Florida Country Magazine - December 2021 / January 2022 by Florida Country Magazine

FEATURES

FLORIDA COUNTRY MAGAZINE / ISSUE VOL. 6 • NO. 1

ON THE COVER: In the last decade, Michael Ray has released three No. 1 country songs, including the RIAA Platinum-certified “Think A Little Less, “Kiss You in the Morning,” and “One That Got Away,” while his latest single, “Whiskey and Rain” continues climbing the charts at Country radio. Photo credit Sean Hagwell. Read more page 66.

The Great Florida Cattle Drive of 2022 500 Years of Cattle and Horses in Florida

Our High in the Lower Keys

Capturing True Florida Attitude, Fall is the Time to Go 2

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Florida

Roadtrip Series

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DEPARTMENTS FLORIDA COUNTRY MAGAZINE / ISSUE VOL. 6 • NO. 1

FCM CIRCLE

THE BRAND

FLORIDA CRACKER TRADING COMPANY

A NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHER

page 8

page 50

FLORIDA 4-H 4-H PUBLIC SPEAKING

page 10

HORSIN' AROUND

‘FLORIDA’S INLAND GRAVEYARD OF SHIPS’

page 14

page 60

FLORIDA HARVEST

page 18

CROSSWORD

page 65

COUNTRY CALIBER

page 22

STARS & GUITARS

MEET MICHAEL RAY, CIRCLING BACK WITH FLORIDA COUNTRY MAGAZINE

MEET JIM KARELS SADDLE (WAY) UP!

page 26

page 66

PICTURE PERFECT

THE CULINARY CRACKER

page 40

MY BEST FRIEND

WHIPPING IT UP IN YOUR KITCHEN

page 44

page 70

FLORIDA CHARM

TRUCKS & TOYS

EXPLORING FLORIDA’S WAKULLA RIVER

VELOCITY RPM

page 46

page 74

66 60

page 54

FLORIDA MEMORIES

RIDE-A-THON FOR SPECIAL EQUESTRIANS

MOTE MARINE LABORATORY IN THE FLORIDA KEYS

POLK TRACTOR COMPANY

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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, Dale Cox, Christopher DeCubellis, Ava Grace, Kym Rouse Holzwart, Dave Kelly, Ben Knowles, Myles Mellor, Kendra Sutton

Featured Photographers Matt Butcosk, Desiree Chapman, Rachel Conrad, Susan Correa, Susan M. Egitto, Josh Gicker, Mike Gilbert, Debbie Gill, Sean Hagwell, Dave Kelly, Ben Knowles, Dr. Hannah Koch, Brittany Locke, Vandy Major, Scarlett Redenius, Garrett Rizan, Kristina Rodriguez, John Sessa, Tori Walker, Dee Dee Wheeler, Gil Williams, Sarah Wray For more information about advertising with Florida Country Magazine, or joining our regional sales team, please contact:

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

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

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

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

facebook.com/floridacountrymagazine F LO R I DACO U N T RYMAG A Z I N E . CO M 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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t’s Christmas and we are going into 2022? I don’t know about anyone else, but I have really lost track of time since the pandemic—it’s a constant struggle— the COVID FOG.

I thought I was just getting old, but then I started running into others, who were “getting old,” but experiencing the same things as I—the COVID FOG. I can see my editor right now, losing their mind over the overuse of, THE COMMA. Now, (one more won’t hurt) I thought the COVID FOG sounded bad, but THE COMMA and the look on my editor’s face—BAM! One more. All jokes aside—really wasn’t a joke. My team is great, and we put out a beautiful publication, something I could not do without any of them, so thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you to all our advertisers. We have weathered red tide, hurricanes, pandemics, loss, division, inflation, shortages, delivery delays, wearing 10,000 hats because no one wants to work, but we stand and stand COUNTRY STRONG! We have all had some type of disruption to what we call “normal,” but 2022 is on its way, a new chapter and a lot of new stuff is coming from Florida Country Magazine. Our YouTube channel will be producing great content for your entertainment. We will be bringing our stories to life, visiting our advertisers and trying out their products and services. We will update you on the latest news, trends, and hot topics from Florida and beyond our state line too. So, back to THE COMMA. The comma represents a pause, but in Florida Country Magazine’s case, it represents the calm before the storm. Not only do we have big things coming, but our advertisers do too. If you didn’t get a chance to make it out to the Stetson Mansion’s “Christmas Spectacular!” 10th anniversary in Deland, no worries, you can visit that until January 22, 2022 (page 13). Florida Cracker Trading Company will be holding its 3rd Annual Florida Cracker Christmas on December 11. This holiday event benefits Operation HeartF.E.L.T. (page 50). Looking for a family-friendly time and serious mud? Visit the Graveyard Mud Bog in Jasper and “Get Buried” from January 6-9, 2022 (page 48).

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Savage 4x4 will be having their Truck Invasion 2022 at the Southern Fried Swamp Jam at Seminole Casino Immokalee January 8, 2022, and this event has FREE admission (page 59). The 10th annual Smoke Under the Oaks Rib Fest is a great and tasty event, January 8, 2022, in LaBelle. Not only is there yummy food, but you don’t want to miss the Fire Truck Pull-ooza (page 77). Need some more family-friendly mud, mud, and more mud? Redneck Mud Park has you covered (literally) with their Mud Wheelers Gone Wild event January 14-16, 2022 (page 80). One more event you don’t want to miss in the month of January is the 2022 Hoof & Hike to benefit Naples Therapeutic Riding Center, January 16 (page 69). A big shout out to their Title Sponsor and one of our great advertisers, Equine Hemp Solutions (page 20). Things are happening in Florida and make sure you savethe-date and are ready to go and support more events like Special Equestrians’ 31st annual Ride-A-Thon on February 12, 2022, (page 62) and their Taste of Love Wine & Food Extravaganza event March 13, 2022. Bust those boots and spurs out for the 94th annual Arcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo, March 10-13, 2022. Tickets are on sale today (page 25)! And you can blame it on COVID—for real. But finally, we will be able to celebrate Florida’s 500 years of cattle and horses when the Great Florida Cattle Drive’s cow-hunters and cattle move out from Deseret Ranch in St. Cloud, December 4, 2022, and over seven days arrives at the Silver Spurs Practice Arena in Kenansville on December 11, 2022 (page 30). It’s not always about the articles, but the backbone behind our magazine, and that is our advertisers and our distribution spots throughout our state. Showing support, buying their product, using their services, and thanking them for letting us continue to do what we love, and that is bring you great stories. In my publisher’s letter in our October/November 2019 issue, we had 120,000 strong readers, today we have over 250,000 … and growing. So, for that, I thank you, our readers. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our family to yours. SCARLETT REDENIUS, Publisher

PHOTO BY GIL WILLIAMS

OUR BACKBONE IS MADE FROM OUR ADVERTISERS

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FLORIDA 4-H

4-H PUBLIC SPEAKING CLEAR MESSAGING, INSIDE NERVES, OUTSIDE CALM Written by: Chris DeCubellis

Inside you might be a ball of nerves, but outwardly you are calm. You utilize excellent voice inflection, have prepared visual aids that help tell your story and clarify your facts. Finally, you end your presentation … to thunderous applause from peers, parents, and impressed judges. This is exactly what we encourage our members to do as part of their 4-H experience. Regardless of where they live or what project they choose, public presentation skills are some of the most important life skills any young person can develop and improve in 4-H. This is a skill that will serve them well later in life, in places such as job interviews, civic organizations, or even voicing concerns at a local county commission meeting. In fact, many 4-H’ers will go on to careers that involve clear and confident communication.

It all begins with a young person choosing a topic in which they are legitimately interested, and this is often associated with a 4-H project. If they are passionate enough about rabbits to care for them daily, for example, then they will be motivated to research details that make them a better caretaker of that rabbit, in researching diseases or properly meeting nutritional requirements. The young person is encouraged to present something they have learned about their project at a local 4-H club meeting surrounded by their friends and adults who care about them. It is a safe environment to try something— even to fail—and therefore a safe environment to practice and excel. From the club level, young people can present at something called 4-H County Events. This is an annual competition for 4-H club members in which they compete in project demonstrations or illustrated talks, speeches, as well as things like fashion review, Share the Fun (a talent contest), poster contests and photo contests. If a young person earns a blue ribbon at 4-H County Events, then they can compete at 4-H District Events, which brings the best from several counties together for competition. For older youth, blue-ribbon winners at district events are invited to compete at Florida 4-H University, which is a week on campus at the University of Florida. The youth not only compete at this state-level event, but they can also stay in college dormitories and take short courses from university faculty; some might just be these young people’s professors in the future.

With practice, 4-H'ers become confident publicly, just like this young speaker in Tallahassee.

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In Florida, we classify 4-H members by the young person’s age on September 1 of that program year. Cloverbuds are ages 5-7, and often start off their speaking skills by reciting the 4-H pledge for the club or even at competition. Juniors are ages 8-10, and Intermediates are 11-13; these ages would need to present a 4-H demonstration or illustrated talk that is between 3-12 minutes in length. Seniors are ages 14-18, and they would need to prepare a demonstration or illustrated talk between 5-12 minutes. In competition, youth are evaluated on things such as appearance and poise, voice and grammar, their

PHOTOS ON THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE COURTESY OF 4-H

magine being your 12-year-old self, standing in front of a room full of people and articulating complex details on a topic you are passionate about, in a manner that others easily understand.

Clockwise from bottom left: Maddie Goss competes in a Share the Fun competition, 4-H illustrated talks allow deep dives into a topic, food prep demos combine public speaking and culinary arts, and success can lead to blue ribbons, life advantages.

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FLORIDA 4-H

Camp Timpoochee leaders ready to help build life skills in young 4-H'ers.

introduction, use of equipment or visual aids, logical sequence, and summary. Judges also look at topic selection, level of difficulty, accuracy, and knowledge on the subject. If kids and teens are interested in joining a 4-H club, there are options. Contact your local UF/ IFAS Extension Office for more information, visit florida4h.org, or email me at cdecube@ufl.edu. It is hoped that if they join, they will soon be confident enough to prepare and present at a local club meeting on a topic that is important to them. They should leave more confident. FCM

ROUNDUP 4-H motto To Make the Best Better

4-H pledge “I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, and my health to better living. For my club, my community, my country and my world.” Source: florida4h.org

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PHOTO COURTESY OF 4-H

4-H slogan Learn by Doing

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HORSIN' AROUND

RIDE-A-THON FOR SPECIAL EQUESTRIANS

Written by: Kendra Sutton

hat started decades ago continues to be a special and rare opportunity to support a great cause.

That’s what the 31st annual Special Equestrians Ride-A-Thon will again accomplish, as riders of all ages spend the day making their way through the private and exclusive horseback trails of picturesque Babcock Ranch in Punta Gorda, Florida. The event is February 12, 2022. “The day starts off with breakfast for participants at 7:30 a.m. Riders will take to the trails, and we will have a great barbecue lunch waiting for them when they return, followed by an exciting raffle with lots of prizes until 2 p.m.,” says Freda Jones, longtime board member with Special Equestrians.

Proceeds from this event benefit Special Equestrians therapeutic horseback riding programs and equine-assisted activities. The annual Ride-A-Thon is a fundraiser open to the public this one day only, where trail riders bring their horses to Babcock Ranch, a working cattle ranch. “This is a rare permission opportunity by Babcock Ranch and Tarpon Blue Resource and Land Management to allow access to the area, making this event even more special to our cause, and especially the participants, allowing them access to over 12 miles of undisturbed nature trails throughout,” says Jan Fifer, executive director for Special Equestrians. Special Equestrians has helped children, adults and veterans with a variety of special needs in Fort Myers, Florida, since 1987. The nonprofit agency, a United Way partner, provides

Special Equestrians has helped children, adults and veterans with a variety of special needs in Fort Myers, Florida, since 1987.

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PHOTOS ON THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE BY VANDY MAJOR/FLORIDA WEEKLY

HORSEBACK FUNDRAISER AT BABCOCK RANCH, 'BEST DAY OF THE YEAR'

programs and therapeutic services to approximately 95 participants a week, at their facility on Staley Road in Fort Myers. “The trail riders obtain sponsor donations in order to ride these exclusive trails during Ride-A-Thon. There are prizes awarded for the persons obtaining the most sponsors. It is a day of fun with a choice of short or long trails to ride, along with the natural landscape and amazing wildlife you see along the way. This is such a special day and rare opportunity for supporters of Special Equestrians,” explains board member Kendra Sutton. “The camaraderie among the trail riders coming from all over the state, as well as the time, talent and contributions donated by our instructors, volunteers, students, vendors and families, is overwhelming each year,” adds Gina Delano, a Ride-A-Thon committee member. In addition to the trail ride, the special needs riding students from Special Equestrians participate in the Ride-A-Thon as well. Special Equestrians brings their program horses to Babcock Ranch for class demonstrations, including drill-team performances. A riding arena is set up and the student riders get the opportunity to ride in a new and different setting. Program participants exhibit what they have learned, while demonstrating the

Executive Director Jan Fifer, left, and Kendra Sutton with Special Equestrians, a Fort Myers-based nonprofit (top photo). Riders of all ages spend the day making their way through the private and exclusive horseback trails of picturesque Babcock Ranch in Punta Gorda, Florida. The event is February 12 (bottom photo).

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HORSIN' AROUND

Last year the event had over 150 participants between trail riders and Special Equestrians' student riders.

bond they have built with the horse they see as their special therapy horse. “This allows them to also participate in this exciting day, which they love,” Fifer says. “In addition, it is a great opportunity for the public to see our classes in action and see what we are providing as a service to those in our community that are seeking a really unique type of therapeutic experience … horses and humans … it’s a love like no other!”

“This is such a wonderful fundraiser,” adds Fifer. “We often call Ride-A-Thon the best day of the year, as it brings joy to so many people. We invite you to come join us on this beautiful day!” FCM

ROUNDUP Special Equestrians 5121 Staley Road, Fort Myers, Florida 239-226-1221, specialequestrians.net, Facebook/specialequestrians

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PHOTOS BY VANDY MAJOR/FLORIDA WEEKLY

Last year the event had over 150 participants between trail riders and Special Equestrians' student riders. There were 100-plus volunteers helping make the event happen, as well as 100plus family members and friends out to enjoy the Special Equestrians' activities.

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FLORIDA HARVEST

MOTE MARINE LABORATORY IN THE FLORIDA KEYS RACING TO SAVE CORAL, ‘SOMETHING TROUBLING IS HAPPENING’ Written by: Dave Kelly

elow the sparkling clear waters off the Florida Keys, something troubling is happening. Healthy corals — normally dark and vibrant — are dying at an alarming rate. By some estimates, more than 90% of the healthy corals of the past are gone, replaced by dead corals that appear as large white patches on the Atlantic floor. The situation is the same all along the Florida Reef Tract, which stretches 360 miles from the Dry Tortugas to Port St. Lucie on the east coast. The staff at Mote Marine Laboratory’s Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration — known as IC2R3 — is working day and night to address this alarming situation. The laboratory, right in the heart of Florida’s Lower Keys, is a fully equipped marine science facility dedicated to research and education with a focus on the coral problem. Within easy access of nearby corals protected by National Wildlife Refuges and NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, it offers these scientists efficient and safe research abilities. The impressive 19,000-square-foot facility is home to over two dozen permanent staff, as well as the same number of marine science interns. They offer 25 different science programs, most concentrating on the coral reefs in the Florida Keys.

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The building itself consists of labs, offices and dormitories for up to 46 visitors. There are indoor and outdoor seawater systems, environmental control rooms, raceways and experimental tanks for research on ocean acidification and environmental impacts on reef organisms such as corals. Since such critical work was taking place in the Keys, the building is constructed with precast concrete to withstand a Category 5 hurricane, enabling it to survive 2017’s Hurricane Irma with minimal damage. Its eco-friendly design includes solar panels, a rainwater capture system and high-efficiency heating and cooling. We met up with Allison Delashmit, director of Regional Operations, who helped us understand the center’s mission. She explained that more than 20 species of coral in the wild are suffering from a mysterious ailment called stony coral tissue loss disease, or SCTLD. She then led us to the wetlabs and experimental tanks to begin educating us on a process they are implementing called “outplanting,” where labgrown, disease-resistant corals are planted in the wild. In one method, immature corals are attached to discs and placed in indoor wetlabs to begin the growth process. Molecular equipment processes and prepares samples for generation sequencing and genomics, then conditions are set to match the natural environment as much as possible.

THIS PAGE: PHOTO COURTESY OF MOTE MARINE LABORATORY & AQUARIUM; OPPOSITE PAGE: SECOND PHOTO FROM TOP BY DR. HANNAH KOCH; BOTTOM RIGHT PHOTO BY KRISTINA RODRIGUEZ; ALL OTHER PHOTOS COURTESY OF MOTE MARINE LABORATORY & AQUARIUM

Mote scientists since 2008 have planted more than 100,000 corals of multiple native species to restore depleted reefs.

PHOTO CREDIT INFO

Mote Marine's impressive 19,000-square-foot facility is home to over two dozen permanent staff, as well as the same number of marine science interns. They offer 25 science programs, most concentrating on critical coral reef research in the Florida Keys. It's a race against time. And you can help by donating or purchasing a Florida Save Our Reefs license tag.

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FLORIDA HARVEST Live snails even clean the algae growth in the wetlabs themselves. Eventually, when these corals reach a certain level of maturity, they are transferred to the outdoor ocean simulator wetlabs, where care is taken to closely match the natural environment that these corals will eventually be outplanted to when they reach maturity, such as the salinity and temperature fluctuation of the waters. Another technique they use takes branchy corals such as staghorn and elkhorn and attaches them to modified PVC “trees” which are eventually outplanted in the ocean, where their SCTLD-resistant strains can grow into healthy mature corals. “Setting up our own spawning nursery is a critical step toward producing more genotypes of this species through sexual reproduction,” says Dr. Hannah Koch, who works with Mote colleagues to transfer growing fragments of elkhorn coral to these PVC trees in their new underwater spawning nursery. Scientists at IC2R3 also study coral reef communities’ responses to global climate change such as rising ocean temperatures and ocean acidification. Since 2008, Mote scientists have planted more than 100,000 corals of multiple native species and more than 325 genotypes to help restore depleted reefs. They also work with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, to embrace its Mission: Iconic Reefs restoration and management

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plan. They even partner with local Keys’ businesses such as Captain Hook’s Dive Center to grow an ecologically sustainable responsible tourism industry. In fact, they have a program where every Tuesday participating dive shops welcome a Mote scientist onboard during their excursions. How can we help? Allison suggests a donation by purchasing a Save Our Reefs Florida license tag. Additionally, if you vacation in the area, look for dive-shop partner businesses practicing responsible tourism. To learn more about IC2R3, you can take an in-person tour every Tuesday or visit virtually through their website. FCM

ROUNDUP Mote Marine Laboratory’s Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration 24244 Overseas Highway, Summerland Key, Florida mote.org

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COUNTRY CALIBER

MEET JIM KARELS FLORIDA’S FORMER STATE FORESTER, HOT THOUGHTS IN RETIREMENT Written by: Jack Collier

Jim Karels, right, testified on national wildfire impacts and gave recommendations to a congressional committee in 2017.

Good fire, however, as in prescribed burns, the kind professionals use to control bad fire. And the kind farmers use in processing state crops such as sugar cane, cattle pastures and timber forests.

smoke models, he says, endorsed by Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection and federal agencies that oversee public health, clean water and air. “Mother Nature gets smoke anywhere she wants,” he adds, “and the one (remedy) that stands out, is how we manage that.”

Prescribed burns are an important tool to manage the lands in Florida. They bring many benefits, including reducing hazardous fuels that contribute to catastrophic wildfires, supporting a healthy ecosystem for wildlife, providing habitat for endangered species, minimizing invasive pests and disease, and recycling nutrients back into the soil.

Data show the system is working. Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection reported last year the Sunshine State had achieved the cleanest air on record. Florida meets all the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) statewide. Florida is the most populous state in the United States to meet these stringent federal standards.

Florida is a leader in prescribed or managed fires, especially in controlling the smoke from such burns. Pioneers in the Florida Division of Forestry completed models that allow for fire managers to tailor ignition locations and times to complete objectives under ideal conditions and appropriate seasons. The state adopted rules to reinforce what fire professionals determined was safe and necessary.

Karels is an unquestioned leader in his field, was a lead investigator in the Yarnell Hill Fire in Arizona, a 2013 wildlife that reversed itself and trapped 19 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, for instance. Hotshots are specially trained in such work. Lightning ignited that fire. Only a Granite Mountain lookout in another location survived.

At the heart of this artform in keeping us safer is Jim Karels, Florida’s former State Forester and a leader in his profession. The trick in the future will be in limiting risk as our state population expands, as it is nearly 23 million now, should hit 25 million by 2030 and 30 million by 2050, or “really looking at how to manage a very large and growing population,” says Karels. “And we have to look at it from a standpoint … how do we manage the smoke?”

Karels was also president of the National Association of State Foresters and chair of that group’s Wildland Fire Committee. His advice and professional opinion on prescribed burns were of such importance that a committee in the US House of Representatives solicited his ideas in a 2017 hearing on air quality impacts of wildfires. In those written remarks, Karels expressed fears with years of raging wildfires, some 50,000 or so torching 8.4 million acres that year and solicited federal help in funding $2 billion for annual national forest service costs.

There is criticism that not enough precautions keep cane smoke in burn-offs from reaching towns. But those concerns are unfounded, as prescribed burns are based on sophisticated

Congresspersons were also informed of “Good Neighbor” agreements between states and the feds in forest management and watershed restorations that can limit undergrowth

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PHOTOS ON THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE COURTESY OF JIM KARELS

t may seem weird, but fire is healthy in Florida.

FLORIDA ALONE IN AN AVERAGE YEAR WILL PRESCRIBE BURN MORE THAN 2 MILLION ACRES, ABOUT 250,000 IN STATE FORESTS, ISSUING 90,000 PERMITS.

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COUNTRY CALIBER in 2017. The country has some 766 million acres of forests. Florida’s regulating agency has pages of resources to apply for permits and to learn about prescribed burns, such as times, fuel and weather conditions and other factors. Other states model themselves on what Florida first did in the 1970s.

Florida’s regulating agency has pages of resources to apply for permits and to learn about prescribed burns.

that dries and fuels wildfires, “reducing those threats when conditions are right,” he adds in a conversation about work behind the scenes to keep fire at a minimum in Florida. Florida alone in an average year will prescribe burn more than 2 million acres, about 250,000 in state forests, issuing 90,000 permits in doing so, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the regulating agency for such things. More than 11.3 million acres were treated in the United States with prescribed fire

Managing fire was thrust on Florida as new people flooded the state, many bringing their cultural views on burning from where it was often less threatening, certainly in the Northeast and Upper Midwest, for instance. These immigrants to Florida wanted wooded lots or scrub pastures left untouched, concealed disasters, as prescribed burns were seen as destructive rather than healthy, says Karels. And these folks are often critical of so-called range burns, where growers will torch forty-acre blocks. Conditions must be perfect before permission is granted, as sugarcane, for instance, issues a smoke that gets directed away from population centers. “The is science in how (we) do the burning,” says Karels, a 35-year Florida Forest Service worker who is now 60, splitting retirement between Tallahassee and the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, adding that state certified burners must oversee crop burns. “The entire state of Florida,” he adds, “evolved under fire. It is what made Florida Florida.” FCM

ROUNDUP Educate yourself on wildfires, prescribed burning, obtaining burn permits, land stewardship, or becoming a volunteer at such online sites as:

Coalition of Prescribed Fire Councils, Inc. prescribedfire.net National Interagency Fire Center nifc.gov Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services fdacs.gov

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF JIM KARELS

Tall Timbers talltimbers.org

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COUNTRY CALIBER

SADDLE (WAY) UP! MEET THE FULFORD BOYS, TREASURE COAST’S SOCIAL MEDIA STARS Written by: Ava Grace

othing cuter than a couple of young cowboys. Even more memorable is when little boys from Indian River County, on Florida’s Treasure Coast, use lots of creativity, and a sizable amount of determination, to saddle up.

What has made the world smile is Braford Fulford, who is 7, helping his 4-year-old brother, Bryndle, climb into the saddle of their horse, Penny. Bryndle uses his brother as

(Top photos) Sequence shots from viral video, brothers Braford and Bryndle Fulford (below) working the range.

a step ladder, in the end Braford reaching and pushing to settle him into the saddle. It’s amazing teamwork … and impossible to not smile as the boys succeed in figuring things out. Their mother, Cassidy Fulford, thought the boys working together was too cute, so she posted a phone video of them on social media. And—bam! So far over a million online views and likes. One fan was the star performer Toby Keith, who played his “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” while watching the video. “This was their first day doing this while they were practicing their roping,” Cassidy Fulford says of her boys engineering Bryndle aboard Penny. “They pretty much nailed it first try! It was so heart-warming seeing them help each other, since this super pregnant mom was … supervising under the shade tree.” Cassidy, who had a future cowboy, Boone, due in October, and dad, Cole, couldn’t be prouder of their two young cowboys. “My husband and I were super excited that Toby Keith took the time to watch and share the video! And it was wonderful to see all the positive comments from people from all over about the boys’ teamwork, good horse, and brotherly love,” adds Cassidy. Other fans are grandmother, Vicki Markham, and the boys’ aunt, Colbie Carter. “This video is a true reflection of how my grandsons live each and every day, and although they may fight, like all brothers do, they will have each other’s back for the rest of their lives,” says

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PHOTOS AND VIDEO STILLS FROM THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE COURTESY OF FULFORD FAMILY

THE VIDEO HAD SO FAR GOTTEN OVER A MILLION ONLINE VIEWS AND LIKES.

Markham, an executive assistant with U.S. Sugar, the agricultural company in Clewiston, Florida.

Toby Keith watching the brothers on a TikTok video reflects the social media response to their determination and teamwork.

“Watching that video of my nephews, and seeing all of the positivity that came from it, has brought me so much joy. They live a life full of love, simplicity, faith, hard work, and determination. I have no doubt that these two little boys will grow up to be amazing men and cowboys, and I can’t wait to watch them every step of the way,” says Carter, also with U.S. Sugar as a Human Resources administrator. Although nothing makes these two young cowboys happier than riding, they also like working cows, hog hunting, fishing and running free in the woods. “Competing in their youth rodeo association, spending time with family and friends, and thoroughly enjoying a random trip to the beach, (that) also makes them happy,” Cassidy Fulford says. FCM

ROUNDUP Put a smile on your face www.bit.ly/3nQtmSA TikTok - Duet with Fulford Boys and Toby Keith www.vm.tiktok.com/ZMRx23THH/

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The Great Florida Cattle Drive of 2022 500 YEARS OF C AT T L E A N D HORSES IN F LO R I D A WRITTEN BY: KYM ROUSE HOLZWART

he explorer Juan Ponce de León unloaded a shipment of cattle and horses in his second expedition to the New World. That was in 1521 near what became Fort Myers, Florida.

These were the first such animals in North America. Florida has since been a leader in America’s

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cattle production. These foundational animals were the origin of Florida cracker cattle and Florida cracker horses, both featured in previous Florida Country Magazine articles. Ponce de Leon also sailed into Charlotte Harbor, seeking his Fountain of Youth. There are places in Punta Gorda to mark that occasion.

PHOTOS ON THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE BY GIL WILLIAMS

Camping is primitive and riders are allowed sixty pounds—tent, sleeping bag and clothing.

Trail riders in period clothing drive cattle, each assigned to wagon circles that carry their gear. During the Great Florida Cattle Drive (center spread), 1,000 steers and heifers are pushed through sections of central Florida that remain largely untouched. You can join them. F L O R I DAC O U N T RY M AGA Z I N E . C O M

All participants are under the supervision of Trail Bosses and their assistants. Riders must stay behind the Trail Boss. Make sure your mount is fit for the ride and trail-broken.

Because of Covid, the event is delayed to December 4-11, 2022. Related celebrations of Florida’s 500 years of cattle ranching are postponed until 2022, as well. The mission of the FCCPC is to preserve Florida’s cow culture, its cow-hunter and cracker heritage. The group, whose volunteers represent all walks of life, works hard to educate us on Florida’s rich heritage as a cattle state and to celebrate the special role cattle and horses played in our history. It formed in 1993 under the leadership of Doyle Conner Jr., who continues to hold the reins. He is a sixth-generation Floridian whose passion is restoring old saddles, many in private collections and public spaces such as the Smithsonian, the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Cowboy Hall of Fame, and the Gene Autry Museum of Western Heritage. As part of Florida’s 150th birthday celebration, the FCCPC held the first Great Florida Cattle Drive in 1995. The second and third Great Florida Cattle Drives were in 2006 and 2016, and annual Reunion Trail Rides began in 2017.

WHAT’S AHEAD

For the 2022 Great Florida Cattle Drive, about 500 to 600 cow-hunters from across Florida will drive 1,000 cattle through central Florida, from Deseret Ranch in St. Cloud to the Silver Spurs Practice Arena in Kenansville, or some seventy miles over seven days. The re-enactment drive goes through what remains of Florida’s natural areas. For each cattlemen’s association or ranch that provides twenty head of cracker-type cattle, one cow-hunter and one sponsored wagon and driver can participate in the event at no cost. About 500-600 trail riders are invited to participate in the Great Florida Cattle Drive. Riders are assigned to wagon

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circles from Florida, out of state, or international, and get to drive cattle for at least a day. Camping is primitive and riders are allowed sixty pounds— tent, sleeping bag and clothes. Gear moves by wagon. Cost, not yet determined, includes food for the rider and horse, and you are asked to dress as an 1880s Florida cow-hunter. Drive participants learn about Florida’s history along the way, with cracker storytelling, chuckwagon cooking, historical encampments, demonstrations, artists and more. And there is nighttime camp entertainment. You sleep under the stars and have the adventure of a lifetime. The cattle drive concludes with a big “Trail’s End” celebration, which is open to the public.

PONCE DE LEÓN 1521 HERD OF 7

As you can imagine, an event of this size and complexity is expensive. The FCCPC is working hard to get the word out, obtain sponsors and raise money to cover costs—the more money raised, the lower the cost for participants. The FCCPC has partnered with Florida artists to create the Ponce de León 1521 Herd of 7 to promote the cattle industry, ranches, and related businesses; these seven life-sized fiberglass cracker bulls represent those animals brought to Florida in 1521. The bulls travel to public events throughout Florida in 2022, then get auctioned. FCCPC members come to schools, clubs, or groups to give presentations or demonstrations as part of educating us about Florida’s cattle heritage and to promote the Great Florida Cattle Drive of 2022. Contact the FCPCC or Great Florida Cattle Drive organizers for presentations or demonstrations, or if you are interested in becoming a sponsor or participating. In addition, the FCCPC will be having monthly meetings in Kissimmee to plan and prepare for this adventure if you are interested in helping with its production. Participate in this historic event in any way that you can! FCM

PHOTOS ON THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE BY GIL WILLIAMS

COVID DELAYS 500-YEAR CELEBRATION

Florida celebrates this historic arrival of cattle and horses a little later than planned, however. The Florida Cow Culture Preservation Committee, or FCCPC, had planned to celebrate the 500-year anniversary by holding the Great Florida Cattle Drive this December.

Drive participants learn about Florida’s history, with cracker storytelling, chuckwagon cooking, historical encampments, demonstrations and artists. Check for rules on attire, saddle/tack coloring and types of horses allowed. And alcohol is prohibited.

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To learn more, read the book or watch the documentary “Great Florida Cattle Drive: Unbroken Circles.” Great Florida Cattle Drive (December 4-11, 2022) greatfloridacattledrive.com, 850-410-0900, greatfloridacattledrive16@aol.com, doyle.conner@fdacs.gov

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Pictured from above are the crystal clear waters off Sugarloaf Key in Florida Bay, (inset) Get Up and Go Kayaking tours (in clear boats) cover miles of mangroves and bay waters, experiences you won't forget.

Florida

Roadtrip Series

Our High in the Lower Keys Capturing True Florida Attitude, Fall is the Time to Go ost folks think of “The Keys” and they think of partying in Key West. Or snorkeling in Key Largo.

But the Lower Keys offer so much more than that, and they dial in on that true Florida feel. The fall season is the time to go—smaller crowds and cooler weather—so we headed south to explore. Loosely defined as the area between the Seven Mile Bridge and Stock Island, the Lower Keys consist of the islands joined by the twenty-five bridges on U.S. Highway 1 that span that area. Together, they represent an attitude of laid-back Florida that is often hard to find in our daily lives.

RELAXED, EASY-GOING AND SERENE Our first stop was at The Lagoon at Grassy Key. Though technically a few miles north of the Lower Keys, The Lagoon at Grassy Key embodies all the attitude—relaxed, easy-going and serene. An area

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staple for over 10 years, it is the only licensed amusement park in the Keys. Bongos Beer Garden Café, run by Chef Andy, features homemade dishes made from locally sourced ingredients, including homegrown herbs and vegetables from onsite gardens. They also showcase twenty local craft beers. We eagerly sampled the Iguana Bait beer—a Kölsch beer brewed locally in Islamorada and made with Keys honey and hibiscus. The centerpiece of The Lagoon at Grassy Key is Keys Cable Park, created for teaching locals and visitors alike a variety of board, wind and paddle sports. They have installed a cable system for wakeboarding, replacing the need for a boat to enjoy this unique activity. Their system is comprised of an overhead towing device used to pull riders across a body of water. It is an amazing way to feel the freedom of this growing sport. Located just minutes down the street, Grassy Flats Resort and Beach Club is the sister property of The Lagoon on Grassy Key. It is a locally owned boutique

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GET UP AND GO KAYAKING

Written by: Dave Kelly

Sunshine Key Tiny House Village offers a view of Missouri Key and the 7-Mile Bridge. Outdoor area and lighting (inset) give each tiny house a spacious feel with beautiful water views.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ENCORE RV RESORTS

watersports resort that provides breathtaking ocean views from rooms that overlook their private tropical beach. They offer kiteboarding lessons and fishing trips, and the use of kayaks and paddle boards is included in your room rate.

HOME BASE FOR LOWER KEYS TRIP Feeling invigorated from our wakeboarding lesson and local brews, we headed over the Seven Mile Bridge to Sunshine Key RV Resort and Marina, our home base for our Lower Keys trip. Located on 75 acre Ohio Key, this one-of-a-kind location offers adventurers the perfect Florida Keys environment. To that end, our destination was The Tiny House Village at Sunshine Key, an amazing collection of six “tiny homes” that offers a distinctive way to experience the beauty of the region. The homes are full of personality and charm, making for the ultimate relaxation destination. Each cabin has its own name—ours was “Pearl”—she has a hot-pink exterior, sleeps three with a stair-accessible loft, and

has an airy kitchen with full-sized appliances. Her bathroom has a huge shower, and an outside barbecue grill and picnic table extend her living space. To top it all off, she has a private tropical beach area that is steps from her front door. A community swimming pool, clubhouse, and playground all add to the amenities, as does the onsite convenience store. Tiny House Village at Sunshine Key is part of Petite Retreats, a division of Encore RV resorts and Thousand Trails campgrounds, which features more than 180 locations across North America. They have an unique collection of vacation accommodations, featuring tiny houses, cottages, cabins, yurts and more. We will be sure to check out more of these amazing sites in the future. Less than five minutes away is Bahia Honda State Park, a 524-acre tract that is virtually uninhabited. Spanish for “deep bay,” the Bahia Honda area was a key location in Henry Flagler’s effort to build a railroad from Jacksonville to Key West in the early

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Bahia Honda State Park is virtually untouched Florida Keys beauty that's easily drivable (inset). And check Bongos Café at The Lagoon on Grassy Key (below), a tropical oasis for all-day eats.

Florida

Roadtrip Series

THE FALL SEASON IS THE TIME TO GO— SMALLER CROWDS AND COOLER WEATHER 1900s. When the railroad and the bridge at the south end of the island officially opened in 1912, the area was considered so beautiful that the trains often stopped on Bahia Honda just to allow passengers to view the picturesque white sand beaches and blue water.

CALL TO TOURISTS AND LOCALS ALIKE The Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 destroyed the railroad, and in 1961 Monroe County gave the land to the Florida Park Service, which added hundreds of acres to grow it to its current size. The park is rich with iconic Florida scenery—palm-lined beaches, crystal-clear waters and magnificent sunsets on the Atlantic Ocean and Florida Bay call to tourists and locals alike. It is an excellent spot for wildlife observation, and folks climb the Bahia Honda Bridge ruins to get an amazing view of the huge nurse shark population that frequents the area.

We decided to get some time out on the water while we were in the Lower Keys, so we hooked up with Get Up and Go Kayaking on Sugarloaf Key. We met up with our guide team of Aime and Andrew for an exceptional experience—clear kayaks! Justin, the owner, explained that his novel transparent plastic kayaks are the best way to view our surroundings, as much of the natural beauty of the area is below us as well as around us. Our two-hour guided tour took us out on Florida Bay, through native mangrove tunnels, and throughout the back bay. Over the course of our trip in the blue-green waters off Sugarloaf Key, we looked down through our kayaks and saw starfish, conch, puffer fish, sea turtles, upside down jellyfish, and more. The shores were lined with iguanas and pelicans, and we even spied the friendly resident nurse sharks in the scenic mangroves along the shoreline.

The Lower Keys—

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FLORIDA ATTITUDE, FALL IS THE TIME TO GO

PHOTOS BY KRISTINA RODRIGUEZ

Kayaks and snorkeling gear can also be rented, and boat trips can be booked at the park office. Onsite cabins are available for rent year-round, as well. Admission to Bahia Honda State Park is a mere $8 per carload, yet the grounds remain quiet and serene.

TOP LEFT PHOTO COURTESY OF GRASSY FLATS RESORT & BEACH CLUB; OTHER PHOTOS BY KRISTINA RODRIGUEZ

There's kiteboarding at Grassy Flats Resort & Beach Club (above), and icy drinks at Kiki's Sandbar (inset and below) for possibles on your dream trip.

Get Up and Go Kayaking specializes in small groups of 10 members or less, which we found to be the perfect size to hear our guides and enjoy conversations with fellow kayakers. It was a one-of-a-kind experience with a top-notch team.

MAGICAL SPIRT OF THE LOWER KEYS No trip to the Keys would be complete without a visit to a tiki bar, and no tiki bar represents the Keys lifestyle quite like Kiki’s Sandbar on Little Torch Key. Kiki’s specializes in homemade fresh seafood—our coconut shrimp was a huge portion and the tastiest we have ever had. They even allow guests to bring their own fresh

catch of the day for their chef to prepare and serve. Folks come by boat, by car, or by motorcycle just to enjoy the ambiance and check out the beautiful views of Newfound Harbor and South Pine Channel. Kiki’s Sandbar has a long pier with dockage for your boat—you might even spot the school of resident bull sharks that hangs out there. We enjoyed watching patrons take advantage of the pet-friendly beach area and closed the night out with some great craft beers and live music. If you are looking to get away and remind yourself what a laid-back Florida lifestyle is all about, head south to catch the magical spirt of the Lower Keys. FCM

ROUNDUP:

Sunshine Key RV Resort & Marina 38810 Overseas Highway Big Pine Key, Florida rvonthego.com The Lagoon at Grassy Key 59300 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida ridethelagoon.com Bahia Honda State Park 36850 Overseas Highway,

FOR MORE INFO PLEASE VISIT Fla-Keys.com

Big Pine Key, Florida floridastateparks.org/ BahiaHonda Get Up and Go Kayaking 17015 Overseas Highway, Sugarloaf Key, Florida getupandgokayaking.com Kiki’s Sandbar 183 Barry Ave., Little Torch Key, Florida kikissandbar.com

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PICTURE PERFECT

'ALEXANDER LOVES REALTREE'

“M

y son Alexander loves Realtree, so we had his kindergarten cap and gown made from Realtree fabric. He absolutely LOVED it. We chose St. Marks because we wanted to represent Florida, our new home in his pictures.” Crawfordville's Desiree Chapman shot her image at St. Marks Nature Preserve with a Nikon D800E.

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Photo by: Desiree Chapman

'LIVIN THE DREAM'

“T

his is my son Cullen Locke having the time of his life with his dad bass fishing on his Pepaw's skiff in Lake Poinsett, 'Livin the Dream.' To me photography means catching the moment.” Port St. John's Brittany Locke captured her image in Cocoa, Florida, on a Samsung phone.

CELEBRATING A CHAMPION

Photo by: Brittany Locke

“T

his is Ellie Smith from Riverview; she attends Brandon Academy and is 9 years old. She has been an active member of the Florida Junior Swine Circuit for four years exhibiting her swine. This image was captured after winning the honor of Grand Champion Swine and Reserve Champion Junior Showman at the 2021 Hillsborough County Fair in Dover, Florida. Having known Ellie since birth, it is quite an honor to capture images of her and celebrate her winnings! Photographing livestock exhibitors is a passion of mine that I thoroughly enjoy!” Plant City's Dee Dee Wheeler shot her photo on a Canon 6D Mark II.

TRYING TO STAY WARM

Photo by: Dee Dee Wheeler

“T

his is the time of year when you can see hundreds of these beautiful manatees swimming up to the springs trying to stay warm where the water stays approximately 72 degrees when the surrounding waterways cool into the mid-60s. Besides, it’s a great place to take the grandkids to go on a little hike on the boardwalk and see real Florida.” St. Cloud's Susan M. Egitto captured her image at Blue Springs on a Canon EOS 80D.

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PICTURE PERFECT LIFE'S A BEACH

“T

he Cocoa Beach Pier was built in 1962 and is a historical landmark on the Space Coast. I enjoy sitting in the shade under the pier and watching the water hit the pilings, the surfers catching waves and birds flying around looking for fish. Later in the day, it’s a great place to watch the sunset and enjoy food and drinks. I love capturing details and different angles of objects … a perfect place to be!” Boca Raton's Susan Correa captured her image on a Samsung S21.

SURROUNDED BY A GOLDEN GLOW

“W

hile pushing cattle from one pasture to another, an October thunderstorm came out of nowhere. We were taken back by the golden glow that surrounded only Anthony and his horse. We strongly believe that as the lightning was striking all around, that our son, Justin, whom we lost in a tragic accident, was riding along with him. Photography on the ranch for me is a way to capture who we are as a family.” Fort Lonesome's Debbie Gill captured her image at the Lonesome G Ranch on an iPhone.

Photo by: Debbie Gill

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Photo by: Susan Correa

Photo by: John Sessa

'THEY GAVE ME A SHOW'

“I

was going to this trail for weeks hoping to run into these wild horses. Finally, they gave me this show. Photography to me is capturing a moment that no one else has. A moment like this will never happen again like this.” Loxahatchee's John Sessa captured his photograph at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park on a Nikon D5.

Photo by: Tori Walker

LAKELAND'S BUBBLY ROSE

“P

hotographer Tori Walker contacted us about wanting to do a carwash photoshoot with my daughter, Rose, and she was all for it. She got so excited to take her Jeep to the carwash and, of course, play in all the bubbles. Tori did an amazing job capturing her personality in these photos!” Photographer Tori Walker shot her image with a Canon 6D for Lakeland's Samantha Mangione.

'I HEARD A COMMOTION'

“I

frequent many Florida parks and seeing alligators is a common occurrence. Normally they are sunning themselves or swimming. One day, though, I heard a commotion in the water and saw these two huge gators fighting. It was an exciting thing to see, and I snapped this picture of one biting the other. Afterwards the victorious male squared up on some of the onlookers. Fortunately, his aggression stopped there.” Titusville's Sarah Wray shot her image at Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Black Point Wildlife Drive around Mile Marker 12, on a Nikon D3400.

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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.

Scarlett Sessions of Panama City, Florida Best Friend’s Name: Disney Best Friend’s Breed: Paint Pony “Disney is so sweet and funny and I love to spend time with him,” 9-year-old Scarlett says about Disney. Scarlett has had the opportunity to assist her mom, Amy Shepherd, in multiple animal rescues, horses included. Yet, Disney has become her heart horse.

Michelle Silcox of Frostproof, Florida Best Friend’s Name: Moon Best Friend’s Breed: Thoroughbred Moon means the world to me. From the moment I met her, I knew she’d be something amazing one day! And I was indeed right; she has become my bestest friend. From chasing me through her paddock to impressing me more every show … and always trying her hardest. It’s almost been three years with her, and I’m hoping for many more with her. She will forever have a special spot in my heart.

Tammy Hendrick of Baker, Florida Best Friend’s Name: Wilder (aka Kitty) Best Friend’s Breed: Domestic short-hair tabby We didn’t go looking for Wilder—we just call him Kitty—he found us! And we are so happy he did. He was found on the side of the road in the tall grass by my husband. Poor baby was just a tiny kitten, no more than about 5 weeks old. Kitty has been the sweetest, most loving cat we could ever ask for. He gives the best kisses, aggressively pushing his head against your face over and over again. He sometimes even drools from being so happy while he’s showing his affection. It’s his way of letting you know you are loved. We couldn’t imagine our lives without this sweet cat. So glad he “found us!”

Dallas Nicklos of LaBelle, Florida Best Friend’s Name: Suspicious Behavior Best Friend’s Breed: Appaloosa Suspicious means the world to Dallas. They will truly be best friends forever.

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He is a rescue from a kill pen and he really is appreciative to her for giving him friendship that he’s never had. And we are extremely grateful for the love he has taught Dallas. They will continue to barrel race and run poles until one of them can’t physically do it anymore. He is the family member we never knew we needed … and now can’t live without.

Bre Provent of Fort Denaud, Florida Best Friend’s Name: DP Hailion (aka Splash) Best Friend’s Breed: Quarter Horse Splash was gifted to me 5 years ago. When I got him we realized he was pretty spunky for me, since he was 5 and I was 9. My parents and trainer wanted to sell him so I didn’t get hurt, but I told them he was more than just a horse. I am so glad we did keep him because he pulled me from my lowest place, and I felt like I had someone that cared about me and understood me. Our bond is now stronger than ever.

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FLORIDA CHARM

EXPLORING FLORIDA’S WAKULLA RIVER PADDLEBOARDING IN THE PANHANDLE, ‘SUN CAME OUT BRIGHT BEHIND ME’

addleboarding on Florida’s beautiful waters is one way I enjoy the outdoors. This past October I spent a beautiful sunny day paddling part of the Wakulla River, which is south of Tallahassee in the Panhandle.

I launched at the public boat ramp by the Highway 98 bridge in Crawfordville around 9:30 a.m. and paddled upstream. Due to a swift current, the first fourth of a mile was the most difficult of my trip. But this was my third time paddling the Wakulla River, so I was prepared for a workout. With a little effort and muscle, I made it to where the river narrows and is a little easier to paddle. I stopped for a minute to pull out my Canon camera from my dry bag and put its strap around my neck. I stood back up and resumed paddling. It did not take long for me to spot a few Suwannee cooter turtles getting some early morning sunlight. A Carolina wren started calling, which seemed to signal for other birds to start calling. Pileated, red-bellied and downy woodpeckers and tufted titmouses were adding their calls to mix. It was a nice soundtrack to listen to while I paddled.

I soon spotted an alligator in the water. After snapping a few quick photos, I passed by it on the opposite side with no issue. I also saw several belted kingfishers at a distance. They would quickly spot me and fly away with their rattling calls. The sun came out bright behind me, and I started to get hot. If my camera were not around my neck, I would have dipped my hat in the water. Instead, I used the paddle to splash river water on my bare feet to keep me cool. At one point during my paddle upstream, I saw a little buck jump up from a small narrow island in the middle of the river. There was too much brush for a clear photo, but I heard the deer splash through the water to get to the woods. Around noon I made it to the County Road 365 bridge, which is about four miles from where I started. The bridge is as far as you are allowed to paddle upstream, due to protected areas of the river. After docking my board at the ramp, I put my camera away and dipped into the water. It was cold, but it felt great! I then sat on my board, drank some water and ate a snack. After a few minutes of rest, I dipped in the water one more time before hopping on my board to paddle downstream.

Popular with beginners, the Wakulla River is mild enough and water levels sufficient for a round trip going upstream or downstream.

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PHOTOS ON THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE BY BEN KNOWLES

Written by: Ben Knowles

Pied-Billed Grebe

Juvenile YellowCrowned Night Heron

Eastern Phoebe

Florida is blessed with an amazing array of wildlife, a good deal of it sighted along the Wakulla River in Florida's Panhandle.

Otters

WAKULLA RIVER

Tri-colored Heron

Eleven miles in Wakulla County, Florida Travels from Wakulla Springs to St. Marks River Movies filmed in Wakulla Springs include “Tarzan” and “Creature from the Black Lagoon”

Suwannee Cooter

Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park 465 Wakulla Park Drive, Wakulla Springs, Florida 850-561-7276, floridastateparks.org/ wakullasprings

PHOTO CREDIT INFO

Alligator

Pileated Woodpecker

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FLORIDA CHARM That was definitely a lot easier and quicker than the paddle up. It was nice to paddle at ease and just take in the sights and sounds. I leisurely passed by tri-colored and little blue herons and great egrets feeding along the banks. I heard pileated woodpecker calls and drums from the beautiful bald cypress trees that were showing their fall colors.

Wildlife is abundant along this clear, spring-fed waterway. And adventurers have two launch sites next to bridges over the Wakulla River.

As I got closer to the Highway 98 bridge, I heard a familiar smacking sound. I quickly spotted three otters feeding in the river. I expected them to retreat once they saw me, but they kept on feeding. I anchored my boat to watch them and to take a few photos. I could have watched the otters swim around all afternoon, but I wanted to get back to my car. I had another stop planned before going home. I made it back to the boat ramp, deflated my board, loaded up my car and drove a few miles to Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park. A quick swim in the spring and an afternoon river boat tour at the state park were great ways to end a great day of exploring the Wakulla River.

PHOTOS BY BEN KNOWLES

Ben Knowles is an outdoor enthusiast living 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

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THE BRAND

FLORIDA CRACKER TRADING COMPANY COUNTRY-THEMED HOLIDAY GIFTS (AND FUN!) HOMEGROWN RETAILER

Written by: Ava Grace

he holidays are up yonder, and the Florida Cracker Trading Company is gearing up for the season.

The Brooksville retailer has a deep selection of Florida-themed goods that makes perfect gifts. On the giving side, the company this season holds its 3rd annual Florida Cracker Christmas, a concert benefiting Operation HeartF.E.L.T. (Feeding Empty Little Tummies). Florida Cracker Trading Company is a lifestyle brand that encompasses the heritage of the original Floridian. “One

of our main goals is to preserve and teach what a Florida cracker is,” says co-owner Blair Hensley, who started the culinary and retail firm with his brother, Ethan, in 2012. The firm has since opened other outlets and resorts. It has a real estate component, Florida Cracker Properties, and an online business, as well. Brooksville is north of Tampa in Hernando County. Historians insist the term “cracker” originated from the sound made by whips used to drive wild cattle by Florida’s settlers and cowboys. Others claim that it refers to use of cracked corn to make moonshine — either way, the term “Florida

PHOTOS ON THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE COURTESY OF FLORIDA CRACKER TRADING COMPANY

FLORIDA CRACKER TRADING COMPANY IS A LIFESTYLE BRAND THAT ENCOMPASSES THE HERITAGE OF THE ORIGINAL FLORIDIAN

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Over the holiday season, shelves at the Florida Cracker Trading Company (and online) get stocked with Florida-themed items that make for great gifts. Before or after shopping, grab a yummy meal at the Florida Cracker Kitchen or a cool drink at the Tap Room.

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VISIT THE FLORIDA CRACKER TRADING COMPANY ONLINE SHOP AT FLORIDACRACKERSTYLE.COM

Check the Florida Cracker Trading Company website or shop the Brooksville store for fashionwear, blankets, jewelry, hats, sauces, spices and honey and more. Plus, there's a full line of items for kids such as The Elf on a Shelf, onesies, T-shirts and hats.

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THE COMPANY THIS SEASON HOLDS ITS ANNUAL FLORIDA CRACKER CHRISTMAS (DECEMBER 11), A CONCERT BENEFITING OPERATION HEARTF.E.L.T. (FEEDING EMPTY LITTLE TUMMIES)

PHOTOS ON THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE COURTESY OF FLORIDA CRACKER TRADING COMPANY

cracker” relates to the state’s 500-year history of working cowboys and cowgirls, agriculture, and a country lifestyle. The goods sold by Florida Cracker Company are in keeping with this tradition, and so searching online or visiting a brick-and-mortar store shoppers can find everything from home goods, fashion collections, outdoor gear, food lines and accessories to other cool stuff. “Even our logo, the upside-down boot, looks like a cowboy boot in the shape of Florida,” adds marketing manager Mandi Dixon. Over the holiday season, shelves get stocked with Florida-themed items that make for great gifts, such as fashionwear, blankets, jewelry, hats, sauces, spices, and honey. Plus, there are items for kids such as The Elf on a Shelf, onesies, T-shirts and hats. “During the holiday season, we will also have the third annual Florida Cracker Christmas that features the Bellamy Brothers, a true original Floridian band,” explains Blair Hensley. David and Howard Bellamy from nearby Darby, Florida, are star performers that first received acclaim with “Let Your Love Flow” in the 1970s. They have since released more than fifty albums. They tour the world and have the reality show “Honky Tonk Ranch” on the Cowboy Channel. The Christmas event is staged behind the Florida Cracker Kitchen diner, where patrons savor breakfasts such as chicken and waffles and catfish fry lunches. There’s also a tap room with extensive selections of whiskey and rum. The Christmas event, December 11 from 6 to 11 p.m., benefits Operation HeartF.E.L.T., a nonprofit providing nutritious

meals to students and their siblings on weekends, holidays, and extended school breaks. Expect about 1,200 music fans dancing away to The Bellamy Brothers, Craig Campbell and Emmet Stevens. Check online for details. “Our sponsors—Frank Miller, Dixie Vodka, Florida Cracker Properties, Russell’s Western Wear and 103.9 The Boot—have been a huge part in making this upcoming event a success!” says Blair Hensley. The Bellamy Brothers Limited Edition Collection arrived this November (2021). “It also makes a great holiday gift item,” adds Dixon. FCM

ROUNDUP Florida Cracker Trading Company 924 E. Jefferson St., Brooksville, Florida 352-754-8787, floridacrackerstyle.com Florida Cracker Kitchen 966 E. Jefferson St., Brooksville, Florida 352-754-8787, floridacrackerkitchen.com Florida Cracker Properties 924 East Jefferson St., Suite B, Brooksville 352-345-8151, floridacrackerproperties.com Operation HeartF.E.L.T. operationheartfelt.com

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THE BRAND

POLK TRACTOR COMPANY QUALITY PRODUCTS, BEST SERVICE, FAMILY OWNED FOR 70 YEARS inton James Jr. opened the doors of Polk Tractor Company in Winter Haven in 1952.

Hinton James, Jr.

And it has been in their current location on Havendale Boulevard since 1963. Hinton James’s philosophy then was selling the highest quality products and providing the best service. He subsequently passed the keys in 1979 to his son Bo James, who ran Polk Tractor to 2015, then handed ownership over to the third generation, Jay James, each family member working with the same goals as Hinton James Jr. "Being a family owned and operated dealership, we treat our customers differently than other dealerships,” says company president Jay James, whose wife Nikki, his sister Amy and the couple’s son, Clay, all work onsite. “We consider our customers to be not just customers, but also friends,” he adds. Along with the personalized service delivered by the James family and their resolute employees, the company offers high-quality products that include Kubota tractors. They are

the only Kubota dealership in Polk County and the oldest Kubota dealer in Florida. They are also a full-service, Elite Dealer for Kubota, meaning certification to sell and service Kubota products covered by the extended warranty program. Plus, they are a Kubota Orange Rental dealer. Additionally, they are an Elite Dealer for Stihl equipment and accessories and a Gravely Preferred Dealer, a company that is also family owned. They also carry Land Pride products. “The brands we carry are outstanding,” says Jay James, who has worked at Polk Tractor Company for over 30 years and has been president since 2015. Polk Tractor Company has what farmers and ranchers need to keep their operations running smoothly and efficiently. From a zero-turn mower to a 170 H.P. tractor, to skid steers, tractor loaders, excavators and hay equipment, as well as smaller tools such as chainsaws, blowers and line trimmers. Inside the showroom, customers see and handle the latest gear, ask all the questions they want, and get all the help

Hinton James’s philosophy was selling the highest quality products and providing the best service.

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HISTORICAL PHOTOS COURTESY OF POLK TRACTOR COMPANY; PHOTOS ON OPPOSITE PAGE BY SCARLETT REDENIUS

Written by: Ava Grace

Left to right: Corey Johnson and Clay James

Jay James

Inside the showroom, customers see and handle the latest gear, ask all the questions they want, and get all the help they need to choose the right tractor, mower, utility vehicle or implements.

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THE BRAND

they need to choose the right tractor, mower, utility vehicle or implements. The firm also provides insurance and affordable financing options. “Unlike a box store, we offer parts and service after the sale,” James says. The company is Service Certified, meaning technicians receive extensive hands-on training from factory-trained instructors. So, if you bring something in for fixing, it gets fixed right. The plan is to continue passing the keys down to future generations, which means Clay James, 23, will someday run the family business, maintaining those same goals his great-grandfather Hinton James founded the company on — the highest quality products and service. FCM

ROUNDUP Polk Tractor Company 3450 Havendale Blvd., Winter Haven, Florida 863-967-0651, polktractorco. com, Twitter @polktractor

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HISTORICAL PHOTO COURTESY OF POLK TRACTOR COMPANY; OTHER PHOTOS ON OPPOSITE PAGE BY SCARLETT REDENIUS

With a long history in Florida, Polk Tractor Company is Service Certified, meaning you bring something in for fixing, it gets fixed right.

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FLORIDA MEMORIES

‘FLORIDA’S INLAND GRAVEYARD OF SHIPS’ UPPER APALACHICOLA’S UNBELIEVABLE MARITIME DESTINATION Written by: Dale Cox

Left to right: The paddlewheel steamer J.W. Hires, launched in 1898, at Columbus, Georgia, later sank at Chattahoochee, the John W. Callahan operated along the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee, and Flint rivers. Named for her owner, she made many stops at Chattahoochee before sinking in the Chipola River near Wewahitchka, and the wreck of the paddlewheeler Albany, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers vessel as seen in 1961 at Chattahoochee, Florida.

And with good reason.

Maritime archaeologists and historians say that traces of more than a dozen of the beautiful old vessels can still be seen along the Apalachicola between today’s cities of Chattahoochee and Sneads in northwest Florida.

WHAT CAUSED SO MANY TO WRECK THERE?

The confluence of the Chattahoochee and Flint rivers—where the Apalachicola is formed—and a sharp bend immediately below, created a navigational hazard that combined with any mishap of machinery or the crews to cause the boats to pile up on the banks. The result was the death of many wellknown “floating palaces”—and scores of people as well. The best known of the fading beauties is the most recent. The Barbara Hunt began life in 1929 as a paddlewheel towboat on the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. She pushed barges up and down the mighty waters of the American Midwest with engines that produced only 137-horsepower— less than many Florida pleasure craft today—for 11 years. The Columbus Towing Company bought the Barbara Hunt in 1938 and brought her south to the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee and Flint River system.

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OLD BEFORE HER TIME

Railroads and modern highways destroyed the economic viability of commercial steamboat traffic on Florida waterways, however, before the Barbara Hunt ever turned her bow north up the Apalachicola. Investors launched a massive publicity campaign, touting the advantages of using the boat to push fuel barges up the Apalachicola and Chattahoochee rivers to the terminals of Columbus, Georgia. Crowds gathered on bridges and along the riverbanks to experience the novelty of the sternwheel boat passing, a sight that many never expected to see again. But commercial interests turned deaf ears to the plan. The Barbara Hunt was tied to the Jackson County shore and abandoned just below the U.S. Highway 90 bridge opposite Chattahoochee, Florida. She sank there in 1940. When the river is low, you can still walk her deck and see the remains of the paddlewheel. Like all archaeological sites in the Apalachicola River, the wreck of the Barbara Hunt is protected by federal law and artifact collecting is strictly prohibited.

BEST AND EASIEST PLACE TO SEE

The best and easiest place to see the “Inland Graveyard of Ships” is on the opposite side of the river at Chattahoochee’s River Landing Park. Plus, many of the wrecks there are much older! River Landing Park was the site of an important steamboat port during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Hundreds of

PHOTOS COURTESY OF STATE ARCHIVES OF FLORIDA

he wrecks of so many paddlewheel steamboats line the banks of the upper two miles of the Apalachicola River that maritime aficionados call the stretch “Florida’s Inland Graveyard of Ships.”

different paddlewheel boats stopped here on their trips up and down the Apalachicola to take on or let off passengers and cargo. In fact, this site was a port long before steam travel arrived on the river.

PHOTOS BY RACHAEL CONRAD

The city of Chattahoochee preserves several Native American mounds at the park that were part of a major prehistoric trading and ceremonial center. The site is just one mile below the original junction of the Chattahoochee and Flint rivers, which provided American Indians with water transportation routes connecting Florida’s Gulf Coast with the mountains of North Georgia.

The use of the Apalachicola River for water transportation played a critical role in a battle fought at the site on November 30, 1817. Seminole, Miccosukee, Yuchi and Maroon (Black Seminole) warriors retaliated for a U.S. attack on the nearby Lower Creek village of Fowltown by attacking an oar-propelled keelboat carrying 40 U.S. soldiers, seven women and four children. The engagement ended in the first major Native American victory of the Seminole Wars.

A prominent chiefdom started building these mounds during the Woodland era nearly 2,000 years ago, developing the site as a trade center. The mounds complex was completed during the Mississippian era, a period that lasted until the arrival of Spanish conquistadors in Florida during the 1500s.

The steamboat Fanny arrived on the Apalachicola River just 10 years after the smoke and blood of the battle. Over the 113 years that followed before the Barbara Hunt sank opposite Chattahoochee, more than 200 steamers made the treacherous voyage up and down the river. They ranged in size from the small sternwheeler Jackson, completed in 1860 and designed to work part of the year on the even more dangerous Chipola River, to the massive Confederate warship CSS Chattahoochee.

Spanish friars described crossing the Apalachicola in dugout canoes at this site in 1693 on a road that we remember today as the “Old Spanish Trail.” The notorious adventurer and pirate William Augustus Bowles later predicted that a great city would grow here due to the availability of important water transportation.

Among the wrecks visible today at River Landing Park are those of the J.W. Hires, a sternwheel riverboat built in 1898 at Columbus, Georgia; the Sandy, a sternwheel towboat built in 1920 in Tampa, Florida; the Ruth-Jeanette (also

WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY

CROWDS GATHERED ON BRIDGES AND ALONG THE RIVERBANKS TO EXPERIENCE THE NOVELTY OF THE STERNWHEEL BOAT PASSING.

Clockwise from top left: Another view of a historic barge with Chattahoochee's River Landing Park in the background, metal protruding from the Apalachicola River between Chattahoochee and Sneads, looking across the rudders and paddlewheel hub of the Barbara Hunt, which sank in 1940, wrecks of at least three vessels resting atop one another at River Landing Park, and a wooden barge archaeologists believe was built prior to the Civil War.

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FLORIDA MEMORIES called the Coca-Cola Bill), a screw-propelled towboat built in 1911 in St. Andrews, Florida, and several hand-fabricated wooden barges. Some of the latter are believed to date to before the Civil War. Also nearby is the hull of paddlewheel boat Albany, which rests on the riverbank on private property. Artifacts and photographs from her can be seen in the Museum of Florida History at the R.A. Gray Building in Tallahassee. A new interpretive panel at River Landing Park in Chattahoochee tells the story of “Florida’s Inland Graveyard of Ships.” Actual wrecks of early vessels can be seen nearby. Other interpretive signs tell the stories of the prehistoric Native American mounds, the Scott Battle of 1817, the Old Spanish Trail and more. To visit River Landing Park, take the Chattahoochee exit off Interstate 10 west of Tallahassee. The park is on River Landing Road just off U.S. Highway 90 near downtown Chattahoochee, Florida. Please keep in mind that the wrecks and other artifacts are protected by law, so leave them as you find them!

ROUNDUP Museum of Florida History 500 S. Bronough Street, Tallahassee, Florida 850-245-6400, museumoffloridahistory.com

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PHOTO COURTESY OF STATE ARCHIVES OF FLORIDA

Editor’s Note: Historian and author Dale Cox has written 19 books on Florida and southeastern history. His book on the Seminole War battle fought at Chattahoochee, "The Scott Battle of 1817," is available through most bookstores or at amazon.com. You can also see him on northwest Florida’s Two Egg TV at twoeggtv.com. FCM

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ACROSS 1 Home to the Buccaneers 4 Horse gait 8 Horse with a reddish color 9 They become flowers 10 Prompt 13 Dogs have sensitive ones 15 Robin’s home 16 Flash of light 18 Ripened 19 Wire service 20 Large sea waves 22 Woodpeckers’ noses 24 Gone by 25 BYOB part 26 Poorly 27 “Bright eyed and ____ tailed” 30 Do it now! 31 Mr. Pacino 32 Seafood in shells 33 Stuffing ingredient

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HIDDEN WORD

Sailing in a zig-zag way Confronts Paintings and sculpture Water slide feature Refusal word Horse riders Employs Cinematographer’s sweep Nurse, abbr. Take home pay Columbus campus, for short Afternoon siesta Middle kitchen counters Indian sauces Flower Pizza topping Asian tea drink brand Flair Kind of driver Evil-looking old woman

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STARS & GUITARS presented by

MEET MICHAEL RAY, CIRCLING BACK WITH FLORIDA COUNTRY MAGAZINE EUSTIS PERFORMER ON LIFE AND WHY HOTEL KEYS SOMETIMES DON’T WORK

t is September and the musician and performer Michael Ray is in Fort Myers, Fla. He was in an upper room of the new Luminary Hotel, a slick new highrise along the Caloosahatchee River.

The Luminary guest room is in flat grays, the queen bed left unmade. Only the setting sun lights the room. Michael sipped a vodka and juice cocktail, talked about life before and after Covid. Michael Ray is a talker, mostly because the questions come his way. This is how it works in show business. But he also listens, a full and sincere laugh when you make a funny. That September night he was headlining the Island Hopper Songwriter Fest, 10 days of music’s star writers and rising performers. These are people in Nashville, writing songs like others build cars or drive trucks. Poets and musicians toiling away at their craft. Island Hopper is their introduction, their coming from behind the curtain. Covid postponed last year’s festival. Visiting Michael Ray in Fort Myers was a homecoming for Florida Country Magazine, which profiled the young Florida performer in 2018. He is a bright star, in the last decade releasing three No. 1 country songs, including the RIAA Platinumcertified “Think A Little Less, “Kiss You in the Morning,” and “One That Got Away,” while his latest single, “Whiskey and Rain” continues climbing the charts at country radio. His recent seven-song collection Higher Education features the title track with his friends Lee Brice, Billy Gibbons, Tim Montana and Kid Rock. After Covid, Michael Ray is bouncing back hard in performance mode. In that layover, he wrote and visited with family.

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Ray had also practiced with a vocal coach, exercising the muscles he hadn’t used in fifteen months, he says. “Trying to be very aware,” he says of keeping himself and his voice fit.

CATCHING UP WITH MICHAEL RAY

Fort Myers, however, is for catching up with Michael Ray. Florida Country Magazine publisher Scarlett Redenius delivers the questions, Michael, in fifteen minutes of open and fun conversation, gives the answers. The basics are: ‘How you been?’ “It was very easy to lose balance,” he says of Covid, adding that he recorded and wrote in those months. “More of a record I want to make … every artist does that.” In person, Michael Ray is maybe six-one in boots, bulked up, with gray hair freckled along a ballcap edge, the hat slung on the back of his head. Gray hair is in the genes, he says. But the brawn and life have killed the boyband look that Michael Ray’s handlers had nurtured. And thank goodness, right? The girls still go nuts. Now women and men buy in. Secondly: he is still a minstrel. As it was for years and years, a traveling musician lives in one- and two-night stands, grabs their stuff, and goes. Play your ass off. And remember where you’re at, if possible. Say it over and over; ‘I’m in Toledo.’ Know which key opens what hotel door. That cycle runs months, a hundred performances (to date) in 2021, in Michael’s case, as Covid rules eased. But that stuff for Michael Ray was old news in Fort Myers. Where had time gone from 2017, when the less seasoned

PHOTO BY GARRETT RIZAN

Written by: Jack Collier

TOP LEFT PHOTO BY MIKE GILBERT; BOTTOM LEFT PHOTO BY JOSH GICKER; TOP RIGHT PHOTO BY SEAN HAGWELL

Michael Ray

HIS RECENT SEVEN-SONG COLLECTION HIGHER EDUCATION FEATURES THE TITLE TRACK WITH HIS FRIENDS LEE BRICE, BILLY GIBBONS, TIM MONTANA AND KID ROCK. Michael had been profiled in Florida Country Magazine? To make that point at the Luminary in September, as if he had aged wildly, he’d pat his pockets in mock shock, looking for the card key for his room. “Why isn’t it working,” he asked. “Oh … that’s yesterday’s hotel,” busting into a rich baritone laugh, deep and quite real, perhaps another clue to Michael Ray’s success: Never forget who you are and where you came from.

EUSTIS BORN AND BRED

In Michael Ray’s DNA was and is music. Not sports or lawyering or becoming a fishing guide. His family in Eustis, which is 20,000 or so people, performed locally, little Michael plucking a stringless plastic Gibson before stroking a real one quite well. He formed a band and self-released music in 2010. He won a reality television competition in 2012 called The Next: Fame Is at Your Doorstep. He was awarded a contract with Warner Music Nashville. Ray’s first-place performance on The Next, a

music observer said, “sounded just like he should have an album out already.” Music for Michael Ray was as natural as living, inspired by his grandfather, Amos Roach. Mr. Roach died in 2015, just as Michael was to make his Grand Ole Opry debut. “His ear was unbelievable,” Michael Ray told the Tennessean newspaper. “I wish I got that other than some of the other things I got from him. We always laughed about it.” And when Michael Ray debuted at the Grand Ole Opry in 2015, he performed with Amos’s guitar. In 2018, he released “Amos,” an 11-song collection that included “Get to You.” Amos Roach, in fact, had instructed Michael’s father, Jerry, to dial up country music to soothe his crying grandson in the hospital nursery. Michael Ray’s storytelling plays out in his music, whether he’s writing, or his friends are. In Ray’s interview with Florida Country Magazine, for instance, he said of other song writers: “An outsider sometimes says what you want to say better than you can … but not always.”

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He was especially thankful for Eustis and its people, or “where the moss is hanging, and you can barhop. There’s so much (other people) are missing.”

ISLAND HOPPER IN FORT MYERS

ROUNDUP For More Information: michaelraymusic.com

You see Michael Ray’s range and power and how his performances translate at an Island Hopper venue down from the Luminary. It’s the festival’s last night. Island Hopper is modeled after the one in Key West, and had become very cool, attracting musicians opening or writing for such performers as Kenny Chesney, Dierks Bentley and Lyle Lovett, among others. Island Hopper brings millions in spending to the southwest Florida region. It will be around for years. On stage is a three-person ensemble seated on stools that includes the bassist Pat McCarthy, guitarist Jeff Coleman and Ray in the middle with his guitar. The trio powers through the band’s song list, which is sprinkled with backstories and bantering. That includes “Kiss You in the Morning,” “Think a Little Less” and Whiskey and Rain,” among a rolling set that rocks the place. The band’s energy is off the map; even the two big security boys upfront, they’re working but into it. In that setting of three hundred fans at the Pinchers on First Street, the joy Michael’s music produces is clear: old guys lip-syncing and drumming their knees, rows of swaying women, one dude in a flag shirt gyrating in the center aisle. He is there with a tall woman who went missing. She had avoided whatever it is he’s doing, probably.

ALBUM ARTWORK COURTESY OF MICHAEL RAY

Everyone is having fun. The place is electric. “We love you, Michael,” a woman shouts between songs. Another comes to the stage, Sharpie and a promotional Michael photo in hand. You know she’s out of her element. But it must happen. Michael Ray detaches from his energy field, like a Saturn ring, asks her name, and signs it. The woman is thrilled, has an instant memory. The venue applauds them. He plugs back in. “Thank you, guys,” he says. “And thank y’all,” he adds, perhaps acknowledging what Amos Roach and the universe have given him. And us. 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 8 large, peeled, hard-boiled eggs 3 tablespoons mayo 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1 teaspoon lemon zest 1 tablespoon sour cream 1 teaspoon hot sauce Salt and pepper, to taste 2 eggs, beaten ½ cup all-purpose flour ¾ cup panko crumbs 1 teaspoon garlic powder Vegetable oil, for frying 1 tablespoon chives, chopped Smoked paprika, for garnish

FRIED DEVILED EGGS Yields 16

PREPARATION Halve eggs lengthwise and scoop out yolks into a medium bowl. Add mayo, sour cream, lemon zest, hot sauce and mustard. Mix with electric mixer until mixture is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Taste and adjust seasonings, if needed. Cover yolk mixture and refrigerate. Place flour, beaten eggs and panko into 3 small bowls. Add 1 teaspoon water to eggs and whisk to combine. Add garlic powder to bowl with flour and stir to combine. Dredge each egg white in flour, then egg, then panko, and place on a plate. Repeat until all eggs are coated on plate. Heat oil in deep fryer to 350 degrees. Gently place breaded eggs into hot oil and fry until golden brown, roughly 2 to 3 minutes. Remove and drain on a paper-towel lined plate. Fill each fried egg halve with yolk mixture and garnish with chives and paprika.

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INGREDIENTS 2 large cucumbers 2 5-ounce cans solid white albacore tuna ¼ cup green pepper, diced 1 Roma tomato, diced 1 celery stalk, diced 4 tablespoons mayo Salt and pepper, to taste Everything Bagel seasoning, garnish

CUCUMBER TUNA BITES Yields 24

PREPARATION Peel cucumbers and cut into one-third inch slices. Drain tuna and scoop into a medium bowl. Add diced tomato, green peppers, celery and mayo to bowl. Mix ingredients together with fork. Season with salt and n pepper, to taste. Sandwich about a tablespoo of mixture between 2 cucumber slices. Sprinkle the Everything Bagel seasoning over tops of cucumber sandwiches.

HOLIDAY CHEESE BALL Serves 6

INGREDIENTS – CHEESE BALL 8 ounces cream cheese, softened ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese ¼ cup blue cheese, crumbled 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled 2 green onions, chopped 3 tablespoons pecans, chopped 3 tablespoons dried cranberries, chopped INGREDIENTS – OUTER LAYER 2 green onions, sliced 2 tablespoons pecans, chopped 2 tablespoons dried cranberries, chopped 2 tablespoons bacon crumbles PREPARATION l Place all ingredients for “cheese ball” in a bow d. and stir together until thoroughly combine ic Form mixture into a ball and wrap it in plast to 2 up wrap. Refrigerate for at least one hour, or ther days. Toss the “outer layer” ingredients toge se and spread them out on a plate. Roll the chee ball in them to evenly coat the surface.

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THE CULINARY CRACKER HOLIDAY ANTIPASTO WREATH Yields 1 Wreath

INGREDIENTS 30 4-inch wood skewers 30 slices hard salami 30 fresh mozzarella balls 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved 30 large green olives, pitted 30 large black olives, pitted Fresh rosemary sprigs Balsamic glaze, garnish

PREPARATION Arrange the ingredients in bowls. To each skewer add mozzarella ball and salami. From there mix and match the rest of the ingredients. Place the skewers on a round platter in the shape of a wreath, depending on the size of platter; you may need to layer a second or third row on top. Use small sprigs of rosemary and randomly tuck it into different spots in the wreath. Garnish with balsamic glaze.

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INGREDIENTS 6 medium baking potatoes 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1½ teaspoons coarse salt ½ cup cream cheese spread ¼ cup butter, softened 1/3 cup milk es) 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (4 ounc 6 slices bacon, crisply cooked, crumbled 2 green onions, chopped ½ teaspoon table salt ½ teaspoon pepper Sour cream, optional PREPARATION Heat oven to 425 degrees. Prick potatoes with fork, place in 1-gallon resealable food storage and plastic bag. Add oil and coarse salt, seal bag ie cook on toes pota turn to coat potatoes. Place ce Redu l. Coo er. tend sheet. Bake 1 hour or until slice thin Cut ees. oven temperature to 350 degr off top of each potato, discard. Scoop pulp into cheese large bowl, leaving shells intact. Add cream mash l, bow in pulp spread, butter and milk to with potato masher or electric mixer on low and speed. Stir in cheese, bacon, onions, table salt ie cook to rn Retu s. shell pepper. Spoon into potato ed. heat ly ough thor l sheet. Bake 30 minutes or unti Serve with a dollop of sour cream.

BACON WRAPPED ASPARAGUS Serves 4

LOADED TWICE BAKED POTATOES Serves 6

INGREDIENTS 24 stalks asparagus, trimmed 12 slices bacon 1 teaspoon olive oil Garlic salt Black pepper PREPARATION Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place a nonstick, oven-safe wire rack on to a cookie sheet. Trim asparagus to get rid of woody ends. Drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with garlic salt and black pepper, to taste. Cut the bacon slices lengthwise to make narrower strips. Wrap each bacon strip tightly around an asparagus stalk, only slightly overlapping the bacon on each stalk. Place seam side down onto the wire rack. Bake for 10 minutes. Turnover and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the bacon is about crispy. Set the oven to broil, then place under the broiler for 1-2 minutes until crispy.

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TRUCKS & TOYS

VELOCITY RPM A PASSION FOR SOUTHERN DIRT

(clockwise from top left) Superior Race Cars Mod Lite helmet, the guys making pre-race adjustments, Larry Hubbard Jr. leaning into a hard turn, a Superior Mod Lite on race day, and Hubbard strapping in for an exciting dirt-track run.

Written by: Dave Kelly

But hey, how fast can elevators really go?

So, they turned their passion for victory to car racing and founded Velocity RPM, with the goal of growing dirt track racing, parts and machining in Southwest Florida. Dirt-track racing is a classic form of motorsports competition held on clay- or dirt-surfaced oval racetracks throughout the U.S. It started before World War I and became widespread during the 1920s and ‘30s, for both automobiles and motorcycles, settling as a sport on mid-sized, car-based dirt tracks mostly in the country’s southeast. In fact, the body that governs most dirt-track racing, the International Motor Contest Association, or IMCA, was organized in 1915 by J. Alex Sloan and is currently the oldest

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active auto-racing sanctioning body in the United States. Nowhere is dirt track racing more exciting than at Hendry County Motorsports Park in Clewiston, Florida. Founded over a decade ago by Ken Kinney, this one-third mile, semibanked oval short track offers dirt racing at its finest. Often referred to as “the Southernmost Raceway in the U.S.A,” Hendry County Motorsports Park hosts weekend racing over 40 times a year, featuring races in such top dirttrack classes as Mod Lites, Late Models, Sprints, Outlaws, Gladiators and more. Velocity RPM specializes in supporting two of these classes in particular—Mod Lites and Late Models. Mod Lites are 5/8th scale race cars powered by a 190-200 horsepower stock 16-valve motorcycle engine, often producing more than 10,000 rpm, while remaining purpose-built cars. Mod Lite racing features the absolute best of side-by-side competitive racing and speed.

TOP LEFT AND MIDDLE PHOTOS COURTESY OF SUPERIOR RACE CARS; OTHER PHOTO COURTESY OF TWISTED CHASSIS PHOTOGRAPHY

ohn Atherton and Larry Hubbard Jr. like to go fast. It’s in their blood. Together, they own General Elevator Solutions, a growing and successful company.

NASCAR drivers typically train in Late Model cars, which can produce 400 horsepower and hit 100 mph on dirt tracks, super exciting and fun to watch.

PHOTO OF SUPERIOR RACE CARS PHOTO COURTESY CREDIT INFO

THE BATTLE TO THE CHECKERED FLAG IS ALWAYS HEATED

Late Model class stock cars were originally a product of the Carolinas and are the premier class raced at local and regional tracks in the south. They weigh over 3,000 pounds and produce more than 400 horsepower underneath a fiberglass body built to withstand the rigors of short track dirt racing. In fact, Late Model racing is a typical driver’s steppingstone—almost every NASCAR driver has raced in this class at some point during his or her career. As an investment in their racing legacy, Velocity RPM purchased Superior Race Cars, a company that supports racers in the Mod Lite class. With three drivers competing for Superior Race Cars—Larry Hubbard Jr., Codey Benoit and Steve Diamond—the battle to the checkered flag is always heated. On any given F L O R I DAC O U N T RY M AGA Z I N E . C O M

TRUCKS & TOYS

ROUNDUP Details on the The IMCA STARS Sugar Bowl Winter Nationals or how your company can support local dirt track racing, contact Sponsor@ VelocityRPM.com Hendry County Motorsports Park 863-983-3478, hendryracing.com International Motor Contest Association imca.com

Velocity RPM is taking advantage of this excitement by producing The IMCA STARS Sugar Bowl Winter Nationals at Hendry County Motorsports Park, February 9-12, 2022. This awesome race weekend will feature four nights of Mod Lite racing and more while paying out thousands of dollars in prize money. There is even a bass fishing tournament the day before the races to help support the cause. The Superior Race Cars’ drivers will be competing all weekend long, showcasing just what can be accomplished with the support of the Velocity RPM parts, machining and racing team. FCM

BOTTOM PHOTO BY DAVE KELLY

Velocity RPM 239-984-2773

weekend at tracks in the southern U.S., you can see the Superior guys giving it all they have. In fact, Larry and Codey racked up multiple wins in the 2021 season and are raring to go for 2022.

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F L O R I DAC O U N T RY M AGA Z I N E . C O M

COW PASTURE ACREAGE NEEDED IN HENDRY COUNTY FOR AGRICULTURE CATTLE BUSINESS

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#1 RE-MAX OFFICE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA 78

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F L O R I DAC O U N T RY M AGA Z I N E . C O M

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Florida Country Magazine - December 2021 / January 2022

Articles inside

VELOCITY RPM

WHIPPING IT UP IN YOUR KITCHEN

HIS RECENT SEVEN-SONG COLLECTION HIGHER EDUCATION FEATURES THE TITLE TRACK WITH HIS FRIENDS LEE BRICE, BILLY GIBBONS, TIM MONTANA AND KID ROCK.

MEET MICHAEL RAY, CIRCLING BACK WITH FLORIDA COUNTRY MAGAZINE

FLORIDA MEMORIES

‘FLORIDA’S INLAND GRAVEYARD OF SHIPS’

POLK TRACTOR COMPANY

FLORIDA CRACKER TRADING COMPANY

EXPLORING FLORIDA’S WAKULLA RIVER

'ALEXANDER LOVES REALTREE'

Roadtrip Series

Our High in the Lower Keys

The Great Florida Cattle Drive of 2022

SADDLE (WAY) UP!

MEET JIM KARELS

FLORIDA HARVEST

MOTE MARINE LABORATORY IN THE FLORIDA KEYS

RIDE-A-THON FOR SPECIAL EQUESTRIANS

SPEAKING

OUR BACKBONE IS MADE FROM OUR ADVERTISERS

FEATURES