Presidents Message Archive
Issue 355, October 18, 2026
“Sharks are beautiful animals, and if you’re lucky enough to see lots of them, that means that you’re in a healthy ocean. You should be afraid if you are in the ocean and don’t see sharks.” – Sylvia Earle Are you a fan of Shark Week? Have you ever had a question about sharks and […]
Issue 354, October 11, 2026
“Breast cancer, whether I like it or not, is part of my family’s story. That’s why I am so passionate about raising awareness because I have seen firsthand how it can impact others.” October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and this cause has affected my life personally, I have two surviving sisters who both faced […]
Issue 353, October 4, 2026
“Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby It’s finally cooling off and cuddle weather is close at hand. Pools are closing, evenings are starting to feel like something you can actually sit outside for and the heavy summer air is loosening its grip on […]
Issue 352, September 27, 2026
Every sunset is an opportunity to reset. Every sunrise begins with new eyes. Richie Norton Fall is here, and with it the welcome return of pumpkin spice lattes and the first stretch of cooler weather. After getting through hurricane season without a major hit, Jacksonville can finally exhale and step outside again with walks in […]
Issue 351, September 20, 2026
This past week was a special day in history. On September 13–14, 1814, during the War of 1812, British forces attacked Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland. British ships in the Chesapeake Bay bombarded the fort throughout the night, firing rockets and explosive shells at the American defenders. Despite the intense attack, the American troops held their […]
Issue 350, September 13, 2026
“Are you guys ready? Let’s roll” Todd Beamer, passenger on United Flight 93 This time of year, only one moment comes immediately to mind: the attack on the World Trade Center towers. The emotions still flood back like being slapped in the back of the head: sudden, disorienting, and impossible to shake. In those hours […]
Issue 349, September 6, 2026
“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” – Thomas Edison One hundred forty-four years ago, workers pushed back against brutal conditions that included fourteen-hour work days, six-day work weeks, working in sweltering heat with no air conditioning. 1882 Oregon became the first state to recognize Labor […]
Issue 348, August 30, 2026
“Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.” — Warren Buffett I was making a purchase online the other day when I discovered the biggest difference between internet and local purchases: the trade-off between effortless convenience and the security of human relationships. Online, we can get food, cars, clothes, and even hot prepared […]
Issue 347, August 23, 2026
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill Southside Business Men’s Club has built a the foundation of giving back to the community in which we live and work. This includes cleaning beaches, riverbanks, and parks; Habijax and Retreaded work projects; and recent […]
Issue 346, August 16, 2026
“An investment in knowledge always pays the highest return.” — Benjamin Franklin It’s that time of year again, one of the key reasons for our fundraisers, when we have the privilege of passing out grants to deserving students of our community who through hard work and dedication to their studies, proved their worthiness of such […]