Winter 2019-20
3
Content Winter 2019-20
06
Apropos of Nothing | Jamie Beckett Friendships are a gift. Even when that friend believes the Earth is flat and the moon landing was a hoax.
07
Crossword Theme: Mind Your Grammar. Answer key on page 13.
08
Indigo Moon | Donna Kelly A “hippy-bohemian” shop in Bartow offers locally-made artsy gifts, special classes, and alternative services.
10
08
Cover: Cow Camp | James Coulter Step back into time at Lake Kissimmee State Park’s Cow Camp and see life through the eyes of a cracker cow hunter.
16
Save the Date: Saturday, April 18, 2020 The Local 863 Art Fest will happen in downtown Winter Haven on April 18, 2020. Come to shop, eat, and enjoy the day.
16
10
4
The 863 Magazine
Editor | Publisher Note
W
hile neither one of us were born (nor raised) in Florida, we appreciate its history. La Florida was the first land stepped foot upon by the Europeans, and it was one of the last to be developed—largely due to the oppressive humidity and rampant mosquito population. Now it’s a joke that Florida isn’t officially a “southern” state because its population is so diverse with non-native Floridians. In fact, we’ve found it’s rare to find someone actually born and raised here. That said, it’s especially important to keep Florida’s history preserved so that all of us non-natives (and natives alike) who call the Sunshine State home know its rich history. Kissimmee State Park’s Cow Camp is a step back in time with a Florida cracker
cow hunter. It’s a living history reenactment where a knowledgeable actor recounts the days of what herding cattle was really like back in the day. A short drive from civilization, it’s something to experience and worth an afternoon away from modern day conveniences to marvel at how it must have been for those cracker cow hunters more than a century ago. Turn to page 10 to get started down that path of old… If you like different and local, then you’ll like Indigo Moon, a gift shop in Bartow that features arts, crafts, and wares from local sellers—all in one place. With a “hippy-bohemian” vibe, there is plenty of creativity to see and appreciate in pretty much every part of the shop. Indigo Moon also has classes and services that are for those who like a little something diverse—turn to
page 8 to read more about it. Speaking of diverse and different, the 6th Annual 863 Local Art Fest now has a slightly new name and a new logo. It’ll continue to feature local artists but will also allow artists who aren’t just from Central Florida—as well as crafters. Now accepting vendors and sponsors. Save the date: April 18, 2020. Page 16 has more information. See you in 2020, 863’ers!
Sergio & Andrea Cruz Publisher | Editor
Publisher & Ad Sales Sergio Cruz | sergio@polkmedia.com
Contributors
Editor Art Director
Jamie Beckett James Coulter Andrea Cruz Donna Kelly Steve Steiner
Alejandro F. Cruz | alejandrocruz.com
On the Cover
Cover Designer
Kissimmee State Park’s “Cow Camp” is not too far from Polk County and makes for a good afternoon or even a whole day out. A knowledgeable actor plays the part of a Florida cracker cow hunter and gives visitors a sense of what that kind of life might have been like. Turn to page 10 for that story.
Andrea Cruz | andrea@polkmedia.com
Deborah Coker
Publisher | Editor Photo Occasionally we give need to allow ourselves to have a little fun because adulting 24/7 can be tiresome. In this photo, Sergio and Andrea are dressed up for a “steampunk” themed wedding—all the guests were asked to dress in this style. And when you truly love the people getting married, you put on silly hats, ill-fitting clothing and shoes that you’ll likely never wear again.
The 863 Magazine is a product of Polk Media, Inc., a woman- and minority-owned business. For more info visit us online: PolkMedia.com or The863Magazine.com.
Visit us online at The863Magazine.com, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
6
The 863 Magazine
Apropos of Nothing By Jamie Beckett
Friendship is like a marriage without the official papers. And the IQ level of your friends doesn’t have to be a factor in that friendship.
F
riendship, in my opinion, is one of the great gifts in this life. It doesn’t come without challenges, though. Friendship isn’t easy. It takes persistence, a willingness to turn the other cheek, and sometimes you just have to shut your mouth and let the chips fall. My friendship with Craig is a good example. We’ve been friends for more than 40 years. We met in college, back when I was an undergraduate at Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania. Craig was a cashier at a convenience store near my dorm. I was a student who, as a joke, applied to Bryn Mawr, an all-women’s college. Through a series of accidents and misunderstandings that were common in the pre-Internet world, my androgynous first name combined with the prevalent hairstyles of the last 1970s allowed me to make the cut. I was thoroughly entertained when an acceptance letter showed up in my parents’ mailbox. What a hoot. I was considerably less entertained when no additional letters of acceptance followed. None. Not even Grambling State, where fewer than four in 10 students graduate. Not all jokes land the way you intend them to. My college roommates can attest to that. Naomi and Shanice were and still are two rabid-male feminists who never did find their indoor voices. But college wasn’t all bad. After a raucous road trip to Louisiana during Spring Break of my junior year, I participated in crocheting a massive anti-Vietnam War banner that was hung across the entrance to Grambling. That ought to show them up for rejecting me. The war had ended six years earlier, but Grambling being what it is, none of the students or
faculty were apparently aware of that detail. You live, you learn. That’s the way it goes. Anyway, back to my friendship with Craig. He is, was, and will continue to be, a complete idiot. That’s not an insult. It’s a simple, basic truth. But his idiocy doesn’t have any effect on our close and long-lasting friendship. If you want someone to help you move a couch, Craig is your guy. He’s even got a pickup truck that he’ll throw in on the deal for no extra cost. He’s got a heart of gold, but he’s also one of the dumbest dudes I’ve ever met. Craig is a flat-earther. He believes the entire world is as flat as a pancake, positioned under a dome made of some unspecified material, and that Antarctica is an insurmountable barrier of ice, something like the Wall in Game of Thrones. Except the Wall in Game of Thrones has a gate that leads to the other side. Craig hasn’t quite reasoned that out yet. There’s something on the other side of every barrier. That’s true, whether it’s a glass door at the local 7-Eleven or the Himalayas. There’s something on the other side. Always. He’s also a staunch believer in chemtrails, the theory that says jet airplanes are spewing out toxic chemicals and weapons of biological warfare as they pass over our heads. This is all planned, of course, by a very nonspecific, “they.” Just as his belief that the moon landings never happened, because as Craig explains it, “There is no outer space, man. There’s just this. Earth. A big, flat green disc floating in a sea of nothingness.”
Okay. I’m not sure how to argue with him about something that stupid and obviously wrong. Thankfully, I’ve learned that I don’t have to. There’s no point. We’re friends, not scientists searching for the true nature of black holes or quarks. We’re not trying to find the elusive Unified Theory that Einstein was stymied by. We’re not even debating whether electricity flows from positive to negative or negative to positive. Who cares! We just watch football together, turn wrenches on each other’s cars, and occasionally light up the grill and throw a big hunk of meat over the flames. We’re friends, for goodness sake. It doesn’t matter that Craig is dumber than a guinea pig. He’s a good guy, his galactic stupidity notwithstanding. We don’t have to fuss and fight and squabble over every little detail of fact, or science, or politics. That’s not what our relationship is based on. It’s based on trust, and mutual respect, and an expectation that we’ll each always be there for the other. Friendship is sort of like a marriage when you get right down to it. Except you don’t have to get a divorce to get away from your friends. You just move away and never talk to them again. Kind of like my relationship with Naomi and Shanice, who I shared that dorm room with. I still have nightmares, sometimes.
Jamie Beckett appears to be an average, everyday guy who just happens to hail from Arizona, Connecticut, New York City, and Central Florida. He wears many hats — pilot, mechanic, writer, politician, musician, stayat-home dad — often an odd combination of all those things. Frankly, we don’t care. At The 863 Magazine we just keep him around because we think he’s funny. That’s that. Read all of his musings at The863Magazine.com.
Winter 2019-20
7
57. *Person or thing 61. Tactile reading system 65. Earlier in time 66. Color quality 68. Lusitania destroyer 69. Askew, in Scotland 70. *Suffix used when comparing 3 or more 71. Kick in 72. Rod attachment 73. Pep rally syllable 74. Author Jong
Theme: Mind Your Grammar ACROSS 1. Red ____ 6. Trigonometric func. 9. Presidential “No!” 13. From this time 14. “General Hospital” network 15. Earth, to Virgil 16. Related to #12 Down 17. Junior’s junior 18. Lingo 19. *Noun alternative 21. *Conjunctions 23. Bit of work 24. Sty cry
25. Pendulum’s path 28. Liberal pursuits 30. Romani camp formations 35. Not in Impossible Burger 37. Letter before kappa 39. First light of day 40. Without purpose 41. *Ideas separator 43. Part of colliery 44. Gourd musical instrument 46. Flees 47. Flat-bottomed boat 48. *Controversial comma 50. Its motto is “Leadership Excellence” 52. Lt.’s subordinate 53. Barnes & Noble reader 55. Hermey the dentist, e.g.
1. Bruce Lee blow 2. Infantry’s last rows 3. Knowing about 4. Part of a play 5. Mrs, in Spain 6. Jealous biblical brother 7. Kimono tie 8. “The Terminator” genre 9. *Simple predicate 10. Therefore 11. Helen of ____ 12. Mares eat it 15. Tibetan religious paintings 20. Finno-____ language 22. *Suffix often confused with -ent 24. Former East Germany currency 25. Friend, south of the border 26. Updike’s “Rabbit ____” 27. Shorter than California 29. Saw or awl 31. Beach do-nothings 32. In the cooler 33. *Like sentence without proper punctuation 34. Gushes 36. Pro’s opposite 38. BB’s and bullets 42. Daisy-like bloom 45. Crotchety 49. Word processing product, for short 51. *Smallest grammatical unit 54. Not the same one 56. Dietary essential 57. Ring practice 58. Encourage 59. Digestive aid 60. “Piano Man” singer 61. Eliza follower 62. “Laughing on the inside” in text 63. Flock member 64. Highest volcano in Europe 67. Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the ____”
Solution on page 13.
DOWN
8
The 863 Magazine
Bartow’s Indigo Moon Something Special Inside
A “hippy-bohemian” shop in Bartow offers locally-made arts and crafts for that one-of-a-kind gift—as well as special classes and services. By Donna Kelly | Photos by Andrea Cruz
W
ith many folks using online shopping to avoid big box stores, Indigo Moon in Bartow gives customers a reason to leave their homes to find something locally made and truly special.
Nestled among shops, restaurants and offices on Bartow’s bustling Main Street, Indigo Moon invites customers inside with bright purple, green, and orange walls and a calm, cheerful atmosphere. One wall is filled with shelves of books written by local authors and the opposite side holds diverse artwork from local artists. In between, displays hold treasures as varied as handcrafted jewelry, clothing, wallets and purses, puzzles, paint-by-number kits, and coasters. Why handmade items? “I just like different,” says owner Deanine Mulpagano, who opened the store with her husband Mark in August 2017. “I’m always looking for new.”
Aromatherapy bracelets and essential oils are just a couple of the many items for sale at Indigo Moon in Bartow. Photo by Andrea Cruz.
Winter 2019-20
9
This is exactly why Bartow resident Sharon Casey has been a dedicated customer since the store opened. She describes Indigo Moon as an “artsy fartsy” store,” a phrase she says with a chuckle. “I mostly go in to browse,” says Casey. “I go when I want to buy a gift that isn’t going to cost me a fortune, but it’s going to be nice.” Some of her favorite purchases include bracelets, candles, and customized coasters. “They’re homemade. They’re all artisans who crafted these things with their own two hands,” says Casey. “I appreciate that.” Artisans say Indigo Moon is a fun, no-hassle place to sell their creations. For Carmen Gobble, a middle school language arts teacher who creates paper crafts such as cards, notepads, and albums, the shop is a welcome alternative to outdoor craft fairs and art shows where she must battle wind, rain, and humidity as a vendor. “Mark and Deanine are wonderful to work with. They encourage my creative side and are open to new ideas and products,” says Gobble, whose work also includes dioramas fashioned by using paper cutting techniques. “The shop is in a fantastic location in an area of Bartow that is growing with the addition of many locally owned small businesses.” Artist Trish Pfeiffer, who sits on the Bartow City Commission, also enjoys selling her artwork at Indigo Moon. Having sold out of her graphic monogram wall pieces, Pfeiffer is currently developing a new line which she describes as being totally different from the mixed media pieces for which she’s best known. Her Rescue Kitty Cat Line, which features images of rescue cats, is a labor of love for Pfeiffer. “They are all photos that I took and then created graphic compositions. They can be printed on paper/cards, canvas, or vinyl,” says Pfeiffer, who constantly adds to the collection. She’s been selling her art through Indigo Moon for two years. “I decided to sell in their store because I liked their location and their vibe, and they’re delightful,” says Pfeiffer. “So, it was an easy decision and it gave my work some exposure and opportunity for sales.” As customers progress to the back of the store, the merchandise takes on a focused healing quality. Some of her most popular items, says Mulpagano, include incense and oils, aromatherapy bracelets, and crystals. Continued on page 15
Indigo Moon owner, Deanine Mulpagano, stands in front of an angel wing mural. Mulpagano says her shop has a “hippy-bohemian” theme. Photo by Andrea Cruz.
10
The 863 Magazine
Cow Camp
The Life Of A Cracker Cow Hunter
Story and photos by James Coulter
Step back in time to 19th Century Florida and experience the life of a Cracker Cow Hunter...
Winter 2019-20
T
ime traveling from the 21st century and back into the 19th century is closer than you think—roughly an hours drive or so, depending where you are in Polk County. It’s called Cow Camp and it’s a step back in time to a simpler, yet harder life. Located off State Road 60, 15 miles east of Lake Wales, is Lake Kissimmee State Park. Ride three miles into the park and you’ll see a sign that reads “Cow Camp.” Turn down that dirt road and you’ll reach a forest clearing with a wooden gateway. Passing through that gate by foot is when you’ll magically step back into the 19th century.
Less than a minute’s walk along that rugged forest trail will take you upon another sign. It informs you that you have stepped into another time. The year is 1876. You’re now in the middle of untamed Florida wilderness. “This is a frontier region of Florida, remote from towns, railroads, or any of the comforts of civilization,” the sign reads. Eventually, after a few more minutes of meandering through the silent forest, occasionally interrupted by the sound of your own footsteps and the rustling of the trees within the breeze, you come across an encampment within an oak hammock. There you hear the lowing of cattle, the crackling of a campfire, and perhaps even
the cracking of a whip. You come across a chickee hut with a wooden floor and a cabbage palm leaf roof. A grizzled old man dressed in weathered leather clothes steps out from the makeshift shelter steps. Outside of the camp, he is a forest ranger named Mark Korushak—but in this camp, he’s a cow hunter who goes by the name of Grazer. Grazer is a cow hunter. He works for one of 32 major cattle owners in Florida. Most Left: Forest ranger Mark Korushak plays the role of cracker cow hunter “Grazer” in Lake Kissimmee State Park’s Cow Camp. Above: A sign welcomes visitors to Cow Camp. Photos by James Coulter.
11
of the cattle in the Kissimmee Valley is owned by Jacob Summerlin, known as the “Cracker King of Florida.” Grazer looks after his cattle for a dollar a day. That may be meager pay today, but back then, they were really good wages—equal to nearly $100 a day in today’s money! His job is simple: watch over the cows to make sure nobody steals or messes with them. As Florida is an open-range state, all he needs to do is open the gates to let them loose and graze. Afterward, he rustles them back into their pen for the evening. Most cow hunters like him learn at the young age of 6 or 7 when they’re old
enough to pop a whip. At age 12 or 13, they’re old enough to go on their first cattle drive. Grazer has been on plenty of drives in the past. Now that he is much older, he prefers the quieter life of watching the cows in the pasture. He resides within a makeshift hut called a chickee. The roof is made of nearly 2,000 cabbage palm leaves. They can last for a good three to five years before being patched again. The hut has no walls. This makes it easier for him to keep an eye on the cattle. It also allows for an open breeze to pass through. Continued on page 12
12
The 863 Magazine
Cow Camp, from page 11
“It is cooler in there than out here in the summertime,” Grazer says. The only downside to his open shelter are the mosquitos. They can get pretty bad during the summer. Fortunately, the smoke from his campfire helps keep them away. If they become especially bothersome, he finds himself a cow patty and tosses it on the fire. It may smell bad, but the mosquitos hate the smell even more so. “You put two to three cow patties on the fire, then no mosquitos are going to bother me none,” he says. Grazer cooks all of his food on an open campfire. His boss supplies him with most of his rations: beans, rice, grits, and coffee—the latter of which he drinks a lot of. Sometimes, while on the trail, he’ll hunt for a boar or deer. He has to eat what he catches. The meat only lasts a day or two out in the elements otherwise. Rarely does he need to ride into town. The closest city is Bartow. Lake Wales won’t be founded for another 35 years. When he does visit, he leaves on his Cracker pony first thing in the morning and arrives in town come sundown. There he visits the saloon for a few drinks before finding a room at the inn and heading back to camp in the morning. Living far from civilization cuts him off from news of the outside world. The most he knows is that the president is Ulysses S. Grant—or as he calls him, “Useless Grant.” Why does he call him “Useless”? “He is a politician,” he replies. “That ought to do it right there. Can’t trust those politicians…Maybe one of these days, things will change.” His biggest challenges are wolves and rattlesnakes. If a wolf goes after a sick, old cow, that’s not too big of a problem. An entire pack of wolves attacking 25 to 30 head of cattle? That’s a bigger problem. Fortunately, his cows will alert him if anything is in the area. He’ll grab his gun and see what the matter is. Though he needs to use his gun sparingly. Black powder is expensive and hard to come by. Otherwise, Grazer prefers the solitude of living and working in the middle of nowhere. He much prefers it to the hustle and bustle of the town. Sometimes he happens across a passing stranger from another time curious about his work, and he’s more than happy to answer their questions. The Cow Camp is located within Lake Kissimmee State Park, located at 14248 Camp Mack Rd, Lake Wales, FL 33898. The camp is open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every Saturday, Sunday and holidays (except Christmas) from October 1 through May 1. Admission to the camp is free, and park admission is $5 per person. For more info visit: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/ lake-kissimmee-state-park.
Above: A sign near the entrance of Lake Kissimmee State Park’s Cow Camp sets the stage for incoming visitors. Below: A pump that provides nonpotable water at Cow Camp “ain’t for drinkn.” Photos by James Coulter.
Winter 2019-20
Rest in Peace, Jeff
I
t is with much sadness that we let our readers know that one of our writers, Jeff Roslow, passed away October 6. Jeff, 55, was recovering from a heart procedure performed in late August.
We were blessed to have him as a freelancer for Polk Media (The 863 Magazine & Your Healthy Polk) since August of 2018. Although it wasn’t a long time, it was quality time. It was clear that Jeff was dedicated to his craft and took each story seriously. We are grateful to him for all his good words and solid reporting. Our hearts are with his family at this time. RIP, Jeff. Jeff Roslow, left, receives a surprise smooch by his friend and fellow newsman, Steve Steiner (who has also freelanced for Polk Media). Steiner’s wife, Wanda, is to the right. Photo provided to The 863 Magazine by Steve Steiner.
Crossword on page 7.
13
Winter 2019-20
Indigo Moon, from page 9 “I like to find alternative ways to heal,” says Mulpagano. In addition to selling items related to healing, she offers the following classes: • Paint Along Sessions • Guitar Lessons • How to Use Pendulums • Tarot Card Interpretation • Empath Classes • Anagrams • Reiki, an ancient form of healing art • Crystals and Gemstones – Uses and Processes • Selenite Mulpagano also brings in specialists to provide several services, including: • Reiki • Chakra Balancing, which restores a harmonious flow of energy to the mind, body,
and spirit • Psychic Readings Casey was pleasantly surprised when Mulpagano introduced her to Chakra balancing. This healing practice has its roots in an ancient East Indian belief in seven energy centers, called chakras, thought to be located at certain places between the base of the spine and the top of the skull. “I went in as a skeptic and I came out of there feeling absolutely wonderful,” she says. This is how Casey recounts the experience: “She (Mulpagano) never touched me. She started at my head and went down to my feet. It was an incredible feeling. You walk away thinking, what happened to me? But in a good way. I’d never heard about it until Deanine, but I would recommend it to anybody.” Chakra balancing costs $25 and Casey says “it’s worth every single penny of it.”
15
increasingly in demand. “There are people in the shadows who don’t know where to find these things,” she says. However, she doesn’t describe Indigo Moon as a metaphysical store. “It’s more of a hippy-bohemian store,” she says. “People like to connect with who does what. I want to connect artisans and customers.” Pfeiffer believes the shop’s fun, energizing environment make it a vibrant piece of downtown Bartow. “Indigo Moon brings a great artisan/maker market to our Main Street District. I’m really excited to see this type of use here that is arts-related and offers local artisans an opportunity to have their work seen and purchased,” says Pfeiffer. For more info, find Indigo Moon on online: Facebook.com/Mulpagano.
Mulpagano says these types of services are
Indigo Moon in Bartow features locally-made arts and crafts, such as candles, paintings, fused glass jewelry, books by local authors, and more. Photos by Andrea Cruz.