Columns

Breaking bread with Buddy and visitor visionaries

This past Friday, I had the pleasure of having lunch with Gil Langley, president & CEO, and Paul Beirnes, Vice President, of the Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau, along with legendary Fernandina Beach attorney Buddy Jacobs.

A timely tribute to Mom, in all her glory

Just around the corner is my favorite person's birthday. My mother, Helen, turns 91 this month. As hundreds of millions (probably billions) of people say about their mothers: Mine is second to none, as good as it gets.

Mother Nature delivers breathtaking beauty, ferocity

It’s been 15 years since I’ve had to actively worry about being in the potential path of a tropical storm or hurricane.

Buoyed by division win, Jags head West

It’s normal not to have a barometer yet on where a team is after Week 3. The Jaguars face a talented, undefeated, chronically injured San Francisco 49ers team (3-0) on the road. The Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1) won ugly against the Houston Texans (0-3), a team in freefall.

Loads of laundry amount to life’s spin cycle

Like a moth to a flame, I’m lured twice per week to the laundry room, the sudsy shrine to domestic drudgery. Most of you know the sounds involved: The washer’s whirring, humming and chugging – with intermittent rinsing and spinning.

Downton Abbey finale not grand, but jolly good

The grandiose title Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is challenging to live up to, but the film’s cast and crew does an earnest, compelling job as we’ve come to expect. The beloved British franchise first struck gold on PBS circa 2010-15 before its successful transition to the silver screen.

Taste of Amelia is more than just good food

One of the many wonderful things about Amelia Island is the variety of delicious and diverse restaurants. Whether it’s fresh seafood, a casual lunch, or fine dining, Fernandina Beach offers diners a mouthwatering selection of choices.

Bad-blood clash with Texans offers Jaguars a reset

Social media is the worst place after every Jaguars loss. The trending topics after the infuriating 31-27 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals illustrate the daily news cycle between Sundays. Why is Brian Thomas Jr. shying from contact? Is Trevor Lawrence the guy?

So long: Deaths of well-known artists give pause

Another week, another famous artist’s death. It may seem silly or cliched, but whenever a longtime musician or veteran actor passes away, a piece of my life goes with them.

Celebrating a special day for a very special person

Twenty-one years ago, my life changed forever. It happened in a small suburb of Dayton, Ohio. A place where my career took me on a brief and otherwise uneventful pitstop — all but for this one life-altering event.