Florida Country Magazine - June / July 2022

FEATURES

FLORIDA COUNTRY MAGAZINE / ISSUE VOL. 6 • NO. 3

ON THE COVER: The Tavernier, Florida-based nonprofit cultivates huge numbers of corals in the world’s biggest offshore coral nurseries to restore our imperiled coral reefs, nature's underwater barriers and home to countless sea life. Photo by Zach Ransom. Read story on page 42.

36 Florida

Roadtrip

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Wandering Like (Working) Pirates Florida Keys, grab-and-go visit to paradise

42 Coral Restoration Foundation Saving Florida's reefs, one creature at a time 2

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BOTTOM PHOTO BY SARA NILSSON/CORAL RESTORATION FOUNDATION™

Series

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DEPARTMENTS FLORIDA COUNTRY MAGAZINE / ISSUE VOL. 6 • NO. 3

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FLORIDA EXCURSION

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A NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHER

SILVER SPRINGS STATE PARK

page 46

page 8

FLORIDA CHARM

VET VIEW

NO HORSING AROUND

page 10

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HORSIN' AROUND

page 54

page 14

MY BEST FRIEND

page 60

RIDE & TIES AND EQUATHONS

page 18

46

30 50

page 22

ROD AND REAL TIPS

PICTURE PERFECT

page 66

COUNTRY CALIBER

RODEO PROFILE

MEET FLORIDA’S 2022 SUGAR QUEEN

DAREDEVILS OF THE HORSE WORLD

page 26

60

54

page 70

CROSSWORD

page 75

page 30

THE CULINARY CRACKER

FLORIDA HARVEST

FLORIDA SOIL BUILDERS

page 34

WHIPPING IT UP IN YOUR KITCHEN

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WILD FLORIDA

page 62

WESTERNS IN WOOD

TAKE A KID FISHING, INC.

page 50

CAMP MARGARITAVILLE AUBURNDALE

STOP HORSIN’ AROUND AND USE A WAIVER

COUNTRY ARTISTRY

EXPLORING HISTORIC BOK TOWER GARDENS

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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 Jack Collier, Ava Grace, Kathy Ann Gregg, Kimbrell J. Hines, Esq., Kym Rouse Holzwart, Dave Kelly, Ben Knowles, Myles Mellor

Featured Photographers Lon Addison, Michael Bartos, Steve Beaudet, Amber Godwin, , Ellie John, Dave Kelly, Ashley Kent, Ben Knowles, Laura Knowles, Lisa Madren, Alexander Neufeld, Sara Nilsson, Becky Kirchner Pearman, Zach Ransom, Krista Rausin, David Rosenfield, Tracey Steeper, Dee Dee Wheeler, David Williams, Sabrina Zadai For more information about advertising with Florida Country Magazine, or joining our regional sales team, please contact:

239-692-2613 sales@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 FLORIDACOUNTRYMAGAZINE.COM Florida Country magazine is published bi-monthly, copyright 2022, 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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NOT A JOKE, BUT A JOKE

ot, hotter, hottest can all be used right now in our lovely state. Our winters might let you down, but rest assured—summer will not.

Florida is always an interesting place to live and visit; there are so many things to do and see, and do and see again. Take a country road sightseeing trip, go shopping at local retail establishments and visit small-town diners. Or load up the family and pick an exploration spot among the Sunshine State’s 1,197 miles of coastline.

One thing for sure, no beach or small town is alike. Some beaches are car friendly, horse friendly, dog friendly or other “interesting” animal friendly. And some small towns are car friendly, dog friendly and other “interesting” animal friendly. This is Florida!

You might be fishing at a lake in the country, where you expect to see an alligator. Or you could be at a beach, fearing the sharks. And lo and behold, there’s a gator surfing the waves. If you are a Florida visitor and are surprised to read this, IT IS NOT A JOKE. An important tip: Alligators can be found in any Florida body of water, including a swimming pool. That’s not a joke either.

It doesn’t matter if you are in the woods or on the water, our state is a true nature and wildlife sanctuary. But distressing things are happening below our ocean’s surface: Coral is in deep trouble. It is very important to the overall ecosystem, especially because other underwater species live in and among reefs. See what one Tavernier nonprofit’s restoration efforts are doing (page 42).

Another type of restoration project is Westerns in Wood.

This husband-and-wife team travels the country, taking photos, searching for unique and rare types of reclaimed wood for her creativity to take over. And, voilà, the most magnificent pieces of inspired western art are born (page 22).

What about restoration of one’s happiness, respect of others, love? Especially for youth who need our attention, guidance and direction. Let me introduce you to “Big Will” Dunn, taking thousands of boys and girls fishing, mentoring and providing a strong male figure in their life. Kids learn not just fishing, but lessons in life skills, teamwork and patience—resulting in a sense of pride and accomplishment (page 30).

Definitions of restoration include “the act of restoring; renewal, revival, or reestablishment.” With that said, I hope you have noticed we’ve done some restoration on

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Florida Country! We are always striving to be better, and for our advertisers to reach a larger audience and our readership to grow.

Florida Country knows our brand is more than a zip code; it’s a lifestyle. A lifestyle that, of course, includes coastal communities. We’re opening our doors to all of Florida and all who celebrate the county life. No matter if you are sitting on the back of a bull or sitting on the dock of the bay, we’ll reach you.

And for those who call my beautiful publication a “redneck magazine” instead of a “country magazine,” this little story is for you:

A STORY ABOUT A REDNECK AND A GAME WARDEN

A redneck gets caught with a bucket of live fish.

Approached by a game warden as he starts to leave, the warden asks the man, “Fishing license, please?” “Naw, sir,” replies the redneck, “I don’t need none of them there papers.

These here are my pet fish.”

“Pet fish!?!?” “Yep. Once a week, I bring these here fish o’ mine down to the lake and let ‘em swim round for a while.

Then when I whistle, they swim right back into my net, and I take ‘em home.”

“What a line of baloney ... you’re under arrest.” The redneck says, “It’s the truth, Mr. Gov’ment man. I’ll show ya! We do this all the time!!” “WE do, now, do WE?” smirks the warden. “PROVE it!”

The redneck releases the fish into the lake and waits. After a few minutes, the warden says, “Well?” “Well, WHUT?” says the redneck. The warden asks, “When are you going to call ’em back?” “Call who back?” “The FISH,” replies the warden!

“Whut fish?” asks the redneck.

News flash: I’m very country, but I’ll take redneck, too.

Now I’ve restored your smile.

SCARLETT REDENIUS, Publisher

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NO HORSING AROUND EQUINE FIELD FACES SHORTAGES, ‘PROFESSION IN TROUBLE’ Written by: Ava Grace

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quine vets diagnose, manage and treat horse illnesses, diseases and injuries. They work with animals that can weigh 1,000 pounds or more.

Given their sheer size, a horse doctor must understand his or her patient’s behavior while handling and restraining them in the same session. One

study concludes horse doctoring has risks of injury.

It’s not a desk job. The hours are long. There’s travel involved. Pay isn’t the highest in the medical field and the hours can include night calls.

But there aren’t enough horse docs to go around.

MY WHOLE LIFE HAS BEEN DEDICATED TO ADVANCING MY KNOWLEDGE OF HORSES AND HELPING OWNERS BRING OUT THE BEST IN THEM. —Brigitte Gravitt, equine veterinarian, Van Roekel & Associates, North Fort Myers

Pictured are retired, practicing and future veterinarians: Dennis Van Roekel, Brigitte Gravitt, right, current practicing associate, and Rachel Napoli, a current technician accepted into the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, which starts this August.

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BOTTOM LEFT PHOTO BY KRISTA RAUSIN; ALL OTHER PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRIGITTE GRAVITT, DVM

VET VIEW

Brigitte Gravitt finished college, veterinary school, and internship at an equine specialty hospital. American horse doctors are in short supply, however.

A study by the American Veterinary Medical Association found that 1% of veterinary students will practice equine medicine. Existing veterinarians make up less than 6 percent of the total, research shows.

Brigitte Gravitt is an equine exclusive veterinarian at Van Roekel & Associates in North Fort Myers. She completed a four-year undergraduate degree, four years of veterinary school, and a rotating internship at an equine specialty hospital. Prior to veterinary school, she trained and rode horses professionally.

“My whole life has been dedicated to advancing my knowledge of horses and helping owners bring out the best in them.”

“My profession, however, is in trouble,” Gravitt says.

For one, newly graduated veterinarians don’t practice horse medicine. In fact, F L O R I DAC O U N T RY M AGA Z I N E . C O M

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VET VIEW THE JOB CAN ALSO BE DOWNRIGHT DANGEROUS. out of the approximately 4,300 veterinarians finishing at an American Veterinary Medical Association accredited school, a fraction goes into equine practice, and not all of them practice in the United States. That’s only 43 new equine veterinarians per year, or less than one per state.

Making things worse, about 60 equine veterinarians retire per year, while 50% of the new equine vets leave the practice within five years of graduation. Burnout, depression and compassion fatigue are cited as adverse effects on those working in the profession. “Personally, I had three other intern-mates, and all of them went directly into small animal practice after the internship ended,” says Gravitt.

Small animal vets can finish their day and rely on emergency clinics to see their clients for emergencies.

By law, veterinarians provide emergency help to clients with a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship.

“This is to help protect us from burnout. When we see you in the middle of the night for an emergency, we have worked the entire day before and will work the entire day after. Sometimes, if we are not overwhelmed, we may agree to see non-clients for emergencies if they

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can’t get ahold of their regular veterinarian. Emergency fees will be higher in this case,” says Gravitt.

And the job can be downright dangerous. The American Association of Equine Practitioners shares one study concluding that equine professionals have the highest risk of injury of any civilian occupation.

Even with the drawbacks of her profession, however, Gravitt loves working with horses. “I still get excited to be around horses every day, and I truly want them to be happy and healthy.” FCM

ROUNDUP Van Roekel & Associates, 18930 Old Bayshore Road, North Fort Myers, Florida vanroekelassociates.com, 239-694-7177

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HORSIN' AROUND

STOP HORSIN’ AROUND AND USE A WAIVER CHEAPER THAN LAWSUITS, AND BECAUSE STUFF HAPPENS Written by: Kimbrell J. Hines, Esq.

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lthough frequently used, many horse owners and professionals remain unaware their liability waivers would not protect them from a lawsuit. Often horse persons and professionals treat waivers as a mere formality and remain unsure of their effectiveness.

Since not all waivers are useful, you may be wondering whether your program needs one. And the answer is yes, all horse programs should use a properly drafted waiver to protect against liability in the event of an accident.

As many of us know, horses—even the most gentle and well-trained—involve some risk, and accidents do happen. And because a horse-related accident can result in severe injury, it is important for clients, guests and spectators to sign a waiver before engaging in any horse-related activity.

Waivers benefit equine professionals in two significant ways. First, waivers provide a defense if there is a lawsuit.

When adequately drafted in compliance with state law, signed waivers can result in complete dismissal of a lawsuit.

Second, waivers discourage people from filing lawsuits in the first place. It is important to note that waivers do not entirely prevent a lawsuit—a person can still file a lawsuit, even if they signed an enforceable waiver. However, once the lawsuit begins, the waiver can be used as a defense. Additionally, reading and signing a document causes a person to think twice before engaging in risky horse-related activities.

A collateral benefit of waivers is that people are discouraged from suing. Attorneys representing those seeking damages for horse-related injuries generally work on contingency arrangements, meaning they get paid a percentage of the money their client wins.

Attorneys recognize waivers as an obstacle to success.

Consequently, those seeking to file such suits may find that in order to proceed they would have to, at a minimum, pay

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out of pocket for an attorney to take the case outside of a contingency arrangement. For a waiver to be successful in court, the waiver must have clear language, specify the parties, comply with state law and be signed.

When using waivers in their programs, horse persons should keep the following in mind:

USE CLEAR LANGUAGE

The first element of a good waiver is clarity. A reader should be able to pick up the document and quickly determine its purpose. It is best to keep a waiver to a single page and have the terms typed in standard-sized print. Waivers should avoid complicated and unclear language. A well-written waiver makes it more difficult for someone to argue they did not understand what they were signing.

BE SPECIFIC

Waivers must have clear and unambiguous terms; generally with a waiver’s language, the more specific, the better. A waiver should inform the participant of the inherent risks related to equine activities. A vague statement such as “horseback riding can be dangerous” does not adequately tell the risks.

The waiver should also include an explanation of why horseback riding can be dangerous. A good starting point for coming up with this language could be your state’s equine activity statute, which likely defines equine-related activities' inherent risks.

An equine activity statute is a state law designed to limit liability for injuries and deaths connected with horserelated activities. The idea behind these laws is that people dealing with horses “assume the risk” inherent in horserelated activities.

Some horse persons and organizations believe that because they posted a sign with their state’s equine law, they are immune from liability. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Waivers and equine laws offer different

protections. Even though posting a sign with the state’s equine law is a great practice, horse professionals should still require people who use their services or enter their property to sign a waiver.

Generally, waivers only protect the parties specifically named. The waiver should clearly state the name of each person or entity exempted from liability, so there is no uncertainty about who is covered.

COMPLY WITH STATE LAW

To be enforceable, a waiver must comply with state law. The legal requirements of a waiver vary from state to state, and failure to comply with state law can make the waiver unenforceable. It is crucial to keep state law in mind, as many people use liability releases obtained from a friend or downloaded from the internet. These generic documents typically contain broad language not

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HORSIN' AROUND in compliance with state law or specific to the equine program. A court may find such generic forms unenforceable.

GET A SIGNATURE

It is important for a waiver to be signed. A signature demonstrates the person signing read and understood the agreement. Before having a person sign, ensure the person has adequate time to read the entire document.

Additionally, a person can only sign away his or her rights. It is important to have family members, guests and spectators on the property sign their own liability releases. If the participant is a minor, the minor’s parent or guardian should also sign the waiver.

Remember, a waiver is no substitute for other risk-management practices. Create and maintain safe practices to reduce the likelihood of accidents. Further, obtain proper liability coverage for all equine activities.

Finally, obtain a well-drafted waiver, and have counsel lined up to answer any questions that come up regarding using a waiver in your horse program.

While it may take a little time and money to use a proper waiver, it will undoubtedly be less expensive and less time consuming than a lawsuit.

Kimbrell J. Hines is an active equestrian and an attorney with Williams Parker in Sarasota, Florida. She obtained her law degree and bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida, where she competed for the University of Florida Equestrian Team. She also has a Master of Science in Human Resource Management from the University of Tennessee. Kimbrell may be reached at khines@williamsparker.com or 941-366-4800.

This article is provided as a guide for educational purposes only. It is not intended to serve as legal advice and should not be used as a substitute for consultation with an attorney. FCM

A WAIVER IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR OTHER RISKMANAGEMENT PRACTICES.

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HORSIN' AROUND

RIDE & TIES AND EQUATHONS ULTIMATE ENDURANCE RACE, RIDERS, HORSES AND OPEN SKIES

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Written by: Kym Rouse Holzwart

he first Ride & Tie race was on a 25-mile course in California in June 1971. Bud Johns, the public relations director for Levi Stauss & Co., wanted to hold a difficult outdoor event to promote the company’s rugged clothing (the cash prize doubled if both participants competed in Levi’s jeans).

Bud got the idea for the event from reading about how two men with only one horse between them traveled fairly long distances efficiently in Europe and in this country during the 1800s and early 1900s. They traded off riding and walking to make it easier for both them and the horse. One man would ride ahead on the horse, tie it off and continue on foot. The other man would reach the rested horse and ride until he had passed the first man.

Today’s Ride & Tie races are an endurance event combining trail running, horseback riding and strategy. Teams of two runners and one horse, pony, or mule at least 5 years old complete courses of various distances. One person starts riding the horse, the other on foot. After an arranged time or distance has passed (where the strategy comes in), the rider ties the horse to a tree and starts running. The first runner reaches the horse, unties it and begins riding the trail. When the rider reaches the runner, they can either switch, or the rider can pass the runner, tying the horse to a tree farther down the trail. The teams continue to alternate running and riding for the entire distance.

This process would repeat over and over until the two men and one horse reached their destination, arriving in better shape than if both had ridden the horse or if they had walked the entire distance.

According to the rules of the Ride & Tie Association, there must be at least six exchanges of the horse between rider and runner, but there is no upper limit. At least two exchanges must take place between each required horse

Ride & Ties and Equathons are endurance races combining trail running, horseback riding, and strategy.

THE FIRST RUNNER REACHES THE HORSE, UNTIES IT AND BEGINS RIDING THE TRAIL. 18

Ride & Tie races are now all over the country, including Florida, and the 50th annual championship is in California in July.

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Teams of two runners and one horse, pony, or mule at least 5 years old compete in Ride & Tie Races, while Equathon competition is a team of one rider and one runner or solo. Try either if you are a trail runner or horseback rider seeking something challenging, fun and different.

PHOTOS THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE BY BECKY KIRCHNER PEARMAN

HORSES MUST PASS VET INSPECTIONS BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE RACE. veterinary inspection, and exchanges must occur at each vet check. While the team doesn’t have to cross the finish line together, a team has not completed until all three cross the finish line. Horses must pass vet inspections before, during and after the race.

Another option to Ride & Tie races is the fast-growing sport of Equathon, an event consisting of either a team of two people and one horse or one person and one horse competing on a trail of a pre-determined distance. The horse and rider do the first part of the trail, and after the horse has passed the mid-race vet check, the runner completes the second trail loop. Depending on the event, the riding and running distances may be the same or different. If

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HORSIN' AROUND competing as a team, one person rides and the second one runs, but if competing solo, the same person rides the horse on the first trail loop and then runs the second loop after the horse has passed the vet check.

If you are a trail runner or horseback rider looking to do something challenging, fun and different, Ride & Tie Races and Equathons may be for you! In Florida, Ride & Tie Races and Equathons are in conjunction with a number of endurance and competitive trail rides. Check the calendar of the Ride & Tie Association or the South Eastern Distance Riders Association to find out races held this coming fall and winter. Clinics may also be offered for beginners.

Another option is to compete as a team member of the annual Cross Florida Greenway’s Ride, Run, and Roll Relay in Ocala, which includes a 5-mile ride, a 3.1-mile run, and an 8-mile mountain bike ride. FCM

ROUNDUP Ride & Tie Association, rideandtie.org South Eastern Distance Riders Association distanceriding.org

PHOTO BY BECKY KIRCHNER PEARMAN

Ride Roll Run Relay, Facebook, triple.r.relay@gmail.com

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COUNTRY ARTISTRY

WESTERNS IN WOOD SHELLY J COX’S ARTWORK ON COWBOY CANVAS Written by: Ava Grace

the country taking photographs and selecting their favorites.

Vandermeulen then searches for reclaimed wood, while Cox ponders how to bring the photo to canvas. With Greg’s canvas on Shelly’s easel, the magic begins. “Once a photo is selected, I think how to approach it, as I do not like to copy the photo. Instead, I want to turn it into an original work of art,” Cox explains.

Cox sometimes clusters photos to create a composition in her head. But even with all the pre-planning, she often ends up surprised. This happened with On the Run. “I let my creativity take over, and it became one of my best,” says Cox.

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er work Loaded is three muddied cowboys kicking back and cleaning guns, On the Run, a couple of cowboys on horseback making their way through a river, and Moon Bow, a solitary Indian woman—each wonderful examples of Shelly J Cox’s amazing artwork. They are oil paint on reclaimed wood that husband Greg Vandermeulen has created as her canvas.

Shelly also has a popular YouTube channel to demonstrate her process, to talk about other works submitted for her evaluation.

The artistic process starts as Shelly and Greg, married 29 years, travel

Greg Vandermeulen on a discovery: “I first found out that my wife could draw when we were dating. We were at a restaurant, and Shelly took their crayons and sketched her girlfriend—who was sitting across from us—right on the paper tablecloth. I was totally wowed.”

Greg had honed his woodworking skills in a cabinetmaker’s shop before becoming a firefighter/paramedic. He became interested in unique wood furniture, so he began working in the garage, where he built pieces for their home.

Their talents joined unexpectedly. “About a year ago, I was in an Arizona art gallery. It suddenly struck me that I had never seen western art mixed with interestingly shaped wood or art painted on a piece of furniture,” says Vandermeulen.

He approached his wife about incorporating her portrait/ figurative paintings into the western art genre. “She said yes and now we have a house full of western art,” says

Top: Greg and Shelly travel the country capturing images that can be used for their artwork. Bottom: The couple visit where realism can be gathered as reference.

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PHOTOS ON THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE COURTESY OF SHELLY J COX

Cox lately has kept her colors muted and earth toned … but will throw in pops of color. “I especially enjoy painting cowboys, cowgirls, horses and landscapes for backgrounds,” she says.

ON CREATING LOADED: “We were at photo shoot in Kansas—at a place that hires real cowboys and cowgirls and their horses. Greg took fantastic candid shots. I chose three pictures, and using Photoshop, I created a composition to work from. Greg surrounded the painting with 100-year-old reclaimed barn siding that matched the old barn wood siding behind our cowboys. The endresult was Loaded.

ON CREATING MOON BOW: “In Native American culture, the story goes that the bow (from the moon), and the arrow (from the sun), were a gift to the Lakota people. The moon is considered female, the sun male, and so the bow is female, and the arrows are male. The symbols mean that life requires balance. In Moon Bow, I created a strong Native American female, using a strong shade of red for the eye band representing courage and perseverance.”

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COUNTRY ARTISTRY

Shelly's Saloon Girl required that Greg craft panels to look like swinging doors.

Vandermeulen, who loves constantly challenging himself and learning as he goes. He recently taught himself how to make resin river tables that include her western paintings.

Cox, who signs her work in her given name, has been interested in western topics forever. “Recently, I found one of my fourth-grade workbooks filled in. One question was, what do I want to be when I grow up? My answer: A horse trainer. Another question was, if you had three wishes, what would I wish for? My answer: a horse, a dog and a big farm,” says Cox, who grew up in Kentucky and is saving her earnings for a horse farm.

ROUNDUP Westerns In Wood, westernsinwood.com shellyjcox.com, westernsinwood.com, youtube.com

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF SHELLY J COX

This past spring, the couple traveled to New Mexico where they attended a pow-wow and collected images of Native Americans to create more amazing artwork. “It was inspiring,” Cox says of that journey. FCM

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COUNTRY CALIBER

MEET FLORIDA’S 2022 SUGAR QUEEN CLEWISTON’S PEYTON-GRACE LEE ‘DOING WHAT I LOVE MOST’

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hile this central Florida small town may have only four stoplights, Clewiston is the home of U.S. Sugar Corp., and now holder of their 2022 representative, Miss Sugar Peyton-Grace Lee.

This is the third pageant title from Hendry County that this beautiful young lady has held in the past five years. She has attended the Clewiston Christian School since age 3, is currently a sophomore at the high school. And she recently became a 2022 Hendry County Leadership graduate.

According to Lee, it took “tons of convincing” to get her to enter her first pageant, the Little Miss Hendry County

event. Hearing “Contestant Number 10, Peyton-Grace Lee” announced as the winner, that sparked it all for her. “I had big dreams with a little mindset,” she says, and on Feb. 14, 2017, her big dream came true.

With that dream came responsibilities, and Lee took them all in stride. She was the first in her family to become involved in the pageantry world, and winning this initial title made her feel unstoppable. Of course, her family helped to keep her grounded, and she continued their traditions of fishing, hog hunting, sitting in the blind or stand, and helping dad Jesse fill feeders on the ranch.

A couple of years went by, and Lee again found herself on

Once Lee accepted the crown, her duties began, as shown at right at the annual Clewiston Sugar Festival. She is pictured with childhood friend Bronson Blevins, left, her barn-mate when raising 4-H steers, and Hunter Lee (no relation), on the right.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF RUSHELLE LEE

Written by: Kathy Ann Gregg

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COUNTRY CALIBER PeytonGrace Lee and her sister Channcy Lee Curry (left), with a gator at the Clewiston Sugar Festival (right).

When contemplating whether to enter the Miss Sugar event, Lee was given words of wisdom from her mother, Russhelle: “Hard work pays off, you get out of it what you put into it.”

Peyton-Grace Lee, contestant No. 6, receives her crown from the 2020 Miss U.S. Sugar. Due to Covid-19, the 2020 winner held the title for two years.

So, with the full support of her parents, sister Channcy and brother Randy, she used her confidence and determination to capture the hearts—and votes—of the judges and the audience for this most recent title.

Since being crowned in February, Lee helped judge the first Miss Soda Pop Festival Princess in Sebring, Florida.

She has toured local cane fields on Engine No. 148, fondly called the “Sugar Express.”

Lee is grateful to have the opportunity to represent all that U.S. Sugar Corp. stands for, saying: “Seeing in real perspective just how hard their employees work is extremely eye-opening—2,500 workers in my community, including growers and their families, dedicated to feeding families across the country. U.S. Sugar is very involved in my community. Year after year they purchase hogs and steers from youth involved in our Hendry County Livestock Fair. They support our youth and give us endless opportunities to better our future.”

U.S. Sugar is a privately owned agriculture business farming more than 230,000 acres in Hendry, Glades, Martin and Palm Beach counties. It is the largest producer of sugar cane in the United States by volume, producing more than 700,000 tons per year.

Along with her crown and sash, as well as the yearlong title, Lee was awarded a $5,000 scholarship, which she plans to use to become a medical diagnostic sonographer. FCM

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF RUSHELLE LEE

stage, this time in the Junior Miss Hendry County event, where for a second time she heard her name announced as the winner. “Another year wearing a beautiful crown, doing what I love most,” she says. “Each reign came with more confidence, determination and striving to keep pushing myself to higher competition.”

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COUNTRY CALIBER

TAKE A KID FISHING, INC. LAKELAND NONPROFIT ANGLING TO IMPROVE LIVES Written by: Ava Grace

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—Henry David Thoreau

illiam “Big Will” Dunn fell into the role of running the Polk County nonprofit, Take a Kid Fishing, Inc. It started a few years ago with taking an 8-year-old neighbor, Cameron Delong, on a fishing trip. The boy was fatherless, and spending time fishing with Dunn helped him make positive changes, become less angry and more respectful of others, to do better in school.

Dunn so much enjoyed the experience that in the last 11 years he had since taken thousands of boys and girls fishing—all under-privileged and without a strong father figure. These kids and teens need attention, guidance and direction—as some are in foster homes, others in a bit of trouble with the law, and still others with disabilities. “We have a big event for visually impaired children in May, starting from the lighthouse in Pinellas County,” says Dunn, CEO of the organization he started.

Saturday fishing runs a few hours, or “just the right amount of time to keep the kids focused and interested,” says Dunn. Once a month, the group does a half-day excursion aboard a Double Eagle charter. “They learn more than just how to fish,” says

YOU CAN HELP BY DONATING, VOLUNTEERING OR SPONSORING.

Dunn on Saturdays is out teaching kids with far less than most others how to fish and navigate the rough waters that life sometimes rolls out. It’s a lesson we could all learn.

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PHOTOS ON THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE BY MICHAEL BARTOS

"Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.”

These kids and teens need attention, guidance and direction—as some are in foster homes, others in a bit of trouble with the law, and still others with disabilities. You can help by donating, volunteering or sponsoring.

THE FISHING TRIPS ARE MENTOR-FOCUSED AND PROVIDE LESSONS IN LIFE SKILLS, TEAMWORK AND PATIENCE. F L O R I DAC O U N T RY M AGA Z I N E . C O M

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COUNTRY CALIBER Dunn, explaining that the fishing trips are mentor-focused and provide lessons in life skills, teamwork and patience. In return, the kids get a sense of pride and accomplishment.

THEY LEARN MORE THAN JUST HOW TO FISH. —William “Big Will” Dunn, CEO of Take a Kid Fishing, Inc.

And hopefully boat a good-sized fish.

Dunn relates to the kids, as he had struggles as one in Miami.

He found that fishing was a great outlet and taught him many life lessons, including a sense of peace.

Dunn is a tire salesman, has lived in Lakeland for 35 years, is a regular at his church, and is well connected in the community. “I know many people in the area,” says Dunn, adding that his organization has grown statewide, mostly from word of mouth.

Dunn on Saturdays is out teaching kids with far less than most others how to fish and navigate the rough waters that life sometimes roll out. It’s a lesson we could all learn.

You can help by donating, volunteering or sponsoring. FCM

ROUNDUP

PHOTO BY MICHAEL BARTOS

Take a Kid Fishing, Inc. takffl.com, Facebook @takeakidfishingfl takeakidfishing2018@gmail.com, 863-944-5641

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WWW.ALVAEQUESTRIANRIVERRANCH.COM

RARE OPPORTUNITY!

30 ACRES AND 10 RIVERFRONT LOTS POTENTIAL WITH DEVELOPMENT OVER 2,200 FEET OF RIVERFRONT/HICKEY CREEK Discover the perfect blend of riverfront retreat and a horse lover’s paradise with this unique Equestrian Estate. Enter the property through the custom iron gates and drive along the winding oak hammock driveway that leads to the idyllic Old Florida Style home. Arrive at the thoughtfully built two story custom home which includes four elegantly designed bedrooms and five spacious bathrooms. With over 5,000 square feet of living area and over 10,000 square feet total area, the home includes a large open eat-in kitchen with butcher block island, double ovens, travertine tile backsplash, and granite countertops. Entertaining is easy in this spacious walk-around kitchen with large windows delivering scenic River views. The family room, with wood burning fireplace and built-in entertainment wall, is the comfortable hearth of the home which features expansive picture windows that maximize the panoramic river view from nearly every angle. The home is paired with beautiful hardwood floors and travertine tile throughout. The primary bedroom suite is drenched in natural sunlight coming in from wall-to-wall windows along the open-style solarium sitting room. More than a house ~ this is a home. Take in the sunsets lounging on the expansive wrap around Southern-style porch. Enjoy the sunshine lounging by the pool and Jacuzzi with plenty of room to entertain. Stroll down the paver brick walkway to the dock along the Hickey’s Creek natural inlet with boathouse equipped with a 5,000 lb electric boat lift. Wander along the glass top sunkissed riverfront and enjoy the watercraft traffic while sitting by the custom built fire pit just feet from the waters edge. The Equestrian barn is a fully functional post and beam construction with eight large stalls, air conditioned neatly organized tack room, and beautifully designed one bedroom living quarters above. Trail ride on the 30 acres under the shade of Spanish moss covered oaks and native Florida palm trees.

The property is located 20 minutes from Downtown Fort Myers in the quaint community of Alva, Florida, population 3,000! Sequestered by the Caloosahatchee River, the community is rich with the best of Southern history and traditions. Alva is dotted with classic old churches with steeples, home gardens, cattle ranch properties with verdant pastures, roadside fruit stands, 4-H clubs, and is still inhabited by some of the founding families. Located just one mile east of the Franklin Lock State Park and Campground with direct deep-water boating access to the Gulf of Mexico. Retreat to this picturesque peaceful enclave that off ers the best that SWFL has to offer. Relax by the pool, unwind in front of the fire pit, enjoy fishing, boating, waterskiing, kayaking, and jetskiing on the glass top river. There are endless lifestyle features to enjoy.

20 ACRES RIVER FRONT & HOME $4,900,000 PLUS 10 ACRES RIVER FRONT VACANT $1,695,000

Re/Max Hall Of Fame Sales Award • Platinum Sales Award Re/Max Leaders & Legends Publication • Chairman Sales Award

IF YOU WANT IT SOLD • 239-872-7653 Darius Cochran OWNER AGENT

DariusLCochran@gmail.com DariusCochran@aol.com

www.DariusCochran.com

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FLORIDA HARVEST

FLORIDA SOIL BUILDERS KEEPING OUR STATE’S FARMING SUSTAINABLE Written by: Ava Grace

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Florida farmer sends a soil sample to a lab for analysis. The lab sends the results back with recommendations that simply state: “It needs everything but sand.”

Joking aside, Florida farmers have enjoyed the benefits of abundant sunshine and a subtropical climate that provides ample rainfall. But the high sand content of the soil presents a challenge for growing crops.

Farmers have been producing a wide variety of fruits and vegetables in the state for well over one hundred years. Florida agriculture is one of the state’s largest industries, second only to tourism in revenue generated.

The agricultural industry provides thousands of jobs for farm workers and associated businesses such as agricultural packing and processing facilities.

After World War II, the introduction of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides made it easier to produce more abundant crops. Abundant crops created competition at the marketplace leading to the reduction in input costs to retain

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a reasonable profit. This competition led to elimination of some production practices such as crop rotation, cover crops and other methods that allow for sustaining and even increasing organic matter in the soil.

Over the past 80 years, these trends away from techniques that improve organic matter have taken a negative toll on the soils. Additionally, the consumer is now demanding more organic produce in lieu of produce grown with synthetic inputs.

Every year, farmers are struggling to produce crops that are competitive in today’s world markets. Most large farming operations have found it necessary to alter their management techniques to find ways to regenerate the soil.

These regenerative programs include planting cover crops and adding amendments such as high-quality compost which increases the organic matter and minerals in the soil.

One of the biggest sources of compost is Immokalee-based Florida Soil Builders,Inc., a manufacturer and supplier of premium compost.

Florida Soil Builders receives some 500,000 cubic yards of horticultural debris each year, which is sorted and ground to make a perfect ratio of carbon and nitrogen necessary to produce a premium soil amendment. The product is sold by both the yard and ton.

THE CONSUMER IS NOW DEMANDING MORE ORGANIC PRODUCE.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF FLORIDA SOIL BUILDERS

Florida Soil Builders was established in late 1999. The founders each have a farming background and their focus is to produce high quality soil amendments by utilizing natural inputs, including horticultural debris from landscape and golf course maintenance operations.

Florida Soil Builders receives approximately 500,000 cubic yards of horticultural debris each year, which is sorted and ground to make a perfect ratio of carbon and nitrogen necessary to produce a premium soil amendment.

The material is then placed in long, narrow windrows. The windrows are turned with a mechanical turner to manage the decomposition process to maintain the correct moisture, oxygen and temperature levels in the row.

times to produce a humus-rich finished product.

Florida Soil Builders works diligently to fulfill the company’s mission of supplying reliable, environmentally friendly soil amendments to assist farmers in keeping Florida farming sustainable. FCM

ROUNDUP Florida Soil Builders floridasoilbuilders.com, 239-390-0599 info@floridasoilbuilders.com

Completion of the composting process takes up to six months, during which time the rows will be turned up to 30

Windrows of compost are regularly turned to maintain appropriate oxygen, moisture and temperature. The process takes up to six months.

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Florida

Roadtrip Series

The Seven Mile Bridge is the most famous and longest bridge in the Keys. After renovation, the "Old Seven" recently reopened to residents and visitors for activities such as biking, walking and running. Soak up the sun and take in some picturesque sunrises and sunsets.

Wandering Like (Working) Pirates Florida Keys, grab-and-go visit to paradise

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Written by: Jack Collier

t's not exactly a grab-and-go. But it's close. Time to de-stress from the carousel, the work-from-home girlfriend and her stuck-in-the-office boyfriend having a Florida Keys trip planned out a couple of weeks in advance. A threeday powder, leave Fort Myers Thursday, back Sunday. Some 800 miles total, three or four tanks of gas in her Ford SUV, as we chose to wander and spend like working pirates.

Our accommodation, food and entertainment price choices are about mid-range, by the way, so you could travel harder, pay less, maybe fish from shore or bridges, thrift or poke through the hundreds of roadside tourist places like Robbie's Marina in Islamorada or follow the nine-stop Florida Keys Sculpture Trail, and you'll come out better.

But no matter how you handle it, you can pack a bunch of fun into 72 hours in the Florida Keys.

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START WITH A HOME BASE Our trip was our trip, so what you do and see will be different. We started with a budget, worked backward. But unless you have Keys' friends, plan to raid the treasure chest. An “affordable” hotel, with Monroe County’s 7.5% sales tax and the other fees and gratuities affixed to your stay, is likely north of two-hundred bucks a night.

And up. Fun costs you in the Florida Keys.

Wendy on our trip pointed at the map and said “there.” Which in her world was an hour or so either way to Key West and Key Largo. We wanted a home base. She struck on Fiesta Key RV Resort & Marina at Mile Marker 70. Remember, we dug into our wallets. The resort’s Elite Suites, a master bedroom and a loft, a kitchen and an eastward facing porch along a quiet seawall, is pricey. But the place is spectacular, quiet and perfect for de-compressing, a rare splurge. Check the website for rates.

The Keys are also about traffic. US Highway 1,

Popular photo attractions from roosters to iguanas, to iconic directional wooden signs, the Florida Keys offer some great photo opportunities. One photo opportunity you don't want to miss is the famous southernmost concrete buoy.

the Overseas Highway from Miami south, is long stretches of single lanes. You get race-arounds in towns and the occasional passing lanes. Highway 1 itself runs from south Georgia along the Atlantic side to Key West, 550 or so miles.

And while the deep turquoise waters, the incredible white of the birds or sea foam, the trade winds that go through you like ghosts, are all heart-stopping, time your Keys trip, if possible. We're talking random getaways here but with a sense of purpose. Off-season travel is also better on the wallet.

Note: Illegal passing and/or speeding in the Keys are no-no's, apparently, as patrol cars are everywhere.

The cash register dings down here. And while the Lord did create the Florida Keys, He/She also set loose slow people to travel the full 113 miles of south US Highway 1 to selfie themselves at Mile Marker 0.

village situated between Islamorada and Marathon.

Fiesta Key is a 28-acre island with secure gates just off the Overseas Highway. All seemed perfect, which hallelujah, turned out to be true. And the staff couldn't have been more pleasant. Watching the rising sun from that eastward-facing porch with someone you love and drinking hot black coffee, it's hard to imagine better things exist.

But it's the wandering we are after. And Fiesta Key RV Resort, part of a large network with the Encore company, was great as a home base.

It tests your faith.

ON THE ROAD TO PARADISE Wendy and I decided Thursday after work was better than Friday early. We hit the interstate in a light rain, buzzed across Alligator Alley and wonder of wonders skirted the edges of Miami in light traffic, then on a toll road to Homestead, then south from Florida City on US Highway 1 to Key Largo.

No matter, we had settled on the dual-purpose Fiesta Key RV Resort & Marina in Layton, a small

Bingo, like you own the road. Florida and into the Keys is sweet, the breeze balmy and wonderful in your face.

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Florida

Roadtrip Series

YOU FEEL LIKE A KID, THE HINT OF SOMETHING MYSTERIOUS AROUND THE CORNER. You feel like a kid, the hint of something mysterious around the corner.

Some 20 or so miles ahead we make a sudden veer off the Overseas Highway for a night in Key Largo at Gilbert's Resort, like a Holiday Inn, a '60s-looking place dated

Robbie's Marina in Islamorada

to the early 1900s as a fishing camp. Because we arrive after 9 p.m., there's some mix-up on room passkeys. But a night clerk couldn't be more professional, more polite in using our first names.

We trudge up a stairway to the room, which in April runs just north of $200 for the night, and it's … beautiful, retrofitted in grays and yellows and whites, a balcony overlooking a waterway two or three football fields across. The Atlantic Ocean is east, the Gulf of Mexico west. Anchored houseboats line a far-off mangrove; there's the wreck of something like a sailing frigate from the 1860s. A story to that boat but no one to tell it.

A public-pool-sized American flag across the water channel snaps in the warm breeze.

Gilbert's in the morning has a good breakfast and hot coffee. You hand the woman a chit. Someone has driven around the tiki bar and the small beach pulling a tractor rake. Overseas Highway traffic arches overhead, already bunching for Friday's ride south. And we're gone to join the exodus.

ROOSTERS AND PEOPLE FROM EVERYWHERE We track ourselves with Mile Markers in the Keys. Mile Marker 0 in Key West, for example, is iconic. But the fowl don’t know that … roosters and chickens are everywhere, wild ones, under cars and in the bushes. Things still crow in this world? Like us, the birds nudge their chicks along, as if “c'mon, c'mon!”

Then you’re like the locals, shooing or side-stepping them. We shake our heads. And smile.

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Florida Keys—

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VISIT TO PARADISE

TOP PHOTO COURTESY OF FIESTA KEY RV RESORT & MARINA; BOTTOM PHOTO BY STEVE BEAUDET/COURTESY OF VISIT FLORIDA

A 28-acre resort located on its own island. Surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico, leave all your troubles behind and relax. Breathtaking ocean views with plenty to do at the Fiesta Key RV Resort & Marina.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF FIESTA KEY RV RESORT & MARINA

Colorful cottages with cozy porches get you right into the island mood. Take a dip in the pool or just relax.

Iguanas are everywhere too. Invasive as citrus pests, some places have bounties on them. But traffic culls them in the Keys; we see dozens flattened. Wendy slows spotting them.

On a warm and breezy morning, we meet Mariano in Islamorada at a farmers market. A onetime New Yorker and retired school teacher, “Hey, I’m Italian!” is his catchall. All food becomes a pizza, he tells us. Seventy-five-yearold Mariano started painting a decade ago. Maybe it's his wife's idea to keep him active. Who knows. His work is thick shades of purple, yellow and pink. We buy a rooster painting from him, toss it in the SUV with a ballcap from

the Coral Restoration FoundationTM. Kids from the Tavernier-based project had pitched that nonprofit. Mother Nature is big in the Keys, as she hovers over nearly everything. Coral is dying and our help is mandatory, we agree.

The hat is our contribution.

People from everywhere are in the Keys, the man at the marine thrift store in Tavernier is French, for example. There are Caribbean juice shop owners, Cuban natives, of course, people of every flavor. We're in one of the world’s best fishing holes, a boating paradise. You see trucks pulling boats and RVs about every third vehicle. Monroe County, the governing agency, reported $2.4 billion in tourism spending in 2018, which in pre-Covid times meant some 26,500 jobs up and down the Keys. Entertainment and recreation were about $350 million of that.

They’re in your pockets elbow deep in the Keys. But it seems like an honest trade-off, you getting yours, them getting theirs. Just expect it, accept it, and you’ll be fine.

KEY WEST AND ROADSIDE DINERS You can’t visit the Keys without seeing Key West. Our trip south from Fiesta Key is leisurely. It is best to ride shotgun. Traffic gets goofy, so drivers should stay alert.

We had earlier visited the Bass Pro Shops-Wide World

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Florida

Roadtrip Series

Gilbert's Resort, located in Key Largo, has a private beach, pool, marina and comfortable rooms with everything you need. They also have a tiki bar and entertainment.

A RETURN TRIP TO THE FLORIDA KEYS IS BACK ON THE BUCKET LIST. Sportsman outlet in Islamorada, the marina and outdoor tiki bar/dining, two floors of shopping. A shark swims around dock pilings. The water is clear.

Wear a hat, because trade winds blow and blow. It's magic.

In the store sits Ernest Hemingway’s “Pilar.” You board the replica boat and poke around. There's a typewriter in it. Wendy and I can’t stop talking about the Bass Pro Shops heading to Key West. We bought stuff, for sure.

At its core, Key West is history, the conch houses and architecture, the flavor of it. The North had captured the South's blockade-runners in Charlotte Harbor, for instance, auctioned their boats and crews in Key West. Housing stock from the late 19th century remains. A neighborhood tour seems smart, with enough time.

But Key West has adapted, presenting itself as loose and easy fun, the famous Duval Street strip lined in drinking and tourist shops. Absurdities in Minnesota or Kansas are nothing in Key West. It's freeing. Which has the hustlers standing out like weeds. Be aware and you're fine.

It's up to you in Key West on what tickles your fancy. But research and ask around rather than showing up. There's too much going on to randomly hunt and peck.

BACK AT THE RESORT We had visited Herbie's Bar & Chowder House in Marathon Saturday, a locals' hangout with great beer and food. And of course we had to visit Robbie's in Islamorada, watch kids scream dropping bait fish into the jaws of a lazy old tarpon.

We're on the road home Sunday morning. We had agreed that Fiesta Key

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VISIT TO PARADISE

TOP PHOTOS COURTESY OF GILBERT'S RESORT

Ernest Hemingway's downtown mansion this night is closed, a private party within. It's certainly worth a visit.

FLORIDA KEYS SCULPTURE TRAIL MAP AND PHOTO COURTESY OF FLORIDA KEYS COUNCIL OF THE ARTS; BOTTOM PHOTO COURTESY OF BASS PRO SHOPS, ISLAMORADA

Wind Tower at Grimal Grove

Florida Keys Sculpture Trail features nine sculptures created by The Art Students League of New York's Model to Monument Program. Residents and visitors can enjoy this gift.

RV Resort & Marina is great for R&R, self-contained with a store and bait, laundry, a decent diner and bar. We had laughed as two boys fish the seawall, another kid catches snapper, dipping his four-hook line and producing as many fish in one catch. The two boys spill spoiled bait on one another, fake barfing. We laugh ourselves silly.

It is carefree and relaxing, what we wanted … and needed.

Our only complaint at the resort is at the pool: kids on an otherwise peaceful Saturday, tradewinds bending the tall palms, run the apron and scream like cats, others dodging them. Maybe an occasional visit by Bass Pro Shops - World Wide Sportsman - Islamorada

management? Kids are kids, we tell ourselves. Grrrrr.

Also remember the sun is intense in the Keys, so protect yourself.

We wander back north Sunday on the Overseas Highway.

We're delaying Schmonday. Wendy rides shotgun. There's little talking, both inside our own heads. A return trip to the Florida Keys is on top of our bucket list, we agree crossing onto the mainland for the ride home.

This time, however, we've new plans. There's that much happening for the wandering pirates of the Overseas Highway. FCM

ROUNDUP: Fiesta Key RV Resort & Marina rvonthego.com

Florida Keys Sculpture Trail keysarts.com

Gilbert's Resort gilbertsresort.com

Herbie's Bar & Chowder House herbiesbar.com

Coral Restoration FoundationTM coralrestoration.org

Robbie's Marina robbies.com

Bass Pro ShopsWide World Sportsman basspro.com

Key West cityofkeywest-fl.gov

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Coral Restoration Foundation SAVING FLORIDA'S REEFS, ONE CREATURE AT A TIME

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oral Restoration Foundation™ is on a mission to save the world. At least one just under the ocean's surface.

The Tavernier, Florida-based nonprofit cultivates huge numbers of corals in the world’s biggest offshore coral nurseries to restore our imperiled coral reefs, nature's underwater barriers and home to countless sea life. Reefs are also diver/snorkeler nirvana, bringing revenue to the trades nourished from that resource.

But coral is in deep trouble, thanks to human pressure.

Disasters such as a warming earth, disease outbreaks, overfishing, pollution, coastal development, and direct human impacts from anchors and careless visitors have killed, bleached or degraded much of the Florida Reef Tract, historic coral that stretches some 300 miles from the St. Lucie Inlet in Martin County on the east coast, to the Dry Tortugas in the Gulf of Mexico. Boats and anchoring had also caused reef losses.

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Just a handful of the world's barrier reefs are healthy.

The Coral Triangle in the western Pacific Ocean is such a place, a diverse underwater universe teeming with wildlife. Still, current levels and methods of harvesting fish and other resources are “not sustainable and place this important marine area and its people in jeopardy,” according to the World Wildlife Fund, an advocacy group.

Science classifies coral as animals attaching themselves to the ocean floor, taking root like plants. But since they must feed themselves, have tentacle arms and scoop food, they're animals.

Coral Restoration Foundation™ raises huge numbers of genetically diverse corals on underwater “coral trees,” host devices that the organization invented, with the young coral colonies later transplanted to restore degraded reef sites where these species used to flourish.

There are several such sites along the Florida Keys. Many of the genotypes that Coral Restoration Foundation™ works with are no longer found in the wild, where

THIS PAGE: PHOTO BY ZACH RANSOM/CORAL RESTORATION FOUNDATION™; OPPOSITE PAGE: PHOTO BY SARA NILSSON/CORAL RESTORATION FOUNDATION™

WRITTEN BY: JACK COLLIER

Just a handful of the world's barrier reefs are healthy, and those only because they're isolated.

Tavernier, Florida-based Coral Restoration FoundationTM raises huge numbers of genetically diverse corals on underwater "coral trees." The young coral colonies are later transplanted to restore degraded reef sites where these species used to flourish.

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– Alice Grainger, communications director Coral Restoration Foundation

populations of these endangered species are on the brink of extinction in Florida.

In the last 15 years, the Tavernier nonprofit has rehomed more than 170,000 staghorn, elkhorn and bouldering corals on Florida’s Coral Reef, where many are now spawning. On these restoration sites, coral coverage has increased dramatically in recent years; as of the end of 2021, Coral Restoration Foundation™ reported that they had restored a total of over 25,000 square meters of reef in Florida. And the work continues every day.

Coral is important to the overall ecosystem, as other underwater species live in and among reefs. And strong reefs defend us against wave and storm surges. Healthy mangrove systems provide similar benefits.

While reef degradation is not limited to Florida, it is estimated that less than two percent of staghorn and elkhorn coral along Florida’s Coral Reef remains from

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just the 1970s, according to researchers. At the current rate of loss, researchers insist, shallow water reefs could functionally vanish by 2100. “Extinct in the Wild” is the designation not that far off for such critters should we kick the can down the road, says Alice Grainger, communications director for Coral Restoration Foundation™. “But there is hope,” Grainger says. “We just need more people to get onboard.”

Which is easy. Coral Restoration Foundation™, for example, has dive programs, volunteer projects, internships, citizen science programs, sponsorships and donation opportunities. “In the history of our species, we have never experienced the loss of an entire ecosystem.

Coral reefs are a critical component of our planet’s lifesupport system, the consequences of losing them would be unimaginable for all life on Earth. We simply can’t afford not to act,” says Grainger, a world traveler and marine conservation professional. FCM

THIS PAGE: PHOTO BY ZACH RANSOM/CORAL RESTORATION FOUNDATION™; OPPOSITE PAGE: TOP AND MIDDLE RIGHT PHOTOS BY ALEXANDER NEUFELD/CORAL RESTORATION FOUNDATION™; LARGER MIDDLE LEFT PHOTO BY SARA NILSSON/CORAL RESTORATION FOUNDATION™; OTHER PHOTOS BY ZACH RANSOM/CORAL RESTORATION FOUNDATION™

There is hope.

We'd love for (people) to get onboard.

The foundation offers dive programs, volunteer projects, internships, citizen science programs, sponsorships and donation opportunities.

ROUNDUP HQ - Coral Restoration FoundationTM 89111 Overseas Highway Tavernier, Florida Exploration Center 5 Seagate Blvd., Key Largo, Florida coralrestoration.org, 305-453-7030

Coral reefs are a critical component of our planet's lifesupport system

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FLORIDA EXCURSION

PADDLEBOARDING ADVENTURES ON CLEAR BLUE WATERS

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Written by: Ben Knowles

eandering down a Florida river on an inflatable paddleboard with alligators and monkeys might sound like a dream, or a nightmare depending on your perspective, but it was reality during a recent visit to Silver Springs State Park in Marion County, just northeast of Ocala.

This past spring my wife, Laura, and I launched our paddleboards at the park’s livery for a morning paddle. Our plan was leaving the headwaters of Silver Springs to Ray Wayside Park—which is five miles down the Silver River— and get a shuttle back to our vehicle.

We were excited to see what all the Silver River had to offer on a beautiful spring morning.

Within just a few minutes of paddling, we spotted a monkey in a tree and quickly realized multiple monkeys were everywhere. We knelt on our boards and started snapping photos of the intriguing little mammals. The monkeys saw us but did not seem bothered at all. They went about their business of sitting on limbs, climbing up and down trees,

and walking along the channel banks.

One might think a local zoo left a cage door open, but that is not how the monkeys took up residence at Silver Springs.

In the 1930s a riverboat captain released a small group of rhesus macaques on an island along the Silver River, hoping to make the island a unique river attraction. The monkeys quickly escaped the island by swimming to the riverbanks.

Over time they multiplied and are now permanent residents of the park and river.

After a few minutes of watching the monkeys, Laura and I resumed paddling the short canal to Silver Springs. As we exited the canal, the sun was starting to come out from the clouds and shine on the clear blue spring water. There were very few paddlers out at that time. The park’s glass-bottom boats were not running yet and swimming is not allowed.

So, we had a beautiful and peaceful start to our paddle down the Silver River.

Laura spotted a manatee resting near the riverbank. After snapping a few photos, I paddled toward an area with

We had a beautiful and peaceful start to our paddle down the Silver River.

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THIS PAGE: PHOTO BY BEN KNOWLES; OPPOSITE PAGE: MIDDLE LEFT PHOTO BY LAURA KNOWLES; OTHER PHOTOS BY BEN KNOWLES

SILVER SPRINGS STATE PARK

Meandering down a Florida river on an inflatable paddleboard with alligators, monkeys and other wildlife might sound like a dream, or a nightmare depending on your perspective.

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FLORIDA EXCURSION

A monarch butterfly (left) and a little blue heron (right), both common sights in the area.

trees in the middle of the river. The trees were full of nesting anhingas and double-crested cormorants. I have seen these birds many times in other places, but Silver Springs is the only place I have seen them nesting.

I could have watched these birds all day. But we were just getting started on our paddle and I knew there was much more to see.

Just a few yards downstream something else caught my attention. A male and female wood duck were swimming across the river. They were not skittish, so we made the most of their cooperation and took several photos of the beautiful ducks.

Several alligators, large and small, were spotted during our paddle. Most were sunning on logs or near the riverbanks. One was seen swimming in the opposite direction as we paddled. We kept our distance … and they did the same.

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PHOTOS THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE BY BEN KNOWLES

It looked like a few were incubating eggs while others were still busy putting finishing touches on their nests. A male anhinga flew away and returned with a fresh twig. After appearing to have some sort of discussion or debate about the twig, the female accepted the twig and added it to the nest.

The Silver River’s beautiful clear water and abundance of flora and fauna provided us with an amazing outdoor experience.

Laura and I ended our paddle as planned at Ray Wayside Park around noon. The Silver River’s beautiful clear water and abundance of flora and fauna provided us with an amazing outdoor experience. I do not know when we will make it back there, but I am sure when we do Silver River will offer more amazing sights and memories.

Learn more about Silver Springs State Park and the Silver River at silversprings.com.

Ben Knowles is an outdoor enthusiast who lives in north Florida with his wife and two children. Find his Facebook page “Ben

Outside” to enjoy photos, stories and videos of his outdoor adventures throughout Florida. FCM

ROUNDUP Silver Springs State Park, 5656 E Silver Springs Blvd.

Silvers Springs, Florida silversprings.com, 352-261-5840

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EXPLORING HISTORIC BOK TOWER GARDENS ‘SPOT OF BEAUTY SECOND TO NONE’ IN CENTRAL HIGHLANDS

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Written by: Dave Kelly

he beauty of Florida is all around us. We see it in the vastness of the Everglades and the sweep of sandy beaches.

But did you know that Central Florida is home to mountains as well?

The Mountain Lake Sanctuary, just outside of Lake Wales, lays claim to Iron Mountain, one of the highest points in peninsular Florida at almost 300 feet and home to historic Bok Tower.

Park namesake Edward William Bok, editor and Pulitzer Prize-winning author, was born in the Netherlands in 1863.

After coming to the United States at age 6, Bok worked in New York as a young man in the publishing industry, and in 1886 he founded The Bok Syndicate Press, which took over editorship of Ladies’ Home Journal in 1889. Under his

management, it became a national sensation and the first magazine in the world to have over one million subscribers.

His success afforded Bok the opportunity to champion social causes and become an environmental activist.

As a noted philanthropist, Bok established numerous civic awards. But none of his projects were to impact Florida as much as his creation in 1925 of The American Foundation, known today as Bok Tower Gardens. When it was purchased in 1922 as a 14-acre site atop Iron Mountain, Bok hired renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. and commissioned him to build “a spot of beauty second to none in the country.”

Future land purchases expanded the area into the 70-acre garden that it is today.

THE SWEET SOUND OF THE BELLS RINGS OUT OVER FLORIDA’S CENTRAL HIGHLANDS.

Bok Tower Gardens isn't much changed than when Edward William Bok presented his grand vision to the American people in 1929.

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FLORIDA CHARM

The 20-room El Retiro at Pinewood estate and grounds from the 1930s, top left, and the Blue Palmetto Café, above, with vegetables grown on-site, are two features of the Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, Florida.

Bok expressed gratitude for the opportunities in his new country by presenting the Gardens as a gift to the American people, and on February 1, 1929, President Calvin Coolidge was on hand to dedicate them. They have since welcomed more than 23 million visitors.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BOK TOWER GARDENS

REMARKABLY LANDSCAPED GARDENS

Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. began work on the Gardens in 1923, devoting the next six years of his life to their design and implementation. After graduating from Harvard, Olmsted collaborated with his father, who had designed New York City’s Central Park, and together they landscaped many of Washington, D.C.’s most prominent landmarks, including the White House, Jefferson Memorial, and others.

During his years in Central Florida, Olmsted transformed Iron Mountain’s sandy terrain into one of the nation’s most exquisite garden sanctuaries by planting a mix of native and exotic flora that would thrive in the humid Florida climate and lend a tropical feel to the local oak hammock of the area.

Pathways on today’s Olmsted Walking Tour wind through the remarkably landscaped gardens while leading up to the “Singing Tower” on the mountain. Reaching the top, a majestic view of the entire Tower is revealed in the Reflection Pool, highlighting one of Florida’s most photographed sites.

PITCHED-PERCUSSION INSTRUMENT

This Singing Tower itself is the centerpiece of the Bok Tower Gardens experience. Made of pink marble and coquina shell, the 205-foot-tall Neo-Gothic and Art Deco Singing Tower houses a 60-bell carillon, a pitched-percussion instrument played with a keyboard but consisting of a series of bells.

Unlike most bells, they do not actually swing to ring. Instead, they are rung by a clapper on the inside of each bell, which is controlled by an instrument lower in the tower called a clavier, a mechanism that works much like a piano but is played by both the hands (in a closed fist) and the feet.

The largest bell, called the Bourdon, weighs over 11 tons and has a diameter of over eight feet, while the smallest weighs just 16 pounds. Total weight of the bells alone is over 62 tons, yet the sound of the music played is gentle and light.

The Carillon rings on the hour while the park is open. Additionally, a clavier player called a Carillionneur sits in the tower and plays special music at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. during performance season. Amazingly, there have only been four full-time carillionneurs in the 94 years that the Gardens have been open.

The sweet sound of the bells rings out over Florida’s Central Highlands and brings solace and grace to the entire area. In addition to the carillonneur’s recitals each day, Bok Tower Gardens often features live concerts.

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Bok Tower Gardens features Hammock Hollow Children’s Garden, a world of adventure that incorporates cooling water features, vibrant plantings, a boardwalk, play areas, and plenty of space for the young-at-heart to build, dig, create and explore.

OTHER EXCITING THINGS TO DO

There are other features at Bok Tower Gardens that tourists can visit. For example, El Retiro at Pinewood is a historic 20-room Mediterranean-style mansion from the 1930s. This National Historic Place sits on over seven acres of lush landscaping and is available for tours.

Additionally, Bok Tower Gardens features Hammock Hollow Children’s Garden, a world of adventure that incorporates cooling water features, vibrant plantings, a boardwalk, play areas, and plenty of space for the young-at-heart to build, dig, create and explore.

The Café Kitchen & Outdoor Garden features over 6,000 square feet of culinary delight and includes a wood-fired pizza oven. Attached are a fruit orchard, grape arbors and raised beds for herbs and vegetables used in the adjacent Blue Palmetto Café’s menu recipes.

Other lush and tranquil areas are a part of this magical spot, including the Wildflower Garden, the Peace Lantern and a charming visitor center and giftshop at the gate.

Edward Bok passed away in 1930 within sight of his beloved Singing Tower and is buried at its base. To this day, when you walk the property, you can feel his words: “Wherever your lives may be cast, make the world a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it.” FCM

ROUNDUP Bok Tower Gardens, 1153 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales boktowergardens.org, 863-676-1408 To keep Bok Tower Gardens growing while leaving a lasting legacy, visit boktowergardens.org/membership

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PHOTOS ON THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE COURTESY OF BOK TOWER GARDENS

The Window on the Pond is a small observatory overlooking a Florida bog where visitors can watch birds, reptiles, butterflies and other animals undisturbed in their natural habitat.

Edward Bok died in 1930. "Make the world a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it," he said.

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FLORIDA CHARM

CAMP MARGARITAVILLE AUBURNDALE ‘HOME IS WHERE YOU PARK IT’ ometimes you find tropical enchantment where you may least expect it.

Welcome to Camp Margaritaville RV Resort and Cabana Cabins in Auburndale. Nestled up against scenic Lake Myrtle in Central Florida, this 65-acre slice of magic is everything you could want in the deluxe RV, trailer, and cabana cabin lifestyle—all in a luxurious yet laid-back setting befitting the Margaritaville name.

The park was built on land owned by the longtime local Knapp family and was once an active blueberry farm and packing facility. It opened in February 2021 as the Cabana Club but was soon licensed under the global Margaritaville brand, becoming the third Camp Margaritaville property in the U.S. less than a year later.

In addition to these traditional RV sites, they also have 11 motorhome suites. These oversized slots feature all the amenities of a regular site plus full hookups with 110/30/50-amp breakers, a private tiki hut with outdoor kitchen and TV, a Kamado Joe grill, and more. Additionally, these “5 O’clock Suites” overlook the brand-new License to Chill Pool and Lake Myrtle.

It is still family owned and operated while proudly being a part of Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville family of businesses.

But despite the temptation of the RV sites, we opted to stay in one of the 75 Cabana Cabins that line the streets

Fire pits dot the pool area for evening enjoyment.

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OPTIONS ABOUND

Before heading to Camp Margaritaville Auburndale, we had a decision to make. The property has 328 RV sites, all with full hook-ups, cable, Wi-Fi, private picnic tables and charcoal grills. We knew we could get our truck-and-trailer combo into either an 80-foot back-in site or one of the huge 90-foot pull-throughs. We cannot imagine a big rig that could not fit somewhere on this extensive property.

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PHOTO THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE COURTESY OF LOWRY CREATIVE

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Written by: Dave Kelly

Pictured clockwise from top left: multiple pools and waterslides beckon to kids and adults, the lush landscape of Parrot Island Mini Golf, cabins sleep 4-6 guests, there's home-like amenities, each cabin with a porch and a view, some with bunk beds for the kids, and pets are treated as family at Camp Margaritaville.

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FLORIDA CHARM

of the park. We were personally escorted to our site, where we learned that these cabins sleep four to six people comfortably, with each featuring a private bedroom with king-size bed and a queen-size pull-out couch in the main living area. Some even have youth beds, including a few with lofted bunks for the kids.

These are no tiny homes—each includes a large bathroom, a kitchen with full-size appliances, and a private porch with two Adirondack chairs and a view. A private parking space, covered picnic table and charcoal grill round out the amenities, making our decision to stay in a Cabana Cabin feel like a vacation paradise with the comforts of home.

SO MUCH TO DO

We began our stay like we start most travels … at the tiki bar! There are two of them on the premises, with the main tiki bar being situated conveniently near most everything, including the enticing and inviting swimming pool. Open to adults and kids alike, it features a twisty 147-foot waterslide.

Tucked in right next to it is the Jolly Mon Kids Splash Pad that is exclusively for the young ones. The adjacent main building houses the Fins Up Fitness Room, Fin City arcade, and Joe Merchant's Camp Store and office.

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As you might imagine from a Margaritaville-themed park, the emphasis is on outdoor activities. The centerpiece of this is Parrot Island Mini Golf, the 9-hole putting course next to the tiki bar, where the family can enjoy a round or two of mini-golf among the lush waterfalls and tropical landscapes. There are also two basketball courts on-site, as well as two Parakeets Kids Parks. Additionally, unlike many other RV parks, Camp Margaritaville knows that dogs are a part of the family, so it features three “Bark-aritaville” dog parks, a dog run and even a doggy wash-down station. Best of all, all of this is included your site rental.

The outdoor theme continues with live entertainment multiple times per week, corn-hole tournaments, Tiki Bar Bingo, guided painting classes and more. The License to Chill Tiki Bar and Pool feature the Boardwalk Dock on Lake Myrtle and food trucks in the evening for all to enjoy.

Additionally, by the time you read this article, The Feeding Frenzy and Frank and Lola's Pizzeria will be open on-site.

Camp Margaritaville Auburndale is also in the process of building an event space to accommodate meetings, special events and receptions for over 1,000 people that should finish within a year.

TOP LEFT PHOTO BY DAVE KELLY; OTHER PHOTOS COURTESY OF LOWRY CREATIVE

Tiki bars are huge fun, as tropical cocktails taste even better when served poolside at Camp Margaritaville Auburndale. There are plenty of food choices, and an event space to accommodate meetings, special events and receptions for over 1,000 people should finish within a year.

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Wake-boarders (pictured) hone their craft at Elite Cable Park, family fun is the focus of Camp Margaritaville Auburndale, motorhome/RV suites feature a private tiki bar, grill and room for guests, and pull-through slots offer up to 90 feet for your rig.

A list of additional activities publishes weekly on their website and is handed out to each guest as they arrive.

Three-legged races, trivia contests, and even streamed church services from Berkley Chapel in the Pool Pavilion on Sunday morning, are just a few options.

For those full-time RV families who would like to stay for an extended period, Camp Margaritaville Auburndale welcomes guests for up to six months. Mail can be picked up in the camp store, and they offer secure package delivery for guests as well.

Next door to Camp Margaritaville Auburndale, you can also find Elite Cable Park, a lakeside operation that teaches wakeboarding and other watersports in a safe, healthy and family friendly environment. In fact, folks at the License to Chill pool bar can see the cable park’s participants having fun on the water daily.

To top it all off, there are golf-cart rentals available for those who like to explore in style.

Plan a weekend, a month or a season at Camp Margaritaville Auburndale. You will soon come to see why so many have come to believe that “Home Is Where You Park It.” FCM

FAMILY STYLE TRAVELS

Many guests at Camp Margaritaville Auburndale are families traveling with children and pets. The park often appeals to those who want to use the site as a home base for their vacation plans while they branch out to explore the nearby Disney, Universal and Sea World theme parks, major league sporting events, and other attractions in the Central Florida area. While most travelers come from within 150 miles of the resort, guests from virtually all 50 states have visited since the park has been open.

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ROUNDUP Camp Margaritaville Auburndale, 361 Denton Ave., Auburndale, Florida margaritavilleresorts.com, 863-455-7335 Facebook @CampMargaritaville

TOP LEFT PHOTO COURTESY OF ELITE CABLE PARK; OTHER PHOTOS COURTESY OF LOWRY CREATIVE

MANY GUESTS AT CAMP MARGARITAVILLE AUBURNDALE ARE FAMILIES TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN AND PETS.

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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.

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Rhonda May of Orlando, Florida Best Friend’s Name: Shalizar (Czar) Best Friend’s Breed: Quarab Czar and I have been a team for over 20 years. I purchased him when I was 16 years old. He has been there through many rough times, including losing my parents in 2006. My two daughters have grown up around him too. Czar turned 32 in January. At his age he is now fully retired and has to do nothing but be a pasture pal. He deserves it … and he means the world to me!

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Judy Throop of Okeechobee, Florida Best Friend’s Name: Ruffus and Daisy Mae Best Friend’s Breed: Rotti/cur mix Ruffus and Daisy Mae are my furbabies, my family. They are both rescues … but they rescued me. They are my earth angels, they make me laugh, entertain me all the time and give unconditional love.

They are best friends to each other as well. They are more than dogs, they are my best friends.

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Pamela Rhoades Burleson of Clermont, Florida Best Friend’s Name: Two Eyed Pete (aka) Cowboy Best Friend’s Breed: APHA (paint) My big goofy boy Cowboy is my go-to when I need to decompress from the craziness that sometimes makes me wonder why. Cowboy gives me wings to fly. He is so forgiving and kind. No matter how bad the day is, it's always better when I'm up on him. I have asked my doctor why is it that I don't hurt so bad when I ride? The only answer he could give is because it's my happy place. God has blessed me with some good horses in my 63 years, and Cowboy is one of the best.

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Donna Killam of Groveland, Florida Best Friend’s Name: Kane Best Friend’s Breed: Australian shepherd My husband has Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s (diseases). It is becoming difficult for me to accept. Kane is my rock. He knows when I am upset

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and literally crawls into my lap, hugging and kissing me. I would not be handling my journey without my best friend, Kane.

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Nicole Nair of Winter Garden, Florida Best Friend’s Name: Jack Run Best Friend’s Breed: Morgan cross Jack was rescued from a junkyard and was given a second chance. Of all the kids he could have chosen as his rider, he chose me.

He always takes care of me when we are together. In this picture, my right stirrup came off my saddle. He kept me safe for a clear round. Our bond is like no other and I love him so much. He is and will always be my best friend.

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Shane Connelly of Eustis, Florida Best Friend’s Name: Cracker Best Friend’s Breed: Jack Russell terrier

PHOTO #5 BY LISA MADREN

Cracker and I oversee, feed, hay and water 20 horses at Shane Stable, a retirement center created in 1999. Three devoted employees accomplish the dayto-day grooming, bathing and general care of these residents. Twice each day Cracker faithfully reminds of feed time.

She is far better than any alarm clock and I enjoy her unique sense of timing.

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WILD FLORIDA

ROD AND REAL TIPS CAPT. SCOTT WILLIAMS ON FISHING'S HOT MONTHS eat affects fish like it affects us.

But no sweat. Every fishing season has opportunities. Summer is no different. It brings gamefish closer to shore, or to the beaches and piers, as bait has moved inshore.

And like every season, summer has its rules, little extras to figure out, even if it's the basics of keeping yourself and your family safe and hydrated. I'll even run my charter boat in wide circles to cool my fishing clients on windless days.

Tip two is about bait. Warmer water brings some species closer to shore. Snook, for example, will be firing off as they move closer to beaches and jetties for their annual spawn. Castnetting nearshore for pinfish is great and even the beaches will surprise summer anglers. I want pinfish from 3-4 inches, smaller for tripletail, larger for sharks, for example. Cut ladyfish works well on certain occasions.

Salted sardines and whitebait are preferred, though. And pichards are great if you can find them.

Tip three: Shore anglers look for deep sections of beaches for bigger fish. I suggest 7-7 ½ foot light-action rods with

a 3000-4000 series spinning reel. The reels are similar in casting distance but the 4000 seems to retrieve a bit better.

Both are good, though. Nearer inshore use 15-20-pound test line, with a braided 3-4 foot leader.

RUN UP TO 'FISH ON'

I'm up hours before the sun, getting the boat ready for my fishing clients. These are people mostly from the Midwest enjoying themselves. But locals use our services too. It's no secret that while charter captains work hard and have headaches, we have the best job in the world. It's pure fun and rewarding when kids boat their first gamefish.

My home base is St. James City in Pine Island. You want to be in the water as the sun comes up. Sunlight activates baitfish. You throw a 12-foot cast net in the full sun, those baitfish will run. Morning shadows and baitfish just starting to move around, your work is easier.

With a full live well, I'm at the dock for pick-up at eight or so. I take a few minutes to go over safety gear and other instructions. Are we looking to have fun, I ask. Which gets smiles. Are we here to catch and release, to keep, to see

IT'S NO SECRET THAT WHILE CHARTER CAPTAINS WORK HARD AND HAVE HEADACHES, WE HAVE THE BEST JOB IN THE WORLD. Capt. Scott Williams

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INSET PHOTO COURTESY OF CAPT. SCOTT WILLIAMS

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Written by: Capt. Scott Williams

Finding structures and moving water are the keys. Like us, fish want safety, a place like a home. They want places to ambush baitfish, under tree branches, along sandbars, under bridges, docks, wash points or in deep troughs.

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WILD FLORIDA Warmer water brings some species closer to shore. Snook, for example, will be firing off as they move closer to beaches and jetties for their annual spawn.

and fish sharks? You know in advance, but you want confirmations and agreement from everyone, ideas of their goals.

Finding structures and moving water are the keys. Like us, fish want safety, a place like a home. They want places to ambush baitfish, under bridges, docks, wash points or in deep troughs. Wash points are places tides and faster moving water create, bends where larger fish ambush smaller ones looking for nutrients. Life underwater goes up the food chain. Oyster beds also bring fish, as crabs, shrimp and baitfish feed around them.

There are lessons in any fishing season. Learn them, and you're on the way to a successful day on the water.

Capt. Scott Williams charters from St. James City in the Pine Island Sound area of Florida. His Thrill of It All Charters works in nearshore and offshore fishing. His angling advice in this publication is on saltwater fishing only. Visit Capt. Scott's Thrill of It All Charters Facebook platform for details. FCM

ROUNDUP Florida fishing rules should be closely monitored. The Fish Rules App at myfwc.com is good for tracking such things. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission platform shows regulations from the user's location, can identify fish and has other services. The downloadable app is also partnering with the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council that manage fisheries off Florida in federal waters, according to myfwc.com.

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PICTURE PERFECT Photo by: Sabrina Zadai

‘LOVES BUTTERCUP!’

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his photo was taken in our pasture just before feeding time. Bristol wanted to hop on Buttercup … and I couldn’t pass up a picture with the beautiful sky. Bristol started riding Buttercup when she could sit.” The Ona, Florida, photographer shot her image in the family pasture on an iPhone 13.

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‘PERFECT CHICKEN’

“T Photo by: Ashley Kent

Photo by: Amber D. Godwin Photography

wo bored best friends sitting around a fire on a gloomy Saturday drinking Starbucks noticing how pretty Rachel Miller’s chickens were. The obvious next step was a chicken photo-shoot.

Rachel did the chicken rounding up and I shot the photos. No chickens were harmed during this photo-shoot and got extra cuddles. Big Red was the perfect chicken model.” Ms. Kent lives in Lakeland, Florida. Her photo was at the Miller home on an iPhone 12.

‘JUST RIGHT’

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his photo was special to me in capturing the old country feel of Florida with the citrus and the dirt road. It’s a special feeling to create these special memories for families to enjoy for forever. That is why I love photography, being able to be creative and share in these precious moments. The photo is titled: ‘When that Florida Citrus Hits Just Right.’”

The photographer lives in Sanderson, Florida. She used a Nikon D5600 in the Osceola National Forest.

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PICTURE PERFECT ‘LAND PRESERVATION’

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‘SALUTING SHYANNE’

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ortrait: Shyanne Wood is a graduating senior at Durant High School, member of the HCFR Cadet team, a lifeguard and an incredible showman on the Florida Junior Swine Circuit. The Plant City, Florida, photographer shot her artwork at Hunsader Farms in Manatee County using a Canon 6D Mark II.

Photo by: Dee Dee Wheeler/Berry Sweet Memories Photography by Dee Dee

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his is a photo of my husband, Stevie John, (Manatee County Cattleman's State Director) while we were pushing cows to work at a ranch in Myakka. I love capturing these images to share with those who have no idea places like this still exist in Florida. Photography allows me to show people our way of life and the importance of our local farmers and ranchers. Preserving the land through a photo, so future generations can see the way things used to be.” The Duette, Florida, photographer shot her work on an iPhone 12 in Myakka City, Florida.

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HE’S ON FIRE!

Photo by: David Williams

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n high school, I wanted to work at a big news agency as a photographer and travel the world. My brother was a firefighter … and I would ride with them and take pictures of fires. The longer I was there, I fell in love with the fire service. In 1986, I was hired with the Orlando Fire Department. I spent 25 years there and photography became more of a hobby. I retired in 2011 and I started to travel and photograph again. My wife and I combine our travels with my photography in mind. Photography has allowed me to photograph grizzly bears in Wyoming to lighthouses in Maine … and along the way we have met some great people.” Mr. Williams lives in Enterprise, Florida. He shot his work at Boneyard Beach near Big Talbot State Park in Jacksonville using a Nikon Z9, stacking a polarizer and 6-stop neutral density filter to get the light to pop and allow for a longer exposure, which will flatten the waves and make the water smoother, he says.

‘DON’T MISS ANYTHING!’

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Photo by: Yolanda “Lon”Addison

his was my first time swimming with the manatees. It was an awesome experience. Photography is my creative outlet and lets me relax. Though I have to say that when I saw this manatee, I was super excited, so not relaxed … but happy more than I can express. The thrill of experiencing wildlife and capturing those amazing moments is what keeps me out for hours. I don't want to miss anything.” This Clermont, Florida, photographer shot her portrait at the Homosassa River on a Nikon 1 AW1 underwater camera.

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RODEO PROFILE

DAREDEVILS OF THE HORSE WORLD WALL FAMILY OF THE FAITHFUL W RANCH f rodeo is your thing, and you’ve been to one somewhere in the Sunshine State and witnessed trickriding or Roman riding, then chances are that you’ve watched the Wall family of St. Cloud.

Mom Caitlyn grew up in a rodeo family. Being a rodeo competitor “in the old days,” her father competed in rough-stock events, as well as roping and steer-wrestling events. She started her trick-riding career at age 8, grew up performing in circuses in New York City. She was taught the trade from Helen Panzella of the Bronx, who spent her winters in the Sunshine State. Panzella performed in such famous venues as Madison Square Garden.

Caitlyn as a teen purchased the registered paint horse Seemore Simon, and this bonded pair performed together for the next 18 years. She started traveling with her father

to provide entertainment in rodeos in New York, north to Canada, south to Florida, and as she quips, “virtually all the states in-between.”

‘30-PLUS YEARS LATER’

And Caitlyn still gets out in the arena on horseback to this day, some “30-plus years later,” as she puts it. But the majority of the performing she has passed along to her children. She loves her job as the Horses & Heroes manager south of Orlando at McCormick Research Institute in St. Cloud, where she works with horses and veterans in equine-assisted therapies.

Her husband, Steve Wall, was the original Roman rider in the family, having learned it from his father and grandfather. But he is now fully retired from performing.

However, he continues to be involved in the sport of rodeo

Tyler Wall

Roman riding is one of the older forms of horseback riding.

It is generational in the Wall family of St. Cloud, Florida.

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Written by: Kathy Ann Gregg

Michaela, Caitlyn and Hailey Wall

Caitlyn Wall

Helen Panzella

Trick-riding originated as a weapon for the Russian Cossacks, who adopted it from the people of the Caucasus. When communism overtook Russia, many Cossacks were forced to leave their country, often ending up in America, where they used these riding skills to earn a living in the entertainment industry.

TOP RIGHT PHOTO BY TRACEY STEEPER; BOTTOM RIGHT PHOTO BY KATHY ANN GREGG AND BOTTOM MIDDLE PHOTO COURTESY OF CAITLYN WALL

as a pick-up man for the various rough-stock events. And during the days, his duties as one of the ranch foremen on the Deseret Ranch in St. Cloud keeps him on horseback.

The second generation of this rodeo-performing family consists of daughters Hailey and Michaela, son Tyler. At 17, Hailey is the seasoned one of the group, now going into her tenth year of performing on horseback. She learned the trade from Seemore, who was a part of the family until he passed away in 2016. Her mom describes her: “She has a genuine love for trick riding, that you can see in her smile when she rides.”

Currently, it is widely used as a specialty act.

At 14, youngest child Michaela is still in training, but will soon be joining the family team in the arena. Currently, she carries the American flag at the weekly rodeo performances at the Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo in Lake Wales, Florida.

Roman riding is one of the older forms of horseback riding, performed during the time of the Roman Empire. And middle child, 15-year-old Tyler, began riding with Steve in the shows when he was a mere four years old. He then took over the reins at seven, and this has become his specialty in the family tradition.

Trick-riding originated as a weapon for the Russian Cossacks, who adopted it from the people of the Caucasus.

When communism overtook Russia, many Cossacks were forced to leave their country, often ending up in America, where they used these riding skills to earn a living in the entertainment industry.

He is a fourth-generation Roman rider. He stands astride his pair of horses, one foot on each animal. At times he reverses his stance, riding them backward, or even putting both feet on one horse, stepping from one to the other. But the really exciting part of Tyler’s routine is when he weaves the pair in and out of lit torches, splits them as they pass over a flame underneath Tyler’s body. Horses have a natural fear of fire, so getting them to do this shows their trust in him.

And trick-riding was once an official rodeo event, where the hardest tricks earned the most money. However, as contestants became more and more daring, the producers deemed it too dangerous. As a competitive rodeo event, it ended in the 1940s.

Tyler also trick-rides with his sister in performances, having added this to his resume at age 10. The two of them will perform stunts in tandem, including the one called the “suicide drag” or “death drag,” a popular stunt but difficult

NEXT GEN RIDERS

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RODEO PROFILE

Tyler and Hailey Wall

Hailey Wall

Seemore Simon

For the past 20 years, the Walls have performed weekly at rodeo performances at Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo.

to accomplish. One foot secures through the saddle hole, while the second leg hangs over their head; they hang down vertically, with their hands touching the ground, while being dragged around the arena with the horse at a full gallop.

As can be imagined, the saddle used in trick-riding differs from a typical riding saddle. They contain special handles that provide the riders with a better grip. The hippodrome strap allows them to stand upright on the horse. The breast collar not only secures the saddle but also lessens the strain put on the animal. And the suicide strap in front of the stirrups allows the rider to hang off the side of the horse.

ROUNDUP Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo westgateresorts.com

LEFT PHOTO BY DAVID ROSENFIELD; MIDDLE PHOTO COURTESY OF CAITLYN WALL ; RIGHT PHOTO BY KATHY ANN GREGG

For the past 20 years, the Walls have performed weekly at rodeo performances at Westgate River Ranch Resort &

Rodeo. They’ve worked the rodeos held in Ocala, at the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds in Davie, as well as at the Silver Spurs Rodeo in Kissimmee. They’ve been used by producers Mason ProRodeo, the Seminole owned Five Star Rodeo Company, Double K Rodeo Company, and the 4L & Diamond S Rodeo Company out of Summerville, Georgia. FCM

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THE CULINARY CRACKER

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

INGREDIENTS 1 5-pound lean boneless pork roast, trim excess fat, cut into chunks Pork Rub or (try Grassy Run Ranch Rust Ranch Rub www. grassyrunranch.com/company-store/) 1 cup chicken stock ½ cup beer 1 medium white onion, diced 4 teaspoons garlic, minced 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1 teaspoon black pepper 1 teaspoon chili powder 1½ teaspoons fine sea salt ½ cup cilantro, finely chopped PREPARATION Add rub to meat. Cut meat into large chunks.

Add all ingredients except seasoned pork chunks in a large slow cooker. Stir mixture to combine.

Add pork chunks to mixture and stir again.

Cook on low for 7 hours or on high for 5 hours until the pork is completely tender and shreds easily with a fork. Once the pork is cooked, preheat your broiler to high heat and prepare large baking sheet with aluminum foil. Use a fork to shred the meat into pieces. Transfer meat using a slotted spoon to the prepared baking sheets, spreading pork mixture in an even layer, while juices are left behind in slow cooker. Keep juices in slow cooker for later use. Place baking sheet under the broiler for about 5 minutes, or until the pork begins to brown and crisp up. Remove baking sheet from oven. Ladle ¼ cup of the juices from slow cooker over the pork. Toss pork with juices with tongs. Broil for an additional 5 minutes or until desired crispiness. Remove pork from oven and ladle an additional ¼ cup of juices over the crispy pork. Repeat with any remaining pork and juices. Serve in corn or flour tortillas for tacos, place pickled habanero onions on top and garnish with some cilantro and mild or hot sauce.

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CRISPY CARNITAS Yields 6-8

INGREDIENTS ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves 4 cloves garlic, pressed Zest of 1 lime ¼ teaspoon chili powder ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika ¼ teaspoon kosher salt ¼ teaspoon pepper 8 ears corn 1 tablespoon oil 1 lime, cut into wedges

PREPARATION In a medium bowl combine butter, cilantro, garlic, lime zest, chili powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Set aside.

Preheat grill to medium heat.

Brush corn with canola oil, season with salt and pepper, to taste. Place corn on grill, cover and cook, turning occasionally until corn is tender, about 12-15 minutes. Spread with butter mixture onto corn.

Serve with lime wedges.

CORN WITH CILANTRO LIME BUTTER Serves 8

PICKLED HABANERO ONIONS Serves 12

INGREDIENTS 1 medium red onion vinegar 2 cups (or more to fill Mason jar) apple cider y thinl d 1 fresh habanero pepper, slice ⅛ cup salt 1 teaspoon oregano PREPARATION Thinly slice red onion and habanero pepper. nero Be extremely careful when messing with haba th, mou or eyes , skin pepper. Do not touch your ns and wash hands immediately. Place sliced onio ason jar/M ling pick and habaneros inside a glass gh jar with lid. Add the salt, oregano and enou Put s. table vege the r apple cider vinegar to cove all the lid on pickling jar, shake and mix well until for a or gerat refri the in e ingredients combine. Plac minimum 6 hours.

ORRIIDAC DACO OUUN NTTRY RYM MAGA AGAZZIIN NEE..CCO OM M FFLLO

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THE CULINARY CRACKER

WATERMELON MARGARITA Yields 3-4

INGREDIENTS 4 cups ripe cubed watermelon ½ cup white tequila ¼ cup triple sec ⅓ cup fresh lime juice 1-2 tablespoons honey, to desired sweetness 1 heaping cup ice Limes and small watermelon slices for garnish CHILI RIM SALT: 1 tablespoon ancho chili powder 1 tablespoon kosher salt 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

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PREPARATION Make watermelon juice by filling large blender with cubed watermelon and blend until juiced.

Add tequila, triple sec, lime juice, honey and ice to watermelon juice and blend again until smooth.

Make chili salt by adding chili powder, salt and sugar to a shallow plate and mix to combine. Run a lime wedge around the rim of each rock glass.

Invert your glass and dip the top into the chili salt mixture, tilting the glass slightly to completely coat the surface. Set rimmed glasses aside. You can pour directly or strain margarita mixture into your prepared glass and garnish with a fresh lime wedge and watermelon wedge.

INGREDIENTS Fresh lime wedge Blood Mary rim salt 1½ ounces vodka 3 tablespoons tomato juice 1 teaspoon Worcestershire ¾ teaspoon grated horseradish, fresh Ranchero 3 dashes hot sauce or (try Grassy Run Ranch pany-store/) Hot Sauce www.grassyrunranch.com/com 1 dash ground black pepper 1 pinch salt 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1 stick celery, garnish 1 slice crispy bacon strip, garnish 1 spicy grilled shrimp, garnish 1 large green olive, garnish 1 cherry tomato, garnish pickle, garnish 1 miniature spicy dill pickle or miniature dill PREPARATION lime wedge around Pour Bloody Mary rim salt onto saucer. Run rim salt mixture. rim of highball glass and dip highball glass in all ingredients in Carefully put ice cubes in highball glass. Put s and mix well. a mixing glass or shaker, except garnish item with ice cubes.

Pour mixture into a chilled highball glass filled olive, tomato Garnish with bacon, grilled shrimp, celery, green and dill pickle or any other fixins.

THE ULTIMATE SPICY BLOODY MARY Serves 1

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