Issue 340, July 5, 2026

“Let the annual return of this day forever refresh our recollections of these rights, and an undiminished devotion to them.”

-John Adams

This was a typical Independence Day in America… Families gathering with friends under clear summer sky, flipping hamburgers & rolling hot dogs on grills while kids splash in backyard pools. Baseball games unfold on tv, the crack of the bat mixing with laughter as the evening falls & the sky explodes in a dazzling fireworks that lights up the faces of the young and old alike. What a life!

This year feels especially meaningful as we mark the 250th anniversary of our nation’s birth. We stand proud of the place we live and the boundless opportunities we enjoy. Blessings secured by the vision, courage, and sacrifices of our Founding Fathers (and Mothers). Two hundred and fifty times we have been reminded that freedom isn’t free, and that this grand experiment in self-governance remains a delicate, precious system worth protecting. Life is what we make of it, let us resolve to make the first 250 years jealous of the second 250.

Happy Independence Day Y’all!

How did you celebrate your Independence Day?

Mark Geil
2026 President

Issue 339, June 28, 2026

SBMC Legacy Spotlight

Building Jacksonville’s Future—One Road at a Time

As we celebrate Independence Day and reflect on the freedoms and opportunities that make our nation strong, we also recognize the civic-minded individuals who dedicated themselves to improving their communities.

One of the Southside Business Men’s Club’s earliest and most significant accomplishments was its leadership in helping secure what is now Philips Highway (U.S. 1 South). During the 1930s, the Southside of Jacksonville was rapidly growing, and Club members understood that improved transportation would be essential to the area’s future.

Through their advocacy and determination, SBMC helped secure the route for the highway and had the honor of naming it Philips Highway in recognition of Judge Philips. The Club was also entrusted with organizing the official dedication ceremony.

On July 12, 1934, Governor Dave Sholtz cut the ceremonial ribbon, officially opening the highway and marking a milestone not only for Jacksonville but for the vision and perseverance of SBMC’s early members.

Today, thousands of motorists travel Philips Highway every day, often unaware that nearly a century ago, members of our Club played an instrumental role in making it a reality.

As we celebrate our nation’s independence this Fourth of July, let us also celebrate the legacy of service, leadership, and community commitment that has defined the Southside Business Men’s Club since 1932. Our founders understood that lasting freedom is strengthened by citizens willing to invest their time, talents, and energy into building a better community for future generations.
Mark Geil
2026 President