Willow Branch canal to see improvements
The City of Jacksonville has begun a program to rehabilitate Willow Branch canal that will hopefully finish by this fall. Construction is one of the few industries that haven’t been held up with the Coronavirus closures, and neighbors say the City is moving forward with replacing the bulkhead and plans to plant new trees. The […]
Ortega Point utility project taking shape
Heart Utilities of Jax crews were hard at work April 29, installing historic-style “acorn” street lights as part of a neighborhood-driven project to underground utilities in Ortega Point North. The subcontractor for the JEA is making progress in phases, as work to install new electric conduit, transformers, cables and manholes continues. Construction crews have remained […]
Dentists provide emergency care while waiting to open in May
Avondale dentist Dr. James Schumacher used to joke that he would love to have a “drive-through” dental service in order to make things easier for his patients. Little did he know his light-hearted levity would one day come close to reality. Schumacher, along with several other dentists in Jacksonville’s historic districts, has closed his office […]
In Memoriam: Ronni Gaskin Williamson Candler
March 16, 1945 – April 19, 2020 Milliners throughout Northeast Florida are mourning the passing of one of their greatest customers, Ronni Gaskin Williamson Candler on April 19 after a brief battle with cancer. A lifelong resident of Jacksonville, Candler, 75, rarely left her home bareheaded and owned more than 200 hats at the time […]
In Memoriam: Janet Owens
January 4, 1953 to April 8, 2020 A rare spirit. A phenomenal community leader. A sharp, clear-eyed thinker. An impassioned advocate. A wonderful, talented, and caring person. Those are just a few ways Janet Owens was described by people who knew her well. Owens, who was executive director of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) […]
In Memoriam: William Wiley “Bill” Gay
His doctor described him as “a mountain man, the gold standard,” and when it came to establishing his company, respecting his employees, supporting his family, and giving back to the community, he was all that and more.
The Way We Were: Arthur Chester Skinner, Jr.
As the sun’s rays penetrated through the pine trees, a young man galloped down the dirt roads of a primitive South Jacksonville in the 1930s on his horse, Vinny, long before commercial and residential areas and the city and state roads needed to provide transportation to them, were developed. This was when the lands south […]
Connecting By Caring Campaign: A creative look at the Paying it Forward principle
It’s no secret the Coronavirus crisis and its economic fallout has thrown everyone for a loop. Many small businesses within Jacksonville’s historic districts are struggling. Unfortunately, a few may not survive.
