Tag Archives: Donna Green-Townsend

Migrating Sandhill Cranes Inspire Artistry

December 23, 2013News, VideoDavid Beede, Donna Green-Townsend, Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission, IFAS, Kayt Kennedy, Nancy Dwyer, sandhill cranes, sandhill cranes nesting ecology, Stephen Nesbitt, University of Florida, Wildlife and Range SciencesDonna Green-Townsend

It’s that time of year again when North Central Florida serves as host to migrating sandhill cranes. Floridians are very familiar with the loud, squawking sounds of these tall birds with wing spans as wide as 6 feet as they circle above and fly to favorite feeding grounds around the Gainesville area, especially Payne’s Prairie and the shoreline and marshes of Orange and Lochloosa Lakes in Alachua County. The father of Florida folk, the late Will McLean (1919-1990), was inspired by the “dancing and prancing” of the cranes and penned the song called, “The Courtship Dance of the Florida Sandhill Cranes.” McLean is accompanied in this 1985 live recording by Kate Kennedy on bowed psaltry and David Beede on hammered dulcimer.

Florida's Black Hat Troubadour — Cover photo of CD recorded in 1985 at the historic Thomas Center of Florida’s Black Hat Troubadour Will Mclean

Sandhill cranes flying over Watson Prairie near Cross Creek, FL.

In the news video below produced by Donna Green-Townsend on nesting ecology of Sandhill Cranes in Florida, you will hear the melody of McLean’s song performed by Melrose singer-songwriter David Beede and Kate Bostrum. The nesting ecology research was a cooperative effort between the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Wildlife and Range Sciences Department at the University of Florida. (this report originally aired statewide on the IFAS program Florida File in 1990)

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Historic Cross Creek Continues Annual Christmas Parade Tradition in 2013

December 21, 2013NewsChristmas Parade, Cross Creek, Cross Creek 4th Annual Christmas Parade, Donna Green-Townsend, FloridaDonna Green-Townsend

For the 4th year in a row, the historic community of Cross Creek has held a Christmas Parade. Here are some of the highlights from this year’s December 7th, 2013 parade:

Audio Archive Feature: Danny Wuerffel Heisman Profile on NPR’s Morning Edition

December 9, 2013News, Sports1996 Heisman Trophy Winner, College Football Hall of Fame, Danny Wuerffel, Danny Wuerffel Christmas CD, Desire Street Ministries, Donna Green-Townsend, Draddy Trophy, Gator Football, University of FloridaDonna Green-Townsend

Aired on NPR’s Morning Edition on December 13th, 1996

(Original Intro) In New York tomorrow (Dec.14th,1996) the Heisman Trophy will be awarded to the nation’s top college football player. One of the top finalists is Danny Wuerffel, the quarterback from the University of Florida who’s helped the Gators win four consecutive Southeastern conference titles and a place in this year’s Sugar Bowl. But in his home state of Florida, Danny Wuerffel is known for being much more than just a great football player. From member station WUFT in Gainesville, Donna Green-Townsend has this profile.

On December 10^th, 2013 Danny Wuerffel was named to the 2013 College Football Hall of Fame Induction Class. Voters said he had one of the most impressive records ever compiled. Wuerffel was the only player in college football history to start at quarterback for a conference champion four straight years — plus win a national title and the 1996 Heisman. In addition, Wuerffel, a two-time first-team academic All-American, was awarded the Draddy Trophy (also called the “academic Heisman”) presented annually by the College Football Hall of Fame, to the nation’s top football scholar-athlete.

And then there were his statistics. In Wuerffel’s career at UF he completed 60.5 percent of his passes for 10,875 yards, 114 touchdowns and 42 interceptions in starting 36 of his 46 games.

During Wuerffel’s four seasons, Florida won four-consecutive SEC title games. As a senior, Wuerffel’s 3,625 yards passing yards were an SEC record. He also set a national record for his 39 touchdowns. In his final two games in a Gator uniform, Wuerffel threw for 401 yards and 6 touchdowns to beat Alabama (which at the time was the No. 1-ranked pass defense) for that fourth-straight league crown. In the Sugar Bowl national championship rematch over rival Florida State, Wuerffel threw for more than 300 yards and 3 touchdowns (also rushing for a TD) in a 52-20 victory against the top-ranked defense in the country

Danny Wuerffel on his Christmas CD Project to Benefit Desire Street Ministries

scan0034 — Cover of Danny Wuerffel’s Christmas CD

Aside from football, Danny Wuerffel has dedicated his time to the work of Desire Street Ministries. Danny produced “Heaven & Nature Sings” Christmas CD to help with the goals of the ministry which is transforming impoverished urban neighborhoods into flourishing, healthy communities.

Bill Goss: The Luckiest Unlucky Man

December 1, 2013SpecialsBill Goss, cancer, coping with cancer, Donna Green-Townsend, melanoma, Rocky the flying squirrel, skin cancer, squirrel therapyDonna Green-Townsend

Bill Goss' first book — *Bill Goss’ first book*

One day navy pilot Bill Goss from Orange Park, Florida says he was flying one of the fastest jets in the world. Just a day later he learned he could be dead from cancer in only six months. What happened over the next few months became the subject of Bill’s popular book, “There’s a Flying Squirrel In My Coffee- Coping With Cancer With The Help of My Pet.”

Bill book about surviving cancer with the help of "Rocky" the flying squirrel — *Bill’s book about surviving cancer*

Goss, now medically retired from the navy, sat down with Donna Green-Townsend to talk about how his flying squirrel, “Rocky,” helped him to survive his greatest battle. (Originally broadcast on WUFT on March 14th, 2003. The documentary won a first place Edward R. Murrow Regional Award from the Radio and Television Digital News Association in 2004 as well as a first place award for documentary from the Florida Associated Press Broadcasters in 2004)

Donna and Bill Goss, The Luckiest Unlucky Man

Donna Green-Townsend with Bill Goss and the famous “Rocky”

The one-hour documentary is divided up into 5 segments below:

Pt 1

Pt 2

Pt 3

Pt 4

Pt 5

JFK Assassination among White House Memories of Former Marine Band Members

November 20, 2013News50th anniversary of the assassination of JFK, Albert Johnson, Donna Green-Townsend, JFK funeral procession, JFK motorcade, Jim King, John Fitzgerald Kennedy assassination, Marine Band, Marine Band at the White House, presidential inaugurationDonna Green-Townsend

November 22nd, 2013 marked the 50th anniversary of the JFK assassination, one of the most memorable tragedies in American history. Millions of Americans stayed glued to their television sets for news updates from Dallas, Texas where John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, was assassinated by a sniper while travelling with his wife Jacqueline, Texas Governor John Connally, and Connally’s wife Nellie, in a presidential motorcade. After a ten-month investigation, The Warren Commission made the conclusion that Kennedy was killed by Lee Harvey Oswald, and that Oswald acted alone. Since that time there have been many conspiracy theories.

Kennedy funeral procession best photo — *John F. Kennedy funeral procession November 25th, 1963*

In 1997 Donna Green-Townsend talked with trombonist Albert Johnson, a former Gainesville resident, and the late Jim King, a clarinetist from Gainesville. The two musicians have very distinct memories of the Camelot years in the White House. The two former Marine Band members played for many major events in Washington including inaugurations, dinner parties and sadly for the funeral procession of John F. Kennedy. (Originally aired on January 23, 1997)

Short Version:

Long original version in 1997:

Tim Tebow Foundation Reaches Out To Typhoon Victims In The Philippines

November 13, 2013NewsAid for the Philippines, Donna Green-Townsend, Philippines, Tim Tebow Foundation, typhoon hits the PhilippinesDonna Green-Townsend

A massive international aid effort is beginning to take shape in the Philippines to help the 600,000 people displaced by last Friday’s typhoon. The official death toll as of early afternoon (Wed., Nov. 13th) is up to 2,344 and is expected to rise. Former Florida Quarterback and Heisman Trophy Winner Tim Tebow was born in the Philippines while his parents worked as missionaries there. The Tim Tebow Foundation in partnership with CURE International, has been constructing an orthopedic hospital in Davao City. The foundation is also working with the Bob Tebow Evangelistic Association on evangelism, church planting and orphan care ministries in the Philippines. WUFT’s Donna Green-Townsend talked with the Executive Director of the Tim Tebow Foundation, Erik Dellenback, about how they are responding to the crisis in the Philippines. The Tim Tebow Foundation has activated a donation link on its website that will collect funds specifically for the Philippines at www.timtebowfoundation.org or by mail to the foundation lockbox at Tim Tebow Foundation, 2209 County Road 210 W, Suite 108 PMB 329, Jacksonville, FL 32259.

Remembering The Return of the 351st Military Police Company In Ocala

November 9, 2013News351st Military Police Company Returns, Donna Green-Townsend, Ocala's Veteran's Park, Operation Freedom Iraq, Veteran's DayDonna Green-Townsend

During this Veteran’s Day Holiday weekend, it seems appropriate to look back on a special day in Marion County. On Thursday, June 24th, 2004 several thousand people turned out at Veteran’s Park in Ocala to welcome home the 351st Military Police Company. The 130-member unit arrived on buses and participated in a short parade through the park. Many of those who turned out to cheer and greet the veterans carried homemade signs. A huge banner read, “America’s Hometown Heroes.” The military police unit had just completed a 13-month mission as part of Operation Freedom Iraq. WUFT’s Donna Green-Townsend was there and reports the celebration included a musical tribute and a military flyover. (Originally aired on WUFT on June 24th, 2004)

From my audio archives: Peter Rowan performed before sellout crowds in Gainesville and Melrose, FL in 2012 and 2013

November 6, 2013Artsbluegrass, Donna Green-Townsend, Peter Rowan, Shake Rag Series, Thomas CenterDonna Green-Townsend

Peter Rowan music feature produced by Donna Green-Townsend in May, 2012

Folk and bluegrass icon Peter Rowan and his Bluegrass band made a tour stop in Gainesville at the historic Thomas Center on Tuesday, November 12th, 2013.

In May of 2012 Grammy Award Winner and 5-time Grammy nominee Rowan gave his only Florida performance that year as part of the Shakerag Concert Series in Melrose. It was a sellout.

Peter Rowan performing in May, 2012 in Melrose, FL. He was introduced by the late Joe Saccocci.

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Here is a video of Peter performing a tribute to the late Doc Watson

“Song Weaver” Amy Carol Webb

November 4, 2013Arts, NewsAmy Carol Webb, Donna Green-Townsend, Florida singer songwriters, Song Weaver, South Floridaadmin

Amy Carol Webb at the Will McLean Folk Festival March 2012

Music critics have described Miami Springs singer songwriter Amy Carol Webb as passionate, powerful and profound. The nationally acclaimed acoustic musician is known as a Miami Herald, “One to Watch,” a Billboard “Act to Watch” and New Times “Best Solo Artist.” Donna Green-Townsend takes a closer look at just what inspires this award-winning artist in this interview that originally aired on WUFT-FM in September of 2004.

Amy Carol Webb’s, “I Come From Women,” is one of her most popular songs and typically gets the entire audience involved.

In 2015, on the 50th Anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery March, Webb joined a thousand others in Selma, Alabama to commemorate the event that capped several tumultuous weeks in the American Civil Rights Movement in 1965. She also put the experience into song at the Will McLean Festival.

In a tribute to the Matriarch of Florida Folk, Margaret Longhill, Webb performed, “Oh Margaret.”

Webb performing on the Old Marble Stage at the Florida Folk Festival on May 27th, 2012 during a pouring rain. She received a request to do “These Are My Own.” As you will see in the video, it presented quite the challenge to the interpreter for the hearing-impaired assigned to the stage.

The pouring rain coming down also seemed like the appropriate time for Webb to sing her song, “We Are Made of Rain.”

*Amy Carol Webb and company at the Will McLean Folk Festival, 2012*

2012-11-11_15-54-54_883 — *Amy Carol Webb performing at the Sunday Sampler Series at the Old Train Depot in Dunnellon in the Fall of 2012.*

Jacksonmania In Jacksonville (update)

October 28, 2013NewsDonna Green-Townsend, Jackson Five in Jacksonville, Jackson Five Victory Tour, Jacksonmania, Jacksonville councilman Warren Jones, Michael JacksonDonna Green-Townsend

Jackson072384003 — Michael Jackson brought his Victory Tour to the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, FL on three nights from July 21-23, 1984 to perform in front of over 135,000 fans.(The Florida Times-Union, Staff)

UPDATE: October 28th, 2013

Conrad Murray, the physician a California jury held responsible for the death of pop star Michael Jackson, is scheduled for release from prison today. His attorney says Murray wants to get his medical license back so he can set up a practice in Texas. Meanwhile, earlier this month a California jury decided that A.E.G. Live, Michael Jackson’s final concert promoter, was not responsible for the pop star’s death on June 25, 2009. That case is just one of many involving the pop star during his tumultuous career.

Though Michael Jackson never got to perform during that final concert tour, many in Florida will always remember his appearance here in 1984. In July of 1984, Michael Jackson and his brothers brought their “Victory Tour” to the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville. The Jacksons gave three separate concerts from July 21st thru the 23rd that July.

For weeks prior to the concerts there was Jacksonmania in Jacksonville in 1984. Days of preparation went into the three-show tour stop in JAX. As Donna Green-Townsend reported for WUFT’s statewide business show, “Speaking of Business,” some residents in Duvall County were not totally happy about what the community had to pay up front to bring the tour to Jacksonville. Meanwhile, other businesses made money catering food and housing the Jackson entourage. (1984 feature produced for Speaking of Business on WUFT)