AWARD-WINNING DANCE THEATRE BRING MORE THAN THREE DECADES OF EXCELLENCE, ARTISTRY, AND MENTORSHIP TO A NEW GENERATION OF DANCERS IN OUR COMMUNITY!

Dance Theatre welcomes students of all experience levels, from first-time dancers as young as 2½ years old through adults. The curriculum includes ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, contemporary, acrobatics, pointe, and aerial silks, giving students the opportunity to explore a variety of dance styles while building confidence, discipline, and creativity. For Gerlick, some of the most meaningful moments come when parents and former students share how Dance Theatre has made a lasting difference in their lives.


"When a parent tells me their child has flourished since enrolling, I melt," she says. "When former students come back to tell me we helped them find success in life, as well as in dance, nothing can compare. That's why we do this." Students looking for additional performance opportunities can participate in Dance Theatre Company (DTC), a performance ensemble that has appeared aboard Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, at Universal Studios, and during professional NFL, NBA, and NHL events. This coming year, the company will also travel to New York City to perform as part of Dance The World.


For dancers interested in pursuing competitive dance, Team DTX provides advanced training through regional and national conventions and competitions. Most recently, the team competed at the 2026 Platinum National Finals in Destin, earning multiple Junior and Senior division titles, sweeping every dance battle, and receiving the highest overall score among more than 350 entries.

​If all you see when you drive past your local YMCA is a place to run on a treadmill, you’re missing out. If you think it’s only for older adults, you’d be mistaken. At all our St. Johns County locations and throughout the First Coast, the YMCA is a place for people of all ages to build community. We have programming that helps people live a healthy life through body, mind, and spirit, and we know that means something different for everyone. If you want to start doing life with people around you, your first step this summer should be to come to the First Coast YMCA.


That first step is something we see every day, especially as families are moving to St. Johns County by the droves. Many of them want to put down roots and find meaningful resources, and the First Coast YMCA has that. Obviously, summer is filled with activities for kids who are out of school, and the Y always has camps running at our branches. We have such a variety of camps and locations that chances are, there’s one nearby where you live. Camp isn’t just a place to drop your child off for a couple of hours – we really want to help them grow, and youth development is one of our key pillars that we focus on every day.

Beyond the summer camps, we have programming for the entire family, including activities that don’t involve any technology. We call it Families Unplugged, and it allows parents and their children to connect and participate in fun activities. We recently did a family paint night at our Brown Family YMCA, where both the kids and adults painted an otter. If you want to see some of the most adorable photos and paintings ever, just head to the Brown Family YMCA group on Facebook to check them out. So cute! We also offer a Parents’ Night Out, where we will watch your kids for a couple of hours while you get to relax or have a date night with your spouse. Both the Families Unplugged and Parents’ Night Out events are free for families that have a membership with the Y, as we’re constantly looking for ways to add value for our members.

We do know that membership at the YMCA isn’t free, and that many families are searching for ways to save money during uncertain economic times. That’s why we recently set up a new rate scale based on your income. If you go to our website – fcymca.org – and click on Join the Y, you can see what family membership options would look like based on your household income. There are additional financial benefits that families can enjoy, like free swim lessons through insurance. We never want finances to get in the way of people living a healthy life, and we’re always willing to discuss a flexible payment plan that works for you.

So here’s a plan if you’re looking to take the next step: if you have kids, consider signing them up for one of our summer day camps. While they’re there, head to your local YMCA branch and chat with our welcome staff. They’ll be happy to give you a tour and show you all the resources that the Y has to offer. Hopefully, that’ll be the beginning of you finding a new family at the First Coast YMCA, as there really is no place like this place.

​For many families today, pets are no longer simply companions — they are deeply woven into the fabric of everyday life. They share our homes, our routines, our vacations, and often our most meaningful moments. They comfort us during difficult times, celebrate life’s milestones alongside us, and become part of the family in every sense of the word.   And those key impacts leave pawprints on our hearts.

As that bond has grown stronger, expectations surrounding veterinary care have increased and evolved as well.  Today’s pet owners are seeking more than annual vaccines and quick appointments. They are looking for trusted relationships, advanced medical options, personalized communication, convenience, transparency, and a veterinary team that treats their pets like family. In many ways, veterinary medicine is undergoing the same transformation human healthcare experienced years ago — with greater emphasis on preventive care, early detection, collaboration, technology, and individualized treatment plans. At Pets R Family Veterinary Hospital, those changes are something the team sees every day.




Pets Are Living Longer
And Veterinary Medicine
Is Advancing Quickly


One of the biggest reasons expectations have changed is that pets are living longer than ever before. Improvements in nutrition, preventive medicine, dentistry, parasite prevention, diagnostics, and owner education have dramatically increased both lifespan and quality of life for many dogs and cats.  With longer lifespans, however, comes a greater need for more advanced medical care. Conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, cancer, anxiety disorders, and endocrine diseases are now diagnosed and managed far more commonly than they were decades ago. Fortunately, veterinary medicine has advanced rapidly to meet those needs.

Modern veterinary hospitals now have access to sophisticated diagnostics and treatment options that were once only available primarily in specialty referral centers or human medicine. Advanced imaging such as CT scans, improved ultrasound technology, comprehensive laboratory testing, dental radiology, advanced surgical procedures, pain management therapies, and specialized nutritional support have transformed what veterinarians are able to diagnose and treat.

“Many people are surprised by how advanced veterinary medicine has become,” says Kathleen Deckard, DVM, founder of Pets R Family Veterinary Hospital. “We’re able to investigate and manage conditions today that would have been very difficult to diagnose even a few years ago.”
At the same time, pet owners increasingly want access to high-level medicine close to home — without sacrificing personal relationships and compassionate care.




Families Want
​Relationships,
Not Transactions


While technology and medicine have advanced significantly, one of the biggest shifts in veterinary care has actually been emotional.  Pet owners today are looking for relationships with their veterinary team. They want communication, trust, consistency, and guidance throughout every stage of their pet’s life — from puppy and kitten visits to senior care and difficult medical decisions.
​
Veterinary visits are often emotional experiences, particularly when a pet is sick or aging. Families want to feel heard and supported, not rushed through an appointment. As online information has exploded, many pet owners now arrive having spent hours researching symptoms, medications, diseases, and treatment options. While access to information can be helpful, it can also create confusion and anxiety. Increasingly, families are looking for veterinary teams they trust to help guide them through complicated medical decisions with honesty and compassion.
​

One advantage of a larger veterinary team is the ability to collaborate internally on cases. At Pets R Family Veterinary Hospital, doctors frequently consult with one another throughout the day, discussing complicated cases, reviewing diagnostics, and sharing different perspectives and experiences.

This collaborative approach allows clients to benefit not only from the experience of one veterinarian, but from the collective knowledge of an entire medical team. And with a combined over 90 years of experience within our 7 DVM Team, the opportunity to have that powerful knowledge at the ready is second to none!  In modernveterinary medicine, that type of collaboration has become increasingly valuable as medical information and treatment options continue to expand rapidly.


Collaboration and
Continuing Education ​

Veterinary medicine evolves quickly, and continuing education has become an essential part of modern practice. New medications, technologies, treatment protocols, nutrition research, pain management options, and diagnostic capabilities are constantly emerging.

In addition to ongoing education and training, many progressive veterinary hospitals now work closely with board-certified specialists for consultation, second opinions, treatment recommendations, and guidance on more complicated cases.  Collaboration between primary care veterinarians and specialists helps ensure that pets benefit from both personalized local care and access to the latest advancements in veterinary medicine. “At the end of the day, we all share the same goal — providing the best possible quality care for the patient in an environment of education for the pet owners,” says Dr. Deckard.  For pet families, that collaboration often provides additional reassurance and confidence, especially when navigating complex illnesses or difficult decisions.


Fear-Free and Feline-Friendly Care

Another major evolution in veterinary medicine is a growing focus on reducing stress and anxiety during veterinary visits.  For many pets — especially cats — veterinary appointments can be frightening experiences. Stress not only affects emotional wellbeing but can also impact medical findings such as heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and even laboratory values. Because of this, many hospitals are shifting toward lower-stress handling techniques and more comfort-focused care.
​
Pets R Family Veterinary Hospital has been recognized as a Gold Standard Cat Friendly Practice since opening nearly a decade ago. The hospital emphasizes gentle handling techniques, feline-focused environments, and minimizing fear and anxiety whenever possible.  The hospital is also preparing for the future with plans for the upcoming “Whisker Wing,” a dedicated feline area designed specifically around the unique needs of cats and their owners.  Pet owners increasingly value these efforts because they recognize that veterinary care is not only about medicine — it is also about the overall experience for both pets and families.

Preventive Care and Early
Detection Are Becoming Priorities


Another major trend in veterinary medicine is the growing emphasis on prevention and early detection. Many families are becoming more proactive about their pet’s long-term health rather than waiting until obvious illness develops. Routine wellness bloodwork, senior screening programs, dental care, nutritional counseling, weight management, mobility support, and advanced parasite prevention are becoming increasingly common parts of veterinary care.

This proactive approach allows veterinarians to identify problems earlier, often before pets show visible symptoms. Pets are incredibly good at hiding illness, and by the time obvious signs appear, disease may already be advanced. Early detection often creates more treatment options and can significantly improve quality of life and long-term outcomes. Routine screening can uncover kidney disease, liver disease, endocrine disorders, heart disease, and certain cancers before a pet appears outwardly ill. Dental disease, another commonly overlooked issue, can cause chronic pain and inflammation long before owners recognize visible symptoms. As families increasingly view pets as true family members, many are embracing preventive medicine in the same way they approach their own healthcare.


The Growing Role of
Pet Insurance and
​Pet Care Financing Options


As veterinary medicine becomes more advanced, pet insurance is also playing a larger role in helping families access care.  In the past, many owners were unfamiliar with pet insurance or assumed it functioned similarly to human health insurance. Today, however, awareness has grown significantly as medical and surgical options continue to expand.

Pet insurance can help families make medical decisions based more on what is best for the pet rather than solely on financial limitations. Coverage can be especially valuable during emergencies, unexpected illnesses, surgeries, cancer treatment, or chronic disease management. Many families are recognizing the importance of being financially prepared before an emergency happens. Insurance often provides greater flexibility and peace of mind during stressful situations when quick medical decisions are necessary. While no insurance policy covers everything, many modern plans can significantly reduce the financial burden associated with unexpected veterinary care. Some companies also offer direct payment options to participating hospitals, helping simplify the reimbursement process for clients.
Additionally, pet health care financing has come to light as an opportunity to support the client in a desire to say “Yes” to the very best pet care, while lightening the immediate burden of payment.  Wonderful options such as Cherry Financing, are available at Veterinary Offices at the point of payment.  Approval is easy and typically obtained in less than a minutes worth of sign up details.  “We have found that payment financing options such as Cherry, offer our clients the option to pay their pets health care bill over time, with a zero or low percentage rate.  Often times it’s much less to use this option than to utilize a credit card for payment.  They real key is that it gives the pet owner the opportunity to say “Yes” to tests and procedures that in the past, their available funds might guide them to a “No”.  That means improved health options for their pets.” Shared Dr. Deckard.

As pets continue to live longer and veterinary medicine advances, many experts believe pet insurance and pet health care financing options will become an increasingly common part of responsible pet ownership.


End-of-Life Care Is Evolving Too


One of the most profound changes in veterinary medicine has been the increased focus on quality of life and compassionate end-of-life care. For many families, pets are deeply bonded companions, and saying goodbye can be one of the most difficult experiences they face. Because of this, veterinary teams are placing greater emphasis on helping families navigate aging, chronic illness, pain management, hospice support, and euthanasia decisions with empathy and dignity.

Advances in pain management, mobility support, arthritis therapies, nutritional care, and chronic disease management are also allowing many pets to maintain a good quality of life longer than ever before.  At the same time, hospitals are increasingly recognizing the importance of the environment surrounding euthanasia and end-of-life visits. Quiet spaces, more private settings, comfort-focused rooms, and allowing families time together have become important parts of compassionate care.

“There is much more focus today on quality of life, comfort, and helping families feel supported during difficult moments,” says Dr. Deckard. “Those experiences matter deeply to people because pets truly are family members.”

For many pet owners, these moments are not viewed as simple appointments, but as deeply personal family experiences. Veterinary teams are increasingly adapting care to reflect that reality.


The Future of Veterinary Care

As veterinary medicine continues to evolve, one thing remains unchanged: the powerful bond between people and their pets. Today’s pet families are seeking veterinary care that reflects how important those relationships truly are — care that combines medical excellence with compassion, communication, accessibility, and trust.  They want advanced medicine, but they also want connection. They want technology, but they also want empathy. They want convenience, but they also want personalized care from people who know both them and their pets.
​
For many local families, that search begins with finding a veterinary team that feels less like a business and more like an extension of the family itself.  And perhaps that is exactly where the future of veterinary medicine is headed.

Designs for Reality

The partnership between Jill and Sierra is built on a bridge between generations. Jill, drawing from years of navigating the shifting tides of motherhood, understands that "neatness" is a fragile veneer. True organization, she shares, must be a resilient system capable of withstanding the unpredictability of real life.

“Motherhood completely reshaped my perspective,” Jill explains. “Early on, I thought it was about keeping things visually appealing. But raising children taught me that true organization is about creating systems that support you when life is busy and evolving.”

Sierra, as the Lead Designer, brings a contemporary precision to this vision. She views a room as a series of intuitive zones. For instance, her designs may prioritize the "frictionless morning", where every item is positioned with such logic that the subconscious mind can navigate the space without effort.


Beyond the Aesthetic

When a client approaches Closet Factory, they are often at a breaking point with their environment. "We frequently see total overwhelm," the team shares. "Closets are overstuffed, and moms feel like they don’t have a single square inch that belongs to them."

The transformation process follows a sophisticated hierarchy:
Function First: Defining zones that mirror how a woman moves through her day. Flexibility: Utilizing adjustable elements that grow with the family—from nurseries to teen retreats.
Visual Serenity: Selecting lighting, finishes, and textures that lower the heart rate upon entry. The result is a "reset zone." Whether it is a custom-tailored pantry that turns meal prep into a rhythmic task or a home office that acts as a fortress of productivity, the goal is the same. “The moment she walks in, she should feel a weight lifted,” says Sierra. “The most rewarding feedback we hear is, ‘I can finally breathe again.’”

Photos by Beth Leitzke Elizabeth Anne Photography

​For More information related to this article visit
​de-senesce.com

​What if aging didn’t have to mean slowing down? What if vitality, clarity, and strength could be extended rather than gradually lost? At De-Senesce™, that question isn’t theoretical - it’s the foundation of a physician-led practice grounded in science, precision, and real-world experience.
Founded by local physician Dr. Howard Spinowitz and his wife Liz Spinowitz, De-Senesce™ grew out of decades spent observing how some people seemed to maintain their energy and their resilience while others declined prematurely. As a board-certified Anesthesiologist with more than twenty years practicing medicine, Dr. Howard began to witness these patterns that conventional medicine often addressed too late or not at all.  In his early 20’s he was unexpectedly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, a turning point that suddenly forced him to pay attention to his food choices, stress levels, sleep and recovery - because severe consequences would start to show up fairly quickly if he didn’t.
​
That personal journey sparked a deep interest in the science of aging itself, and over time Dr. Howard began integrating the longevity principles he was actively researching into his own life. At age fifty, advanced blood testing revealed that his “biological age” (the relative age of his cells) measured fourteen years younger than his actual chronological age (36 vs 50). Three years later, follow-up testing showed that he had measurably slowed the rate of his aging by 20 percent, despite having a major medical condition that is known to speed up the aging process in the overwhelming majority of the people that have it.

​Encouraged by these results - and by Liz, whose background in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology brought a unique perspective to patient experience - the couple began building a practice dedicated to helping others achieve similarly measurable outcomes. The name De-Senesce™, meaning to slow or reverse the processes of aging, reflects that mission.

For Liz, the journey toward founding De-Senesce™ began long before the practice existed. As the daughter of both a surgeon and a hospital administrator, she grew up immersed in the world of medicine, but it was a deeply personal experience that ultimately changed her perspective. During the birth of their first child, Liz encountered the healthcare system not only as an observer, but as a patient and a mother. After the delivery of their son by C-section, Dr. Howard immediately noticed that their newborn was struggling to breathe normally, despite both physicians and nurses in the OR maintaining that he was doing “just fine”.  He insisted that their newborn son be taken directly to the Neonatal ICU, where an astute Neonatologist later identified what numerous other doctors had missed: a small pneumothorax, which is a tiny hole in the lung requiring immediate treatment. Fortunately, the condition was treated quickly and their son recovered fully.  But the experience left a lasting impression.  “That day taught us something important,” Liz reflects. “The presence of complacency in medicine: sometimes systems become so accustomed to seeing ‘normal’ that they can overlook the one thing that isn’t.” These principles would later shape the philosophy behind De-Senesce™.

Since then, Liz and Dr. Howard have made patient empowerment a cornerstone of their approach to longevity and wellness. They encourage their patients to understand their bodies, actively track their progress, and take ownership of their health, rather than waiting for problems to develop.
Today, the practice offers a range of services designed to support vitality and long-term health. Patients receive physician-directed longevity counseling, bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, nutritional guidance, and physician-supervised GLP-1 therapies for weight loss (when appropriate). Proprietary supplements that were designed by Dr. Howard and personalized wellness protocols further support each patient’s individual goals. Dr Howard also has a special interest in helping patients navigate the hormonal deficiencies that accompany the onset of menopause and andropause (in women and men, respectively), including symptoms related to estrogen and testosterone decline. But what truly distinguishes De-Senesce™ is it’s philosophy. “For too long, aging has been viewed as inevitable decline,” Liz explains. “Traditional medicine often begins only after a problem has advanced, while the wellness world offers endless advice but little structure. What’s missing is a thoughtful, physician-guided approach that helps people take control of their health before problems arise.”

At De-Senesce™, patients are treated directly by Dr. Howard, with a focus on optimizing the body’s performance, and possibly extending both a patient’s lifespan and healthspan (the years of life spent healthy and functional). And the results can be surprisingly immediate.“We want our patients to experience the benefits now,” says Dr. Howard.  “Better sleep, clearer thinking, improved energy, faster recovery…When people start feeling better, taking care of their health stops feeling like a chore. Patients discover that what they assumed was 'normal aging’ (fatigue, stiffness, mental fog, etc.) was actually a baseline set far too low. With proper guidance and individualized care, those symptoms often improve dramatically, reshaping expectations of what’s possible.”

In a wellness landscape crowded with trends and quick fixes, De-Senesce™ remains grounded in evidence-based care. Dr. Howard personally follows the majority of wellness protocols that he recommends to his patients, adding a real-world perspective to clinical expertise. Looking ahead, the founders hope that their work contributes to a larger shift in how people think about aging.
“Aging isn’t optional,” Dr. Howard says. “But aging poorly is. If we can help people realize that their health is something they can actively influence and that their vitality can be preserved then we’ve accomplished what we set out to do.”

At De-Senesce™, healthy aging isn’t simply about adding years to life. It’s about adding life to years.

In St. Johns County, the most trusted healthcare providers are often the ones who have quietly grown alongside the families they serve. Over time, their role expands through familiarity and reputation. When Dr. Craig Hadgis first started practicing orthodontics, the work was focused, as expected, on treating patients. But as the years passed, the scope widened.


“I wasn’t just treating patients,” he reflects. “I was treating classmates, siblings, parents, and eventually the children of former patients.” Over time, he says, that familiarity brought with it an understanding that showing up for the community was part of the responsibility of being woven into people’s lives.


That sense of responsibility has guided Smiles by Dr. Craig Hadgis Orthodontist well beyond the clinical setting. As a Board Certified Orthodontist with over 15 years experience, the practice has become a consistent presence at school fundraisers, athletic events, teacher appreciation initiatives, theater and dance performances, and pageants  These moments, often informal and unscripted, offer something clinical appointments cannot: a view of young patients as whole people, developing confidence in real time.

Dr. Hadgis has seen firsthand how orthodontic care intersects with adolescence, a period when self-image and identity are still forming. It’s a stage of life where small changes can have outsized effects. A healthy smile, he notes, often influences whether a student raises a hand in class, feels confident walking into a room, or is comfortable being seen.


“A confident smile is a valuable asset,” he says simply.
That belief informs the practice’s emphasis on education. Many families, Dr. Hadgis explains, don’t initially realize how closely orthodontic health is connected to overall development. Jaw growth, airway health, speech patterns, and even sleep quality can be affected by early orthodontic issues. Addressing those concerns at the right time can reduce complications later and improve quality of life well beyond adolescence.


Education, in this sense, is preventive care. When families understand the long-term implications of orthodontic health, they’re better equipped to make thoughtful decisions for their child’s broader well-being.


That approach is deeply personal for Dr. Hadgis. As the father of three young children, family is central to both his life and his practice. Parenthood has shaped how he communicates with patients and parents alike, bringing an added layer of empathy to conversations that involve trust and long-term planning.


“Being a father has deeply shaped the way I practice,” he says. “I understand what it means to entrust your child’s care to someone else.”


That understanding extends beyond treatment plans. It shows up in the way the practice prioritizes clarity, patience, and continuity, values that became especially important following a recent fire at the Julington Creek St. Johns office. Faced with an unexpected disruption, the focus shifted immediately to maintaining uninterrupted care.


Orthodontic treatment, Dr. Hadgis notes, is a journey, and the last thing families need is uncertainty midstream. The team quickly transitioned into temporary care sites near the office, ensuring schedules remained intact and communication stayed clear. Local doctors stepped in, generously offering their offices, an act Dr. Hadgis describes as a powerful reminder of the strength of the community they serve.


As rebuilding continues, the goal is not simply to reopen a physical space, but to return with systems and environments that reflect the practice’s long-standing commitment to patient-centered care. Preserving the patient experience also meant preserving results. Through ongoing investment in advanced technology, the practice was able to remain flexible and mobile while continuing to deliver the level of detail, precision, and exceptional finishes that define its work. In the meantime, treatment continues seamlessly, with new patients welcomed daily.


In a healthcare landscape increasingly defined by speed and scale, Smiles by Dr. Craig Hadgis Orthodontist offers a quieter model, one rooted in longevity, education, and genuine community investment. It’s a reminder that in places like St. Johns, wellness is not delivered all at once. It’s built, carefully and consistently, over time.

Step into our Curated Holiday Gift Guide, a sparkling collection of handpicked treasures from the most delightful local boutiques and makers. Think luxe little indulgences, swoon-worthy finds, and festive surprises that make gifting feel effortless and inspired. Consider this your stylish cheat sheet to the season’s most coveted must-haves wrapped in ribbon, ready to dazzle.

​The Pink Nickel
Julington Creek

The Social Society
Ponte Vedra . Nocatee

Uniquely Claudia
Durbin

Fluer De Lis Boutique
Racetrack Road

​Southern Grace Floral Market
​Julington Creek

 Dive into our curated Amazon picks—stylish finds, luxe little indulgences, and gifts that always hit the mark. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

​Where feline health meets
​heartfelt care!
For too long, the veterinary world has grouped cats and dogs together as if their needs were interchangeable. At Pets R Family Veterinary Hospital, we have always believed something different: cats are not small dogs. They are emotionally sensitive, physiologically unique, and profoundly complex. They deserve care that honors who they are—not who they are compared to.
 
In late Spring 2026, that belief becomes a reality with the opening of the Whisker Wing, our brand-new feline-focused hospital space designed exclusively for cats. This carefully crafted environment will give our feline patients the calm, comfort, and respect they need to receive exceptional medical care.


A Decade of Feline Advocacy
— A Priority From Day One
When Pets R Family opened its doors 10 years ago, Dr. Kathleen Deckard had one non-negotiable priority: the hospital must be recognized as a Gold Standard Cat Friendly Practice. Even before the paint had dried, she was thinking about how to make the veterinary experience less intimidating for cats and how to incorporate feline-specific handling and medical knowledge into every aspect of care, starting with the feline only dedicated exam room.


Achieving Gold Standard Certification through the American Association of Feline Practitioners (now the Feline VMA) required deliberate design choices, team training, and a deep commitment to understanding the feline perspective. Dr. Deckard believed strongly that if cats were going to receive truly compassionate, high-quality veterinary care, the hospital needed to be built on a foundation of feline-centered principles—not retrofit them later.


That early commitment set the tone for everything that followed.
For 10 years, Pets R Family has maintained that Gold Standard designation. And the Whisker Wing represents the fulfillment of a vision Dr. Deckard had from day one: a hospital where cats are understood, respected, and provided with medical care tailored to their species—not adapted from another.
  
Why Cats Need a Hospital
Designed Just for Them 
Cats experience the world differently. Their hearing is sharper, their noses more sensitive, their instincts stronger. Stress can hinder diagnostics, elevate vital signs, and mask illness—something cats are uniquely skilled at hiding. They face medical conditions far more common in their species than in dogs, including:
 
•Chronic kidney disease •Hyperthyroidism •Stress-induced cystitis •Dental Resorption  •GI and pancreatic disorders
•Arthritis disguised behind subtle behavioral changes
•Behavioral and environmental stress concerns


Handling them requires time, patience, and a deep understanding of feline behavior.  The Whisker Wing will be built precisely around these truths. ​

For many, military service ends with the final salute. But for Marine Corps veteran and local business owner Chris Gobeli, the mission took a new form, one grounded in craftsmanship, community, and the enduring values of service.

Gobeli, founder of Outdoor Transformations, brings the same precision, discipline, and integrity he learned in the United States Marine Corps to every project he undertakes in St. Johns. His company, known for its expert hardscaping and landscape design, reflects the ethos that shaped his nine years of service,  an ethos that continues to inspire his life, his work, and his community.

“I joined at 19 after suffering a career-ending injury playing football,” Gobeli recalls. “I needed direction, and I was proud of my family tradition in the Marine Corps. Both of my grandfathers were Marines; one served 20 years and trained recruits at Parris Island, the other fought in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War. There was no other option in my eyes.”

From 2006 to 2015, Gobeli served as part of VMA-542, deploying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom to Al Asad Airbase in Iraq’s Al Anbar Province. “We maintained 100% mission readiness and completed every mission assigned,” he says. Later, in 2010, he deployed aboard the USS Bataan as part of a Marine Expeditionary Unit, traveling through Spain, Greece, the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.

His years in the Marines taught lessons that would define his second career. “The path from the Marine Corps to Outdoor Transformations has been one of discipline, integrity, and purpose,” Gobeli says. “In the Marines, the mission always comes first, and you take care of your people so the mission succeeds. In business, it’s no different. Our mission is delivering excellence for our clients, and my team is family.”
​
That sense of leadership extends well beyond the job site. As a husband and father of three, Gobeli’s motivation is deeply personal. “My family fuels my drive to build a company that reflects the values I want to pass down: hard work, honesty, and craftsmanship that stands the test of time.”

The Community Nutcracker is a holiday performance that blends artistry, volunteerism, and compassion into one enduring tradition. For more than three decades, this locally produced ballet has brought The Nutcracker’s timeless story to life while transforming its proceeds into tangible good for the community.

Its origin story reads like a Christmas fable. In 1991, five local dance directors, suddenly separated from a symphony partnership, stood together on a downtown street corner and refused to let their vision fade. “We left the office downtown in May of 1991,” recalls Founding Artistic Director Beth Marks, “and there on the street corner we decided we wanted to create a new Nutcracker production utilizing the newly renovated Florida Theatre as our home.” With each donating $100, they formed a nonprofit built entirely on passion and purpose. The first performance took the stage in 1992, what Marks calls “a true Christmas miracle.”
​
From the beginning, the Community Nutcracker has stood apart. It’s one of the only nonprofit, volunteer-run Nutcrackers in Northeast Florida, created not just to perform but to give back. “The Leukemia Society was the first foundation to team with us,” says Marks. “Since 2014, Dreams Come True has been our partner and major benefactor. So many of their ‘Dreamers’ have fulfilled their dreams thanks to the Community Nutcracker.” Over the years, the production has donated nearly $1 million to local charities, an extraordinary achievement powered entirely by volunteers.

That spirit of generosity extends to the artistry itself. In the early years, sets were simple, built and painted by local artists like Virginia Fox, whose backdrops first appeared in Jacksonville’s 1972 Nutcracker benefiting the Children’s Museum (now MOSH). Today, audiences are transported by breathtaking production elements: a growing Christmas tree, swirling snow, and a dazzling Land of Sweets castle. “This timeless story, music, and dance continue to mesmerize and delight families,” says Marks.
Each December, more than 200 local dancers, from age 9 to adult, bring Clara’s world to life. “Auditions are open to everyone,” explains Crystal Ponder, 2025 President of the Community Nutcracker’s Board of Directors. “It’s a professional process, but the real magic is in the friendships and growth that happen along the way.”
Behind the scenes, hundreds of volunteers fuel the production’s heart. “It’s not just going to watch a show,” says Angie Kindler, 2025 Costume Mistress. “Knowing we’re helping kids achieve their dreams, that we’re part of something bigger than ourselves”.
More than 30 years later, what began with five choreographers and $500 has become a Jacksonville holiday tradition unlike any other. The Community Nutcracker continues to prove that when creativity meets compassion, magic truly follows, turning every pirouette, every note, and every snowfall into a celebration of community at its best.

​

Audiences knew him best as Drosselmeyer, the mysterious godfather whose gift sets The Nutcracker’s story in motion. With a twinkle in his eye and a commanding stage presence, Dr. George Trotter brought warmth, wonder, and gravitas to the role, leaving an indelible mark on the Community Nutcracker’s history. But Dr. Trotter’s legacy went far beyond the stage. He saw the Community Nutcracker as a gift to the community, a way to share the joy of live performance with everyone.
“When Dr. Trotter walked on stage as Drosselmeyer, you knew you were about to witness magic. He embodied the spirit of the show, part mystery, part generosity, and all heart.”


Former Cast Member
In his honor, the George Trotter Community Service Night Sponsorship continues his vision of accessibility and inclusion. This cherished evening invites local nonprofit organizations and families who might not otherwise experience live theater to enjoy the magic together—one of the most meaningful traditions of the season.
“George’s dream was to make The Nutcracker something for everyone. Community Service Night is the purest expression of that dream.”


Board Member
A highlight of the evening is the recognition of a Dreamer from Dreams Come True, Northeast Florida’s only locally based dream-granting nonprofit for children battling life-threatening illnesses. Each year, one child’s dream is celebrated on stage, an unforgettable moment of joy, hope, and unity shared by dancers and audience alike.
Through his artistry and compassion, Dr. Trotter captured the very essence of the Community Nutcracker: the joy of giving, the hope of the holidays, and the enduring power of community.