Communities

Join us for a magical evening at Light Up The Oaks from 4:30-9 pm Friday, December 6, at The Oaks, 203 Sea Marsh. Mark your calendars and get ready for a night of holiday cheer! Be dazzled by the Kristen Sparrow Circus as they perform breathtaking aerial feats from 4:30 to 5:30 pm. Snap a photo with these talented aerialists after the show. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive just in the “nick” of time to light up the hundreds of sparkling white lights at The Oaks at 5:30 pm. Don’t miss your chance to visit with Santa until 6:30… Read More »

Brighten the season for the less fortunate in Nassau County by contributing to AIPCA’s annual Season of Giving donation drive. The drive will launch Monday, December 2, and continue through Wednesday, December 11. Place your donations in the decorated drop boxes inside The Oaks Community Center, 203 Sea Marsh. AIPCA is supporting two outstanding local nonprofit organizations this year. Gracie’s Kitchen maintains a food pantry as well as serving 3,000-3,500 hot dinners per month. Open four days a week to serve guests, the kitchen functions with volunteer teams from various churches and organizations who cook, serve, and help maintain the… Read More »

As we tumble headlong into an artificial intelligence (AI) future, our Thoughtful Thursday on October 24 will provide a chance to explore the key ethical considerations in AI, emphasizing the need to integrate ethical principles into its development and use. The discussion will underscore the importance of ongoing dialogue, collaboration, and public awareness in shaping AI that is fair, transparent, and respectful of privacy, calling on industry, policymakers, and society to actively contribute to ethical AI practices. Our presenter will be Dr. Joshua Gellers, a professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at the University of North… Read More »

AIP’s 50th Anniversary Explore Amelia Nature Festival coincides with National Pollinator Week, an annual celebration to raise awareness of pollinators and the role they play in our ecosystems, economies, and agriculture. We’ve invited local beekeeper Pete Smith, also known as the Hive Pirate, to tell us all about bees during Thoughtful Tuesday at 5 pm June 18 in The Oaks, 203 Sea Marsh. Smith, a Florida Registered Beekeeper and a participant in the UF/IFAS Master Beekeeper Program, will also speak about his work producing honey on Amelia Island and Cumberland Island. Event check-in will begin at 4:30 pm with wine… Read More »

With nesting season underway for shorebirds, seabirds and wading birds, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is sharing tips with beachgoers on how to help protect our waterbirds while enjoying the shore. During this time of year, many shorebird and seabird species nest directly on beaches across the state where their eggs and chicks are well camouflaged in the sand. Colonies of wading birds, such as herons, will typically nest on mangrove islands off the coast. Because our state’s beaches and shorelines are critical for waterbird nesting, people enjoying time near the shore can play a big part… Read More »

As part of our AIP 50th anniversary celebrations, AIPCA will host “Game, Set, Match!” on Saturday, March 23, to mark the important role WTA tennis played in the history of AIP. Former AIP touring professional and resident Kathy Rinaldi will be joined by WTA standouts Ann Grossman and Brenda Schultz, who all competed at AIP, will return for a day of court-focused activities at Racquet Park. Rinaldi, who turned pro at age 14, was a WTA Top 10 professional tennis player in singles and doubles and reached the semifinals at all Grand Slam tournaments in singles/doubles or mixed. She is… Read More »

At a time when African Americans were denied entry to most public beaches in Florida, A.L. Lewis, president of the pioneering black-owned business, the Afro-American Life Insurance Company, founded the American Beach community on Amelia Island in 1935 as a haven during the Jim Crow era for first his employees and later the wider black community. We are thrilled to have distinguished scholar and Lewis’s great-granddaughter, Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole, as our presenter to discuss the history and ongoing legacy of American Beach at Thoughtful Thursday at 5 pm March 21 at The Oaks, 203 Sea Marsh. Cole will take… Read More »

It will be another fun-filled night of chance when Bingo! with Emily returns to Game Night Monday, March 11, at The Oaks, 203 Sea Marsh. Please note the later start time. Doors to the Sunset Room will open at 5 pm for card sales. Cards cost just $1. Sales are cash only, and $1 and $5 bills are greatly appreciated. Buy as many or as few cards as you want — your purchase will contribute to the prize pot. Attendees are welcome to bring their own refreshments and snacks. The games will start at 5:30 pm. See you there!

“Focus on 50” is a three-part presentation series examining various aspects of Amelia Island Plantation’s history. Our Thoughtful Thursday on February 22 will kick-off this in-depth look into our history with “Design with Nature,” an influential book by one of the world’s most influential landscape architects of the 20th century – Ian McHarg. McHarg’s “McHargian Analysis” process sought to balance the built environment with the natural environment. This process laid the foundations for modern design and planning techniques used by engineers, planners, designers, etc, and Amelia Island Plantation is part of that storied, influential history. Dr. Taylor Clem from UF/IFAS… Read More »