around the banks logo.jpg

Light, we think about it usually when our power is interrupted; when we lose electrical power for a while. I laughed last night, but it was a sympathetic laugh, as many of my friends posted comments on Facebook about their loss of power in White Springs. During inclement weather or when you live so far out in the woods that you have “owls for yard roosters” like I do at the Eight Mile Still, it is a fact of life, that once in a while, you will have a power outage.

I thank God for the wonderful employees of Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative and Duke Energy who work tirelessly and have many cussings “lowered” on them while they are doing the best they can to help, folks.

We think about “light” usually when there is an absence of it.

You don’t need to turn on lots of electric lights during the daytime but, at night, when it’s as “dark as Egypt” you need to switch those lights on.

Not too long ago, a man told his wife here in White Springs, if he ever got completely dependent upon machines while he was living, he wanted her to be the one to “pull the plug”. She got up from her chair and unplugged the television. I don’t think that’s what he had in mind, but it did have to do, again, with light. The light of that TV screen which is an addiction to some folks, company, a companion.

I want to discuss some areas of light here in our home “Around the Banks of the Suwannee” and in expressing appreciation for these, I am, in no way, going to touch upon each area, but, as I am a writer, in this case, with a limited scope of attention, bear with me. Former U.S. President George W. Bush Sr., talked about the thousand points of life in a speech he once made. There are some points of life here in our area worth mentioning. They burn brightly, not only in the darkness, but in the daytime, too, bringing light to the hearts and lives of many.

PotashCorp of White Springs and their contribution of $50,000 to combat childhood hunger in Hamilton County. Their recent contribution to the Hamilton County School Board provides “take home” and healthy meals to children at South Hamilton Elementary in a back pack program so they can have nutritious meals on the weekends and not go hungry. Many people think about hunger in the Third World. It is right here at home. With Hamilton County, a county I love dearly with so much natural beauty and some of the best people in the world that I love and hold dear to my heart, there are economic challenges. It is the 31st poorest county economically in the United States of America. The poorest outside of the Mississippi Delta and Appalachia; Eastern Kentucky. Children cannot help the situation into which they are born, and many times they cannot help the conduct of the adults around them either. Hunger is real. PotashCorp is getting at the core of one of the major concerns with this effort. A point of light.

Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. I won’t say too much more about Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, as I have written so much, and there are people who have asked me if James Cornett has me on the “payroll”. The answer is no. I simply recognize goodness when I see it. Providing opportunities for children to learn string music, become more proficient at playing string instruments, and to learn more about the wonderful heritage of American music, to me, at least, is very worthwhile.

In my opinion, more than all the wonderful, fantastic musical talent that delights countless thousands at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park each year with great entertainment, and the list is impressive, I am much more impressed with Spirit of the Suwannee’s Music Camp for Children and young people. Opportunities for many to learn, hone their skills, and perpetuate an American legacy in music. Impressive. A point of light.

The Florida Sheriff’s Boys Ranch. How many countless hundreds and thousands of young lives have been positively changed, because of the presence of the Florida Sheriff’s Boys Ranch near Live Oak? “Hats off” the Florida Sheriff’s Association for their continued support of the Boys Ranch. Education, spirituality, and life skills, all given for young men who have more challenges in their lives than most of us. 

God Bless them. A HUGE point of light in my opinion. Teaching young people how to think. That is education at its most basic and wonderful level.

Project HOPE: White Springs. The HOPE project, which was originally begun by Nicole Williams and several others at New Bethel A.M.E. Church many years ago, was a concept that was extended, refined, and tailored by Dr. Helen Miller, member of the Town Council of White Springs, and supported by Ed and Helen Miller, friends of theirs who have a foundation, PotashCorp, the town of White Springs, and the Hamilton County School District, especially the Title I Program and the School Food Service Program. Scores of children have been actively engaged in learning during the summer months for the past several years in Project HOPE at no cost to parents, because someone had a vision and a heart for children. A point of light.

Hamilton County Veterans Park, Jasper. What a marvelous way to honor countless scores of individuals who served our nation honorably and well in the United States military. Thank you to the VFW post 8095 in Jasper, Florida, the Hamilton County Commission, PotashCorp, and many other outstanding businesses and community supporters who give and who have given so much to honor our veterans. I would be remiss here, if I did not mention two of the major individuals who were a driving force behind the concept of this beautiful park which is now a reality, located in front of our Courthouse Annex (Old Hamilton County High School) on U. S. 41 in Jasper, they are: Lamar Royals who is a member of VFW Post 8095 and retired from the U.S. Military and former Veterans officer and retired USMC Sergeant, Clay Lambert. God Bless you and God Bless America. A great point of light.

The Florida Folk Festival, White Springs. The state of Florida doesn’t have much in the way of cultural events that they can point with pride and say the state has supported such an event that is the oldest state sponsored Folk Festival in the United States of America. The Florida Folk Festival is just that.

When you consider the diversity of the State of Florida and the fact that such a rich diversity has been and “is” historically celebrated each year here in our own backyard. Well, that speaks volumes, at least to me. The founders of the Festival never realized they were bringing the “world” to the banks of the Suwannee River in the way of music, arts and crafts, food ways, and stories and teaching “life ways”. They did just that. You can experience it each Memorial Day Weekend here “Way down upon the Suwannee River”. This is a festival that celebrates Florida’s rich cultural diversity. It is a tradition that has been going on for over six decades, and I believe it is a point of light in our area. The Florida Folk Festival, a point of light.

The Advent Christian Village, Dowling Park. Marvelous, wonderful, outstanding. Three words that, to me, “sum up” the impact the Advent Christian Village has on our area of the world. Providing a beautiful place of retirement for many. A center that provides a great place where so many live out their golden years with dignity and care.

A spiritual lighthouse and a cultural lighthouse directly on the Banks of the Suwanee River. God Bless everyone, and there are many, who have made and who are making, the Advent Christian Village in Dowling Park the truly wonderful, wonderful place it is.

The Suwannee Democrat and the Jasper News. The dedicated staff for these newspapers does an outstanding job reporting the news to a large community geographically. Thousands of readers “catch up” on local happenings that would, in most cases, not be reported were it not for these local newspapers. It should say something to citizens, and I am going to “Pitch” here. If you are not a subscriber to the local newspapers, you should be. They are the last bastion of “freedom of the press”, as it affects the life of your local community at its most basic level reporting the “good”, the “bad” and the “ugly”, as well as the “beauty” and the “best” of who we are and what we are “about” as a people. Thank you to Myra Regan, Jeff Waters, and all the dedicated journalists, reporters and staff members who keep the papers going. Definitely a “point of light” in our area “Around The Banks of the Suwannee”

Well, I am about to close, but, before I do, I do want to mention a gentleman who passed away very recently, the late Mr. Marvin Rodgers, longtime Jasper and Hamilton County resident. Mr. Rodgers gave his life for the “betterment” of health care services in the “area of public health”. The Florida Department of Health: Hamilton County, Jasper, Florida, bears the name “The Marvin Rodgers Building” for its building and justifiably so. He worked tirelessly for many decades for the improvement of lives through the extension of quality public health services for the citizens of Hamilton County. Marvin Rodgers was definitely a “point of light” in our area. Hamilton County mourns the passing of this citizen and extends its condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the family.

“Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine”!

Keep those lights shining!

From the Eight Mile Still on the Woodpecker Route north of White Springs wishing you all a day filled with joy, peace, and, above all, lots of love and laughter.