Walter McKenzie

There has been a lot of talk about how high the Suwannee, Withlacoochee and Sante Fe rivers have been lately, supposedly rising to flood heights earlier than normal, whatever “normal” is when it comes to flood season. Well, they say that if you study history you can learn a lot that will be valuable in coming to understanding the present and preparing for the future. Also in reference to historical events, I have heard the old saying that “A lot of water has gone under the bridge since then” applied many times. The interesting thing about this reference to “history” and “water under the bridge” is that here in White Springs we have been able to actually document how much water has gone under the bridge for a longer time than anywhere else in Florida. That’s because the US Geological Survey (USGS) began recording water levels and flows on the Suwannee River in White Springs in 1906. When record keeping began, a daily handwritten log was maintained by a local citizen and periodically turned in to the USGS. Some copies of these old handwritten logs still exist. It would be wonderful if we could get an original copy for our White Springs Historic Preservation archives. Over the past hundred and twelve years the White Springs river gauge has provided a continuous record of highs and lows on the Suwannee River, including eleven major floods and nine droughts. So, a lot of places can say that “a lot of water has flowed under the bridge since then,” but here in White Springs, not only can we say it, ….we can prove it!

You may like to travel, but you don’t always have to go to Washington D.C. to take advantage of their many educational programs and cultural resources because they have traveling exhibits, and one of them is in Live Oak now through Jan. 26 at the Suwannee River Regional Library, where the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street, in cooperation with Florida Humanities Council, presents “CROSSROADS: CHANGE IN RURAL AMERICA.”

“Crossroads” explores how rural American communities changed in the 20th century. From sea to shining sea, the vast majority of the United States landscape remains rural with only 3.5 percent of the landmass considered urban. Since 1900, the percentage of Americans living in rural areas dropped from 60 percent to 17 percent. The exhibition looks at that remarkable societal change and how rural Americans responded.

The exhibit is open every day that the library is open and, in addition to the exhibit, there are live programs presented as part of the “Crossroads” program. The first live program is “Roots of Bluegrass Music” on Thursday, Jan. 17, noon. There you will learn about the roots of Bluegrass music with Skip Johns. This genre of music is named after the Blue Grass Boys, the 1939–1996 band of Kentucky mandolin player and songwriter Bill Monroe, who is considered “the father of bluegrass.” It was further developed by musicians who played with him, including 5-string banjo player Earl Scruggs and guitarist Lester Flatt. Bluegrass is influenced by the music of Appalachia and other styles, including gospel and jazz. The presenter, Lake City native Skip Johns, has a passion for playing and sharing music with others. An accomplished local musician, he has played with various bands throughout his life including one called The Travelers that opened for the well-known group, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Johns has even performed on the famous Grand Ole Opry Stage.

The second live presentation in conjunction with the Crossroads program is “RUMRUNNERS AND MOONSHINERS OF OLD FLORIDA,” which will be presented at the Live Oak Library location on Jan. 24, at 5:30 p.m. They won’t be giving out samples but in this program you will travel back to one of the most colorful and captivating periods of Florida history, a time when the rebellious spirit of Old Florida challenged the federal government; when Prohibition ended legal production of spirits and ordinary citizens turned to a life of crime. Florida author Robert Buccellato, shines light on a forgotten time of bootlegged liquors, corrupt rural sheriffs, crafty moonshiners, and panhandle traditions that back centuries. Buccellato is the author of Florida Governors: Lasting Legacies, Jimmy Carter in Plains: The Presidential Hometown, and Finding Dan McCarty. He is also the Historian for the Clerk of Courts for Leon County.

Hey meat lovers! (And that includes most of us!) Here is your chance to get an excellent deal on a quality cut of meat and at the same time help out our fine young athletes at Hamilton High School. The Hamilton County High School Baseball program is hosting a Boston Butts fundraiser Friday, Jan. 25. The Boston Butts are nine to 10 pounds and will be cooked and ready to serve when picked up at the Hamilton County Arena starting at noon. Cost is $25 and orders need to be placed before Jan. 25. To place your order, email Greg Godwin at hamiltonclerk@flcjn.net. All proceeds will benefit the Hamilton County High School Baseball program.

The Stephen Foster Citizen Support Organization (CSO) is meeting on Monday, Jan. 21, 6:30 p.m. at the former Nature and Heritage Tourism Center at the corner of SR 136 and U.S. 41 in White Springs. A note from their president Jerry Lawrence Bullard said, “Happy New Year. Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and looks forward to a successful new year. Festival of Lights was another great event at Stephen Foster State Folk Culture Center. This event is a wonderful celebration for our community. Thanks for all of the hard work and dedication by park staff and the volunteers that made this a wonderful event. We look forward to upcoming events and projects for 2019 which include the Florida Folk Festival, Carillion Tower restoration project, and all other events that the CSO supports throughout the year. 2019 is going to be another great year our outstanding facilities and we look forward to the opportunities that we have as an organization to partner with park staff. Thank you for your continued support. Respectfully, JL Bullard”

Stephen Foster Park Manager Manny Perez had this to say to the CSO. “The holidays are a time of reflection and I am so thankful for the dedicated staff I have the honor to manage. The following outstanding employees were recipients of the following statewide awards; Jeff Niehaus received the DEP STAR Award. Courtney Livengood received the Distinguished Service Award. Pete Shanks, Gary Erixton, Kevin Pittman, Brandy Nethery, and Andrea Thomas received the Life Saver Award.”

Thanks to Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center for being such a great White Springs neighbor!

As always, I want to remind you that if you have news you want to share, you should 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, and I hope you have a safe and happy New Year!

Walter McKenzie

386-303-1394

lifeinwhitesprings@gmail.com