Welcome to the very first episode of Beachwalk and Beyond — local stories and events from the 210 corridor in St. Johns, Florida.

Host Fred Amato (owner of Stroll Beachwalk) sits down with his friend and business partner Diane Ingram of CGC Home Services. Diane took a leap of faith out of the medical field nearly ten years ago and never looked back — today she's one of the most recognizable faces in the St. Johns business community.

In this episode we cover:

• Why Florida water is so different from up north — and how a reverse-osmosis system changed Fred's family's daily life (and got his son off bottled water)
• Inside CGC Home Services: 80 years of service, full-service plumbing, water treatment, and a new store in Ponte Vedra
• Diane's path from the medical field to "Queen of Networking"
• Downsizing, becoming empty nesters, and the surprising freedom of letting go of "stuff"
• Faith, family, seven grandchildren in Michigan, and finally finding the courage to sing in church
• The biggest July 4th fireworks show St. Johns County has ever seen, coming to Beachwalk

CGC Home Services — water treatment & full-service plumbingCall Diane directly: (904) 776-7256Referral program: refer a friend and you each get $75 — and $225 when they install a system.

Beachwalk and Beyond is brought to you by Stroll Beachwalk and LBW Productions.Have a story, a business, or an event to share with the 210 corridor? Email Fred at [email protected] — we'd love to have you on the show.

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Chapters00:00 Welcome to Beachwalk and Beyond00:13 Meet Diane Ingram: a leap of faith into water treatment00:52 How Fred and Diane met01:12 Inside CGC Home Services & the new Ponte Vedra store01:31 Why Florida water is different: reverse osmosis & filtration02:22 Family, faith, and seven grandchildren in Michigan02:55 The "Queen of Networking" & St. Johns community life03:59 Celebrating 80 years of service04:55 Meet the owners: Kelly and Dan05:28 The biggest July 4th fireworks in St. Johns County06:12 Downsizing & the freedom of empty-nester life07:36 Leaving New York and learning what you really need08:46 Faith, family, and singing in church10:18 CGC's mission & referral program11:06 How to reach CGC Home Services11:32 Sponsorship, friendship & wrap-up