Florida Currents
Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative’s Brandon Price demonstrates his pole-top rescue skills during annual training.
PHOTO BY WES MORGAN
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GULF COAST ELECTRIC
Making the Grade
What does it take to become a lineworker?
Up Close, Page 10
Houses They remain a Pasco treasure Spotlight, Page 12 Easter Sunday Dinner Menu In the Kitchen, Page 16
Minutes of the 2024 Annual Members’ Meeting
April 27, 2024
The 76th Annual Meeting of the members of Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative Inc. was convened at the Headquarters Building in Wewahitchka, Florida, on Saturday, April 27, 2024.
A special flag-raising ceremony was conducted at 9 a.m. The ceremony was performed by GCEC employees Brandon Price, Dakota Barnes, Hayden Hoffman, Hunter Jenks, Jay Shiver and Matthew Fleming. Also, veteran employees and board members were Bob Logan, Justin Suber, Pat Floyd, Jimmy Black, Rupert Brown and Robert Byrd.
The meeting was called to order at 9:15 a.m. by CEO and General Manager John Bartley, who welcomed everyone to the 76th Annual Members’ Meeting. Mr. Bartley shared that for 83 years, the member-owners have trusted the cooperative to energize their homes and ways of life. He stated that the annual meeting is a celebration for the memberowners to enjoy good food, good music and, most of all, good fellowship.
The invocation was given by Derrick Gerber, pastor of Westside Baptist Church, and the Presentation of Colors was conducted by the Deane Bozeman JROTC. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Board President Jimmy Black.
Vice President of Marketing and Communications Kristin Douglas presented the following announcements:
• Vittles catered the event, serving barbecue sandwiches, hot dogs and potato chips. Pepsi products were provided by the cooperative.
• Douglas encouraged the members to visit the Florida Rural Electric Credit Union booth; the Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative products and services booth to enter to win a free surge protector and TV; the Wewahitchka Ambulance Service booth for a free blood pressure check; and the America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC booth to enter the raffle for the electric grill, donated by PowerSouth.
• She also announced the children’s bounce house, bucket truck rides, face painting, photo booth and the safety trailer.
• She asked that everyone drop off
their prize tickets at the front table by the stage and pick up an agenda and a free GCEC hand fan.
Douglas introduced the band Grace and Grit, which provided entertainment for the annual meeting.
Following the entertainment, there was a short break, and Douglas reminded the members to visit the food booth, as well as the displays and booths set up in the conference room. Douglas made a last call for prize ticket drop-off before starting the door prize giveaway portion of the meeting.
Douglas then asked Attorney Pat Floyd to take the podium. Floyd announced a quorum of members was met for the cooperative’s 2024 annual meeting. He exhibited a copy of the annual meeting notice and announced to the membership, as required by the bylaws, that certification and verification of the official notice of the annual meeting had been mailed to the members.
Floyd presented the minutes from the nominating committee, which met Monday evening, Feb. 5, 2024. Nominations were presented by the committee as follows:
• District III, Group 1 – Rupert Brown
• District III, Group 2 – Jimmy Black
• District III, Group 3 – Robert Byrd
Since there was no opposition, Floyd asked for and received a motion and second to elect Rupert Brown (District III, Group 1), Jimmy Black (District III, Group 2) and Robert Byrd (District III, Group 3) for three-year terms. The motion passed by an affirmative vote of the members.
Bartley then announced each member of the board of trustees and told which areas they represented.
Douglas then came forward to recognize and present plants to the oldest person present, Louise Heath, 94; the youngest person present, Arlo Ruiz, 11 months; the couple who had been married the longest, Beula and Elton Headings, married 62 years; and the couple who had been married the shortest time, Patricia and Austin Williams, married seven months.
Douglas also announced the oldest male veteran attending the meeting, James
Davis, 88, and the oldest female veteran, Barbara Knots, 81.
Douglas then turned the meeting back over to Floyd to conduct the final business. Floyd asked for a motion to adopt the minutes from last year’s annual meeting. The motion was made and seconded. The motion passed.
Bartley then gave the manager’s report.
Bartley stated that attending the co-op’s annual meeting is truly seeing democracy in action. He thanked the members for their participation in the election. GCEC had more than 3,500 members—roughly 19.24% of its membership—take the time to mail in their ballots or cast their votes online. Bartley announced that those members who took the time to vote were entered into drawings for gift cards, bill credits and the grand prizes, which were Solo Stoves. He also reminded everyone that every member who took the time to vote would receive a $5 bill credit. Bartley said the cooperative was proud to offer these prizes to its membership in appreciation of their participation.
Bartley shared that the scholarship winners would be announced later in the program. Twenty-two high school seniors from eight different high schools applied and won $1,000 scholarships that may be used to continue their education at a college, university or technical school of their choice. He said the cooperative was delighted to assist these students and thanked them and their families for attending the meeting.
Bartley announced that the cooperative was continuing the more than 50-year tradition of recognizing great students through the Rural Electric Youth Tour program. He said that earlier this year, local high school guidance counselors and civic organization representatives nominated high school juniors to compete for a chance to travel to Washington, D.C., this summer. In February, all students nominated traveled to Tallahassee for the state Youth Tour. Bartley said that following the Tallahassee trip, the cooperative held its Youth Tour competition, and this year’s winners are Emily Rollins of Bay High School and
Taylor Schreiber of Deane Bozeman School. Bartley said the cooperative was proud to have these students representing the co-op in Washington this year.
Bartley thanked management and employees for a job well done during the past year. He let the members know that day or night, rain or shine, calm or storm, the cooperative’s employees work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to keep member homes comfortable and energized. Bartley said the cooperative was lucky to have such incredible people working behind the scenes to power homes, businesses and communities. He said that whatever comes our way, the cooperative’s employees and board are here to keep the power on and serve the members. He reminded the members that employees and board members were dressed in logoed green shirts and encouraged anyone who needed help to let a staff member or board member know.
Bartley said cooperative personnel are working with engineers and contractors to determine the most cost-effective way to repair or rebuild the Wewahitchka headquarters building. He noted that the cooperative recently acquired the former Dixie Dandy property adjacent to the Wewahitchka office, which will be used as warehouse space. The additional warehouse space was necessary to house materials needed for rapid growth in the service territory, as well as to store materials for rebuilding Tyndall Air Force Base. Having proper office and warehouse facilities ensures reliable service for residential, commercial and Department of Defense members.
Bartley shared that in 2011, GCEC’s 50-year contract to own and maintain the electric and water distribution systems at Tyndall Air Force Base commenced. He said the cooperative has completed several water and electric projects, including replacing aging infrastructure. This contract has given the cooperative the opportunity to hire more employees and help stimulate local economies by buying materials and expanding the co-op.
Bartley said the cooperative’s primary duty is helping Tyndall Air Force Base fulfill its mission to recover and rebuild
from the devastation of Hurricane Michael. Supporting Tyndall, he said, is not only a job but also a great honor, as the co-op directly contributes to the security of our country and supports our freedom. Bartley stated the cooperative was proud to be part of “Team Tyndall.”
Bartley shared that safety training is held at least once a month for all GCEC employees and that the cooperative is also committed to safety training for the community. Bartley announced that members could watch demonstrations using the live line trailer, built by cooperative employees, which is taken to local schools, festivals and training sessions to educate members.
Bartley announced that Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative is a Five-Star Co-op, which encourages consumer-members to learn about federal, state and local elections; ensures they are registered to vote; empowers them to make informed decisions; and engages with elected officials by inviting them to visit the co-op. GCEC also develops a political game plan to advocate for issues on behalf of the co-op and its members.
Bartley shared that GCEC has 100% participation on behalf of its employees and trustees in America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC, formerly known as the Action Committee for Rural Electrification (ACRE). The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s federal political action committee supports candidates for the U.S. House and Senate—those in office now and those running for office—who will speak for and protect the interests of electric cooperatives and their consumer-owners.
Bartley said GCEC member-owners have the opportunity to be active in this political action committee and encouraged all to stop by the co-op’s booth in the conference room and sign up if they have not already done so.
Bartley stated that the cooperative’s mission is to deliver safe, affordable and reliable power, and one way the cooperative ensures reliability is through its right-of-way program. If vegetation comes into contact with power lines, it can interfere with electric service and cause a
potentially dangerous situation. It is vital that vegetation be cleared from power lines to maintain reliable electric service and prevent hazards.
Bartley reminded members that federal law states it is GCEC’s responsibility to eliminate hazardous conditions. He said the co-op does its best to preserve landscaping when maintaining rights of way and asked members to mark anything buried underground that might be harmed by trucks and heavy equipment. He reminded members that the cooperative needs access to fenced-in areas and thanked them for their patience and understanding.
Bartley reminded members about the various ways to do business with the co-op: lobbies, drive-thrus, phone, drop boxes, website and app.
He noted that GCEC payments are accepted at retailers such as CVS Pharmacy, Dollar General and Family Dollar. He directed members to gcec.sedccheckout.com to begin the process.
Bartley reminded members about various rebate programs available for certain purchases, such as electric vehicles, HVAC systems and water heaters. He also reminded them about products such as GenerLink, meter poles and surge protection. He directed members to Shannon Hill in the conference room for more information.
Bartley announced that in March, the cooperative began a residential satisfaction survey to find out how well GCEC meets member needs and how it can improve. Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative partnered with a research firm, Inside Information of Kansas City, Missouri, to conduct the survey via telephone and online. The survey measures attitudes and perceptions toward the co-op; satisfaction and loyalty; perceptions on energy efficiency, renewable energy and environmental issues; new product and service offerings; use of technology and communication opportunities; and demographics.
Bartley said that randomly selected members received postcards in the mail asking them to go online and complete the
Continues on page 6
GULF COAST ELECTRIC
Meeting Minutes
Continued from page 5
survey. The survey includes questions about reliability, value and quality of service; commitment to the community; concern for the environment; outage restoration; communication with members; and other factors to gauge service quality. All information gathered, he said, would be kept strictly confidential.
Bartley shared that by participating in this short survey, members would help the co-op by providing feedback on Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative, thereby assisting in important decisions about providing reliable power and exceptional member service. He said that at Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative, members are owners and employees are here to serve.
On behalf of the cooperative employees and board, Bartley invited the members to enjoy the annual meeting. He thanked the members for the opportunity to serve and for their time and attention at the meeting.
Floyd called for any unfinished business, and there was none. He then called for any new business, and there was none.
Floyd then announced the election results as follows: 3,420 members voted “yes” to reelect the District III directors, and there was 97% approval for ratification of board actions from May 6, 2023, through April 16, 2024.
Douglas returned to the podium to announce the 2024 GCEC scholarship winners:
• Tyler Clements, Deane Bozeman School
• Elizabeth Colwell, Bay High School
• Yanah Edmundson, Deane Bozeman School
• Tyler Garcia, Mosley High School
• Joshua Harris, Mosley High School
• Peyton Hendley, Bay Virtual School
• Zamiyah Hill, Mosley High School
• Samuel Hunter, Wewahitchka High School
• Katelynne James, Deane Bozeman High School
• Jaden Lawson, Deane Bozeman High School
• Lauren Lee, Mosley High School
• Nathen Marlow, Deane Bozeman High School
• Savana Mayhann, Wewahitchka High School
• Jeffrey Drake McGlon, Wewahitchka High School
• Zoey Metcalf, Port St. Joe High School
• Jessie Newell, God’s Glory Christian School/Baptist College of Florida
• Jaslynn Place, Altha Public School
Andrew Pliscofsky, Mosley High School
• Riley Sitkiewitz, Deane Bozeman High School
• Braylon Strickland, Blountstown High School
• Tessa Talarico, Port St. Joe High School
• Hanna Watts, Wewahitchka High School
Douglas concluded the drawing for the remainder of door prizes and then announced the gift card winners, bill credit winners and the grand prize winners.
The $50 gift card winners were:
• Gerald Ake
• Roohina Anwar
• Don Bartley
• Willie Brown
• Mary Burch
• William Carr
• Reeva Chonko
• Philip Collier
• Harry Corbitt
• Jennifer Davis
• Bonnie Daye
• Bryan Earley
• Shawn Fiddler
• Thomas Fitzpatrick
• Mary Lou Geary
• John Gibbs
• Samuel Hauck
• Melanie Hinote
• Ken Kyser
• Sonya Lowe
• Coleen Martin-Felipe
• Ada McLawhon
• Megan Montin
• Kenneth Moody
• Tracy Pietrowski
• Charles Polito
• William Pritchard
• Gail Robers
• Linda Sale
• Kenneth Searcy
• John Schnelbach
• Linda Somero
• James Stafford
• William Stewart
• Ellen Tate
• James Tharp
• Beverly Todd
• Carolella Trappe
• Morey Yon
• Micheal Young
The $100 bill credit winners were:
• Scott Albert
• Donald Bates
• Bobbie Briney
• Michael Fidler
• Todd Hanson
• Russell Hetherington
• Richard Lohrding
• Norman Melvin
• Bradlee Sinor
• Crystal and Matthew Seatvet The winners of the Solo Stoves were Terry Carey and Chris Hammen. Douglas then announced the drawing winners of the following: GCEC products and services booth TV, which was John Hart, and surge protector, which was T. Kelly; and America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC booth electric grill, which was Pat Hickman. There being no further business, the 76th annual meeting of the members was adjourned at noon.
BY: President ATTEST:
Secretary
Minutes of the Nominating Committee of Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative, Inc.
The Nominating Committee appointed by the Board of Trustees of Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative, Inc., met on Monday evening, Feb. 10, 2025, at the office of Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative, Inc., in Wewahitchka, Florida, at 6 p.m.
The following members were present: Joe Lilly, Tammy Lovrekovic, Charles Laird, Charlie Brown, Dave Davis, Charles Borders, Brittany Blankenship, Doyle Daniels and Melissa Bush. Also attending were Attorney Pat Floyd and Executive Secretary Angie Morris.
Mr. Floyd welcomed everyone and thanked each member for serving on the Nominating Committee for 2024. He presented the process of making nominations and the qualifications for serving on the committee. Each member stated that they understood and met the requirements. He advised the committee that they would be nominating persons for trustee from District I, Groups 1, 2 and 3.
Mr. Floyd advised that the next order of business was to elect a chairperson and vice chairperson of the Nominating Committee. Mr. Floyd asked for nominations for chairperson.
Mr. Lilly nominated Mrs. Lovrekovic, seconded by Mr. Laird. There were no other nominations, and Mr. Borders moved the nominations cease. The committee unanimously elected Mrs. Lovrekovic to serve as chairperson for 2025.
Mr. Floyd called for nominations for vice chairperson. Mrs. Lovrekovic nominated Mr. Lilly, and the motion was seconded by Mr. Brown. There were no other nominations, and Mr. Laird moved the nominations cease. The committee unanimously approved Mr. Lilly to serve as vice chairperson for 2025.
Mr. Floyd made the committee aware of three letters received, requesting the committee place their names in nomination. He asked the committee if they had received any other requests from cooperative members to be nominated for trustee of District I, Groups 1, 2 and 3. There were none.
Mr. Floyd stated that a request had been received from Ms. Betty Moore, asking to be renominated for District I, Group 1; Mr. Dwight Van Lierop, asking to be renominated for District I, Group 2; and Mr. Pat Pitts, asking to be nominated for District I, Group 3.
Mr. Lilly made a motion to nominate Ms. Moore for District I, Group 1; Mr. Van Lierop for District I, Group 2; and Mr. Pitts for District I, Group 3. Mrs. Lovrekovic seconded the motion. After discussion, a vote was taken, and the committee unanimously accepted the directors’ request for nomination.
Mr. Borders made a motion to close all nominations; Mr. Laird seconded the motion, and the motion carried.
Mr. Floyd advised that the 2024 Nominating Committee minutes needed to be approved.
Mr. Lilly made the motion to approve the 2024 minutes, seconded by Mr. Borders. A vote was taken, and the motion passed.
There being no further business, Mr. Laird made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lilly. The motion passed, and the meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
GULF COAST ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE 77th Annual
Members’ Meeting
9 a.m. CDT SATURDAY, MAY 3
Wewahitchka Headquarters 722 W. Highway 22
In addition to electing directors and hearing reports about your cooperative, watch informational presentations—such as the co-op’s safety trailer—and have a chance to win prizes, all while enjoying good food and entertainment.
Bring the family, meet and greet your neighbors and friends, and make your annual meeting a memorable moment. We look forward to seeing you there.
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Making the Grade
What does it take to become a lineworker?
By Jen Calhoun
Taylor Hammack was wiring houses for a living around the time Hurricane Michael made landfall along the Florida Panhandle in 2018. The Category 5 hurricane flattened homes and businesses, destroyed infrastructure and left at least one town along the Gulf Coast in ruins.
The ordeal sparked something in Taylor as he drove to work one day.
“It was about three or four days after Michael hit, and I saw all these line crews on the side of the road getting the power back up,” he says. “Just seeing them do that after something catastrophic had happened—I thought, ‘That’s what I want to do.’ To me, it was a way to help people when they’re in need.”
Soon after, Taylor was hired as an apprentice lineworker at Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative, which put him through a four-year training program with Tennessee Valley Public Power Association. Today, Taylor is a journeyman lineworker.
Lineworkers install, maintain and repair power lines and
equipment on utility poles and underground electrical systems. It’s a tough but rewarding trade that usually requires three to four years of training to achieve rank as a fully qualified journey-level lineworker. A few other qualities are important, too, say lineworkers across the country.
Still on the Line
Since the first electric wire was strung, lineworkers have held an important role in modern America. When disaster strikes, they’re the ones who get the lights back on. They work along city streets, farmlands and wilderness.
The job can be difficult and sometimes dangerous, but the rewards are excellent, says Nick Hagen, a journeyman lineworker at Northern Lights Inc. in Idaho.
“I like the appreciation the community gives us, especially after we get the power back on after three days, four days or even 10 days,” he says. “It’s a fulfilling job.”
Extra high-voltage crews repair power lines from a barge. PHOTO COURTESY OF FLORIDA KEYS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Nick remembers pulling up near a house to repair power lines one Christmas Eve.
“They had been out of power for days,” he says. “Once I finished, I remember seeing their Christmas lights come back on. I thought that was pretty cool.”
The pay is good, too, he says. Nick was making ends meet as a valet at a hotel when he first learned about the trade. He wanted a better life for his family, and linework fit the bill. It also gave him a chance at retirement.
“Getting a good job with a retirement where you could actually enjoy your life after work? Nobody had ever really talked about that to me,” he says.
While compensation and benefits vary for lineworkers depending on location, experience and other factors, the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median pay in 2023 was $85,420 per year, or $41.07 per hour. However, those figures represent the middle of the pay range, and they don’t take into account overtime hours and additional jobs helping other utilities in the aftermath of storms—all of which can result in additional income.
How to Do It
Joining the trade means learning various—and oftentimes difficult—technical skill sets in and out of the classroom, all while maintaining a certain level of physical fitness, says David Bogue, a journeyman lineworker with Florida Keys Electric Cooperative.
Not only do lineworkers need to know how electrical systems work, they’re also required to learn numerous safety techniques. In addition, lineworkers climb utility poles wearing heavy toolbelts in all kinds of weather. The job requires working days and nights, depending on schedules and needs.
“Everybody’s story is a little bit different. Everyone gets into the trade in their own way.”
EVAN PETERS, LINEWORKER AT BENTON REA IN WASHINGTON
“I would say becoming a journeyman is an attainable goal, but it’s a hard goal,” David says. “But, as someone once told me, I could throw a dart at a map and go get a job there. Also, the skills I’ve learned are not going to be replaced with AI anytime soon.”
Lineworkers can get their start by attending training schools, taking community college courses or working at a local utility in other capacities, such as a groundworker. Rudy Vega, a journeyman lineworker at FKEC, got his start doing right-of-way work with the cooperative 23 years ago.
“I had been working in a tree group there just under two years when the opportunity came up to be an apprentice lineman,” Rudy says. “They approached me and asked me if I was interested, and I said, ‘Definitely. I’ll give it my best.’ ”
Evan Peters, a lineworker at Washington’s Benton Rural Electric Association, was fighting wildfires when he first learned about the trade from a group of lineworkers.
When he expressed an interest in the job, one of the men suggested he attend a lineworker school. After graduating, he took a job at Benton REA.
“I like that it’s something new every day,” Evan says. “I like that I get to work outside with my hands, especially at a local utility. It can be really fulfilling.”
When it comes to joining up, however, Evan suggests those interested ask around before they jump in headfirst.
“I would tell them to reach out to local linemen,” he says. “Ask them how they did it. Everybody’s story is a little bit different. Everyone gets into the trade in their own way.”
Want to Be a Lineworker?
Must-haves:
Be 18 years of age.
Hold a high school diploma or GED.
Maintain a valid driver’s license.
Able to work at heights and lift heavy equipment.
Getting started?
Every lineworker has a story about how they got started, and there are many pathways to taking the job. Here are a few ways to make it happen:
Join an apprenticeship program at a local utility.
Enroll in a lineworker school or training program.
Start at a utility as a groundworker or other job.
Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative journeyman lineworker Taylor Hammack produces an electrical arc during an electric safety demonstration at Southport Elementary School. PHOTO COURTESY OF GULF COAST ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
PASCO COUNTY
By Cheré Coen
Historic fish camps from the early 1900s dot the Gulf landscape outside Port Richey. PHOTOS COURTESY OF SAMANTHA MURCHIE WITH PERMISSION FROM THE WEST PASCO HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The sun warmed our faces on the Gulf waters as Capt. Mark Dillinghan puttered us down the Pithlachascotee River—what locals in Pasco County call the Cotee. Mark leads fishing charters through his Inshore Adventures, but on this morning, we set out to fish for history.
We gingerly motored the river past both modest homes and luxurious estates, and Port Richey seafood restaurants. Beneath our boat, manatees escaped winter’s chill. As the river widened, mangroves appeared—some providing nesting areas for pelicans and perches for cormorants.
At the river’s mouth, one of the most unique sights in Florida emerged—the stilt houses of Pasco County.
Early Fish Camps
These rugged buildings were established in the early years of the 20th century, when commercial fishermen pulled in mullet. The fish were transported using boats propelled by poles, so having a spot to store a haul for several days proved useful. The structures also served as refuge from sudden thunderstorms.
It’s not clear when the stilt houses—then called fish camps— were first built over the water in Pasco County, but local historian Jeff Miller estimated they first appeared between 1916 and 1918. Jeff, who died in 2022, spoke with stilt house owners who said the early fishermen “found a spot they liked, and built a home,” in his book, “History of Pasco County: Stilt Houses in the Gulf of Mexico.”
With the advent of motorboats, these unique buildings above the Gulf became more common as vacation homes than storage spaces.
“The move from fishing camp designs to family dwellings took off after World War II,” Steve Kornacki wrote in a 2005 Tampa Tribune article titled “Houses Built for Fishing.” “The Allgood, Baillie, Bennett, Grey, Haines, Helms, Jones, Little, Sawyer, Stevenson, Swartsel, Thiel and Warburton families were among those building about that time.”
Over time, the number of stilt houses grew. By the 1960s, about 24 dotted the waters off the coast of Pasco County, serving both as fishing spots and vacation retreats. Country music legend Johnny Cash and his wife, June Carter, visited the area often. June’s family long had a bungalow off the Cotee River, and the couple once fished off the stilt house of good friend and
Florida resident Des Little. On one occasion, the couple also enjoyed the waters with the Rev. Billy Graham.
In 1962, Ralph Bellwood described life on the stilt houses in his book “Tales of West Pasco.”
“In the summer particularly, they are occupied on weekends, holidays and vacations,” he wrote. “They are delightfully cool and offer relaxation and peace to their occupants. One can always catch a mess of pan-fish for supper from the deck or get in their boats and cast about over the flats, bringing in trout and other larger fish. Truly, these unusual cabins on the water offer a retreat to the tired and weary as well as the fun-seeking carefree who want to let their hair down, and more or less go native.”
Camping Above the Gulf
“Native” it was—and still is. A visit to a stilt house is not all that different from primitive camping.
Bathrooms must be set apart from the main structure and not connected to Gulf waters, so waste disposal is akin to a bilge on a boat or an RV. In other words, wrap it up and take it with you. There’s no electricity unless a generator is hauled in, and cooking usually involves a propane stove. Best leave the cellphone at home.
Stilt House living was rustic and without modern amenities, much like primitive camping, as shown in this photo of Stilt House No. 6. PHOTOS FROM ST. PETERSBURG TIMES BY CLYDE HOBBY WITH PERMISSION FROM THE WEST PASCO HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Ruth Carley described a stilt house owned by the Allgood family in a 1973 article for the St. Petersburg Times. The family built the “home on water” in 1949. It was used for vacations with family and friends.
The house featured a large room with beds at one end to catch the cross-breeze and two couches at the other end. The kitchen had an old-fashioned water pump, and in the center was the “congregating place” with a table big enough for 25 people. A shelf around the wall and a platform on the rafters provided storage.
Anita Kilpatrick, writing for the St. Petersburg Times in 1986, quoted stilt house owner and Leesburg resident Dale Jones, who used his camp to get away from working life.
“It’s just a relaxing place,” Dale says in the article. “We can forget about the telephone, and we can forget about television. We can forget about business.”
Basically, these were just little houses where people could stay and fish, Mark explains as he rounds the first of nine houses that remain today. “They were handed down over the generations and are still in use now,” he says.
For a while, at least.
Modern Rules
After Hurricane Gladys destroyed many of the stilt houses in 1968, the Florida Legislature prohibited building new ones on open water. Those that
remained were “grandfathered in” with a demolish date of 1999, which was later rescinded.
Today, if a hurricane or other natural event damages a property, rebuilding is allowed only if it’s less than 50% restoration. Too much damage, and owners cannot rebuild. For those that have fallen to nature’s fury, only white poles remain in the water.
The remaining stilt houses are mostly constructed of marinegrade lumber, which “holds up pretty well,” Mark says. In the early days, cypress, a wood that can withstand water intrusion, was brought out by boat.
“Now, that’s an absolute no-no,” says Raul Nardi, marketing and communications manager at Florida’s Sports Coast tourism bureau, which includes Port Richey. “The state won’t let you cut down cypress.”
The pilings on which the stilt houses rest are made of wood as well, but one house features added concrete to its foundation and dock.
“That’s a new thing—to put concrete on the poles,” Mark says. “It keeps the barnacles from rotting the poles.”
These unique and historic fish camps won’t last forever. In time, nature will find a way to erase them from the Gulf waters off Port Richey. But until then, they stand as an iconic symbol of Pasco County. To celebrate the town’s 100th anniversary this year, for instance, the city placed one of its beloved stilt houses on the centennial logo.
BACKGROUND: Only nine of the original fish camps built at the turn of the 20th century remain.
LEFT: The interior of Stilt House No. 6. RIGHT: Ruth Bell Graham, from left, June Carter Cash, Johnny Cash and the Rev. Billy Graham visit the stilt house of Des Little in 1976.
Easter Sunday DINNER MENU
Garlic and Rosemary Grilled Lamb Chops
2 pounds thick-cut lamb rib chops
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1¼ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Zest of 1 lemon
¼ cup olive oil
Combine the garlic, rosemary, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, lemon zest and olive oil in a measuring cup.
Pour the marinade over the lamb chops, flipping them over to cover completely. Cover and marinate the chops in the refrigerator for at least one hour or up to as long as overnight.
Let the lamb chops come to room temperature before grilling.
Grill the lamb chops on medium heat for 7 to 10 minutes or until the internal temperature reads 135 F.
Allow the lamb chops to rest on a plate covered with aluminum foil for 5 minutes before serving.
Recipes by Gertrude Treadaway
PHOTO BY KATIE WILCOX
Simple Roasted Asparagus
2 pounds fresh asparagus
2 tablespoons olive oil
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Heat oven to 400 F.
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 lemons, cut in wedges
If the stalks of the asparagus are thick, peel the bottom half of each. Lay them in a single layer on a sheet pan spread with aluminum foil. Drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with pepper and salt.
Roast until tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, and return to the oven for another minute. Serve with lemon wedges.
Duchess Potatoes
2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
Salt
¼ cup heavy cream
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon black pepper
3 large egg yolks
Place potatoes in a medium to large pot, and cover with a few inches of cold water. Add a few teaspoons of salt to the water. Bring to a simmer. Cook until the potatoes are forktender, about 20 to 25 minutes.
While the potatoes are boiling, melt 2 tablespoons of butter, and set aside. You will use this butter to coat the potatoes right before they go into the oven. Heat the oven to 425 F.
When the potatoes are cooked, drain in a colander. Put the potatoes back in the pot, and set over low heat. Allow them to release steam for a minute or two.
Add 2 tablespoons of butter, and mash the potatoes until the butter has been incorporated. Add the nutmeg, black pepper and heavy cream. Continue mashing the potatoes. Once everything is incorporated, add salt to taste. Add the egg yolks. Continue to mash until the mixture is smooth. Do not over-mash, or your potatoes will end up with a gluey consistency.
Put the mashed potatoes in a piping bag with a large star point. Pipe the potatoes onto a cookie sheet. Brush the swirled edges with melted butter so they brown nicely in the oven.
Bake until nicely browned, about 20 minutes. Serve hot from the oven.
Spinach Pomegranate Salad
Salad
10-ounce bag baby spinach leaves, rinsed and drained
½ cup walnut pieces
½ cup crumbled feta
Vinaigrette
¼ cup aged balsamic vinegar
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 to 3 tablespoons honey
¼ medium red onion, sliced thin
¼ cup alfalfa sprouts
½ cup pomegranate seeds
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon dried thyme
1 clove garlic, minced
Salt and pepper
Combine all vinaigrette ingredients. Shake well.
Place spinach in a salad bowl. Top with walnuts, feta, red onion, alfalfa sprouts and pomegranate seeds. Drizzle with vinaigrette.
1 package yellow cake mix
3.4-ounce package instant pistachio pudding mix
Icing
3.4-ounce package instant pistachio pudding mix
1 cup cold heavy whipping cream
¾ cup cold whole milk
Heat oven to 350 F.
4 large eggs
1 cup club soda
½ cup canola oil
2 teaspoons confectioners’ sugar
½ cup chopped walnuts for garnish
In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, soda and oil. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes.
Pour into a greased and floured 10-inch fluted tube pan. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
To make the frosting, beat the pudding mix, cream, milk, and confectioners’ sugar on high in a large bowl until stiff peaks form. Frost cake. Sprinkle with walnuts. Refrigerate until serving.
Pistachio Pudding Cake Cake
Ever in Awe
Story and photo by Dave LaBelle
As a small child, I was spellbound by giant rainbows stretching across the valley near our home. The magnificent bands of glistening colors felt so close I could almost touch them, bathe in them. Believing there was a pot of gold buried where each end of the rainbow touched the earth, my siblings and I sometimes raced barefoot across the fields hoping to find the treasure before the magical bow disappeared.
I’m not sure at what age I outgrew the legend of hidden treasure. Perhaps it was the same time I began questioning the Easter Bunny?
Sadly, as I grew older and wiser, the awe I once had for those fading, magical colors also disappeared. As a teenager, rainbows no longer held the same allure.
But then, not long after my mother disappeared in floodwaters and our home was washed away by endless days and nights of torrential rains, I was reading in the book of Genesis how God set a bow in the sky after the great flood as a sign the Earth would never again be destroyed by water. As you can imagine, the story stirred my heart, and I have never viewed a rainbow the same since. And soon that mystery—that childhood wonder—even returned.
I believe rainbows will forever capture our imagination.
Whether you believe the Bible story or are simply touched by those colorful, curved ribbons of light stretching across the sky or magically appearing in the mist above a lake or river, there is something beautifully comforting and hopeful about seeing a rainbow appear.
Photographer, author and lecturer Dave LaBelle has captured special moments for more than half a century, sharing photo tips and life perspectives with readers. For more of his writings, visit davidlabelle.com and his blog at bridgesandangels.wordpress.com.
NIKON D810 70mm lens ISO: 125 f/5 at 1/640
Including an interesting foreground creates scale, depth and dimension. A vibrant rainbow can be the star of your photograph or an unexpected accent to complement an already colorful scene, such as pitcher Max Steffens, of Epworth, Iowa, competing in a semipro baseball tournament.
Reader Challenge
Keep your camera close and be ready as storms clear and rains cease. Often after a rainy day, clouds part before a sunset, and a rainbow alone can be a breathtaking sight.
Email your best image (just one, please) with caption information, including an explanation of how it affects you, to gph@pioneer.coop. We may share submissions on our website and social media channels.
Beetle Bream
Most Florida anglers probably started fishing as children by dangling worms or crickets under floats to catch bluegills and other bream species. This old method will always work, but for more of a challenge, try casting lures for small scrappers.
Among the most versatile lures on the market, spinnerbaits catch fish from top to bottom all year long and can go many places where other lures can’t go. Many bream anglers throw small “beetle” spinners, also called “harness” or “jighead” spinners.
Such baits consist of a wire harness holding a spinner blade attached to a jighead. Anglers can slip an infinite number of small soft-plastic trailers onto the hook. Since the components separate, anglers can easily switch blades, arm sizes, jigheads or trailers as they wish. For added enticement, tip the hook with a colorful scent pellet.
A beetle spinner can catch bream from the surface to the bottom. Retrieval speeds determine how deep the lure runs. Simply toss the lure to grassy edges, lily pads, logs, or other cover that might hold fish and work it back to the boat.
Around thick grassy patches, buzz beetles over the top so the blades churn the water or wake the baits just below the surface. The commotion might bring fish up from the depths. Around submerged grass, run the bait just over the blade tops. Occasionally, pause so the lure sinks a bit into the grass. Then, pull it back up.
Bluegills and other bream species live in just about every freshwater system in the Sunshine State. Bluegills spawn from spring through early fall. They scour beds in the bottom and vigorously defend their nests. Run a beetle through the nests for hot action.
As weather warms, fish might head a little deeper for more comfortable temperatures. In deeper water, barely turn the reel handle, just enough to make the blades flicker. Run the lure just above the bottom. Also try the stop-and-drop method. Pause the retrieve periodically to let the bait sink 1 or 2 feet. As the bait slowly sinks into the water, the blades continue revolving, creating flash and vibrations. Fish commonly hit lures as they sink.
Sloping banks and drop-offs make great places to fish. Bream can move up and down in the water column as they desire. Bream commonly hover just over the drop-off edges looking to ambush passing prey. Run a spinner on the deep side of the drop-off parallel to the edge.
ABOVE: Amy Gable shows off a bluegill she caught on a beetle spinner while fishing a backwater off Dead Lake near Bunnell.
LEFT: A beetle spinner makes a great bait for tempting panfish, such as this redear sunfish, also called a shellcracker for its fondness for eating snails.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOHN N. FELSHER
As we progress into summer, fish regularly seek shelter under docks, trees, bridges and other features that cast shadows on the water. Any shady spot makes a great place to throw a beetle spinner.
Easy to master and inexpensive, fishing with small beetle spinners on ultralight tackle offers an excellent and fun way to introduce children or novice anglers to the sport. In the right spot, anybody could catch good numbers of feisty fish. Although small, bluegills and other bream species will outfight anything in the water, ounce for ounce. n
John N. Felsher is a freelance writer, broadcaster, photographer and editor. An avid sportsman, he’s written more than 3,500 articles for more than 170 different magazines on a wide variety of outdoor topics. He also hosts an outdoor tips show for WAVH-FM Talk 106.5 in Mobile, Alabama. Contact him at j.felsher@hotmail.com or through Facebook.
Sacred Stone of the Southwest is on the Brink of Extinction
Centuries ago, Persians, Tibetans and Mayans considered turquoise a gemstone of the heavens, believing the striking blue stones were sacred pieces of sky. Today, the rarest and most valuable turquoise is found in the American Southwest–– but the future of the blue beauty is unclear.
On a recent trip to Tucson, we spoke with fourth generation turquoise traders who explained that less than five percent of turquoise mined worldwide can be set into jewelry and only about twenty mines in the Southwest supply gem-quality turquoise. Once a thriving industry, many Southwest mines have run dry and are now closed.
We found a limited supply of turquoise from Arizona and purchased it for our Sedona Turquoise Collection . Inspired by the work of those ancient craftsmen and designed to showcase the exceptional blue stone, each stabilized vibrant cabochon features a unique, one-of-a-kind matrix surrounded in Bali metalwork. You could drop over $1,200 on a turquoise pendant, or you could secure 26 carats of genuine Arizona turquoise for just $99.
Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. If you aren’t completely happy with your purchase, send it back within 30 days for a complete refund of the item price.
The supply of Arizona turquoise is limited, don’t miss your chance to own the Southwest’s brilliant blue treasure. Call today!
Jewelry Specifications:
• Arizona turquoise • Silver-finished settings
Sedona Turquoise Collection
A. Pendant (26 cts) $299 * $99 +s&p Save $200
B. 18" Bali Naga woven sterling silver chain $149 +s&p
C. 1 1/2" Earrings (10 ctw)
Set
* $99 +s&p Save $200
**Complete set includes pendant, chain and earrings.
A.
B.
C.
Necklace enlarged to show luxurious color
FLORIDA CURRENTS
PLANNER
All ages can find something new and exciting around every corner of the state. Filled with rich history, abundant natural beauty and diverse events all year, Florida has something fun for everyone.
PENSACOLA
April 5
Palafox Market
Find unique, precious, delicious and offbeat items at Palafox Market. On-site vendors grow, make or create each item for sale. Join us 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday, rain or shine, for farm-fresh produce, plants, flowers, baked goods, hand-crafted works of art, sculpture, fresh tea and coffee, food and spices, hand-blown glass, ceramics and more at the event named Florida’s Best Farmers Market by Southern Living magazine. https://downtownpensacola.com/palafox/palafox-market; 850-380-8196
SEBRING
April 5-6
Sebring Soda Festival
Float over to the seventh annual Sebring Soda Festival for a family-friendly party atmosphere that offers more than 200 craft sodas to sample, craft beer and wine, and soda drinking contests. With Soda Pop Princess skits, live music and festive food, this is the fizziest festival in all of Florida. https://sebringsodafest.com; 863-385-8448
KEY WEST
April 11
Outdoor Movie Night
Join us at dusk for a free outdoor movie night at Fort East Martello. Enjoy food from our vendors, including fresh-squeezed lemonade, frozen treats and all your favorite snacks. Don’t forget the free popcorn, courtesy of First State Bank of the Florida Keys, which benefits the Key West High School. Invite your friends, bring your blankets and chairs, and let’s make this outdoor movie night one for the books. https://bit.ly/3DjUTrn; 305-814-2789
PENSACOLA
April 12
Deluna’s Open Water Swim 2025
Join us on Pensacola Beach for the annual DeLuna’s Open Water Swim. Pick the 0.6-, 1.2- or 2.4-mile swims to challenge your skill and speed in clean protected waters in the Santa Rosa Sound. As legend has it, Don Tristan de Luna—a 16th-century Spanish conquistador who led an ill-fated expedition to the Pensacola area in 1559—is credited for America’s first settlement. A scroll of de Luna’s was recently discovered in the sand of Pensacola Beach outlining a competitive open water swim they were planning. Unfortunately, a hurricane changed the course of Pensacola’s history, wiping out the settlement, thus never allowing the swim to take place. Our event is an effort to continue what de Luna started.
www.pensacolasports.org/delunasswim; 850-434-2800
ISLAMORADA
April 12
Full Moon Yoga
Meditate and relax under the glow of the full moon on Sunrise Point at Three Waters Resort and Marina. Zenfully Aware Yoga, the Islamorada Resort Collection, and I.CARE bring participants on an adventure. The yoga practice centers around how the moon affects coral reefs, queuing coral spawning each year and the start of a new life for one of our planet’s most precious ecosystems. The class is complimentary for resort guests, but a donation is suggested for I.CARE, which is dedicated to restoring the reefs of Islamorada, including the world-famous Alligator Reef. Admission for nonguests is $25 per ticket.
ISLAMORADA
April 5-6
33rd Annual Florida Keys Island Fest
The 33rd Annual Island Fest event returns to Founders Park (MM 87), featuring an art show, live music, food and classic cars. The Arts and Crafts Show showcases artists whose works include paintings, sculptures, jewelry, fine crafts and driftwood carvings. The Smoked Fish Dip Contest returns by popular demand. Also returning this year is the All-American Road Vintage Cruisers Car Show. Children and adults can help paint a life-sized dolphin statue and compete in HulaHoop contests while giant kites fly high in the sky. Admission is free, and on-site parking is $5. The Islamorada Chamber of Commerce encourages the public to “Keep the Scene Green” and bring reusable drink containers to reduce plastic use during the event.
https://islamoradachamber.com/island-fest; 305-664-4503
https://bit.ly/3Fk3F9m; 844-918-0516
ISLAMORADA
April 12
Swim Across America
Join Swim Across America for the fourth annual Florida Keys open water charity swim from 8 a.m. to noon at the beautiful Founders Park. The halfmile, 1-mile and 2-mile swims will be available. A children’s splash will be offered, and several Olympians will attend as angel swimmers for those who may want a little help. Proceeds support cancer research at Miami Cancer Institute.
www.swimacrossamerica.org/floridakeys; 949-292-7897
KEY WEST
April 19
Earth Day 5K Run/Walk
Join us at 8 a.m. for the 26th annual Earth Day 5K Run/Walk. The event benefits the Conch Republic Marine Army, an organization working on cleaning and restoring the mangrove habitats of the Florida Keys. The run begins and ends near the Ingham ship, following three loops of the promenade at Truman Waterfront Park. Awards are given for age-group winners. All participants are entered into a raffle for local prizes. T-shirts are available to the first 100 participants.
https://southernmostrunners.com; 619-961-3017
SEBRING
April 19
Music in the Park
Join the Friends of Highlands Hammock State Park at 7 p.m. for rocking rhythm and blues by J.P. Soars and The Red Hots. Bring blankets, lawn chairs and flashlights to enjoy an evening of music under the stars. Don’t forget the mosquito spray on warmer evenings. Refreshments and food will be available for purchase from an on-site food truck and the Hammock Inn Camp Store. Admission for all concerts is $15 per adult—campers and dayto-day visitors. Accompanied children 12 years and younger get in free of charge. Pets are not permitted. https://friendsofhighlandshammockstatepark.wildapricot.org; 863-386-6094
ISLAMORADA
April 19
Keys Community Concert Band
Bring a chair or spread out a blanket as the band performs Conch Classics, featuring music from throughout the ages. The concert starts at 4 p.m. at the ICE Amphitheater at Founders Park (MM 87). Admission is free. keyscommunityconcertband.org; 305-394-1123
AVON PARK
April 26
Blueberry Festival
Join the Avon Park Rotary Club for the 14th annual Avon Park Blueberry Festival. This free and family-friendly event features original arts and craft vendors, live bluegrass entertainment, a cornhole tournament, a kids’ zone, car cruise-in, food trucks and more. Don’t miss the Amateur Blueberry Bake-Off. Winners for youth and adult divisions will be announced during the festival with monetary prizes for the top three finishers in each division. It’s free to enter the competition.
https://bit.ly/41TNsQP; 863-414-1733
LAKE WALES
April 5
Annual Spring Fling
The Crafty Cats at First United Methodist Church have been busy. You are invited from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to shop for plants, yard ornaments, garden decor, decorated pots and seasonal crafts. Hot dogs, fresh off the grill, will be available for $5. Chips and a drink are included in the price.
fumclw.org; 863-676-2516
ISLAMORADA
April 30-May 1
Jeff Leonia Reel and Steel Classic
The tournament kicks off at 6 p.m. April 30 at Safe Harbor Angler House. The grouper/hogfish tournament starts at 7 a.m. May 1 and has categories for men and women in scuba, free dive and rod/reel in memory of Jeff Leonia. A fun category for snapper is also included in the event. Registration is $150. Children 12 and younger fish for free. Proceeds stay in the Keys, supporting local endeavors.
www.livelikejeff.com; 919-414-4300
HOW TO INCLUDE UPCOMING EVENTS
Want to share a family-friendly event with the readers of Florida Currents? Head online and enter the details at tinyurl.com/FloridaCurrents or use the QR Code for easy access. Make sure to submit the item at least 60 days before the event (due to press deadline). If you own rights to a print-quality photo promoting your event, include it with photo credit information.
PHOTO BY VICKI ILIFF
Maximizing Water Savings for Lower Bills
When you’re looking to lower your water bill, you might be wondering the best way to maximize your water savings.
If you have an in-ground irrigation system for your lawn, this is a great place to start. Research shows that for homes with an in-ground irrigation system, outdoor water use can be the biggest reason for high water bills. Every time the average-sized yard in Florida is watered, it uses at least 1,000 gallons of water, according to University of Florida research. You would have to take a shower for more than eight hours to use that much water.
Know Your Timer
To save water used on your landscape, start by looking at how frequently you water your property.
Your irrigation timer should be set to water no more than twice a week. In the winter, your lawn goes dormant and won’t need water more than once a week. However, the best method is shutting off your automatic irrigation system and turning it on only when needed.
Signs your lawn needs water include your footprints staying in the grass for a long time or leaf blades being folded in half lengthwise. By not overwatering your yard, you also increase drought resistance and reduce pests and fungal problems.
Don’t Let Your Water Be Wasted
You can prevent wasting large amounts of water by stopping leaks quickly. Turn on your irrigation system seasonally to check for puddles of water and broken sprinkler heads. Check your sprinkler heads to make sure they’re not watering your sidewalk or driveway. They may even be turned the wrong way, missing your yard completely.
Also, check that you have a working rain sensor device to make sure you’re not irrigating when rain has already done the job.
Finally, most established plants don’t need to be watered regularly, and you likely can turn off those irrigation zones.
Be Florida-Friendly
To easily save water, design a yard that doesn’t need much water to begin with. You can use mulch, choose drought-tolerant plants and plant landscaped beds instead of grass.
Plants with similar water needs should be grouped together to make it easier to get them the right amount of water. The FloridaFriendly Landscaping program is a great resource for making sure you have the right plant for the right place.
Improve Indoor Efficiency
Once you’ve tackled your outdoor water use, begin looking for ways to maximize savings indoors.
For some homes, the toilet could be the best way to save water. A small toilet leak could add up to hundreds of gallons of water, and older toilets can use more gallons per flush than newer ones.
Other ways to save water include low-flow shower heads that can cut your shower water use in half. Faucet aerators can do the same for your sinks.
Beyond reducing your utility bill, saving water helps protect springs and valuable Florida resources for generations to come. For more ways to save water and make your landscape Florida-friendly, reach out to the UF/IFAS Extension office in your county.
Kaitlin Robb Price is a project manager for H2OSAV: Water Savings, Analytics and Verification, a UF/IFAS Extension program focused on measurably saving Florida water. She has a master’s in mass communication from the University of Florida, as well as a B.S. in business administration from Auburn University.
ADOBE STOCK IMAGE BY SVETLANA_CHERRUTY
Trading Post
For Rent
Horse barn with five stalls, paddock and about 4 acres of pasture in Wewahitchka, one block from the old courthouse. Lease by the stall, with discount for multiple horses. 740-334-0341.
12 acres coastal Bermuda pasture. Irrigation available. 850-814-7015 or 850-814-6078.
1.5 acres available during tupelo honey season. Room for 100 beehives. Located in Wewahitchka, near the Tupelo area for harvest. 240-848-8682.
For Sale
2021 Dexter D70 trailer axle, 7K lbs. capacity, E-Z Lube hubs and NEV-R-Adjust electric brakes, complete with hubs/drums and leaf springs. Minor manufacturer defect with E-Z Lube feature. Axle assembly in good condition and fully operational, less one grease fitting for the E-Z Lube. $500. Dan, 863-464-7993.
Book available through Amazon by a local author: “A Guide Through the Ages of Childhood” by Audrey S. Brigman. Full of ideas for baby items needed, birthday gifts, senior year, etc. Where imagination becomes a reality: woodworking, candles and collector wands. www.alivans.com.
Miniature donkeys. Jacks and jennies; black, brown, gray and paints. All ages. $300 and up. Make great pets. Also, standard
donkeys. Betty, 850-899-7424.
30-foot rabbit pens with feeding and self-watering system. Located 22 miles south of Chipley. $450. Call Alan at 229-421-0790.
Miscellaneous
Eco-X LLC. Guided kayak/ paddleboard eco-tours on clear freshwater springs. Hike Florida trail segment #36. Private, primitive camping. Paddle, hike, camp. Your local guide to adventure. 850-326-9116.
WJ Land Management. Florida licensed and insured. Forestry mulching, land clearing, culverts, fencing. Fast, free and reliable estimates. William, 850-628-4714; Tabatha, 850-628-4713.
Tree Be Gone. For all your tree needs, from trimming to complete removal. 850-819-9987.
Custom fences built on your property. Call David for your free estimate. 850-819-9987.
Kapua Kleans for your final interior cleanup, deep clean, residences, condos, rental properties. Steph, 850-704-2412.
SLR Farm & Landscaping. Lawn care, grass cutting, bush hogging, backhoe work. 706-575-4570 or 850-703-5321.
Koastal Home Repair LLC. Fencing, decks, painting, light tractor work, repair work and maintenance. Insured. 850-227-5509.
C&2 Electrical Services LLC. Residential and commercial electrician services. 850-899-8218 or 850-899-8217.
Merchant Management Group is a local payments technology company based in Panama City, working with quickservice restaurants, full-service restaurants and retail shops and specializing in the latest point-of-sale systems, including Tabit, OrderCounter and Clover. Have worked with hundreds of Gulf Coast businesses since 2004 and have an A+ rating with BBB. Schedule your demo, 850-747-0664.
The 850 Stump Grinder LLC. Free estimates, multistump discount, residential and commercial. Veteran-owned and -operated. 850-814-0720.
Carter’s Land Clearing and Mulching LLC. 850-527-4715.
Hamco Business Solutions is conveniently located in downtown Panama City with its warehouse in Lynn Haven. Hundreds of products at discounted prices, including receipt paper, ink cartridges, deli paper, kitchen paper and copy paper. Free, same-day delivery on most products. Shop local and save. Call for a free quote, 850-942-5600.
Handyman services. Painting, flooring, building repair, odds
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and ends. Free estimates and fully insured. TJ, 207-612-8255 or 207-578-1830.
Rachel’s Facials, Lashes and Brows at 2518C Highway 77 in Lynn Haven offers full body waxing and esthetician services, including back facials, extractions, chemical peels, eyelash extensions, brow and lash tinting, and makeup artist services. Rachelsflb.com or call 850-896-4855.
HisDeb’s Treasures LLC. Online thrift store. Shop a wide selection of retro and vintage items at hisdebstreasures.com.
Real Estate
FSBO: Two adjacent lots, about 2.5 acres on paved road, 10 miles north of Wewahitchka, 45 minutes from beaches. Border the Chipola River and Cypress Creek. Cleared and ready to build. Quiet and peaceful; no neighbors. Deeded restrictions. Underground utilities, deep well, many fruit trees. $69,900. 850-648-4214.
Three-bedroom, two-bath home on 1-acre lot on the Choctawhatchee River at Cedar Log Boat Ramp, 80 Old Creek Road, Ponce de Leon, FL 32455. Wayne, 850-373-7944; Jason, 850-258-1085.
2.5 acres lakefront on Deerpoint Lake, 30 to 45 minutes from Panama City. Paved road, electricity, septic, close to schools, quiet and peaceful. Can be divided. 850-265-5554.
Half-acre corner lot. 850-639-2220. Wanted
Someone to do inside and outside odd jobs for a disabled senior. $15/hour. Dalkeith area. 448-205-9053.
1976-78 Chevrolet C20 threequarter-ton truck with fourspeed manual transmission. 850-849-2426.
Used plastic PVC pipes for tree supports, 11/2-inch or 2-inch, 8 to 10 feet long. 850-722-4836.
GCEC Mourns
Doug Birmingham
Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative is mourning the loss of longtime board member Douglas Coleman Birmingham, 76, a lifetime resident of Wewahitchka. He died March 1, 2025.
He was born on Oct. 8, 1948, to Coleman Hooten and Irjaria Mae “Janice” Birmingham in Port St. Joe. Doug graduated from Wewahitchka High School in 1966 and attended Troy State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in history and business. He was a devoted husband and father, but his greatest love was being a granddaddy.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Rebecca Birmingham; children Matthew Birmingham (Bridget) and Judith Ann Birmingham; grandchildren Breanna Wood (Buddy), Aubrey Birmingham, Emma Birmingham and Anthony Birmingham; great-granddaughter Blair Wood; sisters Galena Pippin and Connie Shavers (Morris); special nephew Ralph Rish (Kara); and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Joyce Groom.
For 14 years, he owned and operated Gulf Track Service, which served as a central hub in town for morning coffee and conversation.
Doug’s life was spent in service to his community. He began his career in child protective services with the state before leaving to start Gulf Track Service in 1975. That same year, he was elected to the Wewahitchka City Commission, followed by elections to the Gulf County Board of County Commissioners in 1978, 1982 and 1986. From 1989 to 2000, he served as the chief deputy clerk of the Circuit Court of Gulf County before being elected clerk of the Circuit Court, where he served until 2004.
From 2008 to 2025, he served on the board of Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative. He was president of GCEC from 2018 to 2021 and retired from the board shortly before his death. One of his proudest civic accomplishments was helping organize and serving as president of the Wewahitchka Little League Association for four years. He also volunteered with the American Cancer Society, acted as chairman of the March of Dimes walk-a-thon, and served as president of the Wewahitchka Jaycees and of both the Wewahitchka and Port St. Joe Rotary clubs. Additionally, he was a member of Masonic Lodge Tupelo 289 for 50 years.
Doug had a deep love for the river and passed on that appreciation to his son and grandson. Many hours were spent fishing, hunting, socializing and teaching his family to love it, too. He was a well-known hunting dog owner and “chief” of the Slaughter House Nation Hunting Club, where he prided himself on taking excellent care of his hunting dogs. Fun-loving and outgoing, Doug enjoyed time with friends and living life to the fullest.
Above all, Doug cherished his role as “Granddaddy.” He never missed a game, event or ceremony. He and his grandson were regulars at the Dixie Dandy, where they’d grab a sausage biscuit on early weekend mornings before heading out to the woods to hunt. He could often be seen with a truck full of grandkids after picking them up from school or hauling them to wherever they wanted to go.
The family asks that you remember him as a good friend and amazing family man who had a positive impact on the community and the lives of all he touched. He was honorable, kind, fun and, most of all, loved.
Services were held at the First United Methodist Church of Wewahitchka and Jehu Cemetery on March 6.
Doug Birmingham
Lineworkers brave ice, re, oods and storms, Thank you doesn’t quite cover it.
GULF COAST ELECTRIC CO-OP SERVICE DENSITY compared to OTHER ELECTRIC UTILITIES
Electric cooperatives maintain more power lines per consumer than other types of electric utilities.
Even though we serve fewer consumers per mile of line, we will always go the extra mile for our members. Electric Co-ops Gulf Coast
Pat Patterson joins GCEC Board of Trustees
Pat Patterson has joined the Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative Board of Trustees, filling the District II, Group 2 seat vacated by Doug Birmingham.
Pat, a graduate of Wewahitchka High School, retired from AN Railway. He and his wife of 53 years, Lewana, have two children, Jarred and Jenny, and four grandchildren, Colt, Cooper, Claire and Ella.
He attends First Baptist Church in Port St. Joe and enjoys golfing and hunting in his spare time. Pat says he looks forward to learning more about the cooperative’s operations, working with the other trustees and serving GCEC members.
Welcome, Pat.
Meet Your District I, Group 3 Trustee
Pat Pitts represents Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative members in Calhoun County, west of the Chipola River. He was recently appointed by the GCEC Board of Trustees to serve the remaining term of Kinneth Daniels, who died in August 2024.
Pat has been a member of GCEC since November 2006 and is a resident of Calhoun County. He is a graduate of Gulf Coast State College and retired from the Federal Bureau of Prisons as a property and procurement specialist after 26 years. He also worked for the Florida Department of Corrections as a general services specialist.
OFFICIAL NOTICE
77TH ANNUAL MEMBERS’ MEETING
Pursuant to the provisions of the Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative bylaws, the 77th annual meeting is Saturday, May 3, at 9 a.m. CDT at the cooperative headquarters in Wewahitchka. The purpose of the meeting is to act on the following matters:
1. Report of officers and the CEO/general manager.
2. Election of three trustees to serve three-year terms from the district and groups described below.
District 1
This district comprises Calhoun, Jackson, Walton and Washington counties. It consists of three trustees: two from Calhoun County and one from Jackson, Walton or Washington County. Trustees must live in the group they represent.
• Group 1: A resident of Jackson, Walton or Washington County at large.
• Group 2: A resident of that portion of Calhoun County lying east of the Chipola River.
• Group 3: A resident of that portion of Calhoun County lying west of the Chipola River.
3. Any other business that may properly come before the meeting.
Pat and his wife, Monica, have been married for 25 years. They have two children and three grandchildren.
District 1 map
Pat Pitts
Beauty in Bloom
Florida’s geography is vast and beautiful, from lakes to oceans and parks to beaches. Some of you have views from your homes that rival the views of national parks.
From time to time, we share some readers’ photos in this space. If we use your photo here, we will send your choice of a $25 gift card to REI or Amazon.
To submit your photo, email a JPEG file to photos@floridacurrents.com. Include “Before You Go” in the subject line. Please share a bit about what inspired you to make your photo.
Orchids are on display in a garden at Lakewood Ranch.
PHOTO COURTESY OF FERNANDO UGARTE
IguessI was a little bored. For the past hour, I’d been on the phone with Daniele, the head of my office in Italy, reviewing our latest purchases of Italian gold, Murano glass and Italian-made shoes and handbags.
“Daniele,” I said, “What is the hottest jewelry in Italy right now?”
His reply? Woven gold bracelets studded with gems. He texted me some photos and I knew immediately that this was jewelry that Raffinato just had to have.
Presenting the Italiano Fantasia Bracelets, two designs that are prime examples of Italy’s finest artisanship. Each of these bracelets includes more than 20 brilliant cut gems of DiamondAura®, our Ultimate Diamond Alternative®, in a setting finished with 18 karat Italian gold.
What is DiamondAura®? Why, it’s a sparkling marvel that rivals even the finest diamonds (D Flawless) with its transparent color and clarity: Both are so hard they can cut glass. Don’t believe me? The book “Jewelry and Gems: The Buying Guide,” praised the technique used in our diamond alternative: “The best diamond simulation to date, and even some jewelers have mistaken these stones for mined diamonds,” it raved.
The best part about these bracelets? The price. Because of our longstanding connections in Arezzo, the mecca of Italian goldsmithing, we can offer both bracelets together for just $99, a fraction of the price you’ll pay anywhere else for similar jewelry.
Order today. These bracelets are one of our hottest sellers this year, and with disruptions in the supply chain, we can only guarantee that we have 1,273 861 of these bracelets on hand for this ad.
Make the next gift you give your loved one a trip to Italy with the Italiano Fantasia Bracelets, stunning accessories that are sure to turn heads.
Jewelry Specifications:
• Made in Arezzo, Italy. 18k gold finish
• DiamondAura®, the Ultimate Diamond Alternative®
• Fit wrists up to 7 ¼"
Italiano Fantasia Bracelet Collection
A. X Bracelet (¼ ctw) $399 $59* + S&P Save $340
B. Woven Bracelet (⅓ ctw) $299 $59* + S&P Save $240 Set of Both $698 $99* + S&P Save $599
*Special price only for customers using the offer code.
OFFICES
722 W. Highway 22
P.O. Box 220
Wewahitchka, FL 32465
850-639-2216 or 800-333-9392
9434 Highway 77
Southport, FL 32409
850-265-3631
Outages: 800-568-3667
6243 E. Highway 98
Panama City, FL 32404
850-481-1188
www.gcec.com
CEO/GENERAL MANAGER
John Bartley
TRUSTEES
President Dwight Van Lierop
Vice President Betty Moore
Secretary/Treasurer Jimmy Black
Rupert Brown
Robert Byrd
Carl Goodson
Eddie Jones
Pat Patterson
Patrick Pitts
Trustees normally meet at 12:30 p.m. CDT the third Tuesday each month.
The mission of GCEC: Fulfilling the changing needs of our membership and communities by providing costeffective, reliable and safe utility services through a dedicated and responsive workforce.
FL-154
GCEC President’s Message
Your Voice Matters in 2025
Your ballot for the 2025 Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative annual meeting should have arrived in your mailbox. The meeting is at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 3, at our headquarters in Wewahitchka.
To allow GCEC members to participate in the democratic process, you may vote by mail or online. It is important for you to take part in your cooperative. When your ballot arrives, please vote in one of the following ways:
• Online: Follow the instructions to place your vote on the secure website. Be sure to have your voting PIN, which is on the paper ballot in your election packet.
$50 gift card by mail. Another 10 members will randomly receive a $100 electric bill credit. The grand prize is a 2007 Ford F-150 crew cab pickup truck.
The election closes at 11:59 p.m. CDT, April 23—10 days before the annual meeting—so vote online or mail your ballot well before this date. If you vote by mail, allow time for postal delivery.
I encourage you to take part in the meeting. Each member has a voice in the operations of GCEC, and your voice needs to be heard. If you have questions, please contact us.
As always, it is a pleasure to serve you.
• Mail: Complete the ballot and return it in the postage-paid envelope included with your election materials. Your ballot is mailed to a third party that counts the votes on behalf of the cooperative. We do not have access to completed ballots.
appreciation
In appreciation for your time, we will credit $5 to your electric bill for participating. The cooperative will also work with the third party handling the election to randomly select 40 ballot PINs; those members will each receive a
Lineworker Appreciation Day
Our offices will be closed 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, April 14, as we celebrate Lineworker Appreciation Day with all employees.
You may still access your account and report outages 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the following ways:
• Using the Gulf Coast Electric Co-op app (download from the App Store for iPhone or Google Play for Android).
• Online at www.gcec.com.
• Calling any of our office phone numbers and using the automated system.
Dwight Van Lierop