Florida Country Magazine - April/May 2018

FEATURES

FLORIDA COUNTRY MAGAZINE / ISSUE VOL. 2 • NO. 2

ON THE COVER: Writer Cally Simpson remembers Florida wild quail hunts and the dogs used to flush them. Lifting a front paw or quartering a field, nothing is as thrilling as watching a good dog on the hunt. Read her story on page 48.

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Jimmy Peters Photography in Private Collections, Portrays Authentic Florida Ranching

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All-Around Arcadian Jimmy Fussell Ex-Bareback Champ Says Don’t Stand Still, Love What You Do

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DEPARTMENTS FLORIDA COUNTRY MAGAZINE / ISSUE VOL. 2 • NO. 2

FCM CIRCLE

FLORIDA EXCURSIONS

A NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHER

page 8

FOREVER FLORIDA

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page 52

VET VIEW

FUN BEGINS WHERE THE PAVEMENT ENDS

GOOD DIETS AND REGULAR DENTAL CARE

page 56

A RIDE THROUGH THE RANCH AT BABCOCK

page 10

FLORIDA 4-H

4-H SHOOTING SPORTS PROJECT

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page 12

COUNTRY HEROES

ENJOY OUTDOORS

BY COMPETING IN DISTANCE RIDING

SPECIAL MONUMENT FOR CELEBRATING MEMORIAL DAY

page 16

page 66

LOCAL FLAVOR

page 20

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48

35

page 24

COWBOYS, CATTLE AND HORSES

page 71

COUNTRY CALIBER

MEET ROSS CHASTAIN

STARS & GUITARS

page 28

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FROM LOW CASH TO HIGH ON THE HOG

page 72

THE CULINARY CRACKER

THE BRAND

WHIPPING IT UP IN YOUR KITCHEN

A LEGACY IN STEEL

page 35

page 74

CALLY IN WONDERLAND

MY RIDE

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HUNTING POINTERS

page 48

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ENCOUNTER THE UNIQUENESS OF HENDRY COUNTY

PICTURE PERFECT

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

page 32

FLORIDA CHARM

page 68

COUNTRY CELEBRATIONS

GETTING TO KNOW ELTON LANGFORD

WETTIN’ A LINE IN FLORIDA’S PHOSPHATE LAKES

page 62

HORSIN' AROUND

A GREAT PLACE TO LINGER

page 59

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THE GODFATHER

page 78

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Owner/Publisher Scarlett Redenius Owner/C.E.O. Brad Redenius President Thomas Fifield Vice President Sheila Fifield Editorial Director Jack Collier Design Director Jessica Fifield Director of Photography Marsay Johnson Proofreader Katherine Waters Sales & Marketing Director Katrina Salokar Sales Associate Lynn Cox Sales Associate Paradise Creative Group Contributing Writers Susan E. Blackwell, Jack Collier, Christopher Decubellis, Kathy Ann Gregg, Kym Rouse Holzwart, Paige Jardin, Eric Johnson, Emma J. Morse D.V.M., Tiffany Ogden, Jacob Ogles, Jimmy Peters, Cally Simpson Featured Photographers Jennifer Davis, Miranda Bostick Davis, Keitha Daniels, Jennifer Nelson Diaz, Ford Fairchild, Kathy Ann Gregg, Kym Rouse Holzwart, Patricia Hunter, Eric Johnson, Rob Matsuura, Jacob Ogles, Matthew Paskert, Jimmy Peters, Scarlett Redenius, Diane Sharp, Cally Simpson, William J. Tilett For more information about advertising with Florida Country Magazine, or joining our regional sales team, please contact:

239-692-2613 sales@floridacountrymagazine.com For other inquiries contact:

Scarlett Redenius, Publisher 239-600-4783 Published by: Florida Country Publications

PO Box 50989 • Fort Myers, FL 33994 LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

facebook.com/floridacountrymagazine F LO R I D A C O U NTRYM A G A Z I N E . C O M Florida Country Magazine is published bi-monthly, copyright 2018, all rights reserved. Reproduction of contents in print or electronic transmission in whole or in part in any language or format must be by expressed written permission of the publisher.

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All articles, descriptions and suggestions in this magazine are merely expression of opinions from contributors and advertisers and do not constitute the opinion of the publisher, editor or staff of Florida Country Magazine, and under no circumstances constitutes assurances or guarantees concerning the quality of any service or product. Florida Country Magazine specifically disclaims any liability related to these expressions and opinions. Florida Country Magazine is not responsible for any unsolicited submissions. The advertiser agrees to hold harmless and indemnify the publishers from all liability.

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FCM CIRCLE

THIS WELL IS NEVER RUNNING DRY

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uring early discussions about starting Florida Country Magazine, I was told the “well would run dry” and I’d be out of stories in six months. Doubters said, “How many stories can you write about people and businesses in the country? Who would care?”

And they added that if I wanted to have a successful magazine, it must be about bustling city life.

My answer? That I care.

I love strong, independent people with integrity—and that’s who comes from the country. People who turn lemons into lemonade. Families that pass down their wisdom and traditions, generation after generation.

I can’t tell you how many city people I’ve met whose parents built an empire, only to have their children throw it all away. In the country, family values and busting knuckles is a way of life.

Punta Gorda. A generational watermelon farmer, Ross is on the fast-track to greatness.

Run out of stories? I meet people and businesses every day with a story to tell. It doesn’t matter about your social status or how much money you have, everyone has a story. I know that meeting someone in a country town or on a farm or ranch then leads to someone who knows another someone and on and on. Generational Floridians can talk at length about cousin so-and-so’s kids or the person down the street.

Who doesn’t know an authentic country person without a story to tell?

We’re introducing you to Jimmy Peters, an awardwinning photographer and poet. His work is in the governor’s residence and in private collections. His images of Florida are … well, see for yourself, check the pages we’ve put together for you inside.

The point is that the well is anything but running dry.

Florida Country Magazine writers, sales staff and I are meeting wonderful people, encountering amazing places and sharing Florida’s fascinating history with you.

Chris Decubellis’ story about 4-H kids’ safely using firearms, and his family’s outdoor togetherness, couldn’t be better timed. Children and guns are on our minds, but for the wrong reasons. Responsible sport shooting teaches self-discipline and respect for firearms … and for others.

Cally Simpson has a great piece on quail hunting and the dogs we use to flush them. Editor Jack Collier profiles Jimmy Fussell, the bareback riding legend and Arcadia businessman. He also profiles DeSoto County commissioner Elton Langford, whose family can be traced to Florida’s first settlers.

For example, Forever Florida is an adventure complex in central Florida that is also a 4,700-acre working cattle ranch. It all began with heartbroken parents, Dr. William and Margaret Broussard, building something for their son, Allen, who died young. In the process, Forever Florida has become a state legacy. This family’s story is remarkable.

With that said, Florida Country Magazine will never run out of stories. Thanks for your “advice,” city slickers, but you can have the over-published city life magazines. I choose to live and love our state’s heritage and beauty. I choose to wake up every morning and breathe fresh air (sometimes fresh manure), listen to the roosters’ crow and greet my neighbors—I actually know their names. But most importantly, I choose to work with people who look out for one another, creating a greater sense of community.

And meet Ross Chastain, the NASCAR driver from

One more thing— here’s to the well never running dry.

SCARLETT REDENIUS, Publisher

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VET VIEW

GOOD DIETS AND REGULAR DENTAL CARE EQUINE HEALTH ISN’T MUCH DIFFERENT FROM THOSE IN THE SADDLE

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Written by: Susan E Blackwell, CVT & Emma J. Morse, DVM

horse’s diet mainly consists of tough, highly fibrous type material (hay/grass/grain) that requires a lot of chewing and grinding.

In normal situations the teeth of the horse are well equipped to cope with this diet. The top surface area of the teeth contains folds that help the horse to chew fibrous material. The teeth continuously erupt throughout the life of the horse to cope with what they evolved to eat.

Horses by age 5 have a full set of very large teeth.

Throughout its lifetime the horse’s teeth can develop sharp edges and uneven wear. If the horse’s ability to grind food sufficiently is compromised for any reason, the enzymes and microbes of the gastrointestinal tract have a hard time continuing the digestive process, resulting in a decline of body conditioning.

Sharp and/or imperfect teeth can also cause behavioral problems such as head tossing, unresponsiveness to the bit, bad breath, reluctance to eat and decay/infection as the horse attempts to alleviate any pain caused by sharpness of the uneven wear of the teeth.

Horses need regular dental care if they are to get the maximum benefit from their feed and to perform well. A veterinarian or qualified equine dentist should be called in regularly to thoroughly examine and carry out any necessary work on your horse’s teeth.

Horses age 2 to 5 should have their teeth checked prior to commencing work, or at six-month intervals. After the age of 5 years (when the horse has a full set of permanent teeth) all horses should have at least one annual dental check, more often if the horse is being fed significant amounts of concentrates, as chew patterns and tooth wear are different when eating concentrates.

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TOP LEFT PHOTO COURTESY OF MEGAN DIPERO PHOTOGRAPHY; OTHER PHOTOS BY PAIGE JARDIN

While some horses show hardly any outward signs they are experiencing extreme discomfort, it is wise to schedule regular dental exams with your vet or qualified equine dentist before any problems appear.

Remember that horses need a very highly fibrous diet for many reasons; correct tooth wear is only one of them.

Susan E Blackwell, CVT, Calusa Equine Veterinary Services, North Fort Myers

DIETS

Feeding a horse is not as simple as just throwing grain and hay. Ancient horses enjoyed the great outdoors and grazed for over 20 hours in a single day, thus their GI systems have evolved to digest mostly forage material (pasture grasses and hay).

By domesticating horses to be used for work or performance, humans have altered the dietary needs and restricted how much time a horse is able to walk outside and graze. This means it is up to owners to provide enough daily forage to keep the GI system running smoothly and also, perhaps, to feed a commercial grain product based on the needs of that horse.

Forage alone is usually not enough to sustain a working or performance horse’s caloric demands, which is why an added energy source of dense carbohydrates and fats (grain) is needed. There are numerous types of high-performance grains available that are formulated to supply enough digestible energy to the athletic horse.

However, a low-activity or retired pasture pet horse will typically maintain weight and get all essential nutrients needed from good quality forage alone (pasture and hay).

Every horse has a different lifestyle and different nutrient requirements, which is why it is important to talk to your vet and nutritionist when formulating your horse’s feeding program.

Emma J. Morse, DVM, Calusa Equine Veterinary Services

Individual horses have differing dietary needs (top), so it is important to consult your veterinarian or equine nutritionist. Above, after the age of 5 years, horses should have at least one annual dental check.

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4-H SHOOTING SPORTS PROJECT GET YOUR KIDS STARTED NOW, SPECIAL FAMILY EXCURSIONS, HOW OLYMPIANS GAIN THEIR MEDALS Written by: Chris Decubellis

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or many of us growing up in the Sunshine State, one of the best times of year occurred in the fall and winter months … when we could escape to the great outdoors and enjoy time in the beautiful Florida wilderness with our families and friends on hunting excursions.

In my family many generations enjoyed the camaraderie and fellowship based around the camping, exploring, tracking and those activities associated with the pursuit of whitetail deer, wild hogs, turkey and other game. I look back with much fondness on those good times abroad in the field— and I'm happy my father and uncles took time to include me in these activities.

club is a great place to learn these skills from highly trained volunteers and 4-H staff.

In the 4-H shooting sports project, young people learn firearms safety and become a better aim learning to correctly handle firearms. These kids will learn to use firearms correctly and in a safe manner, but they will also learn so much more. Young people who participate in a 4-H shooting sports project, for example, also develop self-confidence, self-discipline, responsibility and sportsmanship. These young people also grow an appreciation for Florida’s unique natural resources.

One point of emphasis on every occasion was safety. I am extremely appreciative of the adults in my family who taught and demonstrated safe firearm handling practices to me when I was young.

In fact, the 4-H shooting sports project is one of the fastestgrowing such programs in Florida and nationwide. All volunteers and 4-H faculty and staff who train youth in shooting sports go through a thorough, multi-day training on firearm safety and proper instruction techniques before they can work with youth. They also retrain regularly.

You don’t have to be a hunter to enjoy shooting sports.

Millions of Americans enjoy target shooting and archery as a pastimes. Today, young people still enjoy shooting sports in Florida through the UF/IFAS 4-H Youth Development Program. If a young person has wanted to learn to safely and ethically shoot a bow and arrow, air rifle, muzzle-loader, shotgun or small-bore rifle, a local 4-H shooting sports

In 4-H shooting sports, young people will learn to identify the parts, uses and care of archery equipment and firearms.

They will learn and practice range commands, learn and use safety rules and safety equipment such as eye and ear protection. Our more advanced participants can participate in statewide archery, rifle and shotgun matches and can qualify to compete in national shooting sports competitions.

Young people who participate in a 4-H shooting sports project, for example, also develop self-confidence, self-discipline, responsibility and sportsmanship.

I AM EXTREMELY APPRECIATIVE OF THE ADULTS IN MY FAMILY WHO TAUGHT AND DEMONSTRATED SAFE FIREARM HANDLING PRACTICES TO ME WHEN I WAS YOUNG. 12

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PHOTOS ON THIS PAGE COURTESY OF FLORIDA 4-H. OPPOSITE PAGE: TOP RIGHT PHOTO COURTESY OF FLORIDA 4-H; OTHER PHOTOS BY DIANE SHARP

FLORIDA 4-H

Bottom left up, Cassidy and a teammate, of Southern Variety Archers, join shotgun practice with Florida Fish and Wildlife's Youth Hunter Education Challenge.

Another 4-H student aims his arrow at the 3D target.

Olivia executes a shot at the State 3D Archery Match. Perhaps some future Olympians are in the crowd (top right).

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A group of 4-H students display good sportsmanship while shooting their arrows at the 2017 Indoor Archery Competition.

In fact, many Olympic athletes competing in shooting sports started out in a 4-H shooting sports club! And just like in any other 4-H project, young people will learn communication and leadership skills, organizational and other skills that will serve them well the rest of their lives.

If you know a young person interested in participating in a 4-H shooting sports club, contact your local 4-H Extension agent. Kids as young as 8 can participate in archery and air-rifle projects, those 11 and up can participate in muzzle-loader, shotgun and small-bore rifle, as well as archery and air rifle.

If you are an avid shooting sports enthusiast, care about positively developing young people and would like to consider volunteering with a local 4-H club, you can also contact the 4-H Extension agent.

Chris Decubellis is the Associate State 4-H Program Leader with UF/IFAS Extension. A native Floridian and a member of a west Pasco County pioneer family, Chris lives on a small cow-calf operation and family farm in Archer, Florida.

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PHOTO BY WILLIAM J. TILLETT

FLORIDA 4-H

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HORSIN' AROUND

ENJOY OUTDOORS

BY COMPETING IN DISTANCE RIDING DIFFERENT BREEDS, MUST BE COMPETITIVE, ENDURANCE A MUST Written by: Kym Rouse Holzwart

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f you love the great outdoors and enjoy trail riding with your horse, competing in distance riding events may be for you! Distance riding will improve your horsemanship, riding skills, fitness, and communication with your horse. Completing a conditioning program that leads to the successful completion of a distance riding event is fun, challenging and rewarding.

Distance riding events are typically weekend events that are held on public lands. In Florida, popular distance riding event locations include the Cross Florida Greenway, Goethe State Forest and other state forests.

As dawn breaks, an endurance ride begins.

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There are two types of distance riding events: endurance rides and competitive trail rides. In an endurance ride, the winner is the first horse and rider team to cross the finish line and pass a veterinary inspection. In a competitive trail ride, it is the partnership between horse and rider that is judged.

Arabians dominate the sport of distance riding. However, horses of many breeds can successfully complete a distance ride. American mustangs, Appaloosas, Morgans and Paso Finos are other breeds that make suitable distance mounts.

Some individual horses of those and other breeds do as

ENDURANCE RIDES ARE RACES THAT VARY IN DISTANCE FROM 25 TO 100 MILES OVER A SINGLE DAY, WITH MANY RIDES HELD OVER MULTIPLE DAYS.

Clockwise from top left: Try distance riding if you love the outdoors and enjoy trail riding.

Volunteers are often at checkpoints to make sure you stay on the trail. Before, during and after an event, horses are inspected by a veterinarian. A horse’s pulse and respiration are checked during mandatory holds. Having good crew during an event allows riders a brief break and lets them put their energies toward the demands of the ride.

well as Arabians. I have successfully completed many endurance and competitive trail rides on my Spotted Saddle Horses for more than 20 years! Mules also have a strong record in distance riding.

PHOTOS ON THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE BY KYM ROUSE HOLZWART

Horses must be conditioned to compete in distance riding events. It can take weeks to months of conditioning to successfully complete an endurance or competitive trail ride. Conditioning should start slow and easy and gradually build until the horse can efficiently cover miles of trail at a decent pace.

Riders need to understand their horses’ resting and working heart and respiration rates—and know when a horse is stressed. This is not only important for successful conditioning but also critical for keeping your horse safe, and for pulse and respiration checks during competitions.

to as limited distance rides. For beginners, many rides now offer an introductory distance of 10 to 15 miles.

The day before the ride, horses are inspected by a veterinarian to make sure they are fit to compete. After each leg or loop, horses must pass a veterinary inspection and meet heart rate criteria to ensure that they are fit to continue. After the inspection, an additional hold time is required. Any horse determined not fit to continue is pulled from the competition. Riders are allowed to have a designated crew to help them.

The first horse to cross the finish line and pass the veterinary check is the winner. Horses that finish in the top 10 typically compete for the best condition award. This award is regarded as more important than winning and is determined by a

ENDURANCE RIDES

Endurance riding began in the United States in 1955 with the running of the Tevis Cup, a one-day, 100-mile ride over the Sierra Nevada. The American Endurance Ride Conference, or AERC, was founded in 1972 and sanctions hundreds of rides each year, including many in Florida.

Endurance rides are also held in Florida by the South Eastern Distance Riders Association, or SEDRA. Endurance rides are races that vary in distance from 25 to 100 miles over a single day, with many rides held over multiple days. Rides that are 25 to 30 miles are referred F LO R I D A C O U NTRYM A G A Z I N E . C O M

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HORSIN' AROUND combination of speed, weight carried and veterinary scores.

The goal of many endurance riders is to complete the ride within the required time with a sound and healthy horse.

After all, the AERC motto is “To finish is to win.�

COMPETITIVE TRAIL RIDES

A competitive trail ride is a judged, timed trail ride. The trail distance covered is typically 25 to 40 miles each day; rides can be for one or multiple days. Many competitive trail rides offer introductory distances of 10 to 15 miles for beginners. Organizations that hold competitive trail rides in Florida include SEDRA and the North American Trail Ride Conference, or NATRC. Horse and rider behavior and other factors influence the scores in a competitive trail ride. Horses are judged on fitness, performance, manners and other criteria. Riders are judged on how they present, manage and care for their horse, handle the trail and other factors. The event may also include obstacles along the trail, with the horse and rider judged on performance. Horse and rider must complete the ride distance within minimum and maximum time limits.

The day before the ride, competitors present their horse to the veterinary, trail and horsemanship judges for a physical exam and in-hand presentation at a trot or gait for judging and to determine if they are fit to start the ride. The ride begins the following morning, and competitors are observed by the judges at various points along the trail.

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ROUNDUP American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC), aerc.org North American Trail Ride Conference (NATRC), natrc.org Southeast Endurance Riders Association (SERA), seraonline.org South Eastern Distance Riders Association (SEDRA), distanceriding.org

Pulse and respiration requirements must be met during mandatory holds. Riders are typically not allowed to receive help from others. After the ride, horses are presented to the judges about 10 minutes after finishing and again 60 to 90 minutes after finishing.

To learn more about distance riding, attend a SEDRA rookie clinic. They are held each fall in central Florida. An introductory distance ride is usually held in connection with the clinic. Volunteering at a sanctioned ride is also a great opportunity to learn about distance riding.

Kym Rouse Holzwart is a multi-generational native Floridian, an ecologist, co-proprietor of Spotted Dance Ranch, and has been a free-lance and technical writer for over 30 years.

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LOCAL FLAVOR

A GREAT PLACE TO LINGER BRADENTON LODGE RENOWNED FOR ITS HISTORY, STRANGENESS

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Written by: Jacob Ogles

ou’ve never tasted Old Florida until a plate of alligator ribs lands on your table. At Linger Lodge, on the Brader River in Bradenton, demand for the game remains so high that general manager Rita Lewis buys the meat in bulk. Served with a dry-rub recipe that predates her arrival at the restaurant, she knows the menu item maintain the locale’s reputation as one of the strangest restaurants in America—and one of the most authentic.

Lewis purchases gator from trappers, to make sure diners feast on genuine Florida fauna. “When they are farm-raised, they lose the original flavor you get from them being in their natural habitat,” she explains. Lewis buys about 300 pounds at a time and still can’t keep the ribs in stock. (Although you can always get a plate of alligator bites.)

Linger Lodge’s historic cred comes from more than this one dish. First opened in 1945 as a fishing and canoeing campground, the facility continues as an RV park. It’s on a nature preserve located a short distance from Interstate-75 but in an area so pristine it feels like you’ve traveled beyond the reach of modern civilization.

The property changed hands a number of times through the years, most recently when the company Riverloft took over in April 2016. Asset manager Ruth Hofer says a major renovation made the building feel more historic and freshened up its amenities. Wood flooring added a rustic look, and facilities for the disabled met 21st-century code.

The restaurant is famous for its alligator ribs, and also its hushpuppies and fried green tomatoes.

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THROUGH ITS STORIED HISTORY, THE LODGE LANDED ON NBC BROADCASTER AL ROKER’S LIST OF THE “WEIRDEST” RESTAURANTS IN AMERICA.

OPPOSITE PAGE:TOP LEFT, MIDDLE RIGHT AND BOTTOM PHOTOS

BY JACOB OGLES; OTHER PHOTOS COURTESY OF LINGER LODGE

You’ll see a stuffed rattlesnake that bit Gamsky, who tossed the animal in a freezer before he went to the hospital. Eight weeks later, when doctors cleared him to go home, he turned the snake into a trophy and hung it on the wall beside a picture of his swollen hand. You’ll also find more playful trophies, such as squirrels playing with a ping-pong-sized basketball, or a catfish with bird legs.

BOTTOM LEFT PHOTO BY JACOB OGLES

A log cabin once stood on the land but burned down in the late 1950s. The structure now known as Linger Lodge opened around 1968, when veterinarian and avid hunter Frank Gamsky bought the property. He started decorating the restaurant with taxidermy, and all were animals he caught within a 10-mile radius of the property.

TOP RIGHT PHOTO COURTESY OF LINGER LODGE; OTHER PHOTOS BY JACOB OGLES

Ruth Hofer (above left) of Riverloft, which owns the lodge, enjoys the back-entrance view. The restaurant sometimes has grilled frog legs (top right) and always has chicken wraps. Bottom left, Butch and Mary Weber of St. Petersburg visit often and are pleased with the renovation. Animal trophies throughout the lodge were all caught within 10 miles of the property.

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LOCAL FLAVOR EVERYBODY WE BRING HERE WANTS TO VISIT IT AGAIN. —Huey Ponte, a snowbird from Rhode Island

At left, custom salt and pepper shakers are available for purchase at the lodge. River bottom pie (above) is one of the delicious desserts on the menu.

Riverloft was moving decorations when a classic fireplace was uncovered in the dining room. Hofer consulted with the still-living Gamsky about how best to showcase his hunting trophies. The lodge bar now features a wallspanning glass case in which stuffed bobcats and foxes can be viewed from both sides.

Linger Lodge includes 10 acres that can’t be accessed by foot. While fisherman can be spotted on the river most days, the land remains untouched, Hofer says, and she doesn’t recommend that anyone venture into the snake-infested wetland.

Through its storied history, the lodge landed on NBC broadcaster Al Roker’s list of the “weirdest” restaurants in America for its “roadkill café” type of offerings, which sometimes include frog legs. Snowbirds such as Huey Ponte of Rhode Island stay annually at the RV site and dine daily at the lodge. “Everybody we bring here wants to visit it again,” Ponte says.

Lewis prides herself on serving fresh fish purchased straight from the boat. She recently returned to the lodge after a couple years off, and works to keep Southern traditions on the menu. Hushpuppies can be dipped in rémoulade or venom sauces made from a 1968 recipe, and fried green tomatoes come out of the kitchen with frequency.

Guests from the RV site or the docks can walk in a back entrance more gorgeous than the view at the doors by the parking lot, and then up a set of stairs into the picturesque lodge.

“There aren’t many places that still have this Old Florida spirit, and I think that’s what is so special here,” Hofer adds.

Jacob Ogles is a Florida freelance writer.

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TOP LEFT PHOTO BY JACOB OGLES; OTHER PHOTO COURTESY OF LINGER LODGE

When Hofer dines, she likes to sit on a massive screened porch overlooking the river. Docks allow boaters to pull up to the lodge, and the facility frequently will see groups of 40 or so kayakers land en masse. Gators swim by the restaurant during low tide, Hofer notes.

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COUNTRY CELEBRATIONS

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FLORIDA COUNTRY READERS SHARE MESSAGES TO THEIR MOMS

here’s nothing better than honoring the most influential woman of all. Florida Country readers are sending their Mother’s Day wishes to the special women in their lives:

Anna Shell

Janice Troost

Kimberly Strickland

Deborah Whann

For Anna Shell of Satellite Beach—

This is the mother of my children. She is a hard worker, a great mother and the glue that holds us together!! Love, Ramden

For Janice Troost of Okeechobee—

To the woman who is not only my hero, hauling partner, biggest fan in my dream of barrel racing, pillar of strength in my fight against breast cancer, best friend and most importantly, my mom. I say thank you and love you big! Happy Mother’s Day. Love, Lisa

For Kimberly Strickland of North Fort Myers—

To my mom. Thank you for being a big role model in my life. Inspiring me to achieve my dreams. Thank you for never giving up on me. I hope to become just like you one day. I love you so much and wish you a Happy Mother’s Day. Love, Kayden

For Deborah Whann of Lehigh Acres—

Happy Mother’s Day to the best mother I’ve ever had!!! Thank you for being you! Love you more! Love, Jessica

For Anne Peters of Fort Myers—

I seriously don’t know what I would do without you, Mom!! I am so blessed to have not only an amazing mom, but a best friend who is always by my side in everything I do! I owe so much of my success to you!! Happy Mother’s Day. You are one in a million!! Love, Margo

Anne Peters

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For Kimberly Vaughn Nelson of Alachua—

Kimberly Vaughn Nelson

To the strongest woman we know. Thank you so much for everything you have given us and taught us. Thank you for always believing in us. Mama, we love you to the moon and back. Happy Mother’s Day! Love, Jennifer and Casey

For Marcia Haines of Bonita Springs—

Happy Mother’s Day to the woman whose heart beats for her children. To the mother who put others needs in front of her own. Now that we’re all grown, it’s time to live your life like it’s your OWN! Love, Dane, Paige, Kassy and Amanda

P.S. Congratulations!

For Ardie Kafka in Inverness—

Mom, you are one of a kind and I’m so thankful that you’re my mom. Love, Lynn

For Dee Ann Williams of Leesburg— Marcia Haines

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom! We love you so much and we appreciate all you do for us. You’re the best mom in the world!

Love, Chip, Torri, Savannah, Carrie, Steve, Lydia, Coraline, Scott, Faith and Bella

Ardie Kafka Ardie Kafka

Dee Ann Williams F LO R I D A C O U NTRYM A G A Z I N E . C O M

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COUNTRY CELEBRATIONS For Patricia Willman of Leesburg—

Mom, I love you more than anything and thank you every day for making me who I am. I’m proud of you and all your accomplishments in life. You are the strongest woman I know, and I’m honored to call you my mom! Love, Scarlett Everything I’ve accomplished in life is due in part to having an amazing mother who inspired me and helped me believe in myself! I love you and hope you have an amazing Mother’s Day! Love, Brian

For Theresa Redenius of Fort Myers—

I love you so much and appreciate all you've done for me. You have always stuck by me through thick and thin, thank you. Happy Mother’s Day!

Love always, Brad

Patricia Willman

For Joyce Sheffield of Summerfield—

Happy Mother’s Day to our amazing mom, Joyce Sheffield, who is our biggest and most constant source of support, encouragement, strength and laughter. She has taught each one of us the meaning of unconditional love, and we are both blessed and grateful to God to have her in our lives.

Love, Kyle, Katie and Keri

For Ashley Lackney of Cape Coral—

Theresa Redenius

Happy Mother’s Day, babe! Thank you for coming into Kaydence’s life and filling the void! You may not be her biological mom, but you play the role and to me, you are her mom! Thank you for stepping up and showing her how a woman should be when she grows up and teaching her the way of life! You truly are an amazing woman and the best mom Kaydence could ask for! You truly complete her life! I’m honored she calls you Mom, and thankful for you! You are my world and I’m excited to see where our lives go together. We both love you with all of our hearts.

Love, Kaydence and Korry

For Angela Stephens of North Fort Myers—

Happy Mother’s Day, Momma. I’m glad I have you as a mom, I wouldn’t want it any other way! Love, Loren

For Patricia Angelini in Heaven— Joyce Sheffield

Ashley Lackney

Even though you are in heaven, I love you on this Mother’s Day. Missing you, Dianna

Patricia Angelini

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Angela Stephens

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MEET ROSS CHASTAIN GENERATIONAL FLORIDA FARMER A TOP RACER, HIS OFFICE MUCH DIFFERENT THAN OURS

R

Written by: Jack Collier

oss Chastain’s day begins with climbing through windows, strapping into his office seat and listening to a song about rockets and red glare.

a mistake. Everyone at this level has won races. You are by yourself with 39 other crazy guys. So, there will be one winner and 38 others going home. And making that happen is super tough.”

Then things really heat up with a symphony of thundering sound and easing into morning traffic, two or so hours of standing on a gas pedal and humming along at 180-plus miles per hour in a knot of other drivers—only inches apart.

In those moments before his world explodes in sound and pulsing power on race day, Chastain will hear those in the grandstands, their voices as clear as if they are sitting in the Chevy’s passenger seat. Sound, he says, “projects down to us.

It’s the strangest thing.”

Welcome to the working life of Ross Chastain, a Punta Gorda farmer and rising star in motorsports in the Xfinity Series. Chastain, a multi-generation watermelon farmer, is a full-time NASCAR driver with solid success in cars and trucks. He has raced professionally in NASCAR, the Camping World Truck Series since 2011. In 2015, Ross moved up to the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

He races this season in the No. 4 JD Motorsports with Gary Keller Chevrolet Camaro for the Xfinity Series. He finished ninth in his Flex Seal-sponsored Chevy in the PowerShares QQQ 300 at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 17.

Florida Country Magazine asked Ross Chastain about his racing career.

MY FAMILY HAS SUPPORTED ME FROM THE BEGINNING AND ARE STILL MY BIGGEST FANS!

Chastain, 26, says a winning race, oddly, is about missteps.

“You’re watching and waiting on another driver to make

Ross Chastain races this season in the No. 4 JD Motorsports with Gary Keller Chevrolet Camaro for the Xfinity Series.

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FLORIDA COUNTRY MAGAZINE: How did it start? ROSS CHASTAIN: My dad got me going at our local short track Punta Gorda Speedway. We borrowed a race truck and raced it a couple of times in the FASTKID Series. It was for kids ages 12 to 18 and was a feeder series for the FASTRUCK Series.

FCM: You’ve said you’re an old guy in the sport. That sounds crazy. RC: With the popularity of auto racing, kids are getting started super early, like 4-year-olds racing go-karts and quarter midgets!

So, by the time they’ve got 10 years of experience, they’re

PHOTOS ON THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE COURTESY OF H-MEDIA AND ROSS CHASTAIN RACING

COUNTRY CALIBER

GETTING MORE QUALITY LAPS ON TRACK AND CONTINUING TO GROW MY ABILITIES ON THE TRACK ARE VITAL TO MY PERSONAL SUCCESS IN THE SPORT.

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COUNTRY CALIBER

"You've got to eat, sleep and breathe racing if you're going to be successful at this level," Chastain says.

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still young and can get going on the regional levels.

You’ve got to eat, sleep and breathe racing if you’re going to be successful at this level.

FCM: Describe those moments before engines get fired up. RC: Actually … It’s really quiet for the national anthem and prayer—I’ve heard a cellphone ring in the grandstand at Phoenix from pit road.

FCM: Describe the feeling of a traffic tie-up at 180 miles per hour. RC: Our super-speedways are the closest we stay for the whole race. Mentally those are the toughest and the hardest to manage because so much is out of your control.

FCM: How important is family? RC: My family has supported me from the beginning and are still my biggest fans! When our watermelon harvest season gets done around the beginning of June, they’re at a lot more races.

TOP LEFT PHOTOS PHOTO COURTESY OF ARCADIA CHAMPIONSHIP RODEO; TOP RIGHT PHOTO

BY KATHY ANN GREGG ON THIS AND OPPOSITEALL-FLORIDA PAGE COURTESY OF H-MEDIA AND ROSS CHASTAIN RACING

IT’S REALLY QUIET FOR THE NATIONAL ANTHEM AND PRAYER—I’VE HEARD A CELLPHONE RING IN THE GRANDSTAND AT PHOENIX FROM PIT ROAD.

FCM: What’s your goal in the next three to five years?

RC: I can’t tell all my secrets! But if we can continue to grow JD Motorsports, that’ll be a success … and getting more quality laps on track and continuing to grow my abilities on the track are vital to my personal success in the sport.

For further information, visit rosschastain.com.

Jack Collier is a writer for Florida Country Magazine.

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COUNTRY CALIBER

GETTING TO KNOW ELTON LANGFORD DESOTO COUNTY COMMISSIONER’S FAMILY TRACES TO FLORIDA’S EARLIEST SETTLEMENT ong before English Pilgrims washed ashore in the New World, Elton Langford’s family and others from his south European tribe were waking up to another day in the warm Florida sunshine.

Langford is a descendant of the Sanchezes, part of an early family in “La Florida,” arriving from Spain in what is now the nation’s oldest established town, St. Augustine. By the time the Pilgrims landed in Massachusetts, Spanish settlers had ranched in Florida for nearly a century. Juan Ponce de León, in fact, landed in this lonely spit of sand in 1513. Native Floridians claim a heritage dating back another 14,000 or so years.

Elton Langford, a modern cowboy and an elected commissioner in Florida’s central DeSoto County, figures his family in Florida stretches back about 14 or so generations, documenting Alvarez and Sanchez lineage to the early 17th century. Langfords/ Lankfords appear to have migrated south from Georgia in the early 18th century, historical records show.

Although Langford’s documented family is officially listed in St. Augustine—José Sanchez de Ortigosa around 1713— earlier Sanchezes could very well have arrived with or followed Spanish explorer Pedro Menéndez de Avilés. He established the first permanent European settlement in the United States at St. Augustine in 1565.

An Alvarez is, in fact, listed in historical charts to about 1602 in St. Augustine. We celebrated “Viva Florida 500” in 2013, the unofficial founding of the Sunshine State by Ponce de León—the explorer more known for his kooky hunt for bottled energy water throughout the state. English Pilgrims arrived in Plymouth in 1620.

Few families over time, of course, trace themselves more than a few generations. What’s different in Florida is that Catholic priests kept precise records. In some cases, those carefully stored documents outlasted hurricanes, fire, time and—most importantly—the Civil War, or the War Between the States. Records in many cases in that period were destroyed with cities; and Florida over time was contested by the French and English, as well.

Family history is further fogged with marriages, bringing in Joneses, Stricklands, Hills, Robersons and Whites, in Langford’s case. Many settled in north Florida towns such as Trenton, which is west of Gainesville. Yet the Sanchez/ Langford line has an accurate record of its family tree, which includes photographs of little Elton aboard his first horse, Heck Ramsey, and also of other family members locked in the still-freeze of photos.

But what can’t be erased by war or the comingling of blood in Florida, however, is the hardy character of its men and

Children of Charley and Ila Jones, Harvey, Lizzie Mae, Janie, Addy and Charlene (left), a teen Elton Langford with his mother and step-family (right).

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Elton Langford

PHOTOS ON THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE COURTESY OF ELTON LANGFORD

L

Written by: Jack Collier

Charlie &

Ila Jones

James Addy Jones, 1946

mily

Langford is a descendant of the Sanchezes, part of an early family in “La Florida,” arriving from Spain in what is now the nation’s oldest established town, St. Augustine.

oberson Fa The J.W. R

Elton Ad

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Anna Cornelia Lu

eders

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COUNTRY CALIBER [YOU] WORK FARMS OR COWS, THAT’S PRETTY MUCH THE LIFESTYLE …

HARD WORK. women, those sun-browned souls enduring extreme heat, clouds of bugs, hurricanes and dry spells, says Langford, who is a working cowboy at the 10,000-acre Babcock Ranch Preserve in Southwest Florida. The descendant of other public servants in Florida—three county commissioners, an elections supervisor and a school board member—Langford out of the saddle studies in detail issues in rural DeSoto County.

So, what DNA is embedded into the hard-drive of a man whose documented family arrived here centuries ago? “Work ethic,” says Langford, who is 48 and speaks in a hard drawl that includes “dad-gum” in his vocabulary. “[You] work farms or cows, that’s pretty much the lifestyle … hard work.”

Langfords and Sanchezes much further back were ranchers, civil servants and the backbone of what became modern Florida.

Charlie and Ila Jo

nes

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ELTON LANGFORD

Jack Collier is editorial director for Florida Country Magazine.

Charley Gibson Jones and Ila Mae Sanchez family

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THE BRAND

A LEGACY IN STEEL RANDALL MADE KNIVES DELIVERS CUTTING-EDGE GEAR THROUGH GENERATIONS Written by: Jacob Ogles

J

ason Randall begins with a piece of bar stock in a small Orlando shop and forges the stock into the shape of a blade. He tempers the metal before shaping bevels and contours. Eventually, it will be sent to the front room for finishing.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF RANDALL MADE KNIVES

It can get awfully hot in a Florida forge that runs all year long. Yet Jason says he’s doing his favorite part of the job at Randall Made Knives, a company that his grandfather, Bo Randall, founded 80 years ago.

“I like being able to start with bar stock and turn it into a heat-treated blade by the end of the week,” Jason explains.

In fact, he and two other men who work in the forge create about 200 blades per week to keep up with the demand.

To this day, Randall Made Knives maintains its tradition of crafting handmade blades. Originally available for purchase in a family clothing shop, the trademarked knives developed a following among soldiers in World War II. The troops kept the blades on their person for use in hand-to-hand combat.

As the official history goes, Bo Randall made a single knife for a sailor and then later for his circle of friends.

But after a military reporter wrote of the sturdy blades, the family starting receiving orders by mail, addressed

simply to “Knife Man, Orlando, Florida.” Pretty soon, Randall Made Knives began manufacturing for anyone.

Over the coming decades, the company even commissioned special blades for NASA astronauts. Randall Made Knives also developed a catalog with 28 models for hunting, military and personal use. The knives are sold through 20 dealers around the world—not to mention an additional 20 non-catalog models are available, according to production supervisor Scott Maynard.

Randall Made Knives now boasts a showroom and a museum (top) of collectibles. Above from left are Jason, Gary and Michael Randall. Below is the company's Model 3 "Hunter," with a Thuya Burl finger-grooved handle.

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THE BRAND

Bo Randall’s son, Gary, started working in the company around 1962 and still works there. Jason and his brother, Michael, started working in the firm around 1989, with Jason coming on full time straight out of high school.

In addition to the forge, Randall Made Knives now boasts a showroom and a museum of collectibles. “We have one of everything we make on display in the showroom,” Maynard explains.

The Randall name today maintains a legendary status among collectors. Joe Marlin Hilliard, of Hilliard Brothers of Florida, boasts a huge collection. “Finest knives I’ve ever owned,” Hilliard testifies. “Great for skinning game and just all-around use.”

The production process requires precision and diligence.

However, these days, obtaining a new Randall knife product requires its own level of patience, as well. Maynard says Above from left: Retired forge foreman Arthur "Bud" Heath forging an 11-inch Model 12 "Smithsonian Bowie." The late W.D. "Bo" Randall was the founder of Randall Made Knives. Employee Dan Eaton stoning a ground blade. Non-catalog Models IV are shown below.

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there is now a five-and-a-half-year waiting list. Thus, a custom knife that is ordered today won’t be shipped until the summer of 2023.

Stages in the Randall Made Knives process.

And it will cost you, too. A standard Hunter model runs $400, while a larger blade such as the 9-inch Sportsman Bowie will cost you $600 before any customization.

Why the loyalty? From the beginning, Bo Randall set out to fashion the best knife Randall Made Knives could make. Inspired by the first William Scagel knife that he encountered, the company founder taught himself to make knives primarily as a hobby before selling any products.

By the time Bo Randall died in 1989, the company had the biggest name in handmade knives in the nation. Jason is the forge-master for the company, which remains a family-run operation in the same town where Bo Randall first developed his first knife.

FROM THE BEGINNING, BO RANDALL SET OUT TO MAKE THE BEST HANDCRAFTED KNIFE IN THE WORLD.

PHOTOS ON THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE COURTESY OF RANDALL MADE KNIVES

Jacob Ogles is a Florida freelance writer.

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P

hotographer and writer Jimmy Peters introduces us to the Florida cowboy and working ranches, their professional work ethic, lifestyle, history, personality and ethnic diversity through his contemporary fine-art photography.

Jimmy Peters is an Ohio native who spent much of his career in Sarasota, Florida, where he founded P. Taylor, McHone Advertising. He and his wife, Kathy, now live on a small ranch in Arcadia, Florida.

Peters has been the recipient of national and regional advertising and photography awards. His work has been published in LensWork magazine and his photographs have been included in Florida Cattle Ranching, published by the Florida Cattlemen’s Foundation. His “Florida Cowboy” collection was chosen for an exhibit in the capitol

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ROPE'N AND HOPE'N

PHOTOS ON THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE BY JIMMY PETERS

It’s been a long day up until now, I hear a call from my better half.

I reply in my everyday loving, sweet voice, “I’M TRYING TO ROPE THIS CALF!” I HOPE you don’t think your dinner’s still hot, Or that I’m keep’n the front door open.

So if you don’t want to lose your happy home, You’d best start Rope’n and Hope’n.

This photograph was taken at the Taylor Ranch in Arcadia, Florida.

ROPE’N AND HOPE’N

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building in Tallahassee, Florida. The photograph “Cracker Pack” was given to the governor as a wedding present by his cabinet and is on permanent display in the governor’s mansion in Tallahassee.

“Cracker Pack” was redesigned as a cancellation stamp for the United States Postal Service.

Peters’ work is included in the traveling “Florida Cattle Ranching Exhibit” sponsored by the Florida Bureau of Historic Preservation.

His photographs have been on exhibit in galleries, museums and are held in private collections throughout Florida and across the country. His website is jimpetersphotography.com.

FOLLOW THE LEADER A herd of cattle are a following kind They need someone to set their meter.

They don’t really care who does the job “Come on cows Follow The Leader.”

This photo was taken on the Strickland Ranch in Myakka City, Florida.

FOLLOW THE LEADER

CUT THE BULL If you think doing what we do is an easy job You might try doing what we do yourself.

You’ll find out what it takes to do what we do And if you do, life will always be full.

When friends tell you just how tough their job is You’ll reply with a wink … “cut the bull.”

This photo was taken on the Brighton Seminole Reservation in Brighton, Florida.

CRACKER PACK

A cracker gal and a cracker dog, And a couple dozen cracker cows.

You’ll find them on a Florida ranch, If you’re lookin I’ll tell you how.

They remind us of our history, This group in white and black.

The gal, the dog, and all the cows, I call my “Cracker Pack.”

This photo was taken on the Strickland ranch in Myakka City, Florida.

I LOVE WHAT I SEE I love what I see … the land, you, and me For this life I thank God up above.

I’ve been blessed beyond my wildest dreams For you see, I see what I love.

This photo was taken at the Taylor Ranch in Arcadia, Florida.

CUT THE BULL

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PHOTOS ON THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE BY JIMMY PETERS

CRACKER PACK

I LOVE WHAT I SEE

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SUNRISE

SUNRISE

RIDING OUT AT SUNRISE

Riding straight into the rising sun, It’s a heavenly sight to see.

We’re pushing the herd, we’re taking um home, There’s no place that I’d rather be.

What a wonderful sight, the land and the light, And a beautiful lake to boot.

I’ll pass it on to my family, This land is part of our roots.

It’s a little bit sad when we finally return, When the sun is high in the sky.

I dream of tomorrow, and the dawn of the day, … and it will come bye and bye.

Riding out at sunrise, the best part of the day For the work that I love to do.

It’s a special treasure I hold dear to my heart, Some day I might share it with you.

This photograph was taken on SMR Ranch in Manatee County, Florida.

This photograph was taken at the Clay Gully Ranch in Myakka City, Florida.

RIDING OUT AT SUNRISE

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PHOTOS ON THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE BY JIMMY PETERS

WASHING RUBY

WASHING RUBY

I love my horse, her name is Ruby, And she really loves me too.

I wash her clean at the end of the day, Grandma says it’s the right thing to do.

I like to hug her and kiss her nose, It feels very soft to me.

She likes to cuddle and snuggle me too, She’s my very best friend you see.

This photo was taken at Johnson & Johnson Show Horses in Sarasota, Florida.

CULLY AND COW Hey Cully look out her eye is on you, You’d better climb up on that gate.

If you don’t move quick and get outa her way, She’s going to seal your fate.

This photograph was taken at the Schroeder Manatee Ranch in Sarasota, Florida.

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Jimmy Fussell is Florida-made, a hard man thriving in tough conditions.

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BOTTOM LEFT PHOTO COURTESY OF JIMMY FUSSELL; OTHER PHOTOS ON THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE BY JIMMY PETERS

Written by: Jack Collier 95th Silver Spurs Rodeo Sunday’s results (July 1995) BAREBACK BRONC ($2,667.50): 1. Jimmy Fussell, Arcadia, 77, $1,067; 2. Jared Lavergne, Ville Platte, La., 76, $800.25; 3. (tie) Mitchell Spangler, Morton, Miss., Kent Richard, Iowa, La., 74, $400.13 each.

S

ome of us fall down the wishing well. Jimmy Fussell, however, wouldn’t stand in place long enough for that to happen.

A historical character in his own right, the DeSoto County businessman lives a complete life—a champion rodeo cowboy in his time, today a mid-Florida cattle rancher and farmer, the owner of a successful meat processing plant, a happy father, husband and community booster.

In talking with Fussell, plan to strap him to the seat to

hear his story; he hums with the electricity of a natural hustler/entrepreneur. “I’ve been blessed to be able to excel,” says Fussell, a former state bareback-riding champion and the owner of Fussell Meats in Arcadia.

“But you’ve got to stay with it … you can’t stand still. It’s how you lose money.”

Through and through, 54-year-old Jimmy Fussell is Florida-made, a hard man thriving in tough conditions.

Fussell’s entrepreneurial line started with grandfather Summer Bertelle Fussell, who butchered chickens at his home and turned that into an opportunity by renting space in an icehouse, butchering and selling beef. He sold fresh products to the Army Air Corps at Carlstrom Field in Arcadia.

In a time before electric refrigeration, he would also lease icehouse meat lockers for the locals to keep their stuff fresh, Jimmy Fussell says, using such terms as “Oh, crup”

Fussell has plenty of buckles and saddles to show for his time as a champion bareback rider.

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But what Jimmy Fussell mostly enjoys recalling are his rodeo days, traveling the circuit in Florida, Oklahoma, Texas and upstate New York, the legendary Cowtown in New Jersey.

Grasping onto a suitcase handle device, his free hand for balance, a bareback cowboy and his bronco horse explode onto the rodeo grounds.

The ride is so wild that many bronc riders sustain injury, the worst a devastating kick, Fussell says, his eyes smiling at the memory of overcoming such odds, the adrenalinerush moments that can’t be cloned. And he did that into his late 30s.

Fussell also liked the social side of rodeo cowboying, other tough men conquering their sport. If that wishing well truly existed, he’d live it again in a snap, he says. Other than his two sons—one a lawyer, the other a rodeo champion in his own right—nothing holds Fussell to a seat easier than talking up his time as a bronc-bustin’ cowboy.

Fussell’s advice to those of us staring into our own wishing well? “Like and love what you do,” he says. “If you’re gonna be a piana player, be the best piana player.”

And with that, up he goes, vanishing in the maze of corridors inside Fussell Meats.

Jack Collier is the editorial director for Florida Country Magazine.

FUSSELL’S ENTREPRENEURIAL LINE STARTED WITH GRANDFATHER SUMMER BERTELLE FUSSELL.

Jimmy Fussell (above left) has been in the family business from childhood. His father, Lynn, and grandfather, Bert, are pictured (below left) with young Jimmy. Carl McKettrick Sr. and Jimmy Fussell (right) on horseback.

Fussell Meats

2039 SE Carlstrom Field Road Arcadia, Florida 863-494-2112 meatmarketinarcadiafl.com

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BOTTOM LEFT AND BOTTOM RIGHT PHOTO COURTESY OF JIMMY FUSSELL; ALL OTHER PHOTOS ON THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE BY JIMMY PETERS

in stirring his memory to action. His father, Lynn, moved things further forward.

Fussell Meats staff (above) with their boss. Clarisbel Carranco (middle right) serves a customer and Maribel Ornelas (below right) wraps hamburger for today's market. The store has been in Arcadia for three generations.

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Hey, y’all! I’m Cally Simpson, the author of Cally in Wonderland. With words and photographs, I will be presenting my Florida, giving you a glimpse of the wild and wonderful place where I and so many of you were raised. Join me on a journey of discovery into past and modern Florida.

HUNTING POINTERS CHOOSING BIRDERS, REMEMBERING THE CALL OF THE QUAIL, HEART-STOPPING FIELD SKILLS

I

Written by: Cally Simpson

This dog doesn't let a little bit of brush or palmettos stop it from finding a bird!

f you’ve not heard a bobwhite quail, just stop by my parents’ home one evening when dad is out in the barn with his dogs.

Hang around long enough and you’ll hear it … but it won’t be from a bird, it will be him whistling the quail’s distinct tune. It serves no purpose, he doesn’t use that whistle to call the dogs and it’s not a tune to a favorite song.

One of my earliest memories is walking our property, with my dad calling to these birds. That’s where my obsession with them began. I thought it was the coolest thing in the world to hear him call to quail, the quail answering back. The call sounds exactly like the bird’s name, and it’s unmistakable. There is nothing like walking the tall pines of south Florida and hearing the siren song of what should be known as the “King of the South” … Bob White! Bob White!

It was always amazing to me that an animal could produce a sound like words that I could understand. I really did feel like Dr. Doolittle around these birds, both speaking a language that was the same.

This obsession is a path that led me to training hunting dogs.

I would go out to Babcock Ranch with my papa and one of his buddies, Dr. Herlovich, a veterinarian who raised some very fine pointing dogs and would guide out-of-towners through the ranch that straddles Lee and Charlotte counties, hunting these highly sought game birds.

At that time wild quail coveys were still prevalent … but the populations were in decline. So, to help out, they

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PHOTOS ON THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE BY CALLY SIMPSON

But to me it’s one of the most beautiful sounds I’ve ever heard.

Above left, an over/under shotgun is a common choice for these hunters. Above right, you can bet that when the tail goes up, there’s a bird close by! Pointing breeds, such as this dog below, are versatile enough to find birds and bring them back after being shot.

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CALLY IN WONDERLAND SEE GRILLED QUAIL RECIPE ON PAGE 77

ONE OF MY EARLIEST MEMORIES IS WALKING OUR PROPERTY, WITH MY DAD CALLING TO THESE BIRDS. would raise release quail. Baby quail were “bumble bees,” probably because their feathers made a striped pattern resembling a bee. Once released, they were free to form coveys and use Babcock as their kingdom.

This brings me to the dogs. I have seen nice dogs in my lifetime and have been impressed by a lot of different breeds.

But to this day nothing takes my breath like seeing a pointer or setter quartering a field, suddenly whiffing and locking into a statuesque point. If they lift their front paw into a flash point, my heart stops for a moment and it takes the flush of a bird to bring me back to reality.

I have seen this done countless times and I always have the same reaction—pure and total awe. Those keeping and

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Above left is a “King of the South,” a Bob White quail.

Above right, when searching the field for birds, a dog will run in a specific pattern called quartering. It helps the dog efficiently cover the most amount of land in the shortest amount of time. A well-trained pointing dog (below) will lock in until the bird is flushed or the dog is released.

Setters tend to have a slightly longer coat than their pointer counterparts.

preserving these breeds do so not for money or fame, but for the love of the breed and their God-given abilities. They painstakingly breed dogs giving them the best chance of getting a pup that exemplifies this ancient talent of finding and pointing birds, achieving the standard that was set by our forefathers, ensuring that the puppies of these puppies will hunt with our grandchildren’s children.

When hunting game birds such as quail, two types of dogs can be used— flushers and pointers. Flushers such as Labs and spaniels hunt rather than point, flush and sit after the bird is up. Pointers find and freeze until birds are rousted by a flushing dog or a hunter. Some of us prefer one variety, others use them in tandem.

Pointing breeds are traced to European hunters around the 1650s, further traced to dogs taken to England from Spain to help hunters gather fowl for food. Before firearms, hunters would use their dogs to point at a covey and a net was thrown over the bush or tall grass that the dog was pointing at, trapping the birds.

Above, a young dog is helped while on point. The point (below) makes my heart stop every time!

These dogs centuries later still add to the lives of today’s hunters. If you ever get the chance to see a pointing dog work a field, it is an experience to not pass up! I look forward to the quail season every year.

And even if a bird isn’t flushed, I still get to spend the day communing with nature and watching these amazing dogs at work!

I would like to thank Lark Nest Kennels for allowing me to share this experience with Florida Country Magazine.

PHOTOS ON THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE BY CALLY SIMPSON

Cally Simpson is a mother of a beautiful boy and loves to travel around the state commemorating our history and heritage. Check her blog, callyinwonderland.com.

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FLORIDA EXCURSIONS

FOREVER FLORIDA FOREVER WILD, A FOREVER LEGACY, FOREVER FUN!

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Written by: Paige Jardin

he loss of one young man who loved the natural world has ensured that 4,700 acres of wild lands in north-central Florida will survive for generations to come.

The man’s parents, Dr. William and Margaret Broussard, established in 1990 the nonprofit Allen Broussard Conservancy, which owns Forever Florida—today a place in Osceola County for adventures from ziplining to camping to horseback trail riding.

The centerpiece of Forever Florida is a working cattle ranch that the Broussards bought in 1969, when they moved from Louisiana to Florida. Here, William Broussard would set up an ophthalmology practice and continue his family’s ranching legacy.

The Broussards’ son Allen was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease at age 19. Over the next decade he battled the illness but also continued pursuing his career, becoming a wildlife biologist and nearly earning a doctorate before dying at age 29.

“When Allen knew his time was short, he talked to his father and he asked his father to preserve the lands out there by the ranch. Allen used to go camping and exploring out there [next to the ranch],” says Carl Young, spokesman for Forever Florida, which is southeast of Kissimmee. “And it turned out the land belonged to like 500 different owners because of a land scam in the ’40s.”

The preserve's seven ecosystems are visible from high above the forest floor.

PEOPLE WANTED TO GO ON A REAL HORSEBACK RIDE, NOT JUST RIDE IN CIRCLES IN A FIELD LIKE SOME PLACES DO. —Carl Young, Forever Florida spokesman

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PHOTOS ON THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE COURTESY OF FOREVER FLORIDA

Horseback riding is among the many adventures offered at Forever Florida.

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FLORIDA EXCURSIONS In fact, hundreds of purchasers bought plots of land for about $5,000 each, only to find that the land was zoned for agriculture and had no access roads.

William Broussard has purchased many of these for the preserve that is a tribute to his son. “People began hearing about it and just started going out there,” says Young. “They were conservationists, bird watchers, others. And they would want to go on a tour. More and more people started coming, and I guess they realized that, wait, we can charge for this.

“The first attraction was a trail/buggy adventure. Most people call it a swamp buggy. We still do this two-hour tour on which you can see seven natural ecosystems,” Young adds.

Then came the horseback riding. “People wanted to go on a real horseback ride, not just ride in circles in a field like some places do,” Young says. “The horses go out onto the conservation land and real, natural terrain, including walking through a creek.”

A visitor center was added in 1990.

The owners have taken care not only to preserve but also to fortify the land.

When ponds have been dug on the property to supply fill for roads and building sites, for example, they’ve been carved deep enough to serve as habitat for alligators, frogs and fish. And trees have been added as islands in the ponds for the protection of wading birds.

In addition to their son’s memory and the natural landscape, the Broussards also wanted to preserve Florida wildlife species. Visitors may Ziplines are seven stories high at Forever Florida.

THE ZIPLINE ADVENTURE LASTS ABOUT TWO HOURS AND USES SEVEN HIGH-TENSION CABLES AND THREE SKY BRIDGES. 54

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see alligators, Osceola turkeys, deer, bobcats, racoons, vultures, crested caracaras, bald eagles, egrets, ibises, storks, herons, owls, jays, snakes, armadillos, turtles, tortoises and other creatures.

At the Crescent J Ranch on the property are breeding stock of Florida Cracker cattle and cracker horses, whose ancestors were brought to Florida by Juan Ponce de Leon.

In 1998, the Broussards traveled to Costa Rica and were introduced to ziplining. “Dr. Broussard decided it was a pretty cool way to see all the ecosystems, from up in the air,” Young says. “So, they built their first zipline.” And that’s how the adventure park on the property took root and began to fly.

Buggy rides (above) are appropriate for all ages at Forever Florida. At right, a total of 102 steps stand between the zipliner and his or her adventure. Tent camping (below) is permitted in a remote area of the preserve.

Although Broussard visits the park at least once a week, he prefers to leave the more strenuous attractions to the younger set.

The Zipline Adventure lasts about two hours and uses seven high-tension cables and three sky bridges. The adventurer is generally at a height of 78 feet. The Rattlesnake Thrill Pack includes a ride on the world’s only zipline rollercoaster, a race with another zipliner on parallel lines and a 78-foot freefall. Adventure-seekers must be at least 10 years old and weigh between 55 and 265 pounds.

Other adventures include horseback riding, a cattle drive and the chance to be a cowboy for a day. About 20 people at a time can tent camp at a remote site that includes access to running water, showers, restrooms and sinks. Two family-size cabins with home comforts can also be rented.

PHOTOS ON THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE COURTESY OF FOREVER FLORIDA

In addition, Camp Illahaw is a separate, coed overnight camp for kids 10 to 15 that is open in the summer for weeklong stays that include archery, kayaking, field sports, horseback riding, arts and crafts and more.

Paige Jardin moved to rural Florida about 10 years ago. She is a poet and a storyteller.

ROUNDUP For more information about Forever Florida, go to foreverflorida.com and allenbroussardconservancy.org, or call 407-957-9794.

4755 N. Kenansville Road, St. Cloud, Fla.

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FUN BEGINS WHERE THE PAVEMENT ENDS ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FLORIDA’S LARGEST ADVENTURE PARK

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ith big ambitions and unparalleled facilities, Florida Tracks and Trails is well on its way to becoming the state’s most desirable and multifaceted outdoor adventure and entertainment experience. Whether it’s family fun or adrenaline-inducing thrill riding, more than 1,000 acres of outdoor recreational space in Punta Gorda await all who seek an exciting getaway on Florida’s Island Coast.

Florida Tracks and Trails, or FTT as it is known to regulars, opened its doors to the public in 2015. The park is larger than any theme park in the state, measuring about 45 million square feet.

“This park is second only to Disney World in terms of capabilities and potential,” explains Michael Pyatt, marketing manager of Florida Tracks and Trails. “We always look forward to welcoming visitors from across the state and beyond.”

Open every Saturday and Sunday, Florida Tracks and Trails is the ultimate destination for families and also for serious motorsport enthusiasts. Located just 55 minutes from Naples, two and a half hours from Orlando, and three hours from Ocala, the park is easily accessible by those residing or visiting within the Interstate 75 corridor.

Off-road excitement reigns supreme at the park. Sharpen your skills on four professionally designed motocross tracks.

Or spend a few hours romping on an ATV through the 25-mile, one-directional wooded trail system—crafted by nature and carved by engine power.

Get some action on several tracks, including a pro-mega hybrid track and a 300-foot sand drag strip. Mud up in the ATV and side-by-side mud zone fitted with an adjustable water feature that raises water levels to create the perfect conditions to test new tires or a snorkel kit.

But perhaps you don’t own any of your favorite motorsport

Marketing manager Michael Pyatt says the park is "second only to Disney World in terms of capabilities and potential."

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PHOTOS ON THIS AND OPPPOSITE PAGE COURTESY OF FLORIDA TRACKS AND TRAILS

Florida Tracks and Trails is larger than any theme park in Florida, measuring about 45 million square feet. It is the ultimate destination for families and also for serious motorsport enthusiasts.

FROM MILD TO WILD, THERE’S GUARANTEED FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY AT FLORIDA TRACKS AND TRAILS. vehicles. No worries. Florida Tracks and Trails has partnered with Naples-based Florida Motorsports to offer on-site vehicle rentals to visitors. Rates start at $250 for three hours of heart-racing fun.

The excitement doesn’t end with motorsport adventures. There are more than 80 acres of world-class paintball fields, including two fast-action speedball courses and three custom woods fields. The authentic bunkers and a full-sized helicopter set the stage for battles and photo ops of epic proportions.

Take to the skies with Florida Drone Racing, a local MultiGP drone racing chapter that hits the park for in-flight excitement every Sunday afternoon. This new feature was founded by local drone pilots in need of a permanent home for their video-piloting equipment. It occupies the entertainment area of the park when that section is not being used for large-scale events.

And when you need a break from all the excitement, cool off at Tiki Beach. That’s the park’s 12-acre lakeside paradise, featuring pure-white sand and crisp, clear water. The waterfront concessions café, which has a full liquor bar, is open all 52 weekends a year.

As expected, safety is the top priority at Florida Tracks and Trails. In addition to having trained on-site safety officials positioned throughout the park, FTT has worked closely

with local law enforcement and emergency medical services to create a project-specific safety plan.

A dedicated emergency lane allows ambulances instant access throughout the park. Alcohol consumption is strictly enforced, to prevent intoxicated patrons from operating a motor vehicle.

“At the end of the day, our goal is simple: Provide the safest experience possible so our guests can enjoy their hobbies and passions in a secure environment,” Pyatt adds.

With so much to do, why leave? Join families and other outdoor fanatics and stay the whole weekend. There are on-site camping facilities, and future expansions to the camping area are expected—possibly in late 2018.

From mild to wild, there’s guaranteed fun for the whole family at Florida Tracks and Trails. Several new attractions are in the works, including a Blob water pillow, scheduled side-by-side weekends, watersports, rod and custom sports, outdoor sports and large-scale national events. Also, the reopening of the 56-acre event field—with parking for 6,000 vehicles—makes the future of FTT look particularly bright.

Florida Tracks and Trails is at 39450 Bermont Road in Punta Gorda. Daily admission ranges from $10 to $33; children under 6 are free. For a list of upcoming events, vendor/sponsorship opportunities and more, visit floridatracksandtrails.com or call 844-RIDE-FTT. F LO R I D A C O U NTRYM A G A Z I N E . C O M

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF BABCOCK RANCH ECO-TOURS

FLORIDA EXCURSIONS

A RIDE THROUGH THE RANCH AT BABCOCK ALLIGATORS, TURKEYS AND CATTLE, OH MY!

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Written by: Paige Jardin

aybe it was several ponds teeming with alligators.

Or the flocks of Osceola turkeys—males in one group, females another, running across an area of flatland. Or possibly the otter that scurried across the dirt road to a spot of water on the other side.

And it could have been the dozen or so Andalusian cattle milling around the converted school bus on which we rode. One cow after the other was sticking a huge head into the bus entrance, seeking the corn that tour guide Deb Duncan was feeding them from a plastic canister. It also could have been the pig that ran up to the fence as we passed, or the Florida panther sleeping on its platform and swishing its tail.

Likely it was every one of those things. But I’m certain that all 10 of us on the Babcock Ranch Eco-Tour on a recent morning were intrigued by the diversity and abundance of

wildlife on the working cattle ranch. It is now part of a 73,000-acre state preserve.

And when Duncan stopped the bus to get out and then return with a baby alligator in hand, we were past intrigue and well into fascination. Fortunately, however, we didn’t see any of the water moccasins or rattlesnakes she told us about.

Eco-tours of the ranch, which includes more than 14,000 acres of pasture land, are seasonal.

The tours begin in November and this year they are scheduled through April 30, seven days a week, every 30 minutes from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tours last 90 minutes and cost $24 for adults (or $23 for seniors age 55 and over), $16 for children 3 to 12 and free for children 2 and under.

In mid-February, the grounds were wet in spots and dry in others, serving the diverse wildlife well. “Everything moves around and every day it’s different,” Duncan said. She pointed out irises that were not yet in bloom, the female

Food and souvenirs are for sale at the Babcock Ranch gift shop. Of course the “stars” (right) of Babcock Ranch Eco-Tours are the wildlife.

AND MIND YOU, WE HAD COWBOYS IN FLORIDA WAY LONGER THAN OUT WEST. —Babcock Ranch Eco-Tour guide Deb Duncan

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FLORIDA EXCURSIONS

PHOTOS ON THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE COURTESY OF BABCOCK RANCH ECO-TOURS

IN PLACES THROUGHOUT THE PROPERTY, TOUR PARTICIPANTS WILL SEE DISTINCT SIGNS OF TIMES PAST.

Clockwise from top left: Barbecue is a specialty at the ranch's Gator Shack restaurant. A Florida panther—or even two or three—may be seen by visitors to Babcock. The preserve contains a working cattle ranch. Alligators are among Babcock Ranch residents. Rhonda Moyer (left) and Deb Duncan are Eco-Tour guides.

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turkeys that would be laying eggs in the spring, the cypress knees in water that would rise another foot before long.

ContactUs@potteryexpress.com

The original 91,000-acre ranch was first owned by the Perry McAdow family, which made a fortune in a Montana gold mine and purchased the Southwest Florida acreage in the late 1800s. In 1914, Pittsburgh lumber titan Edward Babcock bought the ranch from the McAdows “for 15 to 25 cents an acre,” Duncan explained.

It became the base of operations for the Babcock family’s timber business.

Edward Babcock’s son, Fred, managed the property until his death in 1997.

Kitson & Partners bought the land in 2006 and sold 80 percent of it to the state to be preserved. Kitson managed the land for the state until 2015, when Tarpon Blue Land & Resource Management took over.

Today, 60 head of Andalusian cattle live on the property, mostly for breeding and selling to hobby farmers. Another 300 beef cattle are on the ranch as well, Duncan said, as are quarter horses. The ranch employs two full-time cowboys.

“And mind you, we had cowboys in Florida way longer than out West,” she told the tour group, which happened to be made up of mostly Pennsylvanians.

In places throughout the property, tour participants will see distinct signs of times past. These include old farm and timber equipment. In one area there are telegraph lines that once connected to lines going over land to the coast— and then under water all the way to Cuba.

When the eco-tour is complete, a gift shop and restaurant specializing in barbecue beckon guests. Further information is available at babcockranchecotours.com.

Paige Jardin moved to rural Florida 10 years ago. She is a poet and a storyteller.

Babcock Ranch is a planned community, eco-tourism landmark and working ranch.

& Bamboo Farm 25370 Zemel Road, Punta Gorda, FL 33955

(941) 505-8400

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FLORIDA EXCURSIONS

WETTIN’ A LINE IN FLORIDA’S PHOSPHATE LAKES TAKE ADVANTAGE OF UNIQUE FISHING OPPORTUNITIES AT UNUSUAL LOCATIONS Written by: Eric Johnson

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hen choosing freshwater fishing locations around the Sunshine State, anglers have plenty of options. With more than 7,700 freshwater lakes and 12,000 miles of rivers, streams and canals, it’s easy to see why. After all, Florida is the “Fishing Capital of the World”!

And for the adventurous angler, some unique fishing opportunities exist in the southcentral region of the state. Largemouth bass, black crappie or specks, catfish, bluegill, redear or shellcracker, and warmouth are found in phosphate lakes (or pits)—created by man and machine.

The systems were made by draglines digging in search of raw phosphate. Take a look at aerial photographs between Lakeland and Arcadia: You’ll see hundreds of phosphate lakes.

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TOP PHOTOS BY ERIC JOHNSON; BOTTOM RIGHT PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CHARLOTTE SUN

Above is a bird's-eye view of some of central Florida's many phosphate lakes. At right, spacious docks and fish feeders are just a few of the amenities at Tenoroc Fish Management Area's Derby Lake. A gigantic electric dragline (below), weighing more than 3,000 tons, is used to dig up phosphate deep below the earth’s surface.

Florida was once at the bottom of the sea, littered with deposits of phosphorus and marine animal remains. As the ocean receded, exposed phosphate deposits were covered by sand. Millions of years later, they’re still buried as deep as 50 feet under the soil.

Draglines dig phosphate (hard pebbles) before it’s transported to plants for further processing. End products are used to make everything from fertilizer to animal feed supplements to household products such as toothpaste, baking powder, soda pop and shaving cream.

Most phosphate lakes are off limits to anglers because they are privately owned by mining companies. But thanks to local and state governments, which have purchased several lakes or partnered with companies, anglers now have some access.

In Polk County, on Lakeland’s east side, the Tenoroc Public Use Area consists of 8,386 acres of state-owned land that was mined for phosphate from 1940 until 1978. The property is co-managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, or FWC, and Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

THE SYSTEMS WERE MADE

BY DRAGLINES DIGGING IN SEARCH OF RAW PHOSPHATE.

There are more than 24 lakes on the property, ranging from 12 to 228 acres, which are part of the Tenoroc Fish Management Area. That means the lakes are intensively managed and that special fishing rules apply to help ensure anglers have a quality experience.

“Our motto is: ‘We’re shortening the time between bites,’ ” says FWC fishery biologist Keaton Fish—yup, that’s his real name—who oversees the lakes. Regulations include angler fishing quotas, reduced fish harvest and limited public access.

According to Fish, “thousands of largemouth bass, crappie, panfish and catfish are caught each year.” Skilled (or lucky) bass anglers can catch and release up to 50 fish during a fishing trip, while crappie and panfish anglers can catch even more. Trophy bass are also lurking in most lakes.

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FLORIDA EXCURSIONS Tenoroc lakes can be fished from the bank, by boat or sometimes both. Un-reclaimed lakes are as deep as 35 feet, with sharp drop-offs. Reclaimed lakes (recontoured using heavy equipment) have more open water and gentle sloping shorelines, and are ideal for bank fishing.

Unlike natural Florida lakes, phosphate lakes typically have irregular bottom contours and greenish water. The color comes from microscopic algae, which thrive in these productive waters and form the base of a very productive food web. Fish in phosphate lakes grow quickly, thanks to plenty of nutrients and food—and they’re safe to eat, too.

Mosaic Fish Management Area consists of roughly 1,000 acres of land in southern Polk County and northern Hardee County, near Fort Meade. Mosaic Fertilizer LLC owns the property, which has 12 lakes ranging from 10 to 100 acres.

FWC has managed the lakes for 18 years.

About 6,000 crappie and 3,000 bass are caught yearly, and it’s not unusual for crappie anglers to catch 60 fish per trip or bass anglers to catch 20 fish a day. Trophy bass inhabit many of the lakes. Several thousand catfish are also caught annually, thanks to FWC stocking efforts.

The author (above) with a nice speck that he caught at the Mosaic FMA. Adventurous anglers (below) enjoy a beautiful day fishing on one of Mosaic’s reclaimed phosphate lakes.

PHOTOS BY ERIC JOHNSON

In the heart of phosphate mining country is 1,200-acre Hardee Lakes Park. The land was mined in the early 1980s

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For info on destinations and tips for freshwater fishing, visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website: myfwc.com/fishing/freshwater

Tenoroc Public Use Area 3829 Tenoroc Mine Road, Lakeland, Florida Open Fridays through Mondays, 6 a.m.–7 p.m.; $3 daily use fee Freshwater fishing license required unless exempt.

863-499-2422 Mosaic Fish Management Area 2565 Hutchinson Road, Fort Meade, Florida Open Fridays through Mondays,

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6 a.m.–2 p.m.; no fee to fish Freshwater fishing license required unless exempt.

863-648-3200 Hardee Lakes Park 5502 Ollie Roberts Road, Bowling Green, Florida Open daily, 7 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; $5 daily use fee per vehicle Freshwater fishing license required unless exempt.

863-767-1100, hardeecounty.net

TOP PHOTO BY THE FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

The tranquil waters of Florida’s phosphate lakes are inviting to all anglers.

FLORIDA WAS ONCE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA, LITTERED WITH DEPOSITS OF PHOSPHORUS AND MARINE ANIMAL REMAINS. and donated to Hardee County in 2000. The park has four reclaimed lakes, ranging from 47 to 134 acres. FWC manages the lakes, each of which has a concrete boat ramp. Anglers—who can also fish from shore or fishing piers—will find bass, crappie, panfish, catfish and other species.

So next time you head out to fish, consider trying Florida’s phosphate lakes. You might just get hooked on these unique waters because wetting a line in the pits is probably unlike anything you’ve experienced before.

Eric Johnson is a regional fisheries biologist for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in Lakeland, with more than 25 years of experience managing Florida’s freshwater resources.

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COUNTRY HEROES

SPECIAL MONUMENT FOR CELEBRATING MEMORIAL DAY HONOR THOSE WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE

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Written and photos by: Kathy Ann Gregg

he Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall celebrated its opening in Washington, D.C., on Veterans Day— Nov. 13, 1982. And since then, not only is it the most visited monument in our nation’s capital, it is also one of the most poignant monuments.

Like the Vietnam War itself, the monument was controversial. The design that was chosen was by Maya Lin, a 21-year-old architecture student. Her design was inspired by the many times she had run her fingers over the names of fallen alumni engraved on the Memorial Rotunda at her alma mater, Yale University.

stark contrast to the other national monuments, which are all done in white. Where the parts come together, it points exactly to the northeast corners of the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.

The starting panel bears the date “1959” at the top, and slopes down to the east (to the right) as it meets the ground. It then resumes on the far left, and rises from the ground back up to meet in the middle—where the final date of “1975” is etched on the bottom of the last panel.

The 58,318 names of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country are listed in chronological order by the date they died, and are

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall consists of two parts of black granite, each 246.75 feet long. It stands in

At left, two Marines carried a folded flag last November when the VBB's Traveling Wall was in Fort Meade, Florida. An Army cobra helicopter (right) "saluted" those in attendance. Inset is a tracing from the VBB’s Traveling Wall.

Floyd W. “Chip” Houghtaling III died in country on Nov. 1, 1968.

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A visitor to the VBB's Traveling Wall in Fort Meade, Florida, last November traced a loved one's name.

in alphabetical order within each day. The list includes three sets of fathers and sons, 31 sets of brothers, eight women (all nurses) and 16 members of the clergy. It also lists six high school classmates known as the Marines of Morenci, Arizona, and three boyhood friends from Utah, known as the Buddies of Midvale.

Because of the popularity of the memorial, veterans’ organizations decided to construct scaled-down models to travel around America, affording more people the ability to view the monument and to see names of loved ones lost.

Five such replicas were built, including one owned by the Vietnam and All Veterans of Brevard, or VBB, which is based out of Brevard County, Florida.

That organization’s replica is called the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall and is displayed approximately 15 times per year. The wait time can exceed a year. The VBB’s Traveling Wall is escorted to each destination by veterans on motorcycles and by law enforcement personnel.

Once the Traveling Wall is assembled, which takes a full five hours, it is accompanied by a “locator tent” containing books with the location of every name and date of death. The tent is staffed by experienced people for 12 hours per day when on location, but viewing is around the clock.

Veterans’ organizations of Fort Meade, Florida, hosted the Traveling Wall for a second time in November of 2017, after having had it first in October of 2011. Local schools were invited to participate in opening ceremonies, as color guard and escorts. Leading the procession was the Scottish Unit of the Lake Wales High School, dressed in the McLeod of Lewis yellow-and-black tartan.

Gun salutes were conducted by Hardee County’s American Legion members, as well as the firing of a howitzer. An exciting moment was when an Army Cobra helicopter lifted off from the site, circled around and then hovered low to dip its nose at the two American flags flown at the highest point of the monument.

So this year on Memorial Day—Monday, May 26—take a moment to honor those men and women who have fallen while serving our great nation, whether during the Vietnam War or elsewhere.

Kathy Ann Gregg is a Florida writer and photographer; three friends’ names are etched on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

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FLORIDA CHARM

ENCOUNTER THE UNIQUENESS OF HENDRY COUNTY HIDDEN GEMS IN AUTHENTIC ECOSYSTEM, AN UNTAMED ATTRACTION

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Written by: Hendry County Tourism Council

estled between the south shores of Lake Okeechobee and the pristine wetlands of the northern Everglades, and sitting right on the edge of the Caloosahatchee River, Hendry County is the perfect combination of untouched natural beauty and welcoming communities.

Home to the best freshwater fishing spots that southern Florida has to offer, “America’s Sweetest Town,” Clewiston, is known for its mild climate and friendly community. Clewiston sits on Lake Okeechobee, the largest lake in the state and the second-largest body of fresh water in the contiguous United States. With a name that translates to “Big Water” in the Seminole Indian language, the lake spans 730 square miles and is home to an enormously diverse ecosystem.

Recognized as one of the top areas in the world for largemouth bass and black crappie fishing, Hendry County’s unrestricted access to Lake Okeechobee makes it a “can’t-miss” destination for anglers. The renowned Fishing League Worldwide, or FLW, tour has included tournaments in Clewiston since 1996. The 2018 tour kicked off with a tournament hosted at Roland Martin Marina with more than 300 anglers competing for a $100,000 prize.

Beyond Lake Okeechobee, Hendry County is also home to the Caloosahatchee River. Known for its oxbows—a term for a bend in the river—it is a prime spot for birdwatching, nature study and wildlife photography, as well as canoeing and kayaking.

Hendry County boasts magnificent sunrises and sunsets.

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BOTTOM PHOTO BY MIRANDA BOSITCK DAVIS

Much of Florida’s tourism industry focuses on the miles of white sand beaches and the crowded theme parks. But visitors to Hendry County will discover hidden gems in the authentic ecosystem of this largely uninhabited part of South Florida. Hendry County has an abundance of everything that makes Florida a unique and untamed attraction—which people around the world find intriguing.

TOP LEFT AND MIDDLE RIGHT PHOTOS BY MIRANDA BOSITCK DAVIS; TOP MIDDLE PHOTO COURTESY OF SEMINOLE TRIBE OF FLORIDA; TOP RIGHT PHOTO BY KEITHA DANIELS; BOTTOM PHOTO BY ROB MATSUURA/FLW

HENDRY COUNTY HAS AN ABUNDANCE OF EVERYTHING THAT MAKES FLORIDA A UNIQUE AND UNTAMED ATTRACTION— WHICH PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD FIND INTRIGUING.

Photographers find compelling subjects in Hendry County, such as deer and an alligator. Seminole Tribe member Billy Walker (top middle) hefts a gator. Top right, visitors will enjoy the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum's exhibits. Above, anglers compete in the 2018 Florida League Worldwide tournament on Lake Okeechobee in Clewiston.

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FLORIDA CHARM

Clockwise from top left, the grasshopper, deer and Eastern meadowlark are typical of Hendry County wildlife. Below right, a cowboy concentrates on roping.

Sitting on the Caloosahatchee River is a town referred to as the “City of Oaks.” LaBelle is a beautiful place, filled with a rich history that spans to the 1880s. Draped by the cooling canopies of its namesake, LaBelle plays host to the annual Swamp Cabbage Festival, local-vendor shopping, “farm to table” dining—and “must-see” murals.

Also known as the “Belle of the Caloosahatchee,” LaBelle’s humble beginnings paved the way for the serene and picturesque town that exists today. Take a stroll through LaBelle River Park and then “go back in time” at the LaBelle Heritage Museum. Or get your adrenaline going at the Labelle Rodeo Arena.

One of six major reservations for the Seminole Tribe, Big Cypress sits on the southern tip of Hendry County.

The reservation hosts many culturally rich events that give visitors a poignant glimpse into the history and importance of the tribe’s presence in southern Florida.

A visit to Big Cypress Indian Reservation means learning about one of the oldest cultures in Florida, while gaining an exciting new perspective on what makes Hendry County special.

Visitors can immerse themselves in the rich stories and priceless artifacts found at the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum.

And visitors can learn more about the surrounding swamplands from Billie Swamp Tours. Also, visitors and residents alike can simply discover their own slice of heaven by exploring any of the parks, nature reserves and trails that the area offers.

Spotting the perfect Everglades snail kite or eastern meadowlark is a great way to enjoy Hendry County.

The local Audubon Society offers several guided birding trips. Visitors can also “go their own way” to discover beautiful wildlife. And Hendry County offers amazing hunting excursion packages. Participants hunt for local game while still maintaining the area’s ecological balance. All ways to experience the true nature of southern Florida in Hendry County!

For more information on Hendry County, visit discoverhendrycounty.com.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF: TOP LEFT AND MIDDLE (MIRANDA BOSITCK DAVIS); TOP RIGHT (PATRICIA HUNTER); BOTTOM RIGHT (JENNIFER DAVIS)

Of course, Clewiston and LaBelle are not all there is to see in the 1,190 square miles that make up this section of Florida.

PICTURE PERFECT

COWBOYS, CATTLE AND HORSES

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Photo by: Jennifer Nelson Diaz

PHOTOGRAPHING FAVORITE SUBJECTS y name is Jennifer Nelson Diaz, owner of J. Diaz Designs Photography in Alachua, Florida. I am a mom of three and wife to a full-time cowboy.

Photography has always been a passion, especially capturing the raw beauty of sunsets, nature and animals. Growing up on cattle ranches and at rodeos on the weekends, cowboys, cattle and horses happen to be my favorite subjects!

I captured this photo in the pasture at my husband’s work at Cracker Land and Cattle Co. in Columbia County. I shot this with my smaller camera that I keep handy, Fujifilm FinePix HS10 digital.

Every issue of Florida Country Magazine features a winning photo. Check our Facebook page or floridacountrymagazine.com for details.

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FROM LOW CASH TO HIGH ON THE HOG COUNTRY POP DUO BRUST AND LUCAS ‘RISKED IT ALL FOR THE DREAM’ Written by: Paige Jardin

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en years ago, Preston Brust and Chris Lucas were touring in their cars, pulling U-Hauls. The country pop duo now known as LoCash were doing what they loved—writing and singing songs—and keeping the faith from town to town. They really were low-cash cowboys.

Then came a glimmer of hope for the two: Keith Urban called out of nowhere to say he wanted to record “You Gonna Fly,” which they had co-written with Jaren Johnston.

“I was out in California visiting a friend, trying to write some songs, trying to get inspired,” Brust explains. “I had a friend that said I could stay there for free. Keith called us both [Brust and Lucas]. I just stood in the middle of the street and thanked God and yelled and knew we were going to be at this a little while longer.”

Not only were they “going to be at it,” they were going to make it to play at the Grand Ole Opry, in Manhattan’s Times Square on New Year’s Eve and in a private show as part of the Pepsi Generations Live pop-up event on the Friday evening before Super Bowl LII. Plus, they played a slew of headlining shows.

But that kind of big time wasn’t going to happen with just a call from Keith Urban, or even Tim McGraw recording “Truck Yeah” a few months later.

LoCash

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PHOTO BY MATTHEW PASKERT

STARS & GUITARS presented by

PHOTO BY FORD FAIRCHILD

Preston Brust and Chris Lucas

In 2014 they had recorded “I Love This Life”—co-written with Danny Myrick and Chris Janson—and had it on hold with another artist, Brust says. “And he was going to record it. We were excited, and that would be money in the bank. But it fell into a radio guy’s hands in New York City.

And he started playing it.”

So they had a decision to make.

“There’s always a big moment in your life, when you say, ‘I’m not going to take the money in hand. I’m going to risk it all for the dream,’ ” adds Brust.

“So we kept it for ourselves. And thank God.” Rolling Stone magazine called “I Love This Life” the “most buoyant single” of 2015 and called Brust and Lucas “separated-at-birth singing partners.”

“We hit it off immediately,” Brust notes. “Like long-lost brothers.”

They met at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon, mostly disc jockeying, Brust says.

Even then, his gaze was fixed on success. “I think you kind of have to have the feeling you’re going to make it. I don’t mean to sound cocky or anything, but I think you have to keep believing that this is going to work out. I think there is a glimmer of hope that stays in your heart.”

That glimmer of a music future goes back to high school, Brust relates, and was completely unexpected: “I think I was a freshman. I was skipping class— just study hall—and I was out in the hall having fun. I saw this girl in the choir room and was waving to her through the door window, and she was looking at me.

“And we were flirting back and forth, and all of a sudden the door flew open and there was the choir teacher. She said, ‘Stop right there.

You have two choices. I’m going to write you up or you can join choir right now.’ I said, ‘I’m in, baby.’ She put me in the front row. And that changed my life.”

LoCash performs at Suwannee River Jam in Live Oak, Florida, on Friday, May 4, at 11:30 a.m. For more information, visit suwanneeriverjam.com.

Paige Jardin moved to rural Florida 10 years ago. She is a poet and a storyteller.

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THE CULINARY CRACKER

WHIPPING IT UP IN YOUR KITCHEN CHEESY SCALLOPED POTATOES (Tiffany Ogden, owner of Horsin Around Deli in North Fort Myers) Serves 8-10

INGREDIENTS 4 tablespoons butter (Need extra butter to grease 9x13 baking dish) ½ cup mozzarella cheese ½ cup Asiago cheese ½ cup Gruyère cheese 5 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced Salt and pepper to taste 2 cups heavy cream ¼ cup Parmesan cheese PREPARATION Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Blend mozzarella, Asiago and Gruyère together. Peel and thinly slice potatoes. Place one-third of potatoes in large skillet over medium heat. Add half of cheese mixture, salt and pepper to taste, drop in a dab of butter. Repeat with another portion of potatoes, cheese, salt, pepper and butter, ending with last portion of potatoes on top. Pour heavy cream over potatoes and simmer for 10 minutes. Generously butter 9x13 baking dish, then gently pour potatoes and cheese sauce into the dish. Sprinkle with Parmesan and other cheese if desired. Bake for approximately 45 minutes.

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Every issue of Florida Country Magazine is filled with easy, delicious and seasonal recipes you’ll want to make again and again.

DEVILED EGGS (Tiffany Ogden, owner of Horsin Around Deli in North Fort Myers) Yields 24 deviled eggs

TS INGREDIEN d eggs, halved 12 hard-cooke aise ½ cup mayonn vinegar e it h 1 teaspoon w ow mustard ll ye 2 teaspoons er to taste Salt and pepp rnish Paprika for ga N PREPARATIO to a bowl and set in s ith fork Scoop egg yolk Mash yolks w e. id as es it h w egg s. Add ome fine piece until they bec , salt and rd ta egar, mus n vi , se ai n on may a handlks. Mix with yo e th to er p pep th and l mostly smoo ti un er ix m d hel ixture into Spoon yolk m . ed in b m co l wel h paprika. rinkle eggs wit Sp . es it h w egg rve. til ready to se Refrigerate un

GRILLED CORN SALAD WITH TOMATOES AND BASIL VINAIGRETTE Serves 10-12

INGREDIENTS vinegar 3 tablespoons white wine ed 1 small garlic clove, minc oil ve oli n rgi -vi ¼ cup extra sh basil ¼ cup finely chopped fre Salt and pepper to taste 1 teaspoon fine sea salt 4 ears of corn in husks ¼ cup fresh basil leaves small yellow and red 2 10-ounce containers of cherry tomatoes PREPARATION d in bowl. Whisk in oil an Mix vinegar and garlic th wi n aso Se . sil fresh ba then the finely chopped bowl with water, mix ge lar l Fil salt and pepper. d corn, soak for an hour. in 1 teaspoon sea salt. Ad ium-high heat). Drain Prepare barbecue (med ll in husks for about 25 corn. Grill corn while sti ionally), until outside is minutes (turning occas rnels are tender. Cool very charred and corn ke o d cut kernels off cobs int corn. Remove husks an s. ve lea sil ba sh fre es and large bowl. Add tomato ad rette to coat. Season sal aig vin gh Toss with enou . needed with salt and pepper, if

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THE CULINARY CRACKER INGREDIENTS sh, cubed, cooked 3 cups yellow squa onion, chopped 1 medium Vidalia 1 cup sour cream icken soup 1 can cream of ch ted butter el 4 tablespoons m essing rm cornbread dr Fa ge id er pp Pe p 1 cu taste Salt and pepper to PREPARATION l bowl, 0 degrees. In smal Preheat oven to 35 butter d te el essing and m ead mix cornbread dr br rn co l. Mix half of other together, mix wel g in rv se ients, re ed gr in l al d an re mixtu pping. mixture for the to half of cornbread and add e ol er eased cass gr to in re tu ix m Pour p. Bake ead mixture on to n. remaining cornbr ow br en til top is gold 30-45 minutes un

SMOTHERED MUSHROOM AND LEEK CHICKEN BREASTS Serves 4-6

SQUASH CASSEROLE Serves 6

INGREDIENTS 3 boneless, skinless ch icken breasts Salt and pepper to tas te 1 tablespoon olive oil 3 tablespoons butter ½ pound mushrooms, cleaned and patted dr y 3 leeks, slice stalks in ½-inch rounds ⅓ cup white wine 1 cup heavy cream PREPARATION Cut chicken breasts in half into thinner cutle ts, trim fat. Sprinkle each side of chicken with sal t and pepper. Heat large skillet to medium hig h.

Add ½ tablespoon bu tter and ½ tablespoon olive oil until butter melts.

Put 3 chicken pieces in pan, cook 3-4 minutes until chicken cooks throug h on one side and is golden brown. Flip over chick en, cook 3-4 minutes more.

Transfer to a plate, co ver with foil. Wipe pan wi th paper towel, add ½ tablespoon butter and remaining olive oil. Re peat with rest of chicken, pu t on plate when done .

Wipe pan again and me lt 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Add mu shrooms, leeks and pi nch of salt to pan. Cook, sti rring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until mush rooms are softened an d leeks are becoming lim p. Add wine, cook 2 mo re minutes. Add heavy cre am, raise heat to medi um high. Cook for 5 minu tes or until cream coats back of a spoon and ha s slightly reduced. Stir in last tablespoon butter, adjust seasoning to tas te.

Return chicken to pa n, top with sauce. Serv e when chicken is hot.

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INGREDIENTS 6 6-ounce prepared sem i-boneless whole quail (breasts split) ¼ cup olive oil 2 small garlic cloves, pe eled and smashed 1½ teaspoons fresh th yme, chopped 1½ teaspoons fresh sag e, chopped 1½ teaspoons fresh pa rsley, chopped Kosher salt Black pepper PREPARATION Clip and discard the las t two segments of both wing tips on quail. Ri nse quail under cold ru nning water and pat dry. Plac e quail in a large glass bowl with olive oil, garlic, th yme, sage and parsley .

Toss to coat. Cover an d refrigerate for at lea st two hours or up to ov ernight. Preheat the gr ill to medium-high heat. Re move quail from refrig erator and let sit at room tem perature for 20 minutes .

Remove quail from ma rinade and season both sides with salt and pe pper. Place quail on gr ill and cook 5 to 6 minutes on each side or until golde n brown. Cook through but don’t overcook.

Remove quail from gr ill and enjoy.

GRILLED QUAIL Yields 6 quails

INGREDIENTS 1 cup granulated sugar ½ cup light brown sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder 3 cups all-purpose flour into small cubes 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cut 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon lemon juice ¼ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 4 cups fresh blueberries 4 teaspoons cornstarch

BLUEBERRY CRUMBLE BARS Yields 15 bars

PREPARATION ase 9x13 pan. In medium bowl, Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Gre ar, ½ cup light brown sugar, stir together ½ cup granulated sug . Mix in salt and cinnamon.

3 cups flour and baking powder in butter, egg and vanilla.

Use fork or pastry cutter to blend f of dough into prepared pan.

Dough will be crumbly. Press hal aining ½ cup granulated In separate bowl, stir together rem h. Gently fold in blueberries sugar, lemon juice and cornstarc e. Spread blueberry mixture to coat evenly with sugar mixtur . Crumble remaining dough evenly over crust mixture in pan s or until top is slightly brown. over berry layer. Bake 45 minute into bars.

Cool completely before cutting F LO R I D A C O U NTRYM A G A Z I N E . C O M

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MY RIDE

LOVIN’ MY TRUCK

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FLORIDA COUNTRY AND SAVAGE 4X4 PRESENT FLORIDA’S DEVOTED OWNERS

lorida Country Magazine and Savage 4X4 in Fort Myers loves introducing you to the owners of great trucks cruising our country roads and Florida highways in our My Ride section. In this issue we were fortunate to spend time with Robert Dix and his extremely impressive 1955 Ford, The Godfather.

LOOKING TO CUSTOMIZE YOUR VEHICLE? THEN SAVAGE 4X4 WILL BE GLAD TO HELP.

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PHOTOS ON THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE BY SCARLETT REDENIUS

We encourage you to post photos of your customized truck for our June/July 2018 My Ride section on facebook.com/floridacountrymagazine or facebook.com/savage4x4s.

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THE GODFATHER

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Owner: Robert Dix | Lehigh Acres, Florida | Year: 1955 | Make: Ford | Model: F350

t’s a 1955 with a stepside bed. I bought it back in early 2000 from my cousin; he had lost interest in the truck … so I took it down to the bare frame, started with 4-link suspension with dual coilover shocks and 2.5-ton axles with brakes; axles have lockers and lockout hubs. The motor is a 557 cubicinch, big-block Ford stroker with big-roller cam and sheet-metal intake with a 1250 Dominator carb and MSD Ignition headers, custom-built exhaust. The transmission is built from clutches to valve body and stall converter; also has a Profab drop box with three different gear ratios. It has hydraulic steering. The body was mainly done when I got the truck. We put all custom racing seats and custom console with shifter and storage box, tilt front end and tilt bed with oak inserts. I’ve built many trucks … but this one tops all of them. Special thanks to all my friends and family that helped with this build.

LO R R II D DA AC O U NTRYM A G A Z I N E . C O M FFLO

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