Currents Magazine March 2015

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VOLUME 9 ISSUE 3 MARCH-APRIL, 2015 PRICELESS


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Your family’s health means everything to us.

For comprehensive family care, you can feel confident turning to Lake Shore Primary Care West. And now, we are proud to welcome Michael C. Ukaegbu, M.D., to the group. Dr. Ukaegbu provides services ranging from routine exams to the careful management of chronic conditions. He is dedicated to helping families like yours achieve and maintain good health – for life. Same-day appointments are often available. And for your convenience, you can call or schedule your appointment online.

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Currents | March/April, 2015 | 3


[c o n t e n t s]

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06 Country music lover’s delight The Suwannee River Jam annually attracts around 25,000 music lovers to the three-day festival in Live Oak. This year’s fest will take place April 29 - May 2.

12 Butler & Lindo are Jazz Men The trumpet and the saxophone have captured the hearts of these two locals — and you can find them playing their instruments almost anytime, day or night.

23

23 Wanee: Collection of Sounds

Enjoy an eclectic slice of festival music with bands like Widespread Panic, Gov’t Mule, Earth Wind & Fire and Gregg Allman at this year’s Wanee Festival, April 16-18.

31 A tribute to the Beach Boys

The Shindigs will perform at Florida Gateway College in April with their ‘sounds of summer’ Surf Party Tribute to the Beach Boys.

37 Chamber music on its way Trio de Minaret from the University of Tampa will bring its traditional style of music to Lake City, in the annual Community Concerts series.

42 Beauty by Bike

[ [ See the beauty of North Florida by bike with the Suwannee Bike Association, a local group that enjoys environmentally aware activities.

PUBLISHER: Todd Wilson EDITOR: Robert Bridges ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: Theresa Westberry SALES: Eileen Bennett Jose Rodriguez

WRITERS: Tony Britt Emily Buchanan Nick Rollison Megan Reeves DESIGN: Emily Lawson PHOTOGRAPHY: Jason Matthew Walker

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 2015.

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COVER CREDITS VOLUME 9 ISSUE 3 MARCH-APRIL, 2015 PRICELESS

Musicians Rod Butler and Michael Lindo on the local jazz scene. — Photo by Jason Matthew Walker


You can feel good about having so many surgical options close to home.

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Currents | March/April, 2015 | 5


COUNTRY MUSIC

Alabama will return to Live Oak to headline the 25th anniversary of the Suwannee River Jam.

The best of the best at

Suwannee River Jam By TONY BRITT

W

hen mixing the dark mystic waters of the Suwannee River with the springtime of the year and the flow of modern or historic county music, life takes on a new meaning. For more that two decades, the Suwannee River Jam has been the final product of that mixture. 6 | Currents | March/April, 2015

The Suwannee River Jam is a country music lover’s delight and the annual event capitalizes on a unique venue where the fans and artists mix, just as the waters of the Suwannee River into the Gulf of Mexico. The Suwannee River Jam is the largest country music festival in the South, annually attracting around 25,000 people to the three-day music festival. The 24th Annual Suwannee River Jam will take place April

29 - May 2 at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak. The headliner for this year’s event is Alabama. “We brought Alabama back because it’s our 25th anniversary and since Alabama started touring again several years ago, we’ve been trying to get them back at the park. This year it worked out where their scheduling and our scheduling worked,” said Teena Peavey, Spirit of the Suwannee marketing director.


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Corey Smith (above), Rodney Atkins (left), Thompson Square (center) and Josh Turner (right) are scheduled to perform at this year’s Suwannee River Jam, April 29 - May 2.

“We wanted them back, almost close to home. They’re not home, but close.” Alabama will be headlining on Saturday night, Chris Young will headline Friday night and Rodney Atkins will be headlining on Thursday night. Other performers for this year’s event include: Sawyer Brown, Josh Turner, John Anderson, Thompson Square, LoCash, Corey Smith and

8 | Currents | March/April, 2015

other musicians and acts. “We’re really excited about the lineup,” Peavey said. “We have some classic music and we also have modern country. We have music types for all types of country music lovers.” General admission tickets are $90, which includes all four days of the event. The lowest ticket prices location for the event is at S&S food stores.


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Silver VIP tickets include reser ve seating, discount beverages and free non-alcoholic beverages. Gold VIP tickets include meals, discount beverages, free non-alcoholic beverages, reser ved seating, a swag bag and parking pass. The JAM will also feature a golf cart parade that is slated to start noon Saturday. “The Spirit of the Suwannee is a world-known music venue,” Peavey said. “Wherever we travel, people know Spirit of The

10 | Currents | March/April, 2015

Suwannee Music Park. It is known for great music festivals. We see more than 600,000 people annually.” The music festival will also feature a Hope Notes Auction, where all proceeds will be contributed back to the Columbia, Hamilton and Suwannee County school systems’ band programs. “We’re trying to keep music alive in the school systems,” Peavey said. The festival will also continue its tradition of supporting the military with the Soap For Soldiers benefit. Any soap, tooth brushes and other non perishable items brought for soldiers overseas, will be collected and shipped to the troops. “We’re going to fill the Fit with our Soap For Soldiers,” Peavey said, noting plans are to fill a Honda Fit with collected items for the troops. Peavey said organizers are expecting more than 25,000 people to attend this year’s Suwannee River Jam. “The lineup is what makes the 25th Suwannee River Jam special,” Peavey said. “The lineup will bring it this year with classic and new country. We brought music back for all types, from the young to the old.”


A birthing experience as unique as your baby. Having a baby is one of life’s most amazing experiences. And at The Birth Center at Shands Lake Shore, we’re here for you, as the only hospital in the area standing by with the staff and facilities for your delivery. We offer options to accommodate your personalized birth plan, with the safety of you and your baby as our primary concern. And in most cases, labor, delivery and recovery can all take place in your private birthing suite. For more information or to schedule a tour, call 386-292-7800 or visit ShandsBaby.com.

368 Northeast Franklin Street Currents Lake City, FL| March/April, 32055 2015 | 11


12 | Currents | March/April, 2015


Rod Butler & Michael Lindo work by day and play by night STORIES BY MEGAN REEVES & EMILY BUCHANAN PHOTOS BY JASON MATTHEW WALKER


COVER STORY ROD BUTLER

By MEGAN REEVES

If you ran into Rod Butler during a regular business day, you would never know what got him to where he is. However, as manager of the Lake City Holiday Inn & 14 | Currents | March/April, 2015

Rod Butler’s introduction to music started when the band director of a local high school visited his elementary school and offered music lessons. The seed was planted and evolved in something that pushed him to get a music degree at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. His trumpeting influenced his three daughters, now 21, 16 and 11, to be involved musically. And to think, this all started because ‘the drum class was full.’

Suites, Butler said he has to credit his career in hospitality to his first love — jazz music. He started playing the trumpet in fourth grade, and after playing through elementary, middle and high school in Canada, decided to audi-

tion for music school at the University of Western Ontario. He studied there for two years until he realized that the only jazz-focused curriculum offered was jazz band and that he needed something more. Butler enrolled in the


prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he stayed for four years until graduating magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts in music in 1987. To put himself through school at Berklee, Butler worked two jobs. One was as an usher at Symphony Hall, where he had the opportunity to hear great music from orchestras like the Boston Symphony and the Boston Pops. The other was less glamorous, but it paid the bills. “I worked first as an overnight security guard and then a housekeeper at the Copley Plaza Hotel,” Butler said. “I did what I could to pay for school.” The second job is what inspired him to move to South Florida to pursue a hospitality career following graduation. “I realized quickly that music is a difficult field to make it in,” he said. “I had a passion for it while I was in school, but the reality of it was that few people were making it to be professionals.”

Once he got focused on his hotel management career, Butler set aside his love of music. “I had simply shifted gears,” he said. “I got away from it and didn’t pick up my horn for 24 years.”

He said that once he started encouraging his daughters — Lizbeth, 21, Emily, 16, and Sophia, 11 — to pursue music, he figured he should lead by example. “It’s a proven fact that students involved in music perform at a higher level academically,” Butler said. “I came to Currents | March/April, 2015 | 15


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COVER STORY ROD BUTLER

COURTESY

In September 2011 Butler joined the Gainesville Community Band and stayed for two months before auditioning for the Gainesville Big Band, a band he’s been with ever since. The band rehearses two hours a week and performs throughout North Florida.

the realization that if I wanted my children to play, then as their father and role model, I should show them firsthand.” In 2008, Butler moved to Gainesville, where he now resides with his wife, Indira, and their three daughters. In September 2011 he joined the Gainesville Community Band, which he stayed in for two months. “Another person in the Gainesville Community Band told me about an opening in the Gainesville Big Band,” he said. “I contacted the director and auditioned, and I’ve been there ever since.” He now rehearses two

hours per week with the band, which performs primarily in northeast Florida. “We play festivals, events downtown, events at the University of Florida, weddings and more,” Butler said. He said that although he grew up listening to a variety of music types, jazz is simply one that stuck with him. “It’s the one I developed a real interest in,” he said. “And I think it’s one that is making a resurgence.” Butler said he can see the way jazz is coming back into the realm of popular music, even for his children’s generation.

“If you listen to Michael Bublé or even Lady Gaga, you can hear echoes of jazz,” he said. “It’s nice to know that even my girls are listening to it.” Just like people of all ages can enjoy jazz, Butler believes that people of all kinds can regularly revisit their passions for music. “The majority of people in my jazz band are doctors teachers, students, retirees and just regular everyday working people,” he said. “It’s funny because nobody is a big time professional musician, we are just fortunate to have the opportunities for casual musicians to be able to play.” Currents | March/April, 2015 | 17


newER. largER. fastER. Lake City Medical Center has doubled the size of our ER. With 22 beds in our new Emergency Room, we are continuously growing to meet the healthcare needs of our community. Voted Best of the Best Hospital and ER!

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3/2/15 9:55 AM


COVER STORY MICHAEL LINDO

By EMILY BUCHANAN

Michael Lindo’s style of jazz is anything but ordinary. After picking up the tenor saxophone and teaching himself how to play at the age of 13, Lindo’s unique sound of

Lake CIty musician Michael Lindo poses with his alto sax. He has been a part of many bands in his life time including Shining Light, Lock N Load and Organic Soul. When asked about his love of jazz, he said ‘it takes me to another place. When you listen to the musical conversation that jazz is making and you are interested in that conversation it takes you on a journey that you enjoy to be on.’

straight-ahead jazz has now made its appearance in Lake City. Lindo has made a name for himself of late playing solo at Marion Street Deli and Pub in Lake City. He also writes his own music, plays the sopra-

no, alto and tenor saxophone, and has recently picked up the cornet, which he says is similar to a trumpet but has a more dark and round tone. “Playing jazz music is something that most people have no experience with, and people Currents | March/April, 2015 | 19


are creatures of habit,” he said. “It was quite a while when I moved down here before I was able to actually break people and show them that this type of music is something they might like.” Lindo moved to Lake City from Queens, N.Y., in 2003 when he was hired to work as an aircraft inspector at HAECO, an airframe service at the Lake City Gateway Airport. Although Lindo wasn’t planning to call Lake City his permanent home, he said he’s grown accustomed to the town and routinely plays for his church, as well as performs at the newly opened Marion Street D e l i a n d Pub. “When I play at the Marion Street restaurant, they made me feel a little bit like I’m back home because I used to play a lot in New York where straight-ahead jazz is ver y common,” he said. “I remember this one gentleman came up to me one time and said, ‘You know, you would fit in perfectly in New York.’” The genre of straight-ahead jazz was known as traditional jazz music from the 1940s, 20 | Currents | March/April, 2015

Lindo said. The swing-style music became popular in the mid-60s and 70s again when it was commonly referred to as bebop. While there are multiple types of jazz, Lindo said the best part of jazz is forming your own style. “The joy of playing jazz is adding

tension, which means adding notes that would create tension audibly that it does not necessarily go with the chord, and then resolving that tension by coming back into form,” he said. “Doing that in your own style is what jazz is all about. It’s about the tension and the release.” While Lindo started playing the piano at a young age, he said he always knew that the saxophone was an instrument that he would someday pick up and play for the rest of his life. “I would spend hours and hours a day practicing, and I’ve grown a love for it over the years,” he said. Not only has Lindo performed at the local restaurant, he also played in a different mix of bands through-


out the years, he said. He played in a gospel band called the Shining Light, a classic rock band called Lock n’ Load and a local smooth jazz band called Organic Soul, which accompanied band member Wayne Levy, the son of the iconic Alfonso Levy, the late Lake City teacher and jazz musician, Lindo continues to write his own music and says he’s hopeful to one day record an album of his own songs. “As long as I have fingers and hands, I will continue to play music,” he said. “My love of music has always been a big part of me, and I don’t ever see that ending.”

Local musician Michael Lindo poses with his tenor sax, one of the three instruments to which he has a strong connection. The way Lindo tells it, music influenced him literally all of his life beginning when his mother was pregnant with him and would play the piano, which allowed the notes to absorb into his ‘hungry cells.’ Although Lindo picked up the saxophone at age 13, he quickly found his various musical voices with the soprano, alto and tenor saxophones. ‘I gel with the tenor sax the most. It totally has its own character. Its voice has a warm tone, but the tone is all its own.’ 21 | Currents | March/April, 2015

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WANEE FEST

Gregg Allman

Widespread wonder at

Wanee

By TONY BRITT

Gov’t Mule

Cheap Trick

Music lovers with eclectic tastes will get an earful during the 2015 Wanee Fest. Whether it be Earth Wind & Fire singing “Let’s Groove Tonight” or Gov’t Mule, a rock band celebrating its 20th anniversary, to Southern rock giant Gregg Allman or Cheap Trick, a band that formed in 1973 and still known for its hit, “I Want You to Want Me,” a variety of music will be featured at this year’s Wanee festival. The 11th Annual Wanee Festival will take place April 16-18 at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak. Headlining performers include: Widespread Panic, Gregg Allman, Gov’t Mule, Earth, Wind & Fire, Cheap Trick and Ivan Nevelle’s Dumpstaphunk. More than 20 other bands are scheduled to perform at the event. “With The Allman Brothers retiring as a group, our headliner and anchor this year is Widespread Panic,” said Teena Peavey, the Spirit of Suwannee Music Park marketing director. Widespread Panic will perform Friday and Saturday night along with Gregg Allman, Gov’t Mule, Earth Wind and Fire, Cheap Trick, JJ Grey & MOFRO, Galactic along with Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk and Raw Oyster Cult. “We’re real excited about Wanee,” Peavey said. Wanee Fest has increased in popularity during the last few years and Peavey said a lot of the popularity increase is due to the event’s lineup. Currents | March/April, 2015 | 23


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Earth Wind & Fire

“...It’s the lineup and the vibe at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park,” she said. “Wanee Fest is at one of the greatest venues in the country with some of the greatest lineups.” The Wanee Music Festival is designed to combine Southern rock with classic jazz, blues and country. “Wanne Fest is for that Southern rock fan

that loves all types of music,” Peavey said. “With The Allman Brothers retiring we were anxious to see who the anchor would be and Widespread Panic will definitely fit in well with that lineup. I’m excited about this event.” The Wanee Festival was founded by Butch Trucks, drummer for The Allman Brothers Band, in 2005.

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WANEE FEST Although The Allman Brothers aren’t performing as an group, several of its members will take the stage with other acts. Gregg Allman is slated to perform is solo act and former Allman Brothers member Oteil Burbridge’s new group, Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band, will perform. A regular three-day general admission ticket for the event is $205. Peavey said during the threeday weekend of Wanee Fest she anticipates more than 50,000 people attending the event. The event will also feature transportation from five Lake City hotels to the Spirit of Suwannee Music Park. The buses, sponsored by North Florida Sales and the Columbia County Tourism

Widespread Panic is this year’s headliner for the 2015 Wanee Festival.

Development Council, will run every 90 minutes. The buses will begin their routes at 10:30 a.m. and the last bus from the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park will

leave for Lake City at 2 a.m. “Our patrons and our guests can stay at hotels in Lake City and be commuted to the park without any issues,” Peavey said.

Currents | March/April, 2015 | 27


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BLUEGRASS Learn old-time fingerpicking from one of the very best in the business From staff reports

Suwannee Banjo Camp gives participants the opportunity to study 5-string banjo — and fiddle and guitar — with some of today’s best players and teachers. The program features hands-on classes, demonstrations, and two big faculty concerts, and still leaves lots of time for jamming with your fellow music enthusiasts. The camp will be held March 27-29 at Cerveny Conference Center, Camp Weed, near Wellborn. Learn to play bluegrass

banjo from one of the most influential banjo players in the roots music world. For more than 35 years, Tony Trischka’s stylings have inspired a whole generation of bluegrass and acoustic musicians. He was not only considered among the very best pickers, he was also one of the instrument’s top teachers. In 2007, Tony was declared Banjo Player of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association. For more information on our program and staff go to www. suwanneebanjocamp.com

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FGC ENTERTAINMENT

Sounds of summer — all season long By MEGAN REEVES

The Shindigs are ready to perform at Florida Gateway College on April 17.

31 | Currents | March/April, 2015 31 | Currents | March/April, 2015


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60s-70s hits ust in time for summer, Florida Gateway College will wrap up its 2014-2015 Entertainment Series with the sounds of 1960s70s summertime hits. On Friday, April 17, the college will host the Shindigs Surf Party Tribute at the Levy Performing Arts Center. The show will start at 7:30 and general admission tickets are $15 at www.fgcentertainment.com. The Shindigs plan to tribute the Beach Boys as “America’s Band” by playing songs like

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“Surfin’ USA,” “I Get Around,” and “Help Me, Rhonda” for fans to sing along to during the performance. Adam Trent FGC started the performed earlier series in October this year. 2014 with Adam Trent, followed by the Bellamy B r o t h e r s , John Michael M o n t g o m e r y, Vivace, and ending with its most successful show by B.J. Thomas, Pam Tillis and Collin Raye. Series media representative Troy Roberts said that although the college has offered entertainment since the 1980s, the Entertainment Series wasn’t started until 2011.

He said that as the college has worked on the logistics of the series, attendance has only increased. “We wanted to figure out what would be best to cater to the community here,” he said. “We wanted to bring in entertainers that people would enjoy, and the college has received nothing but positive feedback throughout the series.” Roberts said that to the college the most impor tant thing is serving the community. “We have been really happy with what we have seen,” he said. “We wanted to create a fun family environment and I think we have been able to do that.” Voted Best Campground in Lake City

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AD VERTISEMEN T

Helping You Make the Transition CARETENDERS LAKE CITY HAS A VARIETY OFof SERVICES cAretenderS ofOF gAineSville hAS A vAriety ServiceS THAT AID SENIORS IN MAKING A LIFESTYLE CHANGE. thAt Aid SeniorS in mAking A lifeStyle chAnge

T

he life changes that come with age can be at once mystifying and frightening. Whether it’s something as minor as new glasses or as major as a move to assisted living, Seniors are often concerned that lifestyle adjustments can lead to lack of independence. Thankfully, Mederi Caretenders of Gainesville has a variety of programs aimed at answering questions and easing the transitions that Seniors face. “As with anyone, when a senior is faced with one or more major life changes - such as a move to an assisted living community where they’re changing their lifestyle to accommodate some limitation, or they lose a loved one - this can be very scary and overwhelming and can possibly lead to decline in physical and/or mental health,” said Susan Swirbul, a patient care liason at Caretenders. Caretenders has a variety of services specifically designed for clients undergoing a stressful period of change. These Seniors might be experiencing new limitations on mobility, cognitive deficits, effects of medication or other challenges that necessitate a change in lifestyle. When combined with declining overall health and other factors, clients can easily become depressed and feel as if they are losing control of their lives. One such service, the Transitional Care Program, assists in a Senior’s transition to an assisted living facility. A physician’s order is placed for a comprehensive geriatric needs assessment, which is conducted by a nurse who

is thoroughly trained to identify the imminent needs of the patient. Once the client is settled in, the program professionals help manage medical needs and communicate with families, assisted living staff and other people involved with the client’s care. The program includes a team of psychiatric and medical nurses, therapists and social workers, all of whom have extensive experience and training in working with Seniors in transition. For patients dealing with loss of mobility or cognitive abilities, Caretenders provides occupational therapists to help them re-learn and perform everyday tasks. They can also ensure that Seniors are using medical equipment correctly – for example, they can demonstrate proper positioning in a wheelchair. All of these changes can take their toll on a Senior’s morale. Psychiatric nurses provide emotional support and teach clients how to deal with their feelings of frustration and helplessness. They also partner with other Caretenders professionals to provide education and moral support to caregivers, as they play a crucial role in a Senior’s outlook on life. “Having an expert team of Caretenders clinicians that specialize in working with senior adults needing transitional support can help seniors sustain good health by incorporating proven techniques, like thorough mental/physical assessments, support counseling and engagement in meaningful activity,” said Swirbul.

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

A Special Kind of Caring... 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

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Currents | March/April, 2015 | 34


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

n Colonoscopy and Gastrointestinal (GI) Endoscopy

n Breast Cancer Management

n Polyps

n Benign Breast Disorders

n Gallbladder Removal

n Hernia Surgery Laparoscopic

n Abdominal Pain Management

n Laparoscopic Hiatal Hernia, & Anti-Reflux Surgery

n Hemorrhoids

n Colon Cancer

n Diverticulitis

When being admitted to a hospital, you can request us for your surgical provider. Call for Appointment (386) 755-6682

Currents | March/April, 2015 | 35


IN CONCERT

[Non] tradition

Trio de Minaret to bring traditional chamber music to Lake City By MEGAN REEVES

A

Tampa trio will be visiting Lake City to perform traditional chamber music this month. Community Concerts of Lake City, Inc. will be hosting the Trio de Minaret, a piano, violin and cello faculty group from the University of Tampa, on March 27. The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the FGC 36 | Currents | March/April, 2015

Levy Performing Arts Center, 149 Southeast College Place. The trio will be playing chamber music, which is a classical type of music that is composed for a small group of instruments, usually a group of people small enough to fit inside a palace chamber. The group is composed of Lei Liu, who plays violin; Lowell Adams, who plays cello; and Grigorios Zamparas, who plays piano. All three performers are

artists in residence at UT and perform regularly throughout the state. Adult tickets can be purchased for $20 and K-12 student tickets are $5. Tickets can be purchased by cash or check at the Lake City Chamber of Commerce, online through PayPal at http://communityconcerts.info, or at the PAC ticket table up to one hour before the performance. Groups of 10 or more adults


nal Tampa trio will be discounted by 25 percent when ordered in advanced and paid for by check.

Lowell Adams

For more information call 4662013 or email info@communityconcerts.info. The University of Tampa’s Trio de Minaret offers an evening of elegance with its traditional chamber music. They will perform March 27 at 7:30 p.m. on the campus of Florida Gateway College.

Lei Liu

Grigorios Zamparas Currents | March/April, 2015 | 37


IN BLOOM

a W

m a lk

s t s i t r a ong

Wild Azalea Festival in White Springs promises to be better than ever before By MEGAN REEVES

The city of White Springs is blooming with excitement for its 15th annual Wild Azalea Festival, which committee members say will be bigger and better than ever. The festivities will start on Friday, March 20 and continue on Saturday, March 21 at the Nature and Heritage Tourism Center in White Springs. The theme of this year’s festival is “Come Eat, Dance, Walk among Artists and Run by the River,” and it is free to the public. The first scheduled event on Friday is a guided Suwannee River hike beginning at 4 p.m. From 5-8 p.m. there will be a food tasting party called “Sweets & Eats,” which will feature local baked goods. “Everybody in the community is bringing what they do best,” festival committee member Tom Moore said. “Someone will bring wedding cookies, someone will bring apple pie, someone will bring blueberry 38 | Currents | March/April, 2015

cobbler, a n d you can try ever ything for a donation of $5.” The night will conclude with a community street dance from 7-10 p.m. Saturday’s schedule of events will start with the Family Fun Run/Walk 5k at 9 a.m. The race will go through the Stephen Foster State Park, starting at the Tourism Center on Bridge Street. Registration is $20 per participant


s & run by

the

rive r

over 13-yearsold and $10 for children under 12. Those who pre-register at www.active. com will receive a free t-shirt, and those who register on the day of the race will be able to purchase t-shirts separately for an additional charge. The festival will officially begin after the race at 10 a.m. Saturday and feature both food and handmade arts and crafts vendors. According to Moore, all of the vendors are local and all of the goods are 100 percent handmade.

“We don’t have many vendors, but they are good vendors,” he said. “Everything that is sold at the festival must be handmade, so when you buy something you know it is unique.” Moore said that in past years, goods such as bird houses, jewelry, wooden creations, hand woven baskets and homemade jams have been sold. Live music will start at 11 a.m. and continue until 2 p.m., featuring local musicians. During the festival children can play in a designated children’s area, where there will be free face painting available. At the close of the performances, the winner of the Little Miss Azalea Contest will be crowned and the duck race will immediately follow. The idea of the race is for attendees to purchase numbered yellow rubber ducks that will be thrown into the river simultaneously. Whichever person’s duck clears the White Springs bridge first will win a kayak. The second place prize is two weekend passes to the Florida Folk Festival, and the third place prize is one free night at the White Springs Bed and Breakfast. Yellow rubber ducks for the race can be purchased from the White Springs Hardware Store, American Canoe Adventures or at White Springs Town Hall in advance as well as on the day of the festival. Ducks are $3 each or two for $5. Currents | March/April, 2015 | 39


Moore said the committee is expecting about 1,000 people to attend the festival and is excited to see the turnout for this year. “One of the exciting things about this year is that the Adams Store is opening back up,” he said. The antique store, which originally opened in 1865, closed last year. Moore said that he expects that people in the community will be happy to see it up and running. He said that wild azaleas will be on sale as they are every year for around $15. Those interested in being a vendor or a participant in the Little Miss Azalea Contest can enter until the week before, Moore said. Entry forms can be found at www.whitesprings. org/events and should be sent to P.O. Box Drawer D, White Springs, FL. 32096. “It’s the camaraderie and the community,” Moore said. “It’s an event that everyone loves.”

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• Genuine Care • Comprehensive Services • Fun Environment At Martin Kids, we make the path to oral health fun. Now is the time to help your child begin a healthy life. Your favorite duck race is returning to the Wild Azalea Festival. Rubber ducks can be purchased for $3. 40 | Currents | March/April, 2015

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BEAUTY & NATURE

Beauty by bike Suwannee Bike Association offers scenic view of North Central Florida to everyone Currents | March/April, 2015 | 41


By MEGAN REEVES | Photos by MICK SHEA

A

lthough biking is something people enjoy throughout the countr y, members of the Suwannee Bicycle Association believe they have a locational advantage. “It’s all about the wonderful activities that take place outdoors,” said SBA president Sharon Shea. “It is the beautiful areas around us that makes it what it is.” Since its incorpora-

We are Dedicated to Improving Lives - Everyday.

tion as a non-profit in 1989, SBA has maintained a strong tradition of environmental awareness, education and family fitness by performing various outdoor activities in the Suwannee River region. According to the organization’s website, suwanneebike. org, the White Springs-based group hopes to “help peo-

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ple obtain a greater understanding and appreciation of natural ecosystems, history and cultural heritage of the Suwannee.” Shea said the organization’s true goal is to promote the scenic wealth and quality of the river and its surrounding land. Throughout the year, SBA

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hosts seven major events, including: Suwannee Sweetheart, Spring Pedal and Paddle, Spring Hop, Dog Days, Fat Tire Festival, Secret Santa, and its most popular event, IDIDARIDE, which was held in January. The IDIDARIDE event is unique in the fact that it is not a race, but rather a “challenge ride.” The off-road endurance ride takes cyclists through a 50-mile wooded trail along the Suwannee River. The purpose of the ride is to challenge off-road riders with various terrain, including stream crossings, over a long distance. Because many of SBA’s members are not local to White Springs -- many living in Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Gainesville and even Georgia -- the organization purchased a headquarters building in 2000. The building, located at 12 Bridge Street in White Springs, is now a place where members as well as visitors can come for more information about cycling and padding in the area. “There is just a wonderful sense of camaraderie between members,” Shea said. “It’s just a great way to be outside in the quiet peacefulness of the area.” For more information about how to get involved with SBA, visit suwanneebike.org or call 243-0115. Currents | March/April, 2015 | 43


OUTDOORS Creepy crawlers, slithering snakes and more at the Alligator Lake Fest

By NICK ROLLISON

arrived, and with that means sunny skies, morning bird songs, longer days, and an open invitation to the upcoming Alligator Lake Spring Festival. The April 11 event, hosted by the Four Rivers Audubon Society, encourages the community to come out to Alligator Lake, at 420 Spring has

44 | Currents | March/April, 2015

A guide speaks to visitors about species native to North Florida.

Alligator Glen, for a day and interact with all things nature. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. attendees can go on bird walks, shop from nature oriented vendors for organic goods, pet animals and talk with various environmental

agencies and experts. According to Four Rivers President and festival project leader Valerie Thomas, more than 700 people attended last year’s event and it only seems to be growing. Audubon bird walks at the festival begin at 8 a.m., and prospective bird enthusiasts should call ahead to reserve spots. However, even if you’re a little late to the party you can walk with Mark Minnow, a renowned butterfly expert, and learn about the various types of butterflies in the area. Nan Soistmanan, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator from High Springs, will also be in attendance explaining the intricacies of caring for sick or injured animals before releasing them back into the wild. Last, but certainly not least, Bellamy Beaver, the 8-foot tall mascot of The Ichetucknee Partnership, will also be attending. The idea of this jam packed festival is simple, and Thomas explains it with a smile. “To highlight Alligator Park,” Thomas said. “Which is really a beautiful and natural resource in our community.” According to Thomas, one of the most important aims of the festival


is to highlight the environmental impact that Alligator Lake, the headwaters of the Itchatucknee river and springs system. “What a lot of people don’t know is that what takes place in Alligator Lake and Lake City has a direct impact on the aquifer and our springs,” Thomas said. “So we’re trying to highlight some of the nature stuff.” For Thomas personally, however, it’s all about the birds. “I’m a bird person,” Thomas says cheerfully, “I’m a birder.” Thomas became an avid bird watcher after attending a Christmas bird count, where smaller groups of people cover a large area and observe birds for day. She became hooked and still is, going on Audubon bird walks regularly. Thomas once took a highlyrespected memebr of the local judicial community, Judge, E. Vernon Douglas, out on a bird walk. Douglas was instrumental in negotiations securing the purchase of Alligator Lake, and as a thank you, she invited him out to an Audubon bird walk. The walk turned out to be hampered by heavy rain, but the judge, who wasn’t quite dressed for the occasion, didn’t seem to mind. “I was enthralled,” Douglas laughed when recalling the incident. “It was overwhelmingly interesting.” Douglas explained that the event inspired him to start his own bird walks, near his home in Canon Creek. Thomas hopes the Alligator Lake Festival will continue to inspire people to come out and enjoy one of Columbia County’s biggest natural resources. “We kind of think of the festival as a gift to our community. It’s really free for everybody,” she said. “We’d love to get people out there, introduce them.” Currents | March/April, 2015 | 45


FRIENDS OF MUSIC

Classical music is their specialty From staff reports

The Friends of Music Concert Series was begun almost 20 years ago by Bill Poplin, professor-emeritus of Florida Gateway College. Concerts were held at First Presbyterian Church of Lake City where he and his wife, Linda, were musicians. For the past two years concerts have been at Covenant First Presbyterian Church of Live Oak. The series brings outstanding performers of classical chamber music to the area, and all concerts are free to the public. Both Poplins have taught music in Columbia County: Bill at the college, Linda at Columbia High School and at Eastside Elementary. They continue to teach by bringing concerts to the area. “We’ve hosted performers from all over the world,” said Linda Poplin. “Many of them we’ve housed in our home, and it is a pleasure to get to personally know musicians from other countries. We’ve had performers from England, France, Austria, Romania and several outstanding groups from the Czech Republic.” Most of the European musicians come to the Friends through Raymond Weiss Artist Management in New York City. Other performers are from the United States.

46 | Currents | March/April, 2015

Pianist Michiko Otaki has performed with Friends of Music numerous times in the past, both as a soloist and as an accompaniment for international chamber groups.

For the past six years Linda Poplin has been scheduling the concerts by email. “I’ve made many contacts throughout the state of Florida,” she said. “Now performers are contacting us wanting to be part of our series.” The concerts are free to the public through the generosity of people of the community. This is the only strictly classical concert series in the area. Every effort is made to schedule The Friends of Music Concert Series so that dates do not conflict with other local concert and entertainment series. For more information call 386-365-4941 or go to friendsofmusic.info.


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We believe the best way to live life is to do more of what you love. Whether you have muscle, bone, joint or spine pain, we have an experienced, specialty physician dedicated to getting you back to what matters most. You get to choose who you see, so take the next step and schedule an appointment. From diagnosis to recovery, our team is with you every step of the way.

Take the next step, call 386-755-9215. We are Improving Lives - Every day. Gainesville | Ocala 47 | Currents | March/April, 2015| Lake City | Alachua

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