Currents May 2014 by Community Newspapers

magazine VOLUME 8 ISSUE 4 COMPLIMENTARY | MAY-JUNE, 2014

Summer

cruisin’ Fun

Take a Step Towards Your Independence. Our therapy program is designed to rehabilitate individuals back to their highest level of independence and functioning. Our therapists and nurses work closely with the physician and resident in order to create a plan of treatment that will combine comprehensive care with the patient’s personal goals.

• Individualized Physical, Occupational & Speech therapy • Joint Replacement (Knee, Hip, etc...) • Stroke • Cardiac Disease • Fractures (Hip, Shoulder, Pelvic, etc...) • Arthritis • Neck/Back Pain • Balance Disturbances • Difficulties Walking • Generalized Weakness • Wound Care • Impaired Abilities to Perform Activities of Daily Living: • Bathing • Ambulating • Dressing, • Eating • Transferring

Call Today to Pre-Register or2 | to Currents |take May/June 2014 a tour of our facility.

Every baby is unique

At The Birth Center at Shands Lake Shore Regional Medical Center, we help to make every childbirth experience unique. Babies and their families are the focus of everything we do. The Birth Center features the region’s most sophisticated birthing suites, all in a welcoming, comfortable environment. Our obstetricians, labor and delivery specialists and nurses do everything possible to help make your stay with us safe and special.

We offer: · Newly renovated, $3.4 million facility

· Flat-screen TV, wireless Internet, comfortable sofa

· Full spectrum of maternity and delivery care

· Free childbirth classes

· Latest monitoring techniques and procedures

· Lactation services

· 14 private, luxury suites with private baths You can also benefit from our women’s health services and education program.

To find a physician, visit ShandsBaby.com. To schedule a free tour of The Birth Center, call us at 386-292-7800. Currents | May/June 2014 | 3

PUBLISHER Todd Wilson EDITOR Robert Bridges ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Theresa Westberry

OFF ROADING

contents 6 Finding a Summer Job

26 Homemade Ice Cream

16 Sweet Tea Recipes

31 Taste Buddies: Tomatoes

22 Heritage Park and Gardens

36 Remembering Hunter Bailey

Publisher’s Letter

TODD WILSON

It’s summer in North Florida

he warmth of a North Florida summer signals a smile of relaxation for all of us. Another school year ends, festivals slow down during the hot months, and there’s plenty of time for sought-out activities to share with family and friends. Summer here is wide open with limitless possibilities for good times. There’s plenty to do right here in our region in the Suwannee River Valley and stay-cations can be just as relaxing as long vacations in exotic locales. The rivers in our area are the perfect setting for a quick getaway that allows life to slow down to a natural pace. As we planned this year’s summer issue, one thing we noticed is that in Natural North Florida, the recreational 4 | Currents | May/June 2014

SALES Eileen Bennett Donna Bowen Brian Duncan WRITERS Tony Britt Sarah Loftus Steven Richmond DESIGN Emily Lawson

ON THE COVER

Grace Harry, a student at Columbia High School, is our cover model. Grace stands in a restored 1990 Jeep Wrangler YJ and was photographed at Lake Lona in western Columbia County. She is the daughter of Toni Cabe of Lake City. –Photo by Bill Potts Photography

magazine

convertible of choice is the Jeep. We love them and, after looking around closely, noticed specifically how many there are on the roads here. Our readers love them, too. People who drive Jeeps are attached to the brand. Jeep owners customize their vehicles in a million different ways and each reflects the personality of the driver. Nothing beats a Jeep with the top off on a dirt road summer drive. Jeeps are the best way to get to the river. Jeeps are cool. So enjoy the summer issue of Currents that offers a cover story about “Jeep people” in our area. There’s something in this summer issue for everyone, so we hope you enjoy this issue. Get outside and enjoy yourself.

VOLUME 8 ISSUE 4 COMPLIMENTARY | MAY-JUNE, 2014

Summer

cruisin’ Fun

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.

Currents | May/June 2014 | 5

JASON MATTHEW WALKER/Lake City Reporter

Several local businesses receive part-time help from college students who return to town for the summer.

HELP WANTED Influx of youth boost summer job rate By TONY BRITT

Graduation and summer vacation for colleges and high schools often mean an influx of people into the local labor force. While the labor force is usually composed of people looking for full time permanent employment, a smaller segment is looking for part-time temporary work. That smaller labor force is usually composed of college and high school students. “We typically see an upswing in leisure and tourism-related employment such as theme parks, movie theaters, recreational employment and jobs of that nature,” said Denise Wynne, Career Source Florida Business Services Lead. CareerSource Florida Crown is often asked what this population can do to prepare for their debut into the workforce. “We have resume writing and interview skills classes available at our Lake City and Trenton Career Centers, and have also done these 6 | Currents | May/June 2014

‘Senior year can be quite expensive and many of the students are giving their families extra income to help with whatever expenses the students might entail.’ — Linda Moses Columbia High teacher workshops on-site at the local high schools upon request,” Wynne said. “Mock interviews can help youth by breaking the ice and preparing them for what it will be like to sit for a true interview. Part of this workshop is also devoted to application etiquette. These workshops are available to all job seekers at no cost on a firstcome, first-served basis. Interested job seekers can call 386-755-9026 for more information.” Linda Moses, a Columbia High

School teacher and coordinator of the school’s Cooperative Business Education program along with Tony Robinson, said Columbia High School also offers a program where select students can work throughout the school year. Some students even earn credits toward their graduation. “These students are earning while they’re learning. They’re interested in working at establishments and making money,” she said. “They work part-time throughout the school year.” For the 2013-14 school year, there are 260 students in the program. Most of the participants are juniors and seniors who work part time. “They earn credit and they earn compensation,” Moses said. “They can’t volunteer and be in the program, they have to be earning money.” When weighing the options of volunteerism or part time employment, Moses said there are benefits to each option. “Most of the students are in need

IT’S IN OUR BONES… AND JOINTS.

ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS!

Dr. Jeffrey Glenn

Treating the full spectrum of orthopedic conditions, from sports injuries to fractures to arthroscopic surgery to total joint replacement, it’s good to know that quality care is available right here in Lake City.

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Currents | May/June 2014 | 7

4/23/14 2:31 PM

Protect your family from dangerous UV rays StatePoint

Ultraviolet (UV) rays are a danger to skin and eyes year-round, playing a contributing factor to skin damage, skin cancer and eye disorders like cataracts. With May being UV Awareness Month, it’s a great time to take steps to protect your family. “The more time you spend outdoors without protecting your eyes, the greater your risk for ocular damage,” says Dr. James Winnick, an optometrist with VSP Vision Care, the largest not-for-profit vision benefits company in the United States. Rather than avoid the problem entirely by seeking refuge inside, take steps to mitigate your risk in the sun.

Consider Risk Factors JASON MATTHEW WALKER/Lake City Reporter

University of Central Florida student Stephanie Silva, 18, Lake City, is on duty at the Columbia Aquatic Complex on May 6. Silva returned to lifeguard for a second summer because she ‘loves keeping people safe in the pool.’ of income to help their families and themselves for expenses related to school,” she said. “Senior year can be quite expensive and many of the students are giving their families extra income to help with whatever expenses the students might entail.” Moses said one of the continuing trends she’s noticed in the position is that as the school year ends there is often an increase in the number of students looking for summertime employment opportunities. “Usually I hear from five or six students every day seeking me to get job applications, job lists to find out who is hiring and to get job tips. I usually hear from students every day,” she said. The local food service industry appears to have the most employment opportunities for students searching for jobs. Moses said Winn Dixie, Krystal, Steak ‘n Shake, Chick-fil-A, Zaxby’s, 8 | Currents | May/June 2014

Taco Bell and Cracker Barrel are employers who have been faithful to the school’s program. “We have a lot of faithful employers who hire our students,” she said. Many high school students volunteer as part of scholarship requirements or volunteer to strengthen their college applications, “Most of my students aren’t interested in volunteering, they want cash — they want compensation,” Moses said. Although Moses noted the merits and importance of volunteering for the younger segment of the community, she also pointed out the career benefits that students gain with employment. “The students gain work ethic, responsibility, learn punctuality — traits that will be valuable the rest of their lives,” she said. “Some of the kids may continue working to help with expenses with college.”

While all people need to protect their eyes from UV radiation, some populations are more sensitive than others to the sun. For example, children don’t yet have the natural protection in their eyes that adults have, so they get most of their exposure before they are 18. Additionally, people living with diabetes have increased light sensitivity.

Protection for Entire Family

Photochromic lenses are a great way to ensure everyone in the family is getting automatic and constant protection from UV radiation — whether it’s playing in the backyard or walking from the car into the office. And an added benefit is that your eyes will be much more comfortable in all light conditions, helping reduce eye strain and squinting.

Reflected Light is a Concern

Sunlight is reflected off water, sidewalks, buildings -- almost everything -- and it goes in every direction. While sunglasses and photochromic lenses protect from UV light passing through the front of the lenses, a new trend in eye protection takes on the back side of lenses as well. Don’t wait for UV exposure to get the best of your eye health. Just as you use sunblock, you should have some protection for your eyes throughout the day.

Currents | May/June 2014 | 9

Photos by JASON MATTHEW WALKER

The best vehicle for

OFF ROADING From back roads to the shoreline, Jeep owners agree there’s nothing better. By STEVEN RICHMOND

From here to there with wind in your hair, a Jeep can take you anywhere. Since its days as a World War II reconnaissance vehicle, the Jeep has been ingrained the American psyche as the quintessential offroad utility vehicle. With a generous ground clear10 | Currents | May/June 2014

ance and power to drive through whatever nature throws at it, Jeeps can go anywhere tires and wheels will take you.

History of the Jeep The origin of the term “Jeep” remains unclear, but many automotive historians believe it came from a slurring of the term “GP,”

an old 1940s military designation used by Ford to describe a government vehicle (“G”) with an 80 inch wheelbase (“P”). Many believe “GP” stood for

ABOVE: Tony Richards stands next to his 2009 Jeep JK while working at his business. ‘I love my Jeep because it can go where no other car can go,’ said Richards, who has built Jeeps from the tires up.

t c e l E

FOREMAN Joel for

COUNTY ATTORNEY Joel Foreman is running for Columbia County

Attorney in 2014. Joel has been working as conflict counsel to the retiring elected County Attorney for three years, and through that experience has invested himself in the professional development necessary to give Columbia County an effective County Attorney.

Joel was raised in Lake City and is proud to call Columbia County home. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Michelle, and they have two children, Adrienne (9) and Joshua (6). 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. Vote for Joel on August 26th

Currents | May/June 2014 | 11

Political advertisement paid for and approved by Joel Foreman for Columbia County Attorney.

RIGHT: Mike McKee, Florida Gateway College’s executive director of media and public information, rests on his 2014 Jeep Wrangler Polar Edition, which is an upgrade from his first Jeep, a 2002 Wrangler. ‘This one is more practical, but I know I can go off-road whenever I want to,’ McKee said. ‘I like to go to the Osceola. In the spring I can take the top down and be outside. It’s fun.’

COURTESY

“general purpose,” but historians have yet to find conclusive evidence supporting that claim. Dave Wilton, an etymologist from the University of Toronto, proposes the term may come from Eugene the Jeep, a mysterious creature with magical powers that first appeared in a 1936 Popeye comic strip. Since Eugene the Jeep came from the fourth dimension and was able to magically resolve complicated situations in the Popeye comics, Wilton theorized military personnel may have adopted the creature’s name for the versatile automobiles capable of handling unusual terrain — or Jeeps, as we know them today. Once automobile manufacturer Willys-Overland Motors began producing civilian Jeeps in 1945,

12 | Currents | May/June 2014

they’ve steadily grown a group of diehard followers. But despite its fervent fan base, the Jeep is a love-it-or-hate-it kind of vehicle.

Experience the elements “If you’re expecting to stay warm and dry or cool and dry, it’s probably not for you,” said Bill Potts, who restored a 1990 Jeep Wrangler YJ. Jeeps are notorious for their lack of protection from the elements, due to their removable fabric rooftops and lightweight metal doors. “Having a soft top to your vehicle, it’s loud sometimes. There’s road noise,” said Lake City pastor Dale Tompkins, who is in the process of restoring a 1984 CJ7. “You get used to sending people to voicemail when they call you. “If you ride around topless, you have to think about the weather. You do get very acquainted with places you can pull into quickly and ride out storms.” But that connection to the out-

doors is exactly what some owners look for. “I’ve got a smile on my face when I’m driving a Jeep,” said Mike McKee, who owns a 2014 Jeep Wr a n g l e r Unlimited ‘It’s the closest P o l a r you can get Edition. “ W h e n to driving a you’ve got motorcycle the opporsafely [...] That tunity durfeeling of having ing the Spring and the wind and Fall when the top down the weather — I don’t know, is beautiful in Nor th Florida, it’s great to enjoy it.” “It’s the closest you — DALE TOMPKINS can get to driving a motorcycle safely,” Tompkins said. “That feeling of having the wind and the top down — I don’t know, there’s just something about it.”

there’s just something about it.’

Helping nature provide.

Our family is your family. PotashCorp makes the safety of our people – like Dan Dahlgren, Environmental Engineer at PotashCorp White Springs, and his son, Kyle – our top priority.

Helping nature provide.

Phosphate.

Helping nature provide.

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At PotashCorp, we have almost 700 employees in White Springs and we have a mission to ensure each of them returns home safely at the end of every work day. This summer, our people reached 2 million hours without a lost-time accident – a reflection of their commitment to protecting themselves and their co-workers. We are proud of their safety achievements because our people are part of our family too. To learn more, visit potashcorp.com.

PotashCorp operates with a commitment to safety, the environment, our communities and sustainable economic growth.

Currents | May/June 2014 | 13

LEFT: Bill Potts leans on his restored 1990 Jeep Wrangler YJ.

Ask anyone who owns a Jeep about the ‘unwritten rule’ of the

Jeep-wave. With four-wheel/all-wheel drive capability and the suspension to handle unusual surfaces, Jeeps are ready to tackle any challenge life throws at them. “I use mine for play,” said Tony Richards, who owns a turbo-charged 2008 Jeep Wrangler JK. “I see a spot and try to go through it. During the rodeo at 14 | Currents | May/June 2014

the fairgrounds, traffic was backed up, so I went straight through the retention pond in the back ... My wife said, ‘you just had to do that, didn’t you?’”

These are stories worth sharing Jeep owners generally agree there’s no feeling like riding around with no doors or roof, but every once in a while things might get out of hand. “I flipped my first jeep over [County Manager] Dale

Williams’ fence,” Tompkins said. “We were joyriding with friends... [Williams] was friends with my family, so they laughed more than anything.” Like many car enthusiasts, Jeep owners enjoy working on their vehicles just as much as they enjoy driving them, and fortunately there’s a relatively gentle learning curve for novice mechanics. “They’re really easy to work on, not a lot of moving parts,” Tompkins said. “I don’t know a lot about them, but when you take it into the woods, you have to know how to fix it and do certain things.” Others embrace the mechanical responsibilities of their Jeep, finding a unique kind of solace in an afternoon of work. “It is a therapy,” Potts said. “When you can let your mind go completely blank and focus on something else, even if that something else is fixing a shock absorber, it’s therapeutic.” Jeep drivers are naturally drawn to one another and consider themselves part of a community of like-minded people — ask any one of them about the “Jeep wave.” “It’s an unwritten rule that you wave to other Jeeps,” McKee said. “We just do it.” It’s not uncommon to find groups of Jeep enthusiasts meeting up in the wide open spaces of dirt road country, or cruising along one of the state’s many sandy beaches. “I’m a beach girl,” said Julie Law, a Columbia High School teacher. “After my divorce, I told myself, ‘I’m going to lose 80

pounds and buy myself a Jeep. I was in Jacksonville for two weeks, sitting on the beach. I went to the dealership and said ‘I want to get a Jeep and make it to the beach before the sun goes down.’” She and her new 2012 Jeep Sport Wrangler JK soon became fast friends, but despite her affinity for oceanside activities, she’s hesitant to get her ride dirty. “My friends did take me mudding in it one time,” she said. “I just about had a heart failure when they took over and did a donut in the mud. They say I don’t use it like I should.” Jeep drivers have a special kind of love for their vehicles you rarely see elsewhere, Richards said. “People that have Jeeps are a little different,” Richards said. “They’re really proud of their Jeep. If you have a Honda or a Toyota car, it’s just a vehicle.

But with a Jeep, it’s just something different. Jeep enthusiasts stand alone. They’re proud of their vehicles.” Regardless of where drivers take it, the Jeep will continue to be a staple of American automotive history.

ABOVE: Columbia High School teacher Julie Law stands next to her 2012 Jeep Sport Wrangler JK. Law likes to drive oceanside in her Jeep, but is still not ready to ‘go mudding’ or ‘use it like [she] should,’ her friends say.

Currents | May/June 2014 | 15

You’ve never seen sweet tea like this Here are four recipes to get that southern sweet tea flavor in every sip — and bite.

can make with sweet tea. Combine two classic Southern favorites by making sweet teabrined fried chicken. Just make sure to plan ahead when making this chicken as the chicken needs to brine for 48 hours.

By SARAH LOFTUS

Blackberry sweet tea •

3 cups of fresh or frozen blackberries, thawed • 1 1/4 cups of sugar • 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh mint • Dash of baking soda • 4 cups of boiling water • 2 family-size tea bags • 2 1/2 cups of cold water Directions: 1. Combine your blackberries and 16 | Currents | May/June 2014

Sweet tea-brined fried chicken METROCREATIVE IMAGES

Being Southern means a couple of things -- you’re friendly to everyone you see, you know what real Southern cooking tastes like, and most importantly, you drink sweet tea. Sweetened iced tea, (you know it as sweet tea,) is part of Southern life, but if you go to any other part of the country, they just won’t get it. They might drink unsweetened iced tea, but they probably won’t understand why Southeners’ drink of choice, no matter the meal, is sweet tea. And here in the South, it’s not iced tea unless it’s sweet and you can taste the sugar in every sip. You have your classic, Southern sweet tea, which can be found at restaurants and groceries stores, including Publix’s deli, throughout the South. But that’s not all. There are many variations to sweet tea that sweet tea lovers of all kinds should try. Besides pie, there isn’t too much blackberry is put in, but you can actually use it to make delicious blackberry sweet tea.

sugar in a large container, and then crush the mixture with a wooden spoon. 2. Stir in a pinch of baking soda and a tablespoon of mint. 3. Make your tea by boiling 4 cups of water over tea bags and covering and steeping it for five minutes. Then get rid of the tea bags. 4. Pour the tea over the blackberry mixture. Let it sit out at room temperature for an hour. 5. Pour the tea through a wiremesh strainer into a pitcher to discard the solids. 6. Add 2 1/2 cups of cold water and sugar, and stir until the sugar dissolves. Cover your tea and chill it for at least an hour. If you’re a big sweet tea lover, you don’t have to stop with a drink. There are other food dishes you

For the brine • 1 lemon • 1 quart of very strong tea • 1 cup of sugar • one-half cup of kosher salt • 8 chicken legs and 8 thighs For the crust • 4 cups of all-purpose flour • 2 cups of masa harina • 2 tablespoons of crab boil seasoning (Old Bay) • 1 tablespoon of chili powder • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper • 8 eggs • 1 cup of buttermilk • Vegetable oil to fry the chicken Directions: 1. Zest, then quarter the lemon. Place the lemon zest and quarters in a saucepan. Add your sweet tea, sugar and salt. Cook the mixture over medium to high heat until the salt and sugar dissolve. 2. Pour in one quart of ice water, and add the chicken. Let the chicken brine in the refrigerator for 48 hours. 3. Drain the mixture from the chicken and blot dry the chicken. >> Story continues on Page 18

Currents | May/June 2014 | 17

>> Continued from Page 16 4. Combine 2 cups of flour, the masa harina, crab boil seasoning, chili powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Beat the eight eggs with the buttermilk in a separate bowl. Put 2 cups of flour in a third bowl. 5. Prepare a breading station. Arrange each bowl side by side by putting the bowl of flour first, then the bowl containing the egg and buttermilk mixture and the bowl of seasoned crust mixture last. Roll the chicken in the flour, then the egg mixture and then the crust mixture. 6. After that, place the chicken in a single layer on a plate or baking sheet. Set aside at room temperature for 30 minutes. 7. Fill a large deep pan with enough vegetable oil to completely submerge the chicken. Heat the oil over medium to high heat until it reaches 300 F. Add the chicken, and cook for 15-25 minutes until it’s golden and the juices run clear. Drain the chicken on a rack and serve.

18 | Currents | May/June 2014

Whether you’re looking to make a tasty dessert for a party or just want a yummy dessert for after dinner, sweet tea cupcakes with lemon sweet tea frosting are a good choice. This recipe was created on the Food Network show “Cupcake Wars.”

Sweet tea cupcakes For the cupcakes • three-fourths cup of whole milk • 10 black tea bags • 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour • 1 teaspoon of baking soda • one-fourth teaspoon of salt • 1 cup of granulated sugar • one-half cup of canola oil • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract • 2 eggs For the frosting • 2 sticks of unsalted butter, softened • Zest of 1 lemon • 2 cups of powdered sugar Directions: 1. To prepare, preheat your oven to 350 F, and line your cupcake pan with 12 liners.

2. Heat three-fourths of a cup of milk in the microwave for one minute, stir, and then heat for 30 more seconds. Place the tea bags in the milk and allow it to steep for five minutes. 3. Sift together the flour, baking soda and salt. Mix the granulated sugar, oil, vanilla and eggs, one by one, into the bowl of an electric mixer. Alternate adding flour and one-half cup of tea at a time until all but one-half cup of the tea is mixed together. Keep the last one-half cup of the tea for the frosting. 4. Fill the cupcake liners, and bake for 15 minutes. Rotate the pan and continue until the cupcakes rise and a tester comes out clean. It will take about 5 more minutes. Allow them to cool completely before frosting. 5. Cream the butter in the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Add the lemon zest. Slowly alternate adding the powdered sugar and the one-half cup of tea left until you reach a frosting consistency.

ADVE RTI S E M E NT

%DODQFH LV

,QGHSHQGHQFH cAretenderS of gAineSville uSeS their optimum BAlAnce progrAm to help SeniorS leAd more independent liveS

ccording to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falling is the leading cause of injury-related deaths for seniors. But falling does not have to be a fact of life for the elderly population. Caretenders of Gainesville offers a revolutionary course of treatment called Optimum Balance to help patients with the cause of their falls and not just treat the results. “To be effective in truly preventing balance deficits among senior adults, it is essential that a fall risk program addresses the root cause of why the falls may occur, have occurred or may occur again. The Caretenders’ Optimum Balance program is second to none for assessment and treatment of balance issues and their origins,” said Susan Swirbul, Patient Care Representative at Caretenders. Optimum Balance incorporates all five systems that contribute to balance – vestibular, somatosensory, vision, musculoskeletal and cognitive. Therapists give patients a thorough evaluation of these five systems, and then the clinical team implements a customized treatment strategy. A wide variety of treatment methods is used in the Optimum Balance program, including anodyne infrared light therapy, the Epley Maneuver (canal repositioning treatment often done

with vertigo patients) and retraining of oculomotor system. Patients undergoing Optimum Balance treatment experience a significant decrease in falling. Studies show that 90 percent of program patients had not experienced a fall for one year after treatment, and 87 percent experienced a decrease in neuropathic pain. Falls are one of the most common reasons that Seniors lose functional independence and are a leading reason for institutionalization. Because of the serious health ramifications related to loss of balance, fall screening and prevention should be a part of all healthcare practices for older adults. “As a part of our senior advocacy mission, Caretenders addressed balance issues head on. We made the decision to train our therapists to not just react to falls, but to look beyond the obvious and assess each patient across the board for their potential for falls before they happen.” Caretenders seeks to be a fall prevention leader in the community by educating the general population on the dangers of falls, teaching our healthcare partners how to identify balance deficits in their geriatric patients, and to provide preventative treatments that will address the source of the falls themselves.

“I wondered if my family could manage all the care I needed after leaving the hospital.”

$ 6SHFLDO .LQG RI &DULQJ That’s The Caretenders Tradition A dedicated team of compassionate, highly skilled healthcare professionals who treat their patients like family is our hallmark. • SkIlled NurSINg • PHySICAl THerAPy • OCCuPATIONAl THerAPy • CerTIFIed HOMe HeAlTH AId • CArdIAC CAre • dIAbeTIC CAre • OrTHOPedIC reHAb • urOlOgy CAre • SPeeCH THerAPy • OuTPATIeNT reCOvery

Committed To The Highest Quality Home Care Services. SERVING COLUMBIA, HAMILTON, Serving AlAchuA county And Surrounding AreAS LAFAYETTE, SUWANNEE & UNION COUNTIES

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386-758-3312 352-379-6217 Call For More Information About How Caretenders Can Help You. Currents | May/June 2014 | 19

Lic# HHA299991306

Tips for a safe summer for your kids

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

From staff reports

The summer months are approaching and it’s time for parents to take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of their children throughout the entire season.

Choosing a Summer Camp

Florida law requires all summer camp personnel to be background screened, including owners, operators, employees and volunteers who provide summer care for children. The Florida Department of Children and Families collects and publishes a voluntary listing of summer camp programs that have acknowledged screening requirements. Parents are encouraged to ask questions regarding staff background checks and training in CPR and first aid when selecting summer programs and camps.

Water Safety

In Florida, drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages 1-4. There should always be a responsible adult present when a child is engaging in water activities. Distractions such as cell phone use or lengthy conversations should be avoided as drowning can occur in minutes. It is also important to have physical barriers put in place around home pools and to have children take swim lessons.

High Temperatures, Hot Cars

The effect of high temperatures on vehicles is a dangerous a threat to young children left behind in cars, especially during the summer. The temperature inside a car can rise 20 degrees in just 10 minutes. The heat can be deadly, especially for children because their body temperatures rise five times faster than adults. To avoid this, be sure to place important items such as purses, briefcases, or even lunches in the back seat as a reminder to check before locking up and leaving – “Look Before You Lock.” For more tips on child safety during the summer months, visit: www.myflfamilies.com/summer-safety 20 | Currents | May/June 2014

Trust the company that puts quality first.

www.onealcompanies.com

386-752-7578

212 SE Hickory Dr., Lake City FL 32025-4839

Whether you visit us for a tour, short rehabilitative stay, or choose our facility as your home, our goal as healthcare providers remains clear in all areas. We are dedicated to improving the strength, mobility and independence of our residents. Our facility provides a warm, personal setting tailored to the needs of our residents to promote quality and comfort of life. Stop by and meet Scott Denmark, our Admissions Director for a facility tour.

Currents | May/June 2014 | 21

Heritage

Celebrating

in Live Oak

Photos by JASON MATTHEW WALKER/Lake City Reporter

The back of the mansion at Heritage Park and Gardens is seen through bushes of the garden. Heritage Park and Gardens is located at 1004 Helvenston St. in Live Oak and is open to the public. Garden tours are available by calling 386-362-4430. TOP RIGHT: The master bedroom makes a perfect dressing room for brides and their bridesmaids whenever the Heritage Park and Gardens hosts weddings.

Heritage Park and Gardens a staple to community. By TONY BRITT

LIVE OAK — A 1950’s-era brick Georgian Revival home sits atop a hill in eastern Live Oak. The glamour of the building is not in its architecture, although its architecture is unique. The value of the building is not written in a financial ledger that can define its local impact. The building’s legacy, which was written in local lore years ago, will be rewritten now that the structure is being billed as the linchpin for community unity and financial development in Live Oak. Heritage Park and Gardens, 1004 Helvenston St., Live Oak, is open to the public and available for weddings, family reunions, dinner parties, corporate retreats and more. The property contains walking trails, a disc golf course, landscaped gardens and picnic areas. Heritage Park and Gardens was the estate of PC (Porter Claude) Crapps Jr. He purchased the property from T.T. Scott in 1951 and the purchase included the home,

22 | Currents | May/June 2014

timber land, a saw mill and the First National Bank of Live Oak.

History The home has a formal living room, kitchen, six bedrooms with adjoining baths, plus a home office and half bath. The garage has an upstairs apartment, which is attached to the house. When the family first moved into the house in 1951, Virginia Birchfield, Crapps’ wife, was expecting the ninth of their ten children. Three years later in 1954, the house burned. According to information from the Heritage Park and Gardens staff, it was the middle of the night when Claude III and David smelled smoke coming from the basement and alerted their father. Crapps had the children hold hands and moved them to the master bedroom where he lowered them from the balcony to safety. James Crapps suffered a broken collarbone in the escape. Crapps worked closely with

Jacksonville architect Bernard Close make a design and rebuilding the home as a nearly fire-proof structure. The rebuilt home has exterior walls of solid brick. The floors, inside walls and beams are made of structural steel and concrete. For added safety a fire hose is located outside the front door. The kitchen of the home is tiled on both the walls and ceiling for fire protection and the gas stove has a heavy steel cover that can close over it. The door between the kitchen and breakfast room has a drop-down steel door, with a heat sensor, that automatically closes in a fire.

Property acquisition Keith Mixon, a Live Oak City Councilman, said about four years ago an opportunity presented itself when Daniel Crapps offered the possibility of donating a portion of the property to the city of Live Oak. “After some lengthy study, a determination was made there were

Currents | May/June 2014 | 23

The gardens in the back of the mansion are open to the public and include trails, landscaped gardens and picnic areas. The land can be rented for weddings, family reunions, dinner parties and more. some grant possibilities to buy the entire property — the house and approximately 75 acres,” Mixon said. “We don’t have anything in the city that you can call a cultural center, center of activity or a place to call the gathering effort for weddings, meetings and social events.” The Live Oak City Council, through its Parks and Recreation Department and other assistance, was able to find the grant funds to make the purchase. The estate was purchased by the City of Live Oak using a grant from Florida Communities Trust in January 2012. The city purchased the property for close to $900,000 through a grant. “We’re trying to find grants and the Friends of Heritage Park and Gardens is trying to find grants,” Mixon said. “Any grants that will provide more development and operational needs.” The City of Live Oak, through its Community Redevelopment Association, provided more than $30,000 for restrooms on the property since all the restrooms were inside the home. The city purchased the property and leased it back to a group called Friends of Heritage Park and Gardens. “Those folks have led the charge to maintain and present the property and provide a plan for the future,” Mixon said. “Through donations, 24 | Currents | May/June 2014

Lucy Spenser, a tour guide at Heritage Park and Gardens, goes through the history of the house and the property. volunteers and some grant moneys they’re securing and local governments trying to provide leadership, the project is off the ground and moving forward. It’s slow, but again it’s a money situation.”

Current usage Lucy Spenser serves as a volunteer tour guide at Heritage Parks and Gardens, and said people visit the property throughout the year. She said many people are curious and want to see the inside of the Crapps’ Mansion and they usually call her to setup their visit. “It’s a little bit of an inconvenience for the public not to have it open all the time, but it’s a necessary thing,” she said. “They’re trying to keep the house in period to the time it was

lived in as far as furnishings. There are a few things in the house that are from the family. Everything so far has really been done with donations and that’s what makes it special. It’s a community project and the community has come out to make it what they want.” The Crapps Mansion and it’s property has become a popular place for weddings, picnics and tours. “The attraction is beyond community, even though the house is not 100 years old, it’s still well kept, it’s an older house and Crapps family was such an anchor in the community to building Live Oak,” Spenser said. The property draws visitors because of its architecture, its history and there is even another crowd of visitors that often come to the property because of its gardens. “I’m one of those people that every place I go I look for gardens,” Spenser said. “This garden is one of the calmest, most peaceful gardens and beautiful gardens that I’ve seen. The garden really is nice and is being well kept by the community.” Spenser said she anticipates the amount of tours and visits to increase as people from outside the immediate vicinity learn about the house. “I’m sure the house will open up to a wider, broader spectrum of people as we get it advertised,” she said.

In the future There are numerous plans in the works for the 75-acre tract of land. “Parks and Recreation has a plan to use it for some recreational ball field possibly,” Mixon said. He said the property also has aesthetic value and there has been talks about putting an amphitheater on the property for entertainment. The property also contains several flower gardens. “They’re trying to go about adding a butterfly garden and the property is also a bird sanctuary,” Mixon said. “There are a lot of plans out there. The biggest thing I think we realize is its a marketing issue too. We just opened those grounds about two years ago to the public and because financing has been an issue and it’s been a work in progress, thank goodness for

The Canadian Geese Monument towers over guests in one of the gardens in Heritage Park and Gardens. The statue, created by Geoffrey Smith, was donated to the park by John Morgan Crapps and Judy Lynn Taylor. volunteers.” There are 75 acres total in the project, however it has not been decided on how the 75-acre tract will be used and developed. “We’ve had a great many volunteers who taken to this thing and tried to make it work because we see the end result — we can see the vision,” Mixon said. “Culturally, this thing is not off the ground yet, it’s just the beginning, but it can be something for families, clubs and groups. It touches the entire spectrum of folks who want to take advantage of this situation.” In addition, crews are constructing Heritage Trail that leads to Heritage Park and Gardens. “We’re going to link that trail to the park,” Mixon said, noting the 2/3 mile trail will have landscaping. Sidewalks to the park were also recently added. “The connectivity to the city and neighborhoods to the park for folks who want to walk, stroll and enjoy the afternoons and the ambiance of the park and atmosphere — it’s going to be a great situation.” The Live Oak City Council, Live Oak Community Redevelopment Association, Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce, Friends of Heritage Park and Gardens have been supportive of the plan. “You can look around Live Oak and you had parks and recreation, but you don’t do weddings at parks and recreation. You don’t do family outings at parks and recreation unless you go to watch ball game,” Mixon said. “This is different. This is a feel good — it’s a let’s have fun with the family out there. It’s a great asset and contribution to the community and the possibilities and potential it offers is incredible. We see a lot of uptick and great potential ahead of us.”

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HOMEMADE A taste you’ll love Homemade Vanilla We’ll start with the most basic kind of ice cream -- the flavor that’s hard not to like, vanilla.

The hardest part of this recipe is gathering the ingredients, and even that’s not that hard. Once you have the ingredients, mix them all together, and stir until the sugar dissolves. Put the mixture in your freezer, and you’re done. Note this recipe makes 1 1/2 quarts of ice cream. Once it’s frozen, enjoy it as is or add any mix-ins you want. Fresh strawberries would go perfectly with this.

Homemade Chocolate

This next recipe is for chocolate ice cream and only takes about a half hour to make. Ingredients

26 | Currents | May/June 2014

AT IV

Ingredients • 2 cups heavy whipping cream • 2 cups half-andhalf cream • 1 cup sugar • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For a lot of people, homemade ice cream is synonymous with childhood, summertime and maybe even grandma. If you let yourself travel back in time to those summer days, you can probably still remember what the ice cream tasted like. You can remember how good it felt as it swirled around your tongue as the sweat dripped off your forehead. Or maybe you don’t have those memories. Maybe you didn’t eat homemade ice cream as a child but tried it as an adult and fell in love. Or perhaps, you’ve never tried it. Regardless of your past, there’s nothing stopping you from making homemade ice cream now, except maybe not knowing how or not knowing the best recipes for it. So here are some tips and easy recipes for creamy, luscious ice cream in many flavors that will make your

mouth water and your stomach satisfied.

By SARAH LOFTUS

• • •

1½ cups whole milk 2 cups heavy cream one-half cup unsweetened cocoa powder • 1 cup granulated sugar • 1 tsp vanilla extract Directions: Whisk together the milk, cocoa powder and sugar, and make sure the sugar and cocoa powder are mostly dissolved. Add the cream and vanilla extract, and stir the mixture. Refrigerate the ice cream for at least a half hour before putting it in the freeze. For serious chocolate lovers, add in chocolate mix-ins to make it a super chocolatey treat.

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Lemon Meringue

COURTESY

The lemon meringue and other fun homemade ice cream flavors can be made with your KitchenAid counter-top mixer. All you’ll need is the ice-cream-maker attachment.

Homemade ice cream can be family fun One of our Taste Buddies, Genie Norman, grew up in South Georgia in the 1940’s. On those hot summer Sundays her mother usually made homemade ice cream. She began with a boiled custard that had a mixture of a dozen eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla and it was then cooked slowly until it thickened into a custard. Once it cooled it was poured into a churn which was packed with ice and rock salt then hand cranked, normally by Genie’s daddy. When his arm got tired her brothers helped finish the job. Often peaches were added after the ice cream finished churning. The dasher was removed and the container was placed back in the churn, packed with ice then 28 | Currents | May/June 2014

newspapers were placed on top to help insulate. Genie and her two brothers always had an argument as to who would get to lick the dasher when it was pulled out of he can. On a hot summer day you can’t have anything more special than homemade ice cream.

Looking to make a more exotic flavor of ice cream? This next one is lemon meringue. And unlike the other recipes, you need an electric ice cream maker. Ingredients • 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened to room temperature • 1 ½ cups half and half • three-fourths cup sugar • one-half cup whole buttermilk • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla bean paste • one-eighth teaspoon salt • 6 tablespoons lemon curd • 2 tablespoons sour cream • 2 teaspoons lemon zest • 1 tablespoon lemon juice • 6 crushed meringue cookie Directions: Blend the cream cheese, half and half, sugar, buttermilk, vanilla bean paste, salt and lemon curd together for about 30 seconds or until smooth. Then chill that for at least two hours. Pour the blend into a freezer container of a 1 1/2-quart electric ice cream maker, and freeze according to the machine’s directions. Separately, whisk the lemon curd, sour cream, lemon zest and lemon juice. Stir the mixture and crushed lemon meringue cookies into your ice cream. Freeze for an hour, and you’ll have a quart of lemon meringue ice cream ready to serve. >> Story continues on Page 30

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Peaches truly are the taste of summer, especially in the south. Combining peaches and ice cream is a treat you’ll surely love.

>> Continued from Page 28

Peach ice cream If you love to put peaches on your ice cream, you’ll love peach ice cream, which is the next recipe. Ingredients • 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk • 1 (5-ounce) can evaporated milk • 1 1/4 cups whole milk • 4 peeled, sliced mediumsize fresh ripe peaches or 1 (15.25-ounce) can peaches in light syrup, drained • 2 tablespoons sugar • one-fourth cup fresh lemon juice • one-fourth teaspoon salt • three-fourths cup peach nectar Directions: Whisk the sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk until blended. Cover and chill that for 30 minutes. Put the peaches, sugar lemon juice and salt in a 30 | Currents | May/June 2014

blender or food processor until the mixture is smooth. Stir that into the milk mixture, and add the peach nectar. Pour your newly mixed ingredients into a one-quart electric ice cream maker, and freeze according to the directions. After that, remove the ice cream from the ice cream maker and freeze it for 15 more minutes. Then, put it into an airtight container, and you’re all done.

Tips for delicious homemade ice cream 1. Add a splash of alcohol to your ice cream before freezing it. Since alcohol doesn’t freeze, adding a bit to your ice cream will keep it from getting too hard and ensure that your ice cream is as creamy as it should be. But keep it to a couple tablespoons. Any more could keep your ice cream from

freezing properly. And don’t worry, you won’t be able to taste the alcohol. 2. Chill your ice cream maker, preferably for 24 hours, before adding the ice cream base. (Below.) 3. Freeze your chocolate mix-ins before adding them. 4. Only fill your ice cream maker about two-thirds to three-fourths of the way. 5. To avoid ice crystals, add 1 bag of unflavored gelatin for every six cups of ice cream mixture. 6. Buy fresh, organic ingredients if you can. The best part of homemade ice cream is how fresh it tastes, so make it taste extra fresh by using the best ingredients.

summer

Enjoying the taste of a red, ripe TASTE BUDDIES

Perfect food for almost any diet you can think of.

Facts about the fruit

Genie Norman and Mary Kay Hollingsworth

TasteBuddiesLakeCity@gmail.com

lthough tomatoes are available yearround, undeniably the best are in the summer. Tomatoes are enjoyed all over the world these days in every country. Although most think of the tomato as a vegetable it is considered a fruit and is also classified as a berry. The French call it a pomme d’amour or love apple and the Italians call it pomodore or golden apple. It originated in the 1500’s in South America but it was cultivated in Mexico. In the 1800’s seeds were taken to Spain from Mexico and introduced to European cuisine. The first record of tomatoes in the U.S was in 1710 in South Carolina and it is believed it may have been introduced from the Caribbean. One of the healthiest foods available it is especially rich in Vitamins A and C. Low in calories, carbs and sugar, high in antioxidants and lycopenes.

Two thirds of the US tomatoes are grown in Florida and California however the largest producer in the world of tomatoes is China followed by India, USA, Turkey, Egypt, Iran, Italy, Spain, Brazil and Mexico. There are over 7,500 varieties grown with more being developed. The heaviest tomato ever grown was in 1986 in Oklahoma and weighed 7 lbs. 12 oz. The largest plant was 65 feet and grown in 2000 in Lancaster, England. The largest single tomato plant was in Walt Disney World. It was seen by guests along the Living With

the Land boat ride in Epcot but it was removed from public in 2010 when it developed diseases. This single plant produced 32,000 golf size tomatoes which were then served in Disney restaurants. Enough history and facts although it is most interesting especially since Florida plays a big role in the tomato industry in the US. All of us have favorite recipes using tomatoes but we wanted to share a few of ours. Of course, one of our favorites is just a plain old tomato sandwich. Maybe it’s not so plain since, to be perfect, you have to make it using soft, white bread, spread with mayonnaise — not diet, low fat, low calorie but

Currents | May/June 2014 | 31

real mayo — thick slices of ripe tomato with lots of salt and even more black pepper. You need to eat this over the kitchen sink with your sleeves pushed up so when the juice runs down your arms it doesn’t ruin your clothes. Doesn’t get much better. One summer when the tomatoes were just perfect and Genie had a bunch sitting on her counter, she created a recipe that we have loved ever since. She called it a Tomato Tart. So, give this one a try. The Classico pesto comes in a jar at regular grocery store (found near the spaghetti sauces) or use your own favorite pesto.

Tomato Tart • •

1 refrigerated pie crust 2 large ripe tomatoes or 3 small ripe tomatoes • 2 cups mozzarella cheese • ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese • 2 tsp. Classico basil pesto • 2 tsp. Classico sun-dried tomato pesto Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Let pie crust rest for 15 minutes then place in pie plate. Spread the basil pesto and sun-dried tomato pesto in the bottom of the pie crust. Place thin slices of tomato over the pesto. Sprinkle 1½ cups of the shredded mozzarella over tomatoes. Place another layer of tomato slices over mozzarella. Grate fresh ground black pepper over tomatoes, add the rest of the mozzarella and then sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let sit at least 15 minutes before serving. Note: It is better to slice tomatoes and place on paper towel to absorb as much of the water before placing in pie shell. You can also just use the basil pesto or just the sun-dried pesto, whatever is your preference. Salt is not added because of the salt 32 | Currents | May/June 2014

COURTESY

Try your pasta penne dish warm or chilled — it’s great either way. content in the pesto. Below is another tomato recipe that is easy and healthy. It can be served immediately after it’s made or served cold from the refrigerator. However, we like to get it back to room temperature if it has been in the refrigerator. It’s a good meal for a picnic since it has no mayonnaise.

Pasta Penne with Spinach and Feta • •

1 (8 oz) package penne pasta 1 small package grape

tomatoes, sliced 1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced • 2 cups fresh spinach • 2 tbs. olive oil • 2 tsp. dried oregano • 2 tsp. dried basil • ½ tsp salt • ½ tsp pepper • 1 (6 oz) pkg. crumbled feta cheese Directions: Prepare pasta in a large Dutch Oven, according to package directions; drain. Return to Dutch Oven. •

Stir in tomatoes, spinach, green onions and all other ingredients except feta cheese. Cook 2 minutes over medium heat or until thoroughly heated. Top with feta cheese and serve immediately or serve it cold. Either way, it is delicious. Note: You can use basil & tomato crumbled feta cheese. Usually when tomatoes are peaking so is asparagus. This recipe combines both fresh flavors and is delicious and healthy.

Asparagus / Tomato Casserole •

2 cups cut fresh asparagus (1 inch pieces) • 1 ½ cups chopped fresh tomatoes or use sliced • Grape tomatoes • 1 medium onion, chopped • 1 garlic clove, minced • ¼ tsp. dried basil • ¼ tsp salt • ¼ tsp pepper • 1 cup shredded part-skim milk mozzarella cheese • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese Batter: • ¾ cups Bisquick mix • 3 eggs • 1 ½ cup milk Directions: In a bowl, combine the first seven ingredients. Transfer to an 8 x 11 baking dish, lightly sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Sprinkle with cheeses. In another bowl, whisk the Bisquick mix, eggs and milk until

smooth, pour over casserole mix. Bake, uncovered at 400 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until set and topping is golden brown. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Yield: Six servings Although a lot folks don’t like cold soup, we urge you to give this a try. It is just amazingly good when the tomatoes are at their peak in flavor. It’s simple to make and just keep it in the refrigerator and pour a glass or cup for a quick lunch or snack. We so hope you will try this because we think you will be very surprised at how much you are going to like it.

Gazpacho • • • •

1 basket of grape tomatoes, halved or 2-3 tomatoes, coarsely chopped 1 large cucumber or 2 medium cucumbers, coarsely chopped 1 large red bell pepper, quartered and seeded 1 large yellow bell pepper,

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quartered and seeded • ½ medium white onion, diced • 2 large garlic cloves, sliced or minced • ¼ cup white or red wine vinegar • ¼ cup olive oil • 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper Directions: Place all ingredients in a large bowl and toss. Working in batches, puree in food processor pulsing until finely chopped. Combine the batches and salt to taste. Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours. Note: Delicious with a dollop of lump crabmeat or boiled shrimp. Another quick and simple salad is the Caprese, which means “salad of Capri,” and it has the Italian flag colors of red, white and green.

Caprese Salad (Pictured at right.) • Sliced, ripe tomatoes • Sliced mozzarella cheese

• • •

Fresh chopped basil Olive oil drizzle Salt and pepper

Note: We also like to drizzle balsamic vinegar to perk up the flavors even more. This dish can be a side dish, a salad or used in an antipasto. Tomatoes are versatile and useful in so many ways. You can’t enjoy spaghetti sauce or chili without tomatoes. Most sandwiches need a slice on top and most salads aren’t right without a tomato. When the really good ones are abundant, think about freezing or canning for your use in the winter. If you don’t do your own, the canned tomatoes are available in almost any size, shape or consistency. You’ll be ahead of the game if you just grow

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your own. Oh, don’t forget if you core and seed them they are delicious stuffed with your favorite chicken salad, tuna salad or egg salad. Stuff your tomatoes using the same recipe you stuff in bell peppers and you will love the tomato flavor it gives the meat. It’s hard to believe that this one food can be used in so many ways and become an item that we have grown dependent on to make so many of our special dishes. Please try some of these new recipes and enjoy tomatoes even more ways. n Genie Norman and Mary Kay Hollingsworth are Columbia County residents who love good food and fun. Their column on their favorite recipes appears twice a month. You can contact them at TasteBuddiesLakeCity@gmail.com.

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.” Common symptoms of depression include irritability, sleeplessness, appetite changes, social withdrawal and feelings of hopelessness. If you or someone you love shows these signs, find help immediately. Treatment of depression can help you live an independent and fulfilling 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. “It changes their quality of life.” Common symptoms of depression include irritability, sleeplessness, appetite changes, social withdrawal and feelings of hopelessness. If you or someone you love shows these signs, find help immediately. Treatment of depression can help you live an independent and fulfilling life. Serving Columbia, Hamilton, Serving AlAchuA county lafayette, Suwannee & union CountieS And Surrounding AreAS

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Remembering Hunter Friends and family reminisce about a life taken too soon. By ROB CHAPMAN

(Class of 2010), through his time at FGC’s Law Enforcement Academy, and Fire School. Sadly, the last chapter ended on December 14, 2013, but that’s not where Hunter’s legacy ends.

Special to the Reporter

he story of Hunter Gillen Bailey should be just beginning, with a majority of the chapters unwritten. Where do you start? Hunter was born on January 14, 1992, and his love for the outdoors was apparent as soon as he started walking. With a name like Hunter, he was destined to be an outdoorsman. His dad, Rusty Bailey, described Hunter as “truly an original good ol’ boy” who “enjoyed the experience more than the actual harvesting of his pursuit.”

His grandfather, Al Williams, started calling him Buck Shot when he was just 3 or 4 years old. “It seemed to fit. I called, and he would respond.” Paula Wilkinson, Hunter’s mother, described him as “a fish36 | Currents | May/June 2014

‘More positive than a pack of protons’

PHOTOS COURTESY ROB CHAPMAN

Pictured is Hunter’s empty deer stand and hat from last fall. ing nut” that “loved the water and outdoors from a very young age.” Hunter made an impression on everyone he met from Lake City Middle School to Buchholz

To me, the story of Hunter Bailey begins, and lives on, with his family, and the impact that he had on everyone with his overwhelming positivity and energy. He was more positive than a pack of protons, and had more energy than the Energizer bunny. “His parents did the most amazing job raising a true southern gentleman,” friend Rachel Little said. “Stories of Hunter will live on through the ones of us who were blessed enough to be a part of his

journey.” I first met Hunter’s mother, Paula, in the fall of 2006. I was a new teacher at Summers Elementary. I knew nothing about teaching, but I was good with kids and computers, and was willing to learn. I went from being selfemployed, with a responsibility of one, to a special area teacher, with a responsibility of 950. I was thrown into the water with a mixture of kindergartners who weren’t potty trained, and fifth graders who were 12 going on 22, with Paula as my life raft. We essentially shared 2 classrooms with a community hallway and bathroom as a divider, and anytime I needed anything, I’d go to Paula. She always had time for me, she always helped, and she never judged. She always helped everyone. Paula’s class was superb and I tried to mimic what she was doing, because as Harry Wong told us first year teachers,

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and hear the emotions and love pouring through the words and memories.

A young Hunter (right) is seen with his dad, Rusty Bailey, on a fishing trip. watch and learn, and steal from the best. It wasn’t just her teaching, she was there for me as a friend, and I know all of the other faculty at Summers Elementary loved and respected her both as a person and a teacher. I met Hunter’s dad, Rusty, later that year, as we held the same job (Tech Lab), at different schools. Again, I knew nothing. I was greener than Fenway Park’s Green Monster. Rusty, and the other Tech Lab teachers opened their doors for me, but I remember something distinctly standing out about Rusty. Nothing shook him. He always had a smile and, almost like a character from Seinfeld, he was essentially “the happy guy.” No matter what may have happened in the classroom, or out of the classroom, the guy was made of Teflon; negativity wasn’t going to stick on him. Hunter possessed the best of both his mom and dad.

‘Hunter possessed the best of both his mom and dad.’

“We’ve gotten dirty, been bug bitten, lost lots of sleep, sat out in the field at night with good friends, gazing at the stars. We’ve cuddled up in a sleeping bag on the hammock at 2:37 a.m. while it’s 17 degrees just to count shooting stars (on a school night), we’ve gone to the beach just to watch a rocket launch or fly kites or toss a casting net into the surf. Built a bunch of bon fires just to “roast” marshmallows. We’ve caught rainbows on a fly in Alaska, Brookies in the Wind River Range out west. A moose at the edge of Denali has chased us. Going with Papa and Nanny B. to St. Augustine and cruising the beach on a skateboard behind a kite. Flown over Kinglsey Lake in a go-cart sized plane, ziplined through the trees in North Georgia.” Much the same happened when I spoke with Paula, the memories came rushing back like they happened just yesterday. We spent well over an hour on the phone

Heartfelt memories from mom and dad When I asked Rusty to answer a few questions, he wrote a heartfelt email that could have filled this entire story. You can feel 38 | Currents | May/June 2014

Hunter (right) hugs his mom, Paula Wilkinson.

just reminiscing, as she described all of their memories intertwined with the outdoors.

“He would fish in a pond for hours without a bite. He’d sit there, and try and try. I remember when he caught his first red grouper, he was as happy as he could be, until he had to throw it back!” She described their annual tradition for the opening weekend of scalloping season.

“As soon as scallop season began, we were out there. We planned that first weekend. He loved scalloping, he was a natural in the water, and started swimming at a very early age.”

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Some of their stories overlap in funny ways, which is how most of Hunter’s stories ultimately turned out. Rusty remembers the moose

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chase in Alaska, because he was there. Paula remembers the moose chase in Alaska, because she received a phone call at one o’clock in the morning from an inconsolable Hunter, who only could muster that he had been chased by a moose. He was terrified that night, much like Paula was from the middle of the night phone call, when her half-asleep reply was simply “Do you know it’s one a.m.?”

Weaving two families together into one Hunter’s story ultimately took a turn, as two more individuals came into play. Divorce can be such an ugly thing, but leave it to Hunter to turn it into an opportunity to positively touch the lives of Mark Wilkinson, his step father, and his stepmother, Trish Bailey. Instead of having split families, Hunter sculpted two loving families from the situation like Michelangelo in his prime. Trish remembered how sweet and respectful Hunter was the very first time they met. Mark said almost the exact same thing, word for word. Trish told Rusty that she vividly remembered that first meeting and didn’t know she could hurt that bad. Trish recalled how Hunter presented her with some yellow flowers and said, “Hi, my name is Hunter,” and that was all it took! They shared an awesome relationship — including many deep and funny conversations, and she loved Hunter like he was her own. Rusty said his whole family loved and adored Hunter, and had a part in raising him, from his cousins, to his aunts and uncles. His uncle, Kevin Bailey, spent a lot of time with Hunter, and the two shared a mutual admiration for one another, and mutual interests including stereo systems, rims, music, and simply spending time outdoors. From silly string 40 | Currents | May/June 2014

Hunter (from left) is pictured with his mom, Paula Wilkinson, stepfather Mark Wilkinson, stepsister Jessica Wilkinson, and younger brother Cooper (front).

Pictured are Hunter’s stepmother Trish Bailey, sister Tara, brother Remy, Hunter, and dad Rusty Bailey. fights to his time with Remy, who has his driving desire to fish, and Tara, who already appreciates the great outdoors and can’t wait to just get out there, Hunter lives on through his brothers and sisters. Mark Wilkinson’s daughter, Jessica, was lovingly called “squirt” by Hunter. Her memories are of a big brother that “was the biggest teddy bear. I could talk to

him about anything and he would always be there for me not matter what. It still seems unreal. I know he’s watching over me everyday, whether it’s on the field, in the classroom, in my car, or anywhere. He’s my guardian angel and he’s my superstar.” Cooper, at just 7 years old, always loved the attention of his older brother, and continues to

ask about him daily. One of their favorite things to do was to shoot the bow and arrows at a target in the front yard, and then play hunting games on the Playstation. Mark has many memories of Horseshoe Beach and Pepperfish fishing trips when they’d leave about 6:30 a.m., be gone all day, and then stop in Chiefland and get a Ralph’s Burger. He recalled another offshore trip where the water was as clear as a saltwater aquarium, and they were catching one black bass after another, and Hunter actually reeled up two fish — one on the hook, and the other had hung onto the weight. On another trip, with the same clear water, he recalled the comedy and frustration of seeing one sheepshead after another pass their baits, over, and over again. You could hear the chuckle in his voice as he remembered these days, and Hunter’s reactions, as if he were back there in a time machine.

Currents | May/June 2014 | 41

He left a legacy that lives on

Jake Coordinator, Rusty was able to share stories of Hunter’s legacy lives on not just Hunter’s hunting from the memories, but also from and fishing during his fish – literally. Mark and Paula their activities. told a story that recently they “He truly enjoyed were going through the freezer the outdoors. He and they came across a mystery enjoyed being part garbage bag. They had no idea of creation. Seeing what it was, but after further the moon set and inspection, it turned out to be a sun rise. Hearing giant frozen bait-ball Hunter had the sounds of the plopped in the freezer probably morning awakening. 5 years ago. They both got emoAnd also the sounds tional describing how still today, of the day going to almost 5 months after that tragic ‘roost,’” Rusty said. night, that they still miss and “Hunter had a speanticipate the door opening, and cial awareness of Hunter “bee bopping in, hanging the changing of the out for a few hours.” seasons. We would He’d always walk in with a get excited when we smile, pass out hugs, and be in a first felt the change good mood — unless Paula got from summer to fall him about cleaning his room. of the year. It was They said recently while at work, a daddy/son kind A young Hunter is seen with a turkey he killed hunting. all of the co-workers pulled up of thing. I would be their old text messages from outside in the evening it on my hook. Next thing I know Hunter, read them out loud, and as the sun was setting and a unique I caught a fish.” immediately the entire room was breeze would come by and within Although Hunter’s story ended filled with laughter. minutes, Hunter would call and ask too soon, he wouldn’t want it to For Rusty, the memories cut if I felt it.” end on a sad note. As everyone deep this Spring, as the National For Hunter’s friends, his pasechoed in my discussions, they Wildlife Turkey Federation made sion for life and outdoors were could go on forever telling stothis year unofficially a Hunter year tied at the hip. “Hunter Bailey ries that warmed their hearts for the Gator Gobblers. As the didn’t care if it was 60 degrees about Hunter. Paula and Mark outside or 100, if he stated, “let’s remember the good had his mind set to be stuff.” outside doing someThat’s the way to get through thing then that’s what this tragic loss of life. “Remember we were doing,” said the funny stuff he did, or his Brandon Register. smile, that’s how we’ll get Alyse Raulerson through it. Even the stupid stuff. told a story about a Keep a positive attitude, and fishing trip they took remember who Hunter was.” together. “One time Rusty and Trish left these final we took his little gheethoughts: “put that chore on the noeoe and we were back burner and make time to floating around not make some memories. You never catching anything. know when it will be your last He noticed the dragtime together. Find that opportuonflies landing on the nity to make a memory. It doesn’t water and the fishes have to be a big adventure it just would eat them. So he has to be recognized, enjoyed and Scan the QR code to view a memorial video of Hunter. caught me one and put appreciated.” 42 | Currents | May/June 2014

Home from college? Spend your summer

By TONY BRITT

As the school year ends, many students who dream of attending college or entering a specific career field face a dilemma of whether to find summer employment or volunteer their time. Kay Dekle, Columbia High School assistant principal in charge of guidance counseling, said it’s important for students to have proof of volunteer experience on their college applications. “Colleges like to see a well-rounded student,” she said. “They like to know that a student has gone out and tried to look at different careers that they may be interested in before they actually go into that

Volunteering at any age can boost your resume, and starting early will show colleges you’ve got a lifetime of dedication to serving others.

particular area in college.” Dekle said Columbia High School guidance counselors encourage students ‘Colleges to volunteer at local non-profit agencies like to see and churches to strengthen their college a wellapplications. In addition, in order to qualify for cerrounded tain scholarships, students are required student. to meet minimum volunteer requireThey like to ments. To qualify for the Florida Gold Seal know that a Vocational Scholars Award, students are student has required to volunteer for 30 hours; to gone out qualify for the Florida Medallion Scholars Award students and tried must volunteer to look at at least 75 hours. different “It has to careers that be a non-profit they may be organization in order for interested in.’ them to get vol— Kay Dekle, unteer CHS assistant hours principal for their Bright Futures Scholarship (requirements),” Dekle said. When colleges look at course work, classes, clubs and activities on a student’s college application, some also look at community service. “What did they do in their community to benefit them,” she said. “That’s one segment of what a college looks at for a well-rounded student if they’re a competitive college, have a lot of applicants and are trying to narrow down the total number they can enroll.” Rita Dopp, United Way of Suwannee Valley executive director, said there is an abundance of opportunities for individuals, including students, to support their >> Story continues on Page 44

Currents | May/June 2014 | 43

>> Continued from Page 43 community through volunteerism. “Various areas of volunteer effort emphasis impact community literacy, poverty, environmental issues, animal welfare and a plethora of additional community concerns,” she said. “The value of volunteering is significant both for the community agency benefiting from the assistance of the volunteer and for the volunteer himself.” The United Way of Suwannee Valley is a local non-profit agency that benefits from volunteers contrib‘For our uting their time to community the programs. Often this non-profit human capital agencies, documents the volunteers are leveraging of a good source resources as community service of office staff agencies utilize to accomplish volunteers to their so many tasks enhance program services, which the track their volunlimited paid teers’ contribuof time, and staff struggles tions utilize the value to get done.’ of this contribution as in-kind — Rita Dopp, match for grants United Way requiring match Suwannee Valley and allowing for the use of in-kind match. Dopp said volunteering often gives students an opportunity to obtain or enhance their employability skills and build their resumes. “For high school students, simply having the opportunity to work in an office environment or alongside professionals in a chosen field of interest provides the opportunity to test this interest,” Dopp said. “For our community non-profit agencies, volunteers are a good source of office staff to accomplish so many tasks which the limited paid staff struggles to get done. Volunteers should always feel needed, no matter what tasks they are accomplishing, because they are often completing those routine chores so difficult to schedule amid demanding schedules and deadlines.” 44 | Currents | May/June 2014

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Picking up trash in parks or on the streets is a great way to volunteer your time and help beautify your community.

In order to earn volunteer hours for the Bright Future Scholarships, time spent volunteering must be done at a non-profit organization. One example is a clothing donation store like Goodwill.

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