Clerk’s office welcomes former state senator as senior advisor

Travis Hutson
The St. Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller’s Office is thrilled to announce that former Florida State Senator Travis Hutson has joined the team as senior advisor for …

Summer at the Cummer will begin May 30

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens has announced the return of its annual Summer at the Cummer event series, held on Friday evenings from May 30 through June 20. Presented by Citi, Summer at …

Port in the Storm Homeless Youth Center to host Keys of Hope Gala in June

St. Francis House and Port in the Storm Homeless Youth Center are set to celebrate the youth center’s sixth anniversary this summer with the first-ever Keys of Hope Gala. The gala is …

Send us your nominations for Best of the Best of Ponte Vedra

The Recorder has launched its seventh annual Best of the Best of Ponte Vedra contest, covering ZIP codes 32082 and 32081. Starting Friday, May 16, readers have the chance to nominate their …

NEWS

Jacksonville woman named Military Spouse of the Year

Hire Heroes USA, a national nonprofit organization that empowers U.S. military members, veterans and spouses to succeed in the civilian workforce, hosted its third annual Empowerment Gala on May 8. …

ONLY ON THE WEB

Putting it all on the line: Mickler’s hosts triathlon

The 2025 Game On! Ponte Vedra Beach Olympic and Sprint Triathlon was held at Mickler’s Landing on Sunday, May 18. More than 230 athletes competed in the event with another 39 participating in the …

Guana land swap proposal draws opposition

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Acquisition and Restoration Council will consider a request at its meeting Wednesday, May 21, to swap 600 acres in the Guana River Preserve for …

Speaker to describe journey from Israel to Ponte Vedra

Naomi Walls during her military training in Israel

The Atwater at Nocatee’s “Getting to Know You” resident guest speaker program has announced their next resident guest, Naomi Walls. Her life journey from Israel to Ponte Vedra is a …

FEATURES
Ocean Palms brings sunshine to staff
Ocean Palms celebrated Staff Appreciation Week with nothing but sunshine for its sun-sational staff. The sun rose with a breakfast from Chick-fil-a and coffee from Starbucks on Monday. The next …
Step into Local Wellness and discover not just an artfully designed space complete with cabanas and cozy seating, but a team of educated professionals dedicated to helping customers look and feel …
Bunny O’Neill knew she had a small window of opportunity to speak to Lady Diana, Princess of Wales, and she was determined to make the most of it. “We were at Christie’s Auction in June …
Brookdale Southside, a Jacksonville senior living community, hosted a special event on April 22 in honor of Earth Day where the community celebrated its brand-new Garden Club. The Brookdale …
The circa 1750 Peña-Peck House Museum and Gift Shop in St. Augustine is the location of multiple events in May during Historic Preservation Month. The Woman’s Exchange of St. Augustine runs the …
IN THE ARTS
Review: The Jacksonville Symphony Takes on Mozart's Classics with Nartadjieva and Kuo
“Classical music” has always held a handful of meanings. Your middle school chorus teacher was likely quick to remind you that it’s not just a genre on Spotify. “Classical refers to the …
The Florida Chamber Music Project will end its season on Sunday, June 1, with an all-Beethoven program. The concert will take place at the Beaches Museum Chapel and is sponsored by an anonymous …
The Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville, a cultural institute of the University of North Florida, is delighted to announce that it has achieved accreditation through the American Alliance of …
Local author, R.V. Little, Jr., will discuss his recent book, Three Cold Wars: A Vermont Citizen-Soldier’s Life In The Infantry, that chronicles the military life of his father, a Vermonter and …
“Peter Pan,” to be presented by Zoika’s Dance, tells the classic J.M. Barrie story through the language of dance, featuring ballet, tap, hip hop, contemporary, jazz and acro dance. Professional …
More Local News
Diane’s Natural Market brings holistic living to the community
Head south on Highway 1 in St. Augustine, not far from the hustle and bustle of the Historic District, and you’ll spot a green logo with a cartoon carrot marking the location of Diane’s Natural …
The request to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Acquisition and Restoration Council for a land swap of 600 acres in the Guana River Preserve for 3,066.23 acres in four locations across the state has been withdrawn.
Pine Island Academy, located in St. Augustine, is celebrating a record-breaking showing at the Florida Odyssey of the Mind State Finals, held earlier this month at the Orange County Convention Center …
Apex Theatre Studio announces the launch of its inaugural new works festival. The Red Moon New Works Theatre Festival will present workshop productions and readings by professional playwrights, …
The City of Atlantic Beach’s Environmental Stewardship Committee selected its inaugural Environmental Stewardship Award winners during an awards event on April 23 where individuals, businesses and …
NOCATEE HAPPENINGS

New beach volleyball courts set to open in Nocatee

Vanessa Summers-Gyulai and Andor Gyulai stand in front of the new beach volleyball courts which are set to open in the Nocatee community on June 1.

When Andor Gyulai and Vanessa Summers-Gyulai first moved to the Ponte Vedra area about three years ago they felt like it was a great community to develop beach volleyball players and even Olympians. …

Circle of Creation hosts second session at the link

Guests attending the second session of Circle of Creation

On Wednesday, April 30, community members joined at the link at Nocatee to attend the second session of the Circle of Creation series. The series, which began its first of seven sessions in …

Teen Club collects baby items

The Teen Club at the link stepped up in a big way for the Largest Baby Shower Ever! These incredible teens collected more than 175 baby items — including diapers, baby wipes, baby shampoo and wash, …

Coming up at the link

From creative connection at the Circle of Creation to fun-filled evenings like Kids Night Out and meaningful networking events for business owners, there's something for everyone this month at the …

ONE OF US
Tery Spataro
Tery Spataro is a creative innovator specializing in generative AI, with a journey that spans traditional art, digital design and groundbreaking AI-driven storytelling. Her work blends technology, …
Erin Spalding has had a successful, multi-faceted career and is today managing broker for the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty Ponte Vedra Beach/Nocatee Office. …
Madelen Salter is market president for Office Images in Jacksonville. In this role, she focuses on business development, market expansion, talent development and leading innovation regarding the …
Paul Carr is a co-owner of Flamingo Coffee and over the past seven years they have grown a tight knit relationship with the First Coast community and are preparing to expand to two new locations this …
Marie Milton, owner and founder of Three Stories Inn, opened her cozy, novel-themed inn in the heart of St. Augustine’s historic district to provide comfort and adventure to any who walk through …
SPORTS

Heffernan finishes fifth at state meet

Colette Heffernan of Rawlings Elemenary School raced her way to an impressive 5th place finish in the 1500-meter run at the Florida Track and Field State Meet. She finished with a time of 5:20. …

Robinson, Lickliter awarded district honors

Dennis Robinson

Ponte Vedra High baseball had a couple of district award winners with head coach Dennis Robinson being named coach of the year and junior pitcher Storm Lickliter as player of the year.

Nominate a local field or park to receive possible revitalization

TruGreen spaces initiative.jpg: A partnership between TruGreen and Minor League Baseball is looking to revitalize a local park or field in one of its 120 markets across the county.

TruGreen, the nation's leading lawn care treatment provider, is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Minor League Baseball that includes activations across all 120 clubs, a makeover of …

Obituaries
Rhoda Karol
Rhoda Karol, born on November 1 st , 1930, passed away in Jacksonville, FL on Saturday, May 17 th, 2025, at 94 years old after several health issues.  She was born in Brooklyn, NY where she met …
Eileen A. Taylor
Eileen A. Taylor passed away on March 27, 2025, at the age of 84 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida where she was surrounded by family.  She is heartily missed by family and friends. Eileen grew …
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 …
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 …
Father William “Bill” Kelly, longtime Jacksonville Beach pastor, dies at 90
The Rev. Fr. William “Bill” Kelly, a beloved Catholic priest whose ministry spanned more than half a century in Florida, died Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025. Kelly was best known as the pastor of St. …
Lifestyle features from around the web

Trump is targeting sanctuary cities. But what is a sanctuary city, anyway?

Next City explains that sanctuary cities, which aim to limit collaboration with federal immigration enforcement, are legal—but they have long been a fixation of the Trump administration.

After years apart, they found their loved ones experiencing homelessness

CalMatters reveals what happened when two people were able to reconnect with their relatives experiencing homelessness after reading a CalMatters article.

Hawaiian taro takes root in Oregon

Economic Hardship Reporting Project and Civil Eats report that while more Native Hawaiians live in the continental U.S. than they do in Hawaii, many in the diaspora long for stronger ties to their home and cultural identity.

Why Trump wants to ban barcodes on ballots, and what it means for voters and election officials

Votebeat reveals that President Donald Trump's executive order targeting a technology which helps speed up vote counting could be costly if eliminated.

Without AmeriCorps rural communities will lose essential social services

The Daily Yonder looks into how, after the Department of Government Efficiency cut over $400 million worth of AmeriCorps grants across the country, rural nonprofits will struggle to survive.

Six Park Personality Types: Which One Are You?

What’s your park personality?

(NAPSI)—From bustling activity hubs to tranquil nature escapes, public parks offer diverse experiences that cater to the different ways people like to use and enjoy the outdoors.   Based on …

Where Americans are happiest

SmartAsset ranked 90 of the largest U.S. cities across 11 happiness metrics spanning the categories of personal finance, physical well-being, and quality of life to determine the happiest cities in America.

What is a sanctuary city, anyway?
Next City explains that sanctuary cities, which aim to limit collaboration with federal immigration enforcement, are legal—but they have long been a fixation of the Trump administration.
How is equity taxed? A clear guide to RSUs, ISOs, NSOs, and ESPP
Range helps you understand how each type of equity is taxed and equips you with actionable insights to make informed financial decisions.
After years apart, they found their loved ones experiencing homelessness
CalMatters reveals what happened when two people were able to reconnect with their relatives experiencing homelessness after reading a CalMatters article.
There’s a lot to learn about crime. Trump’s orders are making it harder to get answers.
The Marshall Project reports that so far the Trump administration has cut funds for tracking bad cops, shootings and violent extremism, canceled crime prevention grants, and more.
The state of salary transparency in healthcare and other industries
Vivian Health examined legislation in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to learn which ones have salary transparency laws or plan to adopt regulations soon. 
How to start a free LLC in 2025
LegalZoom says there is no such thing as a completely free limited liability company since filing fees will need to be paid, but provides information on how to get an LLC with no additional costs.