Category: Features

A true “Mother’s Day” story about courtship in Cross Creek

Editor’s note: I’m tickled to say that even though he didn’t use his rifle to shoot down this year’s magnolia blossom, my husband kept his Mother’s Day tradition alive this year (2017).     Here’s the audio version of the chapter called, “Mother’s Day” by Shelley Fraser Mickle. (full written text with pictures can be found … Continue reading A true “Mother’s Day” story about courtship in Cross Creek



A Gatherin’ In The Live Oaks 4-Part Music Series

From my audio archives: A Gatherin’ In The Live Oaks Four One-Hour Music Programs produced from mainstage performances at the 45th Annual Florida Folk Festival in White Springs, FL (including selections from the archives of other festivals and performances) Produced by Bill Beckett and hosted by Donna Green-Townsend with production assistance from Jim Bickerstaff, Ken … Continue reading A Gatherin’ In The Live Oaks 4-Part Music Series



Winner and finisher of the 2017 Will McLean Best New Florida Song Contest Named

The winner of the 2017 Will McLean Best New Florida Song Contest  is Mary James, better known as “Mean Mary,” in the music world.  Though she resides now in Tennessee, her roots are in Florida and Alabama (Her family lived in the North Florida area when Mary was born, but the nearest hospital was in … Continue reading Winner and finisher of the 2017 Will McLean Best New Florida Song Contest Named



Archive of Sleepy Creek/ Adena Spring Ranch stories

This site continues to follow various updates on water permit requests from the former Adena Springs Ranch (now Sleepy Creek Lands in Marion County), a cattle operation owned by Canadian billionaire Frank Stronach. Scroll down for various stories, pictures, audio and video from the past several years) UPDATE:  Protest planned over Sleepy Creek water permit … Continue reading Archive of Sleepy Creek/ Adena Spring Ranch stories



Florida cleans up after Hurricane Matthew and experts say remember past history

Update November, 2016: Florida’s East coast experienced serious beach erosion from Hurricane Matthew and many businesses and homes suffered severe damage from the huge tidal wave associated with the hurricane.  In particular, Florida Highway A1A in Flagler County was washed out and many homes along North A1A from Vilano Beach northward have been declared uninhabitable because … Continue reading Florida cleans up after Hurricane Matthew and experts say remember past history



Remembering Janet Reno

Janet Reno, the first female U.S. Attorney General, has died at the age of 78.  Reno suffered from Parkinson’s Disease which had been diagnosed in November 1995.  Reno died at her home in Miami, Florida.  Reno, a native of the Sunshine State, spent eight years as the attorney general of the United States during the … Continue reading Remembering Janet Reno



The 9/11 Museum and September 11th, 2001—A Personal Reflection

(My personal reflection follows this story)   September 11th, 2016 marks 15 years since the terrorist attacks which took the lives of nearly 3,000 people in New York City, Washington and Pennsylvania.  On May 21st, 2014  the 9/11 Memorial Museum opened to the public for the first time.  Those in charge of its design have had … Continue reading The 9/11 Museum and September 11th, 2001—A Personal Reflection