amelia island

Amelia Island Dining Month shines a spotlight on the chefs, flavors and hospitality around the island. Submitted photo

Amelia Island Dining Month shines a spotlight on the chefs, flavors and hospitality around the island. Submitted photo

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Wine and dine, island style

Nick Blank
Friday, August 28, 2026
Returning for the month of September, Amelia Island Dining Month will feature specialty menus at 23 participating restaurants, inviting visitors and residents to sample what the island has to offer. The initiative is organized by the Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau.
The Amelia Island Parkway Trail runs along 3.4 miles of the parkway. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

The Amelia Island Parkway Trail runs along 3.4 miles of the parkway. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Nassau County marks completion of Amelia Island Parkway Trail

Ashley Chandler
Thursday, August 27, 2026
On Wednesday Nassau County leaders and community members gathered to celebrate the completion of the Amelia Island Parkway Trail.The most-recent 2.4 miles of trail built along Amelia Island Parkway from Via del Rey Road to South 8th Street, combine with previous installations to create a 3.
ARIAS — Amelia Residents In Action for the Symphony — continues working to expand music education opportunities for Nassau County students. Submitted

ARIAS — Amelia Residents In Action for the Symphony — continues working to expand music education opportunities for Nassau County students. Submitted

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ARIAS keeps music playing in Nassau

Amy Mulligan
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
For some students, music class is an opportunity to learn an instrument. For others, it can become a lifelong passion, a creative outlet or a way to connect with their peers and community.Research increasingly suggests it can also have benefits that extend well beyond the music room.
Owner of Island Florals, Russell Daniels, left, is partnering with Sand and Sage owners Jill Vozza and husband and business partner Rich Yaworski, to create Sand, Sage and Soul Gathering House, 3381 S. Fletcher Ave. Photo by Suzi Hamilton/For the News-Leader

Owner of Island Florals, Russell Daniels, left, is partnering with Sand and Sage owners Jill Vozza and husband and business partner Rich Yaworski, to create Sand, Sage and Soul Gathering House, 3381 S. Fletcher Ave. Photo by Suzi Hamilton/For the News-Leader

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Feeding Fernandina's Soul

Suzi Hamilton
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
A new collaboration of two locally-owned Fernandina Beach businesses is opening its doors on Labor Day, Sept. 7.Owner of Island Florals, Russell Daniels is partnering with Sand and Sage owners Jill Vozza and husband and business partner Rich Yaworski on the new venture.
Greg Edwards, owner of Amelia Island BBQ Company, talks with a Turner ACE Hardware customer Saturday. Photo by Suzi Hamilton/For the News-Leader

Greg Edwards, owner of Amelia Island BBQ Company, talks with a Turner ACE Hardware customer Saturday. Photo by Suzi Hamilton/For the News-Leader

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Turner ACE celebrates expansion completion with grand re-opening

Suzi Hamilton
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Renovations are complete, and the Grand Re-Opening at Turner Ace Hardware over the weekend told the community the Patio Expansion is ready for customers.From Friday through Sunday, locals showed up for special deals and product samples to celebrate the expansion’s completion.
K9 Lea is a finalist in the Military category of The American Humane Hero Dog Awards, which the organization said celebrates 'ordinary dogs that do extraordinary things.' Voting is open until Sept. 18

K9 Lea is a finalist in the Military category of The American Humane Hero Dog Awards, which the organization said celebrates 'ordinary dogs that do extraordinary things.' Voting is open until Sept. 18

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The Lea Show: Local Military K9 duo seeks support in Hero Dog competition

Ashley Chandler
Thursday, August 20, 2026
A local military K9 duo is seeking support as they are in the running for a national award.Victoria “Tori” Blandford, Fernandina Beach resident and Lea’s handler, said the black lab explosives dog definitely deserves to be recognized for her accolades.
The Surf Restaurant & Bar comprises seven structures, the first of which was built in 1959. It sits on a 1.86-acre property at 3199 S. Fletcher Ave., and includes a beach motel. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

The Surf Restaurant & Bar comprises seven structures, the first of which was built in 1959. It sits on a 1.86-acre property at 3199 S. Fletcher Ave., and includes a beach motel. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Homes could replace Surf Restaurant

Nick Blank
Friday, August 14, 2026
A Fernandina Beach restaurant in business for about 70 years announced it was closing next month to an outpouring of sentiment of social media, while a developer plans 13 homes at the location.The Surf Restaurant & Bar comprises seven structures, the first of which was built in 1959. It sits on a 1.
Lynn Leisy, president of the Princess Amelia Chapter of the Florida Society of the Colonial Dames XVII Century, and distant cousin to Amelia, unveils the Princess Amelia historical marker Saturday, now outside the Amelia Island Museum of History. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Lynn Leisy, president of the Princess Amelia Chapter of the Florida Society of the Colonial Dames XVII Century, and distant cousin to Amelia, unveils the Princess Amelia historical marker Saturday, now outside the Amelia Island Museum of History. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Amelia's mark

Ashley Chandler
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
This weekend, locals paid tribute to Princess Amelia with a permanent marker at the Amelia Island Museum of History.With several elected officials present Saturday morning, a historical marker was unveiled outside the museum by the Society of the Colonial Dames XVII Century.