Family Magazine Fall Edition

Canopy at Harper Lake offers the perfect combination

comfort,

an active

Family Member,

Thank you for picking up this issue of Family Magazine, Fall 2022, where we put in a lot of time and effort to entertain, inform, highlight and bring value to the folks of North Central Florida! Whether you are from the ranks of the “born and raised,” a new permanent fixture, or just passing through, we are here to connect and serve you as a member of our greater family. Some of what I love most about fall is less about seasonal change and more about bringing people together for football, festivals, traditions and, of course, delicious food. Kick-offs, costumes, cooler nights and coffee on the front porch....While the heat hasn’t totally gone away, time has fallen back into the flow of autumn!

In this issue, there is a taste of traditional fall fun, with highlights on what you would think as fall activities, a storied and long-standing hunting club, beautiful outdoor and area features and incredible family-centered stories.  Also, in this issue are some nontraditional timely highlights which were spurred (somewhat selfishly) in research on life events happening for many in the area...specifically the Baby Boom section! That’s right... We are jumping into parenthood, and in preparing to welcome a beautiful baby girl into the world with my wonderful wife, I realized there are a lot of others in the area who recently went through this, or are preparing for the same!

This issue is packed with incredible people and journeys that deserve every bit of their own published biographies for what they do, have done, and their impact on others. Our cover story features someone who has journeyed from a casual sportsman to a world champion, his family and their common obsession with a martial art, but most importantly how they use it to impact others positively.

Let us know what you think!

com with thoughts, suggestions, stories and any other inquiries!

Noah Walker, Publisher

PUBLISHER Noah Walker

DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE DESIGN Sarah Nichols BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Justin Young Kenny Burt CONTRIBUTORS

Joy Coleman

Jeweliana Curtis Holly Frazier

Belle Jonson

Susan K. Lamb

Carly Meyers

Zoey Nettles

Mary Ricketson

Hayli Zuccola

Member of the Florida Magazine Association

North Central Florida Advertiser, Inc

358 NW Main Blvd, Lake City, FL 32055 (386) 752-8280

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photography, or illustration only with written consent of the publisher. Family Magazine , its officers, staff members or contributors do not warrant the accuracy of or assume a responsibility for any of the material contained herein. All submissions, text, and photography received by Family Magazine has been considered authorized for publication.

By Zoey Nettles

As the autumn leaves begin to turn and the smell of pumpkin spice fills the air, we all find ourselves longing for activities that will help to put us in the fall spirit! From corn mazes and pumpkin patches to fall festivals and trunkor-treats, there is an abundance of family fun waiting to be had.

Fall festivals and trick-or-treating are a must during the autumn!

Local, seasonal activities and experiences that are well-suited for the entire family are coming soon. With so many options, everyone is sure to nd a seasonal outing that interests them.

If you’re looking for an atmosphere showcasing small business vendors, live music and food, then the Alachua Main Street Harvest Festival is a perfect option! Boasting as Alachua’s “largest street festival,” this event showcases over 200 vendors and fun activities change to// for the whole family, in addition to two stages for live music and demonstrations. This event will be held on Sunday, November 13th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located at 14801 Main Street in Alachua.

Another great option for a fall festival within North Florida is held at Sugar Camp Ranch in Fort White. On every Saturday in October from the 1st to the 22nd, Sugar Camp Ranch will hold their annual fall festival. It will feature hay rides, horse rides, obstacle courses, delicious food, corn maze, pumpkin patch and more family activities! They also have an attraction known as their “2022 Baby Animal Encounter Area,” which sounds as fun as it is cute. The fall festival at Sugar Camp Ranch has an admission fee of $12 per person with discounts for children 2 to 5, all senior citizens, military members and rst responders. They are located at 387 SW Cumorah Hill Street in Fort White.

A spectacular fall event put on by the city of Live Oak and Suwannee County is the Candy Carnival and Fall Festival. This experience will be held on Saturday, October 29th, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Suwannee County Fairgrounds and Colosseum. There will be a variety of family-oriented activities including games, bounce houses, food trucks and trick-or-treating! For the braver family members, the Key Club at Suwannee High School will have a haunted house set up with a very small admission charge. There will also be a costume contest that has multiple di erent age group categories, all with their own set of prizes and trophies to be won! This event boasts not only a safe, family-friendly atmosphere, but also has free admission. When most people think of fall, they

can’t help but envision images of elds and doorsteps blanketed in blanketed in bright orange pumpkins. Whether you prefer to use pumpkins for a classic decorative piece or as the perfect canvas for a jack-o-lantern, pumpkin patches are wonderful places to visit during the season.

In Alachua County, by the Gainesville Church of God, there is a pumpkin patch standing for a good cause. “Buy a Pumpkin, Feed a Child” is a pumpkin patch featuring outdoor activities, photo opportunities, food, kids’ games and more! A notable photo op that has been included in previous years was an opportunity to take pictures with the Mystery Machine van and ScoobyDoo! When you purchase a pumpkin or gourd at this patch, the proceeds go toward feeding children in Gainesville, Guatemala and other areas. In Guatemala alone, the Gainesville Church of God has eight feeding centers that help feed up to 500 kids a week! Additionally, the Gainesville Church of God provides funding to an orphanage in Eastern Europe that houses over 100 children and an organization that is dedicated to stopping indentured child labor in the Middle East. This patch sources their pumpkins from a farm in New Mexico run by indigenous people of the Navajo Nation, which this event also helps to fund! Pumpkins range in price from $5 to $30. The pumpkin patch is open beginning the rst week of October through October 31st.

Their hours are from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. However, be sure to check their website for the most up-to-date hours of operation. The pumpkin patch is located at 7003 NW 39th Avenue in Gainesville.

Located just o of Marion Avenue in Lake City is a pumpkin patch hosted by the First United Methodist Church. This patch will open within the rst weekend in October and will run through October 31st. Something unique about this patch is that it is always open and operating through an honor system. Though there will be people monitoring the patch at speci c hours in order to help shoppers, customers are welcome to come by to purchase a pumpkin at any time. The pumpkins range in price from fty cents to fty dollars with an extremely wide variety of shapes and sizes! If you are uninterested in purchasing a pumpkin, however, the church is also accepting donations and will have opportunities to donate as well.

In Suwannee County, there is a beautiful pumpkin patch set up by Melody Church of Live Oak. Known for its photo opportunities, this patch is a tting place to go to nd that perfect jack-o-lantern canvas or your next family photo! Toward the end of October, they hold a family night in the patch, complete with fun family activities

and crafts. This patch is open throughout the month of October. Be sure to check online for more speci c dates and times for this event.

Corn mazes are another great fall activity that typically include beautiful photo opportunities and fun for the entire family. Gather up your crew and dare to navigate the twists and turns with corn stalks towering up to 12 feet tall!

This fall, nd your way through the confusing corners, or take advantage of the seasonal photo opportunities at one of the following mazes.

Creekside Country Corn Maze is a farm located in Columbia County with a multitude of fall activities to o er. This welcoming family atmosphere has not only eight acres of corn to navigate through, but also a ve-acre sun ower eld! Families can take photos amongst the owers for a small fee, as well as pick them. Other activities o ered on the farm include hayrides, a pumpkin patch, concessions, bounce houses, a corn cannon and more! For the more adventurous guest, there is even a hayride after dark where attendees can use a paintball gun to track down live zombies lurking throughout the farm! The farm will open the last week of September and the rst week of October. They are typically open on Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; however, these times are subject to change. So, be sure to check online before visiting.

Admission is $12 per person, and children under 3 are free. The farm is located at 4265 County Road 18 in Lake City.

Hollow Oaks Corn Maze is a corn maze located in High Springs. They are planning to open within the rst weekend in October and remain open through the rst weekend of November. In addition to their corn maze, they have haunted hayrides, bon res and photo opportunities. Their children’s activities include a play area, corn pit, pumpkin bowling, duck races, slides and their new jump pad. During the day, they o er wagon rides in the eld with cows that come up to the wagon to feed. In previous years, admission was $12 for ages thirteen and up, $10 for ages four to twelve and free for ages three and under. They are open on Friday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. However, be sure to check their website for any change. They are located o of 441 between Alachua and High Springs High Springs at 18005 NW 190th Avenue. Be sure to look for their signs upon arrival!

Evident from the hardworking individuals who organize these events and the families who enjoy them, North Florida is no stranger to the excitement of seasonal pastimes! We sincerely hope you take time this fall to enjoy some festive fun with your family and friends and we encourage you to explore what other opportunities may be available to you this fall.

The Legacy of

Meet Callie Jordan: a vivacious, funloving, kindhearted 15-year-old who loved basketball, music, her family and Jesus more than anything in the world. “She was exceptional, in everything she did,” said her father, Matthew Jordan.

Callie was always very involved in her church. She sang in the praise and worship band, helped facilitate programs for holidays such as Easter and Judgement Day, participated in youth group and even took on leadership roles in Bible study. She enjoyed being a junior counselor at Christian youth camps and her most recent interest was participating in mission trips. Callie took

an RV trip with her mother’s parents to Montana to be a junior camp counselor at a summer camp and made a lot of good connections with the young girls. “I think that started her thoughts about missions, and then the opportunity came to spend the summer with Andy and work as a mission intern,” said Amanda Jordan, Callie’s mother.

Callie came by her calling for missions honestly on her walk and development as a Christian. Her grandfather, Andy Jordan, is the Mission Strategist for the Suwannee Missionary Baptist Association. An opportunity arose for Andy to join his close friend and missionary, Jack Roach, in rural Mexico to help churches in the area, serve and share the gospel with locals. In the summer of 2019, Andy, local pastor Eric Linton, and three student mission interns, including Callie, headed to Mexico to partake in this opportunity.

The group traveled to Guadalajara, Mexico, and the next day began the 8-hour drive to remote mountain villages, 4 hours being on pavement and the last 4 on rocky, gravel roads with no service of any kind. “There were no gas stations, truck stops, restaurants—this was one of the farthest places you can go,” Andy said.

While heading to the village of Coyotita, the group stopped at a dry creek bed at

By Carly Meyers

the midpoint for a restroom break and to stretch their legs. Most of the students, including Mexican nationals and Callie, were outside the bus while others were sitting inside the bus. Suddenly, there was a large cracking noise and a tree fell, striking both Callie and the bus. The bus was completely crushed to the point that to retrieve those trapped inside, they had to tear the seats out to rescue them. Very unexpectedly, a vehicle came by and was able to help those who were injured and escorted Callie and Andy to the closest clinic, which was 40 minutes away. On the way to the clinic, Callie succumb to her injuries.

“Calling it an accident seems fitting… it was, but it also wasn’t,” Matthew said. The Jordan family said Callie met her divine appointment with the Lord just as she was supposed to. “Accident isn’t a good description of what happened,” Andy said. “Whether it was an act of God or God using that, maybe isn’t a discussion that matters, but then God did use it, and still does.”

“It was ironic that she messaged us the night before they left for Mexico and said this would be the only other mission trip she’d go on,” Amanda said. “I said no! You’re going to get down there and love it. She said, I just have this feeling, it’s going to be the only one.” On Callie’s way from Tennessee to Florida to join Andy, she got to spend time with both

her great grandparents and grandparents on Amanda’s side of the family and went to camp with some friends in Tennessee. Once in Florida, she visited with her great grandparents and cousins on Matthew’s side of the family and served as a junior camp counselor at Camp Sonrise and made some great friends here before her trip. “I think God was letting her check the boxes and get to see everyone,” Amanda said.

To honor Callie, the Jordan family started the Callie Jordan scholarship fund, which raises money to send local students on mission trips in Callie’s memory.

Westwood Baptist Church’s children ministry in Live Oak organizes monthly mission offerings; anything from snacks for prayer bags to scheduled events. Meredith Davis, the Children’s Ministry Director at Westwood, heard about Callie’s accident and immediately knew she wanted to help. “I was prayerfully thinking about what to do for the months of April and May,” Meredith said. “I knew the Lord was leading me in a direction to do something to support the Callie Jordan scholarship fund.”

The ministry was learning about running the race that the Lord has set out for them. This sparked Meredith’s idea to hold a 5K to raise money for Callie’s scholarship fund. “The Lord laid it on my heart to make it a communitywide event to not only share Callie’s story, but to spread the good news of the gospel in Live Oak and provide people something fun to be a part of,” Meredith said. “While sitting on my back porch one day, I called the Jordan family to share with them what the Lord had laid on my heart and ask them about the fun run.”

“Meredith reached out to us in January, and the first event was in May,” Amanda said. “In January, she approached us with wanting to do something big, a sort of finale before summer starts, and emphasize getting our kids involved in missions and knowing what missions are about. Meredith really spearheaded everything, with a little bit of help from us, and a lot of help from others. The fund was already established after Callie’s accident and we thought it would be a good way to keep that fund afloat so that it could continue to be used again and again. I don’t think we had any hesitation at all. We want to be able to support student missions continuing on, and it’s a good way to keep Callie’s memory alive, too.”

The first Callie Jordan Mission Fund Fun Run was held on May 22, 2021, and had nearly 170 participants run, walk or jog the race. The second annual race was held on April 30, 2022, and though there were nearly 200 participants for the race, over 500 members of the community came out to support Callie’s cause and raised over $17,000 from participation, donations and merchandise sales for the scholarship fund. This year, over 15 different vendors—from the sheriff’s office to community churches—supported or donated to help facilitate the event, aiding in growing the event from the first year. “The first year, we were learning how to do it [a 5K race],” Andy said. “Now, our focus is to expand and maintain it.”

Callie was an athlete, but her sport of choice was basketball. “She had a love/hate relationship with basketball,” Matthew said. Amanda added, “When she was committed and involved in the competition, she loved it… when it was fun.”

“She was an athlete, but on her own terms,” Matthew said. “When she was confident in herself and knew her abilities, she was a force to be reckoned with in everything,

Meredith Davis

not just sports. She hated running, and she honestly got that from me. Amanda has been a runner for quite a few years and has done several marathons and loved to run, but me and Callie, we hated running.”

“Which is ironic that we have a 5K in a memory, but it suits her because she was a little sarcastic in her own way; she had a good sense of humor,” Amanda said. “So, she would probably be laughing about it in all honesty. She was kind of awkward, but she didn’t care. She was who she was, and you could either take it or leave it.”

“I think with Callie’s divine appointment, even at that exact time, her influence for Christ had already begun, because there were people that contacted us from all over,” said Ramona Jordan, Callie’s grandmother. “There was an army of people who were praying for our family all over the world, but Callie’s story had just started.”

“This is not only to hear the story of Callie and her heart, but the heart behind raising money for the student interns to go on mission,” Meredith said. “It all comes back to community. We just wanted to be able to give back to the community that supported the Jordan family when their tragedy happened and provide them with a fun, free day.”

Looking toward the future, the third annual fun run will be held on April 15, 2023. Though nothing is yet set in stone, Meredith, along with the Jordan family, want to continue to grow the event and are discussing the possibility of an evening race with some exciting new twists.

“She loved music,” Amanda said. “So, we always try to make that a highlight of the event because she was definitely musically inclined.” Matthew added, “One day she texted me and wrote, ‘Dad, I’m pretty proud of myself. I just hit the high note in Bohemian Rhapsody.’” He continued, “Callie was a unique and very strong young lady. She always had a comfortable personality being who she was meant to be.”

“The mission scholarship has been a tremendous help for the students,” Andy said. “Over and over and over, and even in these days, we’re still seeing how this story is manifesting itself for the glory of God in some way, and that’s why we have so much hope.”

The Callie Jordan Mission Scholarship Fund continues to send local students on mission to spread the gospel and to honor its namesake, Callie, who continues to impact the world long after her passing.

Young participants at the 2021 Callie Jordan Mission Fund event.

Racers enjoying the 2021 Callie Jordan Mission Fund 5K race.

Callie with her parents Matthew and Amanda Jordan.

lake city

hour happy

Whether you’re in the mood for a drink after a long day, catching up with friends, or delicious bites and bevvies, these local Lake City happy hour hot spots are sure to satisfy.

Ask any Lake City area native who his or her favorite bartenders are, and odds are that Shelbi Hall, James Crenshaw and Brittany Boots will be on the short list.

By Carly Meyers

SHELBI’S SIGNATURE COCKTAIL

Old Fashioned

Shelbi Hall

THE TAVERN

James Crenshaw

PHISH TALES

MEET SHELBI HALL: Born and raised in Lake City, Shelbi has been bartending for 9 years, 3 being at the Tavern in Downtown Lake City as of this October. “Bartending found me, not the other way around,” Shelbi said.

While decorating cakes and working as a baker at the Winn-Dixie bakery, a local bartender took Shelbi under his wing and o ered to teach her everything she needed to know about being a bartender if she was willing to give it a shot. She agreed, and has been behind some of our community’s most popular bars ever since.

“Working in a fast-paced bar has always been the best t for me,” Shelbi said. “It’s the perfect balance between getting to talk to people and always staying busy so there’s never a chance of becoming bored.”

brittany boots

MARION STREET & STARBUCKS

“My favorite part of growing up in a small town is the close sense of community.”

Nowadays, guests will wait to request a Shelbi-made classic: an Old Fashioned. She rst grates an orange peel and rubs it around the glass to ensure you notice the orange aroma in the drink. Then, she mixes her signature bourbon with simple syrup and serves it over ice with a black cherry. It’s common to include bitters in an Old Fashioned, though, in Shelbi’s version she perfers chocolate bitters for a special added touch.

When she’s not behind the bar mixing up drinks, you can nd Shelbi spending

time with her family and enjoying being a newlywed to her wife, Shellie, and stepmom to their four children.

MEET BRITTANY BOOTS: Or, better known to her patrons as Boots. Not only is she a mixologist behind the bar, but also a barista at the local Lake City Starbucks, too!

Born in Gainesville, Brittany and her family call High Springs home. “My favorite part of growing up in a small town is the close sense of community,” Brittany said. At a young age, Brittany was taught to look out for and help others when she could and that it was a privilege to serve others. A practice she rst got to exercise 15 years ago when hired at Starbucks is now a lesson her and her husband are teaching their son, Gauge.

Boots noted that best part about being a barista isn’t the drinks, but instead watching the children grow from behind the counter. “They come in wide-eyed and timid at rst, but then I turn around to brew some co ee and a couple cake pops later, they’re driving shouting “Good morning, Boots!” from the drive-through or on their computers in the café studying to be their best selves and change the world,” Brittany said. “They have welcomed me into their family routines as one of their own.”

It’s no surprise that the original 1920s-styled tiled oor at Marion Street

“Working in a fast-paced bar has always been the best t for me.”

“The most ful lling thing being in the service industry in this town is serving and being with the locals.”

Bistro and Brewhouse caught Brittany’s attention early-on, always dreaming of being a modern-day Bonnie Parker or Anne Bonny. She later learned that the infamous Al Capone walked across the very same tiles to enter, what was at the time, a pharmacy to purchase a cigar while staying at the Blanche Hotel.

Nowadays, you can nd Brittany Boots slinging signature cocktails on the weekends at Marion Street to her local guests. Regardless of if you’re a regular or a new face, she’ll greet you with a smile, introduce herself and welcome you to her bar before ever asking what you’re drinking. If you’re looking to try something new, sip on a Boots classic: a Bourbon Smash.

MEET JAMES CRENSHAW: Co-owner of Phish Tales Bar & Grill. As the walls are adorned with photos of their patrons, it’s obvious the community keeps coming back for more than a drink at the bar.

Born in Stuart, James and his family moved to Lake City in the summer of 1999 and Phish Tales, then Phish Heads, opened on James’ 13th birthday. Now a husband and father to a ve-year-old, James has come to appreciate watching the years unfold from behind the bar.

“One of the most interesting things now, as being a father to a young son, is to watch those that were once babies weaning themselves on cheese

•

JAMES’ SIGNATURE COCKTAIL rum punch

ounces light rum

ounces fresh squeezed orange juice

ounce grenadine

ounce simple syrup

ounce key lime juice

of Myers’s original dark rum

dashes of bitters

ground nutmeg

grits now feeding their own babies the same cheese grits is a special thing to recognize,” James said. “Now being a father, it put these things into perspective. I started to see things that I wouldn’t have noticed before.”

While James was in college, he decided the rst aspect of the restaurant he wanted to play a hand in was stocking the bar. When he asked his father if they could serve Yuengling, he agreed if James could nd and schedule a supplier. At the time, this made Phish Heads the rst restaurant to serve craft beer in Columbia County. Growing from 4 taps to 15, Phish Tales now also serves locally brewed beers, such as from Halpatter

RUM PUNCH MOCKTAIL

ounces light rum

fresh squeezed orange juice

ounce simple syrup

key lime juice

ounce grenadine

ground nutmeg

Brewing Company, and has a handselected menu by James that he rotates out seasonally. James also curates their specialty whiskey menu that is available on ice or added to your favorite cocktail.

When it comes to the mixology of bartending, James has many specialties. Try his classic rum punch topped with fresh ground nutmeg. Not drinking alcohol? Try the “mocktail” version of his infamous rum punch which is just as stunning as the original.

“The most ful lling thing being in the service industry in this town is serving and being with the locals,” James said. “We’ve served them as they served us through thick and thin for the last 23 years.”

“It’s neat being in a small community and serving them for so long that they become a part of the family. We call them our family with a PH,” James said. “You sit across the bar from them on good days, on bad days; be their therapist; as well as they’re your therapist, it’s de nitely an interesting part of the job.” ■

BOOTS’ SIGNATURE COCKTAIL bourbon smash MUDDLED LEMON, LIME & ORANGE

ounces of Bulleit Rye

ounce of Aperol

of bitters

of simple syrup

SPICE & EVERYTHING

By Belle Jonson

CHUNKY PUMPKIN CABBAGE & BACON STEW

PUMPKIN HUMMUS

Prep: 10 mins Cook: 50 mins

Ingredients:

• 6 tablespoons olive oil

• 2 cloves garlic, minced or finely chopped

• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh sage

• 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas

• 3/4 cup pumpkin purée

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

• 2 tablespoons tahini

• 1 teaspoon salt

• Half teaspoon black pepper

• Half teaspoon ground cumin

• Half teaspoon smoked paprika

This comforting pumpkin, bacon and cabbage one-pot stew is super satisfying and oh, so delicious. Serve with your favorite roasted, buttered bread.

Ingredients:

• 1 pack thick-cut bacon, finely chopped

• 1 medium pumpkin or butternut squash, peeled and cut into small cubes

• 3 shallots, peeled and halved

• Chicken or vegetable stock

• 2 cups cabbage, cleaned and finely chopped

• 1/4 cup parsley, chopped

• Roasted sourdough or your favorite bread, to serve

Directions:

• Fry the bacon in a medium saucepan until crisp— you shouldn’t need any oil as the bacon fat will melt quickly. Add the pumpkin and shallots and fry until the edges start to brown, then add the stock and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 15 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender.

• Stir in the cabbage, cover and cook for 5 minutes or until tender. Stir in the parsley and season well.

• Serve with toasted bread.

The everything-pumpkin craze seemed to arrive earlier this year than usual. Pumpkin, of course, shines in muffins, cakes, and pies, but it also works well in savory dishes like soup or macaroni and cheese. So, if you’ve already reached your annual quota of pumpkin spice lattes, why not try something different?

• Toasted pumpkin seeds, sage, ground paprika, olive oil, salt—for garnish if desired

• Pita chips, crackers or fresh vegetables, for serving

Directions:

• Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a sauté pan. Heat on medium heat until hot. Add the garlic and chopped sage. Sauté until the garlic is browned. Remove the pan from the heat immediately.

• Add the chickpeas, pumpkin purée, lemon juice, tahini, salt, pepper, cumin, and paprika to a high-speed blender or a food processor.

• As you blend, drizzle in the remaining 1/4 cup of olive oil. Blend until completely smooth. Taste and add more salt to your liking.

• Top the hummus with more olive oil, salt, paprika, chopped sage, and roasted pumpkin seeds if you wish. Serve with pita chips, crackers or fresh vegetables for dipping.

SWEET & CREAMY PUMPKIN MILK SHAKE

Ingredients:

• Half cup pumpkin purée

• 1 cup vanilla ice cream

• Half cup milk

• Pinch of cinnamon

Directions:

Mix purée, ice cream, milk, and cinnamon in a tall glass. Serve cold.

■

Protect our springs by pledging to preserve them. You can become a steward of over 450 springs.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TODAY

THE PLUNGE is a 3-step pledge to preserve and protect our springs.

Sign up and you will be entered to win educational prizes like stickers, yard signs, and more. You’ll also be able to share about your commitment on social media. Take the plunge by following three steps:

STEP ONE: LEARN ABOUT OUR SPRINGS

You’ve already started this step. Check out our pledge yer or resource center to learn more.

STEP TWO: DO YOUR PART

Pick up trash when you visit the springs. Don’t disturb vegetation or wildlife. Practice Florida-Friendly Landscaping™. We told you these steps would be easy.

STEP THREE: SHARE YOUR PASSION

Dive into discussion with friends and family. Spread the word using #SpringsDiveIn and SpringsDiveIn. com.

Sign up now at SpringsDiveIn.com/Plunge/

Flows and Water Levels

MINIMUM

Finding balance is difficult to achieve. Many of us struggle with a work-life balance, trying to equally prioritize the demands of our own careers and the demands of a personal life. Success with that usually leads to a more productive, happier life.

In a similar fashion, Florida’s water management districts try to nd balance as well, and this focuses on something just as vital – the water resources that we often take for granted. The challenge? Finding balance between meeting Florida’s evergrowing water supply needs while maintaining the healthy natural systems that are essential to Florida’s economy and quality of life.

Over the next several years, the Suwannee River Water Management District (District) will be setting minimum ows and minimum water levels – more commonly known as MFLs – for waterbodies throughout North Florida. This may be the rst time hearing of this terminology, but it likely won’t be the last.

Why? Because MFLs are important –Florida’s freshwater resources, which include springs, rivers, and lakes, need a certain amount of water to properly function. They also need a certain amount of water to support the native wildlife, as well as other activities, such as kayaking or shing, associated with them.

MFLs exist to identify and establish the limit at which further water withdrawals, whether for human consumption, or for agricultural or industrial use, would signi cantly harm the water resources or ecology of an area. It’s the job of the District and our scientists to study each unique water system and identify the minimum ows or levels that must be maintained to protect those water resources. This is done through robust data collection and scienti c analysis to determine protective levels for each waterbody, and model the in uence increasing water demands have on our natural systems. While this can be a lengthy process, it helps ensure the longterm health of our ecosystems.

Through this process, if any waterbody fails to meet the determined minimum ow or minimum water level or is projected to fall below it in the next two decades, the waterbody will be assigned either a recovery or prevention strategy, respectively. This is to ensure that there is no long-term, signi cant harm caused to the natural system.

Future water withdrawals that could contribute to further declines would be required to follow strategies that would o set their impacts. The goal of any of these strategies is to sustainably allow for growth while reducing impacts to natural systems.

Partnerships and projects are an important part of the District’s restoration and protection e orts.

The District works with a diverse group of stakeholders, including local governments, other state agencies, environmental organizations, agricultural producers, water utilities, local industry, and others to develop individualized plans for each waterbody. These plans identify issues, management actions, and projects. Projects can include increased conservation, development of alternative

water supply sources, and enhanced recharge to the aquifer.

These projects assist with infrastructure improvements, which increases the e ciency of public supply, maximizes the treatment and bene cial reuse of wastewater, and improves the management of stormwater. The District also funds agricultural costshare programs that provide funding to implement practices and technologies that maximize e ciency.

These projects will assist us in ensuring we have water for both nature and people.

Some say, “Water is life,” and while we all enjoy our water resources today, the District’s charge is to ensure that future generations have the opportunity to enjoy them as well. This requires all of us working together and doing our part. We encourage anyone interested in protecting our water resources to get informed, get involved, and get engaged – more information about MFLs and springs protection can be found at www. MySuwanneeRiver.com or www.SpringsDiveIn.com

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Swamp Life the other STEPHEN FOSTER STATE PARK

By Hayli Zuccola

Lake City locals and North Florida natives are likely familiar with the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs, which overlooks the Suwannee River and features a museum dedicated to the folk composer along with hiking and biking trails and scenic overlooks. What they may not be aware of is the other state park named after the songwriter across the state line that’s focused on the preservation of part of the lush southeast Georgia landscape.

The journey to Stephen C. Foster State Park in Fargo, Georgia, is a lengthy and, well, let’s not sugarcoat it rather, boring hour-long drive following Highway 441 before switching over to Highway 177. That being said, the park itself is anything but lackluster.

Nestled within the over 400,000-acre Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, the Stephen C. Foster State Park is one of three main entrances into the Okefenokee Swamp, which joins Amicalola Falls and Providence Canyon as one of seven natural wonders of the Peach State.

Cypress trees carve the outline of the vast, tea-colored swamp, which feeds both the Suwannee and St. Marys Rivers and is one of the most well-preserved and intact freshwater ecosystems in the world, according to fws.gov.

With its grand size, this wetland habitat encompasses a diverse range of flora and fauna including over 620 species of plants ranging from the carnivorous purple bladderwort to the springblooming water lily; 39 fish and 37 amphibian varieties; 64 reptile and a whopping 234 bird classifications; and 50 types of mammals.

Boat tours, which the park offers daily, or self-guided canoe and kayak rentals, bring guests into the depths of the swamp with sights of sun-kissed waters, song-spitting birds and a handful of the estimated 12,000 to 15,000 alligators that call Okefenokee home. Delving deeper into the swamp brings visitors to pinball ally—a serene portion of the park surrounded by Spanish mossdraped pillars of cypress trees, vibrant lily pads and glimmers of sunlight.

While it’s undoubtedly peaceful, it isn’t exactly quiet. A neverending symphony from nature is performed regularly by a chorus of pig frogs that provide backing vocals for a buzz of dragonflies, whistles of birds and the soft water droplet chimes of playful turtles.

Though life is abundant above the swamp’s waters, there’s even more happening below the surface. When leaves and plants fall into the water, they decompose to form a layer of peat

underneath, the formation of which reduces the number of greenhouse gasses released into the air, according to the fws.gov article, “Okefenokee Swamp’s Peatlands: A Hidden Resource.” While many peat beds are on the decline around the world, Okefenokee’s peatland, which ranges in thickness from a few inches to an astonishing 15 feet deep, happens to be the largest remaining undisturbed peat deposit on the North American Coastal Plain.

While underwater explorations aren’t part of the park’s offerings, visitors can continue getting close to nature on dry land by hiking one of four designated trails like the Trembling Earth Trail that’s boardwalk path leads through a densely wooded area beloved by barred owls, web-spinning spiders and plenty of frogs.

Those who opt to spend the night inside the park are in for an unforgettable celestial experience as this particular area was the first place in Georgia to be certified as a dark sky park by the International Dark Sky Association. Due to minimal light pollution, guests can witness some of the darkest skies in the southeast, according to gastateparks.org.

While the bright stars make for a beautiful sight, amateur astronomers can learn more about the night’s constellations, discover how to spot the Milky Way or, if the season’s right, witness a meteor shower by participating in one of the park’s scheduled Swamper’s Guide to the Galaxy events.

So when’s the best time to visit Stephen C. Foster State Park? Well, the short answer is any time. During the spring season, water lilies are in bloom, alligators are plentiful and pesky mosquitos are minimal. Summer brings newborn gators, junior ranger camps and smaller crowds while fall offers herpetology hikes, astronomy events and cooler temperatures. Though winter denotes a lack of foliage, it’s revered for otter sightings, migratory bird watching and winter constellations.

By night or by day, spring through winter, there’s always something to discover at Stephen C. Foster State Park. To learn more about the park, reserve a guided boat tour or see a list of upcoming events, visit their website at gastateparks.org/ StephenCFoster. ■

Showcasing our agriculture community, recognizing our talented culinary chefs and supporting the entrepreneurial spirit in our community.

A Table Set for Everyone

By Joy Coleman

Autumn, the season of change, winds down nature, business, and the calendar year. Matters are settled, leaves are shed, and the wind starts to chill as time marches past the sunny harvest seasons of various agricultural products in the Suwannee Valley. This autumn, however, something new has sprouted in a collaboration between the city of Lake City and Columbia County: Farm to Table, an incredible culinary and maker event that sold out within days of its launch.

Farm to Table is inspired by Columbia County’s deep roots in agriculture, which once defined the way of life here! From row crops, vegetables, pine trees, cattle, poultry, dairy, swine, turpentine, honey, and more, our farmers contribute greatly to the quality of life in this county. Today, local farming is still a vital legacy. Farm to Table was created to celebrate and pay tribute to our farmers and agricultural community.

The event is here to showcase our agriculture community, recognize our talented culinary chefs, and support the entrepreneurial spirit in our area. Farmers and entrepreneurs work closely together to produce honey, goat cheese, dairy products, jam, vegetables, fruits, hot sauce, soap, and more.

Each dollar raised will be divided among our community’s agricultural youth organizations: 4-H and FFA. College scholarships will also be given to welldeserving high school seniors who present a letter for selection that evening. These youth agricultural leadership organizations will participate in the event, serving and greeting our guests.

Guests are encouraged to bring a jar of peanut butter and one canned item as a donation to support the “Peanut Butter Challenge,” a UF/IFAS program that supports Catholic Charities. This program supports local peanut growers and provides nutritious food to needy families between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Donated canned items will be given to the Christian Service Center, food banks, and other organizations that provide for those in need.

This event will not only recognize our local farmers, chefs, and entrepreneurs, but it will also support our youth involved in agriculture who want to see it continue to thrive in our community.

This is a time for our community to show our roots with Farm to Table!

THE FARM TO TABLE EVENT FEATURED

LOCAL CULINARY ARTISTS

LOCAL MAKERS

LOCAL MUSICIANS

LOCAL YOUTH PARTICIPATION

COLLABORATION BETWEEN LOCAL GOVERNMENT

LOCAL BENEFITS

Linda Jones

SENIOR MOMENTUM

By Mary Ricketson

How did a nice Italian girl from Erie, Pennsylvania, end up running a barbecue joint in the “deep” south?

It was de nitely not a career goal for Linda Jones. Still, she has embraced it, and with an excellent sta , Mr. B’s BBQ with a Kick regularly packs a full house and was voted Best of the Best for 2022.

“Parks said investing in a restaurant was something he would never recommend, yet here we are,” Linda explained. “It was Parks’ idea; he thought it would be good for extra income.” She rolled her eyes and continued, “He knew Billy [the cook] for a long time and really liked him. They got to talking and planning, but we had no intention of being tied down in retirement, I thought!”

As often happens with plans and intentions, the unanticipated occurs. Parks Jones passed away in February 2022, leaving Linda with a massive void in her life and the responsibility of Mr. B’s. “I write the checks, pay the bills,” and she feels sad that after 54 years of marriage, she is now carrying on without her adventurous partner.

Her rst job, she recalled, also involved food. When she was 14, she was selling cottage cheese. “You know, o ering people samples at the A&P,” she laughed. That was followed by years working for Halle Brothers, a high-end department store based in Ohio. She worked gift wrapping and customer service and stayed employed there through college.

Linda studied elementary education at Mercyhurst College (now University) but did not pursue teaching as a career; instead, she took to the air!

“I moved to Florida and went to school in Miami Springs to train as a stewardess for Eastern Airlines. This was back in the glamorous days of ying. We had to maintain a certain image. It was very professional and rigid. Our uniforms, shoes, hose, white gloves, makeup and hairstyles were scrutinized. It was a very high standard set for us. They even did weight checks! And if you gained a certain amount of pounds, you were taken o the payroll!” She worked for Eastern for eight years, and during this time, she met Parks through mutual friends. “He was in Miami because he wanted to be a pilot, but his eyes weren’t good enough,” she explained. But he obviously saw something in her because they became engaged and married in Pennsylvania when she was 22. They honeymooned in Acapulco and returned to Miami, where they both worked. During her time employed with Eastern Airlines, they traveled extensively, venturing to London, Italy (her favorite), Greece, France, Spain, Germany, Switzerland and Portugal.

The adventures continued when they moved to Atlanta for his career and started their family. They continued their travels through the years,

heading out West and driving the Paci c Coast Highway to New England and cruising to Cuba, the Bahamas and Bimini. She acknowledged it was a wonderful life.

After Atlanta, it was back to Miami for a while before the move to Lake City, encouraged by her mother-inlaw. She spoke very highly of her in-laws and showed o pictures of family and friends. She has three special girlfriends (since sixth grade) in Pennsylvania that have been an incredible, consistent joy and support system for each other over the years.

She also has a group of friends locally that she meets with weekly that create custom greeting cards, palm-sized works of art that indulge her love of paper. “I have always loved paper, even as a kid! I would make cards and boxes and decorate. I was always creative.” She earned herself the family nickname “Betty Craft Crocker” for her artistic endeavors.

For many years she was a member of the Lake City Garden Club and served several terms as president, but there isn’t much time for gardening ventures these days. “I just don’t have the time anymore,” she explained. She is a lifelong, devoted Catholic and active member of Epiphany Catholic Church. She shares a home with her teenage grandson and a Yorkie, which keeps her very busy in addition to Mr. B’s. She is at the restaurant most days greeting and ensuring the satisfaction of her guests.

Linda has that beautiful spirit that makes you feel as if you have known her forever; the blending of Italian heritage and Southern hospitality is a winning combo—like greens and cornbread!

By Belle Jonson

CHOCOLATE-COVERED PRETZELS IN A TURKEY JAR

Brightly colored sprinkles and chocolate-covered pretzels make the perfect tail feathers for this fun, no-bake Thanksgiving treat. Grab a glass jar and apply googly eyes, a felt beak and an orange heart for feet, put your pretzel sticks in and your done!

Turkey Jar—Supplies:

• Orange and Red Felt

• Scissors

• Googly Eyes

• Glue Gun

• Glue Sticks

• 5.6 x 4.8-inch Round Glass Jar

Turkey Jar—Direction:

• Cut the orange felt into a 4.5- inch by 4.5-inch square.

• Fold it in half and cut a heart out of it for the feet.

• Cut another 1-inch by 2-inch square out of the orange felt. Use this to cut a triangle for the beak.

• Cut the red felt into a 1-inch by 2-inch rectangle.  Cut a “J” shape out of this for the wattle.

• Use the glue gun to attach the heart to the bottom of the jar. Dot glue on the front of the jar where you want the eyes. Place the eyes on the warm glue.

• Place another line of glue below the eyes and attach the beak and wattle.

Easy, peasy, Pumpkin squeezey!The perfect fall festive centerpiece.

Chocolate-Covered Pretzels—Ingredients:

• 1 (10-ounces) Chocolate Melting Wafers

• 12 Large Pretzel Rods

• Fall-Colored Sprinkles

• Small Chocolate Candies (to ll the jar).

Chocolate-Covered Pretzels—Directions:

• Melt the chocolate according to the package directions.

• Dip the pretzel rods in the chocolate. Use a spoon to pour the chocolates as high as desired.

• Lay the pretzels on a parchment-lined tray. Top with sprinkles. Let set.

POPS

A perfectly sweet and healthy boo-tastic snack.

Fun and of course, easy, to make.

Ingredients:

• Bananas

• Popsicle Sticks

• Yogurt

• Shredded Coconut

• Mini Chocolate Chips

Directions:

• The rst step is to freeze your bananas by peeling them and placing them at on a cookie sheet.  This only takes a few hours.

• Once they are frozen, cut each banana into thirds.

• Pulse the coconut in the food processor to make it less coarse.

• Put a toothpick or popsicle stick in one end of each banana.

• Dip the bananas in the yogurt and coconut and add two chocolate chips as eyes before putting them back in the freezer to set.

HALLOWEEN MARSHMALLOW POPS

Halloween marshmallow pops are the ultimate no-bake treat. They are easy and super fun to make. Even the kiddos can help!

Ingredients:

• 12  extra large marshmallows

• 1 10-ounce bag candy melts

• Assorted sprinkles

Directions:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

• Insert a lollipop stick into each extra large marshmallow

• Melt candy melts according to package directions.

• Working with one marshmallow at a time, spoon the melted candy over the sides of a marshmallow and allow the excess to drip back into the bowl.

• Immediately coat with festive sprinkles.

• Place marshmallow on prepared baking sheet until the candy coating is set.

• Repeat with remaining marshmallows.

You can purchase fun and creative lollipop sticks on amazon.com or etsy.

These Halloween marshmallow Pops are perfect for any festive gathering and they are so easy to put together. They lend themselves perfectly to attaching all sorts of delicious candy, making this a quick treat to whip up for any Halloween occassion. You could also make these for a Thanksgiving gathering, or Christmas. Just use coordinating sprinkles and lollipop sticks in place of the Halloween sprinkles and sticks.

Yields 12 servings; Prep time: 5 minutes; Total time: 5 minutes.

This recipe makes 24 pretzel bites, but can be adjusted if you need more or less. Leave them under the broiler until they pu up and get a little brown. They lend great to a sweet and salty avor, and are perfect right out of the oven.

Ingredients:

• 48 pretzels

• 2 Hershey bars (24 individual chocolate pieces)

• 72 small marshmallows (3 per pretzel)

Directions:

• Lay 24 pretzels on a cookie sheet (use parchment paper for an easy clean-up).

• Pre-heat the broiler to high.

• Place three marshmallows on each pretzel and stick in the oven for 2-3 minutes.

• Place a Hershey chocolate piece on each pretzel and put back in the oven for 1-2 minutes to melt.

• Stick a pretzel on top of the chocolate.

Enjoy them warm, or put them in fridge to chill.

■

Mind, Body and Spirit

By Hayli Zuccola

In 1904, judōka and famed prize ghter Mitsuyo Maeda left Japan to teach the martial arts of judo to others around the world. A decade later, he came to Brazil and began training the children of the renowned Gracie family. However, the family’s youngest son, Helio, was much smaller than his older brothers and struggled with the techniques of traditional judo throws and takedowns. To compensate for this, he opted to focus on developing his groundwork skills.

Sticks & Stones and the MCInally Family Aiden, Michael, Kara, and Ayden

This adapted style became recognized as Gracie jiu-jitsu, better known today as Brazilian jiu-jitsu, which was made famous in the States with the formation of the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship).

“It’s a fighting style that you’re able to control your opponent that’s bigger and stronger than you, using leverage and technique to win a fight versus power and strength,” said Sticks & Stones Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu founder Michael McInally.

“The way I describe it—it’s the easiest way—is essentially it’s comparable to wrestling. For a visual of something, it’s a close contact sport where you’re not striking with your hand or anything, but you’re actually able to control people by using your body,” said Kara McInally, Michael’s wife, self-professed gym mom and the marketing, outreach and events coordinator for Sticks & Stones.

Michael was first introduced to the combat sport in 2011 after enrolling his son in classes held at a nearby gym. In coming to practices and befriending the instructors, Michael quickly gained an interest in learning the unique fighting approach for himself.

“I started and, yeah, then I just never quit,” he recalled.

Never having prior martial arts training and an absence of recreational activities since high school made this new venture difficult, but not impossible.

“When I first started doing it—obviously being out of shape— everything was hard. Everything was difficult. You go to class just to learn how to not get beat up because you’re just on the losing end of everything because you don’t know anything. But I fell in love with the part of it that just pushed me to continue to have to figure it out, and I loved that part of it,” he said.

Despite his initial struggle, Michael was hooked almost immediately—an enthusiasm that continued even when his son found other athletic avenues to pursue. When he wasn’t training in Lake City, Michael traveled to nearby cities to practice with other instructors and in other facilities to hone his newfound skills and techniques while rising through the colored-belt ranking system.

Master Roberto Traven giving Michael his black belt after over a decade of hard work and dedication.

Kara and Michael sparing.

After earning his blue belt, Michael entered the competitive side of jiu-jitsu—racking up notable wins like taking home double gold at World Master; winning the Pan American Championship, which is the second largest jiu-jitsu competition in America; and, most recently, trading in his brown belt for a black belt – but not before being named the number one brown belt overall in the world.

“There’s always more to learn. I, by no means—even 11 years into this—am an expert at everything. I am not. I know that I continue to have to work and hone my skills even as long as I’ve been doing it,” Michael said.

Of course, his dedication and unwavering love for jiu-jitsu weren’t rooted in his achievements on the mat, but in how the sport made an impact on his mind, body and spirit—an effect that became more meaningful when he began sharing those benefits with others.

In 2018, when his primary instructor moved to Jacksonville, Michael progressed from student to teacher and coach with the formation of Sticks & Stones Brazilian JiuJitsu. The rebranded program began with a carryover of a mere 15 students who were taking classes two days a week at the gym. Today, Sticks & Stones has its own studio in downtown Lake City and accommodates 160 students with classes offered six days a week to children and adults.

“Everybody gets something different out of it, whether it be exercise, self-defense. With some of the kids, you see that selfconfidence be built inside of them. Some of them need to learn respect. Everybody gets something different out of it, but I think there’s something to be learned for everybody in jiu-jitsu,” Michael said. “Jiujitsu can be a very, very frustrating thing, but it also—it will teach people how to deal with things that are really, really hard.”

Prospective students can begin training at Stick & Stones as early as 4 years old with the 4-to-6-year-old group starting with basic principles, guidelines and how to work with others and follow instructions. The 6-to-10 and the 10-to14-year-old courses continue building on the foundations of jiu-jitsu while adding more hands-on moves like grappling

and sparing. Adult classes are offered for those 14 and above and encompass a more hands-off introductory class and a fundamentals lesson covering positions, transitions, defense and submissions before a student can advance to the regular adult class lineup.

In addition to a set schedule of classes, the martial arts school also implements summer camps and a leadership program to help forge the next generation of jiu-jitsu coaches.

“When you love something, you want to give to other people and to help other people, and that’s the principle that I built the school on…That’s the reason why I think that it’s grown because I want other people to enjoy what I enjoy…So, teaching them how to do that was a big part of our leadership program—teaching them how to give back—and the biggest thing that you can give anybody is your time,” he said.

Michael’s students are also acquainted with the competitive side of jiu-jitsu and have placed first in the Kids Overall division at the New Breed Competition in Jacksonville multiple times, but more important than going for the gold, they’ve built a community.

“Seeing the relationships that people have built through and in the program—not just the adults, but also the kids and the kids’ parents—it’s built community. So, people coming together for a common interest and because they come together for a common interest, it builds community,” he said. “Community

is super important, you know; I think that everybody needs people and you need, there’s something about jiu-jitsu that provides a safe environment for people to come and be part of a community. Some people are here just for the community and the jiu-jitsu is kind of like a side effect that they just want to be around the people.”

“The overall jiu-jitsu community—it’s a very aggressive sport, but it’s a very loving sport,” said Kara, who began her jiu-jitsu journey a year ago. “We truly have people of all walks who join together 3 to 5 times who bond and love each other fiercely through trying to choke one another. The true definition of a snuggle struggle.”

Some people discover their passion early in life, whether it’s a job, a hobby or a social cause. For others, it takes time and patience. It isn’t planned or pre-thought out, but sometimes it’s uncovered when needed the most, and when it finally happens, it can be a life-changing experience—as was the case the day Michael stepped into a jiu-jitsu studio. What’s more, he put that passion and spirit toward teaching others while helping them grow as individuals.

“When you find a passion for something—when you find something that you enjoy as much as I enjoyed it—I felt like my passion wouldn’t just affect me if I introduced it to other people in the right way. But more or less, when I started it, I was 280 pounds, I was unhappy, I was out of shape and I just didn’t feel like I had a purpose,” Michael said. ■

Aiden, Michael, Kara, and Ayden

“Jiu-jitsu changed Michael’s entire life. Honestly, it saved it, and now we get to watch it do the same for others.”

—Kara McInally

Hunt Club

Mr. Gary “Big Man”

Anderson

grew up in a large, closeknit family of 16 children, north of Lake City. His dad told them, “I don’t mind the fussing and fighting, but when the time comes, you better all come together. No anger. We’re all in this together.” Gary still lives by that today.

As they reached the age of 10, Gary’s father began to teach them to hunt saying, “At least I’ll know where you are most of the time. I won’t have to worry about you getting into any trouble. Instead of going to town, I’ll give you something to enjoy.” And they didn’t get into trouble. Instead, they learned to hunt deer, hogs, turkey, dove or whatever was out in the vast acreage of Columbia County. Gary shared, “We learned to work together to accomplish things and build stronger relationships with trust, encouragement and confidence. We spent quality time with family and friends without the pressure of a crazy night in town. We became a tight-knit group of young men.”

Gary is a Lake City native who worked for PCS as a heavy equipment operator for

45 years (1971 – 2017). “My father had a friend who’d come from South Carolina, wanted to try some deer hunting with dogs. We started hunting with dogs then, and enjoyed that for 40-plus years. I remember my father’s first 8-point buck being brought home strapped to the hood of his car. We were so excited,” he said.

Gary continued, “About 1970, I was 17, and ten of us became the 00 Hunt Club (pronounced Double-Aught Hunt Club) which now has about 21 members. We named it 00 because we had a member, Otis Tompkins, who could not hit a deer to save his life. He’d be out in the woods and we’d hear shots. Someone would say that’s 00 again, calling Otis by that nickname. Gradually, we called ourselves 00.”

“About 1970, I was 17, and ten of us became the 00 Hunt Club (pronounced Double-Aught Hunt Club) which now has about 21 members.”

“We didn’t really know the art of the hunt,” Gary said. “Later, Mr. Jessie Law showed us how to kill a deer, how to follow a trail, when to speed up and slow down and how to shoot better. From then on, we hunted all the time. We hunted with dogs for almost 48 years and were really successful. I promise you, our dogs were as good as anyone’s in the state. Not bragging, but they were as good as anyone’s. With experience, we averaged about 30 deer per year. One year we hunted 48 deer and took home 46.”

“Land was mostly privately owned back then. Gradually, the owners didn’t want us to hunt with dogs as they disturbed the other hunters and the animals in the woods. We’d rented five thousand acres in Baker County, but the state came in and turned it into a corridor—a safe zone—for the animals coming through from the Okefenokee Swamp area. They didn’t want us hunting with dogs as it disrupted their safety.”

“This was in the ’70s … we were— at that time—the only Black hunt club in Florida, and this was our only place to hunt.”

—GARY ANDERSON

“We leased our Columbia County property from Southern Piedmont (later becoming Rayonier) in 1973. We could hunt all day and night and never see anyone other than who came with us. As with the other property, we gradually eased into still hunting—using tree stands—and haven’t used dogs exclusively for a long time now.”

“We’d been hunting on the Rayonier property for quite some time. The employees of that company asked the owners if they alone could have the hunting lease instead of us. We asked Ron Williams to be our spokesman to Rayonier. He went to Chicago and spoke directly to the CEO. This was in the 70s. He described how we were—at that time—the only Black hunt club in Florida, and this was our only place to hunt. After thinking about it, he said, ‘Don’t worry. You can go on home. Nobody’s ever going to take it away from you. I promise.’ We’re proud to have been here ever since.”

“As he grew up, my son Curtis was always following me around—everywhere. He went with us to hunt— went everywhere in the woods and became a very good hunter. The other club members liked him—his manners, the respect he offered. He dated a lady who had a baby daughter. That child followed Curtis everywhere he went, just like he’d done with me. He took her hunting and fishing. She grew into a true woodswoman. Curtis died last year when she was 12. I wanted to keep up with her, so I took her hunting. To my surprise, she knew so much! It blew my mind that she knew as much as she did. She has 13 of her own dogs and, when in the woods, could tell which dog was barking by the sound of his bark. A remarkable woman.”

When raising kids and hunting, Gary offered, “We all learn teamwork, trust and responsibility. Being successful in the woods means letting someone teach you how to be successful. You have to listen, learn and put it into action. Responsibility is a very big part of hunting. You learn to see someone’s stand and to stay away from their area—you do not encroach. You must feed the animals and take the time to make sure the land is cared for. We always learned that if you kill it, you better be ready to eat it. We don’t throw anything away. Don’t care if it’s a possum, you’re going to eat it. There’s none of this kill just to kill or just for the trophy.”

WHERE TO HUNT:

Archer Pheasant Hunting

Timberlake Preserve

12851 NE 113th Terr., Archer, FL 32618

(352) 494-4768

Pheasant, Quail, Deer, Wild Hog, & Turkey

Bienville Plantation

16673 SE 81st Dr., White Springs, FL 32096 (386) 397-1989

Quail, Deer, Duck, Gator & Florida Black Bass

Broomsage Quail Plantation

224614 Broomsage Preserve Rd., Callahan, FL 32011 (904) 608-3497

Dove, Quail

The Gilchrist Club 3270 SE 4th Way, Trenton, FL 32693 (352) 463-7070

Guided Quail, Turkey, Deer, Hog, & Alligator

Hard Labor Creek Hunting Plantation

1963 Hard Labor Rd., Chipley, FL 32428 (850) 527-6063 Bobwhite Quail

Hardscrabble Plantation 10480 Tower Ridge Rd, Pensacola, FL 32526 Office: (850) 637-4868 Cell: (850) 324-9905

Select Bred Bobwhite

IronWood Preserve 18819 Co Rd 137, Wellborn, FL 32094 (386) 623-6129 Quail, Deer, Spring Turkey and Duck

Legacy Wildlife Services

356 NW Lake City Ave., Lake City, FL 32055 (877) 586-4868

Deer

Love Farms

2273 New Harmony Loop, Defuniak Springs, FL 32433 (850) 582-3184

Guided Quail, Chukar & Pheasant Hunts with Dogs

Roberts Ranch Outfitters 625 State Road 100, Palatka, FL 32177 (386) 937-1208

Whitetail Deer, Hogs, Pheasant, & Trophy Axis, Black Buck, & Red Stag

Ross Hammock Ranch Inc 18650 SE 72 Ave., Inglis, FL 34449 (352) 303-7909 Deer, Wild Hogs, Alligator, Osceola Turkey  Deer & more

Southwind Whitetails 20947 136th St., Live Oak, FL 32060 386-362-8324

Jack Flowers Dove, Deer

Swine in the Pines 17500 NW 62nd Ave., Starke, FL 32091 (904) 613-6586 813-679-1130

Mark Richards and Jeff Gies Dove, Hog

Tag’s Place

891 Pittman Hill Rd., Marianna, FL 32448 (850) 482-3266

Bobwhite Quail

Trophy Hill Plantation

7791 200th St., McAlpin, FL 32062 (386) 697-8079

Will Johnson Dove

Watermelon Pond Plantation 12851 NE 113th Terr., Archer, FL 32618 (352) 514-4282

Kate Boulos: Owner/Dog Trainer/Guide Guided Quail Hunting with Dogs

“Another lesson learned: If you lease land, it requires payments and you’d better be ready. Being a member of a hunting club takes effort—we’re all in this together. Taking care of acreage and a clubhouse is time-consuming and requires effort.”

Hunting is core to the lives of the members of 00 Hunt Club and an essential part of the community. As they grew, these men pulled together to not only feed their families and neighbors, but to help out when they could. They all participated. “If someone needed help—maybe painting or roofing—10 or 12 of us would show up. We did whatever needed to be done because it was the right thing to do,” Gary said.

“We’ve had an annual July fourth cookout for at least 20 years. Three hundred or so people would come. Everyone would bring meat, vegetables, stews, cakes … anything they could. Mr. Winton Thomas came every year with five or six deer hams. Mr. Frank Thomas had given us a house and property years many ago saying do whatever you want with it—we made it our clubhouse. That’s where we still meet and have cookouts. It’s where we’ve co-sponsored an annual cookout with the Quarterback Club since 1978 for the Columbia High School Football Team.”

“We are a part of the community and giving back to it is what we do.”

The Kuykendalls

By Jeweliana Curtis Holly Frazier Photography

A GENERATIONAL LEGACY OF SERVICE

Civic responsibility and service can showcase the true heart of a business. The impact in the community is great, and you never know how much impact that act of kindness and service will have on the next generation of leaders. It is often said that it is better to give than to receive, and the Kuykendall family has exhibited a love for serving their community and a strong sense of civic responsibility for generations.

It all started with a dream by John Kuykendall. A Florida native, John was born in Jacksonville and grew up in Gainesville, furthering his education at Central Florida Community College, Santa Fe and, eventually, the University of Florida. While attending college, John worked as a policeman and sold life insurance. After earning his Bachelor of Science in Economics in 1971, John began working for the Exchange Bank of Tampa, which was later acquired by the NCNB. He and his wife lived in Brandon, Florida, during this time, and it is there that the couple raised their family for many years. It was not until 1992 that John founded GulfCoast Financial Services, Inc. in the town of Bradenton. In 1994, after much consideration, John moved his business to Lake City.

“I decided to come to Lake City to be closer to my dad. After my mother died, my father moved up here with my sister. He was here for about 20 years before I moved here. We used to meet for Thanksgiving every year, so we were familiar with the area,” John explained. “Brent’s mom, my first wife, was from here, so when we were dating, we were in Lake City quite a bit. I attended school at PK Young for awhile, so we would come here and watch Columbia High School play PK Young. I knew a little about Lake City at the time, but not a lot.”

We like where we are. We talk about ways to expand our borders, but we know that we are in rural North Florida and it’s a beautiful place.

When John moved to Lake City, his father took him around to meet people in town, and John connected with the United Way of Suwannee Valley. John previously served with the United Way in Bradenton, making the transition to serving in Lake City a smooth one.

“I just always felt like the United Way did a lot of good in communities. I remember my mom went around and collected change for the March of Dimes. Watching my mother is what inspired me to give back,” John shared. “I like that we can give to one organization and they help distribute it to charities to make sure they need it and it’s legitimate. We’re big supporters of the United Way.”

John served as the campaign chair for the United Way and was a board member for many years as well. His grandson, Blake Kuykendall, served as the Columbia County campaign chair for the United Way last year, and continues to serve in that capacity again this year. John’s civic responsibility and passion for serving the community has certainly made an impact on both his son, Brent, and his grandson, Blake.

background is a bit different than his father’s, and as the father–son duo say, their brains work very differently. While John has always been very analytical, Brent enjoys any creative projects as well. Brent studied at the Manatee Community College where he obtained an associates degree, then transferred to Florida State University to earn a music degree. While he attended Florida State, he assured that he is still a huge Florida Gator fan, which is evident from the UF fan memorabilia proudly displayed in his office.

—John Kuykendall

“Dad has always had a mind for service. He still serves on the hospital board here locally and he’s been on numerous committees, like the downtown action committee at one time. He’s always taken an interest in where we are and what we’re doing,” Brent Kuykendall, John’s son, expressed. “He’s a past district governor of Rotary, we’re both past presidents of Rotary, and it’s just always been a way for us to help others.”

Brent joined the GulfCoast Financial Services team when the company was located in Bradenton and continues to be a partner in Lake City today. Brent’s

“When I was born, my dad was a policeman in Gainesville and my mom was a teacher. I was born in Gainesville and traveled wherever they went in banking. I knew that life growing up, but the creative side of my brain is much more dominant. My dad is more analytical, but I think that’s why we work so well together. I like the numbers, but the creative side clicks for me,” Brent explained. “I grew up being very involved in music at our church in Winter Haven and Bradenton. I had a great minister of music who had been there for about 30 years, and he just really invested himself in me. He gave me free lessons, taught me how to read music and taught me how to direct choirs and orchestras.”

That investment of time turned into a lifelong passion for Brent as he served as a music minister for almost ten years at Parkview Baptist Church in Lake City. In 2016, Brent made the decision to step down from leading worship as GulfCoast Financial Services continued to grow. Though he does not lead worship full-time these days, both Brent and John, along

The Rotary club is a great service club and just a great organization that does a lot of good, not only in our community but also the world.

with their families, are active members at Hopeful Baptist Church. In addition to his musical abilities, Brent is also a photographer. He enjoys the creative aspect of photography, and often is able to meld his creative side with the analytical side in business.

The philanthropic efforts of the family have continued to evolve over the years, but their commitment to their community has never waivered. The family enjoyed supporting many local non-profits through the years, including the Lake City Humane Society. John is also a Gideon, and they regularly support Gideon’s cause. Rotary is another organization that the Kuykendall family enjoys being involved with. John has completed many service projects through the organization and even served as the president of Rotary twice!

“The Rotary club is a great service club and just a great organization that does a lot of good, not only in our community but also the world,” John shared.

Aside from volunteering and serving in the community, the Kuykendall family has been a part of the revitalization of downtown Lake City. Their office is located

just a few doors down from The Blanche, but their building is most notably known for the iconic mural on the side. The mural was commissioned by the city of Lake City and funded by a grant by Mr. James Montgomery. The idea was to create a community art installation to help beautify the downtown area, and the GulfCoast Financial Services building offered the perfect spot. John and Brent both have fond memories of watching the artist create the mural in grids to eventually reveal the masterpiece. It was created with a 3D effect in mind. If you stand in the corner of the lot and look directly at the butterfly at the bottom of the mural, the entire painting gives the illusion that it is leaping off the wall and coming to life.

The physical GulfCoast Financial Services building is rich with history and charm as well. The business moved to this downtown location in 2006, purchasing the property that was a thrift store at the time. It is said that the building was built in 1900, and it was originally a bank of Jasper, but it also housed the State Exchange before the organization left the city as it was eventually acquired by NCNB. That change prompted the NCNB to acquire the Exchange Bank of Tampa, which was

the catalyst of the business moving into Florida.

“We didn’t know about all of the history until we were closing, and we even learned more in the years after,” John shared. “Mr. Darby was the catalyst that brought NCNB to Florida. It’s all connected in our story.”

As the downtown area continues to grow and blossom, the Kuykendalls have enjoyed being a part of it. Their team is tight-knit and family-oriented, and their primary focus is to help people through financial education. They offer a multigenerational view of finances and life experiences. John offers advice from the retirement age perspective, though he is not retired and still enjoys serving his clientele. Brent offers a middle-aged perspective with extensive knowledge of family life and balance, while Blake offers the younger perspective for those in their late 20s and beyond. The family has planted roots in Lake City for generations, and has big dreams of impacting lives for the better through their relational business.

“We like where we are. We talk about ways to expand our borders, but we know that we are in rural North Florida and it’s a beautiful place. I can still jump on my Harley and ride and not feel threatened in taking back roads. One of the greatest things about this place is that you can still have a little bit of the city feel, but you can have a lot of that country feel also,” Brent explained. “The business has been wonderful, and this is the 30th year for GulfCoast. People have been good to us, and hopefully we’ve been good to people.”

The Kuykendalls’ community service and civic responsibility have been passed down for three generations, and it’s certainly a legacy that will continue to thrive for years to come.

“I hope to pass this civic responsibility on to my family. For a number of years, Brent was involved in the church and raising his four boys, and now he has time to be involved in the business and our community, and I’m proud of him for that,” John said. “Giving back is just something that we have done and continue to do.”

DENMARK ACRES

By Hayli Zuccola Holly Frazier Photography

Autumn in the Wild, Wild West

From September 23 through October 29, travel back in time to the Old West and experience everything the town of Ravens Hollow has to o er. Head to the general store to shop for local honey and assorted cakes, or visit the gift shop to pick up a souvenir from a broad collection of wooden toys, crossbows and mining helmets. Snap a photo in front of the county jail or next to the town’s undertaker. Stop by the mining company to nd hidden treasures, or enjoy the nearby pioneer playground. Navigate through a four-acre corn maze that truly comes alive when night falls, or try your luck surviving the ghosts and ghouls lurking through the eerie cemetery. Keep an eye out for hidden ravens throughout the cowboy territory, and watch out for any outlaws trying to escape town. Whatever autumn adventure you’re looking for, you can nd it at Denmark Acres.

Featured in Family Magazine last fall, the Denmarks announced the grand return of the Restless Slumber Cemetery, which they resurrected from its popularity in the ’90s and turned into a haunted drive-through experience—an occurrence that was met with immense success with visitors both locally and across state lines.

“It exceeded our expectations,” Todd Denmark recalled of last year’s festivities.

“It was really neat because we got a lot of people from Georgia—probably I would say at least 40 to 50 percent came from Georgia—a few of them were three to four hours away, ” Tammy Denmark said.

“Humbled, I’ll put it to you that way. Very humbled that people would come that far and they kept coming back,” Todd added.

Despite its popularity—with 5,000 to 6,000 cars passing through over the six weeks—the Denmark family opted to enter the spooky season with an entirely new concept in 2022, one that they’ve been working on since November.

Under the Denmark Acres moniker, the Western town of Ravens Hollow will serve as the backdrop for festivals that stretch beyond the Halloween season.

“We just wanted to encompass more than just Halloween so that we could do seasonal festivals, and the way to do that was to just have one general name so that we could have different things out here, maybe a spring fest or, you know, the fall type thing and add things every year so that way we’re not limiting ourselves to just Halloween,” Tammy said.

“We didn’t really want to define ourselves as just a western park or just a Halloween park or whatever; we’re kind of looking at it as a park in general,” Todd added. “We want to expand on it from year to year and add a little bit of things, but we don’t ever want to lose the public’s interest as far as the Halloween aspect of it because we are making the cemetery separate this year. Restless Slumber Cemetery falls under the umbrella of Denmark Acres, but this will be a cemetery you’ll be able to walk through this year to see more detail and have more interaction with the characters.”

Shying away from the drive-through experience will allow guests to roam the property freely and see new elements of the western village while also getting a closer look at last year’s décor of hand-carved headstones and crypts.

“You’ll have the opportunity this year to appreciate a lot more of the work and the craftsmanship than you did by merely just driving through,” Todd said.

So why switch from a cemetery setting to the Wild, Wild West?

“It seems as Americans—especially people that are in their 30s, 40s, 50s and up—they still have a fascination with the Old West,” Todd said. “To me, the West is kind of fun ... it leaves a lot to the imagination.”

The makeover also promotes a more familyfriendly atmosphere. Rather than an entirely haunted affair—with the corn maze and cemetery both free of frights until dusk—the space will also host live music and food trucks featuring fall festival staples like funnel cakes and kettle corn.

“We’re just trying to look for something that everybody can do. If the family wants to spend the time in the Old West, great. If they want to go over to the corn maze and have a little scare, great. If you want to go into the actual cemetery, that’s fine too,” Todd said.

Of course, similar to last year’s planning and preparation, the Denmarks are all about focusing on the details of any project they take on.

“She and I watched—and even the gentleman doing our carpentry watched—a lot of

Old West documentaries, especially the documentaries from the national archives; they had real pictures of the old west. That’s what we’re modeling the old west on, authentic things. What the buildings actually looked like, exactly. No two buildings were the same. When Tammy and I get into something, we like to research it. That’s one of the things I did last year, research what makes people scared,” he said.

“Every sign... everything was hand-made,” Tammy added.

In addition to putting forth immense time and effort, family involvement is also consistent with the previous year. Chuck Denmark, Todd’s father, has been instrumental in the park’s electric installation. His mom, Elaine, is baking with love and is selling her mouthwatering desserts, like lemon pound cake and key lime cake, at the general store. Tammy’s brother, Chris Chubb, is handling the special effects and lighting while her daughter, Zoey, is set to manage the gift shop. Their son, Jackson, will serve as director of operations, and his girlfriend, Zoey Nettles, will act as operations manager.

“This year is a complete unknown and we’re trying to find out what’s going to—it’s just like last year,” Tammy said. “We have spent many hours just getting to where we are this year, and we plan to add every year... as we get bigger, we will add more.”

Ravens Hollow at Denmark Acres will be open on Fridays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. from Friday, September 23 through Saturday, October 29. To learn more about Denmark Acres and all the fall happenings at Ravens Hollow, or for ticket information, visit their website at denmarkacres.com or follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/denmarkacres. ■

Leonard Stacy playing music at a bluegrass gathering during his years driving the bus for Ralph Stanley and The Clinch Mountain Boys. All photos submitted by Donna Stacy.

on the road toward bluegrass

LeonardStacy

By Susan K. Lamb

Preparing Children for Lifelong Success

It took 20 years for Branford’s Leonard Stacy to get off the nation’s highways as bus driver for the famed Dr. Ralph Stanley and The Clinch Mountain Boys band. Leonard, at age 87, still likes to travel those highways to visit all the friends he made during those years driving that have left him with fond memories.

This former bus driver, who is also a carpenter, house painter, musician and songwriter, has been a mast of ceremonies on the Cumberland Highlanders’ Show on the RFD TV channel, a radio host and on YouTube with daughter Donna Stacy. He is also a great storyteller and a USA Air Force vet who never meets a stranger.

At 87, Leonard is still in contact and visits with many Bluegrass and Country music artists he’s met over the years on the road and afterward. One of his close friends, the famed Americana/country/bluegrass artist, Jim Lauderdale, performs twice a year at The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, always letting Leonard know when he arrives so the two can visit. “We’ve been friends forever,” Leonard noted of Jim.

While visiting Jim, Leonard often sees several others he’s known during his career. But really, Leonard knows just about anyone who was ever in the bluegrass performance world!

When local bluegrass events take place near Leonard, he’s usually present. “I go to the bluegrass shows all over Florida, and really all over the Southeast and in

Branford every month at Hatch Park. We also have the Suwannee River Bluegrass Association Jam my daughter Donna puts on,” he said. Donna has become a very talented country artist and performs in Gainesville and surrounding areas.

If you see Leonard at an event, ask him about his guitar! It might be the one he was presented with five years ago along with 58 others who received a Ralph Stanley guitar at the Ralph Stanley Hills of Home Bluegrass Festival in Coeburn, Virginia. This festival was originated by Ralph, but his son, Ralph II, took over the honor of continuing this bluegrass event in 2012, and now heads up his late dad’s band, The Clinch Mountain Boys. “I was there again in 2022 with Donna and had my picture and videos made with a lot of the bluegrass and country artists,” Leonard said proudly.

Leonard was a young boy in 1946 when he first saw The Stanley Brothers in his hometown of Grundy, Virginia. “Everybody knew The Stanley Brothers were coming to play!” he remembered with excitement. “When The Stanley Brothers used to come to Virginia where I lived, they came in a green Cadillac with a bass guitar strapped down on the roof of the car. We would look from the porch, hoping to see that car, and when we did, we knew they would be playing locally.”

Anxious to see a live performance by big bluegrass stars like The Stanley Brothers (Ralph’s brother Carter Stanley was with the band prior to his illness and later passing), Leonard caddied to

The Hills of Home Festival

The Hills of Home Festival is an old-time bluegrass music tradition started by Dr. Ralph Stanley and contines today in his honor. Dr. Ralph’s wish was that Ralph II would take over managing the festival, which he did in 2012. Ralph II earned his dad’s confidence and trust, and he takes great pride in continuing to honor his dad by making the festival a true tribute to him, the legendary Dr. Ralph Stanley. He contines to bring talented bluegrass musicians to the stage for the fans.

Imagine the festival as the sound of banjos, mandolins and voices ringing high on top of some of the most beautiful mountains you will ever see!

Donna Stacy, an artist, visiting with her dad during one of his radio shows.

make the five cents it took to get a ticket to see them. Remember, there was no TV, Internet, cell phones, nor electricity in many places at the time, only radio! Also, folks didn’t see live shows very often either. It was this event that made Leonard and Ralph Stanley friends for life and led to Leonard being hired as the band’s bus driver when he retired from his other jobs at age fifty-five.

“The first time I drove the bus, it was an old MCI,” Leonard said. He added that the first trip was to Maine and, “I thought I would freeze to death!” That was just the beginning of his 20-year adventure in the bluegrass world. “I ended up traveling in four or five different buses with Ralph, but most buses were Eagles.” That would be a Cadillac in car/bus language!

When Leonard retired at age 55 from the painter’s union out of Tampa, where he also worked at Disney putting up the spider webbing in the Cinderella Castle, he and wife, Mary Myrtle Stacy, attended a bluegrass event near Lake City. They drove around the area and concluded that they had found the place they wanted to live for the rest of their lives.

They later moved to Hatchbend, where he built their home. Donna said her sweet mother was always called “Myrt” by Ralph Stanley. Though, unfortunately, Mary has now gone on to her heavenly resting place and is sorely missed by her family.

After retiring from the road, Leonard enjoyed his own radio show on Power Country 102.1 called The Bluegrass Express, as well as the Suwannee Valley Bluegrass Show on WLQH 97.3 FM Chiefland and later on WDJY 101.7 FM in Trenton.

Even after Leonard retired, Ralph used to stop in Branford and pick him up so he could visit with the band as they were playing shows in Florida.

Leonard recorded many videos during bluegrass performances over the years, including those where Ralph and his band played on the historic Amphitheater Stage at The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. “I have DVDs I did of more people than you can imagine, including Ralph Stanley’s shows,” he said. Among others he recorded were Jim and Jesse, two of the greatest bluegrass musicians who were from the same area of Virginia as Ralph and Carter Stanley.

Jim and Jesse both performed in Live Oak in the 50s during the time the famed weekend radio program, The Jim Walter Jamboree with The Stanley Brothers, was on WQHL 98.1 in Live Oak each weekend, and dozens of other stations throughout the South. The Friday and Saturday night programs were a huge hit on the airways. Sent out from a tobacco sales barn in Live Oak, hundreds gathered locally to enjoy, and thousands listened across the Southern US. Unfortunately, those

tobacco sales barns where the golden leaf was sold every summer are all now torn down and lost in history.

During his travels, he’s collected thousands of CDs which he now sells as treasures at events, as many are no longer available and are highly desirable. These treasures are from many, many artists who have given them to Leonard during his long bus driving career.

Leonard considered writing a book about his adventures, so Donna has spearheaded the idea in hopes to have it done within a few months. They hope to announce it soon, and plan to publish it on Amazon. He’s also working on writing another song about his good friend, Dr. Ralph Stanley.

Leonard is currently recovering from a heart attack and five strokes, but you would never know by his travel itinerary. This year, he attended the 50th anniversary of the Ralph Stanley Festival in Virginia and visited the Ralph Stanley Museum there, too.

While recovering from a stroke that left him paralyzed on his left side, Leonard was in the hospital when he awakened to what sounds like a miracle. “I was laying there in the hospital bed that Sunday morning and couldn’t move my left arm or leg. All of sudden, great big letters came up in front of me saying ‘I’m going to show you the Bible’ and a voice said, ‘You are going to be alright.’ I think that was Jesus telling me I was going to be alright,” Leonard said. “The next morning when I woke up, I could move my left arm and leg! Now, I can walk all the way to the mailbox on my 10 acres!”

Nowadays, Leonard keeps moving forward. His passion for bluegrass runs through-and-through, and is a passion he continues to learn, study and listen to daily. His memories driving the Clinch Mountain Boys’ bus are ones he cherishes fondly, and he is always willing to share his experiences with others. If you meet Leonard, ask him about bluegrass. Then, settle in and listen as he paints you a picture of his time following the road to where bluegrass took him.

■

Leonard Stacy several years ago at Ralph Stanley’s annual bluegrass event in Virginia receiving a special Ralph Stanley guitar from Ralph himself.

By Carly Meyers

LOCAL FILMMAKER CREATES TRUE HORROR

Seth was born and raised in Jennings, Hamilton County, and has had an interest in filmmaking for as long as he can remember.

Seth started making videos when he was eight years old using his digital camera’s video feature. He enjoyed making videos with his friends and family, and, once he got older, the videos began to develop structure with intriguing plots and storylines. “I don’t know what drew me to it. I didn’t watch movies and try to reenact them, I was just coming up with my own stuff,” Seth said.

After high school, Seth decided he wanted to attend Full Sail University in Orlando. The school offered a scholarship through a short-film contest, to which Seth decided to enter. He submitted a short film titled Wanna B’s that focused on two 1940s bank robbers and the aftermath of their robbery. Seth won the scholarship and attended Full Sail University the following fall.

Seth films, edits, directs and produces his own movies. His wife, Morgan Adams, is his sound mixer on set. Though Seth’s storylines are fictional, their settings are based upon his own personal experiences. He creates his movies by intertwining fiction with real people and places he knows, and always has multiple scripts in the works. “I just start adding in random things. Typically, if I get it started and get an idea going to where I like where it’s going, then I’ll find the end of the story very quickly. Because then, I can meet back in the middle somewhere,” Seth said.

it causes the host to catch early on-set dementia, so severely it causes those affected to become chaotically violent and lose their sense of self. “You can become violent very quickly and lose complete control of what you are within days,” Seth explained.

In 2020, Seth debuted Sanctuary at Alfonso Levy Performing Arts Center at Florida Gateway College. Due to COVID-19 protocols, only 150 people were allowed to attend the premiere.

A featurette, or a mini feature, is sub 90 minutes, such as Sanctuary at 43 minutes. Now, Seth is creating a feature film; these films must be a minimum of 90 minutes. His new movie in the works is titled Yellow George, though the title could change over the course of filming. Just as ominous as the name was the small amount of detail he let slip about the film.

Following graduation, Seth worked for a TV show in Hahira, Georgia, that traveled around the county for a bit, but he ultimately decided to move back home. Now, he runs a peanut harvesting facility, Suwannee River Peanut, in Hamilton County. This responsibility offers him flexible hours most of the year. In that time, Seth owns a video production company for freelance work, such as weddings, though most recently, he’s gearing up to film his first feature film.

In 2019, Seth decided he was going to dive back into filmmaking and make his own movie. A year and a half later, he debuted a featurette titled Sanctuary, which focused on a zombie virus, postapocalyptic plot. As peanut farming is seasonal, the facility Seth runs is closed for a larger part of the year, creating the perfect, eerie scene.

Sanctuary is a survival thriller. The virus in the movie is unique in that if caught,

The idea for Yellow George spurred from an episode of sleep paralysis. Seth battles with sleep paralysis, meaning he experiences episodes involving not being able to speak or move while falling asleep or upon waking. During a sleep paralysis episode, you’re aware of your surroundings but cannot move or speak, but you can still move your eyes and breathe. Many people hear or see things that aren’t there—hallucinations, making episodes even more frightening. These episodes usually last one or two minutes.

I don’t base anything off of something (a movie) I’ve actually seen. It comes up completely on its own; it always has.”

—Seth Adams

“I have sleep paralysis… when it happens, I’ll have these weird, lucid dreams. I’ll start typically dreaming about a place, and then I end up back in my bed, but I can’t move, causing me to panic.” He continued, “The way Yellow George started was because I talked to my friends about it [sleep paralysis], and they would say, ‘Yeah, I’ve heard about it, but I don’t understand it.’ So, I decided I was going to make a movie where it happens.”

When Seth was trying to come up with an idea for the scholarship short film contest, he started to write a part of another script based on the same location as Sanctuary: Suwannee River Peanut. “When I was in high school, I knew that this place had been around… turned out that was way too grand of an idea to try and do in high school. But when I started running this place, I rekindled that idea and I adapted it to be more realistic to what I could actually do,” Seth said.

Yellow George is a horror mystery based on a real person and place. After a man’s wife goes missing, all signs point toward guilt while he’s claiming innocence. When the past comes back to play, chaos ensues. “The movie started out about sleep paralysis, then it became about this guy’s missing wife and he suffers from sleep paralysis,

then there’s this Yellow George character that came from a conversation with my great uncle,” Seth explained.

There’s an old house in the woods near Seth’s family’s farm that he visited once while he was a child. His great uncle told him about a man that used to live in the house named Yellow George, which sparked inspiration for an addition to his script.

“When I went to college, everyone would ask what made you want to get into filmmaking. And everyone was like ‘Oh, I watched Jurassic Park, or Gladiator, or Saving Private Ryan…’ For me, I never had a movie. I didn’t watch YouTube videos or movies and make them. I still do this now. I don’t base anything off of something [a movie] I’ve actually seen. It comes up completely on its own; it always has.”

Seth expects filming for his new movie to wrap at the end of February and hopes to have the editing done by May of 2023. He estimated it took him 240 hours of editing to complete Sanctuary, which is expected be to half the length of Yellow George. “I edit as we’re filming,” Seth explained. “It helps me know if we’ve missed anything or if we need to reshoot something without having to guess. If a scene’s not working, we need to reshoot those shots.”

If Yellow George receives Seth’s stamp of approval, he plans to premiere it at Alfonso Levy Performing Arts Center at Florida Gateway College as he did for Sanctuary. This time around, he is looking forward to no longer having to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines so more people can attend the premiere.

Looking toward the future, Seth said he always expects to stay in the thriller, suspense, horror, or action genres when it comes to filmmaking. For now, Seth takes joy in his continued passion for filmmaking. When asked why he continues to include it in his life, he responded, “I think it’s probably the same reason people paint. It’s an art to me, and it fulfills some kind of thing in my life I have no way of understanding how or why…I don’t know what draws me there, it’s just always been there.”

Oh, Baby!

By Jeweliana Curtis

DIAPERS AND CARSEATS AND STROLLERS, OH MY!

Expanding your family can bring incredible joy, and taking on the role of a parent can be very rewarding. While it’s no secret that this life change does indeed alter your life, it brings with it a new meaning and a new sense of adventure. Whether you are a first-time parent or already have experience in this important role, it’s an exciting season of life for many couples!

As you journey through pregnancy for the first time, many emotions may arise. It is completely normal to be excited, scared, worried and overjoyed all at the same time. Pregnancy can bring up many feelings and unknowns, but the good news is that you do not have to be an expert right away. There’s plenty of time to learn, grow and experience it all in this exciting new season of life!

In this special baby-themed section of Family Magazine, you’ll learn about great community resources for new parents, as well as hear from local first-time parents as they journey through pregnancy and beyond. From newborn cuddles to learning to talk and walk, so many parents agree that the memories built over the first few years are cherished forever. One thing is for sure: exciting adventures are ahead!

Philip

By Jeweliana Curtis

Becoming a parent for the first time often comes with a wave of emotions. You may find yourself daydreaming about teaching your child how to fish, or maybe you can’t wait for all of the girls’ days and shopping trips in your future! At the same time, you may be worried about how you are going to raise your child well, or scared to step into this new role.

As you embark on this exciting new chapter of your life, it can be helpful to know that you are not alone! There are many local first-time parents who are feeling the same excitement, nervousness and joy alongside you. Read on to hear from these local couples as they prepare to welcome their first child this fall.

family. We both daydream of having a warm and loving home, full of children to love and to raise to be obedient followers of Christ. We are excited to see Caroline experience new things for the first time and begin to teach her and show her all of God’s beautiful creation!

What is one thing that you hope your child learns from you and your spouse?

A: We hope that our child learns to love the Lord and to be obedient to His word through diligent study and to experience His grace, and how to be a cocreator and the true meaning of discipleship in all aspects of life.

What is the best piece of advice or encouragement that you have received over the past nine months?

A: To take it one day at a time. There will be times that it feels totally overwhelming, but God created our bodies to create and sustain life. We’ve got this! Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions or rely on your support system!

Do you have any advice for any other first-time parents as they navigate pregnancy and prepare to welcome their baby?

A: We read a copy of the book titled Moms on Call by Jennifer Walker and Laura Hunter. This book offers tons of practical, helpful and detailed advice on how to care for your new little baby. They cover topics related to how to give a baby a bath, examples of feeding schedules, common illnesses in babies and more. Also, the cover building durable relationships with older, wiser friends and family to create a valuable support system. Build it before you need it!

DYLAN & ASHLEY DOHRN

What are you most excited for as you welcome your first child?

Dylan: I am excited to teach him how to fish and show him all of my honey spots.

Ashley: I am most excited to see his personality and watch him grow.

What is one thing that you hope your child learns from you and your spouse?

Dylan: I hope he learns Ashley’s work ethic and my positive outlook.

Ashley: I hope he has Dylan’s sense of humor and flexibility/ability to go with the flow. I hope he gets my determination.

What is the best piece of advice or encouragement that you have received over the past nine months?

Dylan: Let your wife pick everything out!

Ashley: You don’t need all of the newest gadgets! Get the basics. Also, stay hydrated!

JERRETT & MICHAELA KANDZER

What are you most excited for as you welcome your first child?

A: We are so excited to welcome our sweet baby girl and begin growing our

Jerrett and Michaela welcomed their sweet baby girl, Caroline, in August. They are overjoyed and have been loving their time as a family of three!

Do you have any advice for any other first-time parents as they navigate pregnancy and prepare to welcome their baby?

Dylan: Enjoy the ride! It goes by too fast.

Ashley: Reflect on the little moments. You are only pregnant for a short period of time. Be thankful for your body and that it is protecting a new life! ■

Growing in Community

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

By Jeweliana Curtis

resources that can be studied, such as books on topics ranging from what to expect when you are expecting to parental skills and schooling options. The sky is truly the limit, so be sure to find the resources that work best for your family.

Find a Mentor

As the age-old saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Starting a family can be overwhelming, but the good news is that you do not have to do it alone! Check out these three great ways to plug into community as you navigate pregnancy and welcome your new bundle of joy.

Enroll in Parenting Classes

Lori North Executive Director

Mindi Johnson Lake City Center Director

As you journey through pregnancy, the stress of taking care of a baby, both emotionally and physically, may make parenting feel like a daunting task. While parenting is a lifelong commitment, it does not have to be scary! Enrolling in parenting classes is a great way to educate yourself and prepare yourself for the baby’s arrival.

The Pregnancy Care Center is passionate about educating and equipping families, and our local centers offer hundreds of parenting classes to do just that. Some of the topics covered include how to properly change a diaper, carseat safety and even choosing the right daycare

option for you. When moms and dads utilize these programs and attend the classes, they have the opportunity to earn “mommy money” and “daddy dollars” to shop for items for their baby. The shop is stocked with everything from diapers and wipes to clothing and strollers, meaning that mom and dad can earn while they learn and prepare for their little one’s arrival. These courses are open to any community members who are looking to sharpen up their parenting skills! The classes and support from the Pregnancy Care Center begin at the confirmation of pregnancy and continue until the child is 24 months old.

“No matter who you are and where you are in life, we believe there’s always room to grow and become an even better parent,” Mindi Johnson, PCC’s Lake City Center Director, shared. “Our parenting classes are a great way to continue to grow and learn.”

Aside from in-person classes, there are also many great online options for expecting parents to learn from. Classes like CPR training and breastfeeding education may be of interest for parents. Additionally, there are countless

About the Pregnancy Care Center

When the lines appear on the first pregnancy test, reality can start to settle in. Maybe you feel excited and nervous, or perhaps you feel scared and uncertain. No matter how you are feeling, know that it is normal and that you are supported by the Pregnancy Care Center. From offering FREE pregnancy tests and ultrasounds, to providing options counseling, parenting classes and support groups, the Pregnancy Care Center is a great community resource for any expecting mothers and fathers.

For more information about the Pregnancy Care Center, or to schedule an appointment, visit northfloridapregnancy.com, or contact one of their locations directly.

Lake City: 386-755-0058

130 NW Hilton Ave, Lake City, FL 32055

Live Oak: 386-330-2229

137 Grande St NE, Live Oak, FL 32064

Much like many other areas of life, when starting a family, a mentor can be a non-negotiable. Having someone who can relate to your experience, all while encouraging you to keep pushing on, is invaluable. Whether you find a mentor through a local resource or have a person in mind already, it’s important to find someone who can walk with you through the good and bad days. If you are interested in being matched with a mentor, the Pregnancy Care Center offers a mentorship program for clients. It is a completely one-on-one process, and each client is matched with an advocate or mentor who can be with them every step of the way. That peer mentor relationship is built over time and it becomes a source of comfort for many women as they journey through pregnancy and motherhood.

“One of the biggest pitfalls that we see is that parents don’t have a lot of support. They don’t always know where to turn to or who to ask when they have questions, or even if they do have the support, sometimes it’s maybe not the support they need or they don’t want to share their needs with someone they know,” Mindi explained.

Facebook: @PregnancyCareCenterNorthFlorida Instagram: @pregnancycarecenter386 Website: northfloridapregnancy.com

Mobile unit appointments are available in surrounding cities. Call 386-288-0129 for more details!

She continued, “We offer a space where they can bring those concerns to us and have complete confidentiality. The mentor relationship provides hope and shows them what it can look like when they make it to the other side of that adversity or challenge. Knowing about the resources available to them and having a mentor is huge.”

Join a Support Group

Raising a child can be an isolating experience, but it does not have to be. As you handle the emotions that come with pregnancy, it can be easy to withdraw yourself and feel stressed by all of the changes that are coming your way. While this may be an easy rut to fall into, it’s beneficial for new moms and dads to embrace community during this time. Research support groups in your area, join a small group or take the chance and reach out to a fellow new parent to start your own group. Establishing a great community before the baby comes can be so helpful, and you can receive encouragement along the way. You may even find new friends through this,

which means many fun play dates could be on the horizon!

Are you looking for support for Dad?

The Pregnancy Care Center offers support groups to dads who are ready to step into this next season of life. The Authentic Manhood group is composed of dads in all different seasons of life, some who will be first-time fathers and some who are a few steps ahead and have a beautiful, growing family. This group’s purpose is not only to help prepare fathers for pregnancy and childbirth, but to really help its members focus on becoming the men that God created them to be. Parenting is at the root of the group, but the members are encouraged to lean on each other and help each other through the tough times and hard conversations.

“The Authentic Manhood classes go much further than just how to change a diaper. It’s all about learning how to be a great leader and a great dad,” Lori North explained. “It’s really just becoming the man that God intends for them to be,

not only in their homes, but also in their workplaces and just society in general. I think it has changed the hearts of many who have participated.”

For more information about the Authentic Manhood group, or to inquire about other opportunities to join a community, reach out to the Pregnancy Care Center on Facebook or Instagram. ■

Start provides FREE services and referrals to pregnant women and families with children up to age 3.

6 CREATIVE WAYS TO DOCUMENT YOUR PREGNANCY

Preparing to welcome your new bundle of joy can be so exciting! Expectant parents may find themselves longing to document every milestone during pregnancy so that they have special mementos of each trimester. From bump photos that show how mom grows to ultrasound photos, every special moment deserves documentation.

While there are many great ways to document your pregnancy, some ways require a bit of help from a professional. That’s where Ragan Norris of Hello Baby comes in! A mother of four herself, Ragan is the owner and operator of Hello Baby 3D/4D Ultrasound & Retail Boutique in Lake City. Founded in 2017, Hello Baby was created to help fill a need in the community for expecting parents. The boutique offers a wide array of services, including 2D sneak peeks, 3D and 4D ultrasounds, gender reveals and 4D live scans. The retail side features an assortment of baby items, including heartbeat animals, clothing and accessories. Ragan is passionate about providing an excellent experience for every expectant parent, all while capturing precious memories of their baby throughout the pregnancy.

Are you ready to start documenting your baby’s growth? Check out these six great ways to capture all of the stages of your pregnancy!

Bump-Date Photos

Are you looking to capture all of the changes as you become a mom?

Challenge yourself to take weekly “bump-date” photos! Some may prefer to take a photo in the same outfit each week to compare their pregnancy progress, while others may get creative and theme their shoots. Taking bump photos with food props that correspond to the baby’s size that week, such as a lemon or an avocado, may be fun, or a couple may prefer to tie in the photos with their hobbies. There are so many creative ways to document mom’s growing belly, so allow yourself to browse Pinterest for some fun ideas and inspiration.

and it goes inside the stuffed animal, and every time you squeeze it you can hear the baby’s heartbeat. I just love them!”

4D Live Scans

Once you reach the 24 week mark, you may be interested in continuing ultrasounds for documentation purposes. This is a great time to add on a video component to your library of pregnancy moments, and Hello Baby offers a package with both photos and a DVD video of your baby, including the heartbeat. At this point in the pregnancy, you may be able to see the baby’s hair, along with other features. These photos would be a great addition to a pregnancy scrapbook, or would be great momentos to display at a baby shower.

Maternity Shoot

Gender Reveals

Once you reach the 14-week mark, you may choose to find out the gender of your new little bundle of joy. This 2D scan offers the same opportunity to hear the baby’s heartbeat, all while finding out if you’re team pink or blue. At Hello Baby, this appointment can be opened up to members of your family and friends to join in on the excitement. Many families come to the shop to hear the gender announcement, while others choose to host a gender reveal party or decide to keep the gender a surprise until birth.

Heartbeat Animals

One of Ragan’s favorite ways to document pregnancy is through a heartbeat stuffed animal. These adorable stuffed animals have a heart-shaped recorder that the baby’s heartbeat is recorded onto during the ultrasound appointment, then it is added to the stuffed animal. Simply squeeze the stuffed animal to hear your baby’s heartbeat on demand! This sweet memento is an amazing gift for an expectant mother, and it can also be used as nursery decor or as a comforting cuddle buddy when the baby arrives.

“The heartbeat animals are amazing. I think everyone should have one!” Ragan shared. “We record the baby’s heartbeat

Now that you have captured the journey happening in the womb, it’s important to also capture mom’s journey! Take every opportunity to capture bump update photos throughout the nine months, but don’t forget to schedule a maternity photoshoot as well! A mother’s body changes during pregnancy, and it can be beautiful to capture that in photos that will last forever. Typically, maternity shoots are scheduled a few weeks before the baby is scheduled to arrive, and they can be a great keepsake for the family!

From the first ultrasound to the gender reveal and maternity photos, capturing the ordinary moments is just as important as capturing the milestones during pregnancy.

Whether you are expecting your first child or you are a seasoned parent, we encourage you to take the time to document all of the special moments throughout your pregnancy. Your family will love looking back on the memories! For more information about Hello Baby, or to schedule an appointment, visit their website at hellobabyultrasound.com. ■

Jonathan and Ragan Norris with their children Ella, Lane, Lola and Sutton.

Beef Ragu

By Belle Jonson

8

Ingredients:

Directions:

Using the sauté function, heat the oil in the instant pot. Once the oil is glistening, add the onion, celery, and carrots. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the whole stewed tomatoes, breaking them up with your hands. Add the beef, 1 cup of the stock, the garlic, allspice, cinnamon, salt, pepper, thyme, and bay leaves. Stir to incorporate.

Lock the lid in place, being sure to close the vent valve, and cook on high pressure for 35 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then quick-release if needed.

Using a fork, shred the beef in the pot, stir to together well, then, using the sauté function, cook until the sauce slightly thickens, about 3 to 5 minutes, stirring often to avoid burning.

Serve over your favorite cooked pasta.

Piece of Cake-Pop

By Hayli Zuccola

Seemingly simplistic, adorable and perfectly portioned, cake pops are a hallmark of Pinterest fails. The concept seems e ortless: combine crumbled cake with frosting; form into bite-size shapes; add a lollipop stick; dip into a coating of chocolate or candy melts and decorate. What could go wrong? Everything! The base doesn’t hold its shape or stay on the stick; the coating’s consistency is too runny or overly thick; every pop looks like something from outer space with misplaced cake morsels and highlighted divots; the candy shell becomes cracked—the list goes on. Yes, it’s true. These cute little desserts are a challenge for anyone who dares attempt them, but that didn’t stop Keesha Fundora from trying.

Keesha wasn’t an experienced baker when she began her sweet journey, but her persistence quickly turned her into the queen of cake pops and it’s all thanks to Hello Kitty. The pink and white feline was the character theme behind her daughter’s rst birthday, and Keesha was set on the idea of serving cake pops rather than a traditional cake. When she couldn’t nd anyone up for the task, she tackled the project herself.

“It took a lot of trial and error,” Keesha said. “I didn’t want to make just round cake pops, I wanted to make a character for my daughter’s birthday, and I can think of at least ve separate occasions in the months leading up to her birthday that I would get so frustrated, I would be in tears; I would just pile everything onto the baking sheet and rake it o into the trash.”

Despite her frustrations, she eventually brought her vision to life, but this confectionary endeavor wasn’t exactly a one-time ordeal. Soon, friends and family began requesting batches of cake pops for di erent events, and, over the next seven years, Keesha happily obliged. In 2019, Keesha decided to turn her sugar-infused hobby into a business while expanding beyond cake pops to include elegant tiered cakes.

“Outside of cake pops, weddings are my absolute number one obsession,” she said.

While requests and orders were consistent, Keesha took a small step back from her Sweetly Baked namesake to balance her family life and to further her education—using her cakery talents on a more limited basis.

“Now I’m trying to just focus on taking care of the people that have really been with me for a very long time and who are super faithful, give me creative freedom and maybe doing a little less of just taking everything,” she said. “I’ve sort of really stepped way out of my comfort zone this year and I’m nding the

importance of really doing what makes me happy and what I love and what speaks to me more on an artistic level than I’m going to take these orders because it’s revenue.”

Though she’s reduced the number of commissions she takes on, Keesha is always staying up to date on new trends and techniques either through the advice of friends and fellow bakers or by attending niche cake conventions.

“I am friends with so many bakers in this area—some of us even do the same thing—and when I tell you we are best friends, we are best friends. We lean on each other so much for support. My whole thing is community over competition. I am not competing with anyone but myself,” she said.

In addition to advancing her own skills, she’s been teaching others by hosting cake pop classes, which she intends to o er on a more consistent basis, and is exploring the idea of adding more gourmet avors to her lineup, which presently consists of fan-favorites: vanilla, chocolate, cookie dough and, on occasion, red velvet.

“I want them to look absolutely beautiful, but I also want them to taste like the best thing that you’ve ever tasted,” she said.

Apart from weddings, which allow her to work with fresh owers and more classic, intimate designs, her two favorite holidays to make cakes and cake pops for are Halloween and Valentine’s Day, the latter of which is always her busiest time of the year.

“Valentine’s Day is always my number one, absolute highest, craziest, most insane week of the entire year. This past year, I did the most that I’ve ever done—2022—I did 900 cake pops in a week, plus I did strawberries…I did 400 strawberries, and they were all boxed in these cute little boxes,” she said.

Those picture-perfect treats—all 900—were a stark contrast from the rst batch of Hello Kitty pops she made a decade ago.

“I look back now even ve years ago and I thought I was doing so good, and then I look at the stu I’m creating now and I was like, ‘that really wasn’t that great,’” she said. “If I had to guess, I’ve probably easily made 20,000 cake pops or so in my time—at least— so I’ve had plenty of practice.”

Regardless of her desire to reduce her workload, the mother of two still manages to keep her schedule packed to capacity.

“I’m one of those people I’m just not living life if I’m not challenging myself to the absolute max level,” she said.

Of course, she’s still undecided on how far she’ll take each of those challenges.

“I would love to have a storefront; I would absolutely love to, but the unfortunate thing is, by day, I’ve been an accountant for many, many years. I work in nance—I’m actually in the process of getting my master’s degree in accounting right now—so it’s hard for me

to nd that balance of I want to be stable and secure…I have worked so hard, I was actually a high school dropout. The last grade I completed was eighth grade. I have busted my butt to get my education, to have a good career—all of that—so to abandon all of that hard work I’ve put in to have a storefront and a bakery—the internal struggle is hard,” she said.

“I think a lot of my educational goals and career goals have really just stemmed from the fact that I came from a very not-ideal situation as a child and as a young teen, and like I said, I was a high school dropout, so even if I never did anything with my master’s degree but just to do it and to be able to show that to my children, just to kind of be that example of it’s not where you come from, but it’s what you pursue.”

While Keesha is unsure of her future aspirations—expanding her business into a brick and mortar operation or opting to focus her attention on pursuing a career after completing her master’s—whatever she sets her sights on, it will mirror her baking style of bright, colorful and inspiring. ■

There’s More to than turning on the tap

Water. It’s easy to take for granted. Most of the time, access to water is as simple as turning on the faucet. Water is not just for us, but for life as we know it. But, when was the last time you thought about where your water comes from? Or thought about the possibility of not having water?

In Florida, we’re fortunate to be a water-rich state, especially in North Florida, where we’re surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and hundreds of lakes, rivers and

springs that provide an abundance of this vital resource. Additionally, Florida is one of the rainiest states in the US, with an average rainfall of approximately 54 inches annually.

So, why should we worry about water?

Florida is seeing unprecedented growth –recent estimates show approximately 1,000 people moving into our state on a daily basis, all of whom will need water. The Floridan Aquifer supplies more than 90 percent of drinking water to residents of North Florida. Estimates show that approximately 256 million gallons of groundwater are used daily in the Suwannee River Water Management District (District) region, which includes nine counties and portions of another six in North Florida. This water is used for drinking, bathing, watering lawns, growing crops, providing water for industrial needs and much more.

The same aquifer that meets those demands also supplies water to our rivers and springs. As the state continues to grow and more residents move into this area, the district must plan for the region to have enough freshwater resources to meet growing demands, not just for today, but as far as 20 years in the future as well all while protecting and sustaining natural resources.

The most e ective way of addressing this challenge is through water supply planning.

Every ve years, the district is required to update its Water Supply Assessment to evaluate whether existing and anticipated water sources are capable of meeting future demands while continuing to sustain its local water resources and natural systems. If those demands cannot be met, a regional water supply plan must be developed.

There’s a lot that goes into a water supply plan. The plan must include management strategies, water conservation potential and alternative water supply projects that can be implemented to meet future needs.

This process doesn’t happen in a vacuum – it’s an open and public process and includes local governments, public supply utilities, self-suppliers and other stakeholders.

The Suwannee River Water Management District is currently involved in two water supply plans. The North Florida Regional Water Supply Plan, a joint e ort with the St. Johns River Water Management District that includes the eastern counties of the SRWMD and the northern counties of SJWRMD, was adopted in 2017. The two agencies are currently working on the development of the updated 20202045 plan.

Additionally, the district is working on a Western Water Supply Plan, which includes Dixie, Lafayette, Madison, Taylor and parts of Je erson and Levy

counties. This will be the rst-ever plan for this region and is currently in development.

This planning is bene cial to residents and our natural resources because it provides an outline for future water management decisions. It also helps the state decide how water demands can be met, and what new initiatives need to be developed to avoid any shortfalls.

Water is life, and we want to ensure there is plenty to go around.

For more information about water supply planning and the e orts that go into it, please visit www. MySuwanneeRiver.com. ■

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Treetop Wonder

By Hayli Zuccola

Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park

There’s something pure—albeit magical—about a treehouse. Cradled by branches, suspended in the treetops and surrounded by sounds of birds and playful squirrels— it’s truly a hideaway among nature. Of course, the Mother Treehouse—as it’s fondly referred to at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak—is in a league of its own; casting an aura of peace and tranquility to all who stand in its presence.

Bob and Jean Cornett’s love for bluegrass was born out of frequenting local beer spots in their home state of Kentucky. Over time, their appreciation for the genre only grew stronger, and, with it, the formation of a beloved bluegrass festival in Lexington. While the annual event was successful, hosting it on someone else’s property came with its limitations. Wanting to organize a largescale festival in a more relaxed setting, they began looking for land of their own, which they found in the Sunshine State. In 1985, the Cornetts welcomed campers and music-lovers to the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, which has become renowned for its eclectic mix of music festivals and events like Suwannee Roots Revival, Hulaween, Old Tyme Farm Days and the Suwannee Lights.

Builder, Javier Aranzubia Jr.

“You get literally thousands of people that call this their home—their getaway home,” said Charles Cornett, a former air traffic controller and self-proclaimed archivist and occasional tour guide of the park his parents made famous.

Though it’s the seasonal music festivals that bring in droves of guests, they’re not the only noteworthy aspect of the 800-acre park, which provides a landscape of lush cypress, blooming dogwood and moss-veiled oak; hiking and biking trails; wildlife sightings of deer, hawks, owls and the occasional peacock; an on-site bird sanctuary; one of the largest bat houses in America and kayaking opportunities along the historic Suwannee River. Of course, its most enchanting feature is the grand Mother Treehouse.

With the idea of assembling a treehouse in mind, but unsure where to begin, Jean Cornett reached out to acclaimed treehouse builder Michael Garnier. In 1998, Michael traveled from Oregon to Live Oak and lived at the park for a year working alongside local contractors to construct his first client-commissioned treehouse. This prototype of sorts was dubbed the Spirit Treehouse by Jean, who always recognized the spiritual essence that was present in the park. Equipped with a loft, queen bed, full-size futon, full bath and an overlook of the entertainment stage, the Spirit Treehouse can actually be rented for the night, unlike its more intricate successor. While making the music park his temporary

home for the year, Michael discovered a grand, 200-year-old live oak perfectly positioned along the banks of the Suwannee River during one of his routine nature walks. The tree—in all its glory— inspired him and instilled in him a promise to one day return to the park using that tree as his muse for a future build.

In December 2014, Michael kept his promise and contacted the Cornetts to inform them that he was offered a TV show deal from the DIY Network under the moniker “The Treehouse Guys.” Michael and his team, which consisted of builders Javier Aranzubia Jr. and Josh Bohmker, made their way to Florida on January 14—coincidentally Jean’s birthday—prepared to create something magical—they just didn’t have a concept yet.

When building a treehouse, one of the first steps after choosing a tree is determining if it can withstand the weight of the structure. The tree was chosen years prior, but an arborist was consulted to see if this over two-century-old live oak would pass the second part of the requirements. With the green light, the bottom deck was built first. Once the floor was complete, large buckets were positioned across the boards and filled with water from local firetrucks to replicate the 33,000-pound density the rest of the house would create. This phase was crucial, and stood as the true test of whether or not the team could move forward. Magic Monday—as Charles Cornett refers to it—was a success and was one of the last aspects of the build that his mother, Jean, was able to be a part of.

While filming the TV special, Jean fell ill and developed medical issues that caused her to have panic attacks. Despite this, Jean did everything she could to be involved in the project and even rode to the top of the deck with Michael to see the results of Magic Monday. She spent the rest of the day chatting with the crowd of people who came to witness such a pivotal moment, but a few days later, she unfortunately passed away at the age of 86.

The interior of the house is like a memorial to Jean. On the first day of filming, one of Jean’s granddaughters captured a photo of her gazing at the towering live oak—a powerful image that was represented on a stained-glass window inside the house that was designed by her longtime friend, Gretchen, with support from Jean’s 27 granddaughters and great-granddaughters who each placed and initialed a piece of glass to represent the stones by her feet. The image was also carved onto a wooden door that was commissioned by the construction crew who pooled their checks together to design something in Jean’s honor. Apart from that door and a few wood beams, nearly 80 percent of the wood used for the treehouse came from the park property.

As the host of the show, Michael and the film crew left periodically to shoot footage of nearby builds for upcoming episodes while Javier, Josh and the rest of the construction crew stayed behind—putting in long, 18-hour workdays to get the house finished within the production schedule.

On March 28, 72 days after the crew’s initial arrival, the house was camera-ready. What began as a blank slate absent of a clear concept, transitioned into a tribute to Jean with elements of her presence throughout.

Other features have been added since the show wrapped in 2015, and sitting 45 feet above ground level, impressive doesn’t begin to encapsulate its grand stature. Today, a wooden staircase leads guests to a wrought-iron gate that reads “Mother Tree.” Once inside, a spiral staircase guarded by a handcarved totem pole wraps around the trunk of the tree and up to the famed deck.

While the house is equipped with a bed and kitchen area for guests, it has yet to be used for overnight rentals and is presently only used for guided tours. Though visitors can’t spend the night, touring the treehouse, walking around the base or sitting on the adjacent, handmade, wooden swing overlooking the Suwannee River is just as magical and unforgettable.

Though Jean Cornett wasn’t able to see the finished house, her spirit—like the spirit she always recognized throughout the park—will always be part of the Mother Treehouse.

Tours of the Mother Treehouse at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park are offered Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets, which are $8 per person, can be bought at the front office or the treehouse entrance. To learn more about the park, visit their website at musicliveshere.com. ■

“You can imagine what a project this was for my parents, and as this project came along, my mother fell ill and died in the middle of the build; so it suddenly became a much more important thing to us, and the pressures of building a treehouse and TV people around and a funeral and all these things got very, very intense,” Charles said.

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