OPINION
A Section
w w w.b on i f ay now.c om
Page 4
Wednesday, July 9, 2013
Local couple joining cattle team at Deseret Ranch Kalyn Bischo Waters, Holmes County High wife of Holmes County School in 1997. native Jason Waters, He participated in high has accepted a position school rodeos and won first as Cattle Genetics and place in saddle bronc riding Technical manager for in Florida his sophomore Deseret Cattle & year. Citrus Ranch in St. He rode in the Cloud, Fla. national finals that As such, she will year in Gillett, Wyo. be the first woman The following in the more than year he won second 100 year history of place in the saddle the ranch to hold bronc competition. the position. As a high school HAPPY CORNER The Bell Fouche, Hazel Wells Tison senior, he rode the S. D., native PRCA rodeo circuit. graduated from His parents raised Hulette, Wyoming High Santa Gertrudis beef cattle School where she was in this county when Jason president of her school’s was growing up. FFA and was active in He met Kalyn while he athletics. was working for Southern She grew up on a Cattle Co. in Jackson ranch where she learned County. all the skills involved with Since their marriage ranching. in 2012, they have resided She received an animal in S. D., where Kalyn has science degree from served as the Cow/Calf Oklahoma State University Agricultural Extension and her master’s degree in Agent and Jason continues animal science from The to work as a cattle ranch University of Florida. hand. While a doctoral student In joining the Deseret at U of F and working at the Cattle operation, they IFAS extension beef unit will be among the ninety located in Jackson County, ranchers and their families she met Jason. who live and work the Jason graduated from largest cattle operation in
the United States. The 300,000 thousand acre ranch maintains 44,000 head of cows. Kalyn will be responsible for managing reproduction of beef cattle and will track cow/calf performance of approximately 3000 head assigned to her unit. All Deseret cattle are Brahmin cross. Breeds include Simbrah, Deseret
the ranch is a for-profit business although it is operated in accordance with their philosophy of caring for the environment and meeting the needs of their own. They feel that good farms represent a safe investment where the assets of the church are preserved and enhanced. At the same time, agriculture is a resource to help people in a time of need. Deseret was begun in 1949 with 45,000 acres and has expanded into citrus production, shell mining, hunting permits, and the sale of ornamental palm trees. In 2010, the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of SPECIAL TO THE TIMES-ADVERTISER Orange County ruled that they owned and had control over the Taylor Creek Red and Brangus. Reservoir in the St. Johns Deseret Cattle and River Water Management Citrus Ranch covers much District. (Though that is of 3 counties in central still being contested.) Florida, Osceola, Orange Last year, Deseret and Brevard. was awarded the It is a part of the vast National Environmental holdings of The Church of Stewardship Award for Jesus Christ of Latter-Day their water conservation. Saints (Mormon Church). The property contains a They are listed as a rookery where many birds $30 billion Fortune Five find sanctuary. Hundred Company and
Islands have been constructed for gator refuges. Three hundred eighty wildlife species thrive on the property. They were honored for creating a square mile wetland. They provide water for several adjoining cities. In addition, they won the National Cattlemen Beef Association Award last year. Kalyn and Jason are welcomed to the team of the largest cattle operation in the U.S. The philosophy of the company says, “we consider our people to be our greatest resource. We believe hiring the right people and allowing them the opportunity to grow and develop is crucial to being a world class production agriculture operation. We foster a culture of excellence in all we do. We are passionate about the value of hard work, integrity, dedication and continual learning and development.” We join Paula Waters, Jason’s Mom, in our pride at seeing a local couple becoming a part of this operation. Congratulations to Kalyn and Jason.
Prediction of ‘bigger and better’ comes to fruition The prediction of a “bigger and better” Panhandle Watermelon Festival event this year, made by your writer two weeks ago, came to full fruition as June 28-29 unfolded into a gigantic celebration from start to
finish. Even with the report of local melons being scarce this year due to weather conditions, the Saturday Big Melon Auction began with 53 entries on the floor ready for sale to buyers. Every melon sold, with
HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY? Letters to the editor and comments on Web versions of news stories are welcomed. Letters are edited only for grammar, spelling, clarity, space and consistency, but we ask that they be limited to 300 words where possible. Letter writers are asked to provide a home address and daytime telephone number (neither is printed) for verification purposes. Letters may be sent to 1364 N. Railroad Ave., Chipley, FL 32428 or emailed to news@chipleypaper. com. Please specify if the letter should be printed in the Washington County News or Holmes County Times-Advertiser. Questions? Call 638-0212.
TAimes dvertiser HOLMES COUNT Y
Nicole P. Barefield, Publisher Randal Seyler, Editor Cameron Everett, Production Supervisor The Times-Advertiser is published on Wednesdays by Halifax Media Group, 112 E. Virginia Ave., Bonifay, FL 32425. Periodicals postage paid at Bonifay, Florida. © Copyright 2013, Halifax Media Group. All Rights Reserved. COPYRIGHT NOTICE: The entire contents of the Holmes County Times-Advertiser are fully protected by copyright and cannot be reproduced in any form for any purpose without the expressed permission of Halifax Media Group.
POSTMASTER: Send address change to: Holmes County Times-Advertiser P.O. Box 67, Bonifay, FL 32425 USPS 004-341
SUBSCRIPTION RATES IN COUNTY 13 weeks: $12.61; 26 weeks: $18.90; 52 weeks: $30.45 OUT OF COUNTY 13 weeks: $16.17; 26 weeks: $24.20; 52 weeks: $40.95
Home delivery subscribers may be charged a higher rate for holiday editions.
CONTACTUS PUBLISHER Nicole Barefield: nbarefield@chipleypaper.com NEWS, SPORTS OR OPINION news@bonifaynow.com CLASSIFIED & CIRCULATION Melissa Kabaci: mkabaci @chipleypaper.com 850-547-9414 Circulation Customer Service 1-800-345-8688
ADVERTISING Stephanie Smith: ssmith@ chipleypaper. com 850-638-0212
WANTMORE? Find us online at chipleypaper.com, friend us on Facebook, or tweet us @WCN_HCT.
The views expressed here are not necessarily those of this paper or Halifax Media Group.
organizers having to reach A three-year veteran, Matt into “reserves” to fill seven Orwat, the Horticulturist pre-bid purchases. at the Extension Office, The talk of the town, was assigned the task of and one that will overseeing the continue for days big melon contest to come, was that and sale this the top price for year. He did an the biggest melon outstanding job, auctioned brought assisted by second the unheard price in command, Mark of $10,000! It was a Mauldin, who only PERRY’S 53-pounder entered came aboard June by John Taylor of 24. Julie Pigott PRATTLE Perry Wells Jackson County. Dillard, who was To top off the named Director of above mammoth bidding, the Extension Office after the purchasers announced Andy’s retirement, was that the melon was to be also active in the festival. resold as the hour-long Longtime Home melon sale was ending. Demonstration Director On this maneuver, Judy Corbus aided in the price reached $2,000 the record keeping of also submitted by the cothe big sale, bolstered by purchasers, Fort Myers secretaries Nikki Enfinger Attorney Sawyer Smith and Cynthia Yackley. All and Derwin White, a have valuable experience representative of GAC in the mammoth task Contractors in Panama of carrying out the busy City. and hectic hour of the Auctioneer David fast moving watermelon Corbin, the trained auction. and seasoned seller of Numerous big melons watermelons in many were purchased in auctions of the past, memory of promoters of summed up the sentiment the past. The bid by the of the planners of the event Ebro Dog Track was made when he stated: “I sure in tribute to Farrell Nelson. hope Birmingham is tuned Bob Deal’s was made in in to these high prices honor of his parents, Ross being paid in Chipley, and Agnes Deal. Young Florida, today.” Brian Sewell named this A guitar and a grandfather, Roy Sewell, mandolin were donated Sr. and kinsman, Bozzy to the auction by Grimes, in his bid. Renea Chipley Gun and Pawn Rountree and sister, Reda and autographed by Ann Gill, visiting here with Joe Diffie and Darrin six year old twins, Grace Vincent respectively. and Anna Elise, from Derwin White, of GAC their Los Angeles home, Construction, was top submitted bids in memory bidder on the guitar for of their grandparents, $950 and the mandolin for Phillip Rountree and wife, $600. Connie Coleman Rountree. As has been the An unknown bidder practice for many years, called the name of Julius the bidding began with an Fussell, who passed away approximate total of 37 recently, when bidding. Dr. pre bids in hand. Added James Craven’s bid was to this were at least six made in tribute to Ross other pre bids which local Deal, who is remembered retired physician, Dr. as hosting the first event Robert Snare, brought to which evolved into today’s the bidding table. With the extravaganza, known as resale of several melons, watermelon festival. a quick review of the total Your writer enjoyed two bidders add up to at least more days of involvement 62, another record within in the Big Watermelon itself. Event by enlisting two This year’s event grandsons, Dan Murray was staged without Wells and Perry Wells the assistance of Andy II, in delivering melons Andreasen, who had 17 purchased by Chipley years of experience in and Bonifay buyers. They carrying out watermelon have grown up in the festival before retirement. auctioning process and use
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES-ADVERTISER
“Dune Buggy the Clown” made his first appearance in Chipley in 1982, missing only one festival thereafter before his death Jan. 25, 2011, in Georgia. their talents in getting the right melon to the rightful purchaser. Deliveries were made between rain showers, but carried out without causality. Judge Colby Peel, Chairman of the watermelon festival, was “on top” of the big melon sales, making sure that all buyers get their melon, if wanted, with remaining ones being delivered to the local convalescent center. Should any bidder fail to receive his or her watermelon, please contact me and I will assure you of a choice melon. All facets of the weekend event was simply outstanding. The Friday night County Music show was carried on amid threats of thunder storms. They abated in time for all performances. Saturday’s entertainment in the auditorium began with the Gospel Quartet singing of Ronnie Davis, brothers, Chris and Terry Ellis and Johnny Lane, with Ronnie’s daughter, Kim Davis Wilson on the keyboard. The headline bluegrass group, Dailey & Vincent,
will surely go down in history as the most entertaining group to ever grace the stage of Chipley’s annual watermelon festivals. Many, many comments were made as to the talent of every member of the band, each with a determination to do a diversified show to include every member of the audience. Serving of watermelon to our visitors was carried out again this year by the Chipley Kiwanis Club. The Prattler noted members, Todd Abbott, Gene Halley, Dr. Bruce Christmas and brothers, Dell and David Corbin, were still carrying out their duties of slicing and serving throngs of “customers” with delicious watermelon even as the noon hour was approaching. Whatever your function and contribution was in the watermelon festival, be assured you did your job well and brought joy and good memories to thousands who honored our area with their presence for the 57th Annual Panhandle Watermelon Festival. See you all next week.