Family Magazine Summer 2020

FAMILY MAGAZINE

Issue 03: Volume 06 SUMMER 2020

The Register Family SUMMER 2020

PORT ST. JOE

A NEW GETAWAY

MODERN SPIRIT & HISTORIC CHARM

Summer 2020 Summer 2018| |11

F RO M T H E P U B L I S H E R

“Persistence and resilience only come from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems.”

—Gever Tulley

PUBLISHER Mantha Young DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE DESIGN Sarah Nichols DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Shellie Young

What a difference three months can make. Talk about our lives being turned topsy-turvy—Oh My! I do not think I could have read or studied anything to prepare me to live through COVID-19. Many changes are sure to become the new normal.

CONTRIBU TORS Joy H. Coleman Befaithful Coker Jeweliana Register Curtis Esta Eberhardt Holly Frazier Tammy Johns Elizabeth McLaughlin Emily Pazel Hayli Zuccola

Some of us were thrown into an extremely slow pace of life, while others were turned into overdrive. Recovering? We are. Americans are known for their strength. But one area we Americans excel is RESILIENCE. The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties. Tough. That is us here in North Florida.

Tough! During this critical time, we and our neighbors stayed altruistic, robust, and positive. Hooray for us!

Our writers are deserving of much praise. Once the crack in the door appeared, they were all on the race for time for this Summer issue. Well done to the Editorial Team of Emily, Hayli, Holly, Jeweliana and Joy. Enjoy a variety of stories. Try out a new hotdog recipe, discover a forgotten beach area, rejoice with a Wounded Warrior, and give thanks with Catholic Charities—are just a few amongst many in this issue.

May you find much joy as you re-enter this big and wonderful world.

Mantha

Mantha Young, Publisher Mantha@allthingsvisual.com

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North Central Florida Advertiser, Inc 358 NW Main Blvd, Lake City, FL 32055 (386) 752-8280 All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photography, or illustration only with written consent of the publisher. Family Magazine, its officers, staff members or contributors do not warrant the accuracy of or assume a responsibility for any of the material contained herein. All submissions, text, and photography received by Family Magazine has been considered authorized for publication.

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Summer 2020 | 3

Delicious, fresh and easy summer recipes for the whole family to enjoy!

A Weekend at Port St. Joe......................6 Bees and Pollinators.....................10 Yummy! Hot Dog Recipes..............12 Homemade Ice Cream...............14 Summer Staples.........17

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38

Truly You Med Spa

Wounded Warrior.........................28 4th of July in Branford................32 Watermelon & Blackberry Sangria.........36

42

Brian Sellers, RN, making a difference through the Wounded Warrior Project

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CAPTURED MEMORIES BY ESTA

Geiger Orchids

Rustic Rembrandt..................22

80

The Blanche in Historic Downtown Lake City A SPECIAL SECTION

Geiger Orchids...............38 Daddy O’Brien’s...............................40 The Blanche Hotel..................42 Early Learning Coalition......................52 Live Oak Post Office...............56 Thriving House Plants..................58 Arise Coffee.........................60 Truly You Med Spa..............................62

Catholic Charities

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On the Cover: Logan, Kristen, Knox, and Bowyn Register model summer wardrobe staples! Read more about the Registers, starting on page 17!

Tammy Johns Photography

Student Spotlight..........................66 COVID-19 Impact on North Florida.........68 Catholic Charities.................74 Summer Recipes.......80

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Summer 2020 | 5

A Weekend at Port St. Joe:

A Hidden Gem on North Florida’s Emerald Coast Discover a new getaway

By Jeweliana Register Curtis

Nestled on North Florida’s Emerald Coast is a hidden gem: Port St. Joe. The beautiful, historic port town on the gulf is nicknamed the “small town with a big heart” by residents, and it is the perfect spot to relax and rest on a weekend getaway. The white-sand-dune beaches are what draws so many to the area each year, but visitors also enjoy snorkeling in the Gulf of Mexico and experiencing life in the rustic area. From lounging by the water to learning all about the history of early Florida, there truly is something for everyone in this picturesque ocean-front town. Ready to hop in the car and head to Port St. Joe for the weekend? Check out this list of suggestions in the area before you hit the road!

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The beautiful sugar sand is perfect for family activities. The Spratlins enjoyed the quiet family friendly beach tremendously.

SHOP AND STROLL. In the mood to browse and stroll a bit? There are numerous great stores to stop into in downtown Port St. Joe. Offering everything from antiques to boutique items, these small stores are a great way to get to know the locals. Find handmade soaps and body care items by St. Joe Soap Company, or check out Cabana 15 Furniture to bring a touch of coastal elegance back home. Handmade, locally crafted items can be found at Tide H20 Fly, and a spot called Bay Breeze Antiques offers eclectic, upscale second-hand goods.

There’s many more wonderful shops to explore as well.

EAT LIKE THE LOCALS DO! If you’re looking for a unique experience, head to Shipwreck Raw Bar, a local joint that serves up fresh favorites with a twist.

With menu items like the Bee Sting Shrimp, which is fresh Gulf shrimp sauteed in a spicy tupelo honey sauce, you are sure to find something new and exciting on their menu of fresh seafood and more. Oh, and you won’t want to leave without trying a slice of their creamy, white chocolate Key lime pie! This spot is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week; so, no matter when you make the trip, you can stop by for a great meal.

7008 W Hwy 98 Port St. Joe, FL 32456 (850) 647-5050 shipwreckrawbar.com

HEAD INTO CHARTED WATERS. Yearning to explore all the Gulf has to offer? Consider chartering a tour with Bali Hai Charters. Located in Port St. Joe, this company is known for providing inshore fishing trips, sightseeing tours, scalloping trips, aquatic adventures and casual cruises on beautiful St. Joe Bay and the historic Apalachicola River system. So, pick your adventure and set sail!

Frank Pate Park Port St. Joe, FL 32456 (850) 227-5802 balihaicharters.com

INDULGE IN SOME LOCAL ICE CREAM. Surprisingly Good! Cone Heads 8020 is a family friendly, relaxed and comfortable restaurant.

Cone Heads 8020 is the oldest ice cream shop in Gulf County.

Featuring a variety of delicious flavors for you to enjoy!

Located between the gorgeous Gulf of Mexico and the stunning St. Joseph’s Bay on Cape San Blas, Florida. “Cone Heads” was coined as a catchy name for a business that served thousands of ice cream cones a year. The “8020” is derived from the address of the business.

8020 Cape San Blas Rd Port Saint Joe, Florida (850) 229-5252

Summer 2020 | 7

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Family Magazine encourages the use of this article to be an educational moment with children.

“The way humanity manages or mismanages its naturebased assets, including pollinators, will in part define our collective future in the 21st century … The fact is that of the 100 crop species that provide 90 percent of the world’s food, over 70 are pollinated by bees.”

—Achim Steiner, Executive Director UN Environment Programme (UNEP)

Bees AND POLLINATORS

Bees have much to teach us, they fascinate us, they are beautiful, and their importance to mankind is beyond measure.

By Joy Coleman

Why is pollination so important?

It’s almost impossible to overstate the importance of pollinators in our world: Pollination must occur for plants to reproduce.

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The importance of bees is their ability to pollinate While other pollinators are available (bats, birds, butterflies, and some flies do this work), bees are the best for the job. In part, this is because they need pollen to feed their larvae, so they’re biologically driven to gather the pollen.

Other pollinators visit flowers only to get nectar, and any pollen that sticks to them in the process is a happy accident.

As far as important species go, bees are top of the list. They are critical pollinators doing the job for 70 of around 100 crop species that feed 90 percent of the world. Honey bees are responsible for $30 billion a year in crops.

Do all bees pollinate plants?

Among all pollinators (hummingbirds, bats, butterflies, flies and some beetles), bees are unique. In addition to

sipping nectar to fuel their own flight, they are one of the few animals to actively gather large amounts of pollen and, without meaning to, move pollen flower to flower to feed themselves.

Three-fourths of the world’s flowering plants and about 35 percent of the world’s food crops depend on pollinators to reproduce. More than 3,500 species of native bees help increase crop yields. Bees pollinate so much that they are responsible for producing one out of every three to four bites of food you eat.

Can pollination occur without bees?

Yes. Pollinating without bees can be a very easy and simple thing to do. Pollen usually needs to be transferred from flower to flower, and we can pollinate our plants ourselves.

But hiring humans to pollinate is pricey.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF MIT graduates calculated that the cost of hand-pollinating a hectare [about two acres] of apples would be approximately $5,715 to $7,135. Bees from a one two-story colony per acre at a high rental price of $45 per colony and $90 a hectare is a much better deal.

What would we eat without bees?

The USDA estimates that honeybees do $11–$15 billion in work for American farmers each year. That’s a cost that would be absorbed by American shoppers, resulting in shocking bills at the register. Projected price spikes would have real socioeconomic consequences pushing fresh fruits and veggies out of reach of the working poor, who already consume less of these items than their wealthier neighbors.

From a calory standpoint, our Western food staples (corn and wheat) are both wind-pollinated and wouldn’t be affected by a massive pollinator catastrophe.

But from a diversity standpoint, things would be bleak. Much of our produce, like almonds, peaches, plums, apples and cherries, rely on bee-assisted pollination. We would lose many of the foods that make our diets vibrant, healthy, and nutritious.

What’s the likelihood of bees dying off? Unfortunately, we are heading in that direction. While incidences of Colony Collapse Disorder (or entire hives being wiped out overnight) have slowed, and we know there are many other factors affecting bees, the U.S. is still losing thousands of colonies per year.

Could humans survive without bees?

Yes, but they would live in a very different world.

Worldwide there are over 20,000 species of bees, and North America is home to over 4,000 of those species.

Florida is home to more than 300 species of native bees—29 are found only in Florida. Some bees are “specialists,” relying on a single wildflower species for food, but most are “generalists,” gathering pollen and nectar from a wide range of flowers.

Here are some of North Central Florida’s native pollinating bees: The Southeastern Blueberry Bee, Habropoda labriosa While managed honeybees can pollinate blueberries, the Southeastern Blueberry Bee is a much more efficient pollinator of blueberries. These bees “sonicate” the flowers to release more pollen. Sonication (also called buzz pollination) is caused by the bee’s highspeed wing beats vibrating the flower, which causes pollen to fall onto the bee. The Southeastern Blueberry Bee is a solitary bee—it does not live in colonies. The bee digs burrows in the ground where it lays eggs that hatch the following year to start the cycle over again.

The Blue Orchard Bee, Osmia lignaria Blue Orchard Bees are important pollinators of a variety of fruits including blueberries. They are solitary bees most active in the early spring and summer, and they are part of a group of bees called mason bees that use holes or tube-like structures as their nests.

Bees

produce such as tomatoes, peppers, cranberries, and strawberries. Bumble Bees are social bees, forming small colonies (50–500 individuals), burrowing in the ground or in empty cavities, which only last one season.

The Leafcutting Bee, Megachilidae In Florida, there are about 63 different species of Leafcutting Bees, one of which is Osmia lignaria, the Blue Orchard Bee, listed above. As the name implies, these solitary bees cut neat circles from broadleaf deciduous plants that they use to build their long tubular nests. While their leaf-cutting capabilities can sometimes reduce the good looks of landscape plants, their actions will not harm the plants. These bees are pollinators of wildflowers and many of our fruits and vegetables.

The Sweat Bee, Halictidae Sweat bees, known for seeking out perspiration, are important pollinators for many wildflowers, fruits and vegetables, including peaches, plums, apples, pears, alfalfa and sunflowers. This family of bees is very diverse in appearance and social behavior. There are 44 species in Florida.

The Miner Bee or Chimney Bee, Anthophora abrupta These bees are solitary, yet gregarious. Solitary in that the female builds her own ground burrow in which to lay her egg; gregarious in that they tend to congregate together to build their individual burrows.

The Bumble Bee, Bombus spp.

Bumble Bees are among the most recognizable of insects. They are also important pollinators of both native plants and agricultural crops. Bumble Bees are so effective at pollinating important food crops that they’re raised commercially and sold to pollinate

Summer 2020 | 11

HOT DOG!

5 WAYS TO SPICE UP YOUR HOT DOGS THIS SUMMER

Hot dogs are a classic summer meal, and they are often a go-to companion to burgers on the grill. Whether you choose an all-beef hot dog or choose to venture into the wide world of assorted meat hot dogs and sausages, these American staples are perfect to throw on the grill for a quick, tasty dinner. Dress up your hot dog with these fresh toppings and you’ll never go back to simple ketchup and mustard again.

By Jeweliana Register Curits

FRANKS & BEANS

Place grilled hot dogs in buns with a slice of crisply cooked bacon. Top with warm baked beans, diced white onion and your favorite mustard!

HAWAIIAN DOG

Lightly oil pineapple wedges and onion rounds; grill until tender.

Chop and season with sugar, salt and cayenne pepper. Placed grilled hot dogs in buns and top with pineapple mixture.

REUBEN DOG

Combine 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon each ketchup and sweet pickle relish, and 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce; season with salt and pepper. Place grilled hot dogs in buns and top with dressing, swiss cheese and drained sauerkraut.

MEXICAN CHARRED-CORN DOG

Brown 2 cups corn in skillet. Add 2 tablespoons vegetable oil and 2 sliced scallion whites, cook until scallion is tender. Season with salt and pepper. Combine 2 tablespoons mayonnaise and 2 teaspoons lime juice. Place grilled hot dogs in buns and top with corn mixture, lime mayonnaise, crumbled Cotija or feta cheese, and sliced scallion greens. Sprinkle with chili powder.

Stir together 2 tablespoons white vinegar and 1 teaspoon sugar until sugar is dissolved. Stir in 2 shredded carrots and 1/2 teaspoon course salt; let sit 10 minutes. Place grilled hot dogs in buns and top with mayonnaise, carrots, thinly sliced cucumber and jalapeĂąo, and cilantro leaves.

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Photo and recipes courtesy of MarthStewart.com

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Summer 2020 | 13

Save on ingredients for these recipes at

“I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!” It’s no secret that this sweet treat is beloved by many. From traditional flavors like chocolate and vanilla, to adventurous favorites like innovative alcohol-infused ice cream, one thing is for sure—you can’t be too sad when you’re indulging in this frozen treat!

There’s truly nothing better than indulging in a batch of homemade ice cream on a hot summer day; so, next time you are in the mood for ice cream, consider trying out one of these delicious flavors.

By Jeweliana Register Curtis

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Homemade Ice Cream Recipes to Enjoy This Summer

PEANUT BUTTER BANANA “NICE” CREAM

CHOCOLATE RUM RAISIN ADULT ICE CREAM

Recipe and photos via yummymummykitchen.com

Recipe and photos via bellyfull.net

Can’t have dairy? No problem! This “nice” cream is the perfect way to still enjoy this cold treat.

INGREDIENTS: 4 bananas; peeled, sliced, and frozen 1/4 cup almond, soy, or coconut milk 1/2 cup peanut butter; creamy or crunchy, unsweetened Pinch of sea salt 1 tablespoon maple syrup, or coconut sugar to taste (optional) 1/4 cup mini dairy-free chocolate chips INSTRUCTIONS: Begin by placing the frozen banana slices and milk in the bowl of a food processor.

Blend and pulse until just smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula occasionally. Do not over-blend! Add the peanut butter, a pinch of salt and optional sweetener to taste, pulsing to combine. Stir in chocolate chips.

Enjoy immediately as soft serve or transfer to a freezer container for later.

Once frozen solid, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to soften before eating. Enjoy your dairy-free “nice” cream!

To any of our readers over 21, this ice cream is a must-try. This alcoholinfused treat is creamy, delicious and packs a punch!

NO-CHURN BLACKBERRY VANILLA ICE CREAM Recipe and photos via celebratingsweets.com

Have fresh blackberries on hand?

This is an amazing summer treat to make with them!

Ingredients: 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 2 cups cold heavy cream 6 ounces fresh blackberries plus more for garnish (if desired) 2 tablespoons granulated sugar Instructions: In a large bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract.

Set aside. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, whip the heavy cream until stiff, billowy peaks form. Gently fold half the whipped cream into the condensed milk, then add the other half. In a separate bowl, use a fork or potato masher to mash the blackberries and granulated sugar.

Pour half the ice cream base into a 2-quart container. Top with half the smashed blackberries and use a knife to swirl the blackberries into the ice cream. Pour in the remaining half of the ice cream base and top with remaining smashed blackberries.

Swirl the remaining blackberries into the ice cream. Cover and freeze until firm, at least 6 hours. Enjoy!

Ingredients: 1/3 cup dark raisins 1/3 cup golden raisins 1/2 cup rum 1 tablespoon orange zest 3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt 2 cups heavy whipping cream 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chunks, chopped Instructions: Begin by placing the raisins, rum, and orange zest in a small pot.

Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce heat to a slight simmer; cooking until liquid is cut in half (about 1–2 minutes). In a large bowl, whisk together the condensed milk, a tablespoon of the reduced liquid mixture, and salt. In a medium bowl, beat cream with an electric mixer, until stiff peaks form (about 3 minutes).

With a rubber spatula, gently fold whipped cream into the condensed milk mixture. Fold in the raisins and chocolate chunks. Transfer to a standard loaf pan and sprinkle some extra shaved chocolate over the top, if desired. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and freeze until firm, at least 12 hours. Let ice cream stand at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving and enjoy!

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Summer Staples

with the Register Family

By Jeweliana Register Curtis

Tammy Johns Photography

Summer is officially here, and with that comes weekend beach trips, picnics in the park and all the summer sports your heart desires. No matter what’s on your bucket list this summer, we know you want to feel stylish and put-together every step of the way, and what better way to do so than by stocking up on timeless, wardrobe staples? Our friends at Belk of Lake City provided a beautiful array of pieces for the whole family, and the Register family shared some great ways to style them! Whether you are trying to beat the heat or embracing the warm weather, check out these summer fashion trends that can inspire your own set of summer wardrobe staples this year.

Summer 2020 | 17

STYLISH JUMPSUITS

It’s no secret that jumpsuits are trending, and for good reason! We love how Kristen styled this tank-style jumpsuit with bold earrings and fun accessories. From a night on the town to a summer getaway, this jumpsuit can be worn all summer long!

FEMININE + DAINTY SILHOUETTES

Easy, breezy and beautiful! We are loving this dress on Kristen! This white summer dress is the perfect balance of dainty + feminine with a bit of ease, making it the perfect summer wardrobe staple. Dress it down with a pair of sandals for a casual look, or amp it up with heels for a fun date-night look.

VERSATILE PIECES

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS

We can’t get over how adorable Bowyn looks in this sweet summer dress. From the bow detail on the shoulders to the pastel stripes and pockets, we are head over heels for this outfit!

Comfortable, stylish basics are hard to come by, but this ultra-soft tee and khaki shorts hit the mark. No matter what this summer throws his way, Logan is ready for anything in this stylish yet relaxed combo.

TRENDING HUES

PRETTY PLAYSUITS

Going for a clean-cut look? Logan is sporting a crisp pair of navy shorts and a polo in a striking seafoam green. This color, along with pops of blue and yellow, are trending this summer.

This adorable jumper is a wonderful mix of playful and fun! The red color is trending this summer, and the adorable ruffle details only make this look more darling on sweet Bowyn.

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CASUAL CUTIE

Knox is rocking a bold striped top in a muted blue and white and a pair of khakis similar to Dad’s! This is the perfect all-American boy outfit for summertime.

About the Register Family Logan and Kristen Register are high school sweethearts who

have been together since 2009. They met at their local high school when Kristen was a freshman and Logan was a junior. Logan saw Kristen at the bus compound one day after school and decided to reach out to her, so their love story began over a MySpace message almost 11 years ago!

The pair became inseparable from then on. In October of 2015, they tied the knot, and the rest is history!

LIVED-IN DENIM

Just because it’s summer does not mean you have to put all the denim away! These denim shorts are stretchy and lived-in feeling, making them a great option for boys on the go. Knox is also sporting a fun tee that can be transitioned into another season easily.

Family Magazine thanks Belk of Lake City for supplying the clothing for this shoot, and the Scott family of Live Oak for providing the beautiful backdrop.

Over the years, Logan and Kristen have delved into career and family life. Logan currently works at Pilgrim’s Pride in Live Oak as a hatchery Supervisor. He works closely with the baby chicks at the facility and has been in this line of work for a few years now. Kristen is a manager at the Brown Lantern, where she has been a team member for 7 years.

She absolutely loves her work family and enjoys getting to interact with the community each day. They have two children, Knox, their adventurous 3-year-old, and Bowyn, their precious one-year-old.

This family of four loves the outdoors. During the summer months, you can always find them on the water somewhere, whether that’s on the boat at the river or taking a weekend trip to their favorite beach. The Registers are very familyoriented and absolutely love calling the small town of Live Oak home.

Summer 2020 | 19

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Summer 2020 | 21

Marie Goss

Rustic

t d n a r b R em Pallet Art

By Hayli Zuccola

After retiring from a 41-year career in health care, Marie Goss wondered where her life was headed next. As fate would have it, she’d find the answer in the weathered panels of a wooden pallet. With strokes of a paintbrush, she adorned gray-washed boards with bright orange pumpkins and vibrant sunflowers to welcome the arrival of fall—placing the finished piece beside a large bale of hay by the side of the road only added to the harvestthemed display. As quickly as the autumn season came and went, her one-of-a-kind artwork swiftly captured the attention of friends and passersby.

“From that it just kind of exploded,” Marie said in a phone interview. “People wanted me to paint pallets for them; so, I decided to get a business license, and I’ve been doing it since.”

In November 2018, MesG Crafts was officially established, and though Marie has since expanded her abilities by painting on canvases, applying epoxy designs to tumblers, knitting and crocheting, the concept that started it all was transforming ordinary wooden

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While a smooth surface can be achieved through planing—one of several palletprep activities done by Marie’s husband who’s skilled in woodworking— many customers prefer the natural indentations in the wood and the gray-to-tan undertones that give the piece a coastal or farmhouse look. Aside from tending to the texture of the nontraditional canvas, her husband also repairs boards with too much wear and tear by replacing them or restructures the whole pallet by moving the original boards closer together to limit extrawide gaps.

pallets into rustic works of art. Even though the finished product is a thing of beauty, painting on a ridged, often sunbleached surface isn’t without obstacles.

“It is more challenging,” she said.

“The roughness of the wood and the absorption of the wood—some wood absorbs more quickly and more of the paint than others.”

— Michael Boris

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When ready to grill, lightly oil the grate with vegetable oil or cooking spray, set to medium high heat. Slice the remaining lemon in thin rounds, then slice in half. Cut green onions into 1-inch lengths. Thread one piece of the chicken onto a skewer then two slices of green onion, and then another piece of chicken. Fold a slice of lemon in half and thread next to the chicken, grouping closely on the skewer. Repeat the pattern until skewer is full, ending with chicken. Discard any of the remaining marinade. Grill chicken, turning often so each side browns, until cooked through, about 10-15 minutes or until chicken juices run clear.

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Summer 2020 | 23

Aside from obtaining relaxation from a creative outlet, Marie also draws serenity from her surroundings, and what better way to enjoy her newfound career than living on her family’s farm near her brother’s herd of Angus cows or beside her childhood home she inherited from her parents?

Once the pallet is ready for a makeover, Marie will either use the board to paint customer requests or free-paint subjects that personally bring her joy— one of her favorite inspirations being sunflowers.

“On a doom and gloom kind of day, I will just sit down and start painting sunflowers, and it can change your whole mood,” she said.

Another popular subject for Marie to paint that her patrons often request are pallets depicting the American flag, which unlike others on the market, are as accurate as possible and feature all 50 stars and 13 red and white stripes—a feat Marie was determined to accomplish with her very first one and then on.

it,” Marie said. “I just love making people happy; I mean, that made me a good nurse, and now I guess it makes me a good artist.”

Before her retirement, the last time Marie picked up a paintbrush was in the ’80s when she had a hobby of painting ceramics, but it was a talent she was able to pick up again as if no time passed at all.

“Painting—it’s an evolving thing to get to the end result of what your customer wants,” she said. “It’s a whole new world for me because I’ve not done this. I mean, in healthcare you take care of people and you’re trained to know exactly what you’re supposed to do, and there are policies and procedures. This is a whole different chapter.”

“You know, I love painting that, and I’ve found that as I’m painting that, I’m praying for our nation...I am a praying painter, if you will, and as I’m making things for people, I pray for them,” she said.

While images like the American flag and other detail-oriented designs take a great deal of thought and planning to reach the desired outcome, all of that time and effort is worth it when Marie can finally present it to the customer.

“The beauty of it for me is that I love when people are pleased with the end result and they’re so proudly displaying

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“My husband built me an easel, and I sit out in the shade in our backyard...We have a waterfall by the pool and, you know, I can hear the waterfall, and the wind blows...I can make it sound very romantic, but it really is just a very peaceful atmosphere to be able to sit out there,” she said. “It’s just... it’s beautiful. It really is just a beautiful place to be in life.”

Though becoming a full-time artist was an entirely new and rather unexpected venture for Marie, retiring from a fourdecade profession in the medical field allowed her to find a new path to follow all while embracing and expanding upon the creative side she always had but lacked the time to pursue.

“I never ever dreamed that I would, in retirement, be painting for fun...That never entered my mind, and so it’s not been a big laid-out plan; it’s just evolved, and again, it’s just a blessing that I can do this. It keeps me young; it keeps me energized; it keeps me challenged; you know, all those things that all of us should want regardless of the stage of life.”

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BRIAN SELLERS, RN Making a Difference Through the Wounded Warrior Project

By Joy Coleman

Brian Sellers with wife, Francis, and sons, Ramiro and Julian.

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Military training creates an extensive list of good qualities in our service members, and, while on active duty, much is provided for service members.

However when a service member returns home from active duty and is discharged, there may be difficulties experienced in returning to a civilian lifestyle.

Some veterans have has unique challenges and experienced physical injury, goals. They provide a wide but physical injury is not variety of programs and “The more I helped people necessary to experiencing services to help veterans through WWP, the more I emotional trauma. take the necessary steps wanted to help even more According to Marine that are right for them, in people. So when they Veteran Brian Sellers, order to live a fulfilling life. approached me about joining RN, Director of the Medthe National Campaign Team, Sellers was in the Marine Surg Unit at the Lake City I thought this was another way Infantry from 2000 to 2005.

Medical Center, “at some to help more individuals.”

He was injured in 2004, point a vet may experience —Brian Sellers hospitalized and received mental injury while on a medical retirement active duty. It can stem from having sustained extensive having lived with the fear of something bad happening – fear for injuries. He shares, “While injured, I later found out that I had their personal safety. They may have experienced stressful days been resuscitated. I died. Days later, I woke up and thought I not directly related to injury or violence, living with the constant was paralyzed as I couldn’t talk, couldn’t move. I wasn’t afraid fear of it happening. Constantly living in the heightened state of of dying, but was very afraid of living as a vegetable. Why did awareness to remain safe can overwhelm anyone.”

I live if that was the situation? Someone came up to me, put a The military creates a heavily structured life and takes care of hand on my shoulder, and said, ‘here’s where you are, here’s what so many important issues. Active duty service members can happened to you, and I will be here with you. I’m a nurse and I’m count on food readily available in the chow hall, insurances, going to help you.’ That nurse stepped in during the hardest time being in a group with everyone in the same type life together, in my life and was the one to help.” and most importantly, being taught, “I’m a Marine; I don’t Sellers moved to Gainesville for school and worked in a hospital need anyone to help me figure out what’s at odds in my life. there. He fell in love with working in the hospital and gradually I’ve handled so much, I can handle the disturbing emotions of realized his calling was to be a nurse. “I wanted to be somewhere returning home.”

I could help. I started as a patient greeter in an ER. The job was to Members of the military who come home try to return to a stand in the lobby, give directions and blankets. I heard the nurses civilian lifestyle. Frequently they discover the first six months say, “I’m the nurse; let me help you.” The more I saw them helping of living are ok, but something’s wrong and with time, patients, the more I wanted to help. So, I went from handing out whatever it is only grows blankets to doing what larger and more difficult needed to be done. If a to manage. The stigma bed needed cleaning, a of asking for help is very mess had to be picked up, real. They’re taught to whatever needed to be overcome and adapt, don’t done, I did it.” ask for help.

As a returning vet, Sellers It takes recognition and determination to work on these sensitive issues, those unique to each individual. Fortunately, help is available and it’s offered for free by the Wounded Warrior Project.

Wounded Warrior Project believes that every warrior

knew, “I finally had to stop and think – my work life is fine, but the rest of my life was not working. I saw vets who reached out for help and noted they were doing well so far. If they could seek help, it meant that I could do it. The Wounded Warrior Project made it easier for me to accept help. I learned how to thrive.”

Summer 2020 | 29

how to donate

Your generous, tax deductible donation to Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) will change the lives of over 1 million injured warriors, caregivers, and family members. You will help bring independence back to our nation’s most severely wounded veterans.

Visit https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org

The Wounded Warriors Project (WWP) is a nonprofit charity and veterans service organization offering programs, services and events for wounded military veterans in action following 9-11-2001.

The organization offers support for veterans, family members, or caregivers. A recent survey notes that not only do 1 in 3 service members live with PTSD, but 1 in 3 also feel they don’t get the mental health care they need. WWP exists to change that.

WWP offers realistic options to heal invisible wounds of service and improve the psychological healing of veterans. Through interactive programs, rehabilitative retreats, and professional services, the Warrior Care Network program provides veterans living with PTSD, TBI, and related conditions with a path to long-term wellness.

“Today I help wounded service members in Gainesville and Jacksonville. I have a bio on the Wounded Warriors Project home webpage. I’m happy giving back to the organization when they have given so much to me. The Wounded Warrior Project was there for me, and I want to be there for others.

“Nursing is satisfying. I started working at the hospital in 2005, and not a day has passed where I regretted going to work. At some point I saw a lot of others who weren’t enjoying their jobs.

From the Marines, I knew the impact of a leader and thought maybe they need a passionate leader. I wanted to be where I could help guide nurses. Patients in the community deserve passionate and compassionate care, and nurses deserve the support to help them feel that positive force in their lives.”

Sellers continues, “I also felt that this hospital (Lake City Medical Center) had a family environment where the patient was truly at the center of the care here. The administration and management have created and fostered a positive and caring environment for the staff and the community that fits the passion I have. It feels very good to be here.”

Fast forward and Sellers has been in healthcare for 13 years, RN for eight years, and director of a Med-Surg Unit at LCMC for 1 year. He continues to contribute to the successes of The Wounded Warrior Project and the many returning service members who need their support.

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in Branford Painting the Town Red White & Blue Since 1981

By Hayli Zuccola

When the clock strikes 2 p.m. and a waterfall of rubber ducks cascades over the Frank Norris Bridge into the Suwannee River, the Fourth of July celebrations have officially taken over the town of Branford. The rest of the day is dedicated to other notable traditions like a parade, the Bedrock Derby and, of course, fireworks—none of which would be possible without the Branford River Reunion Committee and the Branford Rotary Club.

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Though the Branford River Reunion Committee is in charge of organizing the entirety of the July Fourth extravaganza, the day begins with a fundraiser created by and to support the Branford Rotary Club and the charitable work they do for the community and beyond.

These projects are made possible through generous donations, but making a difference isn’t just good for the soul, it can be entertaining too. The annual Fourth of July Duck race is one of two major fundraisers the local Rotary Club hosts for the year, and it’s certainly the most unique.

Numbered tickets are sold for $5 each with every number tied to a corresponding yellow rubber duck. The day of the event, the ducks are dumped off the bridge into the sun-soaked Suwannee River where they float about 100 yards toward a chute. Like an actual race, the ducks are called out in the order they arrived at the finish line with the top ducks announced on the winner’s board in Ivey Memorial Park. Every year, the Rotary Club strives to have close to 100 prizes up for grabs including monetary awards and gifts donated by various organizations and businesses.

“It’s a really big event for us. We enjoy it, and, not only that, but the people in our community support our duck race very well because they know we support our community,” said Trannie Lacquey, who along with her husband, John, have been members of the Branford Rotary Club since 2003.

Even with almost 100 prizes, there are far more ducky contestants. Though the number has since decreased, the most ducks that ever swam the race were pushing 2,000 in total. Despite such a high number, they all drift to the end of the course eventually, even if the stragglers need a little outside motivation from time to time.

Branford River Reunion activities at Hatch Park.

race on the Fourth of July, we will welcome you, or, if you want to buy a ticket, you can find any Rotarian, go on the Rotary Club of Branford on Facebook and find us,” she said.

When the duck race ends, the rest of the Branford festivities are just beginning. Coordinated by the Branford River Reunion Committee since 1981, Fourth of July attendees can expect food and craft vendors serving up summer cookout staples like hotdogs and hamburgers; a parade of trucks, floats and trailers adorned with red, white and blue; musical entertainment like the Branford Highway Band and Booie Beach; and a draw-dropping fireworks display to finish the night.

Jr Miss BHS Jadyn Mosley

Alexandria Spinks and son, Davy watching as the fireworks begin.

“We lose very few ducks every year because we have people in jet skis picking up the ducks with nets and we have a boat on the river to help put the ducks into. You know, after all this time of doing it, we pretty much got it down pat,” Trannie said in a phone interview.

Besides being beneficial to the Branford Rotary Club, the annual duck race is a town staple that encourages community involvement and serves as an entertaining kickoff to summer.

“I’m very proud of our Rotary Club... We have a lot of support in our community for it, and if you want to come out and support our duck

Branford FFA enjoying the festivities.

Summer 2020 | 33

“You can go out there just before the fireworks after the parade and everything, and you can watch all these different families come in. And what they do is, they come in, and you have grandma and grandpa, and you have grandkids and great-grandkids all sitting in an area to watch the fireworks; so, the reunion is a family reunion so to speak,” said Peggy Terry, who joined the River Reunion Committee in 2005 and now serves as the event coordinator.

In an attempt to avoid the harsh summer sun, this year’s event was restructured into a nighttime festival—kicking off at 6 p.m. with a parade down Suwannee Avenue. The evening continued at Hatch Park with the Bedrock Derby, which was inspired by The Flintstones and involves contestants decorating their own cardboard-box-turned-derby-car before running a relay race, assorted vendors, games, entertainment and the ever-popular fan-favorite: fireworks.

Being the biggest display of the night, it takes a lot of planning behind the scenes to put on a successful fireworks show. Once the fireworks are delivered, they’re put into storage until the day before the celebration. On the night of the third, the roughly 400 shells of fireworks are taken to the field behind Hatch Park where, throughout the following day, members of the Branford Fire Department and the Ranchette Volunteer Fire Department begin setting up. All the shells— some of which span eight inches wide—are placed onto pallets, into tubes and wired for takeoff.

The lengthy, day-long process of preparing the fireworks in the sweltering summer sun is always worth it in the end when colorful displays dance over the treetops and light up the night sky. It’s the perfect conclusion to a memorable Fourth of July in Branford.

Little Miss Agribusiness Derby Quinn

Miss BHS Claire Lloyd

Participants are ready for the Bedrock Derby Race. Ready! Set! Go!

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FamilyMagazine

To stay up to date on future Branford Fourth of July celebrations, visit the Branford Rotary Club and Branford Florida River Reunion on Facebook.

Little Miss BHS Addaleigh Avery

One of the Bedrock Derby Race Winners.

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This watermelon sangria is deliciously pink! Our scorching summer months are perfect for this refreshing, light style of sangria. Add some fresh blackberries and garnish it with sprigs of mint or basil for personal flair. This easy recipe is perfect for brunches also!

INGREDIENTS: 1 bottle (750 ml) white zinfandel or rose wine, chilled 1/4 cup watermelon schnapps liqueur 1-1/2 cups cubed seedless watermelon (1/2-inch cubes) 1 medium lime, thinly sliced 1/2 to 1 cup fresh blackberries, halved 1 can (12 ounces) lemon-lime soda, chilled Ice cubes Fresh basil or mint leaves DIRECTIONS: In a large pitcher, stir together wine and schnapps; add watermelon, lime and blackberries. Chill at least 2 hours. Just before serving, stir in soda. Serve over ice.

Garnish with basil or mint.

PHOTO AND RECIPE COURTESY OF

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g n i m o lo

with B Geiger Orchids

By Jeweliana Register Curtis Chris Curtis Photography

Maurice and Ann Geiger This story is dedicated in loving memory of Ann Geiger, Maurice’s beautiful and loving wife of 43 years. Ann was an avid pianist, master gardener, animal lover and history buff. She will be truly missed by her husband, daughters and many other family members and friends.

Nestled in the quaint town of Wellborn is a beautiful, historic home and thriving greenhouse filled to the brim with bright flowering orchids, stunning staghorn ferns and many other plant varieties. Geiger Orchids is owned and operated by Maurice Geiger, an orchid enthusiast, former educator, and devoted father. Maurice got his start in orchids when he was just a teenager, and it’s been hook, line and sinker ever since.

Maurice’s Music: THE DREAM Maurice Geiger has been an avid singer since he was a child, but he only recently has decided to release his own album! Musical talent is in the Geiger blood it seems, as his mother played piano at the Wellborn United Methodist Church for 70 years. In addition, his daughters have their own

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As a child, Maurice loved to assist his mother with watering and caring for her plants and flowers. He took an interest in horticulture at a young age. At just 16 years old, Maurice began his journey with orchids, courtesy of a $50 investment in an orchid catalog course from his mother. As chance would have it, the course and the corresponding four orchid plants arrived at his home on the morning of his sixteenth birthday, and Maurice eagerly began learning all that he could about the flowering plant. From that point on, Maurice was hooked on growing orchids and creating new hybrids of the flowering plant. In order to support his growing orchid stash, he worked in tobacco and watermelons, and even had a job at Keaton’s Toyland in Lake City.

album out with gospel songs. No stranger to the stage, Maurice is the song leader at Wellborn United Methodist Church, and he has performed many times at the Wellborn Blueberry Festival. He began toying with the idea of recording an album during last year’s festival, finally deciding to do so.

Maurice worked faithfully on the album with Donald Johns of Starlight Sounds since Christmas of last year, and he is proud of the release.

Although his late friend Donald was not able to see the release, Maurice is so thankful for the time they spent working together, and it will be treasured for future years.

“I just thought to myself, ‘If I’m ever going to do it, I better do it now.,” Maurice shares. “I used to be a A copy may be ordered by calling Maurice high tenor, but now we have to drop the keys a bit.” at 386-963-5371.

“Instead of buying smokes and booze with my paychecks, I bought orchids,” Maurice laughs.

As time went on, he attended college at the University of Florida where he studied mathematics and took courses on horticulture. Following college, Maurice traveled for over 4 years in the service, began teaching in Columbia County in 1966, and eventually married his love, Ann. The two started a family and raised their three beautiful girls, Alice, Marcia and Joy, in the home that Maurice grew up in—the home he still lives in today! Maurice taught mathematics in Columbia County for 29 years, enriching the lives of all of his students, all while pursuing his passion project of orchids at home. After retiring from the school system in 1996, Maurice went “fulltime” with growing, selling and creating new hybrids at Geiger Orchids—hobby he has been following for over 65 years now.

FUN FACT: Did you know that there are over 40,000 different Orchid species and hundreds of thousands of hybrids around the world? It’s true! There are over 100 different species that can be found in the state of Florida alone!

When you arrive at Geiger Orchids, you immediately feel right at home. The beautiful house stands in all its glory, there is thriving greenery all around, and a striking greenhouse greets you. Inside the greenhouse is a plant lover’s paradise of lush greenery, blooming orchids and breathtaking four-decadeold staghorn ferns. Maurice is a wealth of knowledge, explaining what each plant variety is and how they grow best. He also explains the best care for each type of plant, sharing stories from trial and error with the varieties and wonderful memories he associates with them. He is always experimenting with new hybrids of orchids, so there is no shortage of interesting tidbits and fascinating stories. Maurice has created various hybrids of orchids and affectionately named them after people he loved and admired, such as the one for his late father and mother, and soon, one for his wife.

Maurice’s contribution to the North Florida area is evident, and his impact and knowledge in the horticulture community is worthy of recognition. His dedication to his craft is commendable, and he is sure to inspire you to try your hand at growing a stunning plant as well. Interested in stopping by?

Maurice typically holds three sales each year: two in the spring and one in the fall. He also accepts appointments for those who would like to come shop anytime of the year. He also encourages patrons to stop by anytime, except for Sundays.

Orchid Tips from the Expert Orchid care is one of many topics on which Maurice is an expert, and luckily, Family Magazine has the scoop from the orchid expert himself.

While there are thousands of different types of orchids in the world, these tips are to help with the most common orchid houseplants. Check out these helpful tips for healthy orchids and allow Maurice to help debunk some common myths of caring for orchids.

Tip #1: Orchids do not like extreme temperatures.

Phalaenopsis orchids are very picky about the cold! If the temperature dips below 55 or 60 degrees Fahrenheit, they are usually not too happy and can even freeze! Maurice suggests keeping them above that. Most people don’t flower or spike them because the orchids stay in a house that is either air conditioned to a low temperature or heated too high in temperature. In nature, orchids generally take a cool down before they spike and bloom, so consider this if your orchid is not flowering. Giving your orchid plenty of light and a little cool down in the fall may mean they are more likely to spike.

Tip #2: Be sure to water them well.

Phalaenopsis orchids can easily be underwatered or overwatered, destroying the root system. Contrary to popular belief, Maurice suggests avoiding the “ice cube trick” that is popular online as it can damage their roots by freezing them. If the roots freeze, the water will not be able to properly reach the soil and nourish the plant.

“Lots of people do the ice cubes, and some people get by with that, but you can actually damage the roots that way. They need to be watered well until they almost dry out, but not completely dried out! Most people tend to overwater orchids and kill the roots, so what you do then is repot the plant and use a misting spray bottle on the leaves to revive it, and hopefully it will begin to grow new roots,” Maurice shares. “They can also be put in bags, like old bread bags. Simply place the plant in, blow up the bag by breathing in it, add some damp sphagnum moss for humidity, and close it up. It makes a sort of little greenhouse for the orchid. If the plant is still good at all, it may sprout roots and grow back.”

Tip #3: Aim to repot them in the spring and summer.

Some people make the mistake of repotting during an off season.

Normally, Maurice suggests avoiding repotting your orchids in the late fall or during the winter due to the dip in temperatures and lack of growing roots. Orchids do not enjoy the cold, and it is nearly impossible for them to grow roots when they are not receiving ample warm sunlight. Even our mild winters here in Florida can be detrimental, causing the roots to stop growing for a period of time. The roots tend to be more actively growing in the spring and summer, so consider repotting during that time.

For more tips and tricks on orchid care, visit the American Orchid Society’s website at www.aos.org.

VISIT GEIGER ORCHIDS AT 805 7th Avenue Wellborn, FL 32094

Summer 2020 | 39

Pursuing a Passion

Stephiane Shirey, Tina Jones, Glen Jones and Ashley Ramsey All ice creams, sorbets, cones, and crepes are made on-site!

“ I am truly blessed that God is allowing me to live out my dream!” —Tina Jones, Owner

It’s fun for the whole family When Glenn and Tina Jones decided to retire and sell Glenn I. Jones, Inc., Tina made her move on a lifelong passion of owning a restaurant.

With DNA of 64.7 percent Irish and 34.1 percent German (with the rest from Wales), Tina quickly decided she wanted an Irish restaurant.

Therefore, she chose Daddy O’Brien’s Irish Ice Cream Pub and Restaurant for her venture.

This is a family-friendly restaurant with a unique concept. Daddy O’Brien’s is not just an ice cream shop: it is an ice cream pub and restaurant. This beautifully decorated Irish pub offers Irish beers, wines and specialty cocktails, Irish fare and a line of award-winning, homemade, alcohol-infused and family-friendly ice cream creations with flavors like no other. Kentucky Salted Caramel, Irish Pistachio, and Rumchata are only the beginning of over 100 flavors.

At Daddy O’Brien’s, everything is made fresh to order. They have a full menu of delicious Irish dishes and traditional American favorites, but you must try their ice cream, of which Daddy O’Brien’s is famous. All the ice cream, waffles and crepes are made on-site. This one-of-a-kind experience is definitely worth the try! They are located at 2938 West US Highway 90, Lake City, Florida 32055.

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Summer 2020 | 41

Holly Frazier Photography

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Modern Spirit and Historic Charm

By Emily Pazel

Dennille Decker, IDP Marketing Director

The planning and implementation behind the Blanche’s multi“Typically, the Historic Preservation Office and the National million-dollar renovation took more than just a simple plan of Park Service really emphasize keeping the existing features Carter Broun of the building, such as the windows,” Carter says. “So, a lot of demolition and reconstruction—it was a wellVice President of Development those features we have to go in and take account of what was thought-out design meant to bring a historic building back to life.

IDP Properties there, what we could basically save and what we had to demolish “At the end of the day, the goal is to bring back the building to its historical significance, but also have a modern use to it so that it to basically piece this hundred-year-old building back to its historical can function in today’s modern environment,” says Carter Broun, Vice President of significance.”

Development at IDP Properties.

One of the biggest challenges, which happens frequently with historic buildings, From start to finish, the Blanche’s specialty renovations took about two years was working with the windows of the Blanche. Carter explains that in these to perfect. IDP Properties, the company behind the renovations, is no stranger to old buildings, you typically have large, oversized windows that are very hard to renovating historic buildings and took the Blanche project on with determination to replicate in this day and age. Though much of the Blanche was renovated, a lot of restore it to its former glory. it remains as the original.

“We do a lot of historic adaptive reuse work, so when we get into a historic “A lot of the doors are original, most the windows, the flooring, the building, personally, that’s the most exciting part is seeing this old building that’s staircase, and typically all your common areas, such as the hallways, have been vacant for a really long time and figuring out a new use for it,” Carter says. to maintain the same layout and the same features, and then you adapt it to “So, hopefully, it can be useful and stand for another hundred years.” modern use,” he says.

After all the twists and turns in direction of how the space in the Blanche would Carter believes the final project exceeded expectations, and that Dennille be used, Carter explains that, from a design standpoint, it was exciting to see the Decker, IDP’s Marketing Director, put many hours and a lot effort into working with plans come to fruition but also very challenging working within the timeline of the interior design portion of the project that led to an incredible finish. finishing the project.

“It’s a really long process, but it’s really one of those labors of love, and when When working with a historic building, he explains you have to have it you see the end product, it really makes it all worth the time, the blood, sweat, architecturally involved in the front end and also be familiar with the process and tears that go into the challenges,” Carter says. “It’s something that’s just of submitting endless amounts of paperwork and applications to the Historic totally unique from new construction, and it’s something that we take pride in and Preservation Office. really focus on in terms of bringing back historic buildings into modern day use.”

NEW BEGINNINGS FOR DOWNTOWN RETAIL

The retail space of the ground floor of the Blanche offers a new, blank canvas for any type of retail or entrepreneurial shop looking to open its doors with ease.

Even with a recent global pandemic hitting the economy, the Blanche managed to successfully sign their first commercial tenet and looks forward to them opening soon.

With the Blanche as the home for their new business, Cimaron Holt and Toby Witt are anxious to see their plans come to fruition. They are set to open a locally owned and operated beer and wine bar called Prohibition, located off Veterans Street.

“We’ve always had the idea of opening some kind of establishment, and it just kind of came to fruition here in the past couple of months,” Cimaron says. “The Blanche was starting to lease out their spaces and we just decided to dive in and start up a little beer and wine bar.”

The name of the bar was chosen as it fits the era in which the Blanche was built, Cimaron explains. The goal of the bar is to serve many different types of craft beers, as well as have a nice selection of wines.

“The fact that the Blanche is a historical location and there’s a lot of buzz to it makes it the perfect location,” Toby says.

With the history of the building, both Cimaron and Toby agreed that the structure brings much of the built-in character they were looking for without having to do much work to the space.

Prohibition Owners, Cimaron Holt and Toby Witt “I think downtown wouldn’t be downtown without the Blanche,” Toby says.

“It’s such a historical aspect to the community, and I think it was right to renovate it. We’re just glad to be a part of it.”

They are hoping their business will open near the end of June or early July 2020.

They believe the bar will be excellent for visitors who come to Lake City’s downtown area, as well as for residents that live in the Blanche above the retail space.

Captured Memories by Esta

While visiting Lake City’s downtown, it’s hard to miss the grand, three-story historic structure that stands out and encapsulates the history of the area. The historical charm mixed with the modern-day renovations brings the building back to life and gives a deep sense of nostalgia to anyone who encounters it.

After roughly two years of renovation and design, the Blanche has reopened its doors to the community and gives residents and visitors of the area an opportunity to hold special events, shop and visit local retail stores, stay in apartment-style and hotel-style units, as well as rent private and co-working office spaces.

“The Blanche offers a variety of mixed-use space for all different types of occasions and events,” says Dennille Decker, the Marketing Director at IDP Properties. “We’re hoping that people will see the Blanche as their home, a place for their business, and as a place for everyone to come and enjoy Lake City’s downtown.”

The historic building offers something unique to the area that you can’t find anywhere else. The Blanche, a pillar of historical significance to the community, has been around for over a hundred years and is on track to be around for many more.

Captured Memories by Esta Eberhardt

CITY-LIVING FOR BLANCHE RESIDENTS

In a town that’s considered a rural area, city living is not something on everyone’s radar. However, for those who are looking to get the best of both worlds, the Blanche can offer a glimpse of city life while still living in a small town.

Emily and Kellen Hall have lived at the Blanche for roughly five months and have enjoyed every minute of it.

“As soon as we heard that the Blanche had apartments, we wanted one,” Emily says. “I love that the Blanche offers this historical touch with modern finishes. It’s also the most city-living experience that you can get here.”

As a newly engaged couple, Emily and Kellen planned to have their wedding at the historic venue in February of 2020, roughly a month before they moved into one of the apartment units. Their wedding went off without a hitch and was the Blanche’s first wedding since finishing renovations.

“I think the Blanche has made a great impact on the downtown area, and it’ll continue to do so and make an even bigger impact once more businesses come,” she says. “I would really love to see a coffee shop and a hair salon downstairs, because between those two things, I would never have to leave the building.”

Kellen explains that he really enjoys the overall structure of the Blanche, and believes that the interior of the building is better than what you can find at any conventional apartments in the area.

Nicole Cady, one of the Blanche’s first residents, also enjoys the historic building as her home and doesn’t plan on moving out any time soon.

“I’ve always wanted to live in the city and in the downtown area,” Nicole says. “I instantly fell in love with the historical charm and the modern touches of the building, and I was hooked.”

Nicole, who has basically lived in the Blanche since day one, is extremely happy with her living situation and has been living there for nearly a year.

“I personally love being here,” she says. “They have events here, and I feel like I’m part of the events. My place actually overlooks the courtyard, so I get to see all the weddings, parties and events that happen here.”

Nicole became involved with the Blanche when her company, Simply Cleaning, was hired to help with the construction cleanup. The Blanche not only provided her with an opportunity for employment, but is now also her home.

“I’m looking forward to the future for this place and all of the downtown area,” she says. “This place brings the whole area together, and I think more people will want to be here in the future.”

To learn more about what services and rentals the Blanch has to offer, please visit their website at theblanche.com.

The Blanche’s Downtown Impact Captured Memories by Esta

The marks left from the economic downturn from over a decade ago can still be felt throughout many downtown areas across the country. Empty storefronts and vacant buildings still linger untouched and, in many cases, ready to crumble to the ground. Lake City, however, has started to rebuild and reformulate a plan that will bring downtown back to life again, and the Blanche has been the catalyst through it all.

Restoring the 118-year-old historic building has created a ripple effect to bring the local area back towards its thriving, developing self. Whether it’s a new restaurant or residential rental space, business owners are seeking new opportunities to grow and expand to bring more customers downtown.

THE DOWNTOWN RIPPLE EFFECT

With the growing number of people living or working within the area, the more support services they will eventually need to support them.

“Right from the start, the Blanche houses 22 residents here; so, that’s 22 people that are living here now that weren’t before, and where people live, they need to have supportive services to provide for their daily functions,” says Dennille Decker, Marketing Director at IDP Properties. “So, right there, you have more people living downtown that are going to restaurants and using downtown services and amenities in general.”

In addition to the apartment-style units, the Blanche also offers 14 hotel units, which Dennille explains brings in tourism and other people who need to eat and will enjoy services in the area. The historic building also offers office spaces and event spaces, which bring in business, as well as the commercial retail space on the first floor.

“We have designated retail space along the first floor of the Blanche that are perfect for mom and pop businesses that are just trying to start up a new store and get things going for the first time,” she says.

The more people you bring to the downtown area, Dennille explains, the more people will start to utilize Lake DeSoto, Olustee Park, the Darby Pavilion, and other amenities that the Community Redevelopment Agency has worked on building over the years.

“To me, it gives downtown a vote of confidence that someone is willing to come and invest $18 million into downtown Lake City,” she says. “I think that it shows there is potential here, there is growth here, and there’s things that we can do as a community to bring things back down this way, as opposed to just all the chain interstate business.”

LIFE IN DOWNTOWN

As businesses continue to grow and expand in the downtown area, anyone who visits or decides to live there can experience what it feels like to live in a city while still keeping those small-town roots close by.

A few of the local businesses downtown have turned their upstairs into living quarters, and it offers a space for people to have a taste of city life while never leaving home. Melinda explains that views from the Blanche or other businesses downtown overlooking Olustee Park or Lake DeSoto bring a different perspective of Lake City that you’ve never seen.

“Sometimes, you go through other small towns and it’s similar to how ours was, all boarded up, for sale and so on,” she says. “But now you look at it and you think, ‘Wow, this could really be such a gem for my children growing up and my children’s children.’ You think, ‘What a great way to bring in young, up-andcoming people to move here.’”

For many years, Melinda worked as a guidance counselor at the local high school and she says she would ask the kids what their future plans were for after high school and college. Many of them planned to move away and never come back.

“I think it was really hard for young professionals to want to come back to town because there wasn’t much for them here,” she says. “But now, with the Blanche living, Halpatter, Sal’s and Marion Street, it kind of affords that type of living for up-and-coming professionals, and I think that’s so exciting.”

The long-term investment in the Blanche is, in Melinda’s opinion, very good.

“I only have a few more months in office, and I’m so proud of it,” she says. “I think it’s just such a catalyst for making our downtown a safer, better place. And so many of the people that were supposedly against it have come up to me in the last few months and said, this is the best thing we’ve ever done.”

Melinda is confident that the Blanche will continue to be a beacon of light on Lake City’s downtown and that many generations will be able to enjoy it for years to come.

Back around 2009, Melinda Moses, Council Member for Lake City’s District 13, says that a company came in to do a developmental plan on the downtown area, which sparked the first hints of bringing the town back to life again.

“A company came in and said you have this beautiful lake and you have this historic hotel—you have all the pieces to the puzzle of being a successful downtown,” she says.

Even during one of the worst economic downturns in our time, the city manager and city council worked hard for years trying to find the right company to come in and renovate the Blanche. Melinda explains that they were unsuccessful until IDP decided to invest in the community.

“If we hadn’t found a company that was willing to come in and invest in us, we would have had a city block of total blight,” she says. “Half of downtown would still be boarded up, and we’d have a crumbling building that would have cost a million dollars to take down after we foreclosed on it.”

Before the renovation plans were concrete, Melinda says that there were many varying degrees of opinion on the matter of handling the hotel, both positive and negative, and it wasn’t always an easy process.

“In my opinion, it’s just a win for the downtown area and for District 10,” Melinda says. “I believe that from here, improvements are just going to work north. Property values, once the Blanche hits full throttle, are only going to increase and move that way.”

Holly Frazier Photography

A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE

History of the Blanche Imagine traveling for days, taking a tireless voyage through Florida and looking for a place to stay for a day or so to rest and regain the strength to continue on your journey. As you enter the city of Lake City, you come across this massive, three-story building that occupies an entire block of the downtown area. It’s filled with luxurious, posh-like furniture and seems to be the epicenter for life in this small, bustling town of North Florida.

At the turn of the century, Lake City’s growing prosperity encouraged a local landowner to hire the services of Frank Pierce Milburn, the architect who created the designs of Lake City’s new courthouse and the newest additions to the Florida State Capitol. Milburn was tasked with creating the design for the largest, most substantial building in town—the Hotel Blanche. After purchasing the land, a block just north of town square for $5,000, the first phase of the hotel building was erected and completed in 1902.

“It was considered one of the most elegant places to stay,” says Dennille Decker, the Marketing Director at IDP Properties. “It was built right here, along US 441, which was a main thoroughfare through the state at the time.”

At the time of its completion, the Hotel Blanche was the only three-story building in the area and displayed an impressive feat for the city. It attracted many tourists from around the area to spend the night in town and enjoy a lavish stay at the hotel.

EARLY LIFE AT HOTEL BLANCHE The hotel featured a spacious dining room near the back of the building and large salon to the south of the hotel lobby, which was later converted into a soda fountain and stationery store three years later. A swimming pool lined with cypress trees was added around 1910 and was used by the guests for nearly ten years before it was removed for renovations that occurred later on. The hotel became the thriving epicenter for the town’s activities due to its social life and store-front shopping and service additions.

The hotel was the first building in the state to have an elevator, and many famous figures stayed at the hotel, including Johnny Cash and Al Capone.

“The most notable person that people talk about staying at the Blanche was Al Capone,” Dennille says. “It’s been said that he would stay here traveling from

Chicago to Miami. And the Governor of Florida at the time, Cone, would also stay here since he was originally from Lake City.”

The Blanche was named after the daughter of Milburn, the lead architect on the job. And Henry W. Otis, the contractor who built the new courthouse was also the contractor for the hotel. Around 1912, according to a historical brochure, the hotel was known for having great accommodations while also maintaining reasonable rates. The brochure compared its rates to other hotels in the area and noted that meals were $2.50 per day, rooms with private baths averaged from $3 to $4 a day and weekly rates averaged from $14 to $22.

In the middle of the 1910s, the hotel’s management and owners were eager to expand on the hotel, especially since the state began to see a surge in the economy and tourist industry.

“Due to the hotel’s success and growth in the city, the original owner chose to expand on the development with additional guest rooms and amenities,” says LaQuinton Nimox, an architect at Dyke Nelson who served as the project architect during the Blanche renovations. “Phase two was completed in 1924 at the southern portion of the property and included an additional 24 guest rooms.

In 1925, Phase three was completed and provided an additional 32 guest rooms between the second and third floors with several retail areas at the ground floor.”

After a successful addition to the hotel, according to the National Register of Historic Places, the owners began to make plans to build the Blanche another three stories high, making it six stories total. Due to the collapse of the Florida Land Boom in 1926, however, those plans fell short and never made it to the final drawing board.

Despite the collapse of the state’s tourism industry during that time, the hotel remained a beacon of light for important social and business affairs throughout the town. Even during the Great Depression, locals continued to frequent the hotel on Sunday afternoons after church, and

IN THE BLANCHE HOTEL

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local organizations, such as Kiwanis and Rotary Club, held their weekly meetings at the Blanche.

Over the years, the Blanche has always had some sort of occupancy, whether it was a local store or service on the bottom or second floor, but the third floor of the building remained untouched for what seems like decades.

THE BLANCHE THAT WE KNOW TODAY Although the Blanche faced empty vacancies and lived through several downturns of the economy, the main structure that stands today is very much the same building that was built back in the early 1900s. However, there were some modifications made over the years.

Over the years, the building has undergone alterations, but it has retained its original location, skeletal building structure, and most of its original interior features such as the grand staircase, the boxed columns, and the coffered ceilings.

According to the National Register of Historic Places, the Blanche saw much of its major interior alterations during the 1920s–30s when the second phase of construction took place throughout the building. Then, more recently, some changes were made to keep up with safety code requirements and to restore the building back to its original form and function.

“There were several key design features that were removed over the years,” LaQuinton says. “Most notably, the roof balustrade and original two-story balcony were both removed in the 1960s. During the 80s, a new three-story elevator was installed at the original hotel to provide accessibility to the upper floors. This non-historic elevator was installed at the original hotel lobby and removed as part of the recent renovations. The property is recognized for having the state’s first commercial elevator and was preserved as part of the renovations.”

The Blanche is one of the most notably designed hotels by Milburn, who went on to have one of the largest architectural businesses in the South at the beginning of the century. The hotel building, to this day, remains an architectural feat and prized historic landmark for Lake City and the surrounding areas.

“This project was a great opportunity to contribute to the local community in the preservation of its history, and the fully renovated Hotel Blanche will add to the thriving downtown scene in Lake City, which has been steadily growing in size and popularity in recent years,” LaQuinton says. “The renovation now houses residences and commercial spaces that maintain the distinctive architectural character of the original building while accommodating the contemporary demands. The final result is an ensemble of old and new structures—an exemplary case-study of new urban renewal and historic renovation while meeting a challenging interior program.”

IDP PROPERTIES:

The Company Behind the Blanche Based out of Valdosta, Georgia, IDP Properties is a full-service real estate development company that offers a variety of services including development, acquisitions, property management, construction management and consulting.

The company has several properties all throughout the southeast and started looking into the Blanche project when the redevelopment opportunity arose back in 2015.

“After meeting with the City of Lake City, we saw there was a desire to bring back redevelopment within the downtown area,” says Rhett Holmes, President of IDP Rhett Holmes Properties. “We felt it was a good, economic development impact on the town, and it wasn’t too far from our office in Valdosta.”

In February 2018, IDP signed a deal and began renovations, restoring the building back to its former glory so that Lake City residents and visitors alike could enjoy the Blanche for special events, visiting local stores, and having both residential and professional office spaces throughout the building.

Due to the difficulties and complexities of restoring a historic building, Rhett explains that the Blanche was definitely one of his passion projects.

Being that the building was over a hundred years old, trying to find the right balance between being financially feasible and adding creativity to it made it a difficult but worthwhile challenge.

“We worked diligently over the past two years to pull it together—both financially and reasonably—and you have to put a lot of creativity into that,” he says. “I think the community is proud of the end result and believes that, both from a visual and economic aspect, it has made an impact in the downtown area.”

The Blanche restoration took roughly two years to complete, and Rhett believes the outcome exceeded expectations and will drive businesses and visitors to Lake City’s downtown area for years to come.

Nicole Scogin, MD Shelley Russell, APRN, CNM Julie Rischar, APRN, CNM Kristen Cook, APRN, CNM Cynthia Vista, APRN, CNM Katie Camargo, APRN, CNM

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The Early Learning Co alition of Florida’s Gateway is a non-profit organization that prov ides Child Care Resource and Refe rral and Early Learning service s (School Readiness and Voluntar y Prekindergarten – VPK) in Columbia, Hamilton, Lafayette, Su wannee and Union Counties.

Concierge Wellness and Aesthetic Center

Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy (PRP) • Non-surgical PRP procedures rejuvenate by promoting tissue growth.

• This effective treatment uses your own platelet rich plasma combined with fillers to improve areas of concern.

• The O-Shot is an effective treatment for stress urinary incontinence and restoring sexual arousal.

• The P-Shot is designed to deliver lasting improvements in sexual performance for men especially those who have lost function due to an enlarged prostate, prostate cancer, the after-effects of surgery, drug side effects and other conditions such as diabetes.

• Reduce wrinkles and restore shape & volume around the mouth, eyes & on the cheeks.

• Minimal downtime, with results typically lasting over a year.

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Procedures® • VAMPIR FAC LIFT • O-SHOT • P-SHOT • VAMPIR FACIAL • VAMPIR BR AST LIFT "We are dedicated to providing private and personalized services with the highest of quality and care. Each treatment is unique and individually customized to your particular needs and expectations."

—Sean Moore

Sean P. Moore

RN AIS BC/Owner Certified PRP/Vampire Procedure Provider

Ask about our products & other services that keep not only your skin healthy, but your body as well.

386.438.8687 | 1086 SW Main Blvd., Suite 103 | Lake City, FL Summer 2020 | 53

s d a e L l o o h c s e r P Boosting Attendance in d n o y e B d n a n e t r a g r to Excellence in Kinde fl w o r r ie d a b o u t

u o r c o r o n a v ir

us?

T H G I F P L HE ILLNESS

As the new school year will begin in August, the Early Learning Coalition of Florida’s Gateway is encouraging parents’ THE OF D A E commitment to attendance. New research SPR shows that if kids miss a lot of preschool, WASH YOUR HANDS OFTE they’re way more likely to have problems N WITH WARM WATER AND SOAP FOR AT LEAST HAND SANITIZER IS GOOD IN A PINC20 SECONDS. in kindergarten or later on. Enrollment H. for young children can be an important KEEP YOUR HANDS AW AY FROM YOUR MOUTH, NOSE OR EYES steppingstone to higher educational TO AVOID TRANSFERRING GERMS. achievement. However, these children cannot CLEAN AND DISINFEC T succeed unless they are present. Attendance FREQUENTLY USED SURFACES LIKE COUNTERS, LIGHT is important for their socioemotional SWITCHES, DOORKNOBS & REMOTES .

COVER YOUR COUGHS development, which includes the child’s & SNEEZES WITH A TISSUE, THEN THROW experience, expression, and management of THE TISSUE AWAY AND WASH YOU R HANDS. emotions and the ability to establish positive IF YOU FEEL SICK, STAY and rewarding relationships with others.

HOME FROM WORK, SCHOOL, OR OTHER ACTIVITIES AND AVOID Children with high preschool attendance had CLOSE CONTACT WITH OTHERS. higher scores on math and letter recognition.

The Early Learning Coalition encourages you to start the new year with a dedication “A child’s early years create to attendance, knowing you have a the foundation for their entire life. superhero in the making!

The importance of early childhood education is imperative for their future development, providing a strong base for a lifetime of learning. Our mission The Early Learning Coalition offers resource is to focus on all areas of a child’s and referral information for providers. The development, working hand in organization does not endorse, license nor hand with our providers.”

Resource and Referral Source

recommend any type of early care and education provider over another.

Parents are encouraged to visit several providers to determine which one best serves the needs of their family. The information reported about a provider’s program is objective and available for each family to view. Call to schedule a visit and to determine which provider is best for your child. Florida’s Office of Early Learning Resource and

Referral Network is 1-866-357-3239.

LASHONE SURRENCY Executive Director of Early Learning Coalition of Florida’s Gateway

Follow the Early Learning Coalition on Facebook for interesting and fun educational posts: Join Miss Katie as she reads excellent books your child will enjoy, learn how to stimulate your child’s imagination, and keep up to date on important childcare information.

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Serving Columbia, Hamilton, Lafayette, Suwannee, and Union Counties

F U N D E D B Y:

www.elcgateway.org

School Readiness (Financial Assistance)  VPK  FREE Child Care Resource and Referral Services  Parent Education  Early Learning Teacher Professional Development  (CEUs Available)  Early Learning Provider Recruitment and Retention 

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Summer 2020 | 55

Tammy Johns Photography

Live Oak Post Office RELOCATES

By Elizabeth McLaughlin

The Live Oak Post Office will be no longer central to downtown, and this many-layered-deep brick structure will be a historic icon of days gone by. “This has been more like a community center— a melting pot.” touts Hilton Blair, Live Oak Postmaster, “This building is built like a fort. It was used as a fallout shelter during WWII.” Much history has passed during its 105 years in downtown Live Oak. Cost of renovations coupled with lack of space make this a necessary move. The new location will be on Highway 129 North, in Live Oak Commons, just on the edge of Live Oak. They will be joining a host of businesses including Gordon Tractor, Ag-Pro, Arise Coffee Bar and Grill, and Across the River Roasters in Live Oak Commons.

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Sometimes we all just need a little help from our friends!

Our mission is to educate and assist pet parents to plan for the future of their pets in the event their pet outlives them.

However, often while carrying out our mission we come across pets whose parents have passed away without a plan for their pet. Without someone to advocate for them these pets are at risk. Whenever possible we take these pets into our “Pay It forward” Adoption Program and provide them with the care they need until their forever home is found. If you’d like to make a difference for a pet in need contact us. Caring volunteers & fosters are always needed! Donations are always appreciated as well.

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WE ARE A REGISTERED NONPROFIT 501(C)(3)

Family Owned & Operated Since 1978 1152 US HWY 90 • LAKE CITY, FL

AMY SPRADLEY

Overstreet

FOR COLUMBIA COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR Amy is an eighth generation Columbia County resident. She married her high school sweetheart, Shane Overstreet. They have two daughters Shayna (Bobby) Williams and Shelby Overstreet. They also have three grandchildren Brinsleigh, Sawyer, and Mason. Her parents are Doyle Spradley and Nealy (O’Neal) Balkcom.

A graduate of Columbia High School, Class of 1992. Soon after graduation Amy received a technical certificate from Suwannee Vo-Tech Institute and became a Certified Nurses Assistant.

She began her nursing career at Lake City Medical Center and was trained as a ward clerk and lastly a Certified Sterilization Technician in

the operating room.

Amy was hired by the former Tax Collector, Mr. H. Ray Walker in 2001. She began as a Deputy Clerk and has trained in each department of the tax collector’s office. Currently in the Finance Department her responsibilities are accounts payable, accounts receivable, distribution of tax certificate funds to certificate holders, distribution of funds to taxing authorities, payroll when needed and answering phone calls.

Amy believes in the importance of conservative budget spending, being attentive to detail with great customer service to the citizens of Columbia County.

WORDS USED BY AMY’S CO-WORKERS TO DESCRIBE HER: KNOWLEDGEABLE, HELPFUL, DEPENDABLE, TRUSTWORTHY, TEAM PLAYER, ENCOURAGER, PROBLEM SOLVER, FRIENDLY & APPROACHABLE “I have known Amy for many years. I have a tremendous respect for her strong community roots, trustworthiness, and commitment to the County. She has worked her way up the ladder and would do a fine job as Columbia County Tax Collector.”

— Dr. Miquel Tepedino, Physician & Governor Board Appointee

“Amy has worked or been trained in just about every area of the entire office. She is very attentive to detail, dedicated to customer service, and conservative in budget spending.”

— Sandy Bristo Snyder, Past Finance Director

386.365.0873 Amy04CCTaxCollector@yahoo.com POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT PAID FOR AND APPROVED BY AMY SPRADLEY OVERSTREET, REPUBLICAN FOR COLUMBIA COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR.

Amyo4cctaxcollector Summer 2020 | 57

How to help your house plants

THRIVE not just survive

By Jeweliana Register Curtis

If you have scrolled through the homepage of Pinterest or checked out the discover page on your Instagram lately, it’s likely you can find beautiful images of perfectly curated homes filled with luscious, vibrant greenery. It’s no secret that millennials love houseplants, but so many others are embracing the plant-parent lifestyle and choosing to fill their homes with stunning fiddle leaf figs, gorgeous monsteras, flowing golden pothos and striking snake plants. These additions can help add a breath of life into your space, purifying the air and even relieving tension and stress; so, it’s a no-brainer that they are happily used in decor styles across the globe.

Now, this is probably the point in the story where you are itching to hop in the car and drive to the closest nursery to create your own plant oasis, but there is something you should know first. Houseplants do require some upkeep… And too often, when your plants are neglected, your situation elevates from plant paradise to plant homicide in a matter of weeks. From wilted, brown leaves to desert-dry soil, the mere sight of a struggling houseplant can immediately incite panic and horror. Sick houseplants occurred way too often in my home… That is until I discovered a few simple secrets that help houseplants thrive, rather than simply survive.

Know yourself—and your home.

Before you decide to head off to your favorite nursery looking for Pinterest-worthy plants, ask yourself a few questions about your lifestyle and your space. Do you have the time to devote to caring for your plants? If you tend to work long hours and not spend much time in your space, it may be a bad idea to grab a plant that needs lots of watering and attention each week. Opt instead for a plant that is more low-maintenance, like a pothos. Next, consider what your home environment has to offer. Do you have a bright, airy space with lots of beautiful natural light? Perhaps your space is a bit darker with less windows. Is your home humid or more dry? These are all questions to ask before purchasing a

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houseplant. Be sure to do your research on great plants for your specific home climate, or ask an expert at your local nursery for their advice before loading up your cart. Start small and work your way up from there.

You’ll be the perfect plant mom or dad in no time!

Treat them like they are your pets.

Keeping plants alive is a lot like taking care of your pets. If you have a sweet fur baby, you may be well acclimated to life with a pet. You know they need to be fed, given proper hydration, and tended to daily.

Much like your animals, plants are living beings that depend on you for care. It is important that you have an intuition on the needs of your plant babies, knowing what signs to look for when they are in need of watering or some extra TLC. Oh, and talking to your plants doesn’t hurt either! Much like your pup or kitten, your plants love to be complimented. Instead of “good boy!” consider something more along the lines of how well they are flourishing or how beautiful their leaves look. It seems silly at first, but talking to your plants when watering them can help remind you that they are living organisms and they need to be cared for and loved!

Learn your plant’s language.

Unfortunately for us, plants can’t speak verbally, but they can show us how they are doing with their own special form of body language. Yellow leaves, wilted petals, or a shriveled up cactus can indicate they need some extra love. It’s basically your plant’s way of saying, “Hey! Pay attention to me!” Did you know that plants often begin growing towards the sun when they

need more sunlight? It’s true! If you find your plant buddy growing sideways, this could be an indication that it needs more sun to thrive. Another great indicator of plant health is the soil. If you notice the soil is bone dry, it’s time for a good watering session.

If the soil is drenched and there is water seeping out of the drainage holes, hold off on watering for a while.

You could be overwatering, causing the roots to rot.

No bueno!

P.S. If you are more of an exact, science-driven kind of person, consider investing in a plant soil meter. This little meter lets you know if your plant is craving more or less sunlight and moisture, and it measures the PH of your plant. Pretty fancy, huh? You may find one at your favorite local plant stop, or you can snag one on Amazon for under $15!

Never give up.

When it comes to taking care of your houseplants, there’s only one true rule: Never give up! After a few failed attempts at keeping greenery alive, it may seem as though you have a brown thumb and you should just give up on your dream of having a home filled with thriving, luscious plants. Do not throw in the towel! There’s always a way to turn even the saddest houseplant into a happy, healthy one. It will just take time. Doing your research on the needs of different plants and taking the time to care for them properly and consistently can make all the difference. Take it from me: A year ago, I couldn’t even keep succulents alive, and today I am working towards my own luscious, plant-filled home. You can do this!

MORGAN LAW CENTER ESTATE, ELDER & LEGACY PLANNING

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Roberta Olguin Getzan, JD Attorney at Law

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Opens Second Location in Live Oak

By Jeweliana Register Curtis

This locally loved and locally owned coffee shop has big plans for the rest of the year, one of which is opening up a second location in Live Oak. Since opening their doors in the Howland Express just a few years ago, owners Will and Haleigh Howland have had big dreams for expansion. In just a few short months, Arise Coffee Bar will be opening up a second location in the Live Oak Commons, known to many locals as the former Pic ‘N Save Plaza. This location will be serving up all the highquality coffee you know and love, but will have more space in order to better serve the growing community.

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In addition to a drive-up service, the shop will also feature a walk-up window and have a dine-in area for guests who wish to stop by and stay awhile. This new building will also come with an expansion of locally sourced food options that compliment your favorite caffeinated beverages. From baked goods to healthy options like salads and wraps, it’s sure to be a gathering place for good conversations and tasty treats!

In addition to the Arise Coffee Bar expansion, the new location will also be home to Across the River Roasters, the Howland’s coffee roasting arm of their business. Across the River Roasters will now have room to expand and grow with its thriving community of devoted coffee drinkers. These fresh, locally roasted coffee beans will be available for sale at the coffee bar, and they are already available for purchase at other local establishments in the area, such as Hoover Family Farms Market and The Hornet Café.

To learn more about this exciting adventure for Arise Coffee Bar, and to find out where you can grab your own cup of Across the River Roasters coffee, follow them on Facebook at @arise386 and @riverroasters386.

Arise Coffee Bar is proud to employ high school students needing to enter the workforce to learn job skills. These skills include time management, food handling, finance and general responsibility. But the other side of the business is ministry related. Their roastery is a point of philanthropy and ministry for the business, as it is where those who are recovering from addiction or another crisis are employed and mentored. Arise Coffee Bar and Across the River Roasters— Making a Positive Impact!

Tammy Johns Photography

Summer 2020 | 61

Samiah Moore, Tosca Moore, Sean Moore & Shelby Wright

Concierge Wellness and Aesthetic Center

HELPING PATIENTS LIVE A HEALTHIER AND HAPPIER LIFE

By Emily Pazel

Nearly a decade ago, Sean and Tosca Moore decided to take their life-long careers in the emergency medical field down a different path – one that would help their patients live a happier, more satisfying life by both looking and feeling their best. This resulted in a Concierge Wellness and Aesthetic Center.

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Holly Frazier Photography

Sean and Tosca, who have been married for 24 years, created a family owned business together in Lake City called Truly You, a full-service Medspa that helps patients rejuvenate and heal their bodies through elective, aesthetic medical procedures. They offer PlateletRich Plasma (PRP) injections, full line of injectables like Botox®, as well as long-lasting dermal fillers. Added to this menu patients can improve their skin

quality with noninvasive treatments like chemical peels, radiofrequency microneedling, and laser hair removal.

“We were both working in the emergency room when we decided we were both ready for a change,” Tosca said. “We were tired of putting a BandAid on people and writing a prescription for a pill – that’s when we decided, let’s start on the other end and make people happy, healthy and beautiful.”

Empty botox bottles are a testament to Truly You’s skill set.

BEAUTY, HEALTH & WELLNESS It’s easy to be fooled by all the usual stereotypes behind aesthetic procedures, but for Tosca and Sean, they own a licensed healthcare clinical

establishment that sees the value in every person that walks through the front door. Some are looking for the classic age-defying, youthful procedures, while others come in with a health-related complication, such as erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence or muscular injury, looking for a more natural approach to healing.

“I will have a client come back annually for the same procedure and it’s truly like turning the clock back in time because each time I see them, they do look younger.”

—Sean Moore, RN AIS BC/Owner

“When someone comes into our office, we address their concerns. They came in for a reason,” Sean said. “I really like to focus on the main concern and then we figure out what the best options are.”

While the more popular services, such as Botox®, bring many patients in through the front door, Sean explained the office provides a vast amount of other services that might be equally beneficial, including various natural

Our Services: • Botox & Injectables • Hydrosculpt & Liposhape • Non-Surgical Face Lift • IPL Laser Hair Removal • Velashape • Permanent Make-Up • Cellulite Reduction • Hydrafacials & Spa Facial Services • Radio Frequency Skin Tightening • Chemical Peels & Acne Treatments • Carboxy Therapy • Hair Restoration • PRP & Stem Cells • Mesotherapy

approaches, and joins, as Tosca Moore, specifically well as improve RN BSN CCRN, CLNC Wellness PRP, Carboxy, blood-flow Coordinator/Owner Ultheraphy, issues for sexual Thermage or restoration.

VelaShape.

“PRP is PRP, Sean an elective explains, is procedure, and considered a all the outcomes regenerative are different,” he medicine. said. “However, Starting back I’ve never had a in the 1980’s zero outcome. in the equine There’s always community, some type of it graduated positive change.” its way up to Truly You’s inventory of aesthetic equipment is impressive. Being human medicine demonstrated is the Alexandrite machine.

Out of over due to its healing 500,000 abilities. The way it works is that after procedures, Sean said there has never your blood is drawn, it’s placed in a been a substantial reported adverse centrifuge where it’s spun a few times, reaction because you are injecting the separating and isolating the platelets same ingredients into your body that from the red blood cells. These activated was initially extracted. platelets are injected into your body “So, that takes away the fear factor tissue and this releases growth factors because we’re not putting anything back that stimulate a healing process in the in that’s foreign,” he said. “We’ve taken body. your blood out, we’ve manipulated it, “Twenty minutes later, you have this we’ve drawn your platelets and plasma fountain of youth in a syringe ready to off of it and then we re-inject you with… do its work anywhere,” Tosca said. you.”

By fooling and manipulating the The Vampire Facelift, which was made platelets, Sean explained that substance famous by popular celebrities such as in the syringe believes there’s been an Kim Kardashian, is the same procedure injury and they will need to release all but is injected directly to your face, their healing elements. And depending resulting in clearer, more rejuvenatedon what the patients needs focusing looking skin. Since it’s considered a on is where the injection takes place on regenerative medicine, the lasting the body and begins its healing process. effects improve with time and there PRP helps accelerate the healing of tends to be no sharp de-escalation after injured tendons, ligaments, muscles the procedure is done.

The FDA-cleared Ultherapy technology stimulates collagen production, which creates a more youthful look overall.

Summer 2020 | 63

“I will have a client come back annually for the same procedure and it’s truly like turning the clock back in time because each time I see them, they do look younger,” Sean said.

Sean explained that he tries to keep all his patients looking very natural, unlike the cartoonish-look that can be easily stereotyped in this kind of business.

Samiah Moore, Facial Specialist, Bridal/Event Make Up Artist, Semi Permanent Make Up Artist

The family business prides itself on the booming success they’ve seen over the years, and Sean and Tosca said they never even saw it coming. They love what they do and are thankful for all their patients.

Working the business as a family Truly You has been in business for nearly 10 years, Tosca explained. She started a medical spa in 2008 and her husband joined the business about five years later.

“When we first started out, we just started as a concierge service, we didn’t even have a brick and mortar,” Tosca said. “We literally did house calls for everything.”

After creating such a high following, Tosca said they needed a storefront to expand their business. And once that

office space was too small, they needed a larger one, which is where they are now, 1086 SW Main Blvd, Lake City, located beside Etheridge Furniture.

“I never expected to do this,” Tosca said. “I always just thought we would remain in the emergency room with trauma medicine,” she said. “But when we started, we didn’t really understand the depth and the breadth of what you could do with regenerative medicine.”

Sean agreed, and said that owning the business together has always been something they both wanted to do.

And even though it comes with its challenges, as with owning any small business, they all work great together as a team.

“We actually really like each other and we are best friends,” Tosca said.

“I think our work relationship here is very symbiotic because even though we have very broad differences in our personalities, in the end it makes us very compatible.”

“All of our children are here,” she said.

“Our son Sean II, is in school to be a nurse and eventually a dermatologist, Samiah Moore, our daughter-in-law is a facial specialist, my daughter, Shelby Wright, is a body sculptor and my other daughter, Chatlie Moore, LPN is a legal nurse Shelby Wright, Body Sculpting and Holistic Nutritionist consultant and she does human resources for us.”

FOLLOW US!

@Truly You Concierge Wellness and Aesthetic Center @Truly You A Full Service Med Spa @TrulyYouMedSpa @TrulyYou @Bodyglow_2020

Tosca and Sean are both Certified Nurse Injectors and look forward to seeing the business continue to grow. To see a full list of services that Truly You provides, please visit their website (trulyyou.business. site/ or Facebook page.

Offering an extensive collection of cutting-edge products for daily skincare regimens

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WE HAVE THE BEST PRICES IN TOWN! ONSITE FORM 4 SERVICES We Do Fingerprints, Photos & Trusts to make your Form 4 Process Smoother!

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STUDENTSpotlight

By Befaithful Coker

“We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.”

VICTORIA ALYSSA COKER

—Franklin D. Roosevelt

Family Magazine proudly showcases involved and active teens, as well as how they are inspiring others.

Enjoy the first of our series!

ETHAN LAMARR PETERSEN Ethan LaMarr Petersen is a ninth grade student and member of the National Honor Society.

Ethan is the third child of Joseph and Heather Petersen. His siblings are April, Chloe, Collin, and David Petersen.

“My favorite subject is history. Mr. Selva uses teaching to make old dusty history come to life.”

Beyond preparing for a possible career in teaching or petroleum engineering, Ethan is found moonlighting a theatrical performance or passing time on a fishing creek. One thing is for sure, after all the holiday fun, he is implementing his favorite quote, which is by Albert Einstein: “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution.”

A young philosopher with a keen outlook, his friends refer to him as the peacemaker offering a solution to world peace as simple as a renewed focus on stronger communities where people live and grow together.

Advice to Parents With Teens: “Don’t try to push yourself on them. Let them come to you when they are ready. Offer to love them and hope in time they will come to appreciate the love you hold for them.”

Club Affiliations: National Honor Society, Archery, and Performing Arts Favorite Movies: Everything action, Marvel, Avatar, and, yes, favorite book The Magic Thief because of the storyline pursuing destiny.

My Unique Quality: My weird personality and my social awkwardness. I don’t always try to fit in or try to be what everyone wants me to be, just myself. I am not afraid of being myself.

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“The world doesn’t seem happy until you share happiness in the world,”

Victoria Alyssa Coker, the daughter of Michael Jarret and Befaithful Coker, has four siblings: Ashley, Meyonne, Andrew, and Michael. She holds leadership positions in National Junior Honor Society, Performing Arts Club, and the Ambassador Leadership Council. Attributing a benefit of membership into Mensa, the oldest high IQ society, of opportunities to think big, it’s no surprise her favorite quote is, “The brain is a muscle, requiring healthy practice and use!”

You can find this eighth grader with friends, blogging, reading about Greek mythology or history, engaged in sports, skateboarding, babysitting, writing, or performing some culture act from around the world. Jocosely, she claims her interesting and unique characteristic is extrovertism which drives the ease she finds making friends.

Victoria draws inspiration from the young actress and singer Zendaya. She enjoys celebrating New Year because it offers new opportunities. Beyond exploring, she practices being a veterinarian, cultivating a special bond with her cat, Midnight.

Advice to Parents With Teens: “Building trusting relationships with parents requires effort and good communication. When everyone listens to each other, understanding in the conversation shows, and you can trust the actions that follow.”

Favorite Vacation Spot: Cayman Islands—for the sightseeing and opportunity to practice my Spanish.

Most Hated Chore: Mopping; we use my grandmother’s secret technique in my house.

Advice on Confidence: Put the moments when you appreciate yourself on instant replay.

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Summer 2020 | 67

Impacts Felt in North Florida

By Emily Pazel

Ashley Jackson and daughter, Aria Rene, take percautions while enjoying a day out and about.

Holly Frazier Photography

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The Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, swept across the county and throughout the world unlike anything we have ever seen before. Its unprecedented appearance, although invisible to anyone that encounters it, made impact on a global level as well as in our own backyards.

What started off as a threat overseas near the beginning of the year quickly became a global pandemic as it spread to major cities throughout the country and eventually made its way into North Florida.

Local businesses, schools, parks, and other amenities throughout the area were forced to close down or limit availability due to national health risks and mandated social distancing guidelines. This in return made the economy take a turn for the worst, forcing many local businesses to close, leaving workers out of a job temporarily or, in some cases, permanently.

COVID-19, an illness caused by a virus that can spread from person to person, impacted millions of lives across the world within a few short months. Social distancing guidelines from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) include staying six feet away from others, disinfecting items you touch frequently, and wearing some form of facial barrier protection while out in public. Although little is still known about the virus and who it affects, older adults and people who have serious underlying medical conditions, according to the CDC, could be at higher risk for more severe illness.

The ripple effect from COVID-19 has been felt in our school system, businesses, and our general way of life. Whether you had to work from home for an extended period of time or your child had to miss his or her graduation, everyone has been affected during this time in one way or another.

Sparking New Business Ventures Amid a Crisis

As many storefront retail businesses, restaurants, hotels, hair and nail salons, and other places of work have faced temporary closures or limited hours and availability, small business owners have worked hard and have been creative to stay open or maintain an existence.

Janet Moses, who owns the Blue Goose Studio in downtown Lake City, said she had to temporarily close the storefront of the shop for about a month, but kept busy doing online sales and home deliveries that came into her shop.

Danny & Tammy Garbett, First “I had a lot of loyal customers Street Music that wanted to support me,” Janet said. “So, we had a ton of sales with online order that came in for support. I also noticed that with no one coming into the store, I could focus more on my artwork, which was very therapeutic.”

As more and more people stayed home during the pandemic, Janet noticed an uptick in people working on home projects and, therefore, had an increased amount of sales in that side of her work.

“Throughout this process, you have to become more creative in how you do business,” she said. “And in doing that, we’ve actually made something we can take with us when we go back to normal operations.”

Janet’s family works the store with her, and although she didn’t have to cut anyone’s pay, she said that her family did take a two-week break to stay home with the kids. The Blue Goose Studio is back open and running normal store operations, and Janet says her loyal customers are what kept her business running amid the pandemic.

Other stores, such as 1st Street Music & Sound Co. in Lake City, also saw an uptick in online sales and utilized that part of their business to its full potential to stay open during the tough times.

“We ended up being one of the only music stores that could sell inventory online and ship in the area,” said Tammy Garbett.

Luckily, the store was never forced to close due to the

telecommunications work they do, but their business did take a hit in the events and festivals department, as well as in the private lessons they provide.

“When it wasn’t busy out front, we were busy in the back doing inventory and repairs,” she said. “I think our events side will be slow to come back due to social distancing regulations, but we’re very thankful that the business wasn’t hit as bad as others.”

Tammy said she never had to furlough or lay off employees at the store, which they were very thankful about. She also said that the store was able to utilize government-assisted programs and tools for small businesses that were helpful to staying open.

Jennifer Williamson, owner of Right Way Automotive and Empire Gold & Pawn in Lake City, has seen a dramatic shift in her businesses, but says she was a little more prepared for it this time because she went through a similar situation back when the economy crashed in 2008.

“We were not mandated to close the car dealership,” she said. “We were able to practice basic social distancing, being respectful of others’ space, and we cleaned a lot. We spent hours cleaning and disinfecting Left to right: Jennifer Williamson and Sandra Robinson from the inside of cars Empire Gold & Pawn with Jennifer’s two twins, Regan and Riley, and Sandra’s son, Jack. and the inside of the building to not only make sure that our customers felt safe, but also to keep our employees safe because that was a big deal to me.”

Although Jennifer’s business was able to stay open amid the pandemic, she said that after about three weeks, Right Way Automotive started to feel the impact of car inventory shortage and customers unable to qualify for financing due to layoff or furlough.

“So, basically, at Right Way, we’re at about 15 percent of our normal sales, and it has all but closed for right now,” she said.

“We’re down to one staff member, where I usually have about four or five.”

Unfortunately, Jennifer did have to temporarily lay off some employees, but they were able to utilize unemployment in lieu of having no income from the dealership. “...As a small business owner, it was very tough for me,” she said. “I was really struggling with it because it made me feel like a failure, not being able to supply my employees with 40 hours of work per week and a full-time paycheck.”

Luckily, with Empire Gold & Pawn, Jennifer said that she’s been able to operate the business as usual with many people still shopping the store, but faces similar problems with Summer 2020 | 69

keeping inventory stocked. She explained that her partner, Sandra Robinson, does a great deal in helping the store stay open.

“I feel like the strength as a small business owner is the fact that you have to be disciplined and the fact that you want your businesses to succeed,” she said. “So, when the government comes in and tells you to operate a certain way, it completely takes away our ability to fight as small business owners.”

The future of Jennifer’s businesses largely depends on the inventory that she can secure for her customers, but she looks forward to everything going back to normal in the near future and encourages everyone to shop local and think about small business owners amid this crisis.

Impacts Felt in the Tourism Industry

Florida is well-known for its thriving tourism industry that brings billions in revenue to the state and its residents every year. But what happens when government mandates halt people from coming into the state for a time? What happens when events are minimized to 30 people per gathering? Or restaurants are forced to curbside-only availability?

“From a tourism perspective, the impact has been pretty traumatic,” said Paula Vann, Executive Director of the Columbia County Tourist Development Council. “We have our attractions closed during the quarantine period, and our hotels were impacted as people were not traveling; overall, our revenue is substantially down—almost 60 to 70 Paula Vann, Executive percent compared to last year.”

Director of Columbia Typically, during the month of County Tourist Development Council March and April, Columbia County sees one of its busiest times of the year due to spring break and spring vacations with hotels running overall occupancy rates on average around 85 percent. This year, however, Paula explained that the county was down around 20 percent during the height of the quarantine period.

“The good news is that things are picking back up,” Paula said. “A few weeks ago, our numbers were up to 40 percent, which is double from the lowest point. So, we are seeing a trend in increase, and people are starting to pick up and travel again.”

Not only did the global pandemic affect hotels in the area, it also affected the area’s state and local parks, restaurants, businesses, gas stations, and the local sports complex, which generates a substantial amount of revenue for the area.

“There’s so many tourist points that people touch while they’re here that, even though it might be brief, it affects our revenue overall for the county here,” Paula said.

Paula explained that things are starting to pick up again at the local sports complex, and her staff is working diligently to keep up with the new social distancing guidelines and cleaning protocols. She also explained that restaurants, hotels, and other amenities in the area are also doing a great job of implementing safety guidelines to ensure that the health of

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customers and staff alike are being taken seriously.

One of the benefits to our local area is that Columbia County is considered an outdoor leisure commodity, Paula explained, which means that people spend more time doing outdoor activities in our area than other places around the state.

“People are wanting to get outdoors now after being cooped up at home for so long,” she said. “So, that’s going to be more of a draw for us and easier for us to promote instead of being in crowded areas; people want to get outside, get fresh air, things like that.”

Although Paula thinks it’s going to take some time before things are back to normal, she is optimistic about the future and thinks people are ready to get out and have experiences again.

“I also want to remind locals that there’s a lot of stuff that you can do around here while not having to travel too far,” she said. “You can go to a park and hike or paddle down the river.

We are fortunate enough to have those opportunities right here in our backyard.”

A Shift in Academic Focus for Students

When the governor of Florida announced that schools would be implementing distance learning to help slow the spread of the pandemic, the local school district went from having an extended spring break to never setting foot physically on school property for the rest of the school year.

“The real impact that it had on us was that this was the new normal,” said Lex Carswell, Superintendent of the Columbia County School District (CCSD). “It was all uncertain, and we’ve never done anything like this before—we had to create an airplane, so to speak, while learning to fly it.”

By implementing the state-mandated distance-learning program, Lex explained, they had to reshape how the students and teachers would end the school year. They quickly held meetings and created a new way of providing curriculum to all students Lex Carswell, across the board by issuing three different Superintendent of phases of distance-learning packets.

Columbia County School The first phase of packets went out the District first week and covered curriculum for two weeks, followed by phase two for the next two weeks and phase three, which covered the rest of the month of May. “Basically, the kids left for spring break and then never physically came back to campus,” Lex said. “So, I think the greatest change for all of our staff and students was more of a socially and emotionally change than academically...A large portion of the day for a student is being with their friends and getting that social, emotional component from being around their peers. And that’s all changed for them recently.”

Lex went on to explain that while they maintained a high academic focus, they switched gears from an assessmenttype model of academics to an enrichment model, meaning the governor waived all the end-of-course exams and testing from the state for the year, and, instead, the district focused on encouraging students to become better learners and focused on the curriculum provided by the teachers.

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Dianna Swisher, CCSD District Volunteer/Education Marketing Coordinator, said that one of the things every teacher was instructed to do was to have communication with their students and parents via Zoom meetings and conversations.

“By having the weekly Zoom meetings, teachers were able to engage with students and their parents, which really helped with the communication and making sure that every child has been checked on and seen,” she said. “It was really important to the district to make sure that there wasn’t a single student forgotten in the process.”

Dianna also explained how the school district implemented a “meals on wheels” program, where they delivered both breakfast and lunch out to several sites for students that needed it during these tough times. They had six locations around the area where parents and students could come get meals.

“Every single teacher, every single Dianna Swisher, CCSD principal, every single bus driver, food District Volunteer/ Education Marketing service worker, and I could go on down the list, has stepped up to the plate,” Lex said.

Coordinator “And it’s just really neat to see the things that they’re doing to make sure that kids and our students have what they need to survive. We live in a good community.”

As the state begins to reopen back to normal life, Lex has high hopes for starting a normal school year come August 10, but the district appointed a re-opening task force to have a back-up plan just in case. The task force, led by Hope Jernigan, CCSD Assistant Superintendent, includes board members, teachers, and administrators who will determine if special instructions for the new school year will need to be implemented for the students’ health and safety.

Emily Pazel

Photo by Nicole Piper

When my husband and I found out we were having our first baby over eight months ago, I never would have guessed that we would be giving birth during the height of a global pandemic. And it’s something that I wouldn’t wish on anyone to experience.

As the virus started to spread throughout the country, my biggest fears set in: Would my husband be by my side in the delivery room? Would I be separated from my child if I tested positive for the virus? Will the virus harm my baby? Would my parents miss the opportunity to visit with their second grandchild for a while?

Thankfully, my husband will be in the delivery room, I won’t be separated from our child, the virus doesn’t seem to affect babies as much as we think, and my parents will be able to see their grandchild outside of the hospital.

My journey into pregnancy started off rocky, and for global pandemic reasons, it would now be tougher to get through to the end. Social distancing guidelines forced my doctors to see me less, and my husband wasn’t allowed to attend any visits near the end of my pregnancy, including ultrasound appointments where we could see glimpses of our perfect little girl.

During a time when you need friends and family the most, I sometimes felt isolated and alone. A few special things, however, made things a little brighter. My first baby shower was canceled, and instead, my family threw me a virtual baby shower through a real-time online video platform. And although a video chat can’t take the place of warm hugs and physically being in a room all together, it was a burst of sunshine seeing family and friends from all across the country.

Our little girl, Jocelyn, is due near the end of June, and she’s coming into a world like nothing we’ve ever seen before. Life is much different than it was eight and a half months ago. But at the end of the day, I feel very blessed with a healthy pregnancy and know that things are only going to get better from here. To all the other expecting mothers out there, I encourage you to see the positives during these tough times and know that you are not alone.

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By Jeweliana Register Curtis Holly Frazier Photography

Catholic Charities has numerous remarkable programs providing assistance to families in need, and thus far, the year 2020 has once again proven the intrinsic value of Catholic Charities.

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Catholic Charities Lake City Regional Office has been a pillar in our community for years (founded from the Diocese of St. Augustine), but often goes unnoticed for the amazing work they do by transforming lives and making a difference. In 2019, Catholic Charities provided over $728,000 in assistance to families in need in the five counties served: Columbia, Suwannee, Hamilton, Lafayette and Union. The organization strives to put faith into action, serving the most vulnerable in our communities and advocating for justice, human dignity and quality of life. While Catholic Charities does have faithbased roots, you do not need to be Catholic, or of any specific faith, to receive assistance or to volunteer.

“Many people has a misconception that you must be Catholic to receive help, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

We are the social arm of the Catholic Church, and our focus is to take care of the poor,” Suzanne Edwards, Catholic Charities Regional Director, explains. “ Our agency, amongst other forms of support, does receive public funding. We are unable to pray or preach when we serve, but we believe the love of Christ shines through us in ministry.”

“We’re here to serve people. We can reach people in all facets of life. We treat everyone with dignity and respect.” Suzanne

expresses, “We meet you where you are and, within our scope of services, fill your immediate need.”

Since its founding, Catholic Charities has been reaching out to meet the needs of those in our community through a variety of programs such as Mobile Rural Outreach, Tough Enough to Wear Pink, the Florida Gateway Food Bank, disaster response assistance and others. Whether it is providing emergency assistance in the form of rent and utilities, nutrition through the food bank, or the act of providing funds for those families battling cancer, our local Catholic Charities organization is always there to lend a hand. Also of great importance is the fact Catholic Charities works as a trusted agency to United Way of Suwannee Valley, Tough Enough to Wear Pink, and other sources of funding to administer funds.

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“When you see a senior citizen that says ‘I haven’t had a beefsteak tomato in three months because I can’t afford it, as tears fill her eyes It s ust indescribable.

And the children ids so e cited to delve into the fresh fruit. It s those moments that we take for granted each and every day, and it really enforces why we do what we do here at Catholic Charities.”

—Suzanne Edwards

Ronny Busscher Truck Driver

Regional Director

In 2002 the United Way of Suwannee Valley determined this area of North Florida had an unmet need: a problem with food insecurity.

They contacted Catholic Charities, and out of this meeting was born a mighty program, the Florida Gateway Food Bank. Founded in 2003, this is one of the hidden gems of the North Florida area in service to its people.

Tim Zirnheld Truck Driver

pick up items from these locations and bring them to the Catholic Charities headquarters where it is weighed, sorted for integrity and then distributed to families in need by food pantries and agency partners across the counties. Not only does this help bridge the gap of food insecurity in our communities, but it also helps with food rescue. Prior to, there was no system for stores to donate their short-dated items.

“Food insecurity means that today someone doesn’t know where their lunch or dinner will be coming from. That person could be your grandmother, your next door neighbor, a child in your classroom,” Suzanne explains. “Hunger knows no faces. People you pass every day on the street face hunger.

Some of our seniors will go without food. They buy medicine and pay bills, but they won’t have anything to eat.”

Did you know that 1 in 6 people struggle with food insecurity each day? Whether it’s an issue of a lack of funds altogether or a family being unable to make ends meet, people in our community deal with hunger each and every day. Luckily, Catholic Charities is determined to help close the gap and reduce food insecurity, one meal at a time.

So, how does it work? The Florida Gateway Food Bank is a Partner Distributor of Feeding America, meaning our local food bank has access to all of Feeding America’s big box stores and national partners, which include Publix, Walmart, Olive Garden, Longhorn, Panera, Winn Dixie, Aldi, Harveys, U.S. Cold Storage, and Target Distribution. Each day, before the sun rises, the Florida Gateway Food Bank truck drivers Jaye Smith Office Supervisor

Alicia Horne Emergency Services Case Manager

Connect With Catholic Charities on Facebook.

Each week, Catholic Charities posts important information and announcements, as well as Florida Gateway Food Bank information.

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Our backyard is your backyard.

feeding the future™ Summer 2020 | 77

2014 Columbia County Information Guide | 21

“Diocesan leadership is very proud of the work staff of the CCB Lake City office does each and every day, reaching out to individuals and families in need with respect, compassion and true commitment. When people come for help in their darkest moments and leave lifted up, this is what transforming lives is about.”

—Anita A. Hassell

Monica Delgado Volunteer Coordinator

Diocesan Director, Catholic Charities Bureau, Inc.

This dynamic program bridges the gap and meets vital needs in people’s lives. Catholic Charities also works in concert with the Department of Agriculture (USDA), Feeding Florida and Feeding America to undergird the Florida Gateway Food Bank.

Catholic Charities is proud of their high rate of return to the community on dollars donated: 98.4 percent of every dollar goes back into community programs.

This is possible through the efforts of a team working together—employees and volunteers—as a well-oiled machine.

David Boozer Food Bank Manager

Feed-A-Family Mobile Outreach Program Catholic Charities of Lake City serves four counties in North Florida, and none of these areas have public transportation. Catholic Charities’ refrigerated trucks are driven to rural areas where people have no ability to get to the food pantry. Canned food, fresh produce, dairy, meats, bread, and pastries are transported to those in need.

“All the employees wear multiple hats and without a grumble. Through it all, rain or shine, we are here to serve. I am so proud to serve beside this awesome team,” shares Suzanne. “Our volunteers reflect compassion, unselfish caring, patience and just plain loving one another. Catholic Charities volunteers are the epitome of a heart full of grace.”

Catholic Charities Lake City Regional Division has a commitment and passion to make North Florida a better place. And you know what? They are winning!

Quick Facts: Catholic Charities make

a huge impact in our community, but they could not do it without the faithful employees and volunteers who give their time to help those less fortunate.

These 2019 statistics showcase the value that Catholic Charities brings to our communities.

Catholic Charities Has: • Provided $728,000 in assistance to individuals and families.

• Logged 17,529 volunteer hours.

• Utilized 147 dedicated volunteers.

• Maintained 7 employees.

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“Each day, surprises of unconditional gift givers call with a gift from their heart.”

—Suzanne Edwards Regional Director

COVID-19 Relief Efforts Are Spot On

Catholic Charities is known for providing disaster relief to families and individuals who are affected by tragedy, but the global pandemic of COVID-19 was uncharted territory.

Though the organization is accustomed to providing aid during hurricanes, tropical storms and the like here in North Florida, COVID-19 proved to be a different kind of disaster for families who were out of work and children who were out of school. Catholic Charities jumped into action immediately and began the process of assisting these families with utility bills, mortgage costs, food and other necessary items. From March 15 to June 15, the Florida Gateway Food Bank distributed over 950,000 pounds of food to the five surrounding counties, providing over 790,000 meals to families in need.

With the help of donations by business and community members, Catholic Charities has invested over $64,000 back into the community in the form of rent and utility checks in four months. This amazing feat not only helps to keep families in their homes, but it also helps those struggling to not have debt moving forward. After all, paying three months of these expenses with job layoffs would be nearly impossible for most families!

“People have been very faithful in giving. We have several sweet stories of when the stimulus checks arrived. There was a husband and wife, a widow and an individual who gave their entire stimulus checks to us. They all stated ‘there’s people in worse shape than me’ and asked us to pay it forward to those who were struggling because of COVID,” Suzanne expresses. “To me, that’s unconditional gift giving and that is truly sharing the love of Christ.”

Our Volunteers are priceless, together we do so much.

Barbara Lake & Chato De Leon helping sort food pantry donations.

Services Include: Rental Assistance, Utilities Assistance, Case Management, Disaster Relief, Food Pantry, Community Outreach Services, Financial Assistance for Current Cancer Patients, Food Bank and Holiday Projects.

HOW TO

Wondering how you can support Catholic Charities and their mission to help meet the needs of our community?

Whether you want to make a financial contribution, learn more about a program or get involved as a volunteer, call or visit: Catholic Charities 553 NW Railroad Street, Lake City, FL 386-754-9180 www.CatholicCharitiesLakeCity.org

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Summer Recipes FRESH AND EASY

When the sun’s out, these delicious mains, sides and treats are easy and super chill.

Don’t worry—you’ll have plenty of time to relax! Thank you, Taste of Home, for these excellent ideas.

INGREDIENTS: Pastry for single-crust pie 1-3/4 pounds mixed tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch slices, seeded 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

PHOTOS AND RECIPES COURTESY OF

2 tbsp minced fresh basil 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp pepper 2 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. On lightly floured surface, roll dough into 1/8-inch-thick circle; transfer to a 9-inch pie plate. Trim crust to 1/2 inch beyond rim of plate. Place half of the tomatoes and half of the onions in crust.

Combine mayonnaise, cheddar cheese, basil, salt and pepper; spread over tomatoes. Top with remaining onions and tomatoes. Fold crust edge over filling, pleating as you go and leaving an 8-inch opening in the center. Sprinkle with bacon and Parmesan cheese. Bake on lower oven rack until crust is golden and filling is bubbly, 30-35 minutes. Transfer pie to a wire rack to cool. Use a store pastry for crust.

Grilled Chicken Ramen Salad

INGREDIENTS: 2 tbsp canola oil 2 packages ramen noodles, crumbled 2/3 cup canola oil 2 tsp sesame oil 1/3 cup seasoned rice vinegar 1 tbsp sugar 2 tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce 1-1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast

1/2 tsp pepper & 1/4 tsp salt 1 package (14 ounces) coleslaw mix 1/2 cup minced fresh cilantro 3 cups fresh snow peas, thinly sliced lengthwise 2 cups shredded carrots 4 cups torn mixed salad greens 3 thinly sliced green onions 1/3 cup crumbled bacon, optional

DIRECTIONS: In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium-low heat. Add ramen noodles; cook and stir until toasted, 5-8 minutes. Remove from pan; set aside.

In small bowl, whisk oils, sugar, vinegar, and soy sauce until blended; set aside.

Sprinkle chicken with pepper and salt. Place chicken on a lightly oiled grill rack.

Grill, covered, over medium heat for 8-10 minutes on each side. Cool slightly and chop into 1/2-inch pieces. In a large bowl, combine coleslaw mix and cilantro.

Layer coleslaw mixture, peas, chicken, carrots, salad greens, noodles and green onions in a 8- to 10-quart dish. Sprinkle with bacon; serve with vinaigrette.

California Roll Wraps

INGREDIENTS: 1/2 cup wasabi mayonnaise 6 whole-wheat tortillas (8 inches) 2 packages (8 ounces each) imitation crabmeat 1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and thinly sliced

1-1/2 cups julienned peeled jicama 1 medium sweet red pepper, julienned 1 small cucumber, seeded and julienned 3/4 cup bean sprouts

DIRECTIONS: Divide the wasabi mayonnaise evenly among the 6 tortillas and spread to within 1/2 inch of edges. Layer with crabmeat, avocado, jicama, red peppers, cucumber and bean sprouts. Roll up tightly.

TEST KITCHEN TIPS: If you can’t find wasabi mayo, or don’t like the spicy kick, use regular mayo instead. This sandwich lends itself to many flavor options. Toss in your favorite raw veggies, substitute smoked salmon or tuna for the crab and use half a pita instead of tortilla. Toss avocado slices with a splash of lemon juice to keep them from turning brown.

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MARGARITA FLOATS

On a hot afternoon, what could be better than a cold margarita float? The addition of creamy ice cream really takes this treat to the next level.

INGREDIENTS: Lime wedges Sugar 2 cups vanilla ice cream 2 cups lime sherbet

6 cups lemon-lime soda, chilled 3/4 cup lime juice 9 ounces silver tequila

DIRECTIONS: Using lime wedges, moisten the rims of 6 margarita or cocktail glasses. Set aside lime wedges for garnish. Sprinkle sugar on a plate; hold each glass upside down and dip rim into sugar. Set aside. Discard remaining sugar on plate. Scoop ice cream and sherbet into prepared glasses. Combine soda, lime juice and tequila; pour into glasses. Garnish with reserved lime wedges. Serve immediately.

WATERMELON SHERBET

Our tri-county area has been harvesting watermelons for generations. Make this with the kids for fun interaction and then enjoy!

INGREDIENTS: 8 cups seeded chopped watermelon 1-1/2 cups sugar 1/2 cup lemon juice

2 envelopes unflavored gelatin 1/2 cup cold water 2 cups whole milk

DIRECTIONS: In a large bowl, combine watermelon, sugar and lemon juice. Chill for 30 minutes; place half in a blender. Blend until smooth; pour into a large bowl.

Repeat with the other half; set aside. In a saucepan, cook and stir gelatin and water over low heat until gelatin dissolves. Add to watermelon mixture; mix well.

Stir in the milk until well blended. Freeze in an ice cream freezer according to the manufacturer’s directions.

Serve immediately or freeze and allow to thaw about 20 minutes before serving.