Florida Country Magazine - April/May 2021 by Florida Country Magazine

FEATURES

FLORIDA COUNTRY MAGAZINE / ISSUE VOL. 5 • NO. 2

ON THE COVER: Polaris took full advantage of the demand for side-by-sides and introduced its wildly popular RZR brand, focusing solely on off-road family fun (page 74). Cover model Katie Heflin; Photography by Alex Rodriguez.

Historic Jewel on the Harbor

Punta Gorda’s Attractions Make It a Can’t-Miss Stop

Hurricane 'PBR' Hits Florida in January The Professional Bull Riders Find Their 'American Roots' 2

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DEPARTMENTS FLORIDA COUNTRY MAGAZINE / ISSUE VOL. 5 • NO. 2

THE HOMESTEAD

FCM CIRCLE

A NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHER

OPTING FOR A MORE RELAXED LIFESTYLE

page 8

page 52

FLORIDA 4-H HERE COMES THE JUDGE

FLORIDA EXCURSIONS

page 10

HORSIN' AROUND PRESERVING, DEVELOPING, PROMOTING ALL THINGS EQUINE

page 60

FLORIDA PEACEMAKERS MAKE THEIR MARK

WILD FLORIDA

THE FLORIDA BURROWING OWL

page 18

page 64

THE BRAND

page 22

FLORIDA HARVEST CALADIUMS MAKE FOR A LOT OF JOY

THE CULINARY CRACKER WHIPPING IT UP IN YOUR KITCHEN

page 30

page 70

TRUCKS & TOYS

page 40

BOOMING SALES AT SUN SPORTS CYCLE & WATERCRAFT

PICTURE PERFECT

page 44

page 74

COUNTRY WIDE SCENIC AND SOUTHERN SAVANNAH

MUD WHEELERS GONE WILD SPRING SLING

page 78

page 48

74 4

page 66

page 69

HIGH TECH IN SMALL-TOWN AMERICA

ULTIMATE BULL FIGHTING COMES TO THE SUNSHINE STATE

MY BEST FRIEND

CROSSWORD

page 26

RODEO PROFILE

page 56

TINY TREASURES

page 14

HELPING RURAL AREAS THRIVE SINCE 1916

EASY WAY TO GET AWAY IN TAMPA BAY

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F LO R I D A C O U NTRYM A G A Z I N E . C O M

Owner/Publisher Scarlett Redenius Owner/C.E.O. Brad Redenius President Thomas Fiﬁeld Vice President Sheila Fiﬁeld Editorial Director Katherine Waters Design Director Brian Stromlund Travel Editor Dave Kelly Contributing Writers Christopher DeCubellis, Ava Grace, Kathy Ann Gregg, Kym Rouse Holzwart, Dave Kelly, Delaney Kelly, Myles Mellor, Paul Thurman, Ph.D.

Featured Photographers Marty Britton, Jonathan Brucker, ToniDee Colon, Hannah Comedy, John Crowe, Kaley Dikeman, Megan Drumheller, Kathy Ann Gregg, Sheri Hardman, Kathy Harrell, Michelle Holland, Marie Lord Hunt, Dave Kelly, Macy Malphurs, Scarlett Redenius, Alex Rodriguez, Kristina Rodriguez, Emily Seibert, Keri Shean For more information about advertising with Florida Country Magazine, or joining our regional sales team, please contact:

239-692-2613 sales@floridacountrymagazine.com Advertising Sales:

Kendra Sutton 239-910-6414 kendra@floridacountrymagazine.com For other inquiries contact:

Scarlett Redenius, Publisher 239-600-4783 publisher@floridacountrymagazine.com Published by: Florida Country Publications

PO Box 50989 • Fort Myers, FL 33994 LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

facebook.com/floridacountrymagazine F LO R I D A C O U NTRYM A G A Z I N E . C O M Florida Country Magazine is published bi-monthly, copyright 2021, all rights reserved. Reproduction of contents in print or electronic transmission in whole or in part in any language or format must be by expressed written permission of the publisher. All articles, descriptions and suggestions in this magazine are merely expression of opinions from contributors and advertisers and do not constitute the opinion of the publisher, editor or staff of Florida Country Magazine, and under no circumstances constitutes assurances or guarantees concerning the quality of any service or product. Florida Country Magazine speciﬁcally disclaims any liability related to these expressions and opinions. Florida Country Magazine is not responsible for any unsolicited submissions. The advertiser agrees to hold harmless and indemnify the publishers from all liability.

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FCM CIRCLE

SPRINGTIME’S BIRD-CHIRPING WEATHER

ool nights are over and now it’s time to go out and about—even while dodging the lovebugs and putting up with allergies. The months of April and May get the farmers farming, the ranchers ranching, the explorers exploring and the birds chirping! Not that any of these activities truly ever stop, but our Sunshine State climate during these months is ideal. One farming operation hard at work is Happiness Farms, Inc. Soon its colorful shades of caladiums will brighten the roads of Lake Placid, known as the “Caladium Capital of the World,” and myriad other landscapes near and far (page 26). Another agriculture organization with a “world” appeal is U.S. Sugar. It owns one of the largest private Wi-Fi networks in the world, and that network plays a big part in growing food for American families (page 30). Florida Country Magazine wants to give a big shout-out to our state’s farmers for not just putting food on our tables— but also for supplying all types of products that we use in our everyday life. In addition, the months of April and May in Florida mean that outdoor activities are “calling our name,” and we have plenty of options. Lovers of the land and sea are on the prowl! Hop aboard the Sea Hare, owned by Salty Water Tours (page 56). Tour Teacher Emily Seibert and Capt. Rob White will give you a memorable experience that includes Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, scenic views, swimming, shelling and much, much more. Take a journey to Punta Gorda, in Charlotte County. Home to the Military Heritage Museum, this tropical paradise city has a little bit of everything. Great for a vacation or just a day trip—it won’t disappoint (page 32).

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Usually, “April showers bring May ﬂowers.” But that’s not so true in Florida. April is still normally known as our dry season. However, the month of May can be a little wet—and who loves wet? Mud and trail riding enthusiasts, that’s who! It used to be about trucks and four-wheelers, but side-by-sides are taking over! Just ask Fort Myers-based Sun Sports Cycle & Watercraft, Inc. These vehicles were largely used (and still are today) in the agricultural community, but thanks to Honda introducing its Rhino in 2004, an awful lot of extra recreation and fun have been added to the mix (page 74). In fact, the side-by-side community is so large that there are now events made just for it. For example, take Redneck Mud Park’s “Wheelers Gone Wild Spring Sling,” set for April 18 to 21, 2021. This family-friendly weekend brings people from all over the United States to enjoy a “mudcation” of a lifetime. You will see every type and style of side-by-side—from stock to lifted, a wide variety of makes and models, “insane” customizations and sound systems that make you think you are at a concert. And the event is not only for the side-by-side community because it is also designed to celebrate all-terrain vehicles. Maybe we better rethink my above comment about the month of April still being dry! Redneck Mud Park makes sure you will be muddy from head to toe (page78). Take advantage of our great state and what it has to offer. Enjoy life, be safe and count on us to bring you information on things to do and places to go, and to educate you about our agricultural community. Stay strong, “Live the Life” and keep on “Farming Seeds of Family Traditions.” That’s what Florida Country is about! SCARLETT REDENIUS, Publisher

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FLORIDA 4-H

HERE COMES THE JUDGE 4-H COMPETITIVE CONTESTS ENABLE YOUNG PEOPLE TO DEVELOP SKILLS FOR ADULTHOOD

ust about everyone agrees that society should provide opportunities and experiences for young people to help them mature into thriving adults—who will then contribute back to society. This means they need to be able to have a wide variety of educational activities. As young people mature, these continuing activities, along with tutelage from caring adults, help them gain life skills and develop competencies that will put them on a trajectory to thrive. One fantastic opportunity for young people in 4-H is the chance to learn about and participate in a competitive judging contest. It might sound like a stretch: How does

Left, Chandler DeCubellis judges a leghorn hen during a 4-H poultry contest. At right is a proud prizewinner. Opposite page, a much-younger Chandler tries his hand at judging.

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ranking four dairy cows from highest to lowest quality, or four sows from most desirable to least, or how good four chickens are at laying, help youth develop skills to translate to other areas of their lives? The answers might just surprise you! In a typical judging contest, young people learn a tremendous amount of detail about their topic. For example, 4-H members in poultry judging will learn to evaluate how proliﬁc a layer a hen is based on some easily identiﬁable factors. They also learn to grade eggs similarly to how a U.S. Department of Agriculture grader would evaluate the eggs.

LEFT PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRIS DECUBELLIS

Written by: Chris DeCubellis

Many young people in Florida 4-H are involved in some aspect of a poultry project. Some of them will go on to pursue a career in agriculture, maybe even in the poultry sector. However, the skills learned go way above and beyond only the subject matter expertise. The ability to quickly and thoroughly assess a situation, take all factors into consideration and then make a correct decision are skills that beneﬁt everyone. During judging contests, young people should not be guessing—they should be evaluating and deciding. In addition to scrutinizing data, evaluating information and making an informed decision, many judging contests require young people to give oral presentations. This simply means that, after judging the class of animals or eggs or other topic, young judges have to defend their reasoning.

different points of view: They grant the good things they see in the specimens they didn’t place ﬁrst, and back up coherently why they chose to place the class in a certain order.

They give a brief, often about 2-minutes-long speech to expert judges on how they placed the class and why they placed the class in a particular way. The young people learn to see

Some contests even provide hypothetical situations, and young judges decide which animal or specimen would be best for that scenario. For

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRIS DECUBELLIS

THE ABILITY TO QUICKLY AND THOROUGHLY ASSESS A SITUATION, TAKE ALL FACTORS INTO CONSIDERATION AND THEN MAKE A CORRECT DECISION ARE SKILLS THAT BENEFIT EVERYONE. DURING JUDGING CONTESTS, YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE GUESSING— THEY SHOULD BE EVALUATING AND DECIDING.

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FLORIDA 4-H

example, factors such as environment, inputs and information about a herd of cattle might make one particular bull better suited for a rancher to purchase. Youth in livestock judging contests often use these situations, along with a visual appraisal of the animals and scientifically determined Expected Progeny Differences, to determine the answers. Florida 4-H offers a wide variety of judging contests to appeal to youth who have all sorts of interests. Contests include dairy cattle, poultry, livestock and meats judging to the forest ecology contest, and horticulture identification and judging. There are also land judging, horse judging, hippology (equine veterinary and management knowledge contest) and even an “insectathon.” It is evident that there are competitive events to appeal to just about any young person who would like to dive deep into a topic that could potentially lead to a career. Young people will also gain valuable decision-making expertise, critical-thinking skills and communication abilities that will serve them well the rest of their lives. For more information on 4-H competitive events, email me at cdecube@ufl.edu or visit florida4h.org. FCM

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HORSIN' AROUND

PRESERVING, DEVELOPING, PROMOTING ALL THINGS EQUINE SOUTH FLORIDA TRAIL RIDERS OF MIAMI-DADE ‘VERY BUSY, ACTIVE AND FUN’ Written by: Kym Rouse Holzwart

The non-profit, all-volunteer club currently consists of about 500 members. While all members are interested in riding and caring for horses, they come from a variety of equestrian disciplines and come from all walks of life. The group is very busy, active and fun. It offers a large variety of activities, including trail rides, camping trips, clinics, educational opportunities, parades and fundraisers. Via Zoom, meetings are held the first Monday of each month, and a “Happy Hour” is held every third Monday of the month. An informative monthly newsletter is produced by South Florida Trail Riders, and the newsletter includes classified ads by local business and news from the organization’s many committees.

Trail rides and camping trips are hosted by South Florida Trail Riders every month—holding socially distant, safe trail rides is a priority. This is the group for you if you want to ride in Everglades National Park! Fun trail rides are typically scheduled to celebrate major holidays, and while most events are held in South Florida, the group does travel. Locations to which the group recently traveled north and held camping trips include Lake Louisa State Park, the Citrus Tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest, and the Cross Florida Greenway. Out-of-state adventures are held as well; South Florida Trail Riders is hosting a camping trip at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area in Tennessee in late April and into early May. Many members are regular participants in notable equestrian events held in Florida to celebrate the Sunshine State’s rich culture and history. Included are the Great Florida Cattle Drive, the annual cross-state Florida Cracker Trail Ride, the Osceola Wagon Train and Trail Ride, as well as related events. South Florida Trail Riders of Miami-Dade is serious about the numerous parades in which members

BECAUSE GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY IS SO IMPORTANT TO SOUTH FLORIDA TRAIL RIDERS, IT HOSTS AND PARTICIPATES IN MANY EVENTS EACH YEAR. The South Florida Trail Riders of Miami-Dade regularly holds trail rides throughout South Florida. In addition, the group does travel to other parts of Florida, and out-of-state adventures are held as well.

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PHOTOS ON THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE COURTESY OF SOUTH FLORIDA TRAIL RIDERS OF MIAMI-DADE

outh Florida Trail Riders of Miami-Dade is based out of Princeton, Florida, about 7 miles northeast of Homestead and 25 miles southwest of Miami. Formed in 1978, the primary goals of the organization are to preserve lands for equestrian activities—most notably trail riding; develop equestrian trails and facilities; promote equestrian activities; and promote legislation in favor of equestrians and horse-related activities.

Top left, Cowboy Day is a popular family event. Top right, the group's Parade Team participates in numerous parades. Below right, being on the Parade Team is fun and also a privilege. Below left, annual educational events are held for children.

Riding on the beach at Virginia Key, a barrier island between Miami and Key Biscayne, is just one of the many enjoyable activities offered by the South Florida Trail Riders of Miami-Dade.

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HORSIN' AROUND

The non-profit, all-volunteer club consists of about 500 members. Members come from a variety of equestrian disciplines and from all walks of life.

participate—so serious, in fact, that the group has a Parade Committee and a Parade Team. Getting on the Parade Team, which requires an application and adhering to organization guidelines, is a privilege. The Parade Team consists of a driver with a clean, full-sized pick-up truck, and banner carriers, pooper scoopers, horse-drawn carts, riders and walkers—of all ages. Even if you don’t have a horse, you can be a Parade Team member!

In addition, South Florida Trail Riders of Miami-Dade donates yearly to the following organizations: the South Florida Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Horse Protection Association of Florida, and the Florida Research Institute for Equine Nurturing, Development & Safety, Inc. It is also known as F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Horse Rescue & Sanctuary. FCM

ROUNDUP South Florida Trail Riders of Miami-Dade 305-446-7737, sftrmiamidade.org Email: sftr@watv.net

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PHOTO COURTESY OF SOUTH FLORIDA TRAIL RIDERS OF MIAMI-DADE

Because giving back to the community is so important to South Florida Trail Riders, it hosts and participates in many events each year. These range from educational activities for children to making funnel cakes at rodeos. Fundraising events undertaken by the organization include the annual trail ride to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which has taken place for almost 30 years; and, for the past 11 years, the annual Autism Ride to raise money for children to participate in therapeutic riding sessions.

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HORSIN' AROUND

FLORIDA PEACEMAKERS MAKE THEIR MARK COWBOY MOUNTED SHOOTING IS ONE OF THE FASTEST-GROWING EQUESTRIAN SPORTS

or spectators, watching a Florida Peacemakers competition is exciting, fast-paced and festive. For participants, it’s challenging, exacting and a whole lot of fun.

The Florida Peacemakers is a group of adults and children who participate in Cowboy Mounted Shooting using two .45-caliber single-action revolvers (loaded with black powder blanks) while barrel racing, pole bending and reining. The object is to shoot 10 balloon targets as they ride through the challenges. The competitor who rides the fastest and has the fewest missed marks—wins! The competition is a hog-killin’ good time and the excitement usually “sticks around” after the exhibition. Line dancing and karaoke often take place. For the Peacemakers, it’s a chance to bond. “Afterward, we all gather around the barn and enjoy food, drink and friendship while the horses are watching over the festivities,” says Cindy Stavely. The group’s secretary, she is from Hastings, in St. Johns County.

Florida Peacemaker Jeffery Salter checks his gun to make sure it is correctly loaded with black powder blanks.

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Those who are part of the group attest that the bonds run deep. “Competitors in the same division will help out fellow shooters if they need tack, guns or even a horse to ride,” Stavely explains. Meanwhile, new shooters are lent a hand, a gun, a holster and even a mount to give it a try. “They are some of the ﬁnest competitors you'd ever meet,” she adds. The group is an all-volunteer club. Putting on matches, especially the big competitions, requires help from everyone. “The whole club pitches in to make them happen,” Stavely says. The Florida Peacemakers is part of the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association, or CMSA. It’s a national organization that holds large championship matches all over the U.S. Many Florida Peacemakers participate in the matches, including going to places as far away as Las Vegas. Thanks to the warm weather of the Sunshine State, the Florida Peacemakers are able to compete all year round. Most matches are held in Lady Lake, in central Florida’s Lake County. Bigger matches, such as the New Year's Match, are held at the Clay County Fairgrounds. This past New Year’s Match drew competitors from all over the country, and the State Championship match drew 150 to 200

THANKS TO THE WARM WEATHER OF THE SUNSHINE STATE, THE FLORIDA PEACEMAKERS ARE ABLE TO COMPETE ALL YEAR ROUND. MOST MATCHES ARE HELD IN LADY LAKE, IN CENTRAL FLORIDA’S LAKE COUNTY.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JEFFERY SALTER

Written by: Ava Grace

TOP LEFT PHOTO COURTESY OF JEFFERY SALTER; TOP RIGHT PHOTO COURTESY OF CW GRIFFIN; BOTTOM RIGHT PHOTO COURTESY OF FLORIDA PEACEMAKERS; BOTTOM LEFT PHOTO COURTESY OF GARY LEVILLET

Clockwise from top left are Florida Peacemaker Johnny Gianassi, a top Mounted Shooter doing shotgun; 12-year-old Ethan Moody; a Florida Peacemaker teaching a new rider; and Men's Level 4 competitor Justin Naff on his horse, Legend.

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HORSIN' AROUND competitors from Florida and also from some other states. “We have a good relationship with our neighboring Georgia club, the Peach State Mounted Shooters. Many of us do all of their matches as well,” notes Stavely. Cowboy Mounted Shooting is one of the fastest-growing equestrian sports in the country. “I think it's becoming such a popular sport because it is exhilarating, and riders of all levels can come into the sport and be competitive from the very beginning,” Stavely says. New riders start off at Level 1 and work their way up. The divisions are gender split, there are senior classes for riders age 50 and above, and divisions for those who are age 11 and younger. Every time there is a competition, “variety is the name of the game.” There are different patterns to run and they are changed up for every run. There is not the kind of repetitiveness that is found in many other equine sports. As Stavely concludes: “What could be more fun than riding and shooting real ‘Old West’ guns at the same time?! We get to dress up cool, too!” FCM

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PHOTO COURTESY OF FLORIDA PEACEMAKERS

Florida Peacemakers facebook.com/FloridaPeacemakers

Florida Peacemakers offers a Wrangler class for youngsters through age 11. Once they are 12 years old, they may start shooting.

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HELPING RURAL AREAS THRIVE SINCE 1916 FARM CREDIT UNDERSTANDS AGRICULTURE’S CHALLENGES

Written by: Ava Grace

hether you are looking to finance a rural home or land, are in need of credit for livestock or new equipment, or are in the market for a line of credit or other financial services, Farm Credit is the place to turn to. FC knows the needs of the rural community and is dedicated to keeping it thriving. “At Farm Credit, we provide financing and credit for people who live, work or play in the country,” says Rachel Watts, a brand ambassador at Farm Credit of Northwest Florida. “Farm Credit is a mission-driven financial cooperative and we believe serving and enriching the rural communities where we live and work is important,” she explains. Rural community members have differing sets of needs compared to city and suburban dwellers. Consider a firsttime land buyer or home buyer who is looking to own

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acreage to build a home. “We provide financing for rural homes, lots, land with unlimited acreage, equipment, farm improvements, livestock, agricultural operating lines of credit and more,” adds Watts. Although some farmers and ranchers come from families who have been at it for generations, others are new and have never purchased real estate or a rural home. The lending teams at Farm Credit are full of experts in the rural lending business and are able to guide purchasers down the path to successful country living. The Farm Credit has been serving rural communities since 1916. FC knows that agriculture can be volatile and full of unexpected challenges, including hurricanes, droughts and floods, and diseases such as citrus canker, or pests such as the banded cucumber beetle. “At Farm Credit, we understand those challenges and are committed to working with them to succeed,” Watts notes.

TOP RIGHT PHOTO COURTESY OF FARM CREDIT OF FLORIDA; BOTTOM RIGHT PHOTO COURTESY OF FARM CREDIT OF CENTRAL FLORIDA

THE BRAND

Farm Credit guides purchasers down the path to successful country living. Upper right, former Florida A&M University president Fred Gainous was raised in Tallahassee, but not on a farm. After retiring as an educator, he and his wife, Beverly, grew Coastal hay. He says, “Farm Credit rescued our dream of farm ownership.” Also praising Farm Credit are cattle ranchers Ella and John Thomas of Inverness, pictured below.

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THE BRAND

Pam Manaton explains that she is grateful for Farm Credit. She farms in Madison, which is a city in and the county seat of Madison County, on the central northern border of Florida.

FC also provides a variety of resources for young, beginner and small farmers, including educational workshops, training programs and management seminars. Additionally, what sets Farm Credit apart from the majority of banks and other lending institutions is that customers are also members of the cooperative. One of the most important financial benefits of doing business with a cooperative is that as a customer, you are also a member-owner. Watts says, “This entitles you to share in the FC association’s profits through patronage refunds declared by the association’s board of directors. In 2019 alone, the three associations covering the state of Florida distributed $42.8 million in patronage dividends back to our customers.” Farm Credit is supportive of organizations that cultivate leaders in the agriculture industry, including FFA and 4-H, which provide many educational and hands-on opportunities for young people. Each association sponsors, participates and volunteers with local, regional and state livestock shows and other activities put on by FFA and 4-H, including state events. “At state events like the Florida FFA Convention, we’ve offered educational workshops on finance tools, understanding credit, leadership and more,” adds Watts.

ROUNDUP Farm Credit of Florida 11903 Southern Blvd., Suite 200, West Palm Beach 800-432-4156; farmcreditfl.com Farm Credit of Northwest Florida 5052 Highway 90 East, Marianna 800-527-0647, farmcredit-fl.com Farm Credit of Central Florida 204 East Orange St., Suite 200, Lakeland 863-682-4115, farmcreditcfl.com

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PHOTO COURTESY OF FARM CREDIT OF NORTHWEST FLORIDA

Looking to move to the country, buy acreage or add farm equipment? Be assured that the Farm Credit can help you make your dreams come true. FCM

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FLORIDA HARVEST

CALADIUMS MAKE FOR A LOT OF JOY LAKE PLACID-BASED HAPPINESS FARMS IS A KEY GROWER

ith impressive arrowhead-shaped leaves, lively patterns in white, pink and red, and catchy names such as Florida Moonlight, Red Flash and Tapestry, caladiums are conversation pieces—whether they rest along borders, grow under trees or burst out of window boxes. The ﬂowering plants, which originated in the Amazon River basin, ﬂourish in Lake Placid, Florida, in Highlands County. The town is called the “Caladium Capital of the World” because 80 percent of the world’s supply is grown there. Caladiums thrive in tropical climates, are dormant in winter, begin growing in late spring and through the summer, and are a summer tuber. All grow well in shade; there are sun varieties. “Happiness Farms is one of the original growers. It is now the largest grower in Lake Placid,” explains farm co-owner Danielle Phypers Daum.

The farm’s story dates to the 1940s: Her grandfather Paul Phypers (1903-1999), a potato-grower from Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, and originator of the farm, partnered with Bill Melvin, a Chicago building contractor and Florida landowner. They grew potatoes on 300 acres of Melvin’s 700-acre farm in Lake Placid. Phypers applied his knowledge of tractor mechanics and designed superior packaging machines. In 1948, there was a flourishing flower market in New York City and along the East Coast, so Phypers tried his hand at growing flowers. Thanks to his packaging system, business succeeded and he quit potato farming. Phypers subsequently purchased a 40-acre “Banana Farm” in Lake Placid—actually composed of mucky, lakebottom land. It was once part of Lake Clay, located on the southern banks of Lake Istokpoga. The mucky soil, with a low pH and up to 15 feet deep, was excellent for growing

Aerial photo of caladium fields at Lake Placid, Florida-based Happiness Farms.

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PHOTOS ON THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE COURTESY OF HAPPINESS FARMS

Written by: Ava Grace

At left are Florida Cardinal and Tapestry caladiums growing around a tree, with other varieties in the background. Top right, Florida Moonlight illuminates shady areas of the landscape; below right is the Happiness Farms sign at its office.

chrysanthemums, Easter lilies and gerbera daisies—which Phypers was able to deliver quickly. By 1957, the Melvins had sold their property to a cattle rancher, who then sold it to sod farmer Max Hoffman. He decided to grow caladiums along the sides of his farm, even though a few small growers had attempted to grow them commercially in the late 1940s on about 50 acres, but it wasn’t proﬁtable.

retailer Happiness Farms quickly became the largest caladium grower in Lake Placid. Now, just seven caladium growers work the 1,200-acre bottomland of the old Lake Istokpoga. “My grandfather decided that caladium research was essential and encouraged the University of Florida to begin working with caladiums in the mid-1970s,” Phypers Daum says.

The Hendry and Bates families also started growing caladiums around the same time. By the mid-1960s, there were nearly 25 caladium growers in town. The cut-flower market was becoming flooded with suppliers. “Many people had never heard of caladiums—as they were not in abundant supply. Here was a beautiful backyard plant, with terrific potential, that had gone virtually unnoticed by gardeners everywhere,” adds Phypers Daum. In 1964, Paul Phypers purchased half of Hoffman’s sod farm and added it to his “Banana Farm” property. Wholesaler and F LO R I D A C O U NTRYM A G A Z I N E . C O M

FLORIDA HARVEST

Sizzle Lance Leaf caladiums thrive in a window box.

To this day, the UF/IFAS research center in Balm, in Hillsborough County, has a specialty program for the research of caladium varieties and disease prevention. Happiness Farms is proud to help fund that research. Paul Phypers is credited with developing the rare and colorful Galaxy—one of the 50 varieties of caladiums that are commercially available today—and is exclusive to Happiness Farms. Family-owned and operated, the farm offers group tours for 15 or more (call to schedule), a gift shop, and growers act as tour guides during the town’s annual Caladium Festival. “We plant our large yard with thousands of beautiful caladium bulbs for the guests to walk through to get inspiration for their own plantings,” notes Phypers Daum. FCM

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Caladium Festival of Lake Placid July 23 to 25, 2021 caladiumfestival.org (Event includes bulb and plant sales, entertainment, food booths, a car show on July 24 and bus tours to the caladium fields with a tour guide who is a grower.)

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PHOTO BY KATHY HARRELL

Happiness Farms 704 County Road 621 E. Lake Placid, Florida 863-465-2313, happinessfarms.com

LAKE PLACID, FLORIDA, IN HIGHLANDS COUNTY, IS CALLED THE “CALADIUM CAPITAL OF THE WORLD” BECAUSE 80 PERCENT OF THE WORLD’S SUPPLY IS GROWN THERE.

PHOTO CREDIT INFO

PHOTOS COURTESY OF HAPPINESS FARMS

At left is Red Flash, a popular variety that grows large leaves and gets tall. Right is Florida Cardinal (Fancy Leaf variety) in back row and Cosmic Delight (Lance Leaf variety) in front. Below, caladiums seem to go on forever at Happiness Farms.

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FLORIDA HARVEST

HIGH TECH IN SMALL-TOWN AMERICA U.S. SUGAR ON CUTTING EDGE FROM FIELDS TO REFINERY TO TABLE

Written by: Ava Grace

he U.S. Sugar facility in rural Clewiston, Florida, in Hendry County, is one of the largest vertically integrated sugarcane milling and refining operations in the world. It is among the world’s most costefficient sugar producers—likely the result of the cutting-edge technology in its sugar-making process from fields to refinery to your table. U.S. Sugar began in 1931 by a visionary hailing from a long line of farmers. Back in 1931, Florida limes and beans were harvested in abundance, but much of Florida’s crops were hand-picked because farm technology was in its infancy. These days, Florida crops such as oranges, grapefruit, squash, fresh market snap beans, fresh market tomatoes, and sugarcane, rank among the first in the nation in value production. U.S. Sugar plays a large role in this overall output. Not only does it harvest and process sugarcane, but it also grows sweet corn—more than 4 million crates every year. And it leases land to other local farmers who grow sweet corn, green beans, lettuce varieties, peanuts, squash and watermelons on more than 10,000 acres. Today, U.S. Sugar produces nearly 10 percent of domestically grown sugar. That sustainable production is mainly the result of incorporating the latest, greatest technology. “To start, we have one of the largest private Wi-Fi networks in the world,” explains Judy Sanchez, senior director of corporate communications/public affairs. That wireless network covers 270 square miles, connecting people and equipment across the operation. With more than 1,000 connections, “smart” farm equipment, farm and factory personnel can send and receive data to share crucial information in real-time—saving time, energy and costs. “Another farming hack—we use an app best described as an ‘Uber for agriculture,’ ” adds Sanchez. Harvesters and tractors send beacons that signal precisely where they’re located,

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At top, sugarcane supervisor Juan Baez Jr., one of U.S. Sugar's second-generation production supervisors, demonstrates cutting-edge harvesting technology that is similar to ridesharing apps. Above, Keith Gayle, a farm manager, confirms harvest details with farm coordinator Matilde Casas in the Area 3 office near Belle Glade, Florida.

U.S. Sugar is home to one of the largest private WiFi networks of its kind in the world. The network spans more than 195,000 acres and helps to transmit real-time data between “smart” harvesting equipment, tractors, railcars and U.S. Sugar’s factory and personnel.

helping alleviate delays and bottlenecks, and making their harvest operations highly efficient. Additionally, high-tech Best Management Practices, or BMPs, such as GPS and lasers for field leveling with sub-inch accuracy, help reduce runoff. This reduces flooding and also improves water quality. “Perfectly level fields reduce run-off, keeping our naturally phosphorus-rich, organic ‘muck’ soils on the farms,” Sanchez says. Such BMPs have led to a 57 percent average annual phosphorus reduction, helping restore Florida’s Everglades.

PHOTOS ON THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE COURTESY OF U.S. SUGAR

Mechanical sugarcane harvesters equipped with Autosteer use GPS coordinates to harvest sugarcane fields. To harvest safely and prevent wildfires, U.S. Sugar follows the Florida Forest Service prescribed burn program—utilizing the latest weather technology to determine wind speed and direction. “Pre-harvest burns are specifically designed to protect our workers, crops and our communities,” Sanchez notes. In addition to making life sweeter and growing food for American families, U.S. Sugar also is dedicated to giving back to the community. It devotes thousands of volunteer hours to local events, organizations, schools, sports teams and social programs, and provides financial support to help local students, families, education and feeding programs. Aided by technology, the people of U.S. Sugar are able to produce more and give more. FCM

ROUNDUP U.S. Sugar 111 Ponce De Leon Ave. Clewiston, Florida 863-983-8121, ussugar.com

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Written by: Dave Kelly

ucked into Charlotte Harbor on the Southwest Florida coastline is the quaint little city of Punta Gorda, in Charlotte County. Much of it is on a broad peninsula extending into the harbor; for centuries inspiring local Native Americans to refer to it as "fat point." The name stuck—it was later settled by the Spanish and christened "Punta Gorda." The shoreline evolved into a small ﬁshing village, while cattlemen and frontiersmen staked homesteads inland. Punta Gorda’s historic downtown sits close by the picturesque harborside, home to marinas, waterfront parks and charming boutiques and restaurants. For our trip to discover more about Punta Gorda, we chose Four Points by Sheraton Punta Gorda Harborside as our home base. Situated on the gorgeous Peace River and steps from the revitalized downtown, there’s no better location in the city from which to set out to explore. We checked into our spotless room and were delighted to have an awesome marina view. It was an opportunity to watch yachts slide in and out of the harbor as we contemplated our next steps.

The Military Heritage Museum sits near the banks of the tranquil Peace River.

We didn’t have to go far to ﬁnd the best tiki bar in town. TT’s—short for “The Tiki”—is on the property, with its bars, tables and low-back beach chairs situated waterside. TT’s crew serves up oneof-a-kind tropical drinks and fresh seafood from a distinctive Florida-based menu. Top-notch live entertainment plays to people whose toes are planted in the surrounding sand. It’s the best view in town for gorgeous sunsets and spectacular river panoramas.

PHOTO INFO PHOTO CREDIT COURTESY OF MILITARY HERITAGE MUSEUM

Down the street from Four Points by Sheraton is the inspiring Military Heritage Museum. Originally located in Fishermen’s Village a few blocks away, the museum debuted on Pearl Harbor Day in 2001. In the next 18 years, it expanded twice, opening in 2019 at its current 17,000-square-foot location on Marion Avenue, while adding a conference center and worldclass military library. The museum’s goal is to honor veterans from all branches and eras of U.S. military service. To that end, it houses more than 30,000 authentic artifacts that played an actual part in that history. We met up with executive director Gary Butler, who explained that the museum’s layout is simple: The first floor walks you through the chronological history of U.S. conflicts, while the second floor showcases many of the specific aspects of our military, such as submarine warfare and women in the service.

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Rural eastern Charlotte County is the home of Babcock Ranch Eco-Tours, where you can take an excursion through historic Babcock Ranch. Punta Gorda has cattle roots, and they are evident when you ride through this 14,000-acre working cattle ranch steeped in history. There’s also a “sim-room”—visitors use virtual reality goggles to enjoy “experiences” such as parachuting from a plane and operating a tank. Additionally, there are computer flight simulators; guests sit in front of huge video screens and learn how to pilot anything from a small plane to an F-15 jet fighter. The library houses the Fold3 program, which provides access to military records, including stories, photos and personal documents of the men and women who served in every U.S. war. Visitors can search the records free of charge with daily admission. There’s also a state-of-the-art theater featuring historical footage, military documentaries and classic military movies daily at 1 p.m. Butler noted the museum is staffed by eight to 10 veterans who volunteer their time to help guests understand the complex history of U.S. conﬂicts. This approach provides

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a highly personal look at the men and women who have served in all branches across nearly three centuries of U.S. military history. Plan to spend most of the day in this fascinating museum. Rural eastern Charlotte County is the home of Babcock Ranch Eco-Tours, where you can take an excursion through historic Babcock Ranch. Punta Gorda has cattle roots, and they are evident when you ride through this 14,000-acre working cattle ranch steeped in history. Originally 156,000 acres and called the Crescent B Ranch, it was settled by the McAdow family in the late 1800s and acquired in 1914 by Edward Babcock, a Pittsburgh lumber magnate and politician. The renamed Babcock Ranch served as the base for the family’s timber business, producing turpentine and pine-based pitch to ward off termites— shipping it as far away as South Africa.

MIDDLE LEFT, TOP LEFT AND TOP RIGHT PHOTOS COURTESY OF MILITARY HERITAGE MUSEUM; OTHER PHOTOS BY DAVE KELLY

The Military Heritage Museum, below left and top photos, honors veterans from all branches and eras of U.S. military service. Below right, Leroy's Southern Kitchen & Bar is a half-mile stroll from the museum. Inset, gators line the banks of Telegraph Creek at Babcock Ranch.

Clockwise from top left, the tiki bar, known as TT's, at Four Points by Sheraton Punta Gorda Harborside; Babcock Ranch's Telegraph Swamp; on-site museum at the ranch; and sesame tuna at TT's.

BOTTOM LEFT AND TOP LEFT PHOTOS COURTESY OF FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON PUNTA GORDA HARBORSIDE; OTHER PHOTOS BY DAVE KELLY

In 2005, the family sold the property to Kitson & Partners, who shared the Babcocks’ desire to preserve as much of the ranch as possible. Kitson then sold 80 percent of the ranchlands to the state and Lee County, dedicating more than 73,000 acres of the most environmentally valuable areas of the ranch to land preservation. The new land management plan called for ranching and other business operations, such as the eco-tour, to continue operating. We strolled leisurely through the main area, which features a gift shop, museum and the Gator Shack Restaurant. We then hopped on the eco-bus with Darlene, our driver and tour guide, and headed out into the Babcock Wilderness Management Area. The 90-minute expedition takes you on a winding ride through typical Southwest Florida ecosystems, all the while “making friends” with local wildlife. Within the ﬁrst few minutes of our journey, we had up-close encounters with wild turkeys, hogs, dozens of alligators, osprey, majestic sandhill cranes and herds of resident cows. While driving along Telegraph Creek, we saw the property’s 100-year-old telegraph line to Cuba that still exists and inspired the creek’s name. Halfway through our journey, we stopped in the vast Telegraph Swamp and ventured out on the wooden walkway to explore native cypress trees and knees that populate the area.

At that point, Darlene surprised us with an up-close visit with a resident juvenile alligator. The tour is a perfect way for families to explore the outdoors, experience “Old Florida” and get back to nature. With its rich history and unhurried pace, Punta Gorda is a can’t-miss stop for your next road trip in the Sunshine State. FCM

ROUNDUP Four Points by Sheraton Punta Gorda Harborside 33 Tamiami Trail Punta Gorda, Florida 941-637-6770, four-points.marriott.com Military Heritage Museum 900 West Marion Ave. Punta Gorda, Florida 941-575-9002, freedomisntfree.org Babcock Ranch Eco-Tours 8502 State Road 31 Punta Gorda, Florida 800-500-5583, babcockranchecotours.com

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Written by: Kathy Ann Gregg

he Professional Bull Riders LLC, most commonly known as “the PBR,” came into existence as the dream of 20 top bull riders, and—almost three decades later—is a global sports sensation. Bull riding is affectionately called “The Toughest Sport on Dirt” and is followed by millions of fans worldwide.

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The Unleash the Beast series, which features the top tier of 30 riders, is televised weekly on CBS, CBS Sports Network and networks around the world. And the PBR itself broadcasts the events on its RidePass service, which extends to more than half a billion households in 50 nations and territories.

PHOTOS ON THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE BY KATHY ANN GREGG

Opposite page, Marco Eguchi masters Smooth Operator in Okeechobee for a score of 94. This page top, left to right, entertainer Flint Rasmussen enthralls the crowds and roughhouses with Colten Fritzlan. At right, Fritzlan shows his delight at taking his first Unleash the Beast title. Left, a young fan cheers on her favorites.

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Above left, bullfighters Lucas Teodor, Frank Newsome and Cody Webster display their "cowboy protection" skills at Arcadia. Right, Floridian Caleb Sanderson shows why pick-up men are sometimes called "cowboy tow trucks."

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ITS HISTORY, THE UNLEASH THE BEAST TOUR STORMED INTO THE SUNSHINE STATE WITH EVENTS IN OCALA, ARCADIA AND OKEECHOBEE.

Ocala’s Monster Energy Invitational was held Jan. 16 to 17. During the opening performance, top contestant Jess Lockwood suffered a broken jaw, and 2020 World Champion Jose Vitor Leme also joined the injured list when he broke his right ankle. The loss of these two riders allowed Brazilian Junior Patrik Souza the chance to compete in the Sunshine State. He hurried to Ocala from where he was competing in Texas, and was standing in the No. 2 spot at the end of the weekend, directly behind Ocala’s winner and a fellow Brazilian, Mauricio Moreira. The Mosaic Arena in Arcadia hosted the Pendleton Whiskey Invitational the following weekend, Jan. 23 to 24. Its Saturday short round included a 93-point ride by Texan Ezekiel Mitchell on reigning two-time YETI world champion bull Smooth Operator. This 11-year-old animal is a Chad Berger bull, who holds the title of the Reigning Stock Contractor of the Year. And Mitchell got his revenge after being bucked off by the legendary bovine in 2 seconds in the 2020 season at the Chicago event. Arcadia also witnessed the debut of a rider from Guatemala, 23-year-old Rodrigo Melgar, competing in the elite Unleash the Beast series. The series then moved to Okeechobee for the Coors Banquet Invitational held Jan. 30 to 31. The new season’s initial 15/15 Bucking Battle was held in the Saturday

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performance. Once again, bovine athlete Smooth Operator was bested by rider Marco Eguchi, with a 94-point ride. As the excitement mounted, it came down to the last two riders in Sunday’s short round. The rookie Colten Fritzlan, in his debut on the Unleash the Beast series, ended up winning the event with 86.5, 86.75 and 87-point rides. He held his breath, though, when Cooper Davis, with 87.5 and 86-point rides under his belt, could have snatched the win from him. But Davis desperately hung onto the left side of Speed Demon for the ﬁnal 2 seconds of the ride, and this lack of control cost him, resulting in being awarded only 84.75 points. While Fritzlan took the event win, the overall scores catapulted Davis, the 2016 World Champion, to the No. 1 spot in the PBR. No current contestants are from Florida but the pick-up man was Caleb Sanderson, who hails from Kissimmee. In addition to his roping skills in the arena, he was a four-time PBR Finals qualiﬁer, with lifetime earnings exceeding $500,000. The highlight of each performance was world-famous entertainer Flint Rasmussen. The 50-some-year-old kept the crowds entertained with his “Are You Smarter Than a Cowboy” and other routines. At Arcadia, he paid tribute to Irish dancer Michael Flatley with his “Lord of the Clowns” dance. He challenged the Okeechobee audience to bring him shirts featuring the school mascot—and on Sunday, he received several! The Unleash the Beast series has one more event this season in the Sunshine State—the Bad Boy Mowers Invitational Presented by Union Home Mortgage. It will be held May 22 to 23 at Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville. Then there is the Coconut Point Ford PBR, which is a Touring Pro Division event, held annually at the Hertz Arena in Estero during July. This year it is scheduled July 23 to 24. Here’s hoping the Professional Bull Riders decide to favor Florida with regular stops! FCM

PHOTOS ON THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE BY KATHY ANN GREGG

And for the ﬁrst time in its history, the Unleash the Beast tour stormed into the Sunshine State with events in Ocala, Arcadia and Okeechobee during this past January. These opened the PBR’s 2021 season, in its “highly anticipated American Roots Edition, a limited series of events scheduled to be held in historic outdoor venues and longstanding rodeo communities across the South,” according to public relations director Easton Colvin.

Above left, Ezekiel Mitchell in his 93-point ride on Smooth Operator at Arcadia. Above, Newsome jumps into "the gap" to protect Cooper Davis at Okeechobee. Below, a very young fan focuses on the show. Below left, Davis in the 15/15 Bucking Battle at Okeechobee.

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RODEO PROFILE

ULTIMATE BULL FIGHTING COMES TO THE SUNSHINE STATE ARCADIA-BASED MOSAIC ARENA HOSTS 2020 WORLD FINALS

ake a bull riding fan, mix it up with an adrenaline junkie, add a hint of craziness, make sure they are young and agile enough to outrun or outmaneuver a 2,000-pound bovine—and you’ve got yourself a bullﬁghter!

Their traditional use was for “cowboy protection.” When a bull rider is either bucked off or dismounts after his 8-second ride, the bullfighter would ensure he was protected from the bull coming back at him, either to hook him or to trample the rider. That means the bullfighter has to be prepared to take a hit, if necessary. So in order to protect themselves, bullfighters learned tricks, feints and maneuvers to distract the bull from that body on the ground. And from this arose a totally separate sport known as freestyle bullfighting. These contestants have 60 seconds in the arena to show off their skills. There are standard maneuvers that each of them need to include in each outing. Then they have the opportunity to add their own personal touch to the routine: They time it just right so they can jump over the bull, maybe take off an article of clothing and wave it at the animal, or throw their hat at it, and anything else they wish to include. Usually, two to three of their comrades will be on the railings—in case something goes wrong and the contestant needs help. That’s because the bovines in the arena with these

competitors are of the Toro de Lido breed, also known as Mexican fighting bulls. While they may look smaller or more compact than the bulls in traditional rodeos, these bovines are bred to attack, to hook, to maim and even to kill. Like most sports, even rodeos, the year or season is concluded with a finals event. The 2020 season saw the decade-old Ultimate Bull Fighters World Finals sponsored by the Arcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo, held at Mosaic Arena in DeSoto County’s Arcadia, Florida. The four performances were spread over three days: New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day (two performances) and Saturday, Jan. 2. Anywhere from 12 to 18 contestants were in each outing; the field was dwindled down to the final 12 on Saturday night. Each performance began with an introduction of the contestants, done differently each time but always with fireworks and rock music. The entertainer for the weekend was Brinson James the Entertainer (featured in the February/March 2021 issue of Florida Country Magazine), who did a great job keeping the audience involved. Unlike bullfights from Spain that come to mind when you hear the term “bullfighting,” the animals are not harmed or killed in this new sport. In fact, they are cared for like a member of the family. After all, they represent the livelihood of the owner.

At left, Tucker Lane McWilliams shows off his patriotism in the arena, with a costume in red, white and blue. Right, Noah Krepps keeps a close eye on the bull.

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PHOTOS ON THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE BY KATHY ANN GREGG

Written by: Kathy Ann Gregg

Clockwise from top left are Riley McKettrick of Arcadia; Rico Mathis of Bartow; Kentuckian Colby Lindsey being smashed into the ground; Brinson James the Entertainer with Fort Myers resident Jason Brennan and Brennan's grandson Ayden; and another shot of Mathis.

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RODEO PROFILE

At left, Trent King goes head to head with his bull. Right, Mathis' outfit is devoted entirely to the UBF.

Famed bull rider J.B. Mauney is a frequent stock contractor and his ﬁghting bulls were in Saturday’s performance. Florida is represented by two athletes in this sport: “veteran” Riley McKettrick of Arcadia, and newcomer Rico Mathis of Bartow. Florida Country Magazine did a story on McKettrick in its June/July 2019 issue.

Mathis’ life history is not a pretty one, having suffered abuse as a child, being abandoned by his family and even losing a close friend to a motorcycle accident. But he welcomes this new opportunity: “Bullﬁghting is saving me,” he states. When the dust had settled, it was Justin Josey—famed for the yellow hat he sports—who won the UBF World Finals. And with a remarkable and unbeatable season, Chance Moorman took home the buckle as World Champion. FCM

PHOTOS BY KATHY ANN GREGG

After giving up on a football career, 26-year-old Mathis decided to try freestyle bullﬁghting only a month before the UBF World Finals. At his ﬁrst attempt in Fort Worth, Texas, he made the mistake of competing when exhausted. He ended up getting badly hooked when his legs buckled just prior to the jump he was attempting.

The UBF was so impressed by Mathis that he was invited to compete at Saturday’s early performance. He did well enough to qualify for the next one that evening.

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PICTURE PERFECT

“O

MY COUNTRY HEART

h, how I want the country to stay country,” states Plant City, Florida, resident ToniDee Colon. She captured this image with her iPhone 8 Plus in that Hillsborough County city. The photographer continues, “Where farmers tip their hat and say, ‘Good morning, ma’am,’ where you hear more moos than traffic and smell homemade biscuits instead of exhaust. I feel that this photo comes from my country heart!”

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Photo by: ToniDee Colon

ALWAYS WILLING TO POSE

“T

his great blue heron is a regular in my neighborhood at Mayberry’s RV Park & Mobile Home Community in Okeechobee, Florida,” Sherri Hardman says. “It is always willing to pose for me. I am new to nature photography—and Okeechobee is full of wildlife of all kinds. This picture was taken from my front yard with a Canon PowerShot. I have 13 grandchildren and we are all learning about nature and wildlife through my pictures.”

Photo by: Sherri Hardman

A GRAND DAY

“T

his was at our son’s wedding,” explains Marie Hunt of Old Town, Florida, in Dixie County. “We were waiting on the reception to start and just happened to see our grandson standing by this truck enjoying his drink. This was captured with an iPhone. But I usually always have my camera with me. Photography is a great passion of mine. Photography is a way of capturing memories forever.”

Photo by: Marie Hunt

OSPREY IN ACTION

“T

his photo’s one of about 50 shots I took as I watched this elegant raptor snatch the fish out of the swift-moving St. Johns River,” says Michelle Holland of Crescent City, Florida, in Putnam County. She was in the Sportsmans Harbor area, along the river in nearby Welaka, and used a Canon PowerShot SX70HS (ISO 200 247 mm f/6.5 1/400 sec). “The excitement I feel whenever I observe and photograph such beautiful wildlife in action is inexplicable. Watching the many osprey diving and ripping their prey apart is breathtaking. As a retiree, there are only two things that my life revolves around—photography and pickleball,” Holland adds.

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PICTURE PERFECT

WAY OF LIFE

er Nikon D810 came in handy for Alachua, Florida, resident Macy Malphurs. As she notes, “Photography captures a story; my story reﬂects a lifestyle that’s been passed down through many generations of Florida ranchers. The group of cows pictured in this photo on the family ranch in Alachua have been passed down to me from my grandfather Lamar Malphurs. Fortunately, he was able to teach me the value of hard work and the beneﬁts of raising cattle locally. My goal is to preserve this way of life for generations to come.”

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Photo by: Macy Malphurs

Photo by: Megan Drumheller

Photo by: Renatta Photography

AN AMAZING FAVORITE

hile visiting Orlando-based Gatorland, Megan Drumheller of Winter Haven, Florida, shot this image with an Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark ll and Lumix 45 mm-200 mm lens. “American alligators are one of my favorite Florida natives and I love to photograph them—whether it be on the trails or at one of our local theme parks. I hope to show others how amazing these creatures are. Life can get hectic and we often forget to enjoy the journey. Photography helps me slow down, enjoy the beauty our world has to offer and to live in the moment,” says Drumheller.

VERY SPECIAL BIRTHDAY

aples, Florida, resident Kaley Dikeman employed Renatta Photography, which is also based in that Collier County city, for a very special photography shoot. Dikeman explains, “This photograph was taken by Renatta Photography with a Nikon D750 for my son’s 1-year-old birthday in Bonita Springs [in nearby Lee County]. My son’s name is Rhett Dikeman. He just turned a year old and loves playing outside.”

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COUNTRYWIDE

SCENIC AND SOUTHERN SAVANNAH CITY BECKONS WITH CUISINE, CULTURE AND HISTORY

ust a short day’s drive from Florida lies the historic city of Savannah. Established by James Oglethorpe in 1733, Savannah was the ﬁrst city in the new British colony of Georgia and was intended to serve as a military buffer between South Carolina and the Spanish colonists in Florida.

The area’s downtown, which includes the Savannah Historic District, the City Market and 22 park-like squares, is one of the largest National Historic Landmark districts in the U.S. Add in a robust nightlife and a famous Colonial estate to explore, and we knew it would be our kind of area to visit. We chose the boutique accommodations of The Present as our home base for our Savannah trip, and we couldn’t have been more pleased with what we experienced. The Present is the perfect blend of hotel and Airbnb, with contactless automated check-in and a director of guest experience who you can always reach. It is situated in the heart of Savannah on Crawford Square—walkable distance from the iconic

River Street area, Forsyth Park and the City Market. Before becoming The Present, the building was once a brothel, then an artist’s studio. Its 15 unique rooms focus on comfort and harken back to the studio days, with no two alike in design, layout or décor. There are options from small hotel rooms to apartments that sleep up to eight. Yet all rooms serve The Present’s goal of “relaxation, comfort and cozy peace of mind.” For our stay, we chose the 101 Studio Apartment, a six-person suite with a full kitchen and a private entrance overlooking Crawford Square. It is a mix of historic and edgy design that comes from the mind of HGTV designer Elizabeth Demos. There are also numerous nods to safety and cleanliness important in today’s environment, such as electrostatic cleaning by staff members and the use of high-tech products. We packed away our belongings in the bounty of space provided, changed into our walking shoes and headed out to discover the city.

RIVER STREET itself runs below the bluff and is lined with boutiques, hotels, restaurants, bars—and even a world-famous candy shop. Access to the River Street area comes via a dozen steep stone staircases on Bay Street that descend to Savannah’s famous cobblestone streets below.

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OPPOSITE PAGE: TOP RIGHT PHOTO BY KRISTINA RODRIGUEZ; ALL OTHER PHOTOS BESIDES MIDDLE LEFT PHOTO BY DAVE KELLY

Written by: Dave Kelly

Opposite page is downtown's Savannah's skyline. This page, clockwise from top left, world-renowned fried chicken at the Olde Pink House; the restaurant entrance; Bonaventure Cemetery; tasty French onion soup and sausages at Churchill's; mansions lining Forsyth Park; and Live Oak Avenue at Wormsloe State Historic Site.

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COUNTRYWIDE

No two rooms are alike at the boutique accommodations of The Present, which has a lovely patio. Situated in the heart of Savannah on Crawford Square, its goal is "relaxation, comfort and cozy peace of mind."

In the South Historic District area lies Forsyth Park. This breathtaking 30-acre city park features walking paths, a children's play area, a large fountain and a Garden of Fragrance for visually impaired visitors. Built in the 1840s, the park is surrounded by million-dollar Victorian-era homes. The huge fountain at the north end of the park was added in 1858, and legend has it that, while seemingly beautifully unique, it was actually ordered out of a mail-

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order catalogue that was popular in the day. Every St. Patrick's Day, the fountain is ceremoniously dyed green in celebration of Savannah's deep Irish heritage. Turning back to the north, we headed to the River Street area. While Bay Street runs atop the long bluff that looks out over the Savannah River, River Street itself runs below the bluff and is lined with boutiques, hotels, restaurants, bars—and even a world-famous candy shop. Access to the River Street area comes via a dozen steep stone staircases on Bay Street that descend to Savannah’s famous cobblestone streets below. The stones were originally used as ballast material on the ships that sailed into Savannah's harbor. They were then replaced with goods from America headed back to Europe and thus discarded onto the shore, where they were utilized to build the streets. Look around and you will see that the

LEFT PHOTO BY HANNAH COMEDY; TOP RIGHT PHOTO BY KERI SHEAN; BOTTOM RIGHT PHOTO BY MARTY BRITTON

Located across the street from The Present, Crawford Square is one of Savannah's famous squares, which are spread out across a square-mile area of downtown. Each square is typically a 40,000-square-foot rectangle and the focal point of the homes and inns that line its edges. Most are park-like, with fountains, gazebos and benches. All are shaded by huge live oaks dripping with Spanish moss.

Photo here shows elaborate architectural detail of a window. At right is a view of breathtaking Forsyth Park, with its huge fountain that was added in 1858.

THE AREA’S DOWNTOWN, which includes the Savannah Historic District, the City Market and 22 park-like squares, is one of the largest National Historic Landmark districts in the U.S. stones often cause the locally famous “cobble wobble” walk that visitors can be seen doing on River Street. We wanted to get the true feel of Southern fine dining, so we headed to the Olde Pink House on Reynolds Square to try out its world-renowned fried chicken. Built in 1771 as the Habersham House, the native brick used to build it slowly began to bleed through the plaster walls, changing the exterior color to a pale pink—and the name “Olde Pink House” soon stuck. Over the years, it fell into neglect. But in 1992, it was purchased by the Balish family, who researched its past and restored it to its original grandeur. In addition to its Country Fried Chicken plate, the restaurant features traditional Lowcountry dishes such as shrimp and grits, pan-seared crab cakes, and fried honey quail. Full of home cooking, we hopped in the car and headed to Bonaventure Cemetery. With more than 100 acres of history dating back to 1846, its curving pathways, shade trees and greenspace made it common practice for families to meet and picnic while visiting friends and family buried there. In addition to being the final resting place of many notable Georgians, the cemetery received fame when the cover photograph for the best-selling book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil featured the so-called Bird Girl statue that had quietly graced the cemetery for years. A visit to the Savannah area would be incomplete without a trip to the Wormsloe State Historic Site. Finished in 1745 by noted physician Noble Jones, it features the 200-year-old ruins of Jones’ Tabby Estate, one of the first homes built in Georgia.

But the centerpiece of the Wormsloe State Historic Site is the Live Oak Avenue and Entrance Gate. This breathtaking mile-long dirt roadway is lined by more than 400 live oak trees planted in the 1890s, forming a canopy of joining branches that allows only limited dappled sunlight onto the shaded lane. This was the location for many of the rural scenes in the movie Forrest Gump. (So if you listen closely, you just may hear Jenny shouting, “Run, Forrest! Run!”) Fortunately, Savannah itself is only a quick run from Florida—and well worth the trip. FCM

ROUNDUP The Present 224 Houston St. 912-421-9517, visitthepresent.com The Olde Pink House 23 Abercorn St. 912-232-4286, theoldepinkhouserestaurant.com Bonaventure Cemetery 330 Bonaventure Road 912-412-4687, bonaventurehistorical.org Wormsloe State Historic Site 7601 Skidaway Road 912-353-3023, gastateparks.org/Wormsloe

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THE HOMESTEAD

OPTING FOR A MORE RELAXED LIFESTYLE FORT MYERS’ HORSE CREEK COMMUNITY FEATURES DANIEL WAYNE HOMES

Written by: Ava Grace

nviting front porches are great places to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning or spend an afternoon playing chess. Expansive family rooms are perfect spots to gather around for conversation or watch a sunset. Bonus rooms are terriﬁc places for a home office or a game room. Fort Myers, Florida-based Daniel Wayne Homes considers all of the above—and more. The builder carefully plans and constructs homes to ﬁt the “needs of today’s world while still embracing the best parts of yesterday.”

The 220-acre Horse Creek subdivision in Fort Myers offers estate homes built by Daniel Wayne Homes on acre-plus lots. The large lots afford residents plenty of space and privacy without forgoing a sense of a friendly community. The setting lies along the banks of the gracefully meandering Orange River, where kayakers and canoers quietly paddle, and nature trails lead to patches of woods. Yet it’s not too far from the hustle and bustle of shopping, dining and other activities. The newest Daniel Wayne Homes model at the Horse Creek subdivision is the 2,700-square-foot (under air) “Palm Beach” model. The home offers a bit of the past in its interior design, because it utilizes wood from a 137-year-old Amish barn in Pennsylvania. Metal roofs and lap siding are also indicative of this model and other Daniel Wayne Homes. “Although we have touches of an older style, we include modern features such as LED lighting, luxury ﬂoorings, spray foam insulation and ventless attics,” says Daniel Dodrill, president of Daniel Wayne Homes. What further enhances the appeal is a multigenerational design option, which is a big trend right now. “The extra space a multigenerational plan allows is truly multi-purpose,” Dodrill explains.

PHOTOS ON THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE COURTESY OF DANIEL WAYNE HOMES

The master bedroom has good views of the large lot, which affords residents plenty of space and privacy without forgoing a sense of a friendly community.

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Above left is an elegant kitchen and, at right, a farmhouse-style interior door. Below is an exterior view of a "Palm Beach" model by Daniel Wayne Homes. There are four versions of the Palm Beach floor plan available, and all are entirely customizable to fit the homeowner's preferences.

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THE HOMESTEAD

At left is a rustic-yet-contemporary dining room. The master bathroom is at right.

THE BUILDER CAREFULLY PLANS AND CONSTRUCTS HOMES TO FIT THE “NEEDS OF TODAY’S WORLD WHILE STILL EMBRACING THE BEST PARTS OF YESTERDAY.” “It can be a great space for college-aged children moving back home, older family members moving in, visitors coming for extended stays—and even people who are now working from home,” he adds. There are four versions of the Palm Beach ﬂoor plan available, and all are entirely customizable to ﬁt the homeowner’s preferences. Those who opt for a more relaxing lifestyle—a little more rural and a bit more room—can easily discover their ideal place with Daniel Wayne Homes in Horse Creek. Homes can be built on any lot of the homeowner’s choosing but interested individuals will need to act fast because fewer than 10 lots remain in the community. FCM

Daniel Wayne Homes 5961 Northland Road #1 Fort Myers, Florida 239-466-3955, danielwaynehomes.com Horse Creek Community 4651 Horse Creek Blvd. Fort Myers, Florida 239-332-7335, horsecreekcommunity.com

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF DANIEL WAYNE HOMES

ROUNDUP

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FLORIDA EXCURSIONS

EASY WAY TO GET AWAY IN TAMPA BAY SALTY WATER TOURS EMBRACES NATURE’S WONDERS mily Seibert is a naturalist, and it shows.

As the Tour Teacher on the Sea Hare, Seibert embraces a lifestyle of studying the natural environment and passes that passion on to her guests. Together with her partner, Capt. Rob White, they run Gulfport, Florida-based Salty Water Tours. Their company specializes in custom excursions of the Boca Ciega Bay Aquatic Preserve and the sprawling Tampa Bay ecosystem. White and Seibert pride themselves on being “Stewards of the Sea”—working diligently to take care of the environment and marine life in the delicate waters of the bay. This is evident in their approach, their attitude and their knowledge. Recently, we met up with the captain and crew at Gulfport Municipal Marina and hopped aboard the Sea Hare, a 26-foot Twin Vee eco-friendly boat that zipped us out to

pristine Boca Ciega Bay in no time. About only 10 minutes after leaving the dock, the Sea Hare was within just a few yards of dozens of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. We watched in amazement as these clever animals jumped, twirled and played alongside our boat, seemingly without a care. As we motored in safe, lazy circles, more and more curious dolphins swam up next to us, often even diving below the boat and resurfacing on the other side with what could only be called a “smile.” At times, the captain sped up enough to create a wake behind us, and many of the playful dolphins dove in and out of it as we zigzagged through the waters. We spent an easy half hour in the same area, interacting with dolphins of all ages—and it was an amazingly engaging show. For the next part of our Salty Water Tours experience, we headed into Lower Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. On

CUSTOMIZED PACKAGES INCLUDE SNORKELING, DOLPHIN WATCHING, SUNRISE YOGA LESSONS, SUNSET CRUISES, SHELLING TRIPS AND MORE.

Boats tie up at Shell Key Preserve, where visitors can snorkel, shell and swim in the picturesque waters.

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PHOTO BY EMILY SEIBERT

Written by: Dave Kelly

BOTTOM PHOTO BY DAVE KELLY; TOP AND MIDDLE LEFT AND CENTER PHOTOS BY EMILY SEIBERT

At left, dolphins frolic by the Sea Hare. Its route offers a unique perspective on bay scenery, as shown here. Capt. Rob White, at left below, offers relaxation and bird watching as part of his Salty Water Tours. Bottom is Tour Teacher Emily Seibert.

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FLORIDA EXCURSIONS Salty Water Tours helps guests get away from it all.

ROUNDUP Salty Water Tours 4630 29th Ave. S. Gulfport, Florida 727-401-2774; captrob@ saltywatertours.com

the way, we saw a vast array of sea turtles, rays, dolphins, birds and more. Seibert explained that when the local waters warm up, there are even manatees playing in the bay. After passing under scenic bridge structures and cruising past the beautiful homes that line the shore, we tossed out our anchor at the white-sand islands of Shell Key Preserve. Here we took the opportunity to snorkel, shell and swim in the picturesque waters, then relax and have lunch with the soft island sand at our feet.

Herons and brown pelicans come from up North to roost and often get tangled in abandoned ﬁshing lines and discarded litter. Seibert calls on her experience to approach the birds safely, extricate them from their situation, assess their health and release them back into the wild or transport them to recover at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve in St. Petersburg.

There was time to speak with other visitors on Shell Key Preserve. Many of them were excited to tell us that the island was the best shelling location they had ever found.

Floridians, snowbirds and tourists who love aquatic wildlife—and the natural beauty that surrounds it—should make sure to check out Salty Water Tours. Customized packages include snorkeling, dolphin watching, sunrise yoga lessons, sunset cruises, shelling trips and more.

We left and circled past Fort DeSoto Park as the Sea Hare headed to Little Bird Key, an Audubon Society refuge since 2015. As many as 400 pairs of birds nest on it at one time, making it one of the largest bird rookeries in the area.

Guests can even take their canine pals along with them on the pet-friendly boat. Salty Water Tours is a private experience that’s always educational—and the easy way to get away in Tampa Bay. FCM

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WILD FLORIDA

TINY TREASURES SCALLOPING PROVIDES GOOD TIMES AND GREAT EATS Written by: Paul Thurman, Ph.D.

I checked the mail and I’d received a copy of a popular fishing magazine that had a picture on the cover of a bucket full of scallops. I pointed it out to my friends and all had the same response—we loved to eat scallops but had never gone “scalloping.” That was our cue. We loaded up in my truck, armed with a couple buckets and my snorkeling equipment, and headed to the coast, driving west on U.S. 98 toward St. Joseph Bay. Once we arrived, we started seeing piles of scallop shells on the side of the road next to the bay and figured we must be in the right spot. We parked and waded out into the grass flats, not seeing much until we got a couple hundred yards out. Then we saw them … everywhere. Within half an hour, we had our limit—and sore backs from bending over

constantly. The next couple hours were spent cleaning our bounty and enjoying a couple well-earned beverages. This was followed by one of the most satisfying meals I’ve had to this day. I was hooked. Scalloping is a great activity for the whole family. In fact, many people who don’t enjoy fishing with a rod and reel do enjoy scalloping. You don’t have to be quiet or particularly skilled. For lots of families, the opening of scallop season is an annual ritual in which everyone travels to the coast for a couple days to gather these small delicacies. While a boat can provide access to unscalloped seagrass beds that can’t be accessed by foot, it’s certainly not required, especially in areas such as St. Joseph Bay in Gulf County. Compared to other types of fishing, not much equipment is required—only a bag or bucket to put your catch in. You’ll also need access to healthy grass flats with clear water. Scallops tend to like saltier water than other bivalves such as oysters, so be sure to target seagrass beds in coastal estuaries like Steinhatchee rather than bays like Tampa Bay.

DON’T CONFUSE OUR BAY SCALLOPS WITH THEIR LARGER COUSINS—THE OCEAN SCALLOP. WHILE BAY SCALLOPS ARE ONLY ABOUT A THIRD THE SIZE OF SEA SCALLOPS, THEY ARE WIDELY CONSIDERED TO HAVE A SWEETER TASTE AND A MORE TENDER TEXTURE. BAY SCALLOPS TEND TO HAVE SHELLS UP TO ONLY A FEW INCHES ACROSS.

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PHOTO BY JOHN CROWE

ummer in Tallahassee, Florida, can be quite boring for a college student. Most of my friends had gone home and only a few stayed in town. It was early one morning during the summer of 1994 and we were trying to ﬁgure out what to do that day.

TOP PHOTOS BY JONATHAN BRUCKER; MIDDLE LEFT PHOTO BY FDEP/ST. JOSEPH BAY AQUATIC PRESERVE; OTHER PHOTOS BY JOHN CROWE

Opposite page, scalloping is a fun activity for the family. Top left, a scallop in algae and, right, in sand. Above right, going scalloping from a paddle board. Middle left, a scallop in a seagrass bed. Above left, delicious scallops and linguine.

Snorkeling, scuba or an underwater viewer is helpful for ﬁnding scallops in deeper water because their small size can make them difficult to see from the surface. Once you ﬁnd them, just grab them and put them in your bag. This can be a little easier said than done, however, because—believe it or not— they can sense you coming and are capable of evading catch.

the northern Gulf Coast of Florida. Scallops are very sensitive to environmental changes and are most plentiful where water quality is good and seagrasses are abundant. Historically found throughout much of the state, scallops are now most plentiful between Tarpon Springs and Port St. Joe where coastal development is limited.

Although scallops aren’t as abundant as they once were, isolated populations are still found primarily along

Scallop populations also tend to vary from year to year in terms of overall numbers and areas where they are found F LO R I D A C O U NTRYM A G A Z I N E . C O M

WILD FLORIDA

A fine catch after a day's hard work!

in the highest densities. Multiple state agencies, such as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, collect and provide information on local scallop populations and areas closed because of water quality issues. Fresh bay scallops are among the sweetest, tastiest meat you can eat. They are great fried or sautéed, and make a fantastic ceviche. Just don’t overcook them! Their small size makes them cook very quickly.

Even though you may not consider it “fishing,” in Florida a saltwater fishing license is required if you are required to have one for other types of fishing. When going scalloping, it’s important to check the most up-to-date regulations. Because of their changing abundances, regulations are often different based on location. If you’re interested in scalloping, do your homework and check local regulations. Scallop season varies from county to county. For more info, visit myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/bay-scallops/. Good luck and tight lines! FCM

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PHOTO BY PAUL THURMAN, PH.D.

Also, don’t confuse our bay scallops with their larger cousins—the ocean scallop. While bay scallops are only about a third the size of sea scallops, they are widely considered to have a sweeter taste and a more tender texture. Bay scallops tend to have shells up to only a few inches across.

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#1 RE-MAX Office in Florida 2 Years in a Row!

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WILD FLORIDA

THE FLORIDA BURROWING OWL CAPE CORAL’S CLAIM TO FAME

Written by: Kathy Ann Gregg

he Sunshine State is home to many species of birds that are found nowhere else, but one of the cutest ones is the Athene cunicularia floridan—the Florida burrowing owl.

Small, long-legged owls that average 9 inches in height, they have large yellow eyes and a white chin. Their body color pattern helps them blend in with the vegetation in their habitat. The owls sport brown-black feathers with patches of white spots, and a white underside with brown bar-shaped spots. Florida burrowing owls live in open, treeless areas and spend most of their time on the ground. Unlike other owls, they are active during the daytime (diurnal) rather than at night (nocturnal) throughout their breeding season, which typically runs from about Feb. 15 to July 10. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, “During the non-breeding season, they become more nocturnal.” These owls can dig their own nests but they often use the burrows of gopher tortoises or armadillos, whose burrows can run as long as 10 feet. The female Florida burrowing owl will lay up to eight eggs within a week’s time period, which she will then incubate for up to 28 days. The male stands guard over the burrow for hours at a time. The hatchlings are white-feathered and do not appear outside of the nest for two weeks. Flying lessons start when they are 4 weeks old. However, they will not ﬂy well until they are approximately 6 weeks of age. These juveniles stay with the parents until they are able to sustain themselves, which is usually around 12 weeks of age. The city of Cape Coral, in Southwest Florida’s Lee County, has the well-deserved nickname of “The Burrowing Owl Capital of the World.” With some 2,500 burrows located within the city limits, there are estimated to be 1,000 breeding pair that reside there. Thus it comes as no surprise that the city of Cape Coral adopted the Athene cunicularia floridan as the “Official City Bird” at its city council meeting on Sept. 6, 2005.

Birders and photographers from throughout the world visit Cape Coral annually to view these tiny and easily seen creatures. City officials and the local Friends of Wildlife have published Rules of Engagement/ Viewing Etiquette. The rules are basically common sense—keep your distance from the owls, and do not feed the owls—and are necessary for the wellbeing of this state-threatened species. It boggles the mind that the “Do Not Feed” rule has to be further explained with the following information: The diet of the Florida burrowing owl “consists of mice, roaches, small snakes, anoles and frogs, and NOT crackers, peanuts, granola bars or McDonald’s French fries.” Be sure to add the viewing of Florida’s smallest owl to your bucket list. And, of course, be sure to follow Rules of Engagement/Viewing Etiquette to help them thrive! FCM

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PHOTOS THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE BY KATHY ANN GREGG

The scientiﬁc name of this cute avian comes from the Greek word “athene,” which refers to the Greek goddess of wisdom whose favorite bird was—you guessed it!—the owl, and the Latin word “cunicularia.” That means a miner or burrower.

Opposite page, a Florida burrowing owl "bobs" nervously. The writer used a telephoto lens but other people got too close to it. Above left, the owls' coloring camouflages them. Above right, a pair at their nesting site. Burrows are marked with stakes so they won't be disturbed. Below is a male in front of his burrow.

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MY BEST FRIEND Florida Country Magazine runs a “My Best Friend” contest on Facebook every other month, for each issue of the magazine.

Elise Faulk of Freeport, Florida Best Friend’s Name: Mellow Yellow Best Friend’s Breed: Haﬂinger cross My best friend is a patient and forgiving horse named Mellow Yellow. I am 10 years old and sometimes have a lot of anxiety and my buddy Mellow does just that! He calms me and mellows me out. I feel I can cope with anything life throws at me with his sweet nature! Equine therapy at its best. Mellow is always happy to see me and I love his heartwarming nicker to greet me every time.

Stephanie Rooks of Bradenton, Florida Best Friend’s Name: Scooby Doo; aka Scoobers Best Friend’s Breed: American Bulldog mix We rescued our Scooby Doo from the local animal shelter. When the volunteer brought him out, I called his name and he sat right in front of me and handed me his paw. He had my heart from that moment. He was listed as an “owner surrender” and to this day I have no idea why, but glad he landed in our home and especially my heart. He’s the “bestest” boy! Never leaves my side.

Trish Grant of Darby, Florida Best Friend’s Name: Gus Gus Best Friend’s Breed: Registered purebred Brahma bull (also halter broke) Gus Gus is a purebred Brahma bull. He’s absolutely the best! I can be having a crazy, hectic day and seeing him just makes me happy! He’s a huge, big ol’ bull who thinks he can go anywhere with me! He’s the best daddy, too, and makes some beautiful calves! Love my Gus Gus; aka Double Gus.

Linda Floyd of Cape Coral, Florida Best Friend’s Name: Tristan Best Friend’s Breed: Appaloosa Tristan is an answer to a lifelong dream. I have always had a love of horses but was never blessed with my own. However, at age 65, three years ago my dream came to fruition. He means everything

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5 to me. He nickers when he sees me, he has carried me out of the isolation of COVID, on trail rides we experience the beauty of God, and he has brought all sorts of new friends into my life. He has also forced me out of my comfort zone entering horse shows and winning ribbons. I’m blessed.

Connie Brewer of Naples, Florida Best Friend’s Name: Comit Best Friend’s Breed: Pot Belly pig My granddaughter, Kilynn Beebe, sure loved her pig, Comit, but had to move away and leave him behind. But on this day, I was taking fall pictures of Kilynn—and Comit came over to join us ... It’s a little girl’s love for her pig and/or a pig’s love for his little girl!

Stacey Taylor of Bell, Florida Best Friend’s Name: Gizmo Best Friend’s Breed: Calico cat Gizmo likes to be the guard cat. She is my protector and very nosy. She got her head stuck in some strange places trying to be nosy. If I go to the bathroom, she is like a kid and follows me there. She gives me kisses when I ask for it. She sits perched on my head when I’m sleeping and will pop me if I move away from her. Thanks for choosing us in the “My Best Friend” contest.

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FCM CROSSWORD SUBSCRIBE ONLINE TO OUR PRINT OR DIGITAL MAGAZINE 1 Year $29.95 floridacountrymagazine/ subscribe.com Call today and subscribe 239-692-2613

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ACROSS 1 Winning horse 5 Place for a game of bowls 9 It controls the rudder to steer the boat 10 Colorful flowers in rhododendron family 11 Mediterranean salad fruit 14 Yellow tropical fruit 16 Sure! 17 University College, for short 19 Samba dance style, 2 words 24 LaBelle festival celebrates Southern dish, 2 words 29 Construction site container 31 Bucking bronco show 32 Connections between trucks and their loads 35 Gator or lemon? 36 Trees with nuts 37 Chickpea paste

DOWN 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 12 13 15 18 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 30 33 34

HIDDEN WORD

Rodeo rider Island off Florida’s Atlantic coast Friend Florida is famous for these fruits Where some sports teams play Aroma, in wine-speak Structure by the swimming pool Piece of chicken Recede as a tide Popular family wheels Siamese, e.g. Tolkien cannibal Grinder Website URL ending Pro golfer’s helper Ornamental plant Romance Peke or pug BBQ leftovers Cookie quantity Takes advantage of Breakfast meat Campus URL ending

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THE CULINARY CRACKER

WHIPPING IT UP IN YOUR KITCHEN Every issue of Florida Country Magazine is filled with easy, delicious and seasonal recipes you’ll want to make again and again.

JALAPEÑO HUMMUS Serves 8

INGREDIENTS 1 cup garbanzo beans, drained (reserve juice) ⅓ cup canned jalapeño slices (reserve juice) 3 tablespoons tahini 3 garlic cloves, minced 2 tablespoons lemon juice ½ teaspoon ground cumin ½ teaspoon curry powder 1 tablespoon olive oil Crushed red pepper ﬂakes, to taste PREPARATION Blend garbanzo beans, jalapeño slices, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, cumin, curry powder and olive oil in a food processor. Stream reserved juices into the mixture while blending, until desired consistency is achieved. Refrigerate overnight. If desired, add crushed red pepper ﬂakes to taste.

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INGREDIENTS 3 cups diced cooked rotisserie chicken 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened ¾ cup Frank’s RedHot pepper sauce ½ cup pepper Jack cheese, shredded ½ cup ranch dressing ½ cup crumbled blue cheese ½ teaspoon Old Bay seafood seasoning 1 pinch cayenne pepper 2 tablespoons pepper Jack cheese, shredded PREPARATION en, Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Combine chick er pepp cream cheese, hot pepper sauce, ½ cup od Jack cheese, ranch dressing, blue cheese, seafo l. bow seasoning and cayenne pepper in large ng Transfer chicken mixture to 9-inch round baki Jack er dish. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons pepp cheese. Bake until lightly browned, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven and garnish with additional cayenne pepper, if desired.

BUFFALO CHICKEN DIP Serves 8

INGREDIENTS 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened 4 tablespoons mayonnaise 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded 2 6-ounce cans crab meat 2 garlic cloves, minced 1½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice 2½ teaspoons hot sauce 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce Old Bay seafood seasoning (for garnish)

HOT CRAB DIP Serves 4

PREPARATION Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium dar bowl, mix cream cheese, mayonnaise, ched e sauc hot , juice n lemo cheese, crab meat, garlic, ow shall a to sfer Tran e. and Worcestershire sauc od 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Garnish with seafo 30 for oven d seasoning. Bake in preheate minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly. F LO R I D A C O U NTRYM A G A Z I N E . C O M

THE CULINARY CRACKER

GUACAMOLE Serves 6

INGREDIENTS 6 avocados, peeled, pitted and mashed 2 limes, juiced 1 jalapeño, ﬁnely chopped 1 cup diced onion ⅓ cup and 2 teaspoons cilantro, freshly chopped 4 Roma tomatoes, diced 2 teaspoons minced garlic ¼ teaspoon cumin ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, to taste Salt and black pepper, to taste PREPARATION In a medium bowl, mash together the avocados, lime juice and jalapeño. Mix in onion, cilantro, tomatoes, garlic and cumin. Stir in cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper, to taste. Refrigerate for 1 hour.

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INGREDIENTS 1 bunch fresh spinach (remove stems, tear into small pieces) 1 bunch green onions, finely chopped 8-ounce can water chestnuts, drained and sliced 8 ounces sour cream 2 cups mayonnaise ¼-ounce packet dry vegetable soup mix ½-ounce packet dry onion soup mix PREPARATION In a medium bowl, toss together spinach, green onions and water chestnuts. Mix in the sour cream, mayonnaise, dry vegetable soup mix and dry onion soup mix. Refrigerate overnight.

SPINACH DIP Serves 4 to 8

INGREDIENTS 8 ounces extra-sharp orange cheddar cheese, shredded 8 ounces extra-sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded 8-ounce package cream cheese ½ cup mayonnaise 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and minced 4-ounce jar diced pimento, drained 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon finely grated onion ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper ¼ teaspoon garlic powder ¼ teaspoon onion powder ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

SALLY’S PIMENTO CHEESE

(Submitted by subscriber Sally Belden, Wilmington, North Carolina) Serves 4 to 6

PREPARATION Cream orange and white shredded cheddar cheeses, cream cheese and Worcestershire sauce. Add remaining ingredients and beat until smooth and creamy.

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TRUCKS & TOYS

BOOMING SALES AT SUN SPORTS CYCLE & WATERCRAFT FORT MYERS BUSINESS EMBRACES GROWTH OF SIDE-BY-SIDE COMMUNITY Written by: Dave Kelly The side-by-side market has an interesting history. Originally called utility task vehicles, or UTVs, they have been around for years, largely in agricultural business use.

After moving to the Sunshine State in the 1970s to race motocross, Johnstone opened Motorcycle Salvage in Fort Myers in 1977. He soon grew the business into one of the largest stores in the area for motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, boats and parts. In the 1990s, Johnstone changed the name to Sun Sports Cycle & Watercraft, Inc. and acquired the local Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha dealership, expanding and remodeling his showroom in the process. In 2007, Sun Sports Cycle & Watercraft built its current modern air-conditioned facility on Colonial Boulevard, rounding out its brand mix with

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Can-Am, Kawasaki, Polaris, Sea-Doo and more. An increasing percentage of Sun Sports Cycle & Watercraft’s sales in recent years has been in the side-by-side market. This concept has an interesting history—originally called utility task vehicles, or UTVs, they have been around for years, largely in agricultural business use. The Kawasaki Mule was introduced in 1988, with most of these hardworking vehicles ﬁnding a home in the rural farming industry. In 2004, Yamaha introduced the Rhino, adding recreation and fun to the mix, and the popularity of this new type of UTV soared. Finally, in 2007, Polaris took full advantage of this trend and introduced its wildly popular RZR brand, focusing solely on off-road family fun. The original RZR with two seats soon evolved into more family-oriented models with four seats

PHOTO BY ALEX RODRIGUEZ

he popularity of side-by-side vehicles is growing like crazy—and Iain Johnstone saw it coming. He owns Fort Myers, Florida-based Sun Sports Cycle & Watercraft, Inc. and is experiencing that growth ﬁrst hand.

TOP PHOTOS BY ALEX RODRIGUEZ; BOTTOM PHOTO COURTESY OF REDNECK MUD PARK

Top left is a side-by-side on display at Sun Sports Cycle & Watercraft. Top right, the store's service crew installs a new sound system. Above shows side-by-side racing action at Redneck Mud Park in Charlotte County.

and stowage features, catapulting the RZR family into the top spot among UTV manufacturers. “The idea of a side-by-side vehicle has evolved in the past 80 years,” explains Sun Sports Cycle & Watercraft’s general manager Ralph Graettinger. “The original side-by-side vehicles were the Jeeps of the 1940s, which transformed into the dune buggies of the ’70s, eventually morphing into the rugged sporty concept that we are familiar with today,” Graettinger adds. Sales of these family-friendly all-terrain vehicles have exploded recently, and Sun Sports Cycle & Watercraft has been at the forefront of this movement. In years past, a family of four would often purchase four separate ATVs in order to all ride outdoors together. Decisions such as that involved smaller ATVs for children— who would soon grow out of the size and model that they

rode, creating the need for new vehicles every couple of years. Side-by-side vehicles circumvent that problem, because many of them seat four to six family members comfortably and still leave room for camping gear and coolers. This approach also leaves a much greener carbon footprint, with one vehicle on the road instead of four. To that end, Polaris and others have also begun to produce electric vehicles that look to be the future of the UTV category. Additionally, side-by-sides lend themselves to individualized customization. Owners can come in and choose from a wide variety of add-ons to modify their rides to their taste. All types of gear, from lift kits to lighting packages to sound systems, are available at Sun Sports Cycle & Watercraft’s on-site parts department. Its top-notch service department keeps these machines humming with quality maintenance and repair, too.

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TRUCKS & TOYS

Below left, rows and rows of side-by-sides are lined up at Sun Sports Cycle & Watercraft. Below, Florida Country Magazine's side-by-side is full of customizations.

Sun Sports Cycle & Watercraft is proud of its community involvement, as well. It has partnered with Fusion Welding to customize a UTV for the Fort Myers Beach Fire and Rescue team, and it hosts multiple fundraising events on site each year to address local needs.

Sun Sports Cycle & Watercraft, Inc. 3441 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, Florida 239-277-7777, sunsportscycle.com

LEFT PHOTO BY ALEX RODRIGUEZ; RIGHT PHOTO BY SCARLETT REDENIUS

“Riding in a side-by-side is an outdoor activity that brings families together”, Graettinger notes. “Come on in and test drive one of our fantastic units—and you’ll be hooked for sure.” FCM

ROUNDUP

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S R E L E E H W D U M G N I L S G N I R P S D L I W E N GO WILD WEEKEND IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY FOR MUDDING FANATICS his spring, Punta Gorda, Florida-based Redneck Mud Park, “The World’s Most Exciting Off-Road Park,” welcomes offroad enthusiasts from around the country to Charlotte County for its Mud Wheelers Gone Wild Spring Sling event. Set for Friday, April 16, through Sunday, April 18, 2021, the huge three-day ride is designed to celebrate all-terrain vehicles (known as ATVs), Side x Side vehicles and the outdoor lifestyle. Four-wheel drive off-road vehicles of all types will take part in the action, bringing thousands of mudding fanatics to Southwest Florida.

Activities each year include mud bogging (driving your ride through the sticky mud holes around the park), trail riding, camping, musical entertainment and more. There are ATV and Side x Side races, ATV barrel races and a tough-man ATV sled pull competition—all with cash prizes. This year will also feature a “Side x Side Sound-Off Competition” on Saturday night, where folks can bring their customized buggies to the stage area and show off their sound systems in a competition that’s sure to be heard around the park. Additionally, the centerpiece of the weekend will be Mega Mud Truck Races at the Main Arena track. These giant metal mud monsters will roar into action

SET FOR FRIDAY, APRIL 16, THROUGH SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 2021, THE HUGE THREE-DAY RIDE IS DESIGNED TO CELEBRATE ATVS, SIDE X SIDE VEHICLES AND THE OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE. FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OFF-ROAD VEHICLES OF ALL TYPES WILL TAKE PART IN THE ACTION. 78

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PHOTOTHIS PAGE: COURTESY OF REDNECK MUD PARK, PHOTOS OPPOSITE PAGE: MIDDLE RIGHT PHOTO BY ALEX RODRIGUEZ; ALL OTHER PHOTOS COURTESY OF REDNECK MUD PARK

Written by: Delaney Kelly

PHOTO CREDIT INFO

Redneck Mud Park welcomes off-road enthusiasts from around the country to Charlotte County. Activities include mud bogging, trail riding, camping, musical entertainment and more.

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THIS YEAR WILL ALSO FEATURE A “SIDE X SIDE SOUND-OFF COMPETITION” ON SATURDAY NIGHT, WHERE FOLKS CAN BRING THEIR CUSTOMIZED BUGGIES TO THE STAGE AREA AND SHOW OFF THEIR SOUND SYSTEMS IN A COMPETITION THAT’S SURE TO BE HEARD AROUND THE PARK.

Drivers thunder around the muddy oval track, up and down hills, and ﬁnally complete the race over a giant jump in the center of the action. The competition is so ﬁerce and exciting that The Discovery Channel often features these races each year in its Dirty Mudder Truckers TV series. “The spring season is here, so we look forward to welcoming thousands of mud-loving visitors from around the world to Charlotte County for this huge weekend,” says Dave Kelly, Redneck Mud Park’s director of sales and marketing. “Creating a fantastic, outdoor-oriented experience where our guests can let loose and have a great time in a safe, secure environment is our top priority. Gates will open at noon on Friday, April 16, and folks will already be lined up—they can hardly wait to get Mud Wheelers Gone Wild underway!” In years past, most folks who have played in the mud have ridden on ATVs. These smaller vehicles often just carry one person and are open to the elements. Recently, however, a new style off-road vehicle, known as the Side x Side, has come into prominence.

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These larger vehicles generally hold four to six people, have a roof and sides, can safely traverse deeper mud and have become the ride of choice for families looking to spend time together in the outdoors. They are also perfect to customize with high-end sound systems for the competition on Saturday night! Tickets are available online or at the gate. They include all races and entertainment, access to hundreds of acres of riding, and camping for the entire weekend. For a complete schedule of weekend event times and ticket information for the Mud Wheelers Gone Wild Spring Sling, visit mudwheelersgonewild.com. FCM

ROUNDUP Redneck Mud Park 44570 Bermont Road Punta Gorda, Florida redneckmudpark.com

PHOTOS COURTESY OF REDNECK MUDPARK

on Saturday at 1 p.m. and race for thousands of dollars in prizes up for grabs.

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Florida Country Magazine - April/May 2021

Articles inside

MUD WHEELERS GONE WILD SPRING SLING

BOOMING SALES AT SUN SPORTS CYCLE & WATERCRAFT

THE FLORIDA BURROWING OWL

TINY TREASURES

FLORIDA EXCURSIONS EASY WAY TO GET AWAY IN TAMPA BAY

OPTING FOR A MORE RELAXED LIFESTYLE

SCENIC AND SOUTHERN SAVANNAH

ULTIMATE BULL FIGHTING COMES TO THE SUNSHINE STATE

FLORIDA HARVEST HIGH TECH IN SMALL-TOWN AMERICA

FLORIDA HARVEST

CALADIUMS MAKE FOR A LOT OF JOY

HELPING RURAL AREAS THRIVE SINCE 1916

FLORIDA PEACEMAKERS MAKE THEIR MARK

PRESERVING, DEVELOPING, PROMOTING ALL THINGS EQUINE

HERE COMES THE JUDGE

SPRINGTIME’S BIRD-CHIRPING WEATHER