What’s your name and what fills your time?
Frank Tappin. I moved to the beaches in 1974. I’m a carpenter/handyman.
I was the scoutmaster at Scout Troop 37 in Atlantic Beach from 2011 to 2024. I’m now what is called the Charter Representative, which is the liaison between the troop and our charter organization, Community Presbyterian Church. I am very active in this church as a property committee member.
Anything special going on for this summer?
My current pet project is the renovation of the ‘Scout Hut’. This is the scouts meeting building on the church’s property. The building was originally built in 1940. I first stepped into the Scout Hut in July of 1974 when I joined the troop the first time. I was 13 years old.
Any hobbies or interests worth telling us about?
I fish. I canoe. I still camp with the scouts but not much this summer because two of my children are getting married. One in July & the other in August.
What’s one thing (funny, different, cool) that many might not know about you?
I was born in Canada.
How do you like living on the First Coast?
Even though it has 10 times as many people as when I graduated from Fletcher High School in 1979, the Jacksonville Beaches are still a great place to live. I spend as much time as possible on and in the salt water.
Anything else that you would like to tell the community?
The Scout Hut has served as a place for hundreds or thousands of youth to meet and learn values. My goal is to have it serve for at least another 50 years.
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Mike is a native First Coaster and was a leading figure in surfing and skateboarding for most of his life. After promoting music for many years on the local music scene, Mike now brings a unique perspective to FirstCoast.Life as a contributing writer.
