Robert A. Hardwick takes the oath Jan. 5, becoming the new sheriff in St. Johns County.
Contributed photo
Justin Thomas won the 2021 PLAYERS Championship, which concluded on March 14.
Photo by Craig O’Neal
The Ponte Vedra girls soccer team celebrates after winning the state championship against Archbishop McCarthy on March 5 in DeLand.
Photo provided by Colleen Mabe
Sheriff Robert Hardwick presents certificates of commendation on April 20 to Karen Brown and Luke Dorow for their quick action in saving the life of three-year-old Calvin Harry.
Photo by Shaun Ryan
Attending the Beaches, A Celebration of the Arts event on May 23 were Janet Wilson, Sandy Beers and Ellen Diamond, who had been with the Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach since it began. The center has since been renamed First Coast Cultural Center.
Photo by Shaun Ryan
Hospital officials and local dignitaries ceremonially break ground June 10 on the new Flagler Health+ Durbin Park campus.
Photo by Shaun Ryan
Raghu Misra, son Rohan Misra and wife Gurpreet Misra cut the ribbon on the link during grand opening festivities July 14. The $7 million, 22,500-square-foot co-working space, multi-use innovation incubator and membership-based venue in Nocatee Town Center had been in the works since 2018.
Photo by Shaun Ryan
At the conclusion of St. Augustine’s 9/11 Ceremony of Remembrance, Fire Department Prevention Chief and Fire Marshal Bob Growick rings the department’s historic 1900 fire bell in four intervals of five rings each. The tradition of “Striking the Four 5’s” signifies the last alarm of a firefighter.
Photo by Shaun Ryan
Julianne Alvarez and Jessica Porvasnik competed in the final of the inaugural PXG Women’s Match Play Championship on Nov. 4, with Porvasnik ultimately prevailing.
Photo by Anthony Richards
Sam Joiner and his 1961 Mercedes-Benz 190SL were named the overall winner at the 2021 Ponte Vedra Auto Show.
Photo by Anthony Richards
Posted
2021 was a busy year as more businesses began to reopen and events were held once again following a tough year of restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here’s a look at some of the notable news from the past 12 months:
JANUARY
Robert A. Hardwick was officially sworn in as the new St. Johns County Sheriff.
Johns County received its second allotment of COVID-19 vaccines.
The Cultural Center of Ponte Vedra Beach opened its new Jacksonville Beach facility.
Ponte Vedra High School named Steve Price its new football coach.
FEBRUARY
K9s For Warriors founder Shari Duval passed away. She was remembered for helping hundreds of veterans and rescuing more than 1,000 dogs.
Ponte Vedra High School student Marina Mitchell became the first female in St. Johns County to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.
Tennis great Tony Trabert passed away. He was a 10-time major champion and 1970 International Tennis Hall of Fame inductee.
The Ponte Vedra High School boys basketball team won the district championship.
The PGA Tour Global Headquarters opened in Ponte Vedra.
MARCH
Justin Thomas won THE PLAYERS Championship.
The Ponte Vedra girls soccer team won the state championship.
APRIL
A proposed parking change on Ponte Vedra Boulevard advanced.
Vicar’s Landing began construction on a new facility.
A new management company took over the Hilton Garden Inn in Sawgrass Village.
The Sheriff’s Office recognized two local heroes who saved a boy from drowning.
MAY
The Ponte Vedra High School baseball team advanced to the regional final.
The Ponte Vedra High School boys tennis team advanced to the state championship.
Beaches, A Celebration of the Arts saluted artists and supporters.
The Ponte Vedra High School girls lacrosse team won the regional title.
JUNE
Nease NJROTC was named the second most outstanding unit in the nation.
Flagler Health+ broke ground on its Durbin Park campus.
American Roll-on Roll-off Carrier Group moved its headquarters to Ponte Vedra.
The emergency berm restoration project was approved for local beaches.
JULY
Plans for a new YMCA branch in Durbin Park were announced.
The PLAYERS Community Senior Center in Ponte Vedra reopened after being closed during the pandemic.
The link in Nocatee Town Center officially opened its doors.
Cyclist Greg Taylor returned to Jacksonville after his 11,500-mile, cross-country ride to raise funds for Chemo Noir.
Johns County put together a time capsule in commemoration of its 200th anniversary.
The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach became the First Coast Cultural Center.
AUGUST
The Ponte Vedra Raiders flag football team won the Under Armour Under the Lights Flag Football National Championship.
K9s For Warriors broke ground for a mega kennel.
Dozens gathered at Vilano Beach for the Florida Skimboarding Pro/Am.
SEPTEMBER
The Nease High School football team beat rival Ponte Vedra, breaking an 11-year losing streak.
Starling resident Jerry Norton published a book featuring his art. He is known for painting a portrait of each U.S. president.
Ron DeSantis visited American Legion Post 233 to thank first responders and members of the military on the eve of Sept. 11.
Augustine marks the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Winn-Dixie added a taproom and enhancements to its Ponte Vedra store.
Hugo’s Interiors celebrated its centennial.
OCTOBER
Ocean Palms Elementary School students raised $100,000 for the school at their Otter Run.
K9s For Warriors received a Back the Blue Award from state Attorney General Ashley Moody.
The Nease High School boys swim team won the district title.
The inaugural Furyk & Friends event was a success.
NOVEMBER
The final Never Quit Run was held at Jacksonville Beach.
The first PAM Jam in Ponte Vedra Beach was held at the library.
The Ponte Vedra High School girls volleyball team won the regional title.
Sam Joiner and his 1961 Mercedes-Benz 190SL were the overall winners at the 2021 Ponte Vedra Auto Show.
Elite Airways began commercial flights from the Northeast Florida Regional Airport in St. Augustine.
The Ponte Vedra High School girls swim team won its first state title in school history.
The Ponte Vedra High School girls cross-country team won its first state title.
Jessica Porvasnik won the inaugural PXG Women’s Match Play Championship.
DECEMBER
Sterling Joyce, the “unofficial mayor of Jacksonville Beach,” passed away. The community turned out to celebrate his life and legacy at a special ceremony.
The Ponte Vedra Municipal Service District board approved traffic calming and sidewalk studies.
Johns County and St. Johns County School District approved new districts.
Coastal Wine Market & Tasting Room launched its Stone to Crystal cabernet sauvignon.
Nease High School girls basketball player Sydney Gomes surpassed 2,000 points.
