaguars broadcaster Brian Sexton received the 2025 “Rock of the Community Award” at the Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra Beach’s recent Mineral City Celebration. …

Manatees stir up Ponte Vedra Beach

Sun, surf — and sea cows? On Monday afternoon, April 14, Ponte Vedra Beach residents and visitors witnessed a rare and wild spectacle — four adult manatees rolling and splashing through the …

Kathy’s Gardening Guide: Climbing Flowers and Plants

Kathy’s Creative Gardens & Nursery

The burst of color from a climbing flower is a stunning addition to any landscape. These plants provide a vertical design element with minimal space requirements. The plants listed below are …

Invest more confidently in volatile markets

When financial markets fluctuate, perhaps in reaction to world events, inflation, or a change in interest rates, even the calmest investors can start to question their financial strategies. But …

Contemporary artist gives vintage ceramics a modern twist

Cumbrian Blue(s), New American Scenery, “California Wildfires” No:5, 2024. Transfer print on partially erased Beauty Spots of California transferware souvenir plate made in Staffordshire England c.1910 for Rowland Marsellus (importer)

“ American Scenery and Souvenirs: Transferware by Paul Scott” highlights the work of artist Paul Scott, whose familiar-looking, blue-and-white ceramics subvert traditional tableware motifs with …

FEATURES
Fresh leatherback turtle tracks at Mickler Beach
Rare leatherback turtle nest spotted at Mickler Beach
It’s quickly approaching that time of year when beachgoers can expect to see orange-and-yellow caution tape triangles indicating sea turtle nests. While the season technically begins on May 1 …
Linda Adams holds a copy of her book with her stepdaughters Bella and Sophia Hayes by her side.
Cancer is something that unfortunately most everyone knows at least someone who has been affected by it in some way or another, but for Linda Adams it has been a part of her world for much of her …
Jacksonville Parks and Recreation will host its third annual Monopoly Tournament on May 31, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Jacksonville Main Library, 303 N. Laura St. Registration began last …
Pictured from left are: Anthony Lizano, Kerry Burkhart-Weed, Jacqueline Fogg, Paula Felici and Marcus Patterson.
Every person has a story. We’ve all heard that, but how often do we consider the stories of the people we encounter each day, stories that remain unspoken because no occasion to share them …
Behar made a guest appearance at Underwood Jewelers
On April 4 and 5 community members gathered at Underwood Jewelers in Ponte Vedra to meet renowned designer Lika Behar. Behar is currently on tour at jewelry stores around the country …
IN THE ARTS
Finger Mullet Film Festival set for May 2 at Flagler College
The Crisp-Ellert Art Museum (CEAM) and Flagler College have announced this year’s screening of the Finger Mullet Film Festival will be held at CEAM on Friday, May 2. The opening reception will be …
Lou Pugliese
Retiring after two careers, Lou Pugliese decided to try his hand at writing a novel. After sending the completed manuscript to dozens of agents and publishers, he learned the difficulties of finding …
The Ritz Chamber Players (RCP) invite the community to a moving and powerful musical tribute, “The Ties That Bind,” in commemoration of Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day). This profound …
Peggy Bacon, “Promenade Deck,” 1920, drypoint, 6 by 8 3/8 inches, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Frank McClure, © The Estate of Peggy Bacon
MOCA Jacksonville, a cultural institute of the University of North Florida, opened “The Armory South: The 1924 Jacksonville Woman’s Club Exhibition Rediscovered” on April 10, and it will run …
MOCA Jacksonville opened two new exhibitions April 10 at its Spring Exhibition Opening Celebration. The new exhibitions include “Jax Contemporary: MOCA Jacksonville Arts Triennial,” a juried art …
More Local News
Local vendors lined up outside the restaurant for the event.
Trasca & Co. Eatery celebrated its 10th anniversary by hosting a fun-filled birthday bash on April 12 as a way of saying thank you to the community that has meant so much to them over the years. …
Members of the community are invited to gather at Beth El — The Beaches Synagogue on the evening of Wednesday, April 23, for an evening of remembrance and a Yom HaShoah service. The yearly …
The second annual Smoothie King Crown Cup Pickleball Tournament, held on April 5, raised $50,000, bringing together athletes, businesses and community members in support of at-risk youth in …
Registration is open for high-quality, arts education summer camps (ages 6-17) through First Coast Cultural Center (FCCC). Students will have opportunities to participate in theatre camp at …
Theresa Bruccoliere
Atwater program announces next speaker The Getting to Know You resident speaker program at The Atwater at Nocatee will feature Theresa Bruccoliere at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 23. Her topic will …
NOCATEE HAPPENINGS

linkThrive Women’s Retreat inspires women from across the region

Gurpreet Misra, co-founder of the link and Sapna Foundation, welcomes guests

On Saturday, April 12, members of the community gathered at the link in Nocatee for linkThrive Women’s Retreat. The event lasted from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and treated guests to a transformative …

The link announces highlights for April

linkThrive Women’s Retreat Women from across the region will gather at the link, in the heart of Nocatee, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 12 for an inspiring retreat designed to nourish the mind, …

Circle of Creation helps women level up their lives, businesses

Women in the community are invited to join a transformative seven-session series at the link, where they will enhance their lives and businesses through a dynamic and inclusive learning environment. …

ONE OF US
Chef Barry Honan
Chef Barry Honan opened Lotus Noodle Bar as a way to bring his fine-dining experience and deep love for Japanese cuisine to St. Augustine, blending big-city flavor with a personal passion that’s …
Linda Benson
Linda Benson is career development director for Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty.
Tanya Ramos-Puig
Tanya Ramos-Puig is chief executive officer for the Monique Burr Foundation for Children, which will hold its annual “A Night in the Vineyard” on April 8.
Feeding Northeast Florida President and CEO Susan King is seen near one of the nonprofit’s trucks.
Susan King is president and CEO of Feeding Northeast Florida, which has been a beneficiary of generosity by THE PLAYERS Championship.
Michele McManamon, CEO of Operation New Uniform
Michele McManamon, CEO of Operation New Uniform, is a dedicated leader focused on helping military veterans transition to new careers. She has been actively involved with THE PLAYERS since 2010, …
SPORTS

UNF esports arena OK’d

The University of North Florida will open an innovative esports arena next year, after the Jacksonville City Council granted $3 million in support on April 8. The Flight Deck, UNF’s innovation …

Spring football schedules released, practice begins April 28

Nease and Beachside will both begin their spring football practices beginning Monday, April 28.

Coaches and players will begin to get a feel of the squads they will have as they prepare for the football season next fall with spring practice set to get underway in less than two weeks. The …

Comeback win thrusts Sharks into district championship

Aspen McAdoo earned the save against Orange Park High in a semifinal matchup to secure a spot in the district championship for the Sharks.

The Ponte Vedra Sharks are one win away from a district baseball title after the Sharks stormed back to defeat the Orange Park High Raiders 10-7 in a semifinal matchup and will face tournament host …

Obituaries
 Michael Palmer Diffenderffer
Michael Palmer Diffenderffer, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on April 3, 2025, at the age of 84, in his cherished home of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Born …
News Briefs for the Week of April 10-16, 2025
County Commissioner Clay Murphy to speak The Palm Valley Community Association will host a special meeting with the newly elected County Commissioner Clay Murphy on Monday, April 14. As …
Cathy Dibble Raef
Cathy Dibble Raef, a beloved mother, sister, and friend, passed away in Fort Worth, Texas on March 7, 2025, just shy of her 74th birthday. Born in Dallas, Texas, on March 9, 1951, Cathy was a proud …
Death Notices for April 10, 2025
Connie Lee Adams Shea Connie Lee Adams Shea, 78, of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, died March 15, 2025. Ponte Vedra Valley Funeral Home, Cremation Center & Cemetery – 904-285-1130 – …
Death Notices for April 3, 2025
Andrew Keltus Emmerth Andrew Keltus Emmerth, 90, of Ponte Vedra, Florida, died March 21, 2025. Ponte Vedra Valley Funeral Home, Cremation Center & Cemetery – 904-285-1130 – …
Neurons that fire together sometimes wire together.
How does your brain create new memories? Neuroscientists discover ‘rules’ for how neurons encode new information
As you experience or encounter new things, your brain must encode this information via the right neural networks at the right time.
Head and neck cancer survivor gets new Jaw in a Day
(BPT) - Looks matter. And for cancer survivors who've undergone major facial surgeries, changes to their appearance and function can be emotionally and physically devastating. For many, reclaiming a …
Automotive stocks: The effect of tariffs on shares of popular automakers
Finder examines how car stocks fare before and after auto tariffs start.
Automotive stocks: The effect of tariffs on shares of popular automakers
Finder examines how car stocks fare before and after auto tariffs start.
More states are filling a federal gap by helping police track stolen guns
The Trace reports that when a gun goes missing, the chances that it'll be used in a crime go up, so reporting requirements can help police track down firearms beforehand—but the laws do more than that, too.
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