By: Jessica Lee

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From those who lived during the roaring 20s to others who are in their roaring 20s, Mahjong is attracting new players as its popularity grows through different happy mediums.  

Happy Medium Books café hosts a two-part class each week for anyone interested in learning how to play. While some players come more advanced, others have only ever seen the game online. All are welcome in this learning environment. 

Mahjong is a 4-player Chinese domino game where players draw and discard tiles with the goal of forming a specific hand, or collection of dominos. The hands must be sets of two, three, or four, and add up to a complete hand of 14 tiles. The goal of the game is to be first to complete these hands. 

The traditional format of Mahjong is most recognizable through its cameos in movies like “Crazy Rich Asians” and shows like “Modern Family.” Along with movies, the social media tag, ‘granny-core’ —that appreciates old fashioned trends and the cozy aesthetic—has helped with the game’s massive comeback. 

The café offers many other classes and events that also feature old and new trends. Dana Shutters, the owner of the bookstore, creates a monthly calendar with details and posts it to social media outlets like Facebook and Instagram. 

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To check their calendar, click here.  

By: Reece Kovacs

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Tucked into West Beaver Street sits the Jacksonville Farmers Market. This historic market is the oldest continually operating market in Florida.  

It began in 1938 with local farmers and vendors coming together to create a communal space to sell their products. Throughout the next few decades, the market would bounce between various owners until Beaver Street Fisheries purchased the grounds and market in 1986. After 70 years on its original grounds, the market moved across the street to its current location in 2008.  

The market has kept to its origin story, renting space to wholesale produce vendors and others that are local to the First Coast area. The general manager, Greg Tison, is a Floridian himself and has spent the past 16 years running the market. What started as a humble community sale expanded to create an environment that separates this space from other farmers’ markets across the city.  

Unlike other markets that are typically only open on the weekends; the Jacksonville Farmers Market is open seven days a week and has vendors that have been with the market since its grounds shift in 2008.  

The vendors and producers are also unlike other markets. According to Tison, one of the main attractions of the market is its access to large quantities of produce. The market is nestled downtown at the intersection of produce trains that run from the northeast down Florida. Here, people can find their produce needs for the week with fresher and likely larger options.  

The market also boasts about vendors who sell their local produce grown and harvested in their backyards. Most of this produce is different to the wholesale vendors; the wholesale vendors typically sell produce such as carrots while the local produce vendors have tropical fruits. These vendors also have other varying products, from local grown honey, to candles, sweet treats, and boiled peanuts. One even specializes in whipped flavored honey.  

L&B Backyard Honey is a small business owned and operated by Laura and Buck Hardee. The couple is local to the Duval area and live a few miles from the Market. They currently have 8 beehives in their backyard, where the busy bees help the couple in creating a delicious treat. The couple is planning to double the number of hives soon to keep up with their growing demand. 

The market has a little something for everyone, even those who enjoy coffee and a stroll down rows of goodies and treats.  

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By Sanaa’ Towers 

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At first glance, the inside of Bethel Church of Jacksonville looks like a typical food pantry. But church leaders say the SNAP Store was created to meet a growing need among families who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, to afford necessities. Elder William Adams, the coordinator and organizer of the SNAP Store, said the program was originally launched after families lost access to their benefits during a federal government shutdown.  

“Our Bishop and the congregation thought it was necessary for us to step in, intervene, and provide the resources that we know people need,” Adams said.  

The SNAP Store—short for Showing Neighborly Acts of Provision—allows eligible families, and even those who do not rely on SNAP benefits, to select items such as water, toiletries, pasta, cereal, and other pantry staples at no cost. Organizers say the goal is to help households stretch their limited benefits while preserving dignity through choice. 

As shoppers enter the store, volunteers greet them and explain that the number of items they may select is based on the size of their household. Shoppers say food insecurity in Duval County continues to rise, while job opportunities remain limited.  

“I’ve been having a hard time finding work, so I’m trying to look at the glass half full and enjoy the small things, like being able to pick something delicious to eat,” said shopper Jared.  

Several shoppers said being able to choose their own items makes a meaningful difference.

“It means a lot to me. It’s like I’m at the grocery store,” said Lula, a SNAP Store shopper. 

The impact extends beyond those receiving food. Volunteers say the experience is just as meaningful for them. “It’s just a blessing to see the joy on their faces when they know they’re being blessed by God,” said Deborah Lauderdale, the SNAP Store manager. 

Church leaders say the SNAP Store depends heavily on donations and volunteers, especially as the need for the program continues to grow. For families facing difficult choices between food and other bills, organizers say the SNAP Store provides both assistance and support.  

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To learn about the Bethel Church of Jacksonville, click here.