PG.22 PERSON OF THE YEAR?
FOLIO STAFF:
Food
It seems that throwing a lavish party to thank the mayor and city council for securing $775 million to fund your football team’s new stadium is the only way a Jacksonville resident can feel adequately represented by this local government. Unfortunately for most, if not all, of our unhoused neighbors, the ability to host such an event on a $360 million super yacht is currently beyond the realm of affordability.
The city of Jacksonville’s unhurried response to the needs of its non-multi-billionaire residents, particularly those on the Northside, is already disappointing enough. The recent treatment of residents in the Urban Core has only amplified the message that residents that don’t have enough money to buy their way into the government’s good graces are as good as dead.
We hate to have to write in such a dramatic way. But what else can we do?
Our unhoused neighbors who call this city home are being harmed. Some would argue that Jacksonville’s enforcement of (HB 1365) Florida’s camping ban is simply half-assed. But we declare that these harms are intentional. How else do you describe the decision to allow the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) to arrest neighbors who do not sleep in shelters? By the numbers, it’s been clear for some time that there are more unhoused Jacksonvillians than shelter beds to temporarily* house them. (*Yes, to the shortsighted city councilmember who recently declared a desire to move “‘Duval Forward’ in every way possible,” shelters have always been a mere temporary solution to reducing homelessness.) The mayor’s plan to give JSO this power was announced in July, but it wasn’t until a few weeks ago that city council decided to allocate $1 million to increase shelter capacity…next year.
We recognize that we are speaking for our neighbors now, but they have more than a right to be heard in their own voice without fear. To quote a beloved neighbor, who asked that we not use her name, “I don’t see how the government, the mayor made that decision. And then they go home to a bed.”
The most recent point of frustration was the recent ask to allow our neighbors more overnight options and a warm place to spend their Sundays in the midst of a cold snap. While Jacksonville residents were being urged to protect pets and plants, many contacted both the mayor and council members to enact Jacksonville’s cold weather plan.
The city responded: While pets and plants had guaranteed warm havens, our unhoused neighbors will instead need to wait until temperatures reach an uncharacteristic low of 27 degrees for two hours. Even back in January, the city only had our neighbors wait for the much warmer temperature of 28 degrees before enacting the cold weather plan. By comparison, Tallahassee opens warming centers at 35 degrees. What Bold New City of the South is this? Who would Jesus leave out in the cold, shivering and hungry?
We continue to be dissatisfied with the unmet needs of our neigh bors, both unhoused and housed. One should not have to host an aquatic affair or even author an op-ed for our representatives to take the concerns of its constituents seriously.
BOUQS & BRICKS BOUQUETS
BRICKBATS
To Douglas Anderson School of the Arts students Mark Magyar and Jahneen Alexander for achieving remarkable success at the prestigious Crescendo International Music Competition held at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Under the guidance of their piano teacher, Vera Watson, the pair earned an impressive score of 28/30, earning first place and an invitation to perform at the esteemed Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall. Magyar also excelled as a soloist, achieving a near-perfect score of 29/30 and earning recognition as a finalist. Bravo!
To the Jacksonville City Council for rejecting a rezoning request which would have provided much needed housing in the San Pablo area. Residential units consisting of, row houses, town homes and condominiums were in the proposed plan, which was voted down 17-2. Those who opposed the rezoning stated the homes planned were “out of character” for the area. (Apparently, the nay-sayers sided with affluent neighbors of the property on San Pablo Road near Mayo Clinic.)
Anonymous Loyal Folio Reader.
HOROSCOPES
Are you naughty or nice?
Words by Ambar Ramirez & Carmen Macri
ARIES
The last month of the year brings two new moons and a tidal wave of fresh starts. The doors you shut in Novem ber pave the way for the doors of December to bust wide open. Mercury turns direct on Dec. 15 clearing up the fog that has been surrounding you for weeks. Decisions will come easier and you will be left feeling more decisive.
TAURUS
The month kicked off a bit rocky with Mercury retrograde in full swing, but hang tight, Taurus — a lot is happening in the cosmos. With Sagittarius season underway, you’ve been feeling more vulnerable than usual. While you of ten shy away from emotions, this season invites you to embrace them. Whether you choose to open up to new relationships is entirely your call. However, when Venus in Aquarius opposes Mars retrograde in Leo on Dec. 12, tension may arise. Make a conscious effort to nurture and protect the relationships that matter most.
GEMINI
nice nice nice
You have been quite the lone wolf, Gemini. But that is to be expected since Jupiter entered your sign over sum mer. You have been taking solo flight after solo flight, but that is coming to an end as December brings two new moons which will activate your partnership houses on the 1st and the 30th. Say goodbye to your spacious bed, you may be welcoming a partner soon enough.
CANCER
naughty
Tensions are running high this month, Cancer. Between holiday chaos and a strained work-life balance, you’re feeling burnt out. Under stress, you often put up a tough exterior and vent your frustrations on loved ones. Like it or not, a reality check on your limits hits hard when Jupiter in Gemini clashes with Saturn in Pisces on Dec. 24. If you need rest, take it now.
nice
naughty
Hopefully, the saying is true, new year, new you. It must be tiresome, always believing yourself to be the victim in situations where you very well might be the villain. The two new moons this month bring a sense of self-actualization and reflection to you. Admitting you have a problem (or are the problem) is the first step in recovery.
naughty
New relationships are on the horizon for you, Scorpio, and if you jump into them without healing from your last, you may live long enough to see yourself become the villain. Feeling loved is something you hold close to your heart — but you tend to take the love of others for granted. People won’t always be there for you unless you give them a reason to.
nice
naughty
The sun and a new moon will hit your sign at the end of the month causing the spotlight to return. The beginning of the month will be slow and thoughtful, but things will pick up in the middle giving you a second wind – right around the time Mercury goes direct. Don’t let the attention go to your head, it’s big enough.
nice
LEO VIRGO
It is easy to keep pushing forward and ignoring all the things that have gone wrong, but maybe it is time to stop and process what you are feeling. With Mars flipping into retrograde in Leo this month, you will find yourself feeling a bit more lethargic, like time might be moving in slow mo tion for you, and it very well might be.
nice
’Tis the season to cozy up with a hot chocolate in hand and your favorite Christmas album spinning on vinyl. Sagittar ius season always awakens your inner homebody, Virgo, and the stars couldn’t have timed it better. If you’ve been missing quality family time, now’s the perfect moment to reconnect and make it a priority.
nice
FOLIO WEED STUFF FOR STOCKINGS
Words by Shelton Hull
That cursed election is now over, and that means we don’t have to waste time and energy talking about politics (or politicians) for pretty much an entire year. I’m sure things will come up, here and there, but all us progressives here in Florida, and around the nation, are basically stuck in the wilderness until at least 2026-2027, when all our local and state elected offices are back up for grabs. So we’ll stick to what really matters, which is cannabis itself, and the vast array of products used to consume it. With the holidays just days ahead, let’s talk about some of the gimmicks to cross my desk in recent weeks, all of which you can probably order online and have delivered in time for your “winter” holiday of choice.
We’ll start with Dab Day Productions, whose Halloween festival went down on Oct. 26. The event was held at Myrtle Avenue Brewing and the adjacent Glass Factory, a 16,000 square foot warehouse that was thoroughly hotboxed within an hour or two of opening. Credit for that can largely be given to Dr. Dabber, based in Las Vegas. They set up a table in the center of the space to display their wares, offering free dab hits to anyone in attendance. (I had about 10, and that was more than plenty.) Their implements of choice were the Dr. Dabber Switch vape ($420) and the Dr. Dabber Boost Evo ($299). They sent me home with one of the latter rigs, and it’s easily the smoothest and easiest to clean of any such item I’ve dealt with. Granted, it goes through concentrate like the Space Shuttle burns gas, but that’s a fair trade for the ease of use. It comes in 3 parts, which basically connect magnetically, making it easy to assemble and take apart. Dabs can be confounding to the “noob-oisie,” but this is perfect for anyone. It’s so simple, even a child can use it — but DON’T! We’ll definitely be hearing more from them.
The other items I collected from vendors at Dab Day were mostly beverage samples. Viva Zen makes a variety of drinks using various combinations of kava and kratom. Both are increasingly popular here in Northeast Florida with the beautiful Kava & Company in San Marco being a personal favorite of mine — and probably yours. Places like that are the ideal setting for your initial forays into this realm, but Viva Zen works in a pinch. It also has a lot of other ingredients, like boswellia serrata resin, California poppy, corydalis yanhusuo rhizome, mitragyna speciosa leaf, panax ginseng, passion flower, valerian root, willow bark, yohimbe bark.
(The kava+kratom blend also includes eleutherococcus senticosus root, lion’s mane, L-theanine, magnesium citrate, ocimum tenuiflorum leaf, rhodiola rosea root, schisandra chinensis berry and somnifera root, all of which do something, but damned if I know what.) Everyone has their own particular formula and optimum dosage, and the only way to figure that out is through experimenting.
I also got a bottle of Legal Leaf made by Legal Lean LLC, which is basically just 40 mg of kratom, and it’ll put you to sleep faster than the Jaguars offense. Now, on the exact opposite end of the spectrum is Aimbot, an energy drink concentrate I picked up from the New Leaf Vapor Co. table. It’s marketed to gamers, whose love for energy drinks is probably second to none, hence the name. No sugar, no calories and a “nootropic stack” of ingredients with dubious benefits like like Alcar (“turn fat into energy”), Alpha GPC (“critical thinking and memory”), L-citrulline (“body’s blood flow”), L-theanine (“focus and multitasking”), taurine (“mental and athletic performance”) and 5-HTP (“serotonin production”). It also tastes really good, which is usually not the case with such things. I woke up the following Monday with a full slate of bullshit on my schedule, so I grabbed a bottle of the blue raspberry flavor and chugged it, and only THEN did I read the label, at which point I made two disturbing discoveries: 1) That 20-milliliter tube was meant to be mixed with 16 ounces of water; 2) that tube has 300 milligrams of caffeine. That was a month ago, and I’m still awake. No crash, though!
Speaking of beverages, let’s turn to another one of those relationships that was fostered by my social media algorithms. Based in Birmingham, Mystic Beverages is based on a natural spring that they built a very unnatural warehouse around. These cans come in a variety of flavors, with between 5 milligrams and 15 milligrams of Delta-9 THC per can. I’m not a big sparkling water fan, mainly because it tastes like water, and I am of a generation that still bitterly resents having to pay for drinking water. But it’s basically zero calories and sugar-free with no alcohol and a flavor profile similar to your favorite hard seltzer, which makes it a perfect cocktail mixer.
(We’ll be doing a lot more of these, so feel free to send any ideas or suggestions to me at sheltonhull@gmail.com or team@folioweekly.com.)
‘X’ MARKS THE SPOT
Interview with “There’s Treasure Inside” author Jon Collins-Black
Words by Ambar Ramirez
As someone who proudly owns the entire “Pirates of the Caribbean” series on Blu-ray, my inner Jack Sparrow couldn’t resist when “Folio” caught wind of buried treasure hidden somewhere in St. Augustine. But this isn’t a long-lost trunk of gold washed ashore by chance — it’s a treasure carefully hidden by “There’s Treasure Inside” author Jon Collins-Black.
Five years ago, Collins-Black set out on a journey that would lead to a one-of-a-kind literary adventure: a national treasure hunt.
“Back in 2016, I had the chance to be a real-life treasure hunter. For a while I searched for a treasure in the Rocky Mountains for about a year, and I got to experience firsthand what it was like to just have an analog adventure in a digital world, you know, to go out into nature and try to solve clues to find a treasure box. It was really captivating,” Collins-Black shared. “And so I did have that kind of experience that in some ways informed this because when COVID happened and we had a lot of time on our hands, I kind of had this idea of like, I’d love to be able to create some national treasure hunt. And so I had the time at that point, and fortunately, the financial means and then the motivation. So I think treasure hunting, like the going out looking for a treasure or something, that was native to me, but really rekindled in the last few years that kind of led up to this.”
Collins-Black has always been a writer. Whether it was poetry or songwriting, from a young age, he naturally gravitated toward arts that were pen and paper. And before tackling this literary enigma, Collins-Black was working on a children’s book. While working on the manuscript, he reconnected with the things that brought him joy as a kid. What he didn’t know was that when he took the chance to be a real-life treasure hunter, it would lead him down an unconventional path. Collins-Black said it best, “I’ve never written a fulllength adult nonfiction book. So this was… it was a beast of its own.”
It took about five years for Collins-Black to collect the 65 to 70 unique items that would be placed into five treasure boxes that are now hidden in five states across the nation.
“I was a stay-at-home dad who was writing children’s manuscripts and starting to create a children’s book publishing company when I started this project. So basically it took me over a year to acquire all the objects for the treasure, and I did it through networking, through different contacts I had had who were in the collecting space and also a lot of the auction houses, Sotheby’s, Christie’s, things like that. I kind of just scoured the whole world to try to find interesting objects. So I felt like I was shopping for all Americans for like a year or so. But I did want objects that were all interesting to me. But I also wanted objects that I felt like appealed to a wide range of interests and ages, you know? So that’s why I don’t just have gold coins and, you know, precious metals and valuable gems that are in there. But I also have shipwreck treasure because I know some people are really into shipwreck treasure. I have rare Pokemon cards, I have sports memorabilia. I have a lot of historical items, things that were owned by George Washington, Amelia Earhart, Jackie Onassis, Pablo Picasso,” Collins-Black said.
“As far as hiding the treasures, that was the hardest process. For a couple of boxes, I had a general idea of where I thought they might go in the country, but, it was really a process of self, you know, asking myself a lot of questions about where I thought, you know, things that would be interesting to explore. I will say that all the objects probably have some sort of meaning to me. I mean, locations have some meaning to me personally, in some way. But, it was really a lot of exploring.”
“There’s Treasure Inside” is more than a physical national treasure hunt; it’s a work of literary non-fiction that delves into the history of objects discovered in the treasure trunks, weaving together the stories tied to these artifacts and the places where they are found. Collins-Black worked with five researchers to find the most thought-provoking and inspiring stories to intertwine with the narrative of this book. He emphasized that this book isn’t just for modern-day wannabe pirates but for anyone who finds themselves questioning the whys and hows of the world around them.
“You know, a lot of people want to know why I did this. So obviously it’s not for financial gain. And I always tell people I did this because every aspect of it has brought me a great amount of joy, and I want to share that joy with others. And as I’ve gotten older, I’ve really put a lot more emphasis on having experiences versus having things because the experiences are just so much more rich and valuable to me,” Collins-Black explained. “It kind of goes in that old cliche that it’s not about the destination, it’s the journey that matters. I mean, obviously, if someone finds the treasure they’re going to be super stoked and excited about that. But I think that what I experienced when I was out treasure hunting was that even though I didn’t find that treasure, I found incredible memories. And so if people go out there and search, I think they’re going to have incredible experiences whether they find it or not. I think friendships will be made, memories will be had.”
Whether you’re a history buff or have watched “National Treasure” one too many times, this non-fiction will take you on a journey like no other. And for any locals looking for an adventure, there’s treasure to be found in St. Augustine and within yourself.
“We’re all treasure hunters because treasure is simply just something a person values. So, you know, we all spend our lives trying to find things that we value, whether it’s a relationship, money, a career, an experience or a memory. We’re all seeking things. It’s a part of our humanity,” Collins-Black said.
Words by Lorelei Belanger
THE BAR BEHIND
Behind every beer, mixed drink or shot, there’s a story — sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartfelt, often downright bizarre. From managing the madness of a packed night in at the neighborhood bar to dealing with eclectic tourists and customers pushing the limits of politeness, bartenders see … and deal with it all. I dove into the day-to-day realities, unforgettable moments that will make you laugh (or cringe), and tips for the secret to making your bartender love you. Whether you’re interested in life behind the counter or curious about why your bartender may have little patience for your very particular request, these are all of the answers —straight up from the people who pour the drinks.
01
WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR CRAZIEST STORIES OR CRAZY CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE?
Bartender 1: “One night this lady came in and seemed normal at first. She had one margarita and all of a sudden turned crazy. She told me she was on antidepressants … so I guess that’s what happens when you drink a margarita on antidepressants. She started running around the restaurant, screaming and running up to tables all crazy. I kept kicking her out, she would go outside then come back in and would not leave. I told her I was going to have to call the cops, and she finally left.”
Bartender 2: “My craziest story is working the bar on St. Patrick’s day and the shootings happening. I don’t think anything can top that on my list.” (Referring to the shootings that occurred in Jacksonville Beach in March 2024).
Bartender 3: “Customers that come in with open containers of alcohol from somewhere else, and I’ll just say, ‘Hey you can’t have that.’ They get all pissy and will leave a bad review. It’s inconsiderate, especially since we’re a small business and can lose our license if people come in or out with open containers.”
WHAT IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON WEIRD OR CRAZY THINGS PEOPLE DO AT THE BAR?
Bartender 2: “The most common weird thing you’ll see at the bar is older folks openly discussing doing booger sugar in the bathroom.”
Bartender 3: “People coming in and just being so overwhelmed and really overthinking it all. It’s just a transaction. I promise you’ve done much harder things.”
*In order to comfortably answer questions honestly, all bartenders and bars will remain anonymous. The first bartender interviewed works at a neighborhood sports bar, typically filled with regulars any given night of the week. We’ll refer to them as Bartender 1 . The second works at a Jacksonville beach bar, experiencing a mix of out-of-towners and locals, staying busy on any day, in any season. We’ll refer to them as Bartender 2 . The third interviewee owns and works behind the bar in St. Augustine, introducing them to lots of tourists, with a good mix of local regulars visiting also. We’ll refer to them as Bartender 3.
HOW CAN YOU MAKE YOUR BARTENDER HATE YOU? WHAT’S THE WORST THING TO DO AT THE BAR?
Bartender 1: “Not tipping … if you’re being excessive. I don’t care about the money, but if you’re constantly asking for things or being very specific or impatient or rude, like I said, then at least just tip.”
Bartender 2: “The quickest way to get me to hate you is by yelling ‘hey’ or snapping or pointing at me as I’m clearly busy.”
Bartender 3: “Trying to control the atmosphere. It’s the bartender’s job to do that and control the chaos. Don’t try to come in and control the whole room.”
WHAT IS ONE WAY TO ALWAYS MAKE YOUR BARTENDER HAPPY, OR TO MAKE YOUR BARTENDER LOVE YOU?
Bartender 1: “Be patient and understanding, don’t shake your glass at me or yell my name while I’m talking to other customers or doing something.”
Bartender 2: “For me, I like happy and fun. Ask me a fun question and just be cool.”
Bartender 3: “I think, in any service position, making people feel seen, instead of just going through the monotonous small talk. Really asking and saying like, no, you can be honest. We’re all just people, so taking a moment to acknowledge the human being.”
WHAT IS THE WORST DRINK SOMEONE CAN ORDER, OR YOUR LEAST FAVORITE TO MAKE AND WHY?
Bartender 1: “ Anything frozen … actually a frozen margarita. It’s hard to get the levels of everything right and the tequila just melts everything else. So they’re pretty annoying to make.”
Bartender 2: “My least favorite drink to make is for sure anything that has to do with hot coffee or tea. Nobody wants to brew coffee or tea at 10 p.m.” 03 04 05
WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB?
Bartender 1: “The people. Talking to and meeting new people is the best part.”
Bartender 2: “The best part is the people I get to meet and conversations I get to have. I’ve met so many cool people and have had so many amazing conversations while working.”
Bartender 3: “Hearing everyone’s stories and perspectives. I love the human element of the industry and getting to interact with people you wouldn’t normally meet. Like yes, I would love to know a fact about a random town in Indiana I will probably never go to.”
WHAT ARE SOME DAILY BEHIND THE BAR TASKS THAT AREN’T SO GLAMOROUS?
Bartender 1: “Coming in to stock everything (none of us ever restock things). So having to get everything ready behind the bar, while also serving customers is stressful. Everyone expects everything all the time.”
Bartender 2: “There’s so much that’s not glamorous behind a bar, like cleaning, killing fruit flies, cleaning under the coolers, keeping gunk from building up in the soda guns or cleaning yeast out of the beer drains.”
Bartender 3: “Any janitorial service ever. Just making sure everything is clean and presentable from a different perspective. Keeping it nice, not only for myself to work in but for the guests and from where they’re sitting.”
WHAT IS THE WORST PART OF YOUR JOB?
Bartender 1: “The people … just kidding. The repetitiveness of everything. It gets kind of purgatory with all of the same people, in the same spots, at the same time, ordering the same thing … every day.”
Bartender 2: “The worst part is definitely dealing with the assholes and stuck up people. Nothing’s worse than having to deal with people who think they are too good to be polite or respectful.”
Bartender 3: “When someone comes in, in a bad mood, they’re your problem. They just don’t want to learn anything new. And you can’t just go and hide. Sometimes you can’t change their attitude either. You’re very vulnerable and susceptible to whatever comes to you.”
There’s no doubt bartenders go through a lot, and the moral of the story is people are just weird. I got to experience one of the weird requests first hand while sitting at Bartender 1’s bar, when a man came up to the bar and asked very specifically for a “Busch, plastic cup. Rinse out the cup with water first, though, to keep it from foaming.” The bartender gave me a look that said “see what I deal with..” To each their own but, choosing a plastic cup rinsed with water over a cold draft glass or a bottle seems a little odd..
Getting to meet new people, having endless stories to share and making people’s nights seem to make dealing with odd requests, crazy customers and long shifts worth it. Unless you want to end up on the crazy customer list, be sure to stay patient, tip appropriately and resp ect your bartenders.
sisterhood like no other First Coast Sisters, Abbey of the Seven Bridges
Words by Ambar Ramirez
The need to connect with others — the natural gravitation towards\ the community — is a shared human experience. And when an idea, moral belief or political stance is challenged, the need for community becomes that much stronger, that much more necessary. It was this very phenomenon that led Ken Bunch (Sister Vicious PHB), Fred Brungard (Sister Missionary Position) and Baruch Golden to march nude beaches in San Francisco, clad in headto-toe traditional Catholic habits. Their mission? To challenge the dominant “Castro Clone” mentality that was popular in the 1970s. This march along the nude beach in 1979 marked the beginning of a lifelong sisterhood: The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.
Sister Vicious PHB and Sister Missionary Position along with Hysterectoria (Edmund Garron) and Reverend Mother (Bill Graham), became known as the four founders of this charitable, protest and street performance movement. The more they traveled, the more they met like minded individuals. Individuals that all shared the same mission that the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence was founded on: to promulgate universal joy and expiate stigmatic guilt. Through the use of drag and religious imagery, this unconventional sisterhood satirizes issues of sex, gender and morality to fundraise for charity, raise conversations and to share their message.
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence (SPI) quickly became an international
movement. And Jacksonville is home to its very own SPI Chapter, the First Coast Sisters, Abbey of the Seven Bridges.
Kevin Tyrrell, known as Sister CoCo B. Touchindawood officially joined the First Coast Sisters after a year of its foundation in 2015. Like many members, Tyrrell sought a community to express himself creatively.
Folio: What inspired you to become a member of the First Coast Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence?
Tyrrell: The First Coast Sisters are a fully professed member of SPI (Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence). We are a 21st century order queer nuns. Queer as in different. We’re not all gay men. In essence we are sacred clowns! In my secular life I am a registered nurse and work in a local ER here on the First Coast. As an RN, I get some personal fulfillment due to the altruistic nature of working in medicine. However, there is practically zero creativity involved in my job. I am first and foremost an artist, and I crave the creative process. I used to live in New Orleans and was a member of two different gay carnival krewes, and we made amazing Mardi Gras Ball costumes. To be able to design something and then create it — like a quilt or a costume — is like oxygen for my soul! Becoming a Sister has taken care of both of those aspects of my personality needs … altruism and creativity.
Folio: Can you share the story behind your chosen name, and how it reflects your identity or mission?
Tyrrell: Sister names are often very tongue in cheek and can be loaded w/ double entendres. My Sister name originally was CoCo B. DeMille, as in the illegitimate granddaughter of Cecil B. DeMille. Think Norma Desmond, “Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up”. But I always had to explain it. I guess it was a generational thing — I’m 60 years old! — so, I changed it to Sister CoCo B. Touchindawood. I chose the first name CoCo as a nod to CoCo Chanel, the designer as she created amazing outfits. I often make the outfits I wear as “Sister DoDo.” Again, the creativity thing comes into play! I chose the letter “B” as my middle initial in honor of Roberta (Bo) Boen, who was the first openly lesbian bar owner here on the First Coast. I chose the last name “Touchindawood” because I’m a gay man!
Folio: Can you describe some of the key initiatives or events the Abbey of Seven Bridges organizes to support the community?
Tyrrell: We have an event coming up Saturday May 17 at Kickbacks on King Street. It’s called Nunway and is a juried costume contest/fundraiser we are holding for NFAN. The concept of Nunway is a spoof of Project Runway’s special materials challenge. “Project Runway: Unconventional Materials Challenge” is a reality show where designers must create amazing clothing items in a short period of time from unconventional materials. For our Nunway, we encourage designers to keep costs down by recycling, reusing, and repurposing materials to create their one-of-a-kind costumes.
The theme for our inaugural Nunway is Fey Folk and Other Mythical Creatures, think fairies, gnomes, trolls, mermaids, and minotaur, etc. I’d love for everyone who reads your great magazine to buy a ticket and attend! The show will start at 8 p.m., but you can come early and eat dinner before the show!
We will also host an annual Pink Party at some point in October starting in 2025. It will be a fundraiser for The DONNA Foundation, a local 501c3 started by our very own mayor, Donna Deegan. It will basically be a big dance party where everyone needs to wear pink with pink decorations, pink food, and pink drinks for everyone.
Folio: What was your first experience as a Sister, and how did it shape your perspective on the work you do?
Tyrrell: Probably the first major event I attended in March of 2015 was Conclave held in Orlando at the Parliament House. There were fellow Sisters from all over the U.S. As a Mission House we were not yet “black veiled” or fully professed, yet we still operated independently as a house. We got to meet and make so many new friends during that weekend. They also held a costume fundraising event called Nunway. The theme that year was Fairy Tales. I based my costume creation on a Japanese fairy tale about a spider. One of my fellow house members wore the look on the runway and I was hooked. I’ve been involved in multiple Nunways across the U.S. since then and have even won a few.
Photo by Ambar Ramirez
Folio: What does being part of this nonprofit mean to you personally?
Tyrrell: To belong to an organization like the First Coast Sisters is an amazing opportunity. We get to be creative and have fun but are also tasked with making sound fiscal decisions regarding the funds we raise. We need to make sure that the funds we raise go to help the most people we can. As such it is a great responsibility and one that I gladly accept.
Folio: How has your involvement with the Sisters impacted your understanding of community service or advocacy?
Tyrrell: A phrase I often circle back around to is “there go you or I but by the grace of God.” Helping those in need, being of service to others is a cornerstone of humanity. To be able to be a part of that makes me more human. One of the other members — in the Tampa House — has a saying that they always repeat at their functions, “Start the day with love, spend the day with love, fill the day with love, and end with love.” I feel if we can do that and spread love and joy, we’ve had a good day! The First Coast Sisters — and SPI in general —is a secular organization. We have members from every walk of life. Each of us brings different gifts and perspectives to the organization. Some of us are Christian, some Jewish, some pagan, and some agnostic. We are not a religious group, but we are nuns as we take vows for our community, however, they are not vows of chastity or poverty. LOL.
Folio: What do you feel is the most rewarding aspect of your work as a Sister?
Tyrrell: The possibility of me helping others have a bit of joy by seeing me in makeup and costume is a great reward. If I made one person smile by getting all dressed up, then my actions were worth it. There have been times that my heart wasn’t in it, I was tired, I had pain (did I tell you I’m 60 years old?), and my heart wasn’t in it, but I marched on and got ready, drove to the event anyway, it’s at those times I realize the “work” we do is necessary and good.
Folio: What’s a memorable moment you’ve had while serving as a Sister?
Tyrrell: We were invited to attend the first Pride Event in Columbus, Georgia in 2015. When my then-president/abbess, Sister Cookie Bliss, saw me coming down the neutral ground of a busy thoroughfare in full Sister drag, he later told me he was so proud of me. He said I marched right in as if I owned the place, and that’s what you have to do. There’s a House in the Russian River area of California, and they regularly host community wide bingos to raise funds for important community needs bringing all walks of life together for a common good. That’s what I hope we achieve.
Folio: Do you have a favorite event or project that holds special significance to you?
Tyrrell: I absolutely love attending Nunways. As I mentioned before I’ve been a designer and a judge multiple times. It’s an amazing opportunity to be creative and raise money for the community. The Las Vegas House has a SADAP (Sister AIDS Drug Assistance Program) and they routinely raise thousands of dollars a year to assist HIV patients with their HIV prescriptions and doctors’ appointments, as well as help cover costs for PreP and HIV testing. To be able to make a difference in someone’s life like that is amazing. I travel to Las Vegas about twice a year to help out in any way I can. That’s why I want to get an annual Nunway started here on the First Coast, to help our local community as well.
Folio: How do you ensure that your outreach efforts are inclusive and meaningful to diverse communities?
Tyrrell: Since we are a diverse group to begin with, we bring to the table our own personal experiences. We service our entire community here in the First Coast, but we focus on marginalized communities, those communities that are often shunned aside and swept under the rug so to speak. We make sure to promote awareness about issues that the mainstream public might not be aware of. We try to amplify those concerns so that others may hear them. Another phrase I come back to is basic human rights aren’t like pie. You don’t get less when you make sure everyone else has their rights represented.
Folio: What challenges have you faced as a member of the Sisters, and how have you overcome them?
Tyrrell: We started in 2014 with about 10-12 members. We had some attrition as one member passed away and others moved away. At one point we had some toxic members and our house almost fell apart. I rounded up the others, and we decided that we didn’t want to abandon the organization and decided to keep it going. Those toxic members removed themselves from the organization, and we have marched forward, continuing to serve our community. That whole process was a daunting task, but we soldiered on and made it out the other side. Today we have three fully active members and multiple Emeritus members, so this is my call for any people that might want to consider joining.
Folio: How has being a part of this organization helped you grow as a person?
Tyrrell: Becoming a Sister has taught me to be less judgmental, as we never know what someone else is going through. I feel I have grown into a better human because of my work with the First Coast Sisters.
Folio: What do you hope your work as a Sister inspires in others?
Tyrrell: I hope I teach them to be more joyful in life and to be less judgmental of others. I hope I inspire them to volunteer in any organization that helps their community.
Folio: If someone is interested in joining or supporting the First Coast Sisters, what advice would you offer them?
Tyrrell: To quote the famous sports footwear slogan, “Just Do IT!” Come join us and help spread some joy! We would love to have you join our group!
VENETIAN PRINCESS CARNEVALE
PERSON OF THE YEAR?
Who Is Trump Really Appointing?
Photo by Sean Ferigan on Unsplash
Words by Carmen Macri
Every morning, it feels like there’s a new headline: “President-elect Donald Trump appoints someone with no experience in their assigned government role,” and we all just have to deal with it. These are just his nominees — most still need Senate approval, but with Republicans taking control of the Senate, it feels like a sure thing.
Now, let’s dive into who Trump is attempting to appoint — keyword, attempting. A few picks have already dropped out or are under heavy public scrutiny, whether for lack of experience or a stack of allegations. But hey, that’s Trump for you.
Starting with the obvious pick, the one we could see coming from miles away …
Elon Musk for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) alongside Vivek Ramaswamy . I’m sure we are all well aware of this choice as it went supernova online. If you only know Musk as the guy who sells electric cars and loves space, you might be wondering why everyone’s so fired up. He hasn’t exactly done anything wrong — it’s more that he says wild stuff online, brushes off hefty complaints within his company and now heads a government agency. Plus, a billionaire running the Department of Government Efficiency? Feels a little on the nose, doesn’t it?
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for the Department of Health and Human Services. For the most part, people do seem pleased with this choice, even though Kennedy has made some wild claims: that vaccines cause autism, wi-fi causes cancer and “leaky brain,” antidepressants lead to school shootings, chemicals in water turn kids transgender and HIV might not cause AIDS. Oh, and he’s long insisted vaccines don’t protect against disease. On the flip side, he’s all about “Making America Healthy Again” by aiming to tackle the chronic disease epidemic by rooting out corruption in health agencies and reforming incentives in the healthcare system. He also wants stricter regulation of chemicals in our food and more transparency around vaccines, so people can make informed decisions. Aside from the conspiracies, RFK does seem like he will get the job done.
Marco Rubio for Secretary of State. The joke practically writes itself: Trump saw the word “secretary” and figured Rubio was his guy. But why this choice?
Let’s revisit a few of Trump’s past tweets about his new pick because, as we know, Twitter tells all. (No, I will not call it X.)
“Rubio is totally owned by the lobbyists and special interests. A lightweight senator with the worst voting record in Senate. Lazy!” OK, not horrible. Trump has definitely said worse.
“Marco Rubio is a total lightweight who I wouldn’t hire to run one of my smaller companies — a highly overrated politician!” That one did not age well. God, I love irony.
“Marco Rubio is totally weak on illegal immigration & in favor of easy amnesty. A lightweight choker - bad for #USA!” Bad for the USA, you say?
Photo posted by Robert F. Kennedy Jr on ‘X’
Photo posted by Elon Musk on ‘X’
Photo posted by Marco Rubio on ‘X’
Russell Vought for Office of Management and Budget. Before we get into the obvious, has anyone seen “The Boys”? VOUGHT? You can’t make this stuff up. For those outside the niche fandom — Vought is the family behind the injectable that creates “superheroes” like Homelander (who is basically a nazi). Now, back to the real reason this pick raises eyebrows: Vought was a key architect of Project 2025. Interesting, considering Trump has publicly distanced himself from it, claiming no involvement — yet somehow managed to hire at least 17 people connected to the project. (More on that in a minute.)
Matt Gaetz for Attorney General. Don’t make me laugh. He faced a Justice Department investigation into sex trafficking, a probe he could have overseen had he not withdrawn from consideration. Why? Because of resurfaced sexual misconduct allegations. Yes, allegations, plural — because, of course, there’s more than one. This is Trump’s cabinet we’re talking about. Where to begin? Illicit drug use? Sex with a minor? Paying women for sex? Take your pick. The torch has now been passed to Pam Bondi , former Florida Attorney General. Finally! Something that makes sense.
Pete Hagseth for Defense Secretary? Yes, that Pete Hegseth — the Fox News host. The same one who reportedly paid a secret financial settlement to a woman accusing him of sexual assault back in 2017. Sure, he’s a veteran with military service under his belt, but let’s not forget he was also a co-host on “Fox & Friends.” Really? And it gets more interesting. According to “The New Yorker,” newly released documents and a whistleblower report just unveiled a massive bombshell about Hegseth.
“A trail of documents, corroborated by the accounts of former colleagues, indicates that Hegseth was forced to step down by both of the two nonprofit advocacy groups that he ran — Veterans for Freedom and Concerned Veterans for America — in the face of serious allegations of financial mismanagement, sexual impropriety and personal misconduct.”
Linda McMahon for the Department of Education — let that sink in. Sure, she’s not just a former WWE performer; as CEO, she turned the company into a multibillion-dollar global empire, which is undeniably impressive. What’s less impressive? The stack of sexual assault allegations surrounding WWE and the fact that she has zero experience in education. In October, she was accused of failing to prevent the sexual abuse of teenage WWE workers, a lawsuit her lawyers called “baseless.” But you know what’s actually baseless? Appointing someone with no educational background to run the Department of Education, especially when Trump has openly declared he wants to abolish the department altogether.
Photo posted by Pete Hagseth on ‘X’
Photo posted by Linda McMahon on ‘X’
Photo posted by Matt Gaetz on ‘X’
Photo posted by Dcwonkywonk on Russell Vought’s Wikipedia
Here is the full list of Trump’s cabinet and staff nominations:
Senate confirmation required:
Highlighted are associated with the America First Policy Institute or Project 2025
Marco Rubio – State
Pam Bondi – Attorney General
Pete Hegseth – Defense
Kristi Noem – Homeland Security
Lori Chavez-DeRemer – Labor
John Ratcliffe – C.I.A
Tulsi Gabbard – D.N.I
Mehmet Oz – Medicare and Medicaid
Lee Zeldin – E.P.A
Elise Stefanik – U.N
Robert F. Kennedy – Health
Doug Burgum – Interior
Doug Collins – Veterans Affairs
Scott Bessent – Treasury
Brooke Rollins – Agriculture
Howard Lutnick – Commerce
Sean Duffy – Transport
Martin A. Makary – F.D.A
Chris Wright – Energy
Linda McMahon – Education
Matthew G. Whitaker – NATO
Scott Turner – Housing
Dave Weldon – C.D.C
Janette Nesheiwat – Surgeon General
Russell T. Vought – O.M.B
Mike Huckabee – Ambassador to Isreal
Pete Hoekstra – Ambassador to Canada
Todd Blanch – Department Attorney General
D. John Sauer – Solicitor General
Jamieson Greer – U.S Trade Rep
Jay Bhattacharya – N.I.H Director
John Phelan – Navy
Jim O’Neill – Health Deputy
Kash Patel – F.B.I
Charles Kushner – Ambassador to France
Jared Issacmen – NASA (shout out!)
Adam Boehler – Hostage Affairs Envoy
Daniel Driscoll – Army Secretary
Paul Atkins – S.E.C
Michael Faulkender – Treasury Deputy
Billy Long – I.R.S
Kelly Loeffler – Small Buisness
Frank Bisignano – Social Security
David Perdue – Ambassador to China
Brandon Judd – Ambassador to Chile
Senate confirmation not required:
JD Vance – Vice President
Susie Wiles – Chief of Staff
James Blair– Deputy Cheif of Staff
Taylor Budowich – Deputy Cheif of Staff
Stephen Miller – Deputy Cheif of Staff
Dan Scavino – Deputy Cheif of Staff
Thomas Homan – Boarder Czar
Michael Waltz – National Secretary Advisor
Bill McGinley – Government Efficiency Counsel
David Warrington – White House Counsel
Steven Cheung – Comm. Director
Karoline Leavitt – Press Secretary
Will Sharf – Staff Secretary
Sergio Gor – Personnel
Elon Musk – Government Efficiency Lead
Vivek Ramaswamy – Government Efficiency Lead
Brendan Carr – F.C.C
Alex Wong – Dep. Nat. Sec. Adviser
Sebastian Gorka – Dep. asst. to Press.
Steven Witkoff – Middle East Envoy
James Braid – Legislative Affairs
Alex Latcham – Public Liaison
Vince Haley – Domestic Policy
Kevin Hassett – N.E.C Director
Keith Kellogg – Ukraine and Russia Envoy
Massad Boulos – Senior Advisor
Peter Navarro – Trade and Manufature
Caleb Vitello – I.C.E Acting Director
Withdrawn:
Matt Gaetz – Attorney General
Chad Chronister – D.E.A
FLORIDA POLITICS
Words by Johvan Merilus
The 2024 Presidential election has come to an end. People have finally stopped their unfollowing phase on Instagram and torn down their front yard political signs. While Donald Trump won the majority vote and was ultimately elected president, it is yet to be seen how he will do in this role come his inauguration on Jan. 20th..
Florida has long been a notable cornerstone of the presidential election and has always been seen as a key battleground state. The state alone contributed 30 electoral votes. On the days leading up to the election, Florida coverage focused on three main points: demographic shifts, policy debates and voter turnout. But what wasn’t emphasized was what this election meant for Floridians.
Over the years, Florida’s unique and clashing political stance has labeled the Sunshine State as a perennial swing state. However, in the last two elections it’s sided with the Republican party in support of its candidate. In the 2016 presidential race, it was reported that Trump won Florida with 49% to Clinton’s 48%. In the following election year, when he ran against Joe Biden he secured a 51% win to Biden’s 48%. This year’s election was his highest win of 56% in comparison to Harris’s 43%.
Many of the political issues that center around Florida’s political climate came from both local and national debates over the economy, climate change, immigration and abortion. All these issues surround Florida in some way shape or form as they directly impact certain communities within the state. Amendment 1 would require partisan elections for school boards. Amendment 2 regarded hunting and fishing rights. Then came Amendment 3 to legalize marijuana throughout the state of Florida. One of the most impactful and controversial issues being considered was Amendment 4 which covered abortion rights. Amendment 5 concerned tax exemptions for disabled veterans. Finally, Amendment 6 concerned public campaign financing that would inevitably be rejected for statewide campaigns. All failed to gain the votes needed to pass with the exception of 2 and 5.
There’s also the possibility of many residents struggling with healthcare as Trump’s administration has pushed for the reduction of government spending in healthcare programs like Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, resulting in millions of uninsured or underinsured.
Economic inequality could be faced too since Trump’s economic policies have favored more so those with wealth. This is due, in part, to tax cuts for big corporations not paying their proper share and deregulation, as well. The gap in social class based on income would significantly continue to widen leaving both the middle class and lower class to struggle financially in regard to receiving payment and qualify to pay what’s demanded of them. With Trump’s campaign marketing the “America First” approach this will also lead to issues on Florida’s economy. One of Florida’s biggest economic qualities is its ability to produce tourism. Yet the stance on trade policies may come to ruin international business which plays to Florida’s strengths.
With Trump preparing to take his place in the Oval Office after his inauguration it is more than likely to see the policies in both local and state government be more conservative due to the Republican party being dominant in Congress as well.
There is no doubt that Trump’s win will set forth a shift in Florida’s policy landscape. Only in the next four years will we find out if it was a good or bad change.
POCKET ROCKET
Normally, we’d begin with a strong warning against goofing around with fireworks, but this is Florida, where FAFO runs through our veins like craft beer and antidepressants, so we already know it’s pointless. Let’s just skip to the cautionary tale, which comes this time from right here in Jacksonville, where are local man chose to express his concerns with the state of his relationship in way that is, shall we say, strongly discouraged. Basically, he took a six-inch fireworks rocket and attempted to blast his girl in the face, and not in the good way. Needless to say, his Temu drive-by failed badly, as the rocket bounced off her door and flew back into his car before exploding where a man like that deserves to be hit with fireworks, right in his groin. He was arrested, but not seriously injured, and we can all pretty much agree that’s too bad.
MONKEY BUSINESS
HOKEY POKEY
Ah, Florida — where the sun shines, the gators roam and Florida Man keeps us endlessly entertained. What’s on the docket today? Shooting down a Walmart drone? Dragging an alligator into a convenience store? Smuggling a cat into a nightclub? Nope, today’s headline grabber: a pair of burglars calling 911 to help move their stolen loot. Yes, seriously. This Poinciana power duo rang up the local sheriff’s office, not just to request moving help, but also a lift to the airport—because nothing caps off a day of crime quite like a weekend getaway in New York. According to deputies, the female mastermind cheerfully explained that she called 911 to enlist law enforcement’s help moving their “belongings” out of the house they were actively burglarizing. Bold strategy, right? Spoiler alert: it didn’t end with them on a flight.
Picture this: You’re on your usual stroll through your cheerful Orange Park neighborhood, soaking in the sunshine and minding your own business. Suddenly, you hear a rustling from above. Naturally, you glance up. Is it a bird? A squirrel? Perhaps even a rebellious cat taking its daily break from society? Nope. It’s a monkey. Yes, you read that right — a monkey. This wild tale is exactly what Jasmine Morris shared with News4Jax after her jungle-esque encounter. Now where did this unexpected primate come from? That’s the million-banana question. What we do know is that it’s not one of those rhesus macaques that busted out of a South Carolina lab. Some locals think it might be a descendant of primates from a longclosed research facility in Orange Park. Others believe it could be someone’s exotic pet that decided it was time for an outdoor adventure. Meanwhile, the Yemassee Police Department in South Carolina chimed in, suggesting it might be a relative of the monkeys living the high life in Silver Springs. Either way, we hope it’s enjoying the Florida vibes.
“Deputies DID help them with their belongings, and DID give them a ride, but it wasn’t to the airport … it was to the Polk Pokey,” the sheriff’s office said in a Facebook post. “And they are welcome to stay there all weekend long. The Polk Pokey is much better than New York anyway.”
WEAPONIZING THERAPY
I’m a gaslighter.
Or that’s what I’ve been labeled as before during an exchange of discourse that ended with a necessary rebuttal on my end. The engagement was civil and filled with moments of laughter wedged in between — and this wasn’t the first time the Scarlet “G” letter had been stamped on me by this individual — but I was starting to get peeved as this utterance wasn’t just a comeback to get under my skin but a way to scapegoat accountability on their end. (And this was after I finally found the voice to effectively communicate my feelings, which was no easy feat) But again my sentiments were overshadowed by blame and this pronouncement of being a manipulator, which is the nature of the implications being made. I knew this title wasn’t applicable to me but my own inquiry arose from a place of genuine curiosity on how I could “fix” this point of contention. It was pertinent that I “right my wrongs” as being offensive was never a part of my agenda, but when searching for a solution that extinguished dispositions of hurt, the culprit was never identified, only blurbs of insults hurled behind “therapy-talk.”
The initial introduction of the term came from me, as it was once used in a conversation prior with the intention of communicating a pattern of behavior I saw that affected me negatively. It was never used as a leverage for power or to disparage the spirit of someone but as a way to convey the build up of emotions that were brought up in conjunction to this person and their actions.
Working through my relationship with my own empathy has made confrontation tough as I always felt immense guilt for expressing my realized emotions. I value the validity of one’s feelings — as well as my own, while acknowledging that I’m never above being held liable — but when cardinal conversations are had and false attributions are placed for the sake of waging dominance, it waters down the denotation of these words.
My familiarity with these expressions come from the work I’ve done within myself to be an effective human, incorporating necessary self-care, like therapy into my life, as a way to adequately interact with others. But I have noticed a shift in the desire to learn or participate in therapeutic routes. This wish to engage for some people comes with ulterior motives. Whether that’s the
Words by Amiyah Golden
Photo by Iluha Zavaley on Unsplash
ability to adorn the laurels of being in therapy (and expecting a high five in return), studying the medical jargon to keep in your back pocket for insidious use or adding it to your Hinge profile as a way to stroke your own ego has become an accessible outlet for narcissism to breed.
This doesn’t negate my advocating for therapy — as I believe it is a vital tool for the mental well-being of so many people — the concern has come after witnessing the abuse of a vulnerable practice that people have started using against each other.
“Psychology Today” touches on this in the article, “Are You Weaponizing Mental Health Terminology” by Catherine Aponte.
“While the practice of using therapeutic concepts in our everyday social interactions is not new, digital social media not only amplifies the spread of therapy-speak, it also uses it differently,” Aponte said. “The current use of this language is focused more on relational dynamics than on individual neurosis.”
Ah, traced back again to the root of contemporary chaos — social media.
This overload of information — therapeutic concepts — has found its way to the masses but in un-puzzled doses that doesn’t always provide a full context; and if users aren’t prepared to divulge deeper into the research on the matter, it can embolden a complex that may be supported by one video — or numerous — from an algorithm that is already biased, potentially aiding in a conceited vantage point that can invigorate a dogmatic perspective. Social media has already shifted the landscape of human interaction and the echo chambers that we allow to fester don’t necessarily champion healthy conversations but further push a self-righteous attitude. And to further complicate that is the presence of therapists and doctors (who have the right intention of educating users) to justify a mindset that isn’t focused on genuine help but a certified way to back their agenda.
“This expanded use of therapy-speak is causing concern as an indicator of a society that is ‘obsessed with self-actualization and personal fulfillment at the expense of concepts like duty, virtue and collective obligation,” Aponte said.
The slip of ego in sacred spaces such as the mental vista of one’s being should be kept untrodden by plans of dubious aspirations, as it’s bigger than just feelings being battered and bruised but the deposit of one’s beliefs being utilized to negatively influence one’s perception of self.
“The landscape of psychological theory and therapy has become a sort of worldview,” Aponte said. This worldview, filtered through the social media of self-help and self-care, which is too often expressed as satisfying one’s needs, is a risky substitute for the goals of actual therapy.”
This normalized selfishness has invaded genuine practices of alleviating personal anguish and the promotion of a nourishing environment of safety, understanding and mending. To weaponize therapy is to ignore the sacred respect of soul and spirit. It’s an unfortunate turn in culture that has pedestaled the phrase, “by any means necessary,” when it comes to establishing your preeminence.
Words by Teresa Spencer
A SYMPHONY OF TALENT: ERIC TROYER
Starting his passion for music at the tender age of 3, musical legend Eric Troyer never imagined that he would eventually perform on various albums as a session musician and backing vocalist or keyboardist on albums by John Lennon, Celine Dion or Bonnie Tyler. Also performing with other legendary artists like Billy Joel, Meat Loaf, Patti Smith, James Taylor and bands like Kiss and Aerosmith, he is on the rise once again and adding more notes of legacy to his amazing and never-ending career.
I caught up with Troyer as a result of his upcoming performance in Jacksonville with the Orchestra, former members of ELO, who are performing with the Jacksonville Rock Orchestra at the Florida Theatre on April 10, 2025. Troyer ended up being a founding member in this band as he was recruited in 1988 by Electric Light Orchestra’s band leader, Bev Bevan, to collaborate as a singer, songwriter, keyboardist and occasional guitarist. They founded ELO Part II and The Orchestra.
We opened the interview with a little laughter about the fact ELO’s hit “Blue Sky” is now popular again as it is being streamed frequently as a background song for folks pushing the new social media platform. He said he had no knowledge about it, but he said he has no doubt as it is an upbeat and happy song and it got lots of play being featured in “Guardians of the Galaxy.”
Having so many years with so many experiences in his musical journey he shared that his most fond crowd memory to date actually came out of a television news interview. Troyer explained that one of the most interesting ELO Part II experiences happened in Buenos Aires. They met with the press for the TV interview, and it quickly became clear that the locals were most excited about their hit song “Last Train to London.” Troyer said that particular song wasn’t even on the set list even though it was No. 1 in South America for many weeks. In an effort to keep the crowd happy, the band got together and did an acoustic set of the song live on television. When the base rift occurred Troyer said “the place went nuts” he said it was a good thing that they ended up doing it. It ended with “the crowd singing louder than we were.”
I couldn’t resist asking one of my favorite questions to longtime rock stars … What is the craziest thing to ever happen to you on a tour bus? Of course, he hesitated momentarily and got an instant smirk on his face. Obviously deciding to give a clean answer he proceeded to explain they had one particular tour manager which had fallen out of favor with the band, and they were thinking of firing him. After a show, they all loaded on the bus and got way down the road to suddenly realize they had actually left the terrible tour manager behind, stranding him. “We had to go back to get him,” Troyer said.
Troyer currently lives in New Jersey where he has a recording studio and is always writing and working with other artists. In addition to music as a career and hobby, he is an avid gardener, something he enjoys with his wife. The Orchestra will be touring all through 2025. They also have a new documentary out on Amazon Prime called “No Rewind,” featuring lots of great memories of the making of the band and their journey since inception.
The Orchestra performs April 10 at the Florida Theatre. For tickets or more information, visit floridatheatre.com.
SCAN QR CODE TO WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH ERIC TROYER
Submitted by Fran Havey
THE TREE MOURNER OF CLAY COUNTY
’Tis probably the Irish in me, but I am, admittedly, a tree mourner.
Folks may not know that Ireland was once filled with great forests of majestic oaks. Then, by the end of the 19th century, Ireland’s forest cover and mighty oaks had gone from 80% to 1% and with it went an unexpected consequence, a healthy soil.
You see, oaks are one of nature’s most valuable trees, for oaks improve soil fertility by adding essential nutrients but also enhance soil structure, which aids in water retention and aeration. Yet Ireland’s past used them for other purposes, including shipbuilding, furniture making, tanning leather, and iron smelting – never realizing that eventually, the day would come when the last of the forests would be cut down by mobile sawmills.
Today, in northern Orange Park in Clay County, on Papaya Drive North, such a mobile sawmill took out several healthy trees, hundreds of years old, mostly longleaf pines, and one great oak.
Were these mature trees unhealthy or a hazard begs the question?
I spoke with the Eagerton Tree Service men who brought in an army of tall cranes, trucks, and other wood demolition equipment. “Yes,” I was told by a crew member, “the trees are diseased.” And then he laughed because he was just kidding. The crew member also said insurance rates would go down by removing the risk from trees and “a roof costs $20,000.”
Having more than wee doubts about the insurance statement, I called Tower Hill mortgage insurance and learned that 99% of the time, insurance rates are not adjusted due to the trees on a property, so the tree service was telling a tall tale as another 100 feet of native pine was brought down — more jokes, perhaps. Of course, keeping pruned tree branches that scrape a roof may help keep your insurance from being canceled but trimming is always smart because it supports a tree’s health.
Was there an offer by Eagerton or a suggestion to just trim the trees? An Eagerton sales rep took my information to pass on to the company’s owner.
I also spoke with neighbors who said during the tree removal process, “Makes me sick.” Another just quietly offered, “I want to cry.” “It’s disgusting, like that tree in England, the Sycamore Gap tree, the one that was seen in the ‘Robin Hood’ movie and once stood in a dip next to Hadrian’s Wall until those two jerks cut it down — at least, they’re going on trial.”
I wanted to talk with the home’s owner but it’s a rental, with the owner living miles away, northwest of Jacksonville in Bryceville. There’s a P.O. Box but no telephone number.
Rental property. Rental culture. In Orange Park, the estimates according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey are that 40% of occupied homes are rentals. These distant-owned properties exist for profits, not to contribute to the strength of a neighborhood. How does that impact community welfare?
Just look at the latest stumps on Papaya Drive North, trees cut down for an occasional fallen branch or to make room for an above-ground swimming pool, the still living tombstones of stately pines and an oak that held shade and food for wildlife and a beauty that took decades and decades to develop for all to share.
And there, nearby, a growing gathering of tree mourners stand. I know because I am one of them. To console myself, this holiday season, a living, Blue Point Juniper will be adorned with twinkling lights, a bright sentry over gifts that show love and appreciation for all. Come spring, this same juniper will be planted in my yard, a heartfelt reminder for lost pines and another noble oak.
FOLIO SOAPBOX
Desantis trying to “kill wokeness” was the worst thing a governor has done for Florida since the Spanish colonized it. the communIty foundatIon should support more lGBtQ InItIatIves.
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Words by Harry Moore
2024 may be history but fear not because 2025 is far from a mystery. If you’re feeling anxious about what tomorrow brings the Folio team has you covered – take a look at some of our boldly accurate predictions for the year ahead:
AFTER FEELING HE WASN’T
GIVEN A FAIR GO AT THINGS THE FIRST TIME AROUND, JOE BIDEN
ANNOUNCES HE’S RUNNING AGAIN IN 2028.
Young conservative men finally face consequences from the Trump administration after pornography is banned.
Jake Paul announces his next opponent in the boxing ring – the ghost of Joe Frazier. (Muhammed Ali declined to take part)
Trump appoints an unqualified alcoholic with a history of abusing women to run the military… Wait, that one has already happened?... and he’s not even taken office yet?...
The engineers who work at Space X develop a fueling system that will allow for manned trips to Mars in the near future. Elon Musk celebrates by posting dank memes and committing to more election interference around the world.
After a string of box office disappointments, movie studios move to release their future films directly onto Instagram reels in 20-second increments.
Florida will continue to expand the ban on social media, the initiative led by Governor Ron Desantis, will also pertain to anyone who is not a man. All women in the state will be restricted from creating new social media accounts and any existing accounts belonging to females will be terminated.
A POPULIST LIBERAL POLITICIAN BEGINS TO MAKE WAVES, BUILDING A DEVOTED BASE AND GARNERING EXCITEMENT AMONG PROSPECTIVE VOTERS. INSTEAD, THE DNC PUSHES FORWARD, I DON’T KNOW, CHELSEA CLINTON? THE PARTY CONTINUES TO WONDER WHY EVERYBODY HATES THEM.
The Jags go to the Superbowl! (okay that one we were just kidding around)
AFTER MASS DEPORTATIONS, FURTHER CUTTING CORPORATE AND WEALTH TAXES, IMPLEMENTING TRADE TARIFFS, HANDING UKRAINE OVER TO RUSSIA, AND FINISHING OFF GAZA, THE PRICE OF EGGS ACTUALLY GOES DOWN SOMEHOW.
A terrible standup comedian starts the worst podcast you’ve ever heard; it has millions of listeners every episode.
DECEMBER
JANUARY
MARCH
APRIL
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS … DO THEY WORK?
AMBAR: It’s the most joyful and dreadful time of the year. The final month when everybody’s minds are on gifts and holiday parties, and when those of us who are proactive start to think about our New Year’s resolutions. It’s always the same: “This year I’m gonna get fit.” “This year I’m gonna stop drinking.” Or “This year I’m gonna quit smoking.” And every year, we fail those resolutions.
CARMEN: Every year I say I’m going to become a better person, yet here I am… The same — if not worse. I also attempted to do “Dry January” which lasted me a whole three days.
AMBAR: I would be a liar if I said I didn’t believe in coincidences. It feels as if something greater at work is inhibiting us from accomplishing the resolutions we set at the beginning of the year. Are we jinxing ourselves or are we just our own greatest enemy? The answer to both is probably “yes.”
CARMEN: Or are we lazy and uncommitted? The answer to both is also probably “yes.” That doesn’t mean sticking to a resolution is impossible, obviously, there are millions of people who do, in fact, quit smoking and drinking and pick up a new hobby — we are just not one of them.
AMBAR: And I wondered (if you know, you know) when did this archaic, makes me feel like I’m not good enough, tradition begin?
CARMEN: I’m so glad you wondered. The first “New Year’s resolution” recorded was about 4,000 years ago written by the ancient Babylonians. (though, back then they were called pledges). They were also the first civilization to hold recorded celebrations honoring the New Year.
AMBAR: I’m at the edge of my seat.
CARMEN: The Babylonians really knew how to party — and by “party,” I mean a 12-day festival called Akitu. It was a mix of farming, fealty and fiscal responsibility. They planted crops, pledged allegiance to the king (because, priorities), promised to repay debts and returned borrowed items — probably so they could ask to borrow them again the next year. It was like spring cleaning meets a royal loyalty program.
AMBAR: So you’re telling me that we turned what was essentially a
pledge intertwined with socioeconomic values and power into unrealistic goals? Honestly, it’s all starting to make sense. No wonder we aren’t accomplishing our resolutions. We are setting goals that are, dare I say, a bit too ambitious.
CARMEN: Personally, I don’t think exercising and cutting back on alcohol is an unrealistic goal, but again, I have also never stuck with it … so what does that say about me?
AMBAR: Not at all. It’s definitely doable, but maybe we are prematurely failing ourselves by trying to commit to yearlong goals when maybe we could, I don’t know, set smaller monthly goals and go from there.
CARMEN: You know what? Hell yeah! I think the idea of having to stick with something for an entire year makes it this huge looming presence. What if we make resolutions like, “This year I will adopt a cat.” Easy! And requires absolutely no personality changes.
AMBAR: Exactly. According to licensed professionals, the reason we tend to fall short in our resolutions is that “We’re thinking too big.” “We aren’t asking why.” And “We aren’t ready for change.” Sometimes it’s best not to force things.
CARMEN: OK, we are getting very philosophical over here. What are your resolutions, Ambar?
AMBAR: I’m gonna keep things simple this new year and pledge to read 100 books. Will I? Probably not but that’s OK. I’m going into this new year with no expectations.
CARMEN: Nice! I’m gonna start smoking crack
AMBAR : Sure about that?
CARMEN: Yup. (No. I pledge to travel more. Will I? Probably not, I only have a limited amount of PTO but that’s OK.)
AMBAR: Maybe that’s the secret. You won’t fail if you don’t set any goals, right?
CARMEN: Well said. #nogoals2025
Words by Ambar Ramirez and Carmen Macri
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this puzzle like a regular sudoku, but instead of using numbers, use the letters T-H-E-A-M-P (for the St. Augustine Amphitheatre) to fill each row, column and box.
