Teri Tompkins is a local artist that grew up in St. Augustine and after traveling the world and living in both Europe and California made her way back home in 2005. Although she did not begin truly studying art in a classroom until later in life, she has always had a passion for it and has followed that passion, which even led her to traveling around Europe on her own when she was just 16 years old.
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As told to Anthony Richards
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1/19/23
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Sara Wilson is an advanced registered nurse practitioner at Amara Med Spa’s Ponte Vedra Beach location. She is a Jacksonville native and is happy to still call the First Coast home years later with her husband and five children now living in Vilano Beach. Family has always had a major influence in Wilson’s life, as it was her grandmother that inspired her to become a nurse.
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As told to Anthony Richards
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1/12/23
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Dr. Garrett Schwarzman is a board-certified surgeon who recently joined Flagler Health+ Orthopedic Specialists. He is practicing at Flagler Hospital’s St. Augustine campus and at Flagler Health+ Village at Nocatee.
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As told to Shaun Ryan
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1/5/23
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Claire Jane Kendrick is a local artist who lives in Vilano Beach and has a studio in St. Augustine. She specializes in plein air painting and is inspired daily by the natural beauty and landscapes of the First Coast and strives to capture that beauty in her artwork.
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As told to Anthony Richards
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12/22/22
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David Priest has had a passion for woodworking since he was a child growing up in Maine. He moved to St. Augustine six years ago and owns Old Colony Woodworks, where his hobby has now become his full-time job and he never takes any day or project he works on for granted.
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As told to Anthony Richards
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12/15/22
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Steven Terrell is a sommelier who brings his business, Uncorked Events, to his customers. Level 3 Wines Certified, he is knowledgeable about wines of all types and enjoys providing themed events and sharing his knowledge during tastings.
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As told to Shaun Ryan
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12/8/22
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Donna Lueders is the executive director of Investing in Kids (INK!), and it is a role she is very passionate about. She is continually striving to help the organization creates new programs to impact students and teachers within the St. Johns County community. She understands that her role and that of the organization’s is even more important as there continues to be a growth in new students and families moving into St. Johns County each year, making the goals of the organization everchanging.
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As told to Anthony Richards
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11/17/22
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Melinda McManus is the chair of this year’s Heroes Gala – her third year chairing the event benefiting Operation New Uniform, a local charity that helps veterans make a successful transition to the civilian workforce.
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As told to Anthony Richards
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11/10/22
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Jason Nettle has had a rich career in one of the most difficult professions to break into: the theatre. He has performed in major professional shows and has brought his talents to Northeast Florida. Today, he shares his dedication to the theatre with his students at Ponte Vedra High School.
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As told to Jada Montesione
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11/3/22
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Stephanie Clarkson is president and chief executive officer of Vitis Energy, a St. Augustine-based independent power producer and clean energy solutions developer. As a woman owner/operator of a utility-scale IPP, she oversees all operations for the company, including project development, finance, engineering and operations. With a long family history as a Floridian, she currently lives in St. Augustine with her husband and four children.
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As told to Anthony Richards
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10/27/22
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When Jeri Millard found herself unhappy with the health care she was receiving for her breast cancer several years ago, she moved from California to Northeast Florida. It was a decision she never regretted, calling this area a medical Mecca. Today, she runs In The Pink, an all-in-one Jacksonville Beach facility that caters to the needs of cancer patients and survivors.
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As told to Shaun Ryan
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10/20/22
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Jacksonville Symphony’s music director, Courtney Lewis, has made a name for himself as one of the most dynamic orchestral conductors of his generation. His approach to symphonic programming reaches across all socio-economic groups, making great music accessible to all. He has a commitment to new music and has worked with and commissioned many of the leading composers of today. He has been called “a passionate opera conductor” and will demonstrate it when he conducts his favorite Mozart opera, “The Magic Flute,” in 2023. He has appeared with many high-profile orchestras, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Vancouver Symphony and the RTE National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland. From 2008 to 2014, he served as the music director of Boston’s Discovery Ensemble.
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By Shaun Ryan
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10/20/22
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After having a career as a hair stylist for more than 20 years, Tracie Rampley began her own custom hat company in 2013, called Embellished Designs. She puts her own personal touch into each hat and takes pride in the fact that no hat is ever the same. She is also very active in the community and tries to give back every chance she gets ever since moving to Ponte Vedra Beach in 2011.
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As told to Anthony Richards
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10/13/22
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David Leininger is on the planning committee for Caring Chefs, which benefits the Northeast Florida programs of The Children’s Home Society of Florida. As such, he plays an important role in bringing this Jacksonville tradition back after two years’ hiatus during the pandemic. Here, he tells The Recorder about the event and its importance.
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As told to Shaun Ryan
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10/6/22
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Kathleen Floryan is a real estate professional with eXp Realty and the incoming chair of the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce Ponte Vedra Beach Division. She grew up in New York and had a successful nursing career, eventually moving to Northeast Florida, where she established her real estate career in 2006.
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As told to Shaun Ryan
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9/29/22
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Shana Ryan is president and CEO of Conceptual HR Solutions, which helps small business owners with human resources and payroll needs. With a desk at the link, Ryan’s company serves Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra and the surrounding areas.
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As told to Shaun Ryan
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9/22/22
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Mark Bennett now calls Ponte Vedra home and has made a name for himself by posting his local nature photography on various community public Facebook groups. His love for photography began in high school and it has since blossomed into a creative avenue that he enjoys sharing with his fellow residents. The beauty of all the various animals he captures is what he enjoys most, and his goal is to share that beauty with the rest of the community.
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As told to Anthony Richards
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9/15/22
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Mark Ryan has worked for several businesses over the years, and he began his latest venture earlier this year as director of sales and marketing with America’s Choice Title Company. In his free time, he loves to run, surf and golf, which is what brought him back to the area in 2005 after a short stint in the 1980s.
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As told to Anthony Richards
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9/8/22
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Longtime golf architect Erik Larsen’s work can be seen around the country, but he also designs golf courses here on the First Coast. He reinvented the Atlantic Beach Country Club in 2015 and is now completing work on the St. Johns Golf Club, which is owned by the county.
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As told to Shaun Ryan
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9/1/22
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Kelly Ussia is the St. Johns County Parks and Recreation naturalist. In that role, she leads several diverse and interesting outdoor activities in various parts of the county.
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As told to Shaun Ryan
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8/25/22
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Wendy Tatter has become a regular among the St. Augustine artist scene, and recently moved her gallery to a new location at 806 Anastasia Blvd. in St. Augustine. She specializes in a unique art form known as Batik.
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As told to Anthony Richards
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8/25/22
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Emma McCabe has turned her passion for reading and writing into a small business that has gained momentum in the last year.
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As told to Anthony Richards
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8/18/22
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In April 2021, Lesley Vitel and sister Libbi Vitel-Poole cut the ribbon on their business, Painting With a Twist, located at 268 Solana Road, Ponte Vedra Beach. It’s a unique place where people can learn to paint while connecting with friends and sharing a favorite wine. There’s always something interesting going on with special events, private parties and more.
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8/11/22
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Lisa Barton and her team have been a big part of the real estate landscape in Ponte Vedra for more than a decade. Lisa Barton Team Ponte Vedra Beach — Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Partners has established itself as a leader in one of the keystone businesses on the First Coast.
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As told to Shaun Ryan
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8/4/22
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Michael Smith won a state golf championship at Nease in 2007 and played college golf at James Madison. He now works locally to help aspiring young golfers achieve their goals of advancing their own golfing careers by earning college scholarships as founder and CEO of ForeCollegeGolf.
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As told to Anthony Richards
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7/28/22
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