Coastal Friends will host Dr. Jeff Ettling, president and CEO of Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens, as the guest speaker at its April 1 luncheon at Marsh Landing Country Club. Ettling joined Jacksonville Zoo in March 2022. Previously, he served as president and CEO at Sedgwick County Zoo in Kansas as well as 21 years with the St. Louis Zoo.
Ettling will speak about the March 6 grand opening of the new Vystar Skyscape entrance and Manatee River Habitat, as well as what else is going on at the zoo, such as Land of the Tiger and Primate Forest. Since 1914, and spanning 122 acres, Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens is home to more than 2,000 rare and exotic animals and more than 1,000 plant specimens in their nationally-accredited botanical garden.
The luncheon will be held on Wednesday, April 1, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Marsh Landing Country Club, 25655 Marsh Landing Parkway, Ponte Vedra Beach. The menu will consist of caesar salad, pasta chicken parmesan, zucchini medley and key lime pie. The cost to attend is $25, and the lunch is open to Coastal Friends members, guests and the community. Reservations must be made in advance by contacting the luncheon chairman at barshar@comcast.net. Checks must be received by Wednesday morning, March 25.
Coastal Friends is a women’s social club established in 1998. Formerly called Newcomers Alumnae, it is comprised of women who live in Ponte Vedra Beach, Nocatee, Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach, St. Augustine, Jacksonville and the surrounding area. Members include women who have had a change in circumstances, are new to the area, recently retired or just want to meet new people.
Activities include outings, book club, bunco, canasta, happy hour, mah jongg, samba, wine socials and lunch out. The club also highlights a specific charity each month.
Luncheons are held on the first Wednesday of every month at Marsh Landing Country Club, except for July and August. New members are welcome throughout the year. For more information, contact the membership chair at brookemeister@msn.com.
