2014 currents march/april

VOLUME 8 ISSUE 3 COMPLIMENTARY MARCH-APRIL, 2014

Suwannee

Jam

Genius How James Cornett built a music festival empire

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Currents | March/April 2014 | 3

TODD WILSON

Publisher’s Letter

PUBLISHER Todd Wilson

Get outside and enjoy the music

EDITOR Robert Bridges

T

he arrival of spring in North Florida means more than warm weather and the hint of humidity.

Think azaleas, fishing and live music.

It’s time for all of these activities to crank up and music is at the forefront.

It’s festival season.

From Suwannee Springfest, the nationally known Wanee Music Festival, and the local favorite, the Suwannee River Jam, outdoor music festivals with thousands flocking to the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park are upon us. It’s time to crank up the music, hang out at the campground in the woods and enjoy good friends, great music and perfect weather.

North Florida’s growing music scene continues to gain prominence. You can read James Cornett’s story. He’s the entrepreneur in Live Oak who combined laid back camping with gigantic music festivals and is the man behind the machine at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. We’re honored to have him as our cover story this issue.

If a quiet spring is what relaxes you, a stroll through White Springs’ historic

district might be just the thing. Inside is a preview of this year’s Azalea Festival.

Rob Chapman’s Outdoors360 provides an inspirational story of Live Oak fisherman Ron Ryals.

Currents is the magazine of Life in Natural Florida for the past eight years.

Thanks to all of our loyal advertisers and readers who continue to grow as we expand your local magazine, now in its eighth year of publishing from Lake City.

Let us know what you think. Until next time, get outdoors and enjoy yourself!

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Theresa Westberry SALES Eileen Bennett Donna Bowen Brian Duncan WRITERS Todd Wilson Amanda Williamson Steven Richmond Rob Chapman DESIGN Dave Kimler ON THE COVER James Cornett is president and CEO of the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak and mastermind behind the Suwannee River Jam and bringing other live music festivals to the North Florida area. Cornett was photographed on the Jam Field on Feb. 25, 2014.

–Photo by Todd Wilson

VOLUME 8 ISSUE 3 COMPLIMENTARY MARCH-APRIL, 2014

contents 5 Suwannee River Jam

26 Ron Ryals

10 James Cornett

34 FGC Entertainment

14 Wanee Festival

36 Columbia County Birds

24 Wild Azalea Festival

38 Icebox Water

Suwannee

Jam

Genius How James Cornett built a music festival empire

CURRENTS magazine is a publication of the Lake City Reporter.

180 E Duval St., Lake City, FL 32055.

To inquire about advertising, call (386) 752-1293 or e-mail Currents@lakecityreporter.com. © Copyright 2014.

4 | Currents | March/April 2014

Country music takes center stage

By AMANDA WILLIAMSON

F

or country music fans, the ultimate jam rolls into the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park on April 30, and no hoe-down would be complete without a line-up of great artists.

Brantley Gilbert, The Charlie Daniels Band, Colt Ford, Justin Moore, Montgomery Gentry and Chris Cagle will be headlining the four-day Suwannee River Jam. The festival ends midnight Saturday with a party — LoCash Cowboys style.

Considered the largest countr y music festival in the South, the Jam usually attracts around 25,000 to the banks of the Suwannee. Teena Peavey, marketing director for the park, expects the crowds to be bigger this year than last. With the excellent artists, the show could draw more than 30,000 people to the park over the four days.

“It’s a great event for friends making memories,” Peavey said. “We’ve sold tickets in New York and we’ve sold tickets in Texas for this year’s event.”

In the Jam’s 24th year, the event features the Miss Suwannee River Jam contest, a golf cart parade and a variety of vendors.

Weekend tickets can be purchased for $90, granting entrance Wednesday through Saturday. Military tickets cost $70 and student tickets are $75.

Single-day tickets can be purchased for $45 on Thursday, $50 on Friday and Saturday. Primitive camping for the duration of the festival can be added to a ticket by visiting the website or calling 386-364-1683 for prices.

Student and military tickets include primitive camping, with space available at the site for vehicles.

General admission prices mean guests can enjoy four days worth of great music for less than $20 a day, Peavey said. It’s a lot of campers having a great time, a lot of golf cart

riding and a lot of swimming in the Suwannee River, she added.

An application available for Android and the iPhone lets guests know who is playing at all times.

According to Peavey, JJ Lawhorn, The Lacs, Montgomery Gentry and regional bands play on Thursday.

Friday will feature David Nail, The Charlie Daniels Band and Justin Moore. On Saturday, guests can see Chris Cagle, The Mavericks, Colt Ford, Brantley Gilbert and the LoCash Cowboys.

Scattered throughout the Music Park, guests will also be able to watch the Miss Suwannee River Jam contest and the Ultimate Cowboy Challenge.

Contestants for both have been selected from surrounding areas.

Lake City and Live Oak will offer accommodations for guests not looking to camp.

Tickets and more information can be found online at www.suwanneeriverjam.com.

Currents | March/April 2014 | 5

Suwannee River Jam

CHARLIE DANIELS BRANTLEY GILBERT

The Georgia-born Brantley Gilbert’s recent hit “Bottoms Up” continues to climb the charts.

“You Don’t Know Her Like I Do” hit #1 in 2012, his first single on The Valory Music Co. debuted in the Top 40 of country radio on its official impact date.

Two of his early releases include “A Modern Day Prodigal Son” and Halfway to Heaven which peaked at #2 on iTunes Country Album Charts, and #1 on the Billboard Heatseekers Album Chart for all genres.

“The Best of Me,” a song from Gilbert’s first album, was recorded

by Jason Aldean and earned a spot on his iTunes release, “Wide Open.”

In 2010, Brantley’s “My Kinda Party,” became a #1 smash for Aldean, as well as the title track to Aldean’s platinumselling album.

The superstar’s latest single, “Dirt Road Anthem,” was also written by Gilbert.

6 | Currents | March/April 2014

Fiddle-playing country music icon, Grand Ole Opry member, Emmy winner, songwriter and staunch supporter of American freedom Charlie Daniels has performed for more than 50 years.

In 1958, Daniels began his professional music career performing with The Rockets, and 50 years later (Jan. 2008) was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.

His style is an exhilarating mixture of rock, country, bluegrass, blues and gospel. Formed in 1972, a new CDB release pays tribute to its musical heritage with Southern Rock favorites “Freebird,” “Long Haired Country Boy” and “Can’t You See.” Daniels is a vocal advocate of preser ving American freedoms, authored “Ain’t No Rag: Freedom, Family and the Flag,” is an awarding winning songwriter for country, Christian and children’s music.

COLT FORD

Cathead biscuits, hunting dogs in the back of dusty pickup trucks, life in mobile homes, hunting and fishing, mud-bogging, beautiful Southern women, bull-riding anthems, firing up the outdoor grill, beer drinking, good times…..you name it, and it’s in the language of Southern rednecks.

That’s the language Colt Ford speaks to his thousands of fans when he writes country rap songs that speak to rednecks everywhere!

This Athens, Georgia husband and father of two who believes in God, country, the South and freedom of expression began his rise to fame early in his music career at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. He’s now a world-wide celebrity, plays all over, has been nominated for many awards and makes albums left and right. His latest video is “Back” with Jake Owen. He just released “Ride Through the Country Revisited” to go with his “Driving Around” video and more.

Suwannee River Jam

CHRIS CAGLE

After trying college awhile, Chris Cagle set off for Nashville to write and play music. After several years of scraping up enough cash to record four original songs for a demo tape, Cagle’s first #1 smash, “I Breathe In, I Breathe Out,” remains a fan favorite. After two gold albums, two # 1 albums and 12 charted songs, Cagle felt burned out and retreated to Oklahoma for a while, built his own home, married and has a daughter now. Cagle’s 2012, “Back In The Saddle” is his homecoming – a rekindling of his creative flame and a roaring reminder of his rockinfused country roots. Cagle still has a fire, but his passion is driven not only by music, but family, horses and a place he calls home.

JUSTIN MOORE

“It’s a dirt road, a fishing pole, a cold beer sittin’ on a tailgate, an old church, a kind word, it’s where I was born and raised, Heaven ain’t that far away.” The lyrics from Justin Moore’s self-penned song, “If Heaven Wasn’t That Far Away,” typifies his philosophy on life. Moore embodies the soul and character of a kid from a small town where he was born. One set of grandparents farmed, and that’s where Moore learned about helping with chores and hard work. Justin Moore’s recent hit, “Point At You,” went #1, as did “If Heaven Wasn‘t So Far Away.” Other hits include “Bait A Hook,” and “Small Town USA.”

JJ LAWHORN

JJ Lawhorn is the epitome of a good ol’ southern boy. With hunting, fishing and working on his truck as just a few of his hobbies, this rural Virginian lives a life most country artists only sing about. “I grew up working with my hands— you know—doing good hard physical labor,” says Lawhorn. “I’m proud of my heritage. I’m proud of where I come from.” That sentiment rings true throughout his new single, “Stomping Grounds.”

The single, cowritten with Nashville writers Brian Maher and Jamie Pullen, is the follow-up to his hit video, “Sittin’ on a Tailgate,” which surpassed 350,000 views on YouTube. Lawhorn’s first single, “Sitting on a Tailgate,” was featured on Average Joes’ Mud Digger Vol. 2 album, alongside labelmates Colt Ford, JB and the Moonshine Band.

Lawhorn recently completed his first national tour, opening for Colt Ford. In 2011, he officially signed with Average Joes Entertainment.

THE MAVERICKS

The Mavericks is a countrysteeped garage band with a Cuban American lead singer emerged from Miami in 1989 with a sultry debut. The band reunited in 2012 after an 8- year hiatus. The post-modern country has given the world “All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down,” “Here Comes The Rain,” and “Dance The Night Away,” and has a new album release, In Time.

Currents | March/April 2014 | 7

Suwannee River Jam

MONTGOMERY GENTRY THE LACS

The LACS, the famous short abbreviation for Loud Ass Crackers, are from the sandy, dirt roads of Baxley, Georgia, a South Georgia town more famous for its sawmills and turpentine stills than for having a successful Southern rap group. The LACS’ third studio album, “Keep It Redneck,” hit shelves in August, not a day too soon for legions of loyal fans who can’t seem to get enough of “them LAC boys.” Key songs include the title track, “Keep It Redneck;” a play-it-loud and proud new song which proclaims the importance of staying true to your roots. If you’re looking for a polished, city boy CD, this is not your cup of tea!

JAM Tickets, Camping

www.musicliveshere.com www.suwanneeriverjam.com

8 | Currents | March/April 2014

Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry as Montgomery Gentry are poised to stake their claim as one of country music’s alltime greatest duos. These two Kentucky boys first busted onto the national scene in 1999 with the defiant “Hillbilly Shoes,” and notice was served country music had never seen a hard driving duo like this. Montgomery Gentry remains in touch with its working class roots in spite of millions of sold albums, scores of awards and accolades.

“We are blue collar workers, and we lived the songs that we sing,” says Troy.

The duo has 14 Top 10 singles, # 1 singles - “Something To Be Proud Of,” “If You Ever Stop Loving Me,” “Lucky Man,” “Back When I Knew It All” and “Roll With Me” and the list goes on and on.

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2/27/14 1:48 Currents | March/April 2014PM |9

James Cornett

Suwannee Jam Genius

How an entrepreneur transformed the music festival business

By TODD WILSON

J

ames Cornett remembers the first time he visited the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak 20 years ago. He turned off U.S. 129 and meandered his way up to the camp office and studied the then 500-acre expanse of undeveloped countryside.

“I remember thinking: ‘We’ve got a lot of work to do ahead of us,’” Cornett says. “I thought that, but I really had no idea. We just focused on working and kept building it up and we’re still working and building.”

Cornett’s parents had leased the campground from Suwannee County 10 | Currents | March/April 2014

in 1985, about 10 years before he moved to Florida to help out at the campground. The Cornett family eventually purchased the Music Park from the county and acquired additional property to expand the site to more than the 800 acres it is today.

Today, the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is the top tourist attraction in North Central Florida. More than 600,000 people come through the gates annually. The only events that generate larger tourism numbers in the region are University of Florida and Florida State University seasonal sporting events.

At the time of his first visit to the park in the mid 1990s, the park’s

loop campground was the only developed full-service camp site, the lake was present and the facility had a small sewer plant in place.

The Suwannee River Jam was started by an outside promoter who leased the park for the festival for a weekend each year before Cornett realized the untapped potential of music festivals and produced the event himself. That development helped spark the drive to create one of the top camping and entertainment attractions in the country.

“We’ve done an awful lot of work here and when we’ve had the extra money, we expanded the park and improved the park,” Cornett says.

“Now, the events drive a large por-

tion of what we’re doing here. We’ve had a lot of help through the years from dedicated employees and from volunteer friends who have helped us along the way. We’ve all piled up a lot of sweat equity.”

HOW IT BEGAN

James Cornett’s parents, Bob and Jean Cornett, worked in the real estate business and were entrepreneurs in Kentucky where once a year they leased the state-owned Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington for a bluegrass music show. The Kentucky park with camping and events is similar to the concept of the Live Oak venue, with the exception of centering around horses and formal equestrian events. Bob and Jean visited North Florida in the early 1980s for a family reunion, liked the country atmosphere and the people, and started looking around for an opportunity in an area where they had expertise. They leased the Music Park from Suwannee County in 1985, then purchased it a few years later.

Cornett’s parents brought the bluegrass with them, producing two music shows a year at the park — a Spring Bluegrass Festival and a Fall Bluegrass Festival. The Cornetts brought the top names in bluegrass music in the 1980s and ’90s to Live Oak, including Ricky Skaggs, Alison Krauss and Union Station, the Lonesome River Band. Like it does with most bluegrass festivals, the jam sessions that break out in the campgrounds were everywhere and the camping/friendship/musical festival combination took off in North Florida.

SWEET MUSIC

Cornett looks back now and says, ironically, the family reunion atmosphere is one of the largest appeals of the park today.

“The secret to people coming back year after year to camp is our family atmosphere in the campground,” he says. “It’s like a family reunion that keeps getting bigger each year.

They make friends, they come back and meet those friends every year, their kids play together, they enjoy some music, they make even more friends and it keeps growing. A lot of people meet and get married because of our events.”

James Cornett stands in front of Spirit Treehouse in the Park.

The music festivals give people who enjoy live music an added entertainment bonus.

“Our driving force is our guest experience,” Cornett says. “We’re

James Cornett’s advice on making it in the music business.

• Get all the experience you can.

Find someone you trust and take their good advice as a manager.

• Stage presence is very important.

You have to be energetic on stage.

You have to be good, but, like it or not, you also have to be attractive.

• Kick the door down. Get noticed.

• Be willing to play for gas money.

Everyone starts out at the same point. Be willing to work. Every music festival in America, includ- ing all of the ones we have at the park, has unknown bands trying for a chance to get discovered and make it. not just a concert. People, in general, would rather participate than be passive. They participate because we have created a music community here. They come out, enjoy the music, sit around the campfire, see

their friends, move around inside the park — it’s the total experience that people love. Our people are loyal to us. They have a good time, they tell their friends and they come back.”

“We’re a large camping facility that hosts numerous outdoor multiday music festivals. We’re open 365 days a year. There’s something to do here just about every day.”

THE MAP OF SUCCESS

The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park continues to gain national prominence as a music festival venue.

“Fifteen years ago, it was different,” Cornett says. “I would have to tell whoever I was talking to everything about our area, explain who we are and what we do, but now, people have heard of us. We’re dealing with the who’s who of the music business every day and they know about the park and our festivals. I could be in California, overseas, in Nashville, people have heard of us.

They recognize the name, Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. They know the Suwannee River Jam and they know Live Oak, Florida. They know we’re a quality venue.”

In 2009, Florida Trend magazine named the park the top outdoor music venue in Florida, a status it claimed above Walt Disney World Currents | March/April 2014 | 11

Resort. In a 2012 national survey, the Music Park was named to the Top-10 list of Best Outdoor Music Venues in America.

THE FESTIVAL GENIUS

James Cornett is a student of his own business model. While he pays attention to other festivals and often visits similar events in other regions, he watches his own brand closely.

With more than 600,000 guests coming through his gates annually, he must remain on top of his game.

The best feedback comes from the guests who invest their entertainment dollars into the events he hosts.

The million dollar question everyone wants Cornett to answer is how he picks his talent for the Jam, the top festival for the local country music audience.

At first, he smiles and methodically shrugs off the question: “Truth is, it’s blind luck,” he says, the same response he first gives everyone who asks.

Cornett has a knack for picking country music winners. Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Zac Brown Band, Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Florida Georgia Line, Luke Bryan and Brantley Gilbert all were sought out and signed to play the Jam early in their careers before they were stars. Early signings have paid off dozens of times as each of these stars either had break-out songs on the radio or No. 1 singles on the charts by the time they took the stage at the Jam. “Here’s an example. When Brantley Gilbert first played the Jam, nobody knew him,” Cornett says. “He played for gas money and he said if we would put his face on the Jam banner, he would take that banner with him and display it in every honky tonk he played. That’s the deal we had with him. He made it, he grew his career, and this year’s he’s getting paid as the Jam headliner on Saturday night.”

It’s more than blind luck. Cornett figured it out years ago and he sticks to his instincts. He listens to a lot of country music, but not the way a normal fan does. He’s listening for a connection to the people he knows are his customers.

“We listen to our guests. That’s a big key,” Cornett says. “We get 12 | Currents | March/April 2014

James Cornett’s advice on starting your dream business.

• Someone you trust will tell you you’re out of your mind. Listen to them. Do your research. If you know it’s right for you, go for it.

• There are lots of risks, but a lot of payoff, too. Be willing to work hard.

Think of going into business as going to Nashville to be a star. You have to follow your heart and follow your passion and be willing to make sacrifices. You may not be a superstar, but you can be a success and do what you love.

• I would encourage somebody I cared about to chase their dream and go for it in business.

• Be willing to do any job necessary in your operation. I worked on a garbage truck in the park at one time because if I didn’t, the trash would not have gotten picked up.

• When you make money, invest it back into improvements at your business.

feedback on Facebook and we get feedback from what our guests tell us personally about one act or another. We’re always asking them ‘what they think’ and they will tell you.”

Cornett has a circle of influence in the music business around the country, people of all ages and experiences, that he trusts. He leans on them for advice and input when he’s gauging the upward potential of a country music performer.

“I listen to people who know our business,” he says, “people who pay close attention, attend the shows, see other festivals.”

Country music artists now are more interested than ever in playing large music festivals, Cornett says.

“They used to make their money selling CDs, but that has dried up and there’s not as much money in the song downloads,” he says.

“Artists build their fanbase through these festivals, through these large crowds.”

FESTIVAL FRENZY

While the Suwannee River Jam is the park’s own signature showcase that plays to a local audience, other festivals have grown in national prominence after leasing the Music Park for their event.

The Wanee Music Festival is the prime example. Now celebrating it’s 10th year, The Allman Brothers Band’s signature music festival presented by LiveNation plays to the largest festival gathering each April.

More than 15,000 people each day at the three day festival go through the gates into the stage areas, known as the “Jam Field.”

By comparison, the Suwannee River Jam sees about 8,000-10,000 people each day of its three-day festival.

The park hosts other shows for different music preferences. There’s Suwannee Springfest, which has a progressive bluegrass theme; Aura, a psychedelic festival; Purple Hatter’s Ball; Magnolia Fest; a gospel music event and Bear Creek Music and Arts Festival. The park’s Music Hall plays host to local and regional bands in a dance-hall setting every weekend.

The park also hosts a few nonmusical festivals, such as a large Camping and RV Show in the spring, Old Tyme Farm Days and a Christmas Lights Tour.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Cornett says he will stick with the plan that delivered him this far and re-invest future profits into the park for improvements. If money wasn’t an issue and he could snap his fingers for any new feature, he said there are two things he would add.

“Some type of water park, nothing huge, but some type of water attraction,” he says, “and I would potentially expand the Music Hall or start over and build a new one.”

Cornett and his staff are always looking for new additions to the current festivals. In recent years, the Jam has been amplified by the Daisy Dukes-Miss Suwannee River Jam contest with contestants from throughout the region. The recent Ultimate Redneck Wedding held at the Jam also was a big hit last year.

“I’m always looking to add new activities,” he says. “We watch how each of these new ideas is received, we watch the numbers of people

involved. We build on it or we bag it.”

ALMOST A TOWN

The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park has hundreds of modern camping spots with water and electric hook-up, hundreds of acres of open space for primitive camping, cabin rentals, a fully stocked camp store, golf cart rentals, plenty of trails, pastures and woods to explore, a country style restaurant, a boat launch on the Suwannee River and a beach area for swimming, canoe rentals, a Frisbee golf course, running water and sewer service, campsite trash service pickup, and karaoke or live music somewhere in the park nearly every night.

If it had a post office, it could be its own town. Cornett already thought of that, too.

“About 10 years ago, we looked at incorporating, looked at the first stages of the paperwork, but didn’t go any further,” he says, adding that he stopped short of picking a name for his new town. “Not sure about a name. We really didn’t get that far ... but it would have had ‘Suwannee’ in it some way.”

HARD WORK PAYS OFF

James Cornett is a product of his upbringing and the work ethic his family taught him. Cornett, 53, grew up one of six sons in modest Georgetown, Ky. The population of Georgetown was 15,000 when he was growing up but that changed dramatically by the location of a Toyota plant there some 20 years ago. Today, it is much larger.

Cornett, like his parents Bob and Jean Cornett, worked in commercial real estate before moving to Florida to help his family at the Music Park.

He also gives a lot of credit for his success to the influence of his late uncle, Charles Carrithers, who eventually moved into the park and was a fixture in its daily operation before he passed away. As a unique tribute, Cornett is known to pass out $2 bills marked with special “Uncle Charles” stickers on the face.

As a kid, one of his first jobs was mowing grass and also picking up rocks from tracts of land his parents had purchased to convert into subdivisions. His first “real” job working for someone else was working at a Dairy Queen when he was 15. By the time he was 17, he was the assistant manager at a grocery store. In

college, he worked at a convenience store.

He is not musical — does not play any instruments or sing — although a large portion of his success is based on knowing trends in the music business.

“We were always exposed to music as a kid, but I’m left handed and they train you (on guitar) as a righty, so it was tough,” Cornett says. “My strengths are in deal making and sales.”

Cornett earned a bachelor’s degree in coal mining from Morehead State University in Kentucky.

“The degree is officially ‘energy studies’ but everybody called it coal mining back then,” he says. “I worked one summer for a mining company in a prep plant, but never went below ground and I’m thankful for it.”

After college and on the side of his real estate work, he began helping his parents do the marketing work for their bluegrass festival in Lexington.

“When I took on the marketing of that bluegrass festival, I just loved it,” Cornett says. “I really found my passion and I didn’t want to go back to real estate. I found what I wanted to do and I’m still doing it today.”

Currents | March/April 2014 | 13

Wanee Festival & Suwannee Springfest

By AMANDA WILLIAMSON

W

hether you’re looking for jam-band music or the Southern rock anthems of The Allman Brothers, the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park offers opportunities for the whole family.

Located just north of Live Oak, the venue is a one-of-a-kind music park and campground nestled on the shady banks of the Suwannee River. In addition to the weekly music events, guests can enjoy the bat house, the bird sanctuary, canoeing, bicycling, fishing or the Craft Village.

But it’s the park’s yearly concert series fans around the country look forward to each year.

The concert series starts in late March and runs until the middle of May. Here’s a sampling of what to expect.

Suwannee Springfest

A tribute to America’s musical spirit, the Suwannee Springfest brings some of the world’s

14 | Currents | March/April 2014

finest folk, bluegrass, Cajun, blues and roots rock musicians to the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park.

The 17th annual festival begins Thursday, March 20, and lasts until Sunday, March 23, at the music park near Live Oak. The featured bands are the Avett Brothers, the Punch Brothers, the Sam Busch Band and the Del McCoury Band.

Weekend tickets sell for $170 if purchased before arrival, and the price jumps to $190 if purchased at the gate. Tickets include music and camping Thursday through Sunday night. Saturday and Sunday passes sell for $125. They include two days of music and camping.

Single-day tickets vary by day. Thursday costs $50, while Friday and Saturday are $75.

Many festival-goers have been attending the Springfest for so long they now bring their own kids to the show. Last year, the friendly, familybased gathering drew around 15,000 visitors, said Teena Peavey, the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park marketing director. Springfest has grown

from an initial attendance of approximately 1,000 to hosting thousands of loyal attendees each year.

“If they’d like to enjoy great Americana music at a great venue, this is the place to be,” Peavey said.

While nearby Lake City and Live Oak provide accommodations for non-campers, there is no bus transportation into the music park.

Wanee Festival

Wanee Festival 2014

Between its laid-back charm and fantastic atmosphere, the Wanee Music Festival combines Southern rock with classic jazz, blues and country.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Wanee begins on Thursday, April 10, and runs until Saturday, April 12, at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak. The featured bands are The Allman Brothers Band— who founded Wanee and headline every year — Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Trey Anastasio Band.

“It reminds you of a mini-Woodstock,” Peavey said. “We sell tickets all over the country, in all 50 states.”

Continued on 16

Currents | March/April 2014 | 15

Wanee Festival

Tickets currently sell for $205 for general admission, which includes a three-day entrance pass and primitive camping. Upgraded camping is available, but VIP tickets are sold out.

The 8th annual Wanee Fest drew 40,000 visitors, which at the time was the biggest turnout ever experienced by the event. But this year, Peavey predicts between 45,000 to 50,000.

More than 30 bands perform over the festival’s three-day event, including The Heavy Pets, Rusted Continued on 20

16 | Currents | March/April 2014

Currents | March/April 2014 | 17

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Support for the Oncology Patient Mederi cAretenderS ofOF gAineSville MEDERI CARETENDERS LAKE CITY

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ancer is a natural concern for all age groups; however, it is a particular threat to the independence of Seniors. A recent study from the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center projects a 67 percent increase in cancer diagnoses for adults age 65 and older by the year 2030. While positive gains have been made in research and treatments, Seniors can also see improved quality of life through home health care tailored to the specific needs of cancer patients.

“In this area, oncology home health care is very well received,” said Susan Swirbul, a patient care representative with Mederi Caretenders of Gainesville.

“We have built a very comprehensive program by addressing a variety of needs that oncology patients typically have from a home health care perspective.”

Twice a year, Caretenders provides its nursing team with ONS chemotherapy and biotherapy certification. Cancer treatments often bring their own physical and psychological side effects, so this training allows team members to better understand the particular needs of oncology patients. The nurses can provide infusion and chemo services, post-surgical wound care, and help with side effects of treatment and pain management issues.

Other Caretenders personnel also have a special understanding of the oncology patient to provide optimal care.

Physical therapists can be utilized to help the client with fatigue issues that so often accompany cancer treatment.

Occupational therapists who specialize in lymphedema treatment can help those with swelling due to surgery that has affected the lymph nodes.

Caretenders also has speech therapists certified in Dysphagia Therapy with FDA approved VitalStim to help radiation and chemo patients who have difficulty with swallowing.

Assistance from Caretenders isn’t limited to the physical aspect of treatment. Mental health nursing services help patients and caregivers with coping abilities and mental outlook. Medical social workers can direct clients to support groups, information and financial aid resources for prescriptions and other costs.

Caregiver education helps relatives and loved ones who care for the patient on a regular basis, and assistance with advanced directives is available.

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Home health care provides a crucial counterpart to standard oncology treatment in the care of cancer patients.

“Physicians get very busy and when they have their patient in the office they have that snapshot of time,” said Swirbul.

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Currents | March/April 2014 | 19

Wanee Festival “From helping our neighbor, to the most complex industrial projects” – John W. O’Neal

Root, Soulive, Royal Southern Brotherhood, Melvin Seals & JGB and Futurebirds.

Peavey said she sees a lot of visitors return year after year, drawn back to the music, the atmosphere and the fun.

“You’ll see a lot of hammocks,” she said. “A lot of tie-dye and a lot of people enjoying the music.”

Colored hammocks zigzag the tree-filled park every year, providing resting spots for people to step away from the sun and the crowds. They become a staple of the event every year.

“We’re excited to bring Suwannee Springfest and Wanee back to the park for our fans,” she said.

Nearby Live Oak and Lake City provide accommodations for those who don’t want to camp. Transportation exists between the Music Park and Columbia County starting on the festival’s opening day. The bus will run every hour, with the final shuttle leaving Wanee at 2 a.m.

To purchase a ticket, visit www. waneefestival.com or call 1-800-5948499.

20 | Currents | March/April 2014

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The White Springs Wild Azalea Festival better than ever From staff reports

T

he Historic Town of White Springs will host its 14th Annual Wild Azalea Festival on March 14 and 15 and it is bigger and better than ever. The theme is “Come Eat, Dance, Walk among Artists & Run by the River.” It will again include the Friday evening Street Dance with live music. In addition, there a 5K Run Saturday morning.

The Wild Azalea Festival will take place in the heart of White Springs between the State of Florida’s Nature & Heritage Tourism Center and the Adams Store and will feature handmade Arts & Crafts, Florida Highwayman R.L. Lewis, Craft Demonstrators, Live Music, Delicious Food, Children’s Area and the world famous Duck Race in the Suwannee.

The festivities start Friday afternoon at 4 pm with a Guided Suwannee River Hike (call (386) 362-8189 for more information), followed by food tasting party called

24 | Currents | March/April 2014

“Sweets & Eats” from 5-7 pm at the Community Center and then an Adams Store Street Dance from 7-10 pm. The hike and the Street Dance, with live music, will be free and a $5.00 donation is being requested for the “Sweets and Eats.”

“The food tasting party gives the community a chance to get together and sample the treats made by their friends and neighbors and for businesses to introduce themselves to the community,” said Betty Barnes, Special Events member. The Adams Store Street Dance will feature music by DV3 and mc’d by a local DJ. Saturday morning will begin with the 5K Run by the River at 8 am and a Firemen’s Breakfast, from 7-10 a.m., presented by the White Springs Volunteer Fire Department.

The festival will feature handmade arts and crafts of all kind. The Arts and Crafts booths are set up on Bridge Street to show the handcrafted wares of other participants.

The Adams Store will be open to view the antiques owner Raymond

Cheshire has collected and has placed on display in his store. Also, craft demonstrations will be taking place in the Adams Store compound.

This will include a blacksmith, wood turner, potter and multimedia craftsman. R.L. Lewis, an original Florida Highwayman artist, will be demonstrating and displaying his works in the Tourist Center.

Live music will be on stage from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. next to the Tourist Center featuring local musicians.

A special children’s area will be at the entrance to Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park.

The festival will end with the world famous Duck Race in the Suwannee, where all those who bought a yellow rubber duck will watch to see if their duck traverses the Suwannee and is first to cross under the White Spring bridge and win a kayak.

All in all, a great day and a half of happenings in the Historic Town of White Springs. Come eat, dance, walk or run by the river. Wild Azaleas are on sale. The festival is free.

Pedal n’ Paddle The Suwannee Bicycle Association was started more than 25 years ago

by Lys Burden and some other local cycling and outdoor enthusiasts.

Even though most SBA members, volunteers and participants are from throughout the Southeastern United States, SBA’s roots are deeply entrenched in White Springs and the entire Suwannee Valley region.

SBA has built and maintains over 50 miles of mountain bike trails and mapped hundreds of miles of road routes for cyclists to enjoy.

Besides the beauty and tranquility of White Springs and the surrounding communities, our bicycling visitors report they love the hospitality and courtesy of the locals.

(Thank you for sharing the road with cyclists!)

SBA encourages more locals to become involved in SBA. A good time to get to know SBA is during our open house weekends. Stop by their headquarters on Bridge Street during the Wild Azalea Festival, March 16 or during an April 19 open house.

Note: The next big SBA event is the Suwannee Pedal ‘n’ Paddle, May 1 - 4.

For more information about SBA go to www.suwanneebike.org.

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A Good Fish Story Ryals inspires anglers everywhere

BY ROB CHAPMAN Outdoors360.com

E

verybody has been there. It’s dark thirty A.M. and your alarm goes off. If it were a workday, you’d like to roll over and put off starting the day. But, if it’s the morning of a big fishing, or hunting trip, you jump out of bed like a 5 year old at Christmas.

Not Ron Ryals.

At some point every outdoorsman 26 | Currents | March/April 2014

catches the bug. Typically, it’s at a young age. I remember vividly walking around puddles, trying to catch the ever-elusive puddle fish.

Not Ron Ryals.

Today’s generation is soft. They’re not allowed to taste failure. Teachers can’t grade in red ink. They all receive participation trophies. Everyone makes excuses.

Not Ron Ryals.

Ron wasn’t able to jump out of bed,

couldn’t walk in pursuit of puddle fish, and he never makes excuses.

Ron is one of the most accomplished bass fishermen in all of North Florida. He can cast a rod with such accuracy that he makes Greg Maddux look like the Wild Thing.

His feel for bass is as finely tuned as a 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500.

He’s always optimistic, always grinding, and he’s got more heart than a bag of valentine candies.

That’s Ron Ryals.

In 1983, when Ron was just 5 years old, he went into surgery for a heart condition. Complications from that surgery left him paralyzed from the waist down.

What did Ron do? He did what any other outdoors lover does. He started fishing and hunting around Live Oak, Fla., with his dad – while in a wheelchair. Scuba diving after lobster - leaving the wheelchair dock side. Chasing after his dreams - with a smile wider than Lake Okeechobee.

When asked if he was ever held back growing up, Ron says, “Not that I can think of, I did most anything I wanted to do. When I was young, spending the time with my dad hunting and fishing, I think it helped me, because I didn’t let the injury get in the way of anything I wanted to do. I am lucky that it hap-

pened when I was young, and never knew any different.”

“Lucky”?

Talk about making lemonade out of lemons. If Ron’s optimism could be made into a lemonade stand, it’d be twice the size of a super Walmart, with a line of cars longer than Elvis’s funeral procession.

During the early ’90s, Ron and his dad began competing in different bass tournaments with great success. Eventually, he became completely independent, started fishing solo, and 17 years ago began guiding.

Ron drives his specially designed truck, backs up the trailer, unloads the boat, parks the truck, and is at full throttle faster than Kobiyashi eats hot dogs. He doesn’t want help.

He doesn’t need help. He wants to be the one helping.

A fellow guide recalls a story about going to help a mutual friend put up a storage barn. They were standing around telling stories, like fishermen do, Ron showed up ready to work, and before they blinked, Ron had climbed to the top like he was Tarzan and started working.

He’s always been a fast riser.

Ron rose so fast, that after just a few years, he won the PVA (Paralyzed Veterans of America) Bass Tour’s 2010 Angler of Year. In addition to

the PVA Tour, Ron has fished the Bassmaster Opens in 2009, 2010, and 2013. What does Ron Ryals do after winning that award, and fishing in the Bassmaster Opens three times in five years? He goes out, and wins it again, taking home the prize of the PVA Bass Tour’s 2013 Angler of the Year.

When Ron’s not fishing, he’s at home with his wife of 10 years, Vickie, and their 2 dogs, Buster, and Lil Bit. He’s just an ordinary guy living in North Central Florida, with an extraordinary view on life.

Optimistic. Grateful. Hardworking.

Loving. Successful. “Lucky.”

That’s Ron Ryals.

Currents | March/April 2014 | 27

Photos provided by Rob Chapman, Outdoors360.com. Email your outdoor sports related photos to: rob@outdoors360.com

CurrentS Catches

Mike McRae poses at the dock with a group of Spanish Mackerel he caught recently in the Gulf.

Pat Womble, Robert Mann and Brad Womble display a mess of sheepshead caught this spring in the Gulf.

Greenlee Ray (left) and Bryson Ray display a largemouth bass caught in a pond near Lake City.

28 | Currents | March/April 2014

Barney McRae displays a nice largemouth bass caught in a North Florida lake.

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Joel is a small business owner and founding shareholder of the local law firm Foreman, McInnis & Associates, PA. Joel has represented countless individuals, businesses and local government agencies in litigation, negotiation and transactions.

Joel is also committed to volunteer service. He has served the Florida Bar on the Third Judicial Circuit's Unlicensed Practice of Law Committee (Chair, 2012-2013), on the Third Judicial Circuit's Judicial Nominating Commission (Chair, 2013-2014), and is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, serving a term on its Board of Directors before serving as President in 2013. Joel served as Chair of The Ichetucknee Partnership for two years (2011-2012), and continues to be involved in the expansion of the Partnership's efforts to protect our natural resources.

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We recognize taking the time to get to know a patient is a huge aspect of what makes the healing process a positive one. The other aspect is treating a wide range of medical needs with the most advanced surgical treatments available. That means everything from cancer detection and treatment to hernias and gastrointestinal problems.

Here are just a few if the most common medical conditions and surgical treatments Dr. Soler offers his patients: n Cancer Detection and Treatment

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32 | Currents | March/April 2014

Come Eat, Dance, Have Fun & Run by the River!

Friday March 14th

Take a guided hike along the Suwannee River 4-6 pm “Sweets & Eats” Tasting Party Womens Club 5-7 pm Live Music and Street Dance at the Adams Store 7 pm

Saturday March 15th

5K Wild Azalea Run by the River 8 am Fireman’s Breakfast 8-10 am Downtown Activities 10 am to 4 pm • Handmade Arts & Crafts featuring on-site demonstrations • Original Florida Highwayman Artist Mr. R. L. Lewis • Live Music,Wild Azaleas, Silent Auction & Childrens’ Area • Little Miss Azalea Contest and much more!

Purchase a Duck.... watch the race and win a kayak Follow the Suwannee around the bend from the vantage point of the bridge and cheer on your duck to victory.

For questions or to register for the hike, e-mail us at specialeventsws@gmail.com.

To register for the run go to www.active.com or call us at 386-397-2310.

Find information online at www.whiteprings.org. or www.stephenfostercso.org.

Brought to you by the Town of White Springs Special Events Committee, Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park.

Funded in part by a grant from the Hamilton County Tourism Development Council Currents | March/April 2014 | 33

F LO R I D A G AT E WAY C O L L E G E

Entertainment Series Will continue quality next season

By AMANDA WILLIAMSON

T

he energy and excitement brought about by the Florida Gateway College concer t series continues to build.

With three successful seasons under their belt, series organizers continue to improve the musical enter tainment selections of fered in Lake City and the Nor th Florida region.

With past acts including countr y superstars including Easton Corbin, Aaron Tippin, Sammy Kershaw and Jerrod Niemann the acts continue to characterize the down-home, fresh atmosphere highlighted by the revitalized per forming ar ts series.

Replacing the college’s L yceum Series, the new FGC Enter tainment continued the college’s mission of providing quality enter tainment to its students and the community. Toward the end of L yceum’s 20 years, the attendance rate dropped. The music played on, but crowds shrank to meager 100 people per concer t, in some cases. FGC decided to rebrand and expand.

School of ficials queried the community. They sought out a new target audience, the college’s students and prospective students and their families.

According to FGC public information of ficer, Troy Rober ts, the students wanted a more modern enter tainment experience. In search of fresh fare, the entertainment series updated itself and expanded the series of fer-

ing.

“Obviously countr y music has been our biggest hit,” Rober ts said. “One of the things we tr y to push for is a family friendly atmosphere. ... We thought if we market [FGC Enter tainment] correctly, find acts people want to see, then the people will come.”

Now, FGC frequently sees a full house for its shows. The recent Roots and Boots has been labeled one of the college’s best shows ever, Rober ts said. The bigger acts tend to draw people from all over Florida and sometimes even outside the state.

“These people are driving to Lake City to see what we have to of fer,” Rober ts said. “Obviously, they are coming for the show, but they help the community.

There’s a good chance they will stop at a restaurant to eat, stay at a local hotel or shop at a Lake City business.”

Though the 2014-15 season has yet to be announced, the college always hopes to do bigger and better than the year before.

Rober ts said he hopes he knows what the community wants to see and what the sponsors like to be a par t of.

“We hope people will like what they see, and we’re going to continue to raise the bar,” he said.

“We’ve got a lot of sponsors on this series. It just wouldn’t happen without them, and we appreciate their suppor t in making this series possible.”

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34 | Currents | March/April 2014

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coping skills for such behaviors.

They can also discuss medications that might help the client be less agitated and more comfortable with life. “Many people are reluctant to take medication, but I have seen some wonderful results, especially with elderly people,” Weisberg explained.

“It changes their quality of life.”

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“Self-esteem is affected when a person is depressed,” said Martha Waltman, a Caretenders occupational therapist.

“Helping the person return to doing things that we take for granted helps build self esteem and alleviate feelings of depression.” Occupational therapists also teach anxiety and stress management, along with other coping skills, to alleviate anxiety associated with depression.

Depression affects not only clients, but caregivers as well. “With dementia, depression can show up as irritability and agitation,” said Weisberg. “There can be combative behaviors, wandering and even violent tendencies. That can be very difficult for caregivers to deal with.”

Caretenders can teach caregivers coping skills for such behaviors.

They can also discuss medications that might help the client be less agitated and more comfortable with life. “Many people are reluctant to take medication, but I have seen some wonderful results, especially with elderly people,” Weisberg explained.

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Dawn Chorus: Columbia County birds of Spring

By STEVEN RICHMOND

D

ays are growing longer, the sun brighter and the trees greener, but one of Columbia County’s most reliable signs of the season is the vibrant singing of familiar feathered friends as spring approaches.

A great number of bird species return to the Suwannee Valley region during cyclical migratory periods, returning to their spring homes as northern latitudes thaw out from the frosty nip of winter.

“The birdsong starts being a lot more noticeable,” said Valerie Thomas, President of Lake City’s Four Rivers Audubon Society. “When you wake up in the morning, you’ll hear them singing, communicating with each other a lot more because it’s their mating season.”

Like bees buzzing around freshly

blooming flowers, springtime is game time for aviary amore.

“There’s a lot of reasons for them to call and sign,” Thomas said. “But in springtime they’re trying to attract mates. Stop and listen in the morning to what they call the ‘dawn chorus’— you’ll hear an incredible amount of birdsongs.”

According to Thomas, data gathered from bird watching is actually vital information for ecologists.

“Birds are an indicator about how healthy our environment is,” she said.

“They’re tracking stuff right now that tells them about global climate change.”

If you’d like to learn more about bird watcher and learn from seasoned experts, Four Rivers hosts a monthly birdwalk every first Saturday of the month at 8:00 a.m. in Alligator Lake Park.

“They’re most active first thing in the morning,” Thomas said. “That’s why if you want to see the most, you go early...[Our birdwalks] usually go until 11:00 or 12:00, but you’re welcome to leave whenever it’s comfortable for you.”

Four Rivers will also be having its Fifth annual Alligator Lake Spring Festival on Saturday, April 12.

“We have birdwalks, nature-related vendors, walking workshops...” she said. “You can sign up to take beginning birdwalk classes, butterfly walks and learn more about the history of the area... The fun is that you’ll see five or six species you’ve never seen before just by going out and looking.”

For more information, contact Valerie Thomas at 386-754-2193 or visit http://www.fourriversaudubon. org/.

Here are 10 birds to keep an eye out for in our area:

36 | Currents | March/April 2014

Name

Information

Northern Parula (setophaga americana)

Swallow-tailed Kite (elanoides forficatus)

Great Crested Flycatcher (myiarchus crinitus)

Eastern Kingbird

(tyrannus tyrannus)

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (archilochus colubris)

Summer Tanager (piranga rubra)

Rose-breasted Grosbeak (pheuticus ludovicianus)

American Redstart (setophaga ruticilla)

Chimney Swift (chaetura pelagica)

Common Nighthawk (chordeiles minor)

This New World warbler spends most of the winter on the Gulf coast of Mexico and the Caribbean’s Great Antilles, but will travel through Columbia County as far as the Great Lakes and southern portions of Canada to breed.

Courtesy Flickr/Dan Pancamo

This kite calls portions of Peru and Argentina home most of the year, but makes appearances in the Southeastern United States beginning in spring.

Although not considered endangered, its numbers in the United States have been declining. However, the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge in Dixie and Levy counties has been working to regenerate the Kite’s American population. Courtesy Forestry Images

The Flycatcher returns from Mexico and South America in the springtime, setting down roots in the Midwest, South and parts of the Caribbean. “He’s also a noisy bird,” Thomas said. “One that’s good to look for because he’s easier to see.” Courtesy Flickr/Wildreturn

When it’s done wintering in Central America and areas surrounding northwest Brazil, the Kingbird occupies nearly all regions of the U.S. excluding the arid southwest and California, traveling as far north as Hudson bay. “He’s a handsome one,” Thomas said. The Kingbird is known for its territorial nature, fearlessly fighting off larger birds and other predators.

Courtesy Wikimedia/Jonathan Hornung Once spring approaches, this hummingbird will leave its Central American and South Florida homes, migrate roughly along the Midwest’s tornado alley and breed in the eastern half of the United States. Some groups will actually fly nonstop 500 miles across the Gulf of Mexico. “If you want to attract hummingbirds, have a lot of red flowers or put out a nectar feeder,” Thomas said.

Courtesy Flickr/hart_curt

The males of this songbird have a bright red color reminiscent of cardinals while females have more of a yellowish green. “When you see one, it’s a sure sign of spring and summer coming,” Thomas said.

Courtesy Flickr/rob stoeltje

This cardinal family songbird doesn’t stay very long in Columbia County, but rather passes through during migrations. Its breeding ground reaches west from Alberta, east to Newfoundland and south to the Smoky Mountains and Nebraska. Courtesy Flickr/Jayhawk6

Related to the Northern Parula, the American Redstart spends much of the summer between the equator and Tropic of Cancer. However, it only passes through Columbia County during the spring. “The nickname of the male bird is the Halloween bird because he’s got black and orange plumage,” Thomas said.

Courtesy Flickr/Dan Pancamo

Ornithologist Roger Tory Peterson described the chimney swift’s flight profile to “a cigar with wings.” The bird derives its namesake from its tendency to nest in chimneys, airshafts and other dark, hollow places.Courtesy Flickr/jim_mcculloch]

As the name suggests, the Common Nighthawk is a nocturnal predator with owl-like plumage and camouflage. It passes through Central Florida on its way to northern regions with milder summers.

Courtesy Flickr/don r faulkner Currents | March/April 2014 | 37

PRODUCT REVIEW

Icebox Water: Good idea, but package needs help

I

cebox Water asks its patrons to choose paper, not plastic.

Using this as its product catch phrase, the Norwegian Spring Water backs up its stance by packaging its prod-

uct in what Americans will recognize as a 500 ml milk carton.

The package is the same size as a 16.9 ounce plastic water bottle.

The carton is the hook. It’s made from 74 percent recycled pressed paper and the waxed carton has unlimited recycled lifetimes ahead. The carton is BPA free.

This new product is being introduced in the Southeast with the hopes of keeping plastic water bottles out of landfills.

Packaging water inside a pasteboard container is ingenious and easy to support.

The carton design is a tall milk carton that brings back memories of an elementary school cafeteria. The carton is equipped with a plastic, threaded resealable cap. Drinking from this is cumbersome, because the package seal at the top of the carton collides with your nose and lip if you try to drink from the carton. A better design would have been to leave off the plastic cap entirely and let the consumer open it like a school days milk carton and drink it from the spout.

The only other design flaw is the box is square and will not fit in a cup holder in any vehicle. Also, the suggested retail price is unclear.

The Norwegian spring water inside the Icebox Water is bottled at the Rustad Spring source in Norway, according to the package. The water tastes the same as any bottled water processed and packaged stateside. Icebox Water is imported and distributed by Water Resources Group, LLC, of Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. — Todd Wilson

38 | Currents | March/April 2014

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Gainesville | Ocala | Lake City | Alachua Currents | March/April 2014 | 39

40 | Currents | March/April 2014