“If only I had known!!!”

When folks fail to show up at various events or functions they usually have a reason or perhaps just an excuse. We’ve all heard it said a variety of different ways. “If only I had known, I’d have been there” or, “If only I’d remembered” or, the worst of them all, “If only you’d reminded me,” as if we are expected to be the social secretary for these forgetful folks. But the fact is, we all have busy lives, there is a lot going on, and to keep track of everything is not easy. We could all use some help remembering dates and events and, more importantly, we should all give some help to those who say, “Oh, if only I had known; If only I’d remembered; If only you’d reminded me!” That is one of the primary purposes of this column, to let folks know what’s going on, to help folks remember and, yes, after letting them know and helping them remember, to remind them that “Life in White Springs” and the nearby surrounding area is happening, and we want them to be a part of it. We do this in hopes that people will show up and support and enjoy the many wonderful programs, events and aspects of life in White Springs, and I think they will, or would have “if only they’d been reminded”!

Have you ever thought about participating in one of the area’s many festivals? The Florida Folk Festival in White Springs is a lot of fun and the applications cycle is now beginning for performing artists, site volunteers, vendors and exhibitors. Regardless of how you participate, you’ll get a lot of satisfaction and enjoyment out of being a part of this grand event! The content of the Festival is organized by the park’s staff from public and professional contacts, recommendations from the folk community, and a formal application process. Performer applications to participate are now available and must be submitted by Oct. 1. The application for crafters, luthiers, food vendors, environmental and educational exhibitors, craft square demonstrators, and marketplace vendors will be posted Oct. 1, and must be submitted by Dec. 1. The lifeblood of the festival is volunteers! The application for festival volunteers will be posted Dec. 1, 2018, and must be submitted by Feb. 15, 2019. Applications may be obtained by calling the festival office at, Monday through Friday. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the office at 386-397-7009 Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Hey, did you go to “Art in the Park”? “NO! I WANTED TO GO! WHY DIDN’T I REMEMBER??? WHY DIDN’T YOU REMIND ME?!!! Relax, it hasn’t happened yet, and I AM reminding you. Stephen Foster State Park’s “Art in the Park”, one of the region’s best showings of quality arts and crafts vendors, complete with an amazing array of food vendors, demonstrations and workshops is coming up in one month, on Saturday, Oct. 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s a wonderful, family-friendly adventure that features more than 40 high-quality craft vendors. Food vendors will feature hot dogs, Nettles sausage, bakery items, Philly cheese steak, grilled corn and ice cream. There will be art and craft demonstrations such as “Make and take a bird house with Ranger Jeff Niehaus” and “Learn to play an instrument with Jesse Lamb.” There will be free craft projects for the kids, and you’ll get to visit with Henry Duggan III, author of “Silver’s Odyssey,” a novel of survival in 17th century Spanish Colonial Florida from the shipwrecked Atocha galleon. As icing on the cake, The Gainesville Civic Chorus Chamber Singers will be performing “Made in America” (North and South) in the amazing acoustics of the carillon tower at 1 p.m. Admission is only $5 per vehicle for up to seven people. Put this on your calendar! No more talk of “If only I had known!” For more information, please call the Thelma Boltin Gift Shop at 386-397-1920.

Life in White Springs does not stop at the city limits or the county line. We travel and we support our neighbor’s efforts just as we hope they will support ours. Here are a couple of events well worth a visit.

LIVE OAK — The Suwannee River Regional Library is hosting the first “North Florida Heritage Festival: Storytelling, the Arts and History.” The festival events begin with programs at the Live Oak Public Library starting Sept. 19 and will include the Live Oak Artists Guild Art Show, a Quilt Show, a Teen Art Show and special presentations and workshops. All this will lead to the first North Florida Heritage Festival: Storytelling, the Arts and History, which will be held at Heritage Park and Gardens in Live Oak on Sept. 28-29. For more information call 386-362-2317.

HIGH SPRINGS — Music in High Springs’ 5th annual ‘Folk in the Springs’ event hosts nine acoustic artists/groups from all over Florida.Their performances are a part of a walking tour throughout the High Springs Historic Downtown District. Quite a few of the performers for this event have played at the Florida Folk Festival or the White Springs Folk Club, including Tom Shed, Gailanne Amundsen (formerly of Jubal’s Kin) and Elaine & Sam Mahon. Mark your calendars for Sunday, Sept. 16, noon to 8 p.m.

Back in White Springs, The Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park will host the 13th annual Stephen Foster Old-Time Music Weekend on Sept. 7-9, and they will have evening concerts. Performers will include Chuck Levy, Paul Brown, Terri McMurray, Ann Whitley, Beverly Smith, Trevor McKenzie, Tommy Bledsoe, and David & Marietta Massey. On Friday and Saturday night there will be concerts featuring these instructors, the finest in the land! Room for these performances may be limited, so for reservations please call the park at 386-397-7009 or email: Kimberly.A.Rivers@dep.state.fl.us

Some folks may be missing out on this column or on our occasional book recommendations because of literacy problems. It’s nothing to be ashamed of! All of us that read had to learn, and it’s never too late to learn to read or to improve your reading skills! Starting on Wednesday, Sept. 12, from 4:30- 5:30 p.m. there will be a bi-weekly program of adult literacy instruction at the White Springs Library meeting room. To register, call 267-779-4845.

Also, there are weekly programs at the White Springs Library. Monday-Friday, 1-6 p.m., Coloring. Tuesdays, 3-4 p.m., Teen Drama. Tuesdays, 4-5 p.m., Teen Anime Club, and Thursdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Story Time.

The Hamilton County Faith-Based Initiative is holding community meetings in two locations to hear the voice of the community on issues in Hamilton County. Come share your concerns and solutions. You may also submit written comments anonymously. These meetings will take place on Thursday, Sept. 6, at 6 p.m. at the White Springs Community Center and on Thursday Sept 13, at 6 p.m. at the Jennings City Council room.

Healing thoughts and prayers go out to one of the driving forces of our community life in White Springs, Mrs. Mary Lou Bullard. Never having retired from public life, Mary Lou has been ever present in the town and in the county when anything of significance is going on. She is having to take a little rest now, to recover from a recent operation. I’ve always been very impressed with her dedication and her stamina, (and her delicious desserts and treats served at many a community function). Merri and I join the White Springs community in wishing Mary Lou a restful recuperation and a speedy and total recovery!

So, if you are planning an event and you don’t want to hear, “Oh, if only I had known,” let “Life in White Springs” help. We’re always glad to hear about goings on in the community and will be glad to share anything that is appropriate for this column. I am thankful that we truly are all connected, and I hope that we can continue to feel proud of who we are and where we’re headed, and that we all appreciate that White Springs and its surrounding region is a very special place, to be honored and protected. As always, I look forward to seeing you out and about, enjoying your community and your life in White Springs.

Walter McKenzie

386-303-1394

lifeinwhitesprings@gmail.com