HALLOWTHANKMAS, IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR

This time of the year is when Floridians start getting excited about the weather change and looking forward to the vanishing act of those pesky little mosquitoes—the real Florida bird. With cooler evenings, sitting on the porch has never felt so good, especially since the summer humidity and rains are beginning to fade.

If you think about it, these months are probably the best because our traffic is not bad either, making it the perfect time to sightsee and discover new territory within our state’s boundaries.

Maybe you are just ready to go outside and do some much needed repairs or additions to the homestead without succumbing to heat exhaustion.

Whatever it is, I’m convinced, the best months in Florida are October and November!

It’s the kickoff months to ghoulish and “thankful” festivities. The colors orange and brown and the sight of pumpkins have taken over our homes and every other place you look.

Pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins. From the perfect jack-olanterns to the most scrumdiddlyumptious pumpkin pies, but orange, as in citrus?

That’s right, an orange; scratch everything I mentioned before, because writer Brenda Eubanks Burnette is sharing a Thanksgiving recipe with a Florida twist (page 30).

Enough of that, you’re ready to skip Halloween and Thanksgiving—right to Christmas. Well, guess what?

We’ll show you right where you can enjoy this “Christmas Spectacular!” Holiday Home Tour starting November 1.

The keyword is home, not just any home, but a mansion, a 19th century Victorian mansion, which was the largest, grandest and most opulent home Florida had seen before the 1900s. This DeLand estate was home to none other than the legendary American hatter, John B. Stetson, that’s right, the inventor of the cowboy hat.

Thanks to current owners John Thompson and Michael Solari for preserving this historic treasure to share with the public. Their holiday experience has twice been named by USA Today 10BEST as the top Christmas tour in Florida (page 34).

Now, like I said before, it’s a great time to sightsee. This issue of Florida Country Magazine spends a few days on the southwest coast of the small town with a big history, Everglades City (page 40).

Then we’ll take you north of Marianna to an old rusty structure, Bellamy Bridge. Location to one of Florida’s best known spooky tales, the ghost of Bellamy Bridge.

The storytellers say Elizabeth Jane Bellamy died more than 175 years ago and her love for her husband Samuel was so deep that her nearby grave could not contain her. She roams the swamps and awaits her beloved Samuel to return and cross the bridge back to her. We are going to give the exact location for you to visit yourself—don’t be scared (page 50).

Speaking of being scared, interesting fact: elephants are NOT scared of mice!

Well, that was out of left field—NOT. We learned this and other interesting elephant facts right here in Williston, a safehaven for African and Asian elephants.

Elephant-lovers, see what you can do to donate or volunteer to help these amazing giants of Two Tails Ranch (page 60).

Now travel a little over an hour north in the heart of Florida’s horse country you’ll find equestrian clinics and training to golf instructions and fly fishing at The Grand Oaks Resort (page 22).

These are all great places and things to do, but Florida Country Magazine will also introduce you to some amazing people and businesses this issue.

Meet Seminole seamstress Stephanie Johns (page 14), sixth-generation rancher Charley Pearce (page 56), and some amazing high school rodeo athletes from Team Florida (page 64).

Enjoy this issue and enjoy this time of year with cool nights by the firepit with family. And if you don’t have a firepit, or need other stonemason work, make sure you call the best, Timo Brothers (page 18).

Well-wishes to you and your family, and Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Florida Country Magazine.

SCARLETT REDENIUS, Publisher