Life in White Springs: Music and light, part of White Springs

Published 7:00 am Friday, April 28, 2017

As I write this column, it is Tuesday, April 25, election day in White Springs. The election will be over when you read this, and the representatives chosen by some of the people of White Springs will be sworn in today. I say “some” of the people because, sadly, many people don’t vote. But congratulations to the ones who did! Congratulations to all the candidates for caring, thanks to all the poll workers for your dedication, deep gratitude to all who exercised their constitutional right to vote, no matter who you voted for. I don’t know what to say about those who didn’t vote. I know that democracy isn’t perfect, but the more people that vote, the more likely the process will work as intended. Congratulations to all of you who did your part!

White Springs is blessed to have partners. Some of you may not be aware of The Florida Suwannee River Valley marketing group (FSRV), a tourism group comprised of people/organizations from Columbia, Hamilton and Suwannee County that want to promote tourism in their counties. They all have their own strong points to promote for their prospective counties and towns but unify to promote the region because they know that a united effort is often better, more practical and more affordable than several divided efforts working in the dark. Yes, we all have our priorities, and sometimes must compete for tourists and dollars, but that should never preclude working together whenever we can. Congratulations to FSRV for their unifying work. Lord knows we need unity, particularly in this day and age.

Planning ahead, there are going to be two music events at the Stephen Foster Park this month. The SongFarmers gathering happens on Saturday, May 6, a wonderful small local affair, and three weeks later on May 26-28, the Florida Folk Festival happens, a wonderful, big gathering of people and amazing talent from all over the state, nation and world. More about the Florida Folk Festival in the future.  

The “SongFarmers of the Suwannee River Valley of Florida” is a monthly gathering of musicians and folk artists whose mission is to support learning and the enjoyment of traditional American roots music and folk culture in the community. Formed under the guidance and sponsorship of the Woodsongs Front Porch Association (WFPA), the gatherings are held the first Saturday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs, Florida, unless otherwise noted. The music is acoustic and all age and skill levels are welcome to the musical jam style gatherings. Please join them for the May 6  SongFarmers Gathering. They will be meeting in the auditorium instead of Nelly Bly’s Kitchen.  Bring your instruments, songs, the family, the neighbors and plan to relax and have a good time. And as always, NO CHARGE and NO DONATION requested. The fun is totally free.

I can’t mention Stephen Foster Park without being strongly reminded of the strong, wonderful and effervescent presence of Beverly Davis at the park and in the community of White Springs. I will cherish the memories of the times I got to work with her on Elderhostel presentations at the White Springs United Methodist Church. I did not know Beverly as well or as long as many of you, but it only took a few minutes being around her to realize that I was in the presence of someone who loved! She loved first and foremost her family. She also loved her town, her church and her job, and oh how she loved Stephen Foster Park, its events and its visitors. She was such a hard worker! Her enthusiasm was wonderfully contagious and if you spent any time around Beverly, she would get you fired up! She never hid her candle under a bushel, and when she spoke it would light up the room. Rest in peace Dear Beverly. You taught us a lot and your light will remain with us for a long, long time.

Please don’t forget that athletic Signing Day is Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. in the Hamilton County High School gym. Monique Bryant, Fabian Reid and Emmanuel Aldama have submitted documentation from colleges and universities for signing day. Like I said last week, this is a big deal for these kids and if you know any of them it should be a big deal for you too. Parents, families and community, please plan now to attend signing day and make it a memory.  

Thanks to the Florida League of Cities, I’m off to Tallahassee to spend a little time advocating for our town. I am hopeful I will find that, under all the political fervor and rhetoric, there is a level of decency and civility that will emerge if encouraged. White Springs can’t win many fights with “enemies” if we choose to make them, but we do have a chance to get the attention and cooperation of any friends we happen to make and maintain. I’m going to try to keep that in mind during this visit. Wish me luck!  

So, as always, there is a lot going on in White Springs and the surrounding area. Get out there and take advantage of the opportunities and while you’re doing so, be kind to yourself, your family, your neighbors, and to our hundreds of visitors. I hope to see you out and about, ignoring the limits, finding adventures, taking positive actions, caring, and sharing an attitude of gratitude for all the good people and good things that are part of your life in White Springs.  If you have news you want to share, I care and I’d love to hear from you.

 

Walter McKenzie

386-303-1394