Gilchrist County Extension
hides Centennial Coins
By Jeff M. Hardison © March 21, 2025 at 6 p.m.
     TRENTON – With Gilchrist County heralding its 100^th year of existence this year, there are a variety of events as part of that celebration.

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     Gilchrist County Extension started hiding Centennial Coins in what it calls the “Gilchrist Centennial- 4-H Coin Challenge.”
     This challenge coin search will highlight historical happenings, prominent people and nostalgic places throughout Gilchrist County’s 100 years, Extension noted. 

This challenge will go on throughout the year, until Dec. 30. Gilchrist County Extension and 4-H will hide coin tokens and release between eight and 12 clues per month.
     Here are the ways to obtain one of the 100 coins:
     • Two coins will be drawn at each major centennial event for attendees.
     • One-hundred coins will be available throughout the year through a historical hide and seek game where each coin will be tied to a location/place in history and the location will have a laminated coin waiting to be found. The first person to find it will take a photo at the spot and grab the laminated coin plus leave the card behind stating the coin was already taken. 
     • The laminated coin must be returned to the Extension Office for exchange of the real challenge coin.
     • As the clues are posted, residents may call in with the answers to the clues and will be awarded with 1 raffle ticket entered for each correct answer. To get credited for the solved clues you must call in or email the Extension Office 352-463-3174 or jaltum@ufl.edu 
     Please contact the UF/IFAS Extension office with any questions.
     Following are the latest round of clues provided by Gilchrist County Extension.

 

Winter Ends – Spring Begins

A bee drinks nectar from a white azalea in the Tri-County Area. Birds, bees, flowers and trees are among the living organisms welcoming springtime weather in this hemisphere of Earth. Things are different south of the Equator, the imaginary circle around Earth that is everywhere equidistant from the geographic poles and lies in a plane perpendicular to Earth's axis. The Equator divides Earth into the Northern and Southern hemispheres.

Story, Photos and Video
By Jeff M. Hardison © March 21, 2025 at 9 a.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     TRI-COUNTY AREA – The taking down of two water oaks that presented potential hazards with the onset of hurricane season, and with the trimming of two live oaks at The Ink Pad on March 18, heralds the end of winter in a most local fashion.
     From an astronomical perspective in the Northern Hemisphere, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac and other sources, this winter started near the end of the calendar year last year on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2024 10:03 a.m. Eastern Standard Time
     From an astronomical perspective in the Northern Hemisphere, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac and other sources, spring began this year Thursday, March 20, at 5:01 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
     Use of the eastern time zone here is from the Tri-County Area of Levy County, Gilchrist County and Dixie County being among the places in the time zone.
     There are astronomical, meteorological and other means for one to consider winters ending and springs starting.


(Please remember that the sound of chainsaws can be loud as a person listens to this video as well as watching it. Still, the thump of the landing is interesting.) This is a video of A&J Tree Service as a team of four workers took down two water oaks and trimmed two live oaks on March 18 at The Ink Pad in the unrecorded subdivision known as Jemlands in Levy County. Click on the PHOTO to see a perfect landing of a two-pronged giant branch as a water oak is topped during the process of taking it down.
Video By Jeff M. Hardison - All rights reserved.

     Members of A&J Tree Service, one of a few tree and landscape alternatives employed at The Ink Pad, showed up on Tuesday (March 18) to take two water oaks down to a point to no longer endanger a carport and residence – with the advent of hurricane season, as well as to trim two live oaks for the same reasons.
     The hours of great service included one point where one the huge thumps of the day, coming after the familiar sound of a gasoline-powered Stihl chainsaw, included a visual treat of that part of a water oak making a two-point landing as if it was a giant wooden slingshot turned upside down with its sling part removed.
     There is a short video of that event, which is visible by clicking the photo so-designated.

     The photos above of some of the signs of spring – azaleas blooming, and butterflies and bees being among the pollinators of the time show that spring is here. Jacaranda trees and a multitude of other flowering plants in Florida are part of the reason this state has its name.
      In 1513, Ponce de Leon landed here on Easter Sunday, the Spanish Pascua de Flores, meaning “Feast of Flowers,” for which the state is named, according to a strong group of extremely reliable sources.
     While morning temperatures on Friday (March 21) were in the 40-degree Fahrenheit range, a warming trend is forecast for the Tri-County Area by most meteorologists.
     One reliable source for weather 24-hours-a-day is The Weather Bug, which has a link near the top of the Home Page of this daily news website.

FGC Women’s Golf to host
first college tournament

Seen here are FGC Women's Golf Team members and their coach (from left. back row) Marie Tesiero, Piper DiFrancesco, Head Coach Tammy Carter and Isabella Smith, and (from left, front row) Cassidy Spratlin, Karlee Gainey Karis Pollard.

Story and Photo provided 
By  FGC Public Information Coordinator Stephen Culotti
Published March 14, 2025 at 4 p.m.
     LAKE CITY -- On Monday and Tuesday (March 17 and 18), Florida Gateway College Women’s Golf will host the FGC Lady Timberwolves Spring Invitational Tournament at the Country Club at Lake City.
     The event comes off the back of a standout performance at the Jefferson State Women’s Spring Invitational, where the Timberwolves came away with first-place finishes both as a team and individually, with FGC freshman Karlee Gainey finishing as low medalist after a brilliant final round — just two over par — the best of the entire tournament.
     “I am really excited about hosting our first college tournament,” said FGC Head Coach Tammy Carter. “I didn’t expect it to be so popular, and with 13 teams, it will be the biggest tournament we have played in this year. These girls have been working so hard, and I’m so proud of them.”
     Sixty-two golfers from 13 colleges and universities will gather Monday for the two-day, 36-hole stroke-play tournament.
FGC Lady Timberwolves Spring Invitational Tournament
Monday, March 17 and Tuesday, March 18
Tee times begin 8 a.m.
The Country Club at Lake City
717 NW Fairway Drive, Lake City, FL 32055
     The Participating Teams are: Florida Gateway College - 6 players; Calhoun Community College - 4 players; East Mississippi Community College - 3 players; Edward Waters University - 5 players; Jefferson State Community College - 5 players; Murray State College - 6 players; Northeastern Alabama Community College - 4 players; Northwest Mississippi Community College - 5 players; Rend Lake College - 4 players; Shelton State Community College - 6 players; Snead State Community College - 4 players; Southern Union State College - 5 players; and Wallace State Community College-Hanceville - 5 players.
     For more tournament information, players, tee times, leaderboards, and results, visit https://scoreboard.clippd.com/tournaments/235007.

License-free freshwater fishing
set for Florida on April 5 and 6
Information Provided By FWC
Published March 13, 2025 at 8 a.m.
     TALLAHASSEE -- Florida residents and visitors are required to possess a Florida hunting, freshwater fishing or saltwater fishing license when engaged in fishing and hunting activities.     License-free fishing days provide an excellent opportunity for those who don't yet have a fishing license to experience fishing, take youth fishing, or for avid anglers to introduce a friend to fishing without having to purchase a license.
     On these days, the fishing license requirement is waived for all recreational anglers, including both residents and non-residents.
     All other rules such as seasons, bag and size limits apply. 
License-free freshwater days
     ● First consecutive Saturday and Sunday in April (April 5 & 6)
     ● Second consecutive Saturday and Sunday in June
License-free saltwater days
     ● First consecutive Saturday and Sunday in June
     ● First Saturday in September
     ● Saturday following Thanksgiving
     The saltwater waiver applies to any recreational harvest requiring a saltwater fishing license, such as crabbing, lobstering, scalloping, etc.) as well as fishing from shore or a boat. A snook or spiny lobster permit are also not required on these days.

FWC advises Floridians
to become croc-wise

Story, Photo and Graphic Provided By the FWC

Published March 11, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time
     TALLAHASSEE -- The American crocodile can be found in coastal regions of southern Florida and is a conservation success story.
     Hunting and habitat loss resulted in severe declines in Florida's crocodile population throughout much of the 20th century. To protect the species from extinction, crocodiles were listed in Florida as a protected species in 1967 and later federally as an endangered species in 1975. Crocodile populations have since increased from a few hundred individuals to about 2,000 non-hatchling crocodiles today and have been downlisted from being endangered to being threatened under the Endangered Species Act. While American crocodiles are found in Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean, Florida is the only place in the United States where they can be seen in the wild.

     The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recommends taking the following precautions when in and around the water to prevent conflicts with crocodiles:
     ● Keep a safe distance if you see a crocodile.
     ● Keep pets on a leash and small children away from the water’s edge, especially during nighttime hours, to avoid cases of mistaken identity. Pets often resemble crocodiles’ natural prey.
     ● Swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours and without your pet. Crocodiles are most active between dusk and dawn.
     ● Never feed a crocodile. It is illegal and dangerous. When fed, crocodiles can lose their natural wariness of people. Then, instead of fearing humans, they learn to associate people with the availability of food. This includes indirect feeding, which can happen when feeding other wildlife or when improperly disposing of fish scraps.
     ● If someone is concerned about a crocodile, they should call FWC’s toll-free hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286), and we will work with you to accurately assess the situation and respond appropriately.

Crafters come from all over
for art and nature festival
Rain dampens morning start
Community paramedicine
information abounds

Donn Steven ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson and Wendy Hutchison provide a photo opportunity at their site at the Eighth Annual Lower Suwannee Art & Nature Festival. 

Story and Photos By Jeff M. Hardison © March 8, 2025 at 9 p.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     DIXIE COUNTY – Glen Dyals Park sprang to life Saturday (March 8) when artists, artisans, crafters, food truck operators and nature enthusiasts visited the park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Visitors arrive at the art and nature festival - not stopped by rain or injuries. People in this part of Florida are resilient and they enjoy art festivals.

     A spat of drizzles and rain dampened some of the festivities about 30 minutes into the start of the Eighth Annual Lower Suwannee Art & Nature Festival, but even that did not stop visitors from entering the park. The morning opened with a cool 62 degrees Fahrenheit, with gloomy skies covered in clouds that built to a point where some rain eventually dropped.
     Sure, it was dark, chilly and blustery, but the warmth of some crafters as well as some visitors brought the spirit forth for a fun day lit by the internal sunshine provided by happy people.
     Parking was clearly marked, and it was free. There was plenty to see and buy. In addition to the art and nature festival, there was information about the county’s community paramedicine program.
     One crafter said she and her partner at the site had a plan to quickly pack the items they brought for sale in the event of sudden rain. 
     Participants came from near and far.
     Donn Steven “Hutch” Hutchinson and Wendy Hutchison have been at this event several times. Once again, they had “Hutch’s Famous Swamp Cabbage” available. Some people come to the festival just for this tasty treat, and then the rest of the fest is considered an added benefit.
     By the way, “Hutch” is the third consecutive generational member in his family to have that as a nickname.


Some of the many other items available for sale from the table where Hutch and Wendy Hutchison met people included squash relish, tomato jam, pickled swamp cabbage and sweet pickles.


 

Food trucks provided a wonderful assortment of choices for food and drinks again this year. Among the choices were hamburgers, barbecue, kettle corn, boiled peanuts, funnel cakes, soft drinks and lemonade.

Pat’s Crystal Hangings and Bill’s Metal Yard Art, seen above, are the work of Bill and Pat Rogers. They live between Branford (Suwannee County) and Mayo (Lafayette County). This was their first Art and Nature Festival visit. Bill said he was selling the metal pig he is seen holding here for $45.

People admire items for sale. Among the many types of things available for sale at the event included jewelry, art, specialty knives, clothes, several types of plants, honey, baked goods and more. Near to these tables are the new pickleball courts at the park.


Bill and Kari McGinn of Williston (Levy County) are the owner operators of Sweet Berry Farms. They were selling blackberry products in several forms, and they had a helper offering samples.


Doran Pierce of Fanning Springs (Levy County and Gilchrist County) had several types of art available for purchase at the festival. People with their pet dog speak to the artist's wife at the event.


Fredrick Vandyck of O’Brien (Suwannee County) holds up a piece of art he created by welding horseshoes together. The range of art by his imaginative choices for outing horseshoes together was expansive.


Suwannee District Fire Chief Russ McCallister joins Dixie County Fire Rescue Community Paramedic Alison Stevens as they are seen at the festival. The volunteer fire chief helps fight fires in the community of Suwannee and surrounding areas. The community paramedic helps people countywide with a program that sets as a guideline for national standards of paramedicine. Behind these honorable people is the landing pad for emergency medical transportation helicopters, like those from ShandsCair.

     In addition to art and nature, there was an area for information this year.
     Dixie County Fire Rescue Community Paramedic Alison Stevens told anyone who was interested in the Dixie County Community Paramedicine Program.
     To put it concisely, she provides access to care to keep people healthy, happy and safe at home. This program reduces unnecessary and repeat trips to hospitals. Dixie County, like Gilchrist County and Levy County, does not have a hospital or trauma center. 
     Stevens helps people by checking their blood pressure, oxygen levels, heartbeat rate and other indicators for health. She collaborates with partners, such as primary care providers and other professionals in the healthcare field, like the Florida Department of Health Tri-County Unit.
     Stevens said that part of her methods for helping people become healthier include nutrition information. She said emotional and mental health are equally important as physical health matters, and she provides access to this type of care for people in Dixie County as well.
     She has an extensive set of methods to help with health issues, including home health visits, elder care, substance abuse management, fall risk mitigation services, medication education, chronic disease management, mental health resources and much more.
     For more information or to set up an appointment, contact Dixie County Community Paramedic Alison Stevens by phone at 352-440-0566 or by email at communityparamedic@dixiecounty.us.
     Among the positive aspects of likely future access to some added healthcare for some people in Dixie County is the University of Florida’s Mobile Outreach Clinic.
     The goal of the University of Florida’s Outreach Mobile Clinic is to improve the health of the underserved populations in Gainesville and surrounding areas. The mobile clinic is staffed by teams of professionals and students. It brings health care directly to neighborhoods in neighboring counties as well as in Alachua County. The clinic offers free or reduced-price care to people right in their neighborhoods. 
     The goals of the clinic include helping people enroll in health plans that they qualify for; identifying neighborhoods where residents are in need; offering primary and preventive care to these areas; providing disease prevention services; and screening for chronic illnesses.
     The mobile clinic will be at Old Town Family Markets Parking Lot, 26064 S.E. U.S. Highway 19, in Old Town on the following Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. – March 25. April 22, May 27, June 24, and July 22.
     Among the services available are routine physicals and checkups; health screenings for blood pressure, blood sugar, HIV testing; reproductive screenings; family planning and contraceptive care-education; minor acute illness treatment; and chronic illness care – hypertension, COPD, diabetes and depression.
     The Lower Suwannee Art & Nature Festival was held once again in Dyals Park in the community of Suwannee. While the weather was not the most inviting of the eight years since the annual event started, organizers brought it together once again to support the arts and nature.
     The park is located just outside the waterfront community of Suwannee on the Suwannee River estuary. It is adjacent to portions of the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge.
     The art and nature festival grounds are close to nature trails, boat ramps, and accommodations for overnight stays in rooms and for RVs. Just down the road from this park is Yellow Jacket RV Resort, a renowned destination for people who come to see Dixie County and enjoy the Suwannee River.
     The festival is organized by employees and volunteers of the Suwannee Library Technical Center, part of the Dixie County Public Library System. It is supported by several local organizations. The festival has taken place every spring since 2018.

Help Florida’s waterbirds
enjoy nesting success

Snowy plover on nest on beach.

Story and Photo Provided
By Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Published March 6, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
     TALLAHASSEE -- The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is sharing an annual reminder that breeding season has started for shorebirds, seabirds and wading birds in several parts of the state.
     If you plan on spending time along Florida’s incredible shorelines this spring and summer, there are several things you can do to help our waterbirds have nesting success.
     During this time of year and continuing through the summer, many shorebird and seabird species nest directly on beaches across the state where their eggs and chicks are well camouflaged in the sand. Colonies of wading birds, such as herons, will typically nest on mangrove islands off the coast.
     Dates for waterbird breeding seasons can vary depending on the species and location within the state. While some waterbird species start nesting in parts of Florida as early as mid-February, others don’t start nesting until March or April. Official shorebird breeding seasons can be found by visiting MyFWC.com/Shorebirds and clicking on “Shorebird Nest Dates and Contacts.” (https://myfwc.com/conservation/you-conserve/wildlife/shorebirds/?redirect=shorebirds)
     Because Florida’s beaches and shorelines are important nesting, resting and foraging habitat for waterbirds, anyone enjoying time near the shore can play a big part in their conservation and nesting success.
     Want to help nesting shorebirds, seabirds and wading birds? Follow these easy waterbird-friendly tips:
     Before you go, be in the know-check for Critical Wildlife Area closures. Whether boating or on land, watch for signs designating Critical Wildlife Areas on the beach or coastal islands — these areas are closed to public access to protect high concentrations of wading birds and shorebirds while they nest and raise their chicks. You can help nesting birds by giving space and keeping noise volumes low near CWAs.
     Beach-bound? Do the flock walk. Shorebirds and seabirds nest in shallow scrapes in the sand and their eggs and chicks are well-camouflaged, making them vulnerable to being stepped on. Help beach-nesting birds by giving them plenty of space — stay at least 300 feet away from nesting birds, keep out of posted areas, and walk around both individual and groups of birds on the sand. Getting too close to nesting birds can cause them to fly off, leaving vulnerable eggs and chicks exposed to dangerous elements and predators.
     Keep pets at home. Even well-behaved dogs frighten shorebirds and can cause them to abandon their eggs and chicks. If you bring your pup with you to the shore, go to a dog-friendly beach where they’re allowed, and keep them on a leash and far away from nesting or resting birds.
     Stash any trash in proper trash or recycling bins. Garbage and food scraps attract predators, such as raccoons and crows, that prey on shorebird eggs and chicks. Litter on beaches and in the water can entangle birds, turtles and other wildlife. Beachgoers can help beach-nesting birds and other native wildlife by properly disposing of trash and removing personal gear from the beach before nightfall. If fishing, dispose of used line properly, as it can be deadly to waterbirds, sea turtles and other wildlife.

People still protest
old gym's planned demolition
By Jeff M. Hardison © March 5, 2025 at 3 p.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     BRONSON -- Elijah Williams and Douglas M. McKoy spoke during the public comments part of the agenda on Tuesday morning (March 4) at the Levy County Board of County Commissioners meeting.     Both gentlemen expressed their dismay at the government’s choice to knock down the former Bronson High School Gymnasium to make more room for parking at the Levy County Government Center.
     The Levy County Government Center is the former campus of Bronson High School. After the Bronson Middle High School was completed and started service in 2006, the Levy County School District sold the campus to the Levy County Commission at some point after 2018.
     The purchase helped Levy County ease crowding at the Levy County Courthouse by relocating offices for the County Commission, the property appraiser and tax collector. This sets what is seen as the need for future courthouse construction or expansion farther into the future.
     Boosters at Bronson Middle School built a new football field and stadium at the newer school. A gymnasium was constructed at the new school before it opened.
     Meanwhile, the Town of Bronson wanted to use the old gymnasium as part of its sports and recreation facilities. The County Commission, though, seeing the cost for restoring the gym to use and weighing what it felt was best for the county as a whole in regard to that property, decided to bulldoze the structure.
     Williams, a 1968 graduate of the old Bronson High School, said he liked the gym and he used to play in the gym. Williams expressed his opinion that the county should restore it for use.
     McKoy, who used far more than the typical three minutes allowed to speak, said he think the reason to remove the old gym is to increase parking spaces. McKoy said he pays thousands of dollars in taxes, but he believes more than 50 percent of the taxpayers would be like him -- and agree to pay a little more to keep that old gym.
     
 

FDEP invites students to participate
in the 2025 Earth Day Poster Contest


Information and Graphic Provided
By Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Published March 4, 2025 at 7:30 a.m.
     TALLAHASSEE -- On April 22, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is scheduled to celebrate Earth Day, a global event dedicated to protecting the planet’s natural resources. 
     This year’s celebration marks the 50^th anniversary of the Florida Aquatic Preserve Act, which has helped safeguard Florida’s aquatic ecosystems for half a century. The first aquatic preserve was established in 1966. Today (Tuesday, March 4), there are 43 throughout Florida.  
     To honor this milestone, FDEP invites students in grades 4 through12 to participate in the 2025 Earth Day Poster Contest by creating artwork that reflects this year’s theme: “Protect & Preserve Florida's Living Waters.” 
Contest Details 
Deadline: March 28, 2025, by 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time
Submission Requirements: Students are welcome to submit original drawings, paintings or digital artwork using any medium. A completed entry form must accompany all submissions.  
     Winning students will be selected from three grade-level categories (grades 4-5, 6-8 and 9-12) within each of DEP’s six district regions. Regional winners will receive an Aquatic Preserves reuseable water bottle and advance to a statewide contest. In the statewide contest, one grand prize winner will receive a full-size printed poster of their artwork.
     Winners will be announced on Earth Day -- April 22, 2025.  
     For contest rules, guidelines and more ways to celebrate Earth Day, visit DEP’s Earth Day webpage.