Williston Rotarians hear
about missions for the needy
Nancy Vallario and Rotarian Blake Fugate pose for a photo with an empty grocery bag that is destined to be filled with food. Fugate was the substitute leader of the meeting due to all of the officers being absent for this meeting. Vallario was the guest speaker. It was Election Day, and some people had duties beyond their normal jobs. In addition to Fugate, other Rotarians who stepped up to serve in substitute roles were Danny Etheridge as sergeant-at-arms and Justin Head as substitute treasurer. Lunch was from Frog’s BBQ of Williston. There was beef and pork barbecue on rolls, coleslaw, baked beans, Halloween candy (Reese’s peanut butter cups) and brownies with vanilla ice cream. Soft drinks were available too. The meeting was full of fun and informative activities, even beyond the graceful guest speaker.
Story and Photo
By Jeff M. Hardison © Nov. 7, 2018 at 11:28 p.m.
WILLISTON -- The Rotary Club of Williston conducted its regular weekly meeting Tuesday afternoon (Nov. 6) in the Prudence Ross Fellowship Hall of First Presbyterian Church of Williston, 247 N.E. First St.
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As always with this group, the spirit of love, kindness and grace was plentiful.
The keynote speaker on this beautiful Tuesday afternoon was Nancy Vallario. Her topic was a couple of missions that are shared by various churches with the local Rotarians in an effort to benefit the needy people of the community.
Traditionally, the “holiday bags” mission leads to enough food collected and distributed to feed 800 people, she said. The other program is “Christmas for Children,” where complete sets of good clothes are given to children.
Vallario said people think these are only ministries or missions of the First United Methodist Church of Williston, but that church is not the sole provider.
Instead, Vallario explained, these are community ministries conducted through the Methodist Church.
“But there are a lot of other churches and organizations involved,” she said. “The thing that you all have been very generous about is the Holiday Baskets – the Thanksgiving and Christmas Baskets.”
This Rotary Club provides for several of the brown paper grocery bags filled with specific food items, she said.
The Levy County School District social worker who knows the families in the Williston area provides the church with the names of people who can use this help during these holidays, Vallario said.
Every year, Vallario said, the social worker gives 85 to 90 families’ names to the First United Methodist Church of Williston and the same number of names of families to the First Baptist Church of Williston.
“These are not just names,” Vallario said. “They are families, and all of them have to have a child involved. So, you’re talking about 800 people, at least, when you ask ‘Who do we feed?’”
The Methodists and Baptists do this at Thanksgiving and the Methodists do it at Christmas, she said.
“But we don’t do this alone,” she continued. “You (Rotarians) help us. The Presbyterians help us. The (Williston) Woman’s Club helps us.”
She shared with Rotary Club members and their guest that she sees the best help in this project coming from the school children.
There is a food drive at Joyce Bullock Elementary School, Williston Central Christian Academy and at Williston Elementary School at this time of year, Vallario said. And there is another drive in January at Williston Middle High School.
Last year, Vallario said, Ted Glass and another person obtained two big truck trailers to fill with food last year.
A few years ago, Vallario noted that $1 and one can would feed a family. She said last year, the children brought in $165 in nickels, dimes and quarters to help others.
This really says a lot about the character of that young generation of people, she said. Many of the most generous people are in the same families that are getting the baskets, she added.
“That speaks well of our future,” Vallario said. “You know we talk about how insensitive young kids are and all this kind of stuff. Well, they’re not (insensitive). They’re very kind and they are generous when they see the need.”
The other ministry has not spread into the community as Vallario would like, she said.
This is the “Christmas for Children” mission. This provides a full set of nice clothes, including shoes, to children.
The person buying the clothes selects the age and gender of the child they want to help. They are given sizes and a list of types of garments sought, and then they go buy the complete set of cloths for the child.
Lisa Breeden and Dana Moxley are the woman at the Methodist Church who are leaders in this ministry.
Vallario helped Rotarians remember to not judge others.
She told about a person who was receiving help from the food basket giveaway. This recipient was well-dressed and in a relatively expensive car.
When Vallario mentioned this to a leader in the ministry about 12 years ago, the first year she did this.
The person drove up in a year-old Cadillac.
Vallario learned that her husband had left her with nothing. She was attempting to keep up appearances to improve her odds of securing a good job. The car would be repossessed soon.
There was some discussion about people who take food, or clothes and then sell the items for cash to use on other things.
Vallario said what people do with the things that are given to them as acts of charity, or as gifts of Christian love, is their choice. She has found, nonetheless, that a person will reap what they sew.
This concept is found in the Bible as well.
“7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
“8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”
-- Galatians 6:7-8 King James Version (KJV)
Among Vallario’s overall messages was that the Williston community works together to help the people who are less fortunate, and this little Rotary Club is a big mover in the efforts to help children and families.
Cannon fires at
Chiefland Farmer's Flea Market
Some of the reenactors fire the cannon, as seen in this still shot and in the video below.
Story, Photo and Video
By Jeff M. Hardsion © Nov. 4, 2018 at 1:48 p.m.
CHIEFLAND – Sonny and Lydia Griffeth, owners of the Chiefland Farmer’s Flea Market, not only provide the place to buy everything (including Weather King portable buildings), but they offer a place for car shows and more.
Some vehicle owners in that part of Chiefland near the Flea Market may have heard a boom and then noticed their vehicle alarms resounding Saturday morning (Nov. 3).
Civil War reenactors were at the Chiefland Farmer’s Flea Market with a small camp set to show people their perspective from that war. They fired a cannon at 10:30 a.m. (ish)
These reenactors are the Milton Light Artillery group from Gen. Hardy’s Brigade.
Among the reenactors there this weekend were Brig. Gen. Bob Goodrich of Levy County, Col. David Foster of Tampa, Maj. Bryan Lynch of Gilchrist County, First Sgt. Pete Shipe of Lakeland, Private Tom Phillips of Levy County and Private Tim Russell of Gilchrist County.
Gen. Goodrich is chief of staff of the brigade. During the coldest part of the morning he was wearing his blue jacket. The cannon belongs to Goodrich.
Some of these reenactors have both Confederate and Union uniforms. They are very involved in the hobby, and share insight about reenacting with anyone who wants to know about it.
As for the shot perhaps heard ‘round the north part of Chiefland, the gentlemen assured there were no parked or passing vehicles or pedestrians. These artillery operators also performed every action on a checklist for safety before firing the weapon (even though there was no cannonball, and it was just a round to make noise, smoke and fire).
As for the Flea Market, it is the place to go every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Parking is free, and there is no telling what will be available to see and purchase.
Bronson provides
Halloween fun for children;
Other cities do too
Some of the many people at the event in Bronson on Saturday night (Oct. 27).
Story and Photos
By Jeff M. Hardison © Oct. 29, 2018 at 12:08 p.m.
BRONSON – The Town of Bronson provided an excellent setting for at least 500 children and adults this year on Saturday (Oct. 27) as the place that is the heart of Levy County held its Halloween fun again this year.
A scary trunk ornament is part of the decorations on the HardisonInk.com PT Newser that had its hatchback decorated.
An animated skeleton fish that moved its jaws and tail and lit its eyes joins an animated moving spider with lit eyes as they sit on 500 bags of candy and Halloween stickers that were presented to children at the event. A s[ider web with 'blood' stains on it was part of the decorations at the HardisonInk.com PT Newser, and there was a globe that sent a moving set of light figures on a screen in the back of the vehicle, which became more noticed after sundown.
The Beast was among the costumed characters at the event in Bronson.
With the sky showing fall colors, part of a line of people sojourn around the area where trunks were decorated and treats were distributed.
Here are a few of the hundreds of amazing children who were dressed for the event.
After the sun went down, the ambiance of the event became even more festive.
The dinosaur costume looked even better in real life than as it is captured here. There could easily have been 500 photographs from this event.
Sparky the mascot of Bronson Fire Rescue strolls the grounds, which made several children happy. You go, Sparky!
In Chiefland, the Chiefland Police Department’s Haunted House included a trunk and treats event on Saturday.
In Inglis this year, the South Levy Area Marketplace’s third annual celebration included Halloween fun as well.
Several other churches and cities across the Tri-County Area of Levy, Dixie and Gilchrist counties conducted festivals for children to have fun on Saturday.
Some places are scheduled for events on Halloween (Oct. 31). (Please remember that if you want an announcement in the Community Calendar, it needs to be sent via email to hardisonink@gmail.com.)
This event in Bronson on Saturday heralds the seventh consecutive year for the Town of Bronson to grab the attention of residents and visitors of Levy County for a Halloween event, although this year it was on the Saturday before Halloween (which is really Oct. 31).
This fun event is similar to the Bronson’s amazing annual Fourth of July fireworks, which also happens at the James H. Cobb Park.
Leading the organization for the event this year was Bronson Town Councilwoman Katie Parks. Joining her in the effort to bring it to fruition were Town Clerk Shirley Miller (who recruited her husband Randy), Deputy Town Clerk Melissa Thompson, Parks and Recreation Director Curtis Stacy (who worked Saturday afternoon to prepare the park), Public Works Director Erik Wise, and city workers Russell Mitchem and Glen Smith.
Members of the Bronson Fire Rescue Department joined Chief Dennis Russell to show the fire engine and give out candy to children.
Sparky the BFR mascot also was in attendance, to the delight of children.
Cars were parked throughout an area around James H. Cobb Park, which was formerly known as the Bronson Sports Complex.
The Trunk For Treats event proved to be extremely successful again this year in Bronson.
Everything came together. It was an outstanding community event as hundreds of children collected candy and other treats, visited a haunted house, and participated in a costume contest.
While the haunted house this year was in a permanent structure on the park, members of the former Bronson Chamber of Commerce constructed, and then disassembled, the temporary haunted house out of PVC and dark polyethylene plastic sheeting seven years ago.
Among those early haunted house builders in Halloween of 2011 were Robbie Cooper of Bronson Lube, John Meeks of Ace Hardware, Charlie Kennedy of Gainesville Roofing, Jeff Hardison of HardisonInk.com (although he observed more than worked) and Jason Kennedy of Complete Sleep & Furnishings.
The Bronson Chamber of Commerce has since disbanded.
There was everything a child could want for an extremely fun Halloween celebration in Bronson on Saturday night. Two sides of one of the soccer fields at James H. Cobb Park had cars, trucks and SUVs decorated for the event.
Countless people gave candy, cookies, bags, trinkets and stickers to children.
The variety of imaginative decorations by churches, business owners and private individuals was as broad of a spectrum as anyone could imagine. Likewise, the range of costumes by children, young people and adults was very extensive.
And similar to last year, the Food4Kids Backpack Program collected canned goods and donations to help that worthy cause, where children at Bronson Elementary School are given food to help them have something to eat during the weekends.
Yankeetown celebrates
its 95th anniversary
A new sign welcomes visitors to Yankeetown.
Photo Provided
By Sherri A. MacDonald, Yankeetown Town Administrator and resident
Published Oct. 26, 2018 at 8:48 a.m.
YANKEETOWN -- WELCOME TO YANKEETOWN.
On Sept. 24, a new sign welcoming everyone to Yankeetown was placed in the ground just in time for Yankeetown’s celebration of 95 years.
Yankeetown is celebrating 95 years since it was established. The founder, A.F. Knotts first traveled from Gary, Indiana, in search of a place to establish a camp where he could enjoy hunting, trapping and fishing upon retirement.
Around 1920, Knotts purchased land he called “Honey Bluff,” also known as Yankeetown. Following the next few years, time was spent hunting, fishing, trapping and clearing around the camp.
Permanent shanties were growing and the number of campers was increasing each year. According to the book, “See Yankeetown” written by Tom Knotts.
A.F. Knotts had his friends who came by train to Dunnellon to catch a ride to the new resort community called Yankeetown. The community was called Yankeetown, because a mail carrier would take the Yankees to Knotts' fishing and hunting camp.
Therefore, the mail carrier Coleman named the Knotts settlement at Honey Bluff - “Yankeetown."
The name Yankeetown stuck. Knotts made several trips back and forth from Gary, Ind., to Yankeetown. In October of 1923, the Knotts family arrived and started Yankeetown.
In 1925, a bill was enacted by the Florida Legislature to create the Town of Yankeetown.
The effective date was Dec. 15, 1925.
The Town of Yankeetown is “Old Florida” on the Nature Coast.
It is located approximately three miles west of U.S. Highway 19 along Follow that Dream Parkway (Levy County Road 40 West).
Yankeetown is described as a charming coastal village on the northwest coast of Florida known for its tree-lined streets, quiet lifestyle and a great place to live, vacation and visit. The heritage live oak shaded streets are draped with Spanish moss and lined with examples of “Old Florida” cracker homes that remind visitors of how the whole State of Florida used to be.
Yankeetown still treasures the days back in 1961 when Elvis Presley was in town to make the movie "Follow That Dream."
The Town of Yankeetown maintains numerous parks along the "Outstanding Florida Waterway" the Withlacoochee River.
The biggest park the town maintains is the Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve (WGP), 413-acre estuarine wild lands with streams, wetlands, salt marshes and a 4,500 square-foot museum and educational center.
(Please visit our website under the parks tab if you would like to rent to have an event at one of our parks.)
Yankeetown library got its start 50 years ago in the back room of the Knotts Real Estate office across from the Izaak Walton Lodge with 1,000 donated books.
In 1974, in memory of A.F. Knotts, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Knotts donated a building to be used as a library, to the Yankeetown Woman’s club, contingent upon the club’s acceptance of the responsibility for maintenance and upkeep expense.
In 1990, the Felburn Foundation begun by Yankeetown resident, Phil Felburn, funded a large addition to the library. Readers can purchase a “See Yankeetown” book by Tom Knotts at the library, which is now part of the Levy County Public Library system. The library is named the A.F. Knotts Public Library.
Yankeetown has churches, civic organizations, marinas, restaurants, a retreat spa, fishing guide services, real estate offices and a Post Office.
The “Old” Yankeetown General Store is now under new owners and it is being renovated.
The Town welcomes everyone to attend the 37th Annual Inglis-Yankeetown Lions Club Arts, Crafts and Seafood Festival on Nov. 17 and 18 on Riverside Drive.
In celebrating the 95 years, the town is having an open house at Town Hall during this time from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The mayor, vice mayor, Town Council and staff members invite everyone to stop by and see the history of the town.
Yankeetown's economy is driven by commercial and sport fishing activities, and tourism. Town life is centered along Riverside Drive, which parallels the north bank of the Withlacoochee River.
The town is a slice of tranquil Old Florida.
CF Wind Symphony and
Choral Ensemble Fall Concert
is scheduled for Nov. 16
Published Nov. 12, 2018 at 7:48 a.m.
OCALA -- College of Central Florida Wind Symphony and Choral Ensemble will present a free fall concert on Friday, Nov. 16, at 7:30 p.m. in the Charles R. Dassance Fine Arts Center at the CF Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road.
The Wind Symphony concert, conducted by Associate Professor John D. Ash, will perform the “The Year of the Dragon” by Philip Sparke. CF’s newest ensembles The Brass Band will be playing “Symphony No.1 by Brain Balmages.
The Patriot Singers and Chamber Choir will present their program of songs by composers who are 40 years and younger from diverse backgrounds. They will be directed by Jason Longtin, assistant professor of music.
Doors open to the public 30 minutes before these Visual and Performing Arts performances. Tickets are not required. For more information, call the CF Box Office at 352-873-5810.
Strickland Park
is next Farm Share site - Nov. 17
Tri-County Community Resource Center requests permission from the Chiefland City Commission to distribute food at Strickland Park on Nov. 17 starting at 9 a.m.
Story and Photo
By Jeff M. Hardison © Oct. 24, 2018 at 4:18 p.m.
CHIEFLAND – The Tri-County Community Resource Center is hosting another Farm Share event, and this time it is going to be at Charles Strickland Recreational Park, 2340 N.E. Old Fannin Road in Chiefland.
The Chiefland City Commission on Monday night (Oct. 22) gave unanimous approval to a request from Beverly Goodman, the manager of the Tri-County Community Resource Center, to hold the event there on Nov. 17.
On Wednesday afternoon (Oct. 24), Goodman said the event starts at 9 a.m. and will run until 11 a.m. or until the food runs out.
During the June event, the types of food distributed included corn, rice, beans, potatoes, eggs, soy milk, frozen blueberries, frozen chicken breasts, emergency ration meals, beef stew pouches and canned chicken meat.
There were almost 60 volunteers at the June event. Approximately 30,000 pounds of food was distributed last time.
This upcoming event will be the Saturday before Thanksgiving, Goodman said as she made her request to the City Commission.
To see the previous story and photos from the June event, click HERE.
37th Annual Yankeetown Art,
Craft and Seafood Festival
is scheduled for Nov. 17 and 18
By Poco French
Published Nov. 7, 2018 at 2:18 p.m.
YANKEETOWN -- The Inglis Yankeetown Lions Club 37th annual Yankeetown Art, Craft & Seafood Festival will take place on Riverside Drive in Yankeetown on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 17 and 18.
On Saturday, it is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and on Sunday, it is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free Parking - Free Admission - Free Live Entertainment.
Along with a colorful extravaganza of arts and crafts there will be delicious seafood and other culinary treats from local favorites like Tony's Clam Chowder, The Crab Shack, The Shrimp Shack BubbaQue's and Riviera Mexican Cantina plus returning favorite food vendors.
Apple Dumplings, Ice Cream, Snow Cones, Funnel Cakes will be available for the sweets lover along with everyone's favorite beverages and more!
Don't forget to get a jump on your holiday spruce-up by buying a broom or a boat mop, both made by visually-impaired workers, from the Lions!
Or how about some premium nuts for your enjoyment or gifting? The Lions Club will be offering free glucose and diabetic retinopathy screenings. Find out what your number is! They are also hosting an onsite blood drive by LifeSouth Community Blood Service in preparation for upcoming holiday needs.
The Friends of the A.F. Knotts Public Library will be onsite between 61st and 62nd streets for their ever-popular Fall Sale with a wide selection of bound books, paperbacks, audio books and DVDs.
At noon on Sunday, the Friends of the Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve's Annual Rubber Duck Race competition adds to the festival excitement. buy your duck or a whole flock at the festival and gather with fellow competitors to watch the winner cross the finish line at the Isaac Walton Lodge.
A community tradition for over three decades -- the Lions Club's Yankeetown Art, Craft and Seafood Festival has something for everyone!
Holiday décor, unique gifts
and more at the Appleton store
from Nov. 22 through Nov. 25
Published Nov. 8, 2018 at 2:18 p.m.
OCALA -- The Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, invites shoppers for a weekend of savings in the Appleton Store, Nov. 23-25.
Whether you plan to shop on Black Friday, Small Business Saturday or Museum Store Sunday, the Appleton Store has you covered with amazing deals on all three days! Appleton members will receive a 30 percent discount on purchases; nonmembers will receive a 20 percent discount. This includes everything from a large array of holiday home decor and gifting, one-of-a-kind jewelry from local artists, art supplies and toys for children, to scarves, hats and bags imprinted with your favorite paintings. Books and items already on clearance are excluded from discounts.
Or, give the gift of art and purchase gift memberships, admission tickets or certificates for studio art classes. Basic museum membership ranges from $10-$60. Learn more at AppletonMuseum.org/give/membership. Through Nov. 30, the Appleton has a Groupon deal for individual and dual/family memberships. Visit Groupon.com and search: Appleton Museum Ocala.
There is no admission fee to shop in the Appleton Store. The museum, ARTSpace and Appleton Store are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday and closed every Monday. The museum is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Owned and operated by the College of Central Florida, the Appleton Museum of Art is located at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, east of downtown on SR 40 (exit 352 east off I-75 or exit 268 west off I-95). Parking is free. For more information, call the Appleton Museum of Art at 352-291-4455 or visit http://www.appletonmuseum.org/.
Fall Market is Nov. 24
By Eileen Senecal
Published Nov. 7, 2018 at 11:38 a.m.
CEDAR KEY -- The Cedar Key Woman’s Club is once again offering a Fall Market.
This year it is on Saturday, Nov. 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cedar Key Woman’s Club on State Road 24 (between State Road 345 and Levy County Road 347).
Come join your neighbors at this annual Thanksgiving weekend sale with many treasures and treats, fabulous artisan shopping, flea market vendors, home baking, and snack bar. The snack bar will feature Cedar Key pulled pork sandwiches and the Woman’s Club’s famous desserts.
A limited number copies of the Cedar Key Calendar 2018 will be available. Proceeds from the calendar support Cedar Key! This calendar makes a great gift, and this year it has some especially memorable photos.
Vendor and artisan spaces are available at $15 for an outside space and $20 inside. To book a space, call 352-949-3070 or email sage@mountain.net.
The Cedar Key Woman’s Club supports many community projects in the island city, such as the Community Relief Fund, the Food Pantry, the Fire Department, the Cedar Key School, and the branch of the Levy County Public Library located on the island.
In the past few years, the Cedar Key Woman's Club members have sold chances on handmade quilts to benefit Fisher House of Gainesville -- which is a home away from home for veterans and their families who are using the services of the VA hospital in Gainesville.
The Cedar Key Woman's Club is a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs - Florida, sponsoring projects such as the Operation Smile, Hacienda Girls Ranch, Guardian ad Litem, Canine Companions, and Heifer International.
Support from Cedar Key keeps the Cedar Key Woman's Club strong, and new members are always welcome.
Pirates to visit Cedar Key
from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2
Published Nov. 11, 2018 at 1:18 p.m.
CEDAR KEY -- The Cedar Key Pirate Invasion Weekend is slated for Nov. 30 through Dec. 2.
The event is a Bard Productions thing. Keeping with the pirate theme, they're not much about sending a Word document with information, etc.
As noted by the producers, "Event Schedules and the Event itself are subject to change without notice by Bard Productions, LLC. Acts of God including fire, mayhem, hurricanes, politics and other chaos are not our responsibility."
Nonetheless, there is a link to follow, though, for potential details about this set of days on Cedar Key. Click HERE to see the latest version of this year's "Pirate Invasion."
Light Up Williston On Dec. 1
Published Nov. 11, 2018 at 1:18 p.m.
WILLISTON -- The "Toys of Christmas" Williston Christmas Parade starts at 6 p.m.
The parade will begin behind the former Williston High School football field and travel east on Noble Avenue (U.S. Alt. 27) to Southeast Sixth Street and end at the City Ball Field. This is the traditional parade route.
Santa Claus may arrive at Williston’s Christmas Parade and Light Up Williston on top of an elephant! After the parade, festivities continue with the lighting ceremony in Heritage Park. This event is known as "Light Up Williston" and it is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
Fanning Springs
Festival of Lights On Dec. 1
Published Nov. 11, 2018 at 1:18 p.m.
FANNING SPRINGS -- There is a Festival of Lights event slated for Fanning Springs on Dec. 1.
The festival is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with crafts and food vendors. A cars, trucks and bikes show is set to be at Fort Fanning Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Live music is scheduled to include Saltwater Cowboy’s at 2 p.m. in the Amphitheater; Jamie Davis at 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fort Fanning; and Steel Bridge from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the boat house on the river.
There is a duck race slated to start at 3 p.m. on the river.
Concert and Food Drive
set for Old Town on Dec. 2
Published Nov. 12, 2018 at 12:08 p.m.
OLD TOWN -- Dixie County Music Center is presenting An Old Town Christmas Concert and Food Drive on Sunday, Dec. 2, starting at 1:30 p.m.
Among the performers for this annual traditional event are The Kerry Gordon Band; Debbie Wheatley; Rod Swanigan; Dean Chambers; The Scraps; Krista Campbell; John Mash; Max Thomas; and Dottie South and the Slackers with Karen Powers.
This concert is family-friendly and free, with a donation of a non-perishable food item. Feel free to bring plenty of these food items to help others.
The concert will be held at the Dixie Music Center's outdoor stage, located in the grassy and tree-friendly area just to the north of the store -- at 26626 S.E. U.S. Highway 19 in Old Town.
CF Ensemble presents
‘An Afternoon of Chamber Music’
on Sunday, Dec. 2
Published Nov. 7, 2018 at 12:38 p.m.
OCALA -- The College of Central Florida Visual and Performing Arts Department will present a chamber music concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, at the Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd.
The annual fall concert features CF's chamber groups including the Saxophone Ensemble, led by Gregory Snider, and the Trumpet Ensemble, led by Andrew Moore.
“The concert offers audiences a mix of CF ensembles and instruments in the intimacy of the auditorium at the Appleton Museum of Art. Come out to enjoy the music!” said Dr. Sarah Satterfield, a professor of music.
Admission to the concert is free with admission to the Appleton Museum. For information, contact the CF Box Office at 352-873-5810 or visit from 1-4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
To learn about other events at CF, visit CF.edu.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
set for Dec. 7, 8, 9, 14, 15 and 16
Information Provided By Will Rucker of the SVP
Published Nov. 12, 2018 at 9:48 a.m.
CHIEFLAND -- The Chief Theater, 25 E. Park Ave., in Chiefland, the home of the Suwannee Valley Players (SVP) is where A Charlie Brown Christmas is scheduled to be performed by the SVP.
This live, onstage performance is being directed by Diana Child.
The Chief Theater, located across the street from the Chiefland Police Department in downtown Chiefland, is the place to go to see this performance. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on those two Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on those two Sundays.
The original Charlie Brown Christmas premiered in 1965 and was created by Charles M. Schulz.
The special was finished 10 days shy of its broadcast premiere.
One of the animators, Ed Levitt, said it was the best special he’ll ever make and that the show is going to run for 100 years.
Richard Burgheim of Time Magazine praised the show saying it was unpretentious and that “A Charlie Brown Christmas is one children’s special this season that bears repeating.”
Now, in 2018, this production is at the 53rd year of Levitt’s prediction of the show running 100 years. In fact, on Sunday, Dec. 9, the show heralds the exact 53rd anniversary of A Charlie Brown Christmas.
A Charlie Brown Christmas (Live) is set for Dec. 7, 8, 9, 14, 15 and 16.
Tickets cost $10.
Now is the time to call Becky Gill at 352-443-9096 to reserve a seat. For all other information regarding the play, call The Chief Theater Box Office at 352-493-2787.
South Levy County
Christmas Parade set for Dec. 15
Published Oct. 25, 2018 at 9:08 a.m.
INGLIS-YANKEETOWN -- As a result of a meeting on Wednesday night (Oct. 24) by representatives from the Inglis-Yankeetown Lions Club, the Inglis Recreation Committee, The Yankeetown-Inglis Woman's Club, the towns of Inglis and Yankeetown, the Friends of the Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve, the No. 324 F&AM Masonic Lodge of Inglis, and the Blackwater Grill and Bar, the people agreed on the details for the 2018 Christmas Parade and Light Up Inglis and Yankeetown event.
The Christmas Parade is now scheduled to be on Dec. 15.
The line-up will begin at 3:30 p.m. in the field next to the Withlacoochee Gulf Area Chamber of Commerce office (which is right next door to the Central Florida Electric Cooperative Office) on Follow That Dream Parkway (Levy County Road 40 West) in Inglis.
The parade is scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. there, and then to go westbound on CR 40 to the eastern entrance of Riverside Drive -- going from Inglis to Yankeetown, and the parade will continue down Riverside Drive to the pavilion at the Yankeetown Town Hall and the Blackwater Grill and Bar.
Everyone is invited to be in the parade -- businesses, school organizations, veterans' groups, civic organizations, churches, etc.
Bicycles, motorcycles, tricycles, unicycles, golf carts, floats, walkers, dogs, horses, and anything else that can be mobilized is welcome to be part of the parade.
The theme for the 2018 Christmas Parade is "Christmas."
There is judging scheduled for "Most Original" and "Best Costume" categories.
Applications to be part of the parade are scheduled to be available for participants at the Inglis and Yankeetown Town Halls.
December 12 is the cutoff date for application submission to be in this parade that is set for Dec. 15.
The organizers of the event encourage everyone to get luminaries out for the parade and light up Inglis and Yankeetown for the holiday.
For those individuals who have some concern about mobilized animals such as dogs and horses, there is a plan to include a team of "Pooper Scoopers" who will handle any and all critter loads.
The next organizational meetings for the 2018 Christmas Parade and Light Up Inglis and Yankeetown event are Nov. 28 and Dec. 12 at the Yankeetown-Inglis Woman's Club. Both of those meetings are set to start at 6:30 p.m. and everyone is welcome to be at the meetings.
Christmas parade viewers are encouraged to come on out and enjoy the parade. Bring your lawn chairs, neighbors and kids and join in the fun.
