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 Newly named ACT Artistic Director Stephen Carver We are excited to announce the appointment of Stephen Carver to the Amelia Community Theatre staff.
ACT Board President Jayne Jeney said, “Our search committee and the ACT Board feel fortunate to have found someone with Stephen’s experience and expertise in leading community theatres. We are excited to begin working with him as we prepare for ACT’s 42nd season.” Stephen is the fourth generation of his family to work as a community theatre professional. He knows first-hand the positive impact theatre can have on its community, having led community theatres for more than 20 years. He earned a bachelor of fine arts in theatre performance from Denison University. “It’s the family business, but it’s also my life’s passion because it’s all about building and celebrating community,” Stephen said. Stephen was the executive director of the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre, managing a 15-show production season and multiple venues. He was also the executive director/artistic director of the Longmont Theatre Company in Colorado, which was housed in an historic 1930’s movie theatre. He is a member of SAG (Screen Actors Guild) and has been a working professional actor with credits in film, television, and theatre in Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, including recurring TV roles in Star Trek: The Next Generation, Golden Palace, and General Hospital. Stephen especially enjoys the educational aspect of theatre, with an emphasis on coaching and training directors and actors, both youth and adult. He is a certified festival adjudicator for AACT, the American Association of Community Theatre, of which ACT is a longtime member. He and his wife Krista, a dance and yoga instructor, relocated from Melbourne, Florida. “Stephen is looking forward to meeting ACT volunteers and audience members and getting to know our community,” added Jayne. “We can’t wait for you to meet him!”  The Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival presents Beer & G-Strings – Musical Fireworks, Sunday, May 22nd at 5 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott Amelia Island. For additional information and tickets visit AICMF.ORG.
A dazzling celebration of exciting, virtuosic, and inspiring chamber music featuring members of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Georgian Chamber Players, Atlanta Chamber Players, Emory School of Music, Vega String Quartet, and Christiania trio. Musicians include David Coucheron – violin, Julie Coucheron – piano, Helen Hwaya Kim – violin, Charae Krueger – cello, Yinzi Kong – viola, Jessica Wu – violin, Khari Joyner – cello, William Ransom – piano and Elizabeth Pridgen – piano. The program will include ANTONIN DVORAK – PIANO QUINTET IN A MAJOR OP. 81, Allegro, ma non tanto; CAMILLE SAINT SAENS, The Swan; MANUEL DE FALLA, La Vida Breve, W.F BACH, Das Dreyblatt; BEDRICH SMETANA – PIANO TRIO IN G MINOR; VIVALDI, Four Seasons and “a special arrangement of Czardas” by MONTI. For information and tickets visit: AICMF.ORG. The Festival’s 21st Season Remaining Lineup Includes:
The Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival is a not-for-profit, tax exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The office is located at 1405 Park Avenue, Suite 101, Fernandina Beach, FL, 32034. For additional information, concert tickets, or to learn more about becoming involved visit www.aicmf.org or call 904.261.1779. Follow The Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival on Facebook. The Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. It is registered with the State of Florida and is in good standing with regards to its Solicitation of Contributions registration (#CH19166). A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE, WITHIN THE STATE, 1-800-HELP-FLA (800-435-7352), OR VIA THE INTERNET AT WWW.FLORIDACONSUMERHELP.COM. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSMENT APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. Public encouraged to complete two online surveys regarding Beach Park Harmonization, and Tourism and Destination Development initiatives AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. (May 9, 2022) – The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is utilizing a new website, MemoriesMaking.com, to gather public input for its Beach Park Harmonization and Tourism and Destination Development projects, two strategic initiatives designed to enhance the value of the county’s shared assets for the benefit of the entire community. Now through June 30, residents can visit the website to complete two separate surveys designed to give them an easy way to provide input on each project, thereby ensuring all community voices are heard in the planning process. The website was developed by the Amelia Island Convention and Visitors Bureau (AICVB), which is assisting the Nassau County BOCC with the two projects. The Beach Park Harmonization Project is part of the Beach Partnership and seeks to harmonize and enhance the visitor experience at Amelia Island’s seven main beach parks: North Beach, Main Beach, Seaside Park, Peters Point, Burney Park, Scott Road Access Point, and the South Road Access. Building on previous studies and existing guidelines, the Beach Harmonization Project aims to modernize and better equip these parks to serve local communities as well as visitors. In addition to the online survey, the community is invited to attend an Open House on Wednesday, May 18, at 5 p.m. at the Nassau County BOCC Chambers (96135 Nassau Place) regarding the Beach Park Harmonization Project. The “Nassau Next” Tourism and Destination Development Project will create a comprehensive roadmap for the future of Nassau County and its tourism economy. Positioning new areas of the county will help capture a greater share of tourism spending while maintaining momentum on Amelia Island. This project will deliver a clear 10-year plan for creating jobs, expanding the economy, and improving quality of life for visitors and residents. In partnership with the Nassau County BOCC and AICVB are the Amelia Island Tourist Development Council (AITDC) and two expert consultants, EDSA and JLL. A planning and urban design firm with more than 60 years of experience, EDSA is assisting with the Beach Park Harmonization Project. The JLL Travel and Tourism practice has robust expertise in destination development, tourism strategies and execution, and is assisting with the Nassau County Tourism Strategy and Destination Project. For more information, and to complete both surveys, visit MemoriesMaking.com.
Sunday, May 1 marked the beginning of Turtle Nesting Season. From now until the end of October, mama turtles will be coming onto the beaches of Fernandina Beach to lay eggs at night. These females need a quiet, dark beach to nest. Lights can scare and discourage turtles from coming ashore. If a female fails to nest after multiple attempts, she will often resort to a less-than-optimal nesting spot, resulting in few, if any, hatchlings surviving.
Beachfront light (also flashlights, flash photography, video equipment, and cell phone screen illumination) can cause sea turtle hatchlings to become disoriented and wander away from the ocean. If sea turtle hatchlings see artificial light, they become confused and may crawl in circles. Often, they die from dehydration, exhaustion, terrestrial predation, or passing cars. Things you can do to help:
If you happen to see a nesting sea turtle or hatchlings while you are on the beach, stay at a distance where you cannot be seen. Remain quiet, keep all lights off (including flashlights, flash photography, and video equipment). Do not disturb them in any way. For more information and lighting options, please contact Code Enforcement Director, Michelle Forstrom at (904) 310-3440 or email her at mforstrom@fbfl.org. Please visit the City website for more information: www.fbfl.us/seaturtlelights. Amelia Island Convention & Vistors Bureau
Press Release May 3, 2022 AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. (May 3, 2022) – Visitor activities on Amelia Island generated more than $1 billion ($1,027,582,200) in total economic impact in 2021, according to the newly released 2021 Value of Tourism Report commissioned by the Amelia Island Tourist Development Council (AITDC). Compiled by renowned Tallahassee-based Downs & St. Germain Research, the biannual report summarizes the profound impact visitors have on the economy, government, and citizens of Nassau County. In addition to the $1 billion economic impact milestone, the 50-page report shows visitors generated $725 million in direct spending in Nassau County restaurants, accommodations, attractions, gas, retail and grocery stores, and more. Compared to the 2019 report, this represents a 6.8% increase in direct spending, and a 14.67% increase in total economic impact. “We’ve been tracking the post-pandemic recovery, but it’s a relief to have the final report in hand to document Amelia Island’s return to record-setting economic impact in Nassau County,” said Gil Langley, president and CEO of the Amelia Island Convention and Visitors Bureau (AICVB), which markets the destination for the AITDC. “The total number of visitors decreased, but the healthy spike in direct spending and economic impact is indicative of our efforts to focus marketing strategies to attract quality visitors, rather than sheer quantity, for more sustainable tourism growth.” According to the research, over the past 21 years (2000 to 2021), the number of annual visitors to Amelia Island has increased nearly 85% (84.99%), but the amount of visitor spending has increased more than 171% (171.34%), a clear indication the AICVB has been successful in its efforts to increase yield, thereby building a sustainable tourism industry. The following are among the many other highlights and insights the report provides on the economic impact of Nassau County’s tourism industry in 2021:
For more information, visit AmeliaIslandTDC.com or AmeliaIsland.com. To download a copy of the 2021 Value of Tourism report, visit www.AmeliaIslandTDC.com/Value-of-Tourism. About Amelia Island Northeast Florida’s coastal treasure, Amelia Island is a barrier island rich in colorful history and breath-taking natural beauty. Amelia Island offers long, beautiful beaches, abundant wildlife, and pristine waters. Upscale resorts with world-class spas, championship golf and exclusive dining blend effortlessly with a captivating collection of bed and breakfast inns and historic districts. The island is home to Fernandina Beach, once a vibrant Victorian seaport village, and now a charming downtown district of eclectic shops, attractions and eateries. Forget the everyday getaway; come make memories on Amelia Island. For visitor information and online planning, visit AmeliaIsland.com. The Amelia Island TDC recently added to their online library three videos related to the value of tourism in Nassau County:
Fernandina Beach, FL, April 25, 2022 - Attention, all Nassau County Business Women: The Eight Flags Charter Chapter of the ABWA invites you to their meeting Tuesday, May 10, 2022, starting at 5:30 pm at the Fernandina Beach Golf Club on Bill Merton Road when Dr. April Murdaugh, of Jacksonville, named one of the ABWA's Top Ten Business Women of 2022, will share her journey to this prestigious Leadership award. As a leading organization for working women, the American Business Women's Association takes recognition to a national level with the prestigious Top Ten Business Women of ABWA program. The Top Ten is the highest honor awarded annually to members and recognized nationally at ABWA's National Women's Leadership Conference. These ten women are applauded for their career accomplishments, community involvement, and contribution to the American Business Women's Association. Through this program, members serve as role models for the entire membership and achieve recognition for their accomplishments as businesswomen. "I'm thrilled to have Dr. Murdaugh share her inspirational journey," says Lillie Marie Rogers, ABWA president. "We are fortunate to have a winner of this national award right here on the first coast. We encourage all Nassau County businesswomen to join us." April Murdaugh is the owner and Financial Advisor at Woman to Woman Financial, a Wealth Management Firm located in Jacksonville. She partners with women, business owners, and their families to help create and grow generational wealth. Her signature workshop, The Five Biggest Mistakes Women Make with Money, outlines women's struggles in managing their finances. She has a background as a college administrator and was a full-time professor of Business, Finance, and Logistics. She holds a Doctor of Education degree from Nova Southeastern University. ABWA meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 5:30 pm, beginning with networking, a light meal, and a program starting at 6 pm. Meeting at the Fernandina Beach Golf Club on Bill Melton Road in Fernandina Beach, each monthly meeting provides Professional Development speakers who impart the motivation and skills to create success in today's competitive business world. There is time to network with women from various businesses, skill sets, and experiences. Please visit www.abwaeightflags.org to learn more and to register for the meeting. Register for this event before Sunday evening. The cost is $20 for ABWA members; $25 for non-members. The mission of the American Businesswomen's Association is to bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support, and national recognition.  Dr. April Murdaugh Jax Black Car Transportation was recently featured in the April 2022 edition of the Chauffeur Driven publication. Click here to learn more and read the digital version of the magazine.   Gala Committee (l to r) Antoinette Richter, Joan Sheppard, Andrew Schmidt, Nancy Carpenter, Rose Baugh, Claire Cameron, Nancy Graham, and Jen Edgington FERNANDINA BEACH, FL (April 22, 2022) – The 15th Annual Gala benefitting Boys & Girls Clubs of Nassau County was held at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island on April 10, 2022.
The generosity in the room was astounding as over 500 guests joined to celebrate the efforts of Nassau County’s leading afterschool and summer program provider. During both a silent auction and a live “fill-the-heart” effort, the community showcased its commitment to philanthropy and support of the children and families in Nassau County. Unfortunately, we lost our friend and former MC, Ben Hynson, last year to cancer. This year’s MC, Bradley Bean, led the inaugural “Ben Hynson Fill The Heart” and raised a record amount in just ten minutes. In addition, every single auction item was bid on and sold during the evening. Entertainment this year was a dueling pianos team, Copper Piano, featuring Boys & Girls Club alumnus Jason James with Genesis Lorraine. Special Thanks to our Gala Committee Co-chairs Nancy Carpenter and Rose Baugh, along with committee members Claire Cameron, Jim Carpenter, Cindy Dickinson, Jen Edgington, Nancy Graham, Antoinette Richter, Andrew Schmidt, and Joan Sheppard. Every year the Boys & Girls Clubs of Nassau County Foundation relies on the Gala as its largest fundraiser of the year. For more information on how to sponsor a table at the 16th Annual Gala on February 18, 2023, please visit bgcnassau.org or call Andrew Schmidt at 904-261-8666. North Florida Land Trust and Community Groups Team Up for Little NaNa Dune Restoration Project4/20/2022 Press Release
April 19, 2022 Jacksonville, Fla., April 19, 2022 – North Florida Land Trust and volunteers from several community organizations recently participated in a restoration project at Little NaNa Dune in historic American Beach. The group planted a variety of plants on the dune which was acquired for conservation by NFLT last year. The project was driven by NFLT Board Member Pastor Carlton Jones and William Price who were joined by the NFLT team and volunteers from the Fernandina Beach Sea Oat Lovers, Amelia Island Comp Plan/LDC Working Group, and the Nassau County Extension Service along with other community members. Frank Hopf from the Dune Science Group provided expertise and guided the team of volunteers who planted many different plant species including sea oats, beach dune sunflowers, blanket flowers, seashore dropseed, sea oxeye daisies and bee balm. The plants chosen for the restoration project were picked to help restore the dunes which are a habitat for wildlife including gopher tortoises and migrating birds. The plants will help renourish the natural space and provide a diet for the wildlife. Cynthia Jones Jackson and her family purchased the plants for the project. They also provided work gloves, adjustable height shovels, suntan lotion and refreshments. Mike Anderson of Lawn and Order Lawn Service LLC volunteered his time and gas to pick up and deliver the plants from Green Seasons nursery just south of Tampa. Little NaNa Dune is 1.55 acres adjacent to the larger 8.5-acre NaNa Dune, the tallest dune in Florida. NaNa Dune is part of the National Park Service’s Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve. Both dune systems are an important part of historic American Beach which was founded in 1935 to give African Americans access to a beach during the days of segregation. In 2002, the original beach property was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and the American Beach Museum opened in 2014. In 2021, NFLT purchased three parcels of Little Nana Dune that were in danger of development. Donations to the Amelia Forever Campaign along with $500,000 from an anonymous donor and a challenge grant from the Delores Barr Weaver helped to raise the more than $1.3 million needed to finance the acquisition. NFLT established the Amelia Forever Campaign in 2019 to preserve the remaining natural spaces on Amelia Island. To learn more about the campaign and how to help, visit www.nflt.org/ameliaforever or contact NFLT at 904-479-1967 or info@nflt.org. About North Florida Land Trust North Florida Land Trust is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the quality of life by protecting North Florida’s irreplaceable natural environment. Founded in 1999, NFLT has preserved tens of thousands of acres of land through the donation or purchase of land as well as conservation easements. NFLT is funded largely by private and corporate contributions and works closely with willing landowners and public agencies at all levels of government, not-for-profit partners, and foundations. For more information, visit nflt.org. |
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