Mocktails. Photo by Betsy Harris By Lauri deGaris This time of year, there is no surer sign of spring than wildflowers. And I am ready for spring in every sense of the word. The renewal, the …

Right whale mother and calf mosaic, done in 2018. By Lauri deGaris I am grateful to have known The Beach Lady of American Beach, MaVynne Betsch . I met MaVynne in the late 1990s and knew immediately …

  By Dylan Bailey In the realm of photography, there are those who capture moments, and then there are those who capture the essence of life itself. Bill Birdsong belongs to the latter category. …

Has anyone ever said to you, “You should write a book about that?” Is 2024 your year to make that happen? Attend the "Inspiration to Motivation - Shifting a Notion into Motion" workshop at 9 a.m. …

The Amelia Island Writers are presenting a free workshop on pitching an idea for a novel. It will be hosted by Rachel Glover on Feb. 27, 2024, from 3 to 5 p.m. The workshop will take place at Story …

Julia Taylor is appearing as Billy in "Billy Elliot the Musical" (BETM) in Fernandina Beach, presented by the Amelia Community Theatre (ACT), from Feb 9-25. Fifteen years old and a sophomore in high …

The Friends of the Fernandina Beach Library’s Spring Book Sale will be held March 20-23 at the Peck Center Gym, 510 S. 10th St, Fernandina Beach. Thousands of books will be on sale, all sorted into …

Amelia Community Theatre opens “Billy Elliot: The Musical ” on Feb. 9 at 207 Cedar St. With music by Elton John and book and lyrics by Lee Hall, this heartwarming coming-of-age story of a boy …

By Wilma Allen Release of the new book, “Life on American Beach: Voices from Within,” is sure to be a highlight of next month’s first annual Festival of Stories & Songs. This tribute to one …

By Lauri deGaris In my mind, few things are more exciting than receiving news about whales close enough to see from the beach. Early on Jan. 20, 2024, I received a call from the Marineland Right …

By Dylan Bailey In the art world, the name Eric Jacobsen holds a significant place. This American Impressionist, recognized for his beautiful landscape creations, has carved a niche for himself over …

By Marla McDaniel From editor and writer Jacki Levine and the University of Florida Press come “Once Upon a Time: Stories of Life in the Land of Promises.” Kick off the new year at an …

Jill Dillingham of Amelia Musical Playhouse, first gave the script of "Becoming Dr. Ruth" to Diana Herman before the COVID pandemic. "I was hesitant, but Jill kept encouraging me," Herman said. "It …

This article is part of a series of 10 appearing every other Monday in the Observer during right whale calving season. Part one, the story of Pelorus Jack, was published Dec. 11 . By Lauri …

Victoria Isernia, Robyn Lamp and John Tibbetts, founders of Amelia Island Opera. By Wilma Allen La Boheme, among the most popular operas of all time, will be presented live in concert  Jan. 4, by …

By Lauri deGaris December 21, 2023, marks the astronomical beginning of winter. Mother Earth’s north pole will be tilted farthest away from the sun. We will enter the longest night of the year …

By Wilma Allen If he’s as funny on stage as he is on the page, we’re in for a hilarious evening when best-selling journalist/novelist, Carl Hiaasen, headlines as keynote speaker at the first …

Amelia Residents in Action for the Symphony for many seasons co-sponsored bus transportation to Jacksonville Symphony concerts. A change in sponsorship meant pausing the buses, but now ARIAS will …

Jayne Jeney, Jeff Packer, Terri Witkosky, and Sonia Doubell are among the cast of ACT's holiday radio play. Santa gets his day in court as Amelia Community Theatre presents “Miracle on 34th Street: …

The Fernandina Beach Historic District Council was surprised to find Peg Leg Pete on its agenda Thursday evening. What’s the beloved downtown pirate statue doing amid discussions of architectural …