Rugby, a doggie shindig, archaeology lecture: Things to do in and around the Beaches

Florida Times-Union
·5 min read

Art exhibit, reception tonight

This untitled piece by Barbara Milon is among the works of art on exhibit at the Adele Grage Cultural Center in Atlantic Beach through the end of May. Milon and the other artists in the show are all residents of Fleet Landing.
This untitled piece by Barbara Milon is among the works of art on exhibit at the Adele Grage Cultural Center in Atlantic Beach through the end of May. Milon and the other artists in the show are all residents of Fleet Landing.

Residents of Fleet Landing are the featured artists for May at the City of Atlantic Beach’s Adele Grage Cultural Center in Bull Park. An artist’s reception takes place on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. More than 20 Fleet Landing artists will be on hand to greet the public and discuss their work. Refreshments will be served.

The cultural center is located at 716 Ocean Blvd. in Atlantic Beach. For a complete schedule of events, visit coab.us/recreation.   

A nonprofit community serving adults age 62 and over, Fleet Landing was originally founded by and for retired military officers. Now open to people from all walks of life, the community provides an active independent lifestyle, robust wellness programming, educational, cultural and social events, fine and casual dining, as well as the full continuum of healthcare services and maintenance-free living on a 95-acre campus, located just five blocks from the ocean.    

For more information, call (904) 246-9900 ext. 1403 or visit FleetLanding.com/.

Youth rugby this weekend

Hundreds of middle and high school students will face off in the Invitational Youth Rugby Showcase on May 21-22 in Ponte Vedra.
Hundreds of middle and high school students will face off in the Invitational Youth Rugby Showcase on May 21-22 in Ponte Vedra.

Get your grubber warmed up and join the scrum as more than 500 high school and middle school students compete in the annual Invitational Youth Rugby Showcase on Saturday and Sunday.

The boys and girls compete from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Davis Park, 210 Davis Park Road, in Ponte Vedra. Learn more at FloridaRugby.org

Canine Carnivale Saturday

Grab your dear doggies and head to Beaches Veterans Memorial Park on Saturday, May 21, for the inaugural Canine Carnivale, beginning at 10 a.m. Free and open to the public, the event is family and dog-friendly.

Plenty of fun activities include a dog obstacle course, dog contests, vendor booths, crafts, food trucks and more.

Dog owners may preregister themselves and their canine for Simon Says, Not-So-Stupid Pet Tricks, Most Patriotic Costume and a Look-Alike Contest. The park is located at 1 First St. W. in Atlantic Beach. Learn more at coab.us/caninecarnivale, email recreation@coab.us or call (904) 247-5828.

Saturday lecture: Egyptian tombs

The Archaeological Institute of America — Jacksonville Society will meet at noon on Saturday, May 21, in Building 51 at the University of North Florida to hear a lecture by Dr. Melinda Hartwig of Emory University.  

Her lecture, “All the King’s Men: Officials’ Tombs in New Kingdom Thebes,” will discuss her 30-year project documenting the rock-cut tombs of New Kingdom officials in the Noble’s Necropolis of western Thebes in modern day Luxor. Hartwig will discuss the superbly painted scenes that offer a window into nobles’ careers, families and Egypt’s cultural history.

Free and open to the public, the lecture will be followed by complimentary refreshments in the Physical Anthropology Lab. On Saturday, parking is free, with staff, faculty and vendor spaces available to everyone.    

For more information, contact Melva Price at (904) 241-9411 or aiajaxsoc@gmail.com.

Newcomers luncheon

Join the Newcomers Alumnae club to celebrate the installation of a new slate of officers on Wednesday June 1, at Marsh Landing Country Club. The club also plans to unveil its new name, which was unanimously voted on at the May luncheon.  

The luncheon takes place from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and the country club is located at 25655 Marsh Landing Parkway in Ponte Vedra Beach. The menu consists of Chicken Marsala with the chef’s choice of sides, warm rolls and butter and a scrumptious dessert. The cost to attend is $23 and reservations must be made by contacting bartshar@comcast.net no later than Thursday, May 26.  

Formed in 1998, Newcomers Alumnae covers Ponte Vedra Beach, Nocatee, Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, St. Augustine and the surrounding area. For more information go to NewcomersAlumnaeFL.wildapricot.org or email brookemeister@msn.com.

PV Writers: Story endings

Writer Ken Pelham addresses the Ponte Vedra Writers Group on Saturday, May 28.
Writer Ken Pelham addresses the Ponte Vedra Writers Group on Saturday, May 28.

Award-winning author Ken Pelham explains the importance of delivering a strong ending in his presentation, “Big Finish! Writing the Story Climax” at the Saturday, May 28 meeting of the FWA Ponte Vedra Writers group, starting at 10 a.m. at the Ponte Vedra Branch Library.

The Central Florida author will share his secrets for crafting the best and most effective ending for the story being told, sharing strategies of great storytellers and how to put them to work for today’s writers.

Pelham has won multiple honors for his short stories, novels and nonfiction. Most recently, he earned a silver award at the Royal Palm Literary Awards in October for his novelette, “The Medusa Jump.”

The Ponte Vedra Writers group is part of the Florida Writers Association, a statewide, nonprofit organization with nearly 1,500 members dedicated to the support of both aspiring and published writers in any genre. The free meeting is open to members and nonmembers alike. For information on FWA please visit FloridaWriters.org.

Songwriters concert

Enjoy an evening of local music, hosted by Roy Peak at the Adele Grage Cultural Center on Sunday, June 5, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Whether you write, sing, play or simply enjoy listening to good music, the evening promises a unique blend of talent to transform the center with original creations. Performers should prepare two original songs for no more than seven to eight minutes total.

Doors open at 5:45 p.m. Seating is first-come, first-served. For information, email atlanticbeachmusic@gmail.com or recreation@coab.us, or call (904) 247-5828.

Reptile programs

Get up close and personal with a variety of local and exotic reptiles during "Wild Wonders: Dinosaurs Among Us," a hands-on nature program at Dutton Island Preserve on Saturday, June 11 at 11 a.m.

Local educator Mike Rossi brings a variety of small creatures for his presentation, which invites children and adults participate by holding select animals or performing small roles.

A second presentation is scheduled for Saturday, June 25. The preserve is located at 793 Dutton Island Road in Atlantic Beach. For more information, email recreation@coab.us or call (904) 247-5828.

Submit events to shorelines@jacksonville.com. 

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: LEADING OFF: Things to do in and around the Beaches