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Anecdotal

Step into the shoes of First Coast locals with our Anecdotal section, where everyday stories paint a vivid picture of life in Jacksonville. From heartwarming encounters and quirky local traditions to personal triumphs and community spirit, we share the real, unfiltered experiences that capture the essence of our unique coastal haven.

Anecdotal

Step into the shoes of First Coast locals with our Anecdotal section, where everyday stories paint a vivid picture of life in Jacksonville. From heartwarming encounters and quirky local traditions to personal triumphs and community spirit, we share the real, unfiltered experiences that capture the essence of our unique coastal haven.

PUTTIN’ ON THE RITZ

You know the old saying…”I’ve been thrown out of better places than this!” How about getting tossed out of a five star resort? By bouncers? On your honeymoon? We were celebrating our recent nuptials at

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Reflections on Sand

The Sands of my Childhood had a way of coloring my entire life. My earliest memories are of running through the sands of the orange groves that surrounded my grandparent’s house. How many hours did

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25 NEW YEAR WISHES

25 NEW YEAR WISHES Author Lucille Cortese more flowers, less weeds more sunshine, less rain more listening, less talking more dancing, less watching more laughter, less tears more love, less hate more peace, less war

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Singing River

I’ve told you the story before, haven’t I? If I remember correctly, I don’t think l told y’all the whole story. Every one remembers the old Pat Boone song, “Running Bear and Little White Dove?”

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TRIAL AND ERROR

TRIAL AND ERROR Lucy Cortese “Members of the jury, have you reached a verdict?” Judicial words prompt my heart to race, my stomach to lurch, my bladder to activate. I grew up watching Perry Mason

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Memories at the Beach

MEMORIES AT THE BEACH You can have your snow! Nope, don’t want it! You can have your impassable streets, snowplows, heavy coats and boots and your hibernating freezing weather. I’ll take the palm trees, the

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Memorable First Kiss

Lucy Giardino Cortese MEMORABLE FIRST KISS Who doesn’t remember their first kiss? A peck from a junior high beau? A passionate smooch from a high school sweetheart? Did you practice puckering up before a bedroom

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Mane Mania

My hairI want it long, straight, curly, fuzzySnaggy, shaggy, ratty, mattyOily, greasy, fleecyShining, gleaming, streamingFlaxen, waxenKnotted, polka-dottedTwisted, beaded, braidedPowdered, flowered, and confettiedBangled, tangled, spangled, and spaghettied! (HAIR! The American Love-Rock Musical) Those lyrics from 1967

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Ticket Troubles

Lucy Giardino Cortese TICKET TROUBLES The dreaded blue light flashes in the rearview mirror. Sweaty palms choke the steering wheel. Heart skips a beat. Breath comes in gasps. Tummy growls like onset of Montezuma’s revenge.

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Discordant Descant

Are you the sister that sings or the other one? This question reverberates throughout memories of my childhood. Living with a sibling who rivals Sarah Brightman in reaching high Cs, my voice remains a consistent

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