Our Town 2015 MAY-JUN (Newberry & Jonesville)

FARM TO FAMILY MUSIC FESTIVALS RETURN TEA PARTY RECIPES HONEYBEES

NEWBERRY & JONESVILLE EDITION

VOL. 13 ISSUE 02 | MAY/JUNE 2015

ppine s s Ha i n

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CONTENTS

M AY/J U N E 2 0 1 5

The Peace

G R E AT E R A L A C H U A C O U N T Y

Love and

| V O L . 1 3 | N O. 0 2

Happiness

ISSUE! ON THE COVER >> FLOWER POWER! CELEBRATE THE ENVIRONMENT WITH SOME GOOD OLD-FASHIONED FLORAL FUN. CAN YOU TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OUR COVERS? VENTURE OUT AND COLLECT ALL THREE EDITIONS! AND MAY THE FOREST BE WITH YOU. COV ER P H OTO G R A P H Y BY ER I C K A W I N T ER R O W D.

FEATURE STORIES 20

FULL MOON FEVER The Farm to Family music festivals have returned after a two and a half year hiatus.

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PLAY BALL! Hey Batter, Batter! The Babe Ruth Explosion of Champions Tournament comes to Alachua County.

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A NEW TRAIL IN TOWN Explore 55 miles of wildlife-packed trails and pristine springs on the newly designated Gilchrist Blueway.

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BUZZFEED Explore the world of honeybees — our world — while learning how their existence is intrinsically linked to ours.

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CURRENT PROBLEMS This organization has been a part of the solution for more than 20 years, doing its part in keeping North Central Florida waters clean.

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NEWBERRY WATERMELON FESTIVAL Contests! Music! And more than 500 watermelons to be enjoyed at the 70th Annual Newberry Watermelon Festival on May 16.

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CONTENTS

M AY/J U N E 2 0 1 5

50 SAVING FLORIDA’S WATER Learn about the struggles our springs and rivers are facing and how to help the future of our waterways.

58 PLANT NOW! Which flowers will bloom best in the coming months? Discover what to plant to enjoy some summer flowers.

62 ACTIVISM THROUGH ART Meet Lynne Buchanan, a photographer and environmental activist. Learn how she uses her art to enact change in the environment.

80 SURVIVING MOTHERHOOD A support group for new mothers throws a party to celebrate their babies’ first birthdays — and the year that brought them together.

COLUMNS 46 NAKED SALSA

by Crystal Henry

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EMBRACING LIFE

by Donna Bonnell

136 DIFFERENT NOTE

by Albert Isaac

138 RECIPE WONDERS

by Cynthia Wonders Winterrowd

REVIEWS 100 GATE CRASHING

by Brian “Krash” Kruger

112 READING CORNER

by Terri Schlichenmeyer

86 CLIMB OUT OF DARKNESS A local engineer — and mother — raises awareness of Postpartum Depression through organized walks in the community.

92 FUNGUS AMONG US Discover the mysteries of the mushroom, from its role in nature to the health benefits it offers.

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144 ADVENTURES IN APPETITE

by Ken Peng

INFORMATION 98 Charity Winners 102 Community Calendar 108 Taste of the Town

PAYNES PRAIRIE PHOTO ESSAY Three photographers stroll the savanna to give us a glimpse of just some of the remarkable things to be found on the 21,000-acre prairie.

124 FORAGE FARMS Founders aim to connect youth to education and employment by developing professional skills related to food and small business management.

The articles printed in Our Town do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Tower Publications, Inc. or their editorial staff. Our Town Magazine endeavors

130 GET UP. GET OUT. GET GOING. The adventurous and intrepid author Rick Sapp embarks on a voyage along the Florida Trail.

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to accept reliable advertising; however, we can not be held responsible by the public for advertising claims. Our Town Magazine reserves the right to refuse or discontinue any advertisement. All rights reserved. © 2015 Tower Publications, Inc.

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PUBLISHER Charlie Delatorre

fine jewelry

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Hank McAfee EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Albert Isaac editor@towerpublications.com MANAGING EDITOR Ericka Winterrowd ericka@towerpublications.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Larry Behnke, Mary Bridgman, Gabrielle Calise, Alexia Fernandez, Crystal Henry, Kristin Kozelsky, Kathy Pierre, Rick Sapp, Michael Stone, Brinn Strange, Amanda Williamson, Cynthia Wonders Winterrowd CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Kristin Kozelsky CREATIVE DIRECTION + DESIGN Hank McAfee, Neil McKinney ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Jenni Bennett jenni@towerpublications.com Helen Mincey helen@towerpublications.com Melissa Morris melissa@towerpublications.com Nancy Short nancy@towerpublications.com INTERNS Gabrielle Calise

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS If you would like us to publicize an event in the greater Gainesville area, send information by the 1st day of the month prior to the next issue. For example, submissions for the March/April issue are due by February 1. All submissions will be reviewed and every effort will be made to run qualified submissions if page space is available.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR We want to hear from you. Send your letters to the attention of the editor at 4400 NW 36th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32606 or editor@towerpublications.com.

Letters must be signed and include a phone number in the event we need to contact you. (Your phone number will not be published.)

F E AT U R I N G

OUR TOWN MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED BI-MONTHLY BY TOWER PUBLICATIONS, INC. REPRODUCTION BY ANY MEANS OF THE WHOLE OR PART OF OUR TOWN WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE PUBLISHER IS PROHIBITED. VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THE EDITORIAL PAGES DO NOT IMPLY OUR ENDORSEMENT. WE WELCOME YOUR PRODUCT NEWS. INCLUDE PRICES, PHOTOS AND DIGITAL FILES WITH YOUR PRESS RELEASE. PLEASE FORWARD PRODUCT SAMPLES AND MEDIA KITS TO REVIEWS EDITOR, OUR TOWN MAGAZINE, 4400 NW 36TH AVENUE, GAINESVILLE, FL 32606. WE CANNOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR UNSOLICITED PRODUCT SAMPLES.

A Publication of Tower Publications, Inc. 4400 NW 36th Ave., Gainesville, Florida 32606 phone: 352-372-5468 fax: 352-373-9178

352 . 375. 27 2 0 • 2 4 41 N W 4 3r d S T R EE T, S U I T E 2 A 12 |

T HOR NMAY/JUNE EBR O OK V IL L AGE • G A I N ES V IL L E 2015

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FLOORING FOR EVERY ROOM!

EDITOR ’ S LET TER M AY/J U N E 2 0 1 5

Peace, Love and Happiness

The Floor Store of Newberry …and so much more!

GAINESVILLE

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Recently, my wife and I and our son and a friend enjoyed a paddle down the Santa Fe River. I must admit, I don’t get to enjoy this kind of stuff as much as I should, especially with all these rivers and springs practically in my backyard.

On this day, the Santa Fe River was flowing fast enough to provide a leisurely paddle, the springs revealed indescribable shades of blue (don’t they always?), and the flowers on the riverbank were bursting into bloom. This was a scene of remarkable beauty, and — as hard as this is to believe — I’ve heard that not long ago it was even more beautiful.

Water. Flowers. Gardening — all of these come to mind as the days grow longer and hotter.

And in keeping with our theme of loving Mother Earth (and our moms!), it’s that time of year for Our Town to focus on our environment. With spring in full bloom and summer on the horizon many of us are heading out to the rivers and springs to enjoy all that Mother Nature has to offer. To that end, we’re bringing you stories about the threats to our natural resources, as well as the efforts people are making to preserve these remarkable places.

In this issue you will read about Lynne Buchanan, an artist who uses her photography to raise awareness of the dangers to our fragile waterways.

Speaking of photography, you’ll find a photo essay consisting of some remarkable images revealing Paynes Prairie in all its splendor. Enjoy the stunning pictures provided by local (or previously local) photographers.

We also offer a couple of stories about moms (Happy Mother’s Day!), and some resources new mothers might find helpful as they embark on the journey of a lifetime.

With all this talk of flowers and gardens, we’d be remiss if we didn’t also tell you about honeybees and the crucial role the diminutive insects play in our world.

So sit back and enjoy your magazine, but don’t forget to get outside and see all that our wonderful world has to offer!

• WOOD FLOORING • CERAMIC TILE • LAMINATE • CARPET • PORCELAIN TILE

• BLINDS & WINDOW

Albert Isaac, Editor-In-Chief

TREATMENTS • INSTALLATION 14 |

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MAY/JUNE 2015

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Wood Buildings

SUMMER CONCERT

Metal Buildings

M AY/J U N E 2 0 1 5

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The 2015 Florida Country Superfest JUNE 13 and 14 | EVERBANK FIELD in JACKSONVILLE

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rab your cowboy hat and get ready for the second annual Florida Super Country Fest. Ten of the biggest names in country music will come to Jacksonville’s Everbank Field on the second weekend in June. The lineup features acts from Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban to Zac Brown Band and Brantley Gilbert.

More than 80,000 country music listeners descended upon Jacksonville in 2014. The festival brought $37 million to the area. This year’s event is set to be even bigger.

“The Florida Country Superfest is a phenomenal event and we are thrilled that it is coming back to Jacksonville and EverBank Field,” said Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown in a recent press release. “This year’s success proves that major events create a positive economic impact by bringing thousands of country music fans to Jacksonville from across the country and the world while showing our great city as a leading entertainment destination.”

There will be a Fan Fest & Tailgate Party outside of the venue on both days before the music begins. Designed to imitate the pre-gaming atmosphere of a tailgate at a Florida-Georgia football game, festive food and drinks will be served. There will also be artist meet and greets.

Fans are advised to check the website www.floridacountrysuperfest.com for a list of stadium policies and prohibited items before coming to the festival. Tickets can be purchased from Ticketmaster, and range in price from $40 to $250 per day. Parking passes must also be purchased, and cost $40 for one day or $70 for the weekend. Fans can call the Florida Country Superfest Ticket Office at 866-410-5771 for more information.

RedBarnHomeCenter.com 16 |

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MAY/JUNE 2015

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CONTRIBUTOR S

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OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

MAY/JUNE 2015

M AY/J U N E 2 0 1 5

KRISTIN KOZELSKY is a classically trained photographer. Since completing her art degree in 2001, she has built a wide body of work and honed in on an interactive approach to working with her clients. kristin@kozelskyphoto.com

GABRIELLE CALISE is a freshman journalismËmajor at UF who is interning for the first time at Tower Publications. In her spare time sheËenjoys collecting vinyl records, taking photographsËand watching movies. gcalise@ufl.edu

KATHY PIERRE is a senior journalism major at UF. She aspires to be a social activism writer. When she’s not writing or thinking about things she wants to write, she is trying out different flavors of Talenti and binge-watching shows on Netflix. kathy.pierre3@gmail.com

RICK SAPP is a freelance writer who lives in Gainesville.

His goal is to sail around the world — obviously alone — and end his days eating truffles and chocolate, and drinking too much red wine in the south of France. rsa5@cox.net

BRINN STRANGE is a California native who loves her recent relocation to Gainesville. When not writing, she teaches Barre classes at Barre Forte, trains for triathlons, and takes her two mutts to the dog park. brinn.strange@gmail.com

MICHAEL STONE is a journalist, photographer and communications teacher based in Gainesville. His primary topics of focus include health care, conservation and wildlife, and business. He enjoys traveling, wildlife photography and trying all the great vegan dishes at area restaurants. michaelstone428@gmail.com

MARY WOOD BRIDGMAN is a retired lawyer who grew up in Alachua County. Her work has appeared in national, regional, and local publications. Mary, an active member of the Writers’ Alliance of Gainesville, is an alumna of the University of Florida. marybridgman@msn.com

ALEXIA FERNANDEZ is a UF journalism junior with big dreams.

With a deep love of movies and writing, she hopes to one day write books, scripts and create a successful career for herself in entertainment. alexiafernandez5@gmail.com

LARRY BEHNKE is an artist, writer, photographer and a graduate of the University of Michigan in cinematography and painting. He has used solar electricity since 1984 and lives in a dome home. lbehnke@windstream.net

AMANDA WILLIAMSON is a freelance writer and a graduate of UF’s College of Journalism and Communications.

She has been writing for as long as she can remember. She enjoys spending time with her friends, family and animals. awilliamson@ufl.edu

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COMMUNITY >> FARM TO FAMILY CONCERT SERIES

LUNAR TUNES

Full Moon Fever Farm to Family Concerts Are Back W RIT TE N BY L A R RY BE H N KE P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y K R I S T I N KOZ E L S K Y

A

teen walks with leashed dogs through a grassy field. A baby gazes up at his mother’s face as she holds his bottle. A couple sits in folding chairs, each with a white cockatiel on their shoulder. Old friends hug. Children run in circles, streamers flying behind them.

In a field within hearing distance of the stage, a gray-haired couple sits outside their Winnebago next to VW vans of brightly painted colors.

In front of the stage a semi-circle of sitters sip beverages they brought with them. Tees, tanks and tie-dyes scatter color among the music fans.

At dusk dancers slowly begin filling the grassy area near the stage.

To the side, people play with Frisbees and hula-hoops.

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Two little girls in fairy princess dresses clap their hands as they prance in front of the band.

Bare-bellied beauties breeze by an elderly couple holding hands and getting lost in an old love song.

A little boy blows a stream of bubbles upward.

As darkness falls, a giant orange moon pops above the tree line. The stage announcer points, telling the crowd to look up, and people clap. The band breaks into a foot stomping rocker. The music changes in variety and intensity; it ends at midnight.

Such was a typical day at previous Farm to Family Concerts. And now, the much-loved musical event has finally returned two and a half years after its last show.

Farm to Family musical events are unique, laidback and friendly. All ages and all kinds of people gather for their love of music and the peacefulness of the country.

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Its newest incarnation is at Ellie Ray’s RV Resort on the Santa Fe River, about a half-mile from where the river empties into the Suwannee River near Branford.

Ellie Ray’s new owner is Thomas “Sturge” Sturgeon, who made some changes before partnering with concert organizer Don Applebaum.

“Don came out several times after I bought the place,” Sturge said. “I’d made lots of improvements so it was even more appealing as a concert site.”

Applebaum is happy with the infrastructure of the new site.

“We’ll have hot showers and people can use Ellie Ray’s food service and lounge,” he said before the concert. The “festival village” with movable stage and vendor tents will be separate from the RV campground in place.

Much was yet to be finalized before the concert, but some things were sure.

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“Primitive camping is included in the price of the ticket,” Applebaum said.

Camping has been free since the first concert — good for all who don’t want to drive home after the show. The camping area has plenty of shade trees too, a relief for hot weather concerts.

ORIGINS Back in April 2005, Applebaum had an organic farm north of Alachua and would sometimes invite friends over for a drum circle. He was having trouble paying his mortgage, so his friend John Smith of Quartermoon band suggested having a concert with a modest admission charge.

For four years on the Saturday nearest the full moon, bands and fans enjoyed the country concerts, a fine mix of folk, country, rock and reggae. However, the small monthly shows grew to a size that caused too much traffic on the private neighborhood

COMMUNITY >> FARM TO FAMILY CONCERT SERIES

road leading to the site.

In 2010 a new location was found and improved upon off Highway 47 in Gilchrist County. Three-day concerts were held four times a year. The concerts became more professional and attendance increased. Although there was plenty of room on the 100-acre parcel, it was situated near country subdivisions.

The concerts were operating on temporary use permits, and it became obvious the location was not suitable for the granting of a permanent permit. Concerts ended there in mid-2012.

Applebaum did not give up on the concerts and has been working towards re-opening ever since. For a while it looked like a site in Williston would happen but problems arose. The site at Ellie Ray’s was already in place for music, camping and lounging near the river. Those have been Ellie Ray’s attractions for years with live bands and a dance floor in the lounge and restaurant.

“We’re hoping to work this out to be the permanent home of Farm to Family,” Sturge said. “I always dreamed of having a place like this for concerts.”

A blue grass concert was also recently scheduled on the site.

Many of the Farm to Family bands are from the North Florida area, and are often from Gainesville. Performers scheduled for April included String Kings, Dixie Desperados, Buffalo Spoonful, Captive Eddies and De Lions of Jah. Those who have been with the concerts for over a decade include Daryl Brewer, Tuck Tucker and Quartermoon.

MORE TO LOVE For years, the Bill Monroe picking tent, set up by Quartermoon, continues music past the scheduled bands. Often, some of the musicians who had played on stage earlier play next to amateurs, sometimes with 20 people all playing the same song.

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COMMUNITY >> FARM TO FAMILY CONCERT SERIES

The concerts have always had a variety of vendor tents. Those with food range from a veggie wagon to a barbecue tent.

Other tents hold clothing, crafts, jewelry and a chair massage. There will also be a children’s tent, new to the concerts.

Ellie Ray’s has an established campground for RVs with hookups. The festival village is primitive, but self-contained RVs can park nearby. Many people prefer tents or curling up in the back of their vehicle.

Ellie Ray ’s RV Resort has many attractive features that have made it a “day-cation” destination for years. A new larger pool is nearly finished. New mobile cabins are available to rent. The restaurant offers a variety, from burgers, wings and pizza to salad, tacos and seafood. A store provides basic needs. A large dock and boat ramp make for river access, and canoes are available for rent. Sunset on the river is always a treat.

Over the years the population of the Farm to Family concerts has remained

The extreme politeness between the many kinds and ages of the people attending really does create the best mix of peace and music. at a few hundred people; it never feels crowded. The extreme politeness between the many kinds and ages of the people attending really does create the best mix of peace and music.

Applebaum said that despite a few changes, the concerts will “keep the same vibe — a piece of heaven.”

“Hopefully, the weather will co-operate and we’ll have lots of happy campers,” Sturge said. “Our only rule is to have fun.”

The next Farm to Family Full Moon Festival will be held May 29 – 31 at Ellie Ray’s RV Park. The address is 3349 NW 110th St., Branford. Visit music.farmtofamily.com for more information.

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FLORIDA TRAILS >> GILCHRIST BLUEWAY

I CAN’T DRIVE 55

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A New Trail in Town W R I T T E N B Y K AT H Y P I E R R E | P H O T OG R A P H Y B Y B I L L K I L BO R N

The Gilchrist County Blueway is a recent addition for outdoor recreation. The Blueway is 55 miles long and features springs, hiking locations, areas for RV parking and wildlife interaction.

The Blueway was created “to provide sustainable recreational opportunities that also encourages stewardship and the protection of natural resources of Gilchrist County,” according to its information brochure.

Throughout the Blueway, visitors can see different types of wildlife, including Mullet fish, manatees, turtles and lizards.

The Blueway’s objectives are to foster more outdoor recreation, more economic activity and greater appreciation of the nature that Gilchrist County has to offer.

Most of the Blueway is lined with 40-million-year-old 26 |

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limestone and contains the Suwannee, Ichetucknee and Santa Fe Rivers. There are also more than 50 freshwater springs, most of which are unnamed, featuring clear water and ample opportunity for swimming and picnics.

PLANTS AND ANIMALS The Blueway is lined with butterweed blooms and white rain lilies that flower in the spring. In the fall, changing leaves redecorate the shores.

Visitors will see more than 150 turtles per hour swimming

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FLORIDA TRAILS >> GILCHRIST BLUEWAY

underwater. Snakes and lizards are populous, but often remain hidden from people, and alligator sightings are possible, though unlikely.

Manatees can also be seen throughout the Blueway during the warmer months of the year, though less common in winter.

Jumping fish, mullet fish or ancient Gulf Sturgeon, can be found in different areas of the Blueway’s rivers.

FLORIDA SPRINGS FORT FANNING, FANNING SPRINGS Created in 1832 by the U.S. Army, Ft. Fanning served as a supply depot and staging area for the Second Seminole War. It currently serves as a memorial.

OTTER SPRINGS Otter Springs Park and Campground are made up of 636 acres of natural land. Visitors can swim in the spring or in the heated indoor pool. There are options to hike, fish, boat and enjoy other indoor and outdoor activities.

GINNIE SPRINGS OUTDOORS Ginnie Springs features more than 200 acres of campsites, most of them with picnic tables and grills. There are seven springs over a two-and-a-half-mile stretch that can be tubed, rafted, canoed, snorkeled or kayaked.

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HART SPRINGS Pioneers, explorers and Native Americans once thought Hart Springs had magical healing powers. It is made up of two miniature boils, Big Hart and Little Hart. The park has more than 200 acres and visitors can swim, camp, canoe and experience other outdoor activities.

BLUE SPRINGS PARK The Blue Springs are known for its dock that people use to dive into clear blue water. The springs contain many different fish and other marine wildlife, bass, mullet, red bellies, mud fish, catfish and turtles. This spring is popular for kayaking and canoeing.

OTHER ACTIVITIES NATURE COAST STATE TRAIL A 32-mile biking and hiking trail allows visitors to have an outof-water experience. The trail crosses through the towns of Cross City, Trenton, Chiefland and Fanning Springs.

CITY OF HAWKINSVILLE The archaeological remains of the steamboat, City of Hawkinsville, can be explored with scuba gear and special permission. The City of Hawkinsville was one of the largest steamers to carry supplies along the Suwannee River until it was abandoned. The sunken ship is now a State Archaeological site.

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CONSERVATION >> RIVER CLEANUP

SPRING CLEANING

Current Problems River Cleanup Recap W R I T T E N B Y C R Y S TA L H E N R Y

F

or more than 20 years, an organization called Current Problems has been doing its part to keep the waters of Florida clean.

More than 16,000 volunteers have combed the waters and planted new vegetation in an effort to restore the natural beauty and balance in their community.

Since their start in 1993, volunteers have removed more than 700,000 pounds of trash from rivers, lakes, creeks and streams in our area, said executive director Fritzi Olson. That’s more than the weight of one of the largest adult African elephants.

Volunteers have put in more than 55,000 hours of work, and were able to recycle almost 20 percent of the trash they collected.

The mission of the organization is to preserve and protect the water resources of North Florida,

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and they do this through action, awareness and education. They rely on volunteers to comb the river banks, troll in boats and even enlist the help of cave divers to reach the unseen garbage clogging up our waters.

In March, volunteers met for the Clean Creek Revival. They collected around 5,400 pounds of trash from 13 different creek sites and one site at Bivens Arm. The volunteers met at the First Magnitude Brewery for supplies and headed out.

Unlike a river cleanup where volunteers cover a few miles, creek cleanups are on a smaller scale in a smaller area.

“So that’s a lot of trash when you think about it,” Olson said. To put it in perspective, the trash they pulled out of the creeks in one day was more than the weight of five adult manatees.

The group focuses on creek cleanups in the winter because the rivers are too cold to enter. But as PHOTOGRAPHY: PROVIDED BY CURRENT PROBLEMS AND CHRISTINE DENNEY

Over 3,500 pounds of trash were collected when First Magnitude Brewing and Current Problems teamed up on March 14th.

Cleanups are often advertised on fairly short notice because coordinators are ultimately at the mercy of weather and water conditions. Volunteers mostly get wind of events via Current Problems Facebook updates or sometimes word of mouth.

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the weather starts to warm up, so does the activity for Current Problems volunteers.

The next cleanup was scheduled for early April at Hogtown Creek, and they’ll have another a few weeks later. Olson said she tends to set the times and dates for cleanups on slightly shorter notice because so much of their job depends on weather and water conditions. She suggests that volunteers check the Current Problems Facebook page for up-to-date information.

This year the group did a pilot project cleaning the beaches along the Big Bend Coast. They tackled Little Pine and Big Pine Island. Pound for pound it was light because most of what they collected was plastic, but they were happy with their results.

“Weight wise it wasn’t much,” Olson said.

“But they got a pretty good load.”

They’d like to target another island this fall.

At the end of August and early September, the group will delve into their biggest cleanup of the year, the Suwannee River Cleanup. In four years, that project alone has collected 87,843 pounds of trash. If the average adult man weighs 175 pounds, that means they have pulled about 500 people’s-worth of garbage out of the river. It has taken more than 2,000 volunteers almost 8,000 hours to pull out that much trash.

Olson said one of the best things about the cleanups is people also begin to understand the correlation between surface activities and their drinking water. If visible trash gets into the water, then so do the unseen pollutants such as fertilizer and pesticides.

She said our area of the country is uniquely concerned with water quality because we look to the water for recreation.

We can fish, swim and paddle more months of the year than most places, so there’s a bigger concern to take care of what we have.

Olson said one thing that is encouraging is that as the program goes on they’re getting less trash each year. She said participation ebbs and flows, but everyone is welcome and encouraged to join in and help.

Those interested in more information about events and volunteering can contact aar@ currentproblems.org or connect with Current Problems on Facebook.

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SPORTS >> BABE RUTH TOURNAMENT

HEY BATTER , BATTER!

A GRAND SLAM FOR THE HEART OF FLORIDA

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W R ITTEN BY BR IN N STR A NGE | PHOTOGR A PH Y BY ER ICK A W INTER ROW D

Mark your calendars for what is sure to be an exciting summer.

The Babe Ruth Explosion of Champions comes to the heart of North Central Florida for the first time June 12th to August 5th. This event is sure to have a significant economic impact on Alachua County as it hosts four divisions of girls: Districts, State, Southeast Region, and four age groups of girls in multiple World Series at Champions Park in the City of Newberry and Hal Brady Recreation Complex in the City of Alachua. Never before has one county hosted all levels of Babe Ruth All Star Tournament play.

This year the tournament will be taken to new heights with the alliance of Alachua, Newberry and High Springs joining together to provide access to additional facilities and resources.

Alachua County is excited to host the first tournament that 34 |

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involves different age groups competing in the same county, rather than being spread across the country.

The excitement kicked off with the contract signing on March 18th at Newberry Champions Park. Alachua’s City Manager City Traci Cain, and Newberry’s City Manager Mike New, were in attendance for the big event, alongside National Commissioner of Babe Ruth, Rob Connor. Additionally, Joleen Cacciatore from Gainesville Sports Commission was at the signing with John Pritchard of Visit Gainesville, which gave the financial and in-kind support to the Babe Ruth Girls Explosion.

Tournaments of this magnitude require funding and sponsorships as well as volunteers. In fact, the assistance of those in our community dedicated to making this tournament a success is the most essential component of the event. It takes 150-200 volunteers in positions such as announcers, national anthem singers, and scorekeepers for everything to run smoothly.

To get involved visit: www.baberuth.cityofalachua.org.

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CRITICAL PLAYERS >> HONEY BEES

BZZZZ

Buzzfeed The Importance of Honey Bees S TORY A N D PHOTOG R A PHY BY ERICK A WINTER ROW D

W

i t h s h o rt ova l bodies, their dusty yellow and muted black backs cry out, “Overworked and underpaid!”

But these busy worker bees are too focused and determined to care. Their one common goal: colony survival. They’d give their life for their Queen but if she became weak, they would bound together and kill her, because at the end of the day only one thing matters — the hive must survive.

There’s a buzzing afoot at UF’s Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory, and this past March their 8th Annual Bee College took place at the UF Whitney Marine Lab in St. Augustine.

What is Bee College, one might ask? It is the most extensive educational honeybee event in the state of Florida, which takes place over the course of two days. There are morning lectures as well as hands-on workshops in the afternoon. There are even live honeybee colonies on site for open hive demonstrations.

More than 350 were in attendance — spanning from beekeepers, naturalists, farmers, gardeners, county agents, as well as those just interested in honeybees. High Springs resident Jamie Ellis, PhD., 36 |

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associate professor in the Department of Entomology and Nematology at the University of Florida, heads the event.

So what is it about these insects that create such a buzz (pun intended) among the public? And how is their existence connected to humankind?

“Honeybees specifically are the pollinator of choice, usually, to pollinate most of our ‘ag’ [agriculture] crops that need pollination,” Ellis said.

He explained that it bears noting that there are two main branches of plants: insect-pollinated plants and non-insect-pollinated plants, with wind-pollinated plants dominating the latter branch. Insects do not pollinate crops such as corn, wheat and rice; instead the wind moves the pollen around.

So bees, honeybees specifically, are used to pollinate many of our agriculture crops such as blueberries, watermelons, cucumbers, cantaloupes, squashes and strawberries. It is difficult to put a price on bees’ contribution through pollination, but Ellis thinks he has a pretty good idea of a possible figure.

“Fifteen years ago some [experts] had estimated about 15 billion dollars is added annually by the

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contributions of honeybees in increased crops and in better quality crops,” Ellis said. “Take honeybees away and you lose that value.”

Another point Ellis made is that honeybees have also been linked to food groups such as dairy, beef and poultry, because honeybees are the principal pollinators of many of the fodder crops such as clover. Other types of bees pollinate alfalfa, another important cattle crop.

“So indirectly bees provide us beef and dairy,” Ellis said. “That’s important to know.”

Ellis said that as a result of their pollination contributions, honeybees are responsible for about a fourth to a third of the food we eat. And no other ag commodity can claim that.

“When we think of ag we think of the chickens we’re eating or the milk we’re drinking,” Ellis said.

“And I mean, I love milk and I love chicken, I do.

But it’s not a third of my diet, and a third of my diet comes from those guys buzzing around outside.”

Ellis stressed that honeybees are not benevolent, meaning they don’t wake up and think of the people they can go help through pollination. Instead they consume pollen and we reap the benefits.

Here’s the breakdown: bees go to flowers to collect pollen and bring it back to their nest and put it in their hives to feed to their offspring. In the process of going from flower to flower, the pollen gets moved around.

“You see, bees are all covered in hair,” Ellis said. “If you look at their hair in a microscope its not a straight shaft, it’s forked. It’s got branches all over it. When bees fly they build up an electromagnetic charge and when they get into the flower the pollen literally jumps onto their bodies.”

From here, Ellis said, these branched hairs grab on to the pollen and hold it. Most bees have the ability to comb the pollen off of their bodies, pack it into pollen carrying apparatuses and take it back to the hive. In the process, though, they miss pollen grains. So any pollen left on their belly, face, or other areas is passed on as they move on to the next flower.

The end result might be a fruit, vegetable, nut, or berry being created.

“They’re truly there to take pollen back for consumption purposes,” Ellis said. “Pollen is the protein, vitamin, mineral, nutrient source for bees.”

Ellis explained that honeybees are unique. For example, many other bees will collect pollen, mix it with a little bit of nectar, which is sugar water that plants produce, put it in a structure and lay an egg OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

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“Fifteen years ago some [experts] had estimated about 15 billion dollars is added annually by the contributions of honeybees.”

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CRITICAL PLAYERS >> HONEY BEES on it. The developing offspring consumes that and then grows into an adult. However, most of what honeybees feed their offspring comes from glands used to produce food.

So bees actually create the food that their babies eat. It is called brood food or royal jelly.

“It’s the only other animal equivalent to mammals,” Ellis said. “Mammals have glands — mammary glands that secrete milk for their babies to feed on, that’s called ‘true food.’

Honeybees are another organism on the planet that produces a ‘true food,’ a food on which “They need roughly, one of the life stages can comdepending on the size of the pletely develop. We produce milk, bees produce brood food.” colony, 50 to 100 pounds of Humans have had an assohoney to survive winter, so ciation with bees for thousands that’s why they store it” of years. And Ellis explained that for the longest time it was a honey-hunting association where many had the mindset of, “There’s my colony, now I will go destructively sample all of the honey and good luck to the bees.” He said all of that changed when a couple hundred years ago people migrated that behavior of honey hunting and began coercing bees into structures.

“The earliest structures were simply hollow things into which bees were dumped,” Ellis said. “And then the bees built the combs however they wanted to.”

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out and manipulated and those colonies cannot be easily managed, all one can do is harvest the honey. However, about 150 years ago a gentleman named Lorenzo Lorraine Langstroth finally put all of the pieces together by discovering something called bee space.

“It’s very simple,” Ellis said. “When you give bees 3/8ths of an inch they build comb. When you give bees less than 3/8ths of an inch they’ll collect plant saps and tree rosins, which beekeepers call propolis, and they’ll glue the cracks together.”

By giving them this 3/8ths of an inch, the bees put neither comb nor propolis in areas where it would hinder the beekeeper’s easy access and manipulation of the hive.

A beekeeper can then remove the combs because they’re not attached to the hive walls.

“The entire inside dimensions of the colony are based on 3/8ths of an inch,” Ellis said. “The frames are 3/8ths of an inch apart as well as 3/8ths of an inch from the wall. The boxes we put together have 3/8ths of an inch between the upper frames and the lower frames. And as a result, Lorenzo Lorraine Langstroth perfected the moveable frame hive.”

When this happened in the mid-1800s beekeeping finally became possible. Before, people could have bees but couldn’t keep, culture or manage them. When the combs became removable, managing the queen and checking for diseases and pests became possible. And beekeepers could develop ways to harvest the honey but not destroy the comb.

Ellis described the way in which bees make honey.

“So a flower has pollen, it needs its pollen to be moved around so the way it attracts pollinators is by producing

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otherwise would, and through management techniques produce nectar,” he said. “Nectar is simply flower sugar water. Bees go more honey than they would otherwise need. collect that, they suck it up from the flower and it goes into their “They need roughly, depending on the size of the colony, 50 honey stomach. Then, they fly back to the colony and in transit, to 100 pounds of honey to survive winter, so that’s why they store natural enzymes are mixed into the nectar.” it,” Ellis said. “We leave them some that they need to survive From there the bees get to the colony and unload it to another and we harvest the rest.” bee that is waiting at the entrance. They take that nectar and He stressed that the real food of bees is pollen, which they go put it into the comb. Ellis said nectar is much too high in eat for the first week as an adult, or the brood food that they moisture content so the bees will stand at the nest entrance eat as immatures. Once they reach a certain age they’re and fan their wings, which circulates air in the nest and not growing and don’t need either. dries off the nectar. Once they have evaporated off “So honey is really their fuel,” Ellis said. the right amount of water and gotten that “It’s the energy that they use to move, nectar between 15.5 and 18.5 percent it’s the gasoline of the hive. Honey water, they have ripened it into honey “It’s the energy that they is their carbohydrate source; they and they put a wax capping over that consume it to fly, walk, sting, produce cell signifying that it is done. Another use to move, it’s the gasoline wax, etcetera.” way to think about it is nectar is plant of the hive. Honey is their In Florida there are about 3,500 sugar water that must be dehydrated carbohydrate source, they beekeepers. Ellis said the vast majorinto honey. consume it to fly, walk, sting, ity, about 3,100 or 3,200, are hobEllis said that there’s about 20,000 byists beekeepers with anywhere species of bees on the planet and that produce wax, etcetera.” from one to 10 colonies. The small most bees are solitary, meaning they minority of them, about 150 to 200, live by themselves, provision a nest and are the commercial beekeepers that keep that’s it. Honeybees are eusocial, meanhundreds or thousands of colonies. So most of ing they have the highest organizational level of our Florida beekeepers are hobbyists, but most of our animal sociality. This includes cooperative brood care, colonies belong to commercial operations that take their overlapping generations and division of labor into reproduccolonies to different crops around the country and are paid rent tive and non-reproductive groups. Their colonies are perpetual for those colonies to sit on and pollinate a crop. and, as such, have to survive the winter. There are not many For example, blueberry growers will pay roughly $50 per major nectariferous and pollen abundant plants from October colony to pollinate their blueberries. A 100-acre field needs two through February, so bees make and store honey to survive the to 300 colonies, so a commercial beekeeper would make $50 a harsh season. colony. And after pollinating a certain crop the bees move to Have no worries, beekeepers are not stealing the bees’ hardanother, such as watermelons, for example. They’ll pollinate earned honey. Ellis said that beekeeping by definition is the the watermelons and then be forklifted on a truck during the managing of honeybees to produce stronger colonies than they 42 |

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CRITICAL PLAYERS >> HONEY BEES

night and moved to Maine for blueberries. They pollinate Maine blueberries, and then they’re moved to North Dakota where they pollinate clover.

Ellis said the bee colonies are just sitting there right by the crop, and naturally they begin to go out and collect pollen in order to bring it back to their colonies. When the crop is no longer in bloom, it’s time to move to a new one.

Ellis said pollination drives the commercial industry.

Believe it or not, the main crop driver of the pollination industry in the United States is almonds.

‘A little bit of product works, a lot of product works better.’”

The best advice he can give to those using pesticides is to follow the label.

“The label was written and developed in a way to maximize its efficacy against the target organism, but to minimize its impact on non-target organisms,” Ellis said. “They were tested against non-target organisms. And if a product is harmful or toxic to bees or other pollinators it must say that on the label, and it will tell you what you should do for its responsible use around pollinators. Follow the label.”

“They are so very important for our food production, because we can’t handpollinate or do anything like they do.”

“Almonds in California need honeybees so bad and the demand for bees is so great, many almond growers pay $150 to $200 a colony,” Ellis said. “They’ll even come pick up your bees sometimes.”

There are 2.6 million honeybee colonies in the United States. And Ellis said 1.6 to 1.7 million of those colonies go to California to pollinate almonds. That’s roughly 60 percent.

So what can people do to help the honeybee?

Ellis said there are a number of things, such as reducing the use of pesticides in the backyard. For those that have to use pesticides, do so responsibly.

“If you ask the experts, the number one misuser of pesticides on the planet are homeowners,” Ellis said. “It’s that person that goes to Lowe’s or Home Depot, or Ace and says, 44 |

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Another way to help bees is to plant wildflowers and to research Florida pollinator wildflower mixes. There is a wealth of information online about what can be planted for bee forage, such as black-eyed Susans, sunflowers or Partridge peas. Honeybees in general like a lot of the herbs and spices that can be planted in gardens as well.

“A weed is a weed because we deem it a weed, but if a weed has a flower it’s probably helping a bee,” Ellis said.

People are becoming more aware of that and are conserving bee habitats and bee meadows.

Ted Chapman is the High Springs warehouse manager at Dadant & Sons, Inc., a company that has produced beekeeping supplies since 1863.

“They did a write up in Time Magazine that said if we

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went four years without the honeybees that the human race would be extinct,” Chapman said. “They are so very important for our food production, because we can’t hand-pollinate or do anything like they do.”

It’s been quite a few years since Ellis was the little eight-year-old boy, who out of youthful curiosity began a fascination with honeybees — a fascination that he said only continues to grow.

“Honeybees in my opinion are the most amazing insect on the planet,” he said. “Only honeybees leave their stinger in you. Their colonies have developed in such a way that the bee has become expendable, the individual has. So rather than sting you, sting you, sting you and then get sloughed off, they sting and rip out their poison sack, which remains there beating like a heart, pumping venom into you. And they get the maximum bang for their buck.”

Ellis said that honeybees only sting once and that it kills them. After stinging someone, the barbed stinger stays in as the bee flies off. The stinger tears out of its body and with it their poison sack, ripping out some of their internal organs in the process.

People, of course, are able to pull the stinger out but an animal cannot. As one can only imagine this is a highly effective defense system that the honeybee has going on. It’s only a shame they have to go off and die afterward. But as the Brits say, “Long Live the Queen!”

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COLUMN

CRYSTAL HENRY’S

Naked Salsa SURROGATE SAGA: THE WAITING

CRYSTAL HENRY IS A FREELANCE WRITER AND COLUMNIST BORN AND RAISED IN WEST TEXAS. SHE RECEIVED HER B.S. IN JOURNALISM IN 2006 FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA. SHE IS IN LOVE WITH THE FLORIDA LANDSCAPE. ces03k@gmail.com

WE LEFT THE LAST INSTALLMENT WITH ME PANTS DOWN ON THE TRANSFER TABLE WATCHING A LITTLE SPEC OF HOPE PLACED LIGHTLY IN MY WOMB.

T

he next step was for me to lie on my back to give Junior a chance to settle in. I asked if feet on the headboard was necessary, but they said just lying flat would do. And we waited.

It was about 15-20 surreal minutes with my IPs (Intended Parents) and I making small talk and occasionally acknowledging the insane possibility that their child was setting up shop in my loins as we spoke. I would occasionally crack a joke about being super casual sans pants while we chatted.

I was restricted to take it easy that day, so we grabbed some superstitious fries that my surro sisters swear increase your transfer mojo, and I went back to my hotel to just kick back with some Netflix to wait out my rest day.

The next day it was time to head home, and on my drive to the airport it really hit me that I was now carrying some very precious cargo. As I rolled my rental car back into the lot I was brimming with happy tears as I thought about our final hugs goodbye last night. Baby Mama seemed to hug me extra tight, and I had just realized she was probably trying to get some hug vibes down to her little embryo. They had placed their one tiny hope in my womb, and now they were parting. That level of trust and faith in me was too much for my hormones to take.

The guy at the rental place looked at me with concern and asked if everything was OK. I have no idea why I spilled my guts, but I just patted my belly and blurted out, “I’m totally fine. I’m just very emotional because I’m a surrogate, and we just had our transfer yesterday. And this little baby is just making me want to cry.”

He smiled, patted my arm and went to get my paperwork.

He came back with my receipt and showed me where to wait for the airport shuttle. I was holding it together pretty good until he said, “You’re doing a very great thing.” Then someone started cutting onions. I bit back the tears as I grabbed my bags.

I got on the shuttle and my phone rang. It was the Hubs

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checking to see that I got to the airport on time. I chatted with him a little, laughing at my ridiculous hormones when I opened my receipt for the rental car. The balance was cut in half and the man wrote “Good luck” on the side of the receipt.

Well that was enough to send my hormones over the top. I completely started inconsolably blubbering on the shuttle to the point that my husband thought maybe I was injured, and my fellow passengers were looking for horse tranquilizers.

I barely made it three days before I peed on my first stick.

Oh yes. My name is Crystal and I’m a pregnancy test addict. I actually think that part of my desire to be a surrogate is actually because I secretly love peeing on those little sticks.

The first test was a cheapie that detects a level of 25 units or more of HcG, the pregger hormone, in your system. Since you start around zero, you typically don’t see a level of 25 until you’re a little more than a few days pregnant. But a dollar was worth my sanity.

I took the test and waited quite a while for a line that didn’t come. I wasn’t too disappointed though since I’d only transferred three days ago. They had my beta scheduled for 10 days past transfer. The beta is a blood test to measure the pregger hormone, and since it was a 5-day embryo, if we do the math that would mean they were basically waiting to test until the day after my “missed period” if the baby had gotten in there the old fashioned way.

But as fellow pee stick pushers know, you can get a positive pregnancy test before you miss your period. So I tested and waited and tested and waited. Five days after my transfer, my cheapie preggy tests came in the mail in bulk from Amazon.

I ripped open the package, dipped the strip and waited. The control line immediately appeared, but the test line was still blank. I walked to get some water while it dried. The odds of the transfer actually taking were less than 40 percent. So as much as I wanted this for them I knew that the odds were not in our favor.

After months of waiting on contracts, hormone cycles, transfer meds and what seemed like years of waiting after the transfer, I looked down and saw the faintest little line creeping into the testing area. The eagle had landed after all.

I am pregnant.

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S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E

On March 16, 2015 a ribbon cutting was held to unveil the newly remodeled health clinic. Sheriff Sadie Darnell, in addition to countless volunteers, participated in the event.

Southwest Advocacy Group Local Realtor Throws Down Challenge…

SSFCU answers… Will you?

I

n an effort to help a local advocacy group, David Nicholson is putting his money where his mouth is. After learning about the Southwest Advocacy Group’s (SWAG) proposal for the development of an Early Childhood Collaborative Center, David is not only contributing his own money, but also hoping many of us will follow his lead.

“SWAG has done so much to help the people of these communities, it’s a privilege to help them any way I can,” said Nicholson recently.

SWAG is a grassroots, non-profit organization made up of residents, advocates, and local agency providers that seek to improve the lives of residents in the SWAG neighborhoods. The SWAG community is an area comprised of seven neighborhoods, covering approximately one square mile of land next to interstate 48 |

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I75 in southwest Gainesville. This area of Gainesville, although surrounded by several affluent neighborhoods, is often overlooked.

The organization’s goals include protecting vulnerable children, supporting families, and providing opportunities and resources so that adults can become successful in life. In June of 2012, the SWAG Family Resource Center (and an adjoining playground), located in the heart of the SWAG neighborhoods, opened its doors. The Resource Center, operated by Partnership for Strong Families, works with multiple service agencies to offer a variety of social services promoting self-sufficiency and the welfare of children and families. SWAG has also endeavored to increase access to health care for the residents. In March, the SW Health Clinic opened across the street from the Resource Center and includes programs

focused on disease control, women and children’s health, and improving dental health to the residents of the SWAG community.

This latest proposal would develop a childcare and early education center to support and enhance the quality of life, health, and early education for young children and families in the SWAG communities. The Children’s Health Imagination Learning & Discovery (C.H.I.L.D.) center is a partnership between SWAG, Baby Gator Child Development Center and O2B Kids.

Although the group has enjoyed a great deal of local support since 2010, if the C.H.I.L.D. Center is to become a reality, a significant amount of fundraising is needed. With access to a large matching funds grant, SWAG is close to making this dream a reality, but only if a significant amount can be raised.

“When I heard they had access to a $1 for $1 matching grant, I wanted to do what I could to help,” explained Nicholson. “I personally donated $1000 and am challenging people I know to donate whatever they can.”

With $200,000 available as a matching grant, every dollar helps. It didn’t take long for others to take notice, including SunState Federal Credit Union, where Nicholson serves on the Board of Directors.

“When we see one of our directors become passionate about a local cause, contribute their own time and money, and work with others for the benefit of our community, it compels us to follow that lead,” said Robert Hart, VP of Marketing with SunState. “As a member-oriented credit union, it’s our duty to step up when we can to improve the lives of our members and our community.”

SunState Federal Credit Union is matching Nicholson’s initial donation, adding another $1000 in hopes of sparking additional support.

How You Can Help With a rich history of working with local We are seeking funds to assist in the charities, SSFCU, in conjunction with Our various projects and daily programming Town Magazine and Tower Publications, needs of the Resource Center and the currently donates to many area charities Health Clinic. Donations can be made through their “Charity of the Month” through our Razoo donation page, or program.

To learn more about how mailed to: SWAG Family Resource charities are nominated for the monthly donation, visit SunState’s Facebook page.

Center 807 SW 64th Terrace Members have known for over 57 years Gainesville, FL 32607. All checks that SunState’s commitment to their financial should be made payable to well-being, and to the community as a whole, Southwest Advocacy is at the core of who they are as a financial Group. institution. Hart explains, “We want our members to consider SunState FCU not just as a credit union, but as their one trusted financial and community partner.”

Nicholson was hoping SunState would help when he threw down the challenge, and they did, but it’s going to take many more donations for the C.H.I.L.D. Center to be realized. For more information on how you can become involved with SWAG and this initiative, visit their web site at swadvocacygroup.org. www.sunstatefcu.org Publisher’s Note: We’re proud to be community partners with SunState Federal Credit Union.

Over the years we’ve participated on many projects together. After reading this, I’m happy to answer the call and would like to add another $1000 to help make the C.H.I.L.D. Center a reality. Keep up the great work! cd

Proudly serving our members and our community since 1957

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WATER >> SAVING OUR RIVERS & SPRINGS

H 2 WOES

Saving Florida’s Water As Struggles Deepen, Opportunities Abound to Ensure Future for Our Rivers and Springs S TORY A N D PHOTOG R A PHY BY MICH A E L S TON E

W

hen Getzen Fowler started working maintenance at Poe Springs in 1951 for 23 cents an hour, it was vastly different than today.

The park, then privately owned, had a boardwalk, a concession stand, changing houses and diving boards, said 75-year-old Getzen, who has lived in and around the nearby city of High Springs his whole life.

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With these features long gone and the park now under Alachua County Parks and Recreation, Poe had another unique feature back then not present today: Visitors could navigate the whole waterway that connects the spring to the Santa Fe River without ever touching a rock or the bottom.

“You use to could swim right on out into the river from Poe Springs,” Fowler recalled, estimating the water level was about 3 or 4 feet deeper in the early ‘50s. “The water was deep enough that you could

“You use to could swim right on out into the river from Poe Springs”

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Erica Gonzaga (holding camera) and Rob Damitz take promotional photos for their Gainesville-based company, aqUV, at Poe Springs on Saturday, March 28th.

The two, along with partner Daniel Blood, developed the aqUV water bottle, which has a built-in ultraviolet light bulb that sanitizes water and is meant to help provide clean water in underprivileged countries.

“Poe has been degraded terribly.

It stopped flowing in 2012 for the first time ever”

swim — not super deep, but it was deep enough that you could swim.”

Such a dramatic water decrease makes Poe a “textbook example” of the peril happening across the state’s roughly 1,020 springs, said Bob Knight, director of the nonprofit Florida Springs Institute in Gainesville.

“Poe has been degraded terribly. It stopped flowing in 2012 for the first time ever,” Knight said. “Any spring that stops flowing is like, ‘What are we doing? What have we done?’”

Like many area waterways, Poe and the Santa Fe became all but stagnant by the dramatic drops in rainfall during 2011 and into 2012. But experts point to more deep-rooted problems as the real culprits behind quantity and quality declines in North Central Florida’s springs and rivers.

Over pumping from groundwater wells has diverted the liquid lifeblood toward agriculture, water bottling and, especially in terms of lawns, individuals homes supporting a growing population. Such extractions have taken the amount of water flowing out of the state’s springs down by a third, Knight said.

Less of this fresh water means more room for the saltwater even deeper underground to force its way upward into the water 52 |

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supply — a process called saltwater intrusion.

At the same time, nitrates found in fertilizers, cattle feces and, if not properly controlled, human waste are making their way into the Floridan aquifer system. The aquifer is the network of Swiss-cheese-like rocks and caves throughout the entire state that allows rainwater to travel underground, mainly starting at sinkholes, and eventually reemerge as flowing surface water.

Drinking water high in nitrates can cause negative health effects, and it’s also believed to fuel the algae blooms that shroud clear water in green and kill native vegetation.

But it hasn’t been all bad news lately for the springs in and around Alachua County.

Following the 2011 and 2012 drought periods, a slight pickme-up has come in the form of climbing rainfalls.

The 14 counties covered by the Suwanee River Water Management District, including northwestern Alachua County, were missing about 8.5 inches in 2011 from the historic average of 54.5 inches, according to figures from the district.

But during the past three years, the heavens have released showers higher than the average: 4.7 inches in surplus for 2012, despite several dry months; 0.9 surplus for 2013; and a giant 7.1

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WATER >> SAVING OUR RIVERS & SPRINGS

“We feel strongly that people who want to be a part of their community can actually make something happen.” extra last year.

Thinking back to the tail end of the drought in 2012, Knight is glad a stroke of luck from the weather has given the springs a shot in the arm.

“The springs are much more valuable than just our recreational use for them,” he said, referring to swimming, diving and other water activities popular among visitors.

“The springs are the headwaters of all our rivers — in other words, if we didn’t have a spring flow in the Santa Fe River, the whole river dries up.”

But Knight emphasized it’s going to take people, not Mother Nature, to ensure the springs and rivers are pristine and can better survive the inevitable next drought.

The 1970s saw Floridians fighting for natural water en masse because of droughts combined with what was considered extravagant pumping, Knight said.

“But things are much worse now than they were then,” he

said, “and yet the public hasn’t been standing up to defend their rights.”

Certain groups, though, are taking a stand, and they say all who want help and participate are welcome.

SANTA FE, OTHER WATERS DRAW SUPPORT Locally, the Santa Fe is perhaps the most noted running waterway, following the northern border of Alachua County and being fed by several popular springs, including Ginnie, Lily, Poe and Rum Island.

In its entirety, the river travels more than 70 miles westward from Lake Santa Fe northwest of Melrose until its confluence with the Suwanee River.

In a feat of spectacular natural wonder, the river disappears into a sinkhole at O’Leno State Park in High Springs and travels three miles underground before reemerging at River Rise State Preserve. This division separates the

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such as film showings and guest speakers; collecting photos; membership recruitment; and contacting officials and other community members about water issues.

“We’re all in this together,” she said, “and we feel strongly that people who want to be a part of their community can actually make something happen.”

Our Santa Fe is one organization among many that have emerged in the wake of the growing danger to Florida’s water.

Another, Save Our Suwannee, is working mainly on keeping overflow from the Valdosta, Georgia, wastewater treatment plant from running into the river, said Malwitz-Jipson, who recently started serving as president of that organization as well.

Winding about 260 miles from the Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia to the Gulf of Mexico, the Suwannee is fed by 55 springs and has Florida’s only whitewater rapids, near the city of White Springs.

Those wishing to volunteer on the wastewater project and areas such as membership, the newsletter and the website should email volunteer@saveoursuwanee.org, Malwitz-Jipson said.

Yet another group, the Ichetucknee Alliance, is targeting the core issues of decreasing water levels and increasing nitrates at the river, said Lucinda Merritt, the alliance’s secretary.

The Ichetucknee has lost about 20 to 25 percent of its historic water flow to pumping, and algae blooms are clouding the water and engulfing vegetation, Merritt said.

“I remember going down the river back in the ‘60s when

WATER >> SAVING OUR RIVERS & SPRINGS

upstream Upper Santa Fe River to the east and the downstream Lower Santa Fe River to the west until it hits the Suwanee.

Sprouting along the lower portion alone are 40-some springs, Knight said, and their imperilment has sparked the creation of the nonprofit Our Santa Fe. The organization incorporated in 2007 on the heels of the successful effort to stop four water-bottling plants from setting up shop along the Santa Fe River. Among its ongoing goals: having the Suwanee Water Management District put a moratorium on issuing larger water-use permits, and getting the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to work with farmers on bringing down their use of water, fertilizers and other chemicals.

Drops in such areas would come from what Our Santa Fe President Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson described as “right crop, right location.” For example, she said, growers could transition to slash pine because, even though the tree takes longer to reach its harvest point, it requires less treatment and irrigation.

In addition, the organization is collecting photographs of the Santa Fe River taken prior to 1990 to use in its campaigns and compare and contrast river conditions over time. MalwitzJipson said anyone with such photographs can call 386-243-0322 or email info@oursantaferiver.org to coordinate and that the photos would be returned if they needed to be scanned.

Malwitz-Jipson said the same contact information can be used for anyone interested in volunteering to help with events,

ESULTS DRIVEN. Gil Alba

Karen Yochim

Gilil Alba G Alba

Karen K are en n Yochim Yochiim

ville. v illle e.

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“Gainesville is sort of moving in the right direction.

We’re using less water every year instead of more.” it was clear as glass from the head spring down to the takeout point, and it’s not that way now,” she said.

A relatively short, spring-fed river, the Ichetucknee travels 6 miles from the headspring in Ichetucknee Springs State Park in Fort White until its confluence with the Santa Fe River at the northern tip of Gilchrist County. It provides 25 percent of the Santa Fe’s flow and, later, 4 percent of the Suwannee’s, according to the Ichetucknee Alliance.

The current target for volunteers would be joining a monthly canoe and kayak trip that tests the river’s quality and gathers other data, Merritt said, adding those interested should email ichetuckneealliance@gmail.com.

These organizations, closer to Alachua County, are three of many focused on protecting the springs and rivers throughout North Central Florida. Anyone wanting to volunteer or become a member can see a lengthier list at FloridaSpringsInstitute. org/Springs-Allies.

STARTING IN THE HOME Outside of direct help with nonprofit water organizations, there are several things Floridians can do in their everyday lives to minimize the impacts to the aquifer system, said Knight of the Springs Institute.

First and foremost, they should reduce watering and fertilizing plants and lawns, he said, noting that using vegetation native to Florida will most often prove resilient regardless of current rain trends.

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things will turn brown during the dry periods and will be green the rest of the time,” Knight said. “What we need is an ethical change where people see that using fertilizer is wrong.”

If fertilizers are spread, overuse does not make the plants grow any faster, the institute’s website explains. And for water retention, it recommends applying mulch to beds and leaving grass clippings on the lawn.

In addition, homeowner associations should consider changing their rules on fining members for having brown lawns, he said.

The movement that encourages native plants that don’t need as much synthetic help is called “Florida-Friendly Landscaping.”

Its website, FloridaYards.org, has a database of suitable grasses, flowers, shrubs and other plants for the northern, central and southern regions of the state.

The site also offers an interactive planning map that helps transition from a lawn-dominated landscape to one with beds and native plants.

As for saving water indoors, the Springs Institute’s websites lists several things people can do: test for a leaky toilet by adding food coloring and seeing if it disappears in 30 minutes; upgrade to low-volume toilets and showerheads; turn off the faucet while you wash dishes, shave and wash your hands and face, and brush your teeth; take shorter showers; catch shower water to reuse on plants; and have your septic tank inspected.

Then comes contacting elected and department officials who have the means to change the rules on water, Knight said. But the powers citizens hold, in the voting booth and from petitioning,

have to come from “so many numbers,” he added.

When combined, the water advocacy groups have about 90,000 members, Knight said, “but still, when I go say something in Tallahassee in a Senate meeting or a House meeting, it goes on deaf ears.”

Specifically, the officials should be encouraged to deny certain permits to pump water, explore use of surface water instead of groundwater, and put greater fees on groundwater that financially rewards people for less use, like the tiered-rate system Gainesville has.

“Gainesville is sort of moving in the right direction,” Knight said. “We’re using less water every year instead of more.”

But the statewide need for water is only going to grow, with the Florida DEP estimating an additional 2 billion gallons will have to be drawn daily by 2025.

But Knight said he knows the will is there to change by then, citing the 75 percent approval voters gave in 2014 to the Amendment 1 Florida Water and Land Conservation Initiative.

“There’s a ton of belief in the state that the environment is important,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what party, what religion, what your economic status is — the environment’s important for everybody, and the people in Florida understand that.”

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GARDENING >> SUMMER BLOOMS

FLOWER POWER

NOW IS THE TIME TO PLANT YOUR GARDEN

Bloom In June!

W R I T T E N B Y M A R Y W. B R I D G M A N | P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y E R I C K A W I N T E R R O W D

In North Central Florida, the old saying that April showers bring May flowers doesn’t exactly ring true.

By April, redbud, wild cherry and dogwood have already shed their flowers and put on fresh coats of tender green leaves. The showy banks of blooming azaleas that brighten our landscapes far too briefly have come and gone. Alas, it’s too late to plant seeds that will germinate and flower throughout the scorching months of summer. But take heart, dear gardener. Nurseries are teeming with plant starts that can be set out now in beds or pots, providing you with color that will last from June through August, if not longer.

Popular choices include Rudbeckia (coneflower), Impatiens, Vinca (periwinkle), Asclepias (milkweed) and Alyssum (sweet alyssum).

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If it’s color you’re after, you aren’t limited to flowering plants. Standbys like coleus, which come in an awesome palate ranging from pink to deep purple to red to green to vibrant yellow, can be put in the ground now. They range in height from one to several feet. Coleus grow in the landscape or in pots — trailing varieties may be used in hanging baskets. Best of all, this versatile plant is heat-tolerant and durable, with few disease and insect problems. Most will grow in part shade, but newer varieties can tolerate full sun — make sure you know the proper growing conditions for the varieties you select.

Coleus does best in well-drained soils with lots of organic matter. You can add sand to promote good drainage, and peat moss to provide more organic content to your soil. Pinch the stems of growing plants often to promote dense foliage.

Caladiums are another great choice for summer color. When I was a child, my mother planted them beneath a huge oak tree that we could see from our dining room table. We used to watch

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them nod their heads in the cool afternoon breeze, a welcome sight on a hot summer day, before the age of air-conditioning.

The distinctive arrow-shaped foliage comes in a wide range of colors, from white to pink to deep red. Tubers should be set three to five inches deep in loose soil. The plants do best in partial shade, which explains why my mother’s plants did so well under the shade of our oak. Many resources advise digging up caladium tubers to overwinter, but I have left mine in the ground with pretty good results. You just have to remember where they are when the foliage dies and

color. This plant gets its name from the way each bud swells, like a tiny hot-air balloon, before the starry petals open.

The balloon flower is a perennial, which means it will come back year after year if undisturbed. The plants disappear completely in fall, so you will need to mark their location to avoid accidentally digging them up. They come back in late spring, blooming profusely from mid to late summer, when many other perennials are fading. The cuplike blossoms, which also come in pink and white varieties, are two to three inches wide, accented with delicate purple veins

Balloon flowers are excellent for cutting, so you can enjoy their unique color indoors and out. disappears so as not to disturb them.

Gardeners hankering for splashes of orange and blue in their landscapes have several choices. Sue Quinley, an experienced gardener who lives in Glen St. Mary, suggests the balloon flower, also known as Astra balloon flower or Chinese bellflower (Platycodon grandiflorus), for great blue 60 |

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and yellow stamens. Plants form low, neat mounds, about two to three feet in height, and 12 inches wide. They like full sun or part shade. Balloon flowers are well behaved in the garden — they don’t spread and never crowd their neighbors. Pick off the flowers as they fade to encourage more blooms.

To keep balloon flowers growing strong, work a little slow release fertilizer into the soil during the spring or when planting. Moderate drought conditions won’t hurt the plant, but it is best to water deeply when the soil dries out or if drought conditions persist.

Balloon flowers are excellent for cutting, so you can enjoy their unique color indoors and out. To make the flowers last in a vase, sear the stems with a match immediately after cutting.

I didn’t have any luck finding balloon flowers in stock locally, and the folks I talked to weren’t sure if they would get them. But there are plenty of sources for ordering these plants on the Internet.

Quinley recommends zinnias for the orange counterpoint to blue balloon flowers. Consider a dwarf zinnia variety, such as Profusion. Because balloon flowers like well-drained soils, you can “mound” the soil where you plan to plant them, raising their height, so that you can plant your orange-flowering zinnias below them for maximum impact. Profusion series reach eight to 14 inches in height and can spread to 24 inches wide. This variety is self-cleaning, so no deadheading is required. They are disease- and heat-resistant, a bonus in coping with our challenging Florida summer climate.

Another trusty summer favorite for a splash of orange color is the marigold.

These plants naturally suppress many types of damaging plant-parasitic nematodes, unsegmented roundworms that are microscopic in size and attack a broad range of vegetable, fruit and ornamental plants resulting in swelling or galls on the roots. Severe infestations of these pests can cause plants to be stunted, wilt or die.

Marigold roots release a chemical that is toxic to nematodes and other pests.

Marigolds prefer full sun. Flowers come in yellow, golden or bicolor in addition to orange.

The flowers hang onto the plants after they die and should be removed to avoid detracting for the appearance of the landscape bed. These plants will hold up well under the hot Florida summer, if watered regularly.

Your local garden center can provide a wealth of additional suggestions for plants that will bloom in June and beyond. Happy planting!

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ARTIST PROFILE >> LYNNE BUCHANAN

NO EARTH WITHOUT ART

Art and Activism An Inside Look into Environmental Photographer Lynne Buchanan W RIT TE N BY BRIN N S TR A NG E P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y LY N N E B U C H A N A N

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n a recent podcast interview, Bill Nye (yes, the “science guy”) was asked to describe his perspective on man’s effect on the environment and whether or not our individual efforts have any influence on the world’s problems. He responded using a metaphor of a swimming pool full of dirty water (symbolizing our polluted earth). Nye explained that, while cleaning all of the water out and putting all new water in isn’t practical, you can, over time, replace one cup of dirty water with one cup of clean.

Eventually, “it all adds up; we’re slowly changing out the pool water.”

Essentially, Nye’s message is one of hope. He encourages, “Be optimistic people. Contribute to the solution.”

Lynne Buchanan, a local photographer and environmental activist, embodies this attitude of hope by using her powerful photographs to raise awareness of the devastating issues facing our waterways.

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Manatees Nursing, Blue Springs (the one on the St. John’s)

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A CLOSE-UP ON BUCHANAN’S BEGINNINGS

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ARTIST PROFILE >> LYNNE BUCHANAN

Upon approaching photographer Lynne Buchanan’s property in bucolic Micanopy, one is struck by the huge oak tree in the front yard and the amount of green space and the lack of fencing between neighbors. After being warmly greeted with a wave from Buchanan and a lick from her labradoodle, Our Town had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with the passionate photographer.

Buchanan thoughtfully reflected on her recent trip to Cuba, where she took pictures of the people and their environment. She also shared her beliefs on the important issues facing the environment and our waterways. Her convictions are eloquent and thoughtful, and it was not surprising to learn that this deep thinker majored in creative writing, and her father taught philosophy. So when did this sage traveler pick up a camera?

Oddly enough, it was yoga that readied Buchanan for her future behind the lens.

“My experiences started spiritually,” Buchanan said. When taking creative writing classes, Buchanan described herself as “more of a critic than creative.”

However, it was while attending a yoga workshop in Miami that she was encouraged to shut off her critical voice and to tap into her creative side. Immediately following the retreat, she attended her first photography workshop and finally felt the freedom to create.

In school, Buchanan’s creativity felt stifled, and she shared her qualms with the U.S.’s education system.

“So often college seems to be preparing us for a specific job, a niche skill and a specialized focus, not in building someone’s character or changing you as a person,” she said. “Instead, college can be an opportunity for us to become more humane. Photography, too, encourages you to change and shift.”

And this ability to transform — both other’s perspectives and her personally — is exactly what stimulated her passion for taking pictures.

Buchanan began approaching photography more seriously in 2011, and two years later she focused her efforts on the issues of our waterways.

“I love water!” Buchanan proclaimed, before describing her “freak out” while visiting Wakula Springs. She could not believe the devastating transformation the water hand undergone over the past several years. A boat guide told her group that, in the past, many boats journeyed out to the springs every day. The water was filled with people wanting to explore the water. Today, however, boat pollution and other manmade contaminants have turned the water black and mucky. Boats are rarely able to visit what was once pristine.

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ZOOMING IN: INDIVIDUAL CONSERVATION EFFORTS “I know I’m not perfect, but I try. You have to start with yourself.”

Buchanan’s daily efforts towards conservation include staying informed by reading about current environmental issues and trying “not to be a part of the ‘disposable-mindset’ our society is accustomed to.” Instead, Buchanan puts the lessons she learns while traveling to practice in her daily life. Even though areas of poverty are often associated with having a lot of trash, this is not the case in Cuba.

“There is not much trash because people don’t throw things away,” she said. “They are more mindful and respectful of the environment.”

Buchanan, too, tries to become less wasteful.

“If a waiter fills my glass up in a restaurant, even if it is when I am about to leave, I try to stay and finish the glass,” she admitted with a laugh. “It may seem silly, but I want to ensure 66 |

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that no water is poured out unnecessarily.”

She admits that she’s not perfect, but after being on the water, she can’t use chemicals in her household.

“If weeds invade my lawn, too bad,” she said.

Energy usage is another important environmental issue, Buchanan acknowledges, but it is hard to get around the travel required of her line of work. Though she feels guilty about having to travel for her shows or to visit different rivers, she knows the tradeoff is what’s important.

Even her approach to the craft of taking pictures is unique.

Buchanan practices “non-invasive photography,” where she tries to do more observing as a guest rather as an intruder seeking the perfect shot. Some photographers, Buchanan commented, will disturb a bird to get it to fly off, making for a more dynamic shot.

Some birders will even scare the mothers away from the eggs putting them in danger. Instead, Buchanan tries to mingle with the animals to the point that they don’t care if she is out there.

She never plans her shots, but simply looks for what makes her feel connected.

In order to change our relationship to nature and even our approach to photography, Buchanan feels we can start by changing the language we use to describe the process.

She hates words often associated with photography, such as “capture,” “shoot,” and “take” because it implies that we are trying to dominate and control nature. Instead, Buchanan uses language like “being” and “co-creating.” She believes that what is there is as equally important as her being there and that pictures are a wonderful way of showing our connection to nature. Buchanan concluded, “We can’t ‘capture’ nature; instead, nature has the power to heal us.”

The artist once worked in a dark, windowless bank, and did not enjoy her job. Conversely, by allowing herself to make photography her life and profession, Buchanan has learned that expressing her voice through art and speaking up with her

actual voice, she has found the secret to having a good life.

“Being willing and able to express your relationship to nature is key,” she said. “Being in nature forces you to not just look at the beauty around you, but to listen. Nature encourages us to activate all of our senses, to be alive.” Which is exactly what she tries to demonstrate in her photographs.

PICTURING HOPE AMONGST THE WRECKAGE “I used to just take beautiful pictures, but now I represent the destruction, too,” Buchanan said.

She offers her viewers images of hope, while simultaneously documenting the huge problem occurring in our waterways.

“I don’t want to just show hopelessness, because there is hope,” she said.

But there is devastation, too. Buchanan remembers seeing sea grasses strangled from muck while kayaking. Rivers can look beautiful, but her underwater camera shows an inferno. She feels MAY/JUNE 2015

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A backyard yurt acts as Buchanan’s on-site yoga studio and serene sanctuary.

that it is important to show people the reality of the situation because they don’t know. They don’t look underwater. She wants to wake people up to what they are destroying and losing.

Buchanan also acknowledges that other issues need to be addressed alongside water.

“I focus on water,” she said, “but I recognize the role of energy, too.”

Buchanan said that taking pictures is just one aspect. It is hard to stand up against big businesses.

“Some rivers are on endangered lists,” she said. “They are along farm edges, fertilized grass, near cities, etcetera. The problem comes down to too many people and overdevelopment.

Developers want nice views for their clubhouses, but at a cost.”

Fortunately, she takes hope in the fact that, “our Gainesvillearea seems to be environmentally conscious with a sincere desire to create change.”

have commonalities,” Buchanan said. “We can learn from each other and more efficiently enact change.”

For example, environmentalist Dr. Robert Knight of Florida Springs Institute offers theories to help us better understand man’s affect on the environment, while artists like Buchanan and John Moran — who has been recording local springs for the past 30 years — will show photographs documenting the changes the rivers have experienced.

Another one of her many contributions in the fight for conservation is helping to unite disparate groups to promote collaboration. For example, she uses exhibitions to help riverkeepers make connections and start communicating together for the first time. In an upcoming show, the Apalachicola Riverkeeper, the St. John’s Riverkeeper, the Indian River Riverkeeper, and the Suncoast Waterkeepers will be working hand-in-hand for the first time.

A LARGER PERSPECTIVE: UNITING ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISTS

ZOOMING OUT: CREATING A WIDER EFFECT

Buchanan is excited by how many people are stepping up to participate and collaborate in her upcoming water project exhibition, which will feature up to 50 of her photographs as well as panels sharing their unique stories of water.

“I am going to be working with local videographers putting together several video loops that will feature interviews and video footage of the waterways around the state,” she said.

Buchanan is proud of the strides she has made in bringing people together to discuss important issues concerning the state of the rivers.

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Buchanan uses photography as a type of service. She wants to show nature’s beauty and to clearly convince skeptics that these waters are worth saving. Buchanan recognizes that it is not enough to just talk about environmental issues; she said she wants to show evidence of the problem because our survival is key to our relationship with nature.

“I truly believe that addressing the water problems in our state will require a major cultural shift in how we live and interact with water and the collaboration and cooperation of citizens, government, agriculture and business,” she said. “Education and collaboration are essential components in this process. My photographs are just one small part of the story.”

PHOTOGRAPHY: BRINN STRANGE

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EVENTS >> WATERMELON FESTIVAL

TASTE OF SUMMER

Slice of Life Newberry Watermelon Festival Celebrates 70 Years W RIT TE N BY A LEXI A FER N A N DEZ

I

n Florida, the watermelon season begins in April and lasts until July, and with the introduction of watermelons comes the 70th Annual Newberry Watermelon Festival held on May 16.

The celebration has been present in Newberry since 1946, and, for seven decades, the committee in charge of planning the festival has strived to entertain the community by educating them on agriculture and the importance of watermelons to the area.

Kathi Thomas, the president of the Newberry Watermelon Association, said the festival was formed at an economically hard time for Newberry and the rest of the country.

After World War I, Newberry’s phosphate industry was running out, Thomas said, and watermelons were coming in.

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“The watermelons gave the town something to celebrate,” she said. “It was a hard time in our country and the new fruit was giving everyone hope for the future.”

It was the introduction of watermelons that spurred the community to share the celebrations with other residents in the first Newberry Watermelon Festival in 1946.

Since then, the festival has been held every year without interruption, making it the oldest continuing watermelon festival in the United States.

Thomas said the festival has deep roots in the area of Newberry.

“Most of the families that are on the committee [for the Newberry Watermelon Festival] have been in Newberry since the 1800s,” she said.

Thomas’ mother was involved in the festival committee for about 30 years and served as the

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EVENTS >> WATERMELON FESTIVAL

A youngster participates in the watermelonrolling contest. There is fun for all ages at Newberry’s Watermelon Festival, ranging from hog calling to seed spitting to the crowning of the Watermelon Queen. Not to mention, all the watermelon you can eat.

committee’s vice president. Thomas became involved with the festival in 1991, when she officially took a seat on the committee.

She was born and raised in Newberry and continues to live on her grandfather’s farm with her family.

“We’re all very invested in our community,” she said.

It’s her investment that spurred Thomas to find new ways of engaging the people of Newberry and the surrounding areas each year the festival is held. It’s somewhat challenging, she said.

“We’re an agricultural community first and foremost,” she said.

“There’re tons of people here and they don’t know that farming exists in their area. It makes it challenging and fun because we’re constantly trying to find new ways to get their attention.”

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This year, the Newberry Watermelon Festival will be adding something different to their usual schedule of watermelon seed spitting and hog calling. The Festival’s Fun Run/Walk is a new collaboration that Audra Pardo and her sister, Jennifer Hill, worked on with the Newberry Watermelon Festival committee.

“We’ve talked with Kathi Thomas over the years about having a 5K or a fun run in conjunction with the watermelon festival,” Pardo said. “It’s never worked out before now. This year, we’re trying to see if there’s an interest in having the fun run be a permanent part of the festival.”

The fun run will begin before the parade at 9 a.m. Registration began on March 5, and closes on May 12. While the cost of registration is $10, a T-shirt of the event is an additional charge of $5.

Pardo said registration for the fun run could be completed on active.com.

“The fun run is a way to raise money for the festival,” she said.

“All proceeds will go to them for their scholarships or anything else they might need.”

In 2014, the Newberry Watermelon Festival committee charged an entry fee of $1 per person. While children entered the festival for free, the money went directly to Newberry High School, Oak View Middle School and Newberry Elementary School in the form of scholarships.

Scholarships of $1,000 each were given to three students, one from each school. This year, the committee will charge a small entry fee, which is still being discussed, Thomas said.

“We’re not sure how much we’ll charge for entry,” she said. “All the proceeds will still go to our high schools and scholarships.”

Vendors for businesses, arts and crafts and food exhibits are available all day throughout the festival. Children are also entertained throughout the festivities with bounce houses and trampolines.

A tradition at the festival includes free watermelon slices throughout the day. The watermelons are donated by local farmers such as Hodge Farms or bought by farms in other counties, depending on the original amount of donation.

At least 500 watermelons are sliced and handed out during the festival. The slicing never stops.

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EVENTS >> WATERMELON FESTIVAL

Ready, set, go! Contestants in the watermelon-eating contest have to eat their melons down to the rind. Watermelons will be available and free for all throughout the event.

“This year, we’re trying to see if there’s an interest in having the fun run be a permanent part of the festival.”

Eat Up! The Health Benefits of a Watermelon

BY A LEXI A FE R N A N DEZ

Nothing quite brings summer to mind as a watermelon. Imagine eating a cool slice of juicy watermelon on a hot Florida day — and enjoying great health benefits too.

It’s a good thing that in the Sunshine State April through July brings the cooling fruit to local supermarkets.

Red watermelons are great fruits that contain antioxidants such as lycopene, which helps protect the body against heart disease, inflammation and even some cancers, such as prostate, lung and stomach cancer. Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables lowers the risk of getting cancer, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

A watermelon is also fat-, sodium- and cholesterol-free. It contains vitamin C, which helps in pregnancies by maintaining normal connective tissues, helps wounds heal and protects the body’s immune system, according to watermelon.org. Vitamin C also helps

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in the body’s use of iron, something that a woman’s body requires more of during a pregnancy.

Vitamin A can also be found in watermelon and can help in maintaining eye health. The vitamin also boosts immunity be improving the performance of white blood cells that fight infections.

Watermelons also help keep a person hydrated, as they are 92 percent water, proving to be a valuable snack on a hot summer day.

A two-cup serving of watermelon is also a good source for potassium.

The seeds of a watermelon are a great source of fat and protein and can be roasted and seasoned to be eaten!

“Depending on how many people show up, we might give away about 20 watermelons at the end of the day,” Thomas said.

“Usually, there’s nothing left.”

Thomas expects a big turnout this year, based on the 5,000 people that attended the festival last year.

“Attendance goes anywhere from 5,000 to 8,000,” she said. “If it’s a political year, there’s a lot more people. We have every politician come here to get their message out.”

The festival will be held at the future location of Destiny Community Church on West Newberry Road. The celebration begins at 9 a.m. with the fun run and ends with the crowning 2015 Newberry Watermelon Queen at around 3 p.m.

“The festival itself makes it fun to go out,” Thomas said. “There’s always something for everybody. Those of us involved in planning everything come from a farming background and have a strong love of agriculture and agriculture education. That’s why we do this.”

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COLUMN

DONNA BONNELL’S

Embracing Life THE ROSEATE SPOONBILL

DONNA BONNELL BECAME THE AUTHOR OF HER COLUMN, EMBRACING LIFE, MORE THAN A DECADE AGO. SHE SHARES HER PERSONAL CHALLENGES AND VICTORIES WITH THE GOAL OF INSPIRING HER READERS TO ANALYZE WHY THINGS HAPPEN IN THEIR OWN LIVES. dbnewberry@aol.com

SUDDENLY THE TRAFFIC STOPPED! VEHICLES HAPHAZARDLY ABANDONED BLOCKED THE ROADWAY. ENTHUSIASTIC TRACKERS RAN TO THE ROAD’S EDGE.

them to the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Elated with their brief visit is an understatement. In less than a day, they watched manatees play at the observation deck at Haulover Canal, saw several Florida Scrub Jays on the Scrub Ridge and Pine Flatwoods trails and, most importantly, encountered the Roseate Spoonbill. y birding friends on this expedition knew they I must admit the Roseate Spoonbill is an amazing sight. were about to see something spectacular.

Considered one of the most striking birds in North America, Gail was so intent on discovering what the crowd had it is a writer’s dream to paint a picture of its beauty with mere spotted, she nearly forgot to step on her car’s brake. Fortunately, words, and I will make an honest attempt to do so. her foot found the pedal just in time. We, too, jumped out.

The Roseate Spoonbill is a large wading bird adorned with A teary-eyed young woman and her mother held each brilliant pink plumage and a long pale gray flattened other, as they stared at the scenery. I, on the other bill (spoon-like in appearance). Adults’ heads are hand, simply saw swampland. While the view a greenish tinge in color and have a black band was breathtaking, I did not notice anything around the base of their skulls. Their eyes, legs unusual. Therefore, my concern quickly Their feathers, used and upper wing coverts are red; chest, upper focused on mom and her daughter. for women’s fans at the back and feathers are white; tail feathers are Subtly, I walked closer and got their turn of the century, made orange-pink; and the rest of their body and attention. In a whisper, I asked if they Spoonbills a target of wing feathers are pale pink. were OK. They nodded their heads yes, the professional plume Aside from its beauty, watching it find food is put their fingers up to their mouths (indiremarkably entertaining. Spoonbills consume cating quiet) and pointed to a beautiful bird hunters. small fish and some plant material and feed by resting beneath a mangrove shrub. Finally, wading through water with their bills partially subI spotted the awe-inspiring being. Its splendor merged. It swings its head back and forth in a sideways explained the assorted artillery of binoculars, cameras motion. When it feels its prey, its bill snaps closed, pulls the and cell phones aimed at the same location. quarry out of the water and swallows it. God knew what He was For approximately 15 minutes the birding entourage stood doing when creating this perfect creature for people to enjoy. still and remained soundless, with the exception of countless Yet, human greed almost destroyed the breed’s existence. camera clicks. When the fabulous fowl flew away, the oohs and Their feathers, used for women’s fans at the turn of the cenawes exploded from the spectators! Strangers shared special photo tury, made Spoonbills a favorite target of the professional plume shots and birding adventures. I am not a photographer or birder, hunters. By the 1930s, the once thriving Florida population but was overjoyed to see a wide range of people who probably had dropped to only 30 to 40 breeding pairs. Fortunately, they had very little in common except for their desire to see a Roseate gained full legal protection and the species began to rebound.

Spoonbill. Everyone interacted with sheer happiness and kindness.

What a remarkable blessing.

Hearing their stories made my heart soar with complete bliss.

I am grateful for having participated in an event that seemed Such was the case of the mother and daughter team. When so out of my realm of expertise and interest. Life offers unusual the silence was broken, they told their tale. Mom was granting opportunities and I have finally learned to embrace them. After her 21-year-old daughter’s birthday wish to see a manatee and witnessing the glory of this magnificent creature and discovering a Roseate Spoonbill in their natural habitat. On a whim, they how it survived near extinction, I am yearning to explore other traveled from Virginia to Florida for a long weekend to fulfill gifts from Mother Nature. her goal. Their Internet research, conducted along the way, led

M

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PARENTING >> MOTHERHOOD

THEY SAY IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY

Surviving Motherhood New Moms Find Support In Each Other S TORY A N D PHOTOG R A PHY BY G A BRIE LLE C A LI S E

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h e Fa m i ly C h u r c h i n Gainesville was filled with adorable chaos. Thirty tiny babies, cooing and crying, took turns playing in a ball pit, crawling through a soft pop-up tunnel, and reaching up to pull on colored streamers that hung from the ceilings. It was a party in every sense of the word as the little ones, donning white and red onesies, took turns smashing vanilla cake into their faces while their parents fawned over them with camera phones.

Almost three-dozen babies and their parents squeezed into a room on their birthday month for the first time on a Sunday in March. For their mothers, this was more than just a party. The event was a celebration for a group that survived their first

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year of motherhood together. From grappling with fevers of 105 degrees to figuring out the mystery of breastfeeding, these moms fought through it all.

The new mothers first met at the weekly post-partum lunches at North Florida Regional Medical Center (NFRMC). The lunches have been occurring regularly at the hospital for three decades.

Mindy Friedman, RN, has been in charge of organizing them for the past five years. Every Tuesday, new mothers bring their babies, ranging from weeks two to 12, to a free, catered lunch held in the basement classroom of the birthing center. The mothers can hear from speakers and learn about different topics such as car seat safety and lactation.

Even after their babies are 12 weeks, the mothers have stayed in contact to plan their own events via Facebook. They make weekend plans so that working

“They always said being a mom is scary, but having people supporting you makes it better.”

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The mothers are excited for their children to grow up together and have a built-in group of friends.

They hope to continue to seek support from each other in the future.

“I see long friendships happening because most of us are in the same area and are going through the same thing,” Jessica Bailey said.

parents can come. The private Facebook group has also become a judgment-free place where mothers can go for much-needed advice. The first year of motherhood can be difficult for any mother. The Facebook page allows these moms the opportunity to voice their concerns and help others in the process.

“Being a parent is hard,” said Colleen Gaddy, who faces the challenge of being a stay-at-home mom by day and a grad student by night. “There’s so many different ways to parent, and sometimes you just get bogged down.”

Fellow mother and group member Jessica Bailey used to search for answers online, but was shocked by some of the advice she found. It was a comfort

makes it better.”

After a year together, the mothers in the group have formed a strong bond. A year of lunches, play dates, and late-night phone calls have brought these women together in ways that they would have never thought possible.

“We’re like family,” said Crystal Hancock, another mother the group.

This is especially true for Lydia Gillespie. For her, women have supported her when her own family couldn’t. While her military husband was away on active duty, her two-month old baby, Emmaline, was diagnosed with a congenital kidney problem.

Gillespie called on her friends from the Facebook

“If you need support, ask for it. There’s so many things in place that all you have to do is ask and go.” for Bailey to have other mothers with whom to confide, especially since some of them were on their second or third child. She found herself surprised how supportive a group of strangers could be.

“It didn’t matter if it was two in the morning, three in the morning, you could call on this bunch of women and they were there to help me know that I would be OK,” she said. “They always said being a mom is scary, but having people supporting you 82 |

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group, who immediately rushed to her aid.

“I had people bring me two meals a day every day until he got back,” Gillespie said. The mothers took time to visit her in the hospital. They helped watch Gillespie’s older stepson and provided support during Emmaline’s procedures.

Gillespie was touched by their kindness.

“Other people that also had new two- or threemonth-old babies somehow figured out not only

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PALMS MEDICAL GROUP IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE AN ADDITION TO THE PMG FAMILY OF HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS. Matthew Rooney, D.D.S. received his dental training from the University of Detroit, Mercy in Detroit, Michigan and Bachelor of Science in bioengineering

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how to take care of their own babies and feed their own kids, but mine too,” she said.

Many new parents think that they are the only ones going through hard times.

They may worry about their baby or their body being “normal.” The support group is a place for moms to voice their concerns and uplift each other. Gillespie said that since meeting the other moms, she has learned how broad the range of normal can be.

Gillespie stresses the importance of getting out of the house. It’s hard for new moms to find time for themselves to even shower or get dressed, but the benefit of hanging out with other moms is that they get it too.

“What’s nice about having a group of other new moms is that everyone else is like two to three hours late too,” she said.

On Wednesdays, the moms go to lunch together at the same restaurant (Harvest Thyme sets a table aside for them each week) and bring their babies to the library. They take their children on hikes on the La Chua trail or go on mall walks together when the weather is hot. Now that the babies are getting older, the mothers bring them to “Stay and Play,” open gym sessions at Sun Country for children five and under. This allows the little ones a chance to crawl around and explore without the threat of larger children trampling them in a ball pit or slide. For the moms, it gives them another chance to leave the house and socialize.

Even though this group of moms is not taking on new members, there are still groups that any mom can turn to for help for issues such as breastfeeding. UF Health Shands Hospital, the Birth Center, and NRFMC all offer lunches and groups for new mothers, as well.

“No matter where you give birth, there’s an automatic support system that you can plug into,” Gillespie said. “I feel like a lot of people don’t know about it, or feel nervous about going.”

The mothers of this support group are even thinking about organizing a group for the dads too. Parenting is a challenge for both genders.

“If you need help, ask for it,” Gillespie said. “If you need support, ask for it. There’s so many things in place that all you have to do is ask and go.”

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MOTHERHOOD >> POST PARTUM DEPRESSION

SUPER MOMS

HELP FOR POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION

Climb Out of The Darkness STORY A N D PHOTOGR A PH Y BY K R ISTIN KOZELSK Y

S

arah Kotranza, a local engineer and mother of a beautiful wavy-haired little boy, is doing her best to help raise awareness about Postpartum Depression (PPD) and other maternal mood disorders in our community. As the organizer for the annual Climb Out of the Darkness (COTD ) walk in Gainesville, she is reaching out to new mothers in the area to let them know that Postpartum Progress is a non-profit organization that can be a resource for those suffering from PPD and similar disorders.

Perinatal mood or anxiety disorders affect approximately 900,000 women per year in the United States, according to postpartumprogress.org. It is estimated that one out of every seven women will suffer from PPD and related disorders. Of these, only about 15 percent receive professional help. This means that hundreds of thousands of women per year are working through PPD in silence. The goal of Postpartum Progress is to let these women know that they are not alone and that there

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are resources and tools out there to help them get diagnosed and receive the treatment they need.

Katherine Stone, who is a mother and a survivor of PPD, founded postpartum Progress in 2011. She began by submitting a letter to Newsweek about her experience, which ended up being published. As more women began to connect with her story, she realized it was time to found an organization and make it her mission to reach as many mothers as possible.

Kotranza first learned about Postpartum Progress through another mother at the community luncheons for new moms organized by North Florida Regional Medical Center.

“I was suffering from PPD at the time but didn’t realize it yet,” she said. “The ‘PPD in Plain Mama English Guide’ helped me recognize that what I was experiencing was PPD, and the peer support network provided by Postpartum Progress gave me the courage to seek help.”

Once Kotranza began to see results from her treatment, she

“The ‘PPD in Plain Mama English Guide’ helped me recognize that what I was experiencing was PPD, and the peer support network provided by Postpartum Progress gave me the courage to seek help.” the same, and there is an organization out there that can help them get the treatment they need.

“It is not preventable, you can’t stop it from happening, but you can treat it,” she said.

Climb Out of the Darkness is the world’s largest event to raise awareness for maternal mental illnesses. The COTD annual walks began in 2013 with just 177 participants. The 2014 walk included more than 1,500 participants in 43 states and eight countries. It received coverage from both national and local news outlets, including television coverage by WCJB-TV News in Gainesville.

Nearly 40 adults — mothers, fathers, grandparents and friends — attended the 2014 walk in Gainesville. Many parents

Y LT YA DS CK LO CAR BA E AR

began to fully realize how enjoyable it was for her to be a mother. She subsequently decided to start giving back to Postpartum Progress and help other mothers in the community by organizing the local Climb Out of the Darkness walks. By doing so, she hopes to raise awareness of PPD and related disorders as well as reduce the stigma associated with perinatal mood disorders.

“No one wants to say ‘I’m not happy being a new mom.’ No one wants people to realize that they might not feel the bond with their child that they should be feeling, so no one really talks about it,” Kotranza said. “A lot of people hide it from their friends and family.”

Kotranza feels that by talking about her experiences openly and by organizing the walk she is able to help those new mothers realize that there are other women who feel

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MOTHERHOOD >> POST PARTUM DEPRESSION

Participants in the 2014 Climb Out of the Darkness walk at Kanapaha Park. Sarah Kotranza (right), the local organizer, and her son Andrew. The 2014 walk included more than 1,500 participants in 43 states and eight countries.

brought their children, who were given capes to wear with the phrase ‘My mommy is a superhero’ on the back. The walk took place at Kanapaha Park, and along the walk’s path were signs that offered messages of hope, strength, and encouragement such as “We will get through this TOGETHER” and “I love you no matter what.”

Each year, the walk is held on or near the summer solstice to shed the most light on PPD and related disorders. Funds raised from the walk are used to help Postpartum Progress continue to help women who may be suffering from PPD and 88 |

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related perinatal disorders. The organization produces free educational materials for obstetricians, therapy offices, psychiatrists and psychologist, support groups, and pediatrician offices. Postpartum progress also hosts an award-winning blog and community forum to be an online resource for women just learning about the disorders and to encourage them to seek help. There is also an annual conference geared towards survivors of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders to teach them to become peer advocates and to help them raise awareness in their local communities.

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onesville Business Group (JBG) is made up of business professionals in the greater Gainesville area who work together to make connections that will grow their businesses, so they may invest in their communities. JBG members are local business owners, sales people, and vendors who want to expand their businesses and make more money, yes, but this isn’t an ordinary group of networking business people. They recognize the importance of investing in community so that the community will thrive. They accomplish this through donations and service projects with local non-profit organizations.

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The founding members agreed they wanted to invest in Jonesville and the surrounding communities by growing the local businesses but by also donating time and money to local non-profit organizations. So they decided that the membership dues collected would be donated quarterly to a charity of choice.

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Key Messages of the Climb: 1. Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders such as postpartum depression are temporary and treatable with professional help.

2. 15-20 percent of all women will get a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder such as postpartum depression or postpartum anxiety. That’s 1 in every 7 each year — nearly 1 million — more than the number of women who will get breast cancer each year.

3. While pregnancy and postpartum depression and anxiety are common, they aren’t normal. They are real illnesses that require treatment from a healthcare provider.

4. Postpartum Progress (postpartumprogress.org) is a national nonprofit that raises awareness of maternal mental health and provides support for pregnant and new moms struggling with it. It is a patient-run and patient-focused organization, and is the premier voice for moms with maternal mental illness.

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is the world’s largest event raising awareness of postpartum depression, anxiety, psychosis and pregnancy depression. It is hosted by Postpartum Progress and mothers around the globe each year on or near the Summer solstice, the longest day, to help shine a light on maternal mental illness. In 2014, there were more than 100 Climbs in eight different countries, and moms raised more than $167,000 for Postpartum Progress.

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NATURE >> UNDERSTANDING MUSHROOMS

SHROOM TO MOVE

Fungus Among Us The Magic of Mushrooms W R I T T E N B Y C R Y S TA L H E N R Y

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ushrooms are only one part of about 5 million species of fungi in the world. Their vast differences and unique characteristics make them as diverse as the members of the animal kingdom. Although fungi seem like they’d be closely related to plants, they are much more closely related to animals. They are a living breathing magical part of the ecosystem with mysteries yet to be discovered.

One of the biggest mysteries of the mushroom is found in its construction, said Matthew E. Smith, assistant professor at the department of plant pathology at the University of Florida.

Imagine an apple tree, and all you ever knew or saw of it was the apple. With the apple tree, we see the tree sometimes, but mostly we see the apple. The roots however are below ground.

With most of the fungi, you never see the body, instead you see the fruiting bodies for a little while. But even when the mushroom that we see is gone, the mushroom actually remains in microscopic filaments. According to a TED Talk by Paul Stamets, a mycologist and founder of Fungi Perfecti, a single cubic inch

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of soil can contain more than eight miles of the vegetative part of the mushroom called mycelium.

Mushrooms play three main roles in nature, Smith said.

The first role they play in the world is as a natural decayer. He said mushrooms do most of the work breaking down material in the plant world. Imagine a forest where trees that died never decayed. Without mushrooms, the forest would be full of wood and dead plants.

According to Fungi.com, fungi are also nature’s recycling squad. They take dead plants and turn them into rich soil.

Without them, the planet would be covered in debris and life couldn’t begin anew. They’re very important for nutrient cycling.

They break down materials that other organisms can’t.

Smith said the mushrooms’ second role is playing a parasitic part in plant life. While parasites are typically thought of as a problem, without these parasitic mushrooms plants might take over the world.

And their third role is in a symbiotic relationship with plants.

Mycorrhiza is a mutually beneficial relationship between plants and root fungus. The root fungus helps the plant access soil

Imagine a forest where trees that died never decayed. Without mushrooms, the forest would be full of wood and dead plants.

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resources much easier and efficiently. It gives the plant access to nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous that it otherwise wouldn’t have access to. Lichens are another example of fungi and plants working together. Each lichen is typically part fungus and part algae or cyanobacterium. The fungus can’t make chlorophyll to photosynthesize its own food, so the algae “feed” the fungus. The fungus in turn keeps the algae from drying out and gives it chemical protection.

Some mycorrhizal mushrooms that many people are familiar with are chanterelles, matsutake, boletes and truffles, since those are the ones that make it to the dinner table. Many species of chanterelles grow in North Central Florida, but one of the most unusual species in our region is an edible truffle called Tuber lyonii, or the pecan truffle. The relationship the truffle has with the root of the pecan tree is mutually beneficial, and the result is a very tasty and widely sought-after delicacy.

Stamets’ TED Talk took the topic of mushrooms in a different direction. Instead of focusing on the psychedelic and edible aspects of mushrooms that many people are familiar with, he has researched their environmental and health benefits. He is using fungi as a natural pesticide by discovering types that trick insects into eating them.

And he has studied mushrooms that break down the neurotoxins in nerve gas.

He has also conducted experiments where mushrooms were used to clean up oil spills by breaking down hydrocarbon bonds. The mushrooms were able to create an oasis of life from an environmental disaster. Another invention Stamets talked about is a sack of mycelium placed down stream from farms to clarify storm debris. The fungi can clarify the bacteria in the debris through their natural processes.

Stamets said mushrooms are also capable of producing strong antibiotics. This is because fungi are resistant to rot from bacteria, and that people are more closely related to fungi than any other kingdom. He also developed a way to use mushrooms to combat carpenter ants and termites.

Smith said that the most medically important discoveries about fungi are its antibiotic properties and statins. Statin compounds are all originally derived from fungi,

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and are some of the most moneymaking medications in history, Smith said. People who don’t want to take pharmaceutical level doses of individual compounds sometimes eat the fungi instead, such as Red Yeast Rice.

There are more than 1,000 species of mushroom-forming fungi in the Gainesville area, Smith said. Including all fungi, the number is in the hundreds of thousands.

The largest fleshy mushroom species in the Western Hemisphere, the Macrocybe titan, is commonly found in Gainesville.

Because mushrooms have so many health and environmental benefits, some people like to cultivate them or hunt for them in the forests. Smith stressed the importance of staying informed.

Some local poisonous mushrooms that are hard to tell apart from other species are Amanita bisporigera and Amanita virosa.

Smith said he’s regularly spotted Amanita virosa, or destroying angel as it’s otherwise known, several times in Gainesville with the oak trees. About 90 percent of the mushrooms that are poisonous to humans are found in the Amanita genus including the infamous red and white spotted mushroom.

Smith said when dealing with mushrooms in the wild treat them like you would a berry.

You wouldn’t eat a berry unless you were absolutely sure what it was, so you shouldn’t ingest an unknown mushroom either.

Chlorophyllum molybdites is another very common lawn mushroom, and while they aren’t deadly, they are toxic.

“It won’t kill you, but it’ll make you wish you were dead,” Smith said.

There is an edible mushroom that looks similar, but the spores tell the story. The harmful mushroom has green spores. Smith said taking a spore print is a sure fire way to get information and answers. A spore print essentially consists of letting spores fall out of the “gills” of a mushroom onto a piece of paper. He said the green spores of the chlorophyllum molybdites are easy to identify and can be important information for poison control in case the mushroom is ingested.

Smith said people shouldn’t develop a fear of mushrooms, but instead understand them.

However until people understand them it’s best to hold off eating wild mushrooms.

“When in doubt, hold out,” Smith said.

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COMMUNITY PARTNERS >> CHARITY OF THE MONTH

CH A RIT Y OF THE MONTH WINNER S FEBRUARY and MARCH 2015 TO NOMINATE A CHARITY OF YOUR CHOICE OR TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE NOMINEES, VISIT:

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They’ve done it again — Beauty’s Haven Farm and Equine Rescue is the winner of the $1,000 donation the charity of the month.

Kathy Malloy will receive $300 for nominating them.

The winner of $500 random charity donation is 10 Can and the winner of the $100 random voter prize is Tia McKenzie Bonnell.

The charity’s purpose is to help as many equine friends as possible when they are in need. They network with other rescue organizations and individuals, and work to educate others about horse slaughter in an effort to make it illegal — not just in the United States but also in Canada, Mexico, and other countries.

Congratulations! The March Charity of the Month and winner of the $1,000 donation is the Chi Omega Sandblast. Sandblast is Chi Omega’s annual philanthropic volleyball tournament that benefits the Makea-Wish Foundation. Fraternities, sororities and independent teams — coached by the ladies of Chi O — spend the day in the sun and sand bumping, spiking and setting to raise money for Make-A-Wish. Chelsea Hanks will receive $300 for nominating them. The winner of the $500 random prize is the Newberry High School AP European History Program, raising money for a trip to Scotland. The winner of the $100 random voter prize is Jessica Little.

Prizes provided by a partnership between Sunstate Federal Credit Union and Tower Publications, Inc.

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BAND B BA ND REVIEW

BRIAN “KRASH” KRUGER’S

Gate Crashing ON DECK FOR REVIEW: THE PORTERS JAZZ QUARTET

BRIAN KRUGER IS A WRITER, MUSICIAN AND A GRADUATE OF THE UF COLLEGE OF LAW. HE HAS PLAYED IN SOME 17 OR SO LOCAL BANDS, PLAYING MOST EVERY GAINESVILLE VENUE FRIENDLY TO ORIGINAL MUSIC (AND SOME NOT SO FRIENDLY). bkrashpad@yahoo.com

DATE: SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2015 VENUE: FIVE BAR

G

reetings, live music aficionados! This installment finds us at a downtown restaurant that doubles as a live local music venue, called Five Bar, at 105 South Main.

Since I haven’t reported on a show from Five Bar, obviously we need to talk about the venue first. The restaurant is in a location that has housed a number of clubs, in the more distant past (I can remember seeing Iggy Pop, of all people, in this very bar in the ‘80s, and played the room myself in the early ‘90s), and more recently some restaurants (I specifically recall a barbecue joint with dreadful service a few years back).

Nowadays, the walls are covered in portraiture and other art, mainly paintings, but also some large photos, including many musicians as the subjects of the pieces. The ceiling is now exposed rafters, from which hang some nicely mismatched antique-looking chandeliers. With the glasspaned doors all along the north side of the room, opened on that cool and cloudy day onto a covered porch with a cast-iron railing, both I and my companion had the exact same impression: Nawlins.

Five is one of those “concept” restaurants, but the concept is culinary, rather than simply recreating a French Quarter venue. The idea is that there are five menu items, that are all outstanding, rather than dozens that are simply mediocre. And

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while I won’t turn this into a restaurant review, I will say that my crab cake benedict was excellent, and that my companion’s frittata choice equally delicious.

But let’s get to music!

The Porters Jazz Quartet was formed specifically to provide music and entertainment for the Sunday jazz brunch at Five.

The manager, Ben Janka, approached trombonist Brian Stevens in January 2014 to arrange a band, and they have been performing there ever since. The group varies slightly from week to week, which can truly only happen because of the high level of musicianship of the musicians. As we had surmised from the decor, the idea behind the band is to give guests a slice of New Orleans as they dine, and set the mood with great music, great jazz.

The name “The Porters” is a nod to the historic neighborhood in downtown Gainesville also known as Porters Quarters. In addition to trombonist Stevens, the day we were there the band consisted of Jason Bontrager on piano (actually an electronic keyboard with a piano voicing), Andy Lawniczak on bass, and Dave Marsh (not the well-known humorist) on drums. All, at various points, took tasteful solos, although apparently the brunch crowd was either ignorant of what I understand to be the jazz tradition of clapping after solos, or was paying too much attention to the food. Then again, come to think of it only a few tables were thoughtful enough to register their appreciation even at the end of songs.

Sigh. Such is the plight of the restaurant musician, I suppose.

I especially liked the drum solos, which struck me with how opposite the approach taken in jazz is, from rock. In a rock solo, I immediately conjure up someone like Keith Moon bashing away with abandon and doing his or her best to hit everything in the kit as many times as possible in the least amount of elapsed time. Marsh instead left tons of space, and intentionally played off the tempo and meter.

Lawniczak played both a standup traditional bass (albeit a slightly more portable three-quarter size one, I believe), and a “P/J” electric bass (the reference is not to pajamas but the combination of pickups from Fender’s two iconic basses: the Precision and the Jazz) through a midsize Roland amp. I could not see a keyboard amp, so that instrument may have been directly inputted to the small PA.

The name “The Porters” is a nod to the historic neighborhood in downtown Gainesville also known as Porters Quarters.

Although to some, New Orleans might conjure up a more traditional Dixieland jazz sound, if I knew anything about jazz (and I freely admit I don’t) I would guess that The Porters were going for a more “cool” ‘50s/‘60s Brubeckish feel, with the very occasional Brazilian samba touch. I am terrible at recognizing standards, at least instrumentally, but this Sunday we heard, for example “Fly Me to the Moon” and some (what I’m guessing was early, pre-Fusion) Miles Davis. It was really quite delightful.

Other musicians that play with The Porters include bassist Delorean Fullington, bassist Ty Christian, pianist Cindy Mueller, and keyboardist Vic Donnell. A band with similar personnel has been playing Tuesday night jazz at The Bull (also in downtown Gainesville) for the last three years. Tuesday nights provide a “laboratory setting” for the band to experiment with new ideas and try new songs.

Now, go see some bands.

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COMMU NIT Y C A LENDA R

M AY/J U N E 2 0 1 5

Food & Music Fest

Saturday, June 6

TIOGA MONDAY MARKET

LADY GAMERS

Mondays 4:00pm - 7:00pm

Fridays 1:00pm

JONESVILLE - Tioga Center, 13005 W. Newberry Rd. Market features a selection of vegetables, crafts, organic food, fruits and local specialties.

HIGH SPRINGS - New Century Woman’s Club, 40 NW 1st Ave. The Lady Gamers meet for fun, friendship and food. Everyone is invited. Meet old friends and make some new ones.

DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

BIOTECH CELEBRATION

Wednesdays 11:00am - 1:00pm

Thursday, May 7 9:30am – 1:00pm

GAINESVILLE - Wesley United Methodist Church, NW 23rd Ave. Gainesville Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution meet on the second Wednesday of each month, October through May. gainesvilleDAR@gmail.com.

ALACHUA - RTI Surgical campus in Progress Park, 11621 Research Circle. This free community event offers vendors, tours of local biotech companies, food trucks and much more. Interact with hundreds of life sciences professionals in one place. The event’s atmosphere is designed to encourage conversations and connections that will help attendees grow in their respective fields.

GAINESVILLE HARMONY SHOW CHORUS Thursdays 7:00pm – 9:30pm

A T. REX NAMED SUE

GAINESVILLE - Grace Presbyterian Church, 3146 NW 13th St. Interested in learning and singing Women’s A Cappella Barbershop Harmony Music? Gainesville Harmony Show Chorus, of Sweet Adelines International. Call Beckie 352-318-1281.

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Through September 13 1:00pm – 5:00pm

GAINESVILE - Florida Museum of Natural History, 3215 Hull Rd. In the temporary exhibit “A T. rex Named Sue,” explore how this remarkable creature interacted with its world and what we can learn

from studying its bones. Enjoy family-friendly interactive activities, climb into the dig pit to uncover fossils and learn about dinosaurs through touchable bone replicas and other hands-on activities. 352-846-2000; www.flmnh.ufl.edu.

NATURE AS AN INSPIRATION FOR ART Thursday, May 7 9:30am

GAINESVILLE - Alachua Senior Recreation Center, 5701 NW 34th Blvd. Quilters of Alachua County Day Guild will present a unique program with award-winning fiber artist Linda Krause.

Refreshments at 9:30 a.m., meeting at 10 a.m.

Guests are welcome. Info: call Beverley Hilton at 352-373-7791 or go to www.qacdg.org.

STEEL MAGNOLIAS TEA AND CONCERT Saturday, May 9 2:30pm – 4:00pm

GAINESVILLE - Celebration United Methodist Church, 9501 SW Archer Rd. Join the Gainesville Harmony Show Chorus in celebrating the special women in your life! Tickets are $10. 352-371-1013 for reservations.

PHOTOGRAPHY: KRISTIN GRACE PHOTOGRAPHY

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WINDSOR ZUCCHINI FESTIVAL Saturday, May 9 9:00am

GAINESVILLE - Windsor Volunteer Fire Department Grounds, 1401 SE County Rd. Festival activities include over 100 arts and crafts vendors from all around the state, Old Tyme Auction and a bake sale with famous zucchini bread and fried zucchini, as well as zucchini cornbread and home-made zucchini ice cream.

There will also be pony and cart rides, a plant sale, a bungee jumper, and more! Free.

STOP CHILDREN’S CANCER ANNUAL FUNDRAISER Saturday, May 9 5:30pm

ALACHUA - Santa Fe River Ranch, 29220 NW 122nd St. Join Stop Children’s Cancer at the 27th Annual Fantasy Event which includes dinner, dancing, entertainment, silent auction and more.

Stop Children’s Cancer supports pediatric cancer research at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital.

Tickets are $150. www.stopchildrenscancer.org.

GAINESVILLE COMMUNITY BAND CONCERT Sunday, May 10 3:00pm

GAINESVILLE - Trinity United Methodist Church.

The Gainesville Community Band recently began its 41st Concert Season under the direction of R. Gary Langford. www.gnvband.org.

PRIMETIME INSTITUTE ANNUAL PICNIC Thursday, May 14 11:00am

GAINESVILLE - San Felasco Park, off NW 43rd St. Gather at 11:00am and eat at 11:30am. PTI will provide the hot dogs and hamburgers. Sign up at a PTI meeting and indicate whether you will bring a side dish, dessert, or other items, such as beverages, buns, condiments, paper goods, or cups. 352-332-6917.

Ask a Scientist Sunday, May 17

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

GAINSVILLE - Florida Museum of Natural History, 3215 Hull Rd. Talk one-on-one with researchers from UF’s Department of Geological Sciences. Bring your specimens and find answers during an afternoon of discovery and learning. 352-273-2062.

MAY DAY GLOW RUN

HAILE HOMESTEAD TOUR

Saturday, May 16 2:00pm

Sunday, May 17 12:00pm

NEWBERRY - Tioga Town Center, 105 SW 128th St. Glow big or glow home! Run, jog, or walk through the beautiful Town of Tioga. The race starts at 8:00 pm; glow necklaces will be provided. Proceeds will benefit Newberry Christian Community School. Early registration cost is $30 and includes a shirt (while supplies last).

352-363-6322 for registration details and tickets.

GAINESVILLE - Historic Haile Homestead, 8500 SW Archer Rd. Completed in 1856 by enslaved craftsmen, the 6,200 square foot homestead stands today as one of the few remaining antebellum homes in North Central Florida. The Haile family wrote on the walls of their home — over 12,500 words in almost every room and closet. Docent-led tours will be offered.

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FLORIDA’S GLOBAL KITCHEN May 18 - July 30 Times Vary

GAINESVILLE - Matheson History Museum, 513 E University Ave. Celebrate Florida’s diverse food history as the museum will showcase artifacts, recipes and stories that highlight Florida’s food culture, which is one of the most diverse food cultures in the world. Learn more at mathesonmuseum.org

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This Community Celebration will feature local food entrepreneurs, gardening and health organizations. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of the first ever Hogtown Pizza Cook Off with local pizza food trucks and local judges. The event is free and includes activities for children and adults.

LOCAL FOOD & MUSIC FESTIVAL Saturday, June 6 11:00am – 3:00pm

Strike Out Hunger Tuesday, June 9

6:30pm - 8:30pm

GAINESVILLE - Splitz Bowling Center, 1301 NW 76th Blvd. The third annual “Strike Out Hunger” Charity Bowl Challenge supports the “Weekend Hunger Backpack” program with 100 percent of all net proceeds going directly to this worthwhile charity.

A CULINARY HISTORY OF FLORIDA

prizes. Advanced registration is requested. Call 352-733-0000 to register.

Saturday, May 23 1:00pm – 3:00pm

THE GAME’S AFOOT

PICTURE A HEALTHIER YOU Thursday, May 28 8:30am

GAINESVILLE - Hilton UF Conference Center, 1714 SW 34 St. Get a snapshot of your health at this event. There will be free blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose screenings. Find out if you are at risk for osteoporosis, heart disease, cancer, stroke or diabetes. There will be a variety of health information tables with games and

OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

KANAPAHA BOTANICAL GARDENS GUIDED WALK Saturday, June 6 10:00am – 12:00pm

GAINESVILLE - Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, 4700 SW 58th Dr. Guided tour of the Gardens the first Saturday of every month, starting at 10:00am. Regular admission price for non-members and members are admitted free of charge. www.kanapaha.org.

AUTHOR JENNIE JARVIS

GAINESVILLE - Matheson Museum, 513 E University Ave. Learn about the history of Florida reflected on your dinner plates with a multimedia presentation and cooking demonstration by Joy Sheffield Harris, who is the author of “A Culinary History of Florida.” From the very first prickly pears harvested by Paleo-Indians more than twelve thousand years ago to the Seminole tribe’s staple dish of sofkee, Florida’s culinary history is as diverse as its geography. $5.

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GAINESVILLE - First Magnitude Brewing Company, 1220 SE Veitch St. Celebrate both the beginning of summer and our local community through good music, delicious food and family fun activities. Forage Farm is a 501c3 nonprofit that focuses on fostering healthy land, food and community through outreach and education. All proceeds will support Forage’s programs, ensuring the continued cultivation of a locally conscious and resilient community. An afterparty will follow at First Magnitude featuring musical guest Danny Black. www.foragefarm.org.

MAY/JUNE 2015

May 29 – June 14 Times vary

GAINESVILLE - Vam York Theater, 4039 NW 16th Blvd. Broadway star William Gillette, admired the world over for his leading role in the play Sherlock Holmes, has invited his fellow cast members to his Connecticut home for a weekend of revelry. But when one of the guests is stabbed to death, the festivities in this isolated house of tricks and mirrors quickly turn dangerous. The danger and hilarity are non-stop in this glittering whodunit production. Times and ticket prices vary. www.gcplayhouse.org.

EAT LOCAL MONTH COMMUNITY CELEBRATION Sunday, May 31 1:00pm - 4:00pm

GAINESVILLE - Matheson History Museum, 513 E University Ave. Join the museum and Hogtown HomeGrown for a celebration of Eat Local Month.

Sunday, June 14 2:30pm

GAINESVILLE - Millhopper Branch Library, 3145 NW 43rd St. How to Craft Your Character Arc and Develop Your Protagonist. Jennie Jarvis, script consultant and award-winning writer and director, will share ideas on how a character must grow and change over the course of a narrative with the Writer’s Alliance of Gainesville. Free.

GAINESVILLE COMMUNITY BAND CONCERT Friday, July 3 9:00pm

GAINESVILLE - University of Florida’s Flavet Field. Fanfare and Fireworks. The Gainesville Community Band recently began its 41st Concert Season under the direction of R. Gary Langford. www.gnvband.org.

SEND CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS TO: 4 4 00 N W 3 6 T H A V E ., G A I N E S V I L L E , F L 32 606 or E V E N T S @ T O W E R P U B L I C A T I O N S . C O M

BALLET B ALLET S pectacular!

Spectacular!

FFall all 2 2015 015

Nutcracker N utcracker

Golden Annive rs Seasonary 1966-

2016 50 Ama zing Ye ars!

December r

Carmina C armina B urana Burana March M arch 2016 Maestro Raymond Ch Chobaz & U UFF Symphony Orchestra Dr. Will Kesling & UF Choirss & Gainesville Civic Chorus

Golden Gala March 2016 A sp spec spectacular ecta tacu cular party celebrating DA ANB B’s 50 Ye Year arss DANB’s Years For more information about the the e upcoming season, or to order tickets: dalive@bellsouth.net PHOTO OTO OF CARMINA BU BURANA URANA AB BY Y COLLEEN RA RAND

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TASTE OF THE TOWN

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Brown’s Country Buffet 14423 NW US Hwy 441, Alachua, FL 32616 Monday-Friday 7:00am - 8:00pm Saturday 7:00am - 2:00pm Sunday 8:00am - 3:00pm

386-462-3000 brownscountrybuffet.net Casual — Country-style cooking at its finest, just like Grandma’s house! A buffet style restaurant, Brown’s Country Buffet is open seven days a week! Foods like fried chicken, grilled pork chops, real mashed potatoes, steamed cabbage, banana pudding and coconut pie, just to name a few, are served in a laid-back, relaxing environment. We offer AYCE fried shrimp on Friday nights from 4-8 along with whole catfish & ribs. In addition to their buffet, Brown’s also offers a full menu to choose from. Serving lunch and dinner daily and a breakfast buffet Friday-Sunday until 10:30am, you’re sure to leave satisfied, no matter when you go. So, when you’re in the mood for some good home cooking, Grandma’s style, visit Brown’s Country Buffet.

Copper Monkey West 14209 W Newberry Road, Jonesville, FL 32669 Across from the Steeplechase Publix Sunday-Thursday 11:00am - 11:00pm Friday-Saturday 11:00am - 12:00am

352-363-6338 mycoppermonkey.com Restaurant & Pub — Now serving Breakfast on Saturdays & Sundays 7am - 11am . We are located in the heart of Jonesville, this All-American dining is convenient to all neighborhoods in Gainesville, Alachua, Newberry, High Springs and beyond. Our family-friendly dining features great food at a great price. Whether you come in for the “best burger in town” or try any one of our freshly made salads, pastas or sandwiches, you will not leave disappointed. Our USDA choice steaks, served with 2 sides, offer a great alternative for the perfect celebratory meal. We also feature a full-service bar with signature drinks and many options for your viewing pleasure.

Great food, great price, we’ll see you soon.

Adam’s Rib Co. 211 NW 13th Street, Gainesville, Florida 32609 1515 SW 13th Street Gainesville, Florida 32608 Monday-Saturday 7:00am – 9:00pm Sunday 9:00am – 9:00pm

352-373-8882 NW 352-727-4005 SW AdamsRibCo.com BBQ — Looking for the best BBQ in Gainesville? Then look no further than Adam’s Rib Company. Adam’s Rib is North Florida’s Premier Barbecue restaurant, serving North Florida’s finest beef brisket, pulled pork, bbq spare ribs and slow smoked chicken and turkey. Choose from over 20 sauces – from honey sweet to habanero hot – and everything in between. Don’t forget dessert, like their scrumptious “Banana Pudding” and their famous Peach Cobbler. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Adam’s can cater any event locally. Give Adam a call for your next tailgate party 352-514-8692!

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Crafty Bastards 4860 NW 39th Ave. ( Magnolia Park, next to Starbucks ) Open 11am to midnight everyday.

352-872-5970 www.thecraftybastards.com Restaurant - Pub — Locally owned and operated Pat and Betty Brunson always knew they wanted to open their own business. They believed that the NW area of Gainesville needed a local, convenient, quality craft beer pub that included a small selection of food to complement the beverages. You will love the inviting atmosphere and fun, friendly staff. Crafty Bastards offers 60 Unique Craft Draft Beers, a selection of bottle and can beer, liquor and wine. They offer fresh from scratch food including Shepherd’s Pie, Award winning Chili, Fried Mac n ‘Cheese Bites, Wings, Burgers and Vegetarian Black Bean Chipotle Burger and Salads. You can visit their website for the daily drink specials, entertainment schedule and menu.

Dave’s New York Deli 12921 SW 1st Road • Tioga Town Center Open 7 Days

352-333-0291 www.DavesNYDeli.com Authentic NY deli — The Reviews are in and here’s what customers are saying about Dave’s NY Deli Tioga Town Center! “Best Reuben, Best Pastrami, Best Philly, and Best Wings” Dave’s continues to be the place to go for authentic NY Deli food and Philly Cheesesteaks. Owner Dave Anders says “Nothing beats quality ingredients combined with a friendly staff. Dave serves New York size Pastrami and Corned Beef sandwiches, Cheesecake from New York, Nathan’s Hot Dogs, NY Kettle Boiled Bagels, Nova Salmon, Knish, Cannolies, Philly Cheesesteaks, Wings, Cubans, Subs, Kids Menu and more.” Come out and enjoy Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at Dave’s NY Deli.

Now serving beer and wine.

The Great Outdoors 65 North Main Street, High Springs, FL 32643 Open at 11:00am Tuesday through Sunday

386-454-1288 www.greatoutdoorsdining.com Award-winning Dining — Calling all oyster lovers! Enjoy fresh oysters on the half shell beginning every Thursday at 4 PM. The Great Outdoors is a Florida Trend Golden Spoon culinary award winner since 2010 featuring a menu that is carefully planned and lovingly prepared. Stop by whether you are in the mood for a prime aged steak, fresh seafood or one of our fabulous burgers! Enjoy a quiet dinner inside or sit by our outdoor fireplace to enjoy the best live bands. You’ll love our famous happy hour appetizers and drink specials as well as weekly dinner specials including, half price burgers, delicious chicken wings and half price wine night! Don’t forget our special events room upstairs!

Visit us at www.operahousehs.com or www.greatoutdoorsdining.com

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TASTE OF THE TOWN

SPECIAL RESTAURANT ADVERTISING SECTION. CALL

352-372-5468

FOR RATES AND INFORMATION.

Mark’s Prime Steakhouse & Seafood 201 SE 2nd Avenue, Gainesville, FL (Historic Downtown) Monday: 5:00pm - 9:00pm • Tues-Sat: 5:00pm to 10:00pm Happy Hour: 5:00pm - 7:00pm

352-336-0077 marksprimesteakhouse.com Steak & Seafood — Mark’s Prime Steakhouse and Seafood has a goal to create a unique dining experience that will please the palate and soothe the soul. We serve the finest beef, the freshest seafood, and naturally fresh vegetables. Recipient of Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence 2004-2011. Join us for Primetime Happy Hour featuring drink and appetizer specials Monday thru Saturday 5-7 pm. We are pleased to feature our full service, private dining facilities. It would be our pleasure to help plan your next reception, banquet, business meeting, or social gathering. Complimentary valet service.

Heavenly Ham 3832 W. Newberry Rd Ste 1-C Located in Plaza Royale next to Moe’s Mon- Fri 10AM – 6PM Sat 10AM – 4PM Sun 11:30AM -3PM

352-375-8050 www.heavenlyhamgainesville.com LUNCH / CATERING / HOLIDAYS — Heavenly Ham Market Café has the best custom hand tossed salads in Gainesville! Seriously! With over 20 toppings, 10 dressings, and 8 different meats to choose from, our custom hand tossed salads are sure to please. In addition to our salads, we hand craft our signature & classic sandwiches made to order. Delicious Vie de France bread is baked daily so that it is at its freshest when we prepare your box lunch either for dine-in, carry out, or delivery. We also carry a line of hot sandwiches & panini like our Roasted Chicken Florentine Panini made with fresh baby spinach, toasted on ciabatta with melted provolone cheese and our house made Balsamic Vinaigrette.

Napolatanos 606 NW 75th Street Gainesville, FL Tuesday - Thursday & Sunday 4:00pm-10:00pm Friday 4:00pm-1:00am • Saturday 4:00pm-11:00pm

352-332-6671 www.napolatanos.com ITALIAN — Napolatanos is the longest original owner operated restaurant in Gainesville. Nappys, the name the locals have given Napolatanos has the most extensive menu.

Whether you choose pizza, calzones, salad, burgers, sandwiches, pasta, seafood, steak dinners or the best chicken wings in town, Nappy’s uses only the freshest ingredients.

Visit on Tuesday for half price appetizers. Burgers & Brew Night on Wednesday and live music inside. Thursday is Pub night with Better than England’s Fish & Chips $7. Outside dining with live music, on the patio, on Sunday evenings. GRAB & GO family dinners feeds 4-6 adults, starting at $25.95. Choose from Ziti, Lasagna, Chicken Alfredo, Chicken Marsala and more!

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Tony & Al’s Deli 14960 Main Street, Alachua, Florida 32616 OPEN 7 DAYS Monday-Thursday 11:00am – 9:00pm Friday-Saturday 11:00am – 10:00pm Sunday 11:00am – 8:00pm

386-693-9090 Italian — Locally owned and operated, Tony & Al’s Deli provides the finest quality Italian entrees in a family friendly atmosphere. Whether it’s their delicious appetizers, pasta classics, specialty pizzas, salads, sandwiches, wraps, burgers or prime rib, Tony & Al use only their freshest ingredients. Their sauces, dressings and specialty desserts including cannolis and tiramisu are all handcrafted. They serve daily lunch and dinner specials and happy hour from 4pm-6pm including $1.50 drafts and $1.00 off all drinks.

Newberry’s Backyard BBQ 25405 West Newberry Road, Newberry Monday-Wednesday 11:00am – 9:00pm Thursday 11:00am – 9:00pm Friday and Saturday 11:00am – 11:00pm Sunday 10:30am – 3:00pm

352-472-7260 newberrybbq.com BBQ — The one and only Newberry’s Backyard BBQ is located in our historic building in beautiful downtown Newberry. Our pork, chicken, beef, and turkey is smoked to perfection daily. Our salads and sides are always fresh. If you are thirsty we have the best sweet tea in the South and a full bar as well. Make sure to bring your kids, we serve their meals on a frisbee that they take home. For your entertainment, we always have live music on Friday nights and Karaoke on Saturday evenings.

Let us cater your Holiday Event! Big or small we cater all gatherings.

Saboré 13005 SW 1st Road, Tioga, FL 32669 (Tioga Town Center) Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday: 11:00am – 10:00pm Friday & Saturday: 11:00am – 11:00pm • Open Mondays for special events only

352-332-2727 www.saborerestaurant.com Fusion — Saboré [sa-bohr-ay] is a modern world-fusion restaurant featuring a variety of dishes inspired by dynamic cuisine from places like Europe, Asia, and South America.

Their recipe is simple: authentic global flavors, quality ingredients, expert craftsmanship, and exceptional service. Saboré offers customers a unique dining experience, shareable plates, delicious dishes, signature cocktails and desserts that will keep you coming back for more. So let us surprise your palate with our global flair and exotic ingredients. Experiencing world cuisine this fresh usually requires a passport.

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BOOK REVIEW

TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER’S

Reading Corner STELLA BY STARLIGHT written by Sharon M. Draper ©2015, ATHENEUM BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS, $16.99 / $19.99, CANADA, 336 PAGES

TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER HAS BEEN READING SINCE SHE WAS 3 YEARS OLD AND SHE NEVER GOES ANYWHERE WITHOUT A BOOK. SHE LIVES WITH HER TWO DOGS AND 11,000 BOOKS. HER BOOK REVIEWS ARE PUBLISHED IN MORE THAN 200 NEWSPAPERS AND 50 MAGAZINES THROUGHOUT THE U.S. AND CANADA. bookwormsez@yahoo.com

H

ave you ever wanted to do something big — but you didn’t know how?

You struggled. You practiced. You tried and tried and tried until finally, you saw where you went wrong and where you went right. Aha! That’s when you realized that whatever you wanted to do — you could!

It might have been a small action, and it might’ve been something great, but never giving up was the way to go. In the new book “Stella

by Starlight” by Sharon M. Draper, for instance, a young girl wanted to become a writer.

Her daddy wanted to vote.

Fire can be a good thing.

It can bring warm rooms and hot meals — but when Stella Mills saw the sparks from across Kilkenny Pond that night in 1932, she knew there was nothing good about that fire or the nine hooded men surrounding it. Quickly, she and her brother ran to wake their parents because they knew that everybody in their neighborhood was in danger when the Klan was about.

Normally, life in Bumblebee, North Carolina, was a safe place for Stella and her friends. Yes, it was true that there were places they couldn’t go because they weren’t white and no, their blacks-only school wasn’t nearly as nice as the whites-only school, but Stella loved her schoolmates and neighbors because they always watched out for one another.

When one lacked, the others shared, and that made her proud.

But the Klan was another matter, and every black person in Bumblebee knew it. Even Stella’s teacher, Mrs. Grayson,

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understood the seriousness of what was happening and she tried to keep her students calm and safe by distracting them with writing and with stories. Stella loved stories, and she loved writing but she didn’t think she was any good at either of them.

That would change, though, when her friend, Tony, told her to write what she knew — and so Stella did. She wrote about the Klan and their dragons; about airplanes and books and grown men making boys bleed. She wrote about gifts, her father’s reason for celebration, and the courage it took to stand up for your rights.

Yep. I loved “Stella by Starlight,” and there are many reasons why.

Its authenticity is at the top of the list. Author Sharon M. Draper gives this story a historical basis, yet she keeps it fictional so young readers can understand and identify with the characters.

Those characters are second on the list: I loved Stella!

She’s sunny and smart, and her determination will make it easy for your child to want to know what happens to her and her family.

I also liked the way Draper lends child-friendly, not-toodetailed, not-too-scary action in this chapter book, and the anti-racism theme really struck me as timely.

And then there’s the… well, I could go on and on but let’s just say that this is the perfect book for a 7-to-12-year-old reader who enjoys a good historical novel. For that kid, “Stella

by Starlight” is a book she’ll want.

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PHOTO ESSAY >> NATURE

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Paynes Prairie P H O T O E S S AY B Y J A M E S P I O N , K R I S T I N KO Z E L S K Y a n d K E L S E Y G R E N T Z E R

ABOUT THE ARTISTS JAMES PION IS OWNER/PHOTOGRAPHER AT VIVO CAPTURE PHOTOGRAPHY AND OWNER/PHOTOGRAPHER AT DRIFTWOOD IMAGES, WHO UP UNTIL RECENTLY CALLED GAINESVILLE HOME (WWW.DRIFTWOODIMAGES.COM); KRISTIN KOZELSKY IS A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER BASED IN THE GAINESVILLE AREA. SHE HOLDS DEGREES IN FINE ARTS (B.A.) AND ANTHROPOLOGY (B.A., M.A.) AND HAS BEEN IN BUSINESS SINCE 2010; KELSEY GRENTZER IS A UF GRAD LIVING IN THE TAMPA BAY AREA, WHERE SHE WORKS AS A MULTIMEDIA PRODUCTION SPECIALIST AND FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER.

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PHOTOGRAPHY: JAMES PION

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PHOTOGRAPHY: JAMES PION

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PHOTOGRAPHY: KRISTIN KOZELSKY

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PHOTOGRAPHY: KELSEY GRENTZER

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F A M I L Y

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CONSERVATION >> FORAGE FARMS

FOR AGE

Sowing the Seeds Partnerships and Relationships in the Gainesville Food Community W R IT TE N BY A M A N DA W I LLI A M SON

A

mid a vast stretch of grassland in southeast Gainesville, an acre-sized patch of ornamental flowers and vegetables adds a splash of color to the greenery. The plot, adjacent to a functional well and barn, provides a revenue source for a local non-profit organization aimed at educating people to value healthy food, land and community.

Anna Prizzia and Melissa DeSa founded Forage in 2012 because they saw a demand for programs that would encourage exploration of the natural world by creating a variety of partnerships in the community.

The women worked in local food initiatives and community gardening projects for years before deciding to start Forage.

“We partially chose [Gainesville] because it’s our home,” Prizzia said. “But it’s also in the Deep South. We have a unique climate here that provides an opportunity to grow a wide variety 124 |

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of vegetables each year.”

Though the farm itself is just one aspect of Forage, it allows the non-profit to reach out to future volunteers, program attendees and curious youth. Situated on land owned by the Alachua County Trust (ACT), Forage Farms receives a wide variety of visitors interested in the partnerships established by ACT. In essence, the two land conservation organizations work together.

With ACT providing established farmland, equipped with a barn and a well, Forage did not have to work as hard or make as many changes to create the farm.

Prizzia said the two organizations share similar missions to instruct people on how to become good stewards of the environment — of the land and natural resources.

“These things are part of our passion,” Prizzia said. “And if we want something to be here, we should play a part in building it.”

According to the organization’s website, Forage staff and volunteers strive to create a sustainable working farm that PHOTOGRAPHY: MELISSA DESA

supports educational opportunities for both children and adults.

They aim to provide connections for youth to education and employment by developing professional skills related to food and small business management. They also promote activities that support a sustainable food system such as a seed library and urban gardening network.

Prizzia considers the seed library to be the most important aspect of Forage. The non-profit is collecting southern heritage seeds locally adapted to the North Central Florida region. For $20 a month, individuals in the community can gain access to a wide selection of vegetable, herb and flower seeds, according to the website.

“There’s no one else that’s really focused on saving seeds in the Deep South,” Prizzia said. “We feel a seed bank is one of the most important things we can do to protect our food in the long term.”

The seed library doesn’t really store ornamental flowers,

PHOTO BY KRISTIN GRACE PHOTOGRAPHY

“There’s no one else that’s really focused on saving seeds in the Deep South. We feel a seed bank is one of the most important things we can do to protect our food in the long term.”

but instead focuses on food crops. Most vegetables grown on agricultural farms across the country tend to be of the same variety, Prizzia said. When a disease or insect attacks a crop, one type may not be strong enough to resist and bounce back.

“If you have a variety, there’s a likelihood you will have some resistance,” she added, as well as a selection of flavor and cultural preferences.

For instance, some cultures may prefer small cucumbers to the longer ones. So far, the organization has collected seeds for Seminole pumpkin, arugula, sunflower, lettuce, onion, tomatoes and more. Both Prizzia and DeSa recently took a trip to the New England area to explore sustainable farms and seed collecting methods. The two have been acquiring techniques that they can teach the public.

“I wouldn’t say it is difficult,” Prizzia said. “You just really have to understand the plants you are working with.”

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Church, Forage is in the process of developing a partnership with Loften High School to create a program that teaches the children about seed storage, cleaning and growing. The program’s intent is to connect young adults to their food, teach them how to eat healthy and how to grow their own food supply. The program will teach students job skills and provide experience in a variety of careers in the food industry.

“We feel that working with our youth is our opportunity to create the next generation of people who are going to be decision makers about our food,” Prizzia said. “But if there’s a program about local food, we are probably trying to create some support mechanism for it or impact on it.”

Currently, Forage partners with Blue Ovens Kitchens, Slow Food Gainesville, Florida Organic, Buy Local North Central Florida and a variety of local farms, such as Swallowtail Farm.

The organization offers youth educational events, as well as encourages students to get involved for semester-long internships. The interns can work with youth garden and food education; seed library development; on-farm production; and marketing, outreach and event coordination.

Forage is a fledging organization; it remains mostly volunteer-based, and one of the biggest challenges facing the non-profit is how to support its endeavors long-term. How does Forage remain a part of the sustainable food environment?

In the next five years, Prizzia hopes to see Forage with double the membership of its seed library, a full-time staff and several contracts with local farms to save seeds.

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Though Forage Farms leases six acres from ACT, the goal isn’t to expand its acre plot, but instead to plant a wildflower meadow on the rest of the property. Prizzia and DeSa have goals to restore the land to its natural state.

By restoring the topsoil and meadows, Forage hopes to create a sustainable food web that helps people as well as wild plants and animals, the website states.

The organization provides fresh cut flowers and herbs for local events, as well as arrangements and bulk purchases. To purchase, simply contact Forage.

To become involved with Forage, an individual can make a donation to help deliver and develop education programs.

The donations go directly to supporting staff and purchasing materials, but Forage accepts in-kind donations as well. Its current fundraising goal is around $5,000.

Forage also invites guests to visit the farm or attend one of its workshops, which cover a wide range of topics, including composting techniques and seed collecting. On May 16 they offer a free Seed Saving Workshop at the Downtown Farmer’s Garden, 12 SE First St., Gainesville. The name itself encourages community members to become more actively involved — to forage for resources, partnerships and relationships.

“We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel,” Prizzia said, “but to create synergy.”

For more information on Forage and its various events, visit the website at foragefarm.org or email co-founder Anna Prizzia at anna@foragefarm.org.

PHOTOGRAPHY: SCOTT S. SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY, MELISSA DESA (INSET)

School’s Out Local Food and Music Festival June 6, 2015 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

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Forage Farm and First Magnitude Brewing Company are hosting their Third Annual School’s Out Local Food and Music Festival on June 6th. This event celebrates both the beginning of summer and the local community through music, food, and family fun activities. This has proven to be a unique and popular event because of the opportunity families, community members, local organizations, and food vendors have to connect with one another.

For the past two years, the festival has been held at Forage Farm on the Alachua Conservation Trust’s Prairie Creek Preserve. This year, however, the event will be held at the First Magnitude brewery, located just south of downtown Gainesville.

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“We’re so lucky to have such a vibrant community that wants to have events like these,” said Forage cofounder Anna Prizzia, in a recent press release. “We really hope that the move will attract even more festivalgoers and increase their awareness of our mission. I love that this event allows people to experience the power of supporting our local food system and community rather than us just talking about it.”

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EXPLORATION >> SCENIC TRAILS

TAKE A HIKE

Get Up. Get Out. Get Going.

Exploring The Florida National Scenic Trail S TORY A N D PHOTOG R A PHY BY RICK SA PP

A

s I write this on March 1st, I am packing for a month in New Zealand. There, I expect to backpack both the North Island and the South Island.

Photograph volcanoes. Hike through rain forests. Cross Alpine regions replete with glaciers and dangerous scree slopes. And maybe even experience a bungee jump.

New Zealand has invested heavily in its own brand of rugged tourism by taking advantage of a wealth of natural resources. Its nine Great Walks are world famous for breathtaking scenery and 130 |

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often a place on the trail must be reserved months in advance.

My own Great Walk, however, began with disappointment, far closer to home. The ranger at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs had just told us that the trail to the west was closed because of flooding. And neither of us, myself or my hiking mentor, Ed Herod, wanted to spend the weekend wading through the backwash of the Suwannee River. “The trail” being the Florida National Scenic Trail, which meanders north from Key West to the Suwannee and then makes a dramatic turn toward Pensacola.

Beginning at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs, backpacking friends Ed Herod (left) and Rick Sapp hiked east a dozen miles to Osceola Hut along the Florida Trail.

White Springs is home to Judith McClure’s White Springs Bed ‘n Breakfast Inn as well as scrumptious barbecue at Fat Belly’s, the partially restored Bath House heritage site, Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park and Big Shoals State Park. White Springs is one of Florida’s under-visited jewels.

When the trail is flooded during periods of high water, there are many ways to explore Florida’s wild side

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EXPLORATION >> SCENIC TRAILS

“What about east and south?” Ed asked.

The ranger did not know, but we took a chance. What followed was a 12-mile high-and-dry day hike, a warm campfire, new friends, a blissful night in our tents and a hike back to White Springs where we discovered the town jewel, Judith McClure’s White Springs Bed ‘n Breakfast Inn as well as the barbecue down the street at Fat Belly’s.

From Stephen Foster, where you can leave your car overnight for a minimal fee, the trail from White Springs takes you east on US 41 to Adams Memorial. There you turn south, walk past the ballpark and the cemetery toward the Suwannee River, about two miles from the parking area in Stephen Foster.

Much, but not all of the 12-mile hike from White Springs winds through Big Shoals State Park and along the river.

Normally, kayakers and canoeists visit Big Shoals because it contains Florida’s largest whitewater rapids, but at high water, such as the early February weekend of our hike, the shoals are submerged in flood.

What was not at all submerged was the section of the Florida Trail east from White Springs. And because the weather cooperated in the most magnificent fashion with 70-degree, sunny days, we hiked along limestone bluffs that — when water is low — may tower 80 feet above the flow of the river.

The scenery was special, scrub and pine forest, and it was easy to imagine paddlewheel steamers exchanging cotton and tobacco for hard goods trans-shipped from factories in

the North or even in Europe.

Although it was romantic in its own way and crushingly scenic, the old riverboats were impossibly delicate, prone to damage along the jagged limestone banks and hidden cave edges that give the Suwannee its unique character. And riverboats could never venture north past the shoals at White Springs.

Do not imagine that you must purchase a riverboat ticket to experience Florida’s “outback,” however, although for many miles the upper reaches of the Suwannee offer a silence that is practically unknown these days in the Sunshine State. A silence broken only by the occasional call of a blue jay or mocking bird, for the trail is not only beautiful in the scope of its execution along the bank, but it is a birder’s glory.

Birding enthusiasts will find a large variety of species along this section of trail, from wading herons and egrets, to soaring hawks and eagles. In the evening, barred owls hoot and nighthawks can be heard overhead searching for a meal of wood mice.

Some of the rarest and most beautiful birds of Florida, scarlet tanagers and indigo buntings also have been counted on the trail, but it was not our luck in early February.

Our luck consisted of great vistas of the river, a diminishing roar of traffic, and numerous creek crossings without a stumble or a wet sleeping bag. Our luck consisted in spending an evening camping in a wooded clearing near Osceola Shelter, one of the seven extant shelters along the trail.

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wife team from South Florida, a pair who gladly shared their fire in the shelter stove. These new friends, Linda and Prentis Ball, had hiked several hundred miles already and were considering continuing toward Pensacola, but their tale was one of a trail flooded and sections waist deep in water.

But this night beneath sighing longleaf pines with the occasional caterwauling of a pair of owls and a clear starry sky was enough to give everyone hope for another clear, warm and dry day. And after a night in our lightweight tents and sleeping bags, and a morning breakfast of trail mix, that is exactly what we got. Another day in Florida’s wild paradise.

We think of Florida as many things, but often we overlook its rugged and adventurous aspects for those offering comfort. Florida lacks for nothing, from Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville to Daytona Beach Bike Week to professional sports. Yet much of Florida still gives you the opportunity to spend time in nature. Often this means finding the undiscovered Florida, the quiet Florida, but if you “Get Up. Get Out. And Get Going” you will find it. It is closer than you think and in doing so you may find something of yourself The Florida National Scenic Trail may one day connect Key West with as well.

Manning Provincial Park, British Me? I’m stuffing the sleeping bag and tent into the Columbia, at the end of the Pacific backpack and am off to adventure Down Under. But do Crest Trail and Mount Katahdin, Kiwis call their island home “Down Under?” I’ll see and northern terminus of the Appalachian promise to let you know.

Trail. Not yet, but perhaps soon.

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THE FLORIDA TRAIL If you’re not keeping up with Florida news, you probably thought the Appalachian Trail was the premier hike in the Eastern U.S. and it is — still. But every state has caught the “trail fever” and even Florida, land of sparkling beaches, space launches and Mickey Mouse is building a hiking trail.

The Florida National Scenic Trail (see www.FloridaTrail.org) stretches from Key West to Pensacola, 1,500 miles, at least in concept. It is an enormous challenge to build a hiking trail in the fastest growing and, many outdoor enthusiasts believe, most over-developed state in the nation.

The trail through Florida must be thought of as still in its infancy. Long sections, such as the planned 106-mile Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail through the spectacular Keys, are simply sections of highway and sidewalk.

Hard on the soles of the feet. Other sections, like the Big Cypress trek, are continuously flooded and may even require written permission from the Seminole Nation. And wet boots day after day are even harder on the feet.

The trail through Florida may never be complete. Wilderness Florida is, after all, in a race with condominiums and golf courses and it has shown no sign that it will persevere. The trail and the wilderness that hikers and backpackers most appreciate is serviced in part by the U.S. Forest Service, but principally by hundreds of volunteers organized into trail chapters throughout Florida.

The Florida National Scenic Trail may only be a dream but while no dream is perfect, this one gives those who love the out-of-doors focus and purpose.

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COLUMN

ALBERT ISAAC’S

Different Note PLAYING MUSIC IS LIKE RIDING A BICYCLE – NOT

ALBERT ISAAC IS AN AWARD-WINNING WRITER AND EDITOR AND THE AUTHOR OF SCIENCE FICTION NOVELS AND PERSONAL COLUMNS. HE LIVES IN HIGH SPRINGS WITH HIS FAMILY AND A BUNCH OF CRITTERS. editor@towerpublications.com

MUSIC HAS ALWAYS BEEN A HUGE PART OF MY LIFE, ESPECIALLY WHILE IN SCHOOL WHEN IT WAS ONE OF THE FEW CLASSES I LOOKED FORWARD TO ATTENDING.

A

nd there was a time, back in the day, when I played the trombone.

Some kids have sports, some have art, and others have academics. I had music. Just like all of these activities, music requires focus, dedication, commitment and teamwork. Looking back, I am amazed at the things my band directors were able to accomplish in such a short period of time. I started learning the trombone in 7th grade at Shenandoah Junior High School in Miami. I knew absolutely nothing about music. Everything I learned in those first few years I learned from my band director, Mr. Hill. That man had the patience of Job. Somehow he was able to corral and then teach a roomful of teenagers how to play musical instruments. Not so joyous noise. But the difference between 7th grade beginning band members and the big old 9th graders we would soon become was astonishing. By the time we hit 12th grade the band was exceptional.

The trombone went into storage. But lately I’ve been entertaining the idea of dusting it off. It’s a scary prospect.

The things that can be accomplished under the right leadership still amaze me. In high school it was Mr. Ledue, our Coral Gables High School band director. He took a group of about a hundred teenaged musicians — some mediocre, others exceptional — and guided, instructed and inspired us to create music so remarkable that I still get goose bumps listening to the old LP of our performance of “The William Tell Overture.”

It’s a perfect example of the whole being much greater than the sum of its parts.

So music got me through junior high and high school and later through college. I did not, however, immediately join the 136 |

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band when I started Miami-Dade Community College. I had excellent grades but without music I was lonely and depressed.

I dropped out after my first year.

After a yearlong hiatus working in the “real world” I went back to school, only this time I joined the band. I was a little rusty but once again I had the good fortune of performing under the leadership of a great director, Dr. Zingale. He needed brass and I needed to play. He recruited me and before I knew it I was playing in a jazz band for the first time, as well as in several ensembles. I learned new things, such as how to play in a 12/8 time signature.

I made new friends. And I again enjoyed going to school.

Next up: University of Florida, playing in the marching band (Go Gator Bones!), jazz band (a special shout-out to Dr. Gary Langford!), and even a brief stint in the pit orchestra.

After graduation I continued to play, but now I was writing songs and performing on an entirely different stage — and instrument — playing keyboard in rock, pop and alternative music groups in local nightclubs.

The trombone went into storage. But lately I’ve been entertaining the idea of dusting it off. It’s a scary prospect. After all, it’s been more than 30 years since I played the trombone with any regularity. I sometimes kick myself for not keeping up with it. How good would I be had I kept playing all of these years?

We’ll never know.

I’m reminded of a movie I saw as a youngster. Dad and I were watching TV and while I recall very little about the film, one part stands out. There was a man at a party bragging about what a great trumpet player he was, but he hadn’t played in some time.

Eventually someone hands him a trumpet and essentially asks him to prove it.

I remember Dad saying that in real life this guy wouldn’t be able to play very well. And sure enough, when he raised the mouthpiece to his lips and began to blow, well, he was pretty bad.

I am now that guy. Sure, my mind knows what to do, but my mouth, my embouchure, is out of shape. And even though I’ve lately been having dreams that I can play, I’m a little afraid to pick it up and give it a go.

And then recently, while out at my favorite watering hole, I encountered a great band that is looking for a trombonist. I told them I play — USED to play — the trombone. They gave

me their business card and told me when they rehearse. I told them I would need six months to get my chops up, and put the card in my pocket.

I haven’t called them. I may play well in my dreams, but in reality I know what will happen. Playing a wind instrument is nothing like remembering how to ride a bike. With a bike you simply get on and start pedaling. Not so with a musical instrument that typically takes years to learn and decades to master.

I know what will happen. My buzzing lips will go numb. I’ll have no air for those long low notes. My high notes will sound like an elephant in heat.

But music has been missing in my life.

And the universe seems to be telling me it’s time to play again. Can I find the time? Will I muster up the discipline? Do I have the courage? Can my family stand the sounds of an elephant in heat? (My wife, the self-proclaimed Voice of Reason, suggested I practice out in the woods. Pray for the wildlife.)

There’s only one way to find out, and that’s to dust off the old horn and give it a go. Time will tell…

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RECIPE SERIES >> TEA PARTY BRIDAL SHOWER

STEEPED IN TR ADITION

Cynthia Wonders Winterrowd ’s

RECIPE WONDERS FOOD ST Y LING & PHOTOGR A PH Y BY ERICK A WINTER ROWD

TE A

J

WE PA RT O H S Y BRIDA L

une is known for its blushing brides, so that means now is the season for bridal showers! This happy event, when ladies gather to celebrate the upcoming nuptials, is the perfect opportunity to host an afternoon tea. Several years ago when our daughter was about to be married, her aunt hosted a tea in her honor. It was a delightful afternoon spent sampling delicate teas, savory sandwiches and tiny pastries while watching the bride-to-be open her gifts.

However, afternoon teas are also a wonderful way to get together with friends for any occasion. It is a delightful step back in time where one can spend a leisurely afternoon quietly enjoying conversation with friends, while indulging the senses with beautiful sights, smells and flavors.

Preparing for a tea party can be surprisingly simple. True tea aficionados feel that the best flavor is found when brewing tea in the teapot itself with a loose-leaf tea. However, I was once

R

invited to a tea party where the hostess selected a variety of tea bags and displayed them in a clever little wooden box, with a pot of steaming water on the table to pour into our individual teacups. Be creative! Your guests will love it.

Always complete the menu with petite sandwiches and tiny sweets displayed on china or silver trays. Beautiful, inexpensive teacups and china can often be found at thrift shops or yard sales. Don’t be afraid to mix patterns. Bring out your pretty linens to accent the table; lacy tablecloths and flower prints work well for the “look” of an afternoon tea (Think “Downton Abbey” for inspiration). If you have garden flowers in bloom, cut them and arrange in a vase to accent the table. Some flowers are actually edible (if not treated with pesticides) and can be placed on the icings of the pastries for accent.

The following recipes are typical of what one might have on the menu when hosting such an event. I’m also including some tips on how to make a perfect pot of tea.

CYNTHIA WONDERS WINTERROWD IS AN AWARD-WINNING WRITER WHO WAS RAISED IN ILLINOIS AND LIVES IN GAINESVILLE. SHE IS PROUD TO BE A “GATOR MOM” OF THREE DAUGHTERS, ALL UF GRADUATES. CYNTHIA LOVES SHARING FAMILY RECIPES THAT HAVE BEEN HANDED DOWN IN HER MOTHER’S HANDWRITTEN COOKBOOKS. recipewonders@gmail.com

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CUCUMBER SANDWICHES

“LEMON TREE” PARTY COOKIES

When preparing this sandwich the key to success is keeping the bread and the cucumber sliced as thin as possible.

The cucumber sandwich is the most recognized of all tea sandwiches. Its history goes back to Victorian England, when tea was served at four o-clock on trays covered with a white cut-work cloth and an assortment of slim and crustless sandwiches on delicate china.

INGREDIENTS:

1

cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced 1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened 1/4 tsp. ground cumin 1 loaf of bread, sliced thin * Sprinkle of vinegar and salt. Garnish with fresh dill.

If you happen to have Key Limes, it adapts itself well to using Key Lime juice in place of the lemon juice.

This recipe was one of my mother’s favorites, used often when she entertained. It has a unique and light flavor for a cookie, and topping it with toasted coconut completes the taste experience.

INGREDIENTS:

1

cup of butter or margarine 1/2 cup sugar 1 egg 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 5 drops yellow food coloring 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 tsp. salt 1 cup coconut flakes 1/2 cup chopped pecans * Zest of 1 lemon rind, finely grated

METHOD:

Sprinkle cucumbers with a little vinegar and salt.

Allow cucumber slices to sit 15 minutes, then drain off excess cucumber juice. Place cucumbers on a paper towel to absorb moisture. Meanwhile, mash the softened cream cheese with a fork, adding in the cumin and a dash of salt.

Spread the cream cheese onto a slice of bread, topping with the thinly sliced cucumbers and a small sprig of dill. Press the slices together firmly and trim off the crust. Cut the sandwich into four triangles, by slicing diagonally twice.

Place the sandwiches neatly on a serving plate and cover with a dampened cloth/paper towel until ready to serve.

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Frosting for “Lemon Tree” Party Cookies Prepare lemon flavored frosting by mixing 2 cups confectioners’ sugar, 3 Tbsp. softened butter, 2 Tbsp. milk, 1/2 tsp. lemon extract and drops of yellow food coloring to produce a delicate yellow color. Frost cookies, and top with toasted coconut flakes.

BANANA BREAD This is a simple recipe typically served with tea.

Delicious when frosted with cream cheese icing, and topped with an edible flower from your garden.

INGREDIENTS:

2/3 1/2 1 3 2 1 1/2 1/2 1/2

cup sugar cup shortening cup mashed ripe bananas Tbsp. milk cups flour tsp. baking powder tsp. baking soda tsp. salt cup chopped nuts

the icing in the refrigerator to stiffen before using.

GRAPE CONCORD JELLY Keep in mind that the juice from grapes will stain, so use your oldest kitchen pans and towels when preparing this recipe.

Typically an afternoon tea has been accompanied with a selection of fruit jams and jellies set on the tray next to the breads. With so many delicious options to choose from in our grocery stores, it may seem unnecessary to include a homemade recipe here for our purposes. However, if you are adventurous and would like to make your own, try this recipe for Grape Concord from fresh grapes.

METHOD:

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg, lemon juice and zest.

Beat thoroughly. Add drops of yellow food coloring to make batter a deep lemon yellow, more or less to your preference. Add flour and salt. Mix well. Stir in coconut flakes and pecans.

Form the batter on waxed paper into “logs” approximately one inch in diameter.

Freeze until firm. Cut with a sharp knife into cookies 1/4 inch thick. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes, or until delicately browned on bottom of cookie. Makes approximately five dozen.

METHOD:

Cream the shortening and sugar. Mash the bananas with a fork and add them to the bowl. Mix together well. Add the milk. Then add flour and baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Finally, stir in the chopped nuts. Mix all ingredients thoroughly. Bake at 350 degrees in greased loaf pan for approximately 50 minutes.

Cream Cheese Icing Take your hand mixer and beat one 8 oz. bar of cream cheese and 1/2 cup butter or margarine (softened to room temperature) with 1 tsp. vanilla.

Then gradually add 3 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar until fluffy. If needed, you can chill

INGREDIENTS:

3 1/2 1 1/2 7 1

lbs. fully ripe grapes cup water cups sugar box fruit pectin

METHOD:

Thoroughly crush the fully ripe grapes and add to a saucepan with the water. Cover and simmer on medium low heat for 10 minutes. Squeeze out juice using jelly bag or cheesecloth. To prepare jelly, use 5 cups juice, 7 cups sugar and a box of fruit pectin, following directions on box.

BANANA BREAD

CUCUMBER SANDWICHES

PERFECT POT OF TEA

RECIPE SERIES >> TEA PARTY BRIDAL SHOWER

“LEMON TREE” PARTY COOKIES

For more information on edible flowers, visit: homecooking.about.com MAY/JUNE 2015

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RECIPE SERIES >> TEA PARTY BRIDAL SHOWER

Delight your guests with flowering teas found at specialty tea stores.

HOW TO BREW A PERFECT POT OF TEA The art of preparing tea needn’t be intimidating. With just a little practice you will soon become adept at serving the perfect pot of tea.

Start with an empty kettle, then fill it with freshly drawn water.

Just before it comes to a boil pour a little hot water into your teapot. Swirl the hot water around inside the teapot, then pour it into the sink. This will warm the teapot and keep the water at the proper temperature for steeping the tealeaves. Put the teapot mesh strainer back into the teapot, adding one heaped teaspoon of leaves for each person, and “one for the pot.” By now the kettle will have reached a rolling boil, so you can pour the water over the leaves directly into the teapot.

Allow the tea to stand and brew according to the time recommended for the particular tea you are preparing. Usually this would be between 2 - 5 minutes according to leaf size. Remove the strainer and serve the tea to your guests. Sugar cubes are a fancy way to sweeten the tea and make a pretty table setting. If you prefer milk with your tea, it should be added to the cup before pouring the tea.

Hopefully this has given you inspiration for a tea party of your own. Make an occasion of it, and be sure to wear your finest hat and pearls! Invite your friends for a delightful afternoon, whether for a bridal shower or just for fun.

Recipe Wonders received national recognition in the category of “Best Original Writing - Column, A column written to inform or educate the reader” at the 2015 AFCP Conference in Savannah, GA. 142 |

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FOOD REVIEW

Adventures in Appetite

CONTRIBUTED

BY KEN PENG OF KEN EATS GAINESVILLE

KEN PENG HAS LIVED IN GAINESVILLE FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS OF HIS LIFE, BUT HAS BEEN EATING SINCE HE WAS BORN. IT IS HIS HOPE THAT ANYONE WHO READS THIS PAGE WILL DISCOVER A NEW SPOT TO VISIT THE NEXT TIME THEY’RE FEELING HUNGRY. keneatsgainesville.com

SUSHI. THERE’S NO SHORTAGE OF IT IN GAINESVILLE AND NOW THERE’S A NEW KID IN TOWN.

V

olcanic Sushi & Sake is located in Haile Village Center next door to Limerock Road (5141 SW 91st Way Suite I-101). This small restaurant is inside a former Chinese take-out restaurant, and has about five tables, a small sushi bar and bench seating. They opened this past week with no advertising, no Facebook posts, and no announcements, becoming the only restaurant in the area dedicated to sushi and mostly Japanese fare.

See, while the restaurant is new, chef and owner Nestor Espartero is no stranger to the business. He has worked as a sushi chef on cruise ships, some of the best spots in Miami, owned and operated Sushi Bistro in Ocala, and more recently was the sushi chef at Sabore before their chef change.

The seasoned vet explained he wanted to open the restaurant with no announcements so he could work out the kinks. But here’s the thing, there wasn’t much wrong with the place… and I’ll explain.

Not particularly being a big sushi fan, I brought along a trusted confidant who has consumed more sushi than Jeff Driskel has thrown interceptions. And for you non-football fans, that’s a lot. He commented on the uniqueness of some of the sushi, and that the quality of the fish was good and on par with places like Ichiban Sushi. The plating was also beautiful with tremendous attention to detail (the wasabi was shaped into leaves!). More specifically, the Spider Roll ($9 — soft shell 144 |

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crab, asparagus, avocado, and mayo) was the best value, the Sweet Monster ($12 — cheese, krab, salmon, squid and white fish breaded and fried) was a unique dish but more like an appetizer, and the Red Dragon Roll ($12 — shrimp tempura, cream cheese, avocado topped with tuna tartare) was also unique and delicious.

If you’re feeling saucy, there’s even a $20 Lobster Roll that is a katsu lobster tail strip, lettuce, avocado and crab.

We also had the opportunity to sample non-sushi items like the Chicken Yakisoba ($10 — choice of meat with stir-fried noodles and veggies), which was a generous portion and one of the better Yakisoba’s in town. The Duck Curry ($20) was half a boneless crispy roasted duck with pineapples, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, bamboo shoots in a red curry sauce and a side of rice. Despite not being Japanese (like some of the other items on the menu), it was very well executed and the curry was on point, despite the duck being a bit dry (I like Bangkok Square’s better).

The lunch specials in particular, really stand out here.

There are several sushi combos available ranging from $9 to $13, and seven different lunch bowls that range from $8 to $12 featuring items like Chicken Curry, Teriyaki, Noodle Bowl, and a Sashimi bowl. The “Raw Bowl,” as it’s called, is $11, and includes your choice of tuna or salmon sashimi, with avocado, cucumber, scallions, sesame seeds and Wakame salad over seasoned sushi rice. The portion was again very generous and with very fresh ingredients.

Though I would have liked to see it with some eel sauce or spicy mayo on it (comes with no sauce), Volcanic will happily provide you with some.

Most of the menu is between $10 and $20 and priced well

for the portions. Some of the other items of note include a Shrimp or Scallops Ceviche ($10 — with onions, green peppers, tomatoes and cilantro in a ginger lime sauce), Tuna Tartare ($12), and a Lobster & Shrimp Curry ($22 — with bamboo shoots, bell peppers, onions, basil and coconut milk). You’ll also find the usual Teriyaki, Stir Fry, Fried Rice and Katsu dishes as well.

While the food is great, there are some issues, as I previously mentioned. For one, their name would imply they offer a large selection of sakes.

But there are really just a handful of choices that are not listed on the menu. Though in their defense, the house sake we had was fantastic. I’d like to see a dedicated sake menu with a bigger selection. The dining room was nice, but they kept the boring old tables and chairs from the Chinese takeout place and I would have liked to have some music to break up awkward silence.

Not particularly being a big sushi fan, I brought along a trusted confidant who has consumed more sushi than Jeff Driskel has thrown interceptions. And for you non-football fans, that’s a lot.

All in all, though, Nestor and his team are seemingly letting their food do the talking, and it’s doing just fine. The issues we found were minor and this is a good example of a restaurant that opened when it was ready and didn’t make excuses for bad food. In Haile Village, where the food options are otherwise uninspired, this is a very welcome addition.

Anyone living in the Haile area, like me, won’t have to go out of the way now to get decent sushi or Japanese food.

Here’s the particulars…

Volcanic Sushi & Sake 5141 SW 91st Way Suite I-101 Hours: Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. then 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Fridays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. then again for dinner from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sundays 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

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