Correspondent Walter McKenzie

Keeping White Springs going is a team effort. There are plenty of people in the community who work together for the good of this town. They work together in various forms including school support groups, volunteer firemen, social organizations, churches, clubs and yes, even government.

A big thank you goes out to Shirley Heath, our former town clerk who came out of retirement to serve as White Spring’s interim town manager while a search was underway for someone to fill the position permanently. Shirley is back to “retirement” now, but I know that she will continue to be part of the team effort. Her parting words were, “I love this town, call me anytime I can help.” 

Thanks Shirley for all you do! 

Along those same lines, a warm welcome goes out to our new town manager, Ms. Stacy Tebo. Stacy brings with her a considerable amount of experience and enthusiasm. She is part of the team now and I know some of you would like to stop by and say hello, but she arrived right at budget deadline time! You might want to wait a little while until the dust settles from all the activity of getting on board, but please do make her feel welcome.

The Stephen Foster State Park is part of the White Springs team, as is their Citizens Support Organization (CSO). The next CSO general meeting is Monday, Sept. 21, at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium.  They are having a pizza party dinner for members provided by CSO board member Tom Moore. Members are asked to please bring a side dish to compliment pizza. They are having a raffle drawing to benefit the Big Shoals Pumpkin Fest. If you attend, please bring an item with a Halloween theme. All the donations go towards the expenses at the Big Shoals Pumpkin Fest which will be held on Oct. 17, from 3 to 6 p.m.

Fall starts the event season for the Stephen Foster Park and there is plenty going on for you and your family! Here is a brief listing of upcoming events

Literacy Day, Thursday, Sept. 24, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Come listen to a reading of Iris Wall, Cracker Cowgirl by Carol Mathews and Lux Rey. This is the true story of a real cowgirl from South Florida. Meet Iris Wall and spend time with park rangers and get a chance to be a part of a working Florida Cracker Cow Camp, do some contra dancing and make a sweet treat.

National Public Lands Day, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015 at 9 a.m. Working with the park rangers, volunteers will continue to beautify the Azalea Garden. Work will include clearing the overgrown vegetation and pulling some invasive plants. Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing, bring bug spray, and have water bottles to refill. After the morning work a free lunch will be served. To volunteer, call Peter or Stephanie at 397-2733.

The next Stephen Foster Coffee House will be held in the park auditorium on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015 at 7 p.m. Johnny Bullard will be the host for a great night of open mike entertainment. Johnny is an extremely talented and entertaining host, and with all his connections in the music realm I expect there will be some wonderful talent taking the stage that night. Admission to this event is free and open to the public.

Once again I think I’ve said enough. I hope that you will remember that I love to report the good news about life in White Springs. If you have a story or some good news you’d like to share, I’d love to hear from you! We truly are all connected and, as always, I look forward to seeing you out and about, enjoying your life in White Springs.  

Walter McKenzie

lifeinwhitesprings@gmail.com

386-303-1394