The Way We Were: Dr. Joseph Stokes
By Jennifer Jensen Bringing light to people’s lives Dr. Joseph Stokes’ first word wasn’t the traditional “mama” or “dada.” Instead it was “light.” When he was born in 1932, his family didn’t have electricity, but in his small town of Bronson, Florida, they had streetlights. His parents would walk the streets with him in his […]
The Way We Were: Happy 102nd Birthday, Mary Love Strum
By Peggy Harrell Jennings Happy Birthday Mary Love McCall Strum! When this amazing woman was born on September 11, 1922, in Quitman, Georgia, who could have known the influence and joy she would bring into the world? Her contributions have been many and the list of organizations and volunteer hours for worthwhile groups in Jacksonville […]
The Way We Were: Robert E. Lee Class of 1954 to host 70th reunion
Marlene Goodwin recalls getting ready to go to the 1953 Thanksgiving Day football game between Robert E. Lee High School and its gridiron rival, Andrew Jackson High. Goodwin – then a senior and known as Marlene Nall – laughs when she looks at photographs taken at that popular annual tradition. “We went to those games […]
The Way We Were: Brooks Andrews
If you have visited Southern Grounds on a Friday morning, you might have noticed a small group of older men chatting and drinking coffee. This group has been dubbed the Koffee Klatch. It all started in 2023, after Brooks Andrews retired from a long career as a chemical engineer. “My wife was saying ‘Brooks, you’re […]
The Way We Were: A Tribute to Bill Carter
By George N. Martin, Guest Contributor Our house was within a block of what became known as Ortega Village – a small group of stores that included Banner Grocery, a barber shop, a small mercantile store owned by a neighbor, Mrs. Varnadoe, and the sundries store Doc Ingram’s. Many childhood memories come to mind about […]
The Way We Were: Richard McGee
Richard McGee has always been an avid outdoorsman and an artistic creator. More than 15 years ago, he decided to combine the two and took up painting as a hobby. “I’ve always been able to sketch and draw,” he said. McGee has spent most of his life hunting and fishing, so he chooses wildlife scenes, […]
The Way We Were: Eunice Harris
Dressed to the nines, adorned with accessories, and hair in a simple updo, Eunice Harris brings a lively personality and positive attitude to every room she enters. Her eyes are bright, and her smile is warm when she meets new and old friends. When meeting Harris, one might be surprised when they learn her age. […]
The Way We Were: John Curington
Former San Marco Re-developer Finds New Passions in Croquet, Founding of Ponte Vedra Croquet Club John Curington is a tall, athletic Southern gentleman whose intellect and CEO energy make it easy to imagine the drive he applied to his goals – first in San Marco, then in Ponte Vedra. From 1973 to 1993, his quiet […]
