The Beaches

  From shows at the and the , to lively productions at the or , the First Coast is a vibrant metropolis that never sleeps. Whether you’re into country western or comedy, rock-and-roll or jazz, Broadway musicals or pop, Jacksonville offers something for everyone. How many times have you asked yourself after a show, where can we get something good to eat late in the evening? We’re starved! And no matter your tastes, there are many late night hangouts offering inspired dishes and cocktails to keep the festivities going after the show. Here are a few late night favorites in …

Lily Snowden Imagine waking up on a yacht every day, perhaps in the Bahamas, Mediterranean or Virgin Islands. Sounds like a dream, right? For many young 20-somethings, this is a reality. But how?! One word: yachting. Though many people don’t realize it, the yachting industry has a high demand for workers. With a low cost of living, extended travel dates and other perks, this career has quickly picked up popularity among young Floridians and adventurers alike. Known as “yachties,” they are paid to live what many would consider a dream life: Work on a yacht, travel for free and use …

Jake Fairbanks As we approach the summer of 2022, the numbers of attendees of the Northeast Florida beaches are steadily rising, coming off an unsteady two summers from the impact of COVID-19. The shark attack capital of the world, Florida, is also seeing a descending number of new employees at your local Ocean Rescue agencies. In March of 2020, we’ve witnessed the closing of Duval county beaches in an effort to prevent the spread of the Corona Virus and practice social distancing. Understandably, all Ocean Rescue agencies had to cancel or significantly limit their operations. Tyler Lead, a local beach …

Susan Gold, Archives & Collections Manager, Beaches Museum Duncan U. Fletcher High School was built through a federal grant secured with the assistance of Senator Duncan Fletcher, who the school is named for. The location was chosen so the school would be in the center of the school district, and the 22-acre site cost $5,750. The building itself was to cost $69,000 to build. The cornerstone was laid Sept. 25, 1936, and the doors opened on Sept. 20, 1937. Principal Frank Doggett recalled it was hard at first to convince the students to attend, with many wanting to continue attending …

            Let me start off by telling you how much shrimp I eat: A LOT, but it wasn’t until a international journalism course with Professor Nicolas Tatro that I really began to question the source of my seafood and the importance of sourcing seafood locally. Shrimping has been a vital aspect of Northeast Florida’s commerce since the early 1900s when Greek boat builders Michael Tiliakos and Demetrios Deonas moved to Fernandina Beach. Using larger engined boats with the ability to trawl larger nets, they helped establish Fernandina as the birthplace of the modern shrimping industry. By …

New Voices Program at PBTS Puts Important, Relevant Stories Into The World Players by the Sea is looking for new voices to participate in a year-long program designed to bring original works to the stage. Established in 2016, the was created as a vehicle to nurture and develop scripts by local playwrights. Now that theatres have gone dark during the pandemic, Players revived the program after a yearlong hiatus into a virtual platform “New Voices: Voices Unheard.” “I created the New Voices program as a way for to help nurture and elevate the voices of local playwrights. At that time, …

Numerous fish species, unbeatable weather, and a healthy fishing infrastructure make the First Coast a fisherman’s paradise. Our state offers 2,276 miles of tidal shoreline, 10,550 miles of rivers, 7,700 lakes, and countless ponds. The First Coast offers a multitude of options. From offshore saltwater fishing, surf fishing, bridge fishing, river fishing and plenty of freshwater ponds or lakes around, there are options far and wide. Inspiration That Lasts a Lifetime Former Jacksonville Beach Councilman and Mayor Rick Hale has been a fisherman in Florida’s waters for close to 70 years. The native’s passion for fishing was largely influenced by …