The annual award was presented to Almeida by the Mandarin Museum & Historical Society
Jacksonville, Fla., Sept. 22, 2026 – Freedom Boat Club of Northeast Florida Co-Owner, Lisa “the Boatanista” Almeida, has been honored by the Mandarin Museum & Historical Society with its annual Always the River Award. The award, also known as the coveted Golden Manatee, is presented each year to an individual or group that keeps the St. Johns River in the hearts, hands, and minds of the Jacksonville community.
“Lisa's passion and her infectious enthusiasm for the St. Johns made her a worthy recipient of the 2026 Always the River Award,” said Brittany Cohill, executive director of the Mandarin Museum & Historical Society. “Freedom Boat Club helps a greater number of residents and visitors experience and enjoy the St. Johns River; boat ownership not required! More people are developing a deeper appreciation for our community’s greatest and most valuable natural resource. There is nothing better than a leisurely trip down Julington Creek in a pontoon with family and friends, spotting alligators, turtles, and birds along the banks of the Julington-Durbin Creek Preserve."
Almeida recently received the award at the organization’s annual fundraising dinner. The evening featured speakers and entertainment that chronicled the river’s central role in Mandarin's history and culture. The Always the River Award is named after a poem by the late Jean Morrow, an unofficial historian of Mandarin for decades. The spirit of the poem is that no matter who came to Mandarin or when, it was always the river that brought them there. It is the neighborhood’s major thoroughfare, central to industry, sustenance, recreation, and the community's lifeblood.
“Receiving this award is a true honor because, for me, it is Always the River,” said Almeida. “I live on a tributary of the St. Johns River, and everywhere I go from my dock in my own personal boat starts on the St. Johns. The river is an integral part of our city and connects communities. Freedom Boat Club has been a part of the Mandarin boating community for nearly 20 years. We enjoy helping people discover and explore all of the amazing places the St. Johns River offers.”
Mandarin Museum & Historical Society is a nonprofit organization founded in 1989 by a group of citizens concerned about the loss of historical structures in Mandarin and interested in preserving and celebrating the area's rich heritage and history. The organization shares Mandarin’s history, culture, and natural resources through engaging programs that educate, entertain, and inspire. For more information, visit mandarinmuseum.org.
About Freedom Boat Club
Freedom Boat Club, owned by Brunswick, is the largest membership-based boating club in the world. It offers an alternative to boat ownership and has delivered hassle-free boating since 1989. Freedom Boat Club provides unlimited access at four local locations: Julington Creek Marina in Jacksonville, Beach Marine in Jacksonville Beach, Camachee Cove Marina in St. Augustine, and The St. Augustine Shipyard in St. Augustine, as well as reciprocal access to 450+ locations in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia. Members can enjoy boating without the stress of ownership through a variety of membership options. For more information, visit www.freedomboatclub.com.