Author Archives: JSR Media

Making Waves for Our Waters

There are plenty of Florida-based environmental groups you can support with time or money—after you make sure you’re comfortable with their interests and resource allocation, of course. Some are local branches of well-known national or global organizations, such as the Sierra Club. Others are less recognizable but just as active. Here, three reputable water-focused groups […]

Mighty Fine Time in Micanopy

DIGS In the center of Micanopy, which was recently named one of America’s 12 cutest towns by the Huffington Post, try the Herlong Mansion (402 N.E. Cholokka Blvd.). This stately gem oozes with charm that harkens back to 1845 to accommodate visitors. The porch and property can slow anyone down, so take a seat behind […]

The Spread: Congaree and Penn Farm

Fifteen miles from Jacksonville’s urban core, blacktop highways turn into dusty country roads that lead to five one-acre rectangular rice paddies on a 220-acre farm called Congaree and Penn. This sprawling slice of rural heaven, lined with Spanish moss–covered live oaks and hopping with feisty, multicolored chickens, has been lovingly tended since January 2014 by […]

Day-Tripping in Downtown Stuart

My Florida: Big Cypress National Preserve

In 2004, hurricanes savaged the Gulf Coast. Charley, Frances and Ivan cut deadly swaths across Florida. Though the roof of our 1968 house on the Intracoastal had been mauled and we were evacuated from our home twice that year, our community in Clearwater Beach was mainly safe. My husband Jeff and I were relatively new […]

Hello, Governors!

The list of head-honcho wannabes is growing like a weed on both sides of the political fence. So meet ’em before they get pulled, mowed over or worse.

Vero Beach: Where the Finer Things Are

EAT Citrus Grillhouse Fresh-off-the-boat seafood prepared with citrus-infused ingredients (not to mention decadent truffle fries) makes this upscale restaurant a Vero favorite. 1050 Easter Lily Lane citrusgrillhouse.com Osceola Bistro Vero Beach native Christopher Bireley sources largely from local farms and offers daily ceviche specials for the innovative menu at this downtown restaurant. 2045 13th Ave. […]

Mayhaw Paloma Recipe by Mixologist Joe Nicol

Mixologist Joe Nicol of The Ice Plant, St. Augustine explains how to make a Mayhaw Paloma, using fresh-pressed grapefruit juice and mayhaw shrub from Congaree and Penn. Find the full recipe online here. Video by Jessie Preza

Mangrove Snapper by Chef Jason Stocks

Read the Chef’s full story here. MANGROVE SNAPPER WITH SUMMER SUCCOTASH, SWEET CORN PURÉE, KING CRAB AND RAMP BUTTER SERVES 6 MANGROVE SNAPPER WITH SUMMER SUCCOTASH 6 mangrove snapper filets extra-virgin olive oil 1 cup Florida sweet corn, roasted and removed from cob 1 cup grape tomatoes, cut in half 3 cups fingerling potatoes, cut […]