Drought and overpumping of the Floridan aquifer are blamed for low lake levels in the Keystone Heights area.
Singer songwriter Elisabeth Williamson was so saddened by the low level of Gatorbone Lake in the Keystone Heights area in recent years that she wrote a song about it called, “Land of Flowers.” Lake levels in many North Central Florida lakes have been low for a long period of time (some say since 2005, the year after the busy 2004 hurricane season). Many blame not only the lack of rainfall, but also overpumping by businesses, agriculture and utilities. Scenes from Gatorbone Lake, White Sands Lake, Lake Geneva, Newnan’s Lake, Cross Creek and Orange and Lochloosa Lakes are included in this video produced by Donna Green-Townsend.
Some photos in this video were contributed by Keystone Heights Mayor Mary Lou Hildreth. Other video and pictures were taken by Donna Green-Townsend and Lee Townsend.
The Florida panther “Big Guy,” pictured here in 1987 at the White Oak Plantation, received medical care from the UF College of Veterinary Medicine after being hit by a car in South Florida. (photo by Donna Green-Townsend)
Florida’s official state animal, the Florida panther, continues to be an endangered species with only between 50 to 150 animals left in the wild. Many of the big cats are hit by cars each year. Florida’s growing population has encroached on the panther’s historic territory. As Donna Green-Townsend reports, wildlife biologists and researchers continue to look for ways to save and increase the panther population while struggling with panther inbreeding, traffic mortalities and loss of panther habitat.
This story note: This feature originally aired on statewide public television in 1990. The panther “Big Guy” featured in this story has since died. Researchers hoping to use the “Big Guy’s” sperm for reproduction efforts found that most of it was deformed from inbreeding. Since that time, in an effort to save the species, the USFWS introduced some Texas cougars into Florida’s panther population to diversify the genetic material.
Florida panther on display for educational purposes at an Everglades Coalition Meeting in Key Largo in 1978. (photo by Donna Green-Townsend)
(from a report on January 12th, 2012) The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has reported three Florida panther deaths already this year. Two were hit by vehicles and the third fatality was caused by a fight with another panther. Last year 24 panther deaths were recorded, but FWC biologists also observed 11 radio-collared females giving birth to 32 panther kittens. Overall, the known number of newborn panthers in 2011 appears to have offset the known number of panther deaths. Today, an estimated 100 to 160 adults of this federally endangered species live in Florida.
Panthers almost disappeared from the wild in this state when their numbers fell to fewer than 30 in the 1970s. Collisions with vehicles continue to be the greatest source of human-caused mortality to the panther. The FWC officials say they will continue to work with many partners to conserve and increase habitat available to panthers on both public and private lands to try and ensure the survival of Florida’s official state animal.
People are encouraged to report sightings of an injured or dead panther by calling the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) or #FWC or *FWC on a cell phone.
(From my archives: Originally aired on Florida File on WUFT-TV in 1990)
The University of Florida Large Animal Hospital Neonatal Foal Intensive Care Unit was one of the first facilities dedicated to neonatal medicine for foals. Veterinarians and highly trained staff care for the most sensitive and complicated equine cases at the facility. They also offer classes for volunteers who can help provide care for the foals. Donna Green-Townsend reports on the kind of work the volunteers provide and why they love to do it. This story originally aired on the statewide IFAS television program Florida File in 1990.
Despite all of the recent rainfall, Florida is still in desperate need of water to help fill area lakes and more importantly the Floridan aquifer. Many lake residents are blaming overpumping of the aquifer by agriculture, utilities and other businesses for the low water levels in area lakes around Keystone Heights. Business owners around Orange and Lochloosa lakes blame low water levels on not only the lack of rainfall, but on a large sinkhole in Orange Lake. Whether or not to “stop up” the sinkhole has been a debate in both Alachua and Marion Counties for at least 60 years. Marion County commissioners came up with a plan to try and stop the outflow of water from the lake a few years ago, but water managers nixed the idea. Alachua County commissioners were not supportive because of the cost for the proposed project. Alachua County’s Director of Environmental Protection, Chris Bird, talked with WUFT’s Donna Green-Townsend about lake levels, sinkholes and water usage overall.[
To hear more about water levels in North Central Florida lakes click here.
Gator fans gave a warm welcome to former University of Florida Quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel during the UF-TN game on Saturday. Wuerffel, a member of the 2013 College Football Hall of Fame Induction Class, sauntered onto the field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium as the guest celebrity to lead the Orange and Blue in the cheer made famous by “Mr. Two-Bits.”
Danny Wuerffel surrounded by Gator fans and friends on the sidelines of the UF-TN game on Saturday
Afterwards, Wuerffel greeted fans on the sidelines before making a second appearance on the field to receive a special award from the University of Florida for being voted into the College Football Hall of Fame for all of his outstanding achievements while playing for the Gator Football Team.
(Listen below to the original story about Danny Wuerffel as a Heisman contender. The story aired on NPR’s Morning Edition on December 13th, 1996.)
Bronze statue of #7 Danny Wuerffel in front of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
(Original story and intro aired on NPR’s Morning Edition on Dec.13th, 1996)
In New York tomorrow 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.
Danny Wuerffel – played for the Gators from 1993 to 1996
On December 10th, 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
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.
By Donna Green-Townsend and Amanda Jackson (UPDATE: a 15 min. video follows the text)
Historic photo of Mary Lou Hildreth’s home circa late 1920’s (photo courtesy of Mary Lou Hildreth)Current photo of Mary Lou Hildreth’s home on Lake Geneva shows how the water has receded in recent years
The Keystone Heights community has been damaged economically by decreasing lake levels. As the town teams up with the St. John’s River Water Management District, residents are hoping they are moving toward some solutions.
Keystone Heights Mayor Mary Lou Hildreth said her view – looking out onto the receding shoreline of Lake Geneva – makes her sad. She knows what it was years ago and what it could be if the water levels could recover. And after seeing her city suffer for many years and with an estimated $80 million in losses, she said, something needs to be done.
Typical picture of a dock far away from the shoreline on many Keystone area lakes (photo courtesy of Mary Lou Hildreth)
Keystone Heights, known as the Lake Region of North Florida, has seen drastic changes to the landscape as lakes that once flourished have nearly dried up in the last two years. A decade of little rainfall and what residents fear is over-pumping of the Floridan aquifer have negatively impacted the lakes and the homes surrounding them. Hildreth said people aren’t eating in area restaurants, renting boats, fishing or skiing – activities that once helped businesses stay afloat.
In an effort to save the lakes and communities that depend on them, residents and politicians have been meeting and discussing possible solutions.
Many residents want to know what the exact cause of the receding lake levels could be, especially in the Keystone Heights area, and when solutions will be implemented.
SJRWMD spokeswoman Teresa Monson explained how hard pinpointing just one cause can be.
“The Keystone Heights area lakes have naturally fluctuated up and down over many decades,” Monson said, “and currently there are lower water levels in the lake that are largely — not entirely — but largely caused by reduced rainfall over many years. Again, even decades.”
Photo of a truck driving across the exposed land of a lake in the Keystone Heights area
Water is also allowed to naturally seep down into the aquifer system because the local terrain is made of limestone and lake bottoms are sandy. Some of the lakes even have active sinkholes draining water into the aquifer.
The lakes haven’t always been this way. Elisabeth Williamson, a Keystone Heights resident, remembers the lake she knew from her childhood. She grew up in the area, living by Gatorbone Lake for most of her life.
“I really feel for folks that have retired to this area as they’ve watched their property values go down, down, down and also businesses that were very lake-oriented,” Williamson said.
Elisabeth Williamson points to a dilapidated dock that is sitting far above the water of Gatorbone Lake
She recalled a little pond in front of the house where she grew up. Once a great fishing hole, it has been dry now for a decade or more. She also pointed out the number of docks – now dry and falling apart – standing far from the shoreline.
Watching the lake levels fall over the years, she said, has been heartbreaking.
“I’m not sure it’s ever going to be the same again,” she said.
Williamson has been so distraught by low lake levels, she wrote a song about it called “The Land of Flowers.” Here is a music video featuring her song:
According to statistics from the SJRWMD, the yearly average rainfall in inches is between 50 and 55 in Florida, but Keystone Heights levels have been down for some time. Monson said 10 years ago, rainfall was measured at 38 inches per year and improved five years later to 50 inches.
Despite these yearly fluctuations, 2013 was a good year for rain with the area receiving 19 inches between May and June alone which brought Lake Brooklyn’s levels up nearly four feet. Some residents, though, feel the reprieve is only temporary.
View of Keystone Beach which looks more like a variety of ponds connected by land areas
“They used to have races out here on the Fourth of July, skiing, fishing, all types of recreational outdoor activities,” Hildreth said. “And now because the lakes have gone down, we don’t have that same draw. And a lot of our businesses are suffering. Our property values are suffering. The economy of my city is suffering because of it.”
She said utilities, lack of rainfall, industry and agriculture all come together to create a perfect storm for low water levels in the aquifer. With no clear end in sight, the community is fighting back.
Save Our Lakes is one organization trying to make a difference. The group holds monthly meetings in Keystone Heights to inform the community about what is being done to restore the lakes and to develop long-term solutions to help the community recover.
Save Our Lakes President Vivian Katz said a lack of knowledge is the key problem with the lakes, not a person or entity.
She said Keystone Heights is “a lake community that’s losing its lakes.”
For now, the community and the water management district are trying to work together and are evaluating an aquifer water replenishment plan. This plan would focus on bringing more water into the Floridan aquifer in the hopes it will benefit the lakes and wetlands and provide a sustainable water source for the region.
Hildreth said a variety of boards, especially for Lake Brooklyn and Lake Geneva, have been meeting for two years to discuss solutions, but the process is “agonizingly slow,” though she has noticed some movement on the water management district’s part.
“Our current concern, though, is that they’re not doing enough fast enough and that science should be driving the politics, but politics is really driving the science right now,” she said. (15 minute video with full interview segments from Elisabeth Williamson and Mary Lou Hildreth regarding Keystone Heights area lakes.
I was inspired to make this short video, Historic and Romantic St. Augustine, because of three things: My sister’s wedding in St. Augustine in one of the historic B & Bs, St. Augustine itself and the music and lyrics of Florida musicians and poets Clyde and Lorelei Walker and Mary Anna Evans. Though I was only using a Nikon Coolpix camera with no tripod, I had a blast capturing the video seen here to make a wedding video gift for my sister and her husband. Thanks to the artists who gave me permission to use their music. See more about them below.
More about the music in my video above:
Singer Songwriter and musician from St. Augustine, Clyde Walker
Musician and singer Clyde Walker and his wife, poet Lorelei Walker live in St. Augustine. It’s a perfect team as Clyde often puts his musical touch to Lorelei’s poetry. Such is the case in the song about St. Augustine.
In 2008 the couple worked on a DVD called, Romantic St. Augustine. I found a copy to view while I stayed in one of the B & Bs in St. Augustine. You may find one at the St. Augustine visitor center. You can also send an email to Clyde and Lorelei at clydewkr@bellsouth.net or write to them at Clyde Walker, Ocean Sounds Media, P.O. Box 2059, St. Augustine, Fl. 32084
Lyrics to Land of the Flowers
The palm trees stand in silhouette Where Spaniards cast their bayonets. The soldiers are gone, but the trees stand yet, Towering over the land of the flowers.
The gray moss blew in fresh from Spain, Riding the crest of a wild hurricane. Our fine homes scatter but the moss remains. The moss drips forever, but never runs dry.
And the water springs clear from the sand and the stone, Quenching a wilderness no one can own. And the water springs cold from the stone and the sand. Nothing of value will rest in your hand. We pass sterile days, sharing the blame For colorless cities with old Spanish names. But God hides in places that no one can tame, Standing watch over the land of the flowers.
And the water springs clear from the sand and the stone, Quenching a wilderness no one can own. And the water springs cold from the stone and the sand. Nothing of value will rest in your hand.
The palm trees stand in silhouette Where Spaniards cast their bayonets. The soldiers are gone, but the trees stand yet, Towering over the land of the flowers.
Music and lyrics: by David and Mary Anna Evans Lead vocals and harmonies: Mary Anna Evans Guitar and harmonies: David Evans Guitar: David Reiser Fiddle: Annemieke Pronker-Coron Percussion: Bill Hutchinson
Mary Anna Evans has degrees in physics and engineering, but her heart is in the past. Her works of fiction include: Artifacts, Relics, Effigies, Findings, Floodgates, Strangers, Plunder and, coming in November 2013, Rituals. Published by Poisoned Pen Press.
Mary Anna’s interests in music and writing collided when she was asked to contribute a story and an original song for a book/CD anthology called A Merry Band of Murderers. She co-wrote and sang the song “Land of the Flowers” for that project. For more information contact her at maryannaevans@yahoo.com
Cast of Don’t Dress For Dinner at the Hippodrome State Theatre
The sequel to the popular comedy, Boeing-Boeing is now on stage at the Hippodrome State Theatre in Gainesville. Don’t Dress For Dinner, which is the first play of the Hipp’s 41st season, has had success on Broadway and in London. Donna Green-Townsend talked with Michelle Bellaver who plays Suzette the cook in the play. Bellaver says she’s glad the season kicks off with a comedy.
Don’t Dress For Dinner runs through September 22. Longer version of the interview:
Pictures of Marvin Pritchett in the front of the First Christian Church where the celebration of his life took place on Friday afternoon.
The Lake Butler community mourned the death of Marvin Pritchett on Friday. Pritchett was a life-long resident of the community and business leader who was shot and killed by former employee Hubert Allen Jr. this past weekend.
More than 1,000 people paid tribute to the life of Marvin Pritchett at the First Christian Church in Lake Butler. The main church was filled to capacity an hour before the ceremony began. Guests who did not get a seat in the main church were redirected to a second building and lawn area where the ceremony was streamed live.
Thousands of flowers adorned the front and both sides of the First Christian Church in Lake Butler on Friday.
Thousands of flowers filled the church, including a red rose arrangement that completely draped the casket. Pictures from Mr. Pritchett’s life were projected onto the wall behind the casket as those in attendance waited for family members to arrive.
During the service many of Pritchett’s accomplishments and contributions were highlighted, including his support for Union County Schools, the University of Florida and First Christian Church.
Sign on Lake Butler elementary school on Friday reads ‘Our prayers are with the community.’
The ceremony was led by pastor Art Peterson and included thoughts and anecdotes from Pritchett’s family. Jon Pritchett, son of Marvin Pritchett, shared the story of his father’s humble upbringing. Marvin Pritchett was orphaned at the age of 10 and raised by his grandmother.
“What made my dad so remarkable was not that he overcame such hardships, but rather that he never used his circumstances as an excuse,” said Jon Pritchett during his Eulogy.
Pritchett Trucking vehicle waits to join in funeral procession following the service on Friday afternoon.
Marvin Pritchett founded Pritchett Trucking, Inc. in 1973, a business that expanded to employ hundreds of people in the Lake Butler Area.
Pastor Peterson brought a smile to everyone’s face when he said: “I don’t know if there will be any trucks in heaven’s highways, but if there is, that’s where we’ll find Marvin.”
Flowers with the initials MHP representing Marvin H. Pritchett (1933-2013)
Pritchett left behind 13 grandchildren, seven who spoke at the service in remembrance of their “poppa”. One of his grandkids said “he was large in stature and even larger in life.”
It’s been nearly a week since Hubert Allen, 72, a former employee of Pritchett Trucking, went on the shooting spree that killed three and injured one before turning the gun on himself. Marvin Pritchett, 80, David Griffis, 44, and Rolando Gonzalez-Delgado, 28, were killed and Lewis Mabrey was injured in the shooting.
During the ceremony Pastor Peterson spoke about the tragedy calling it an act of evil, and asking community members to look at the good happening around them.
The Pritchett family has created a victims’ fund at TD Bank in Lake Butler in honor and support of the David Griffis, Rolando Gonzalez-Delgado, and Lewis Mabrey families.
Click here to see a Storyboard Summary of the Memorial Service for Marvin Pritchett.
Amanda Jackson / WUFT News A large crowd is expected at Pritchett’s funeral service, which will be held 2 p.m. Friday at the First Christian Church in Lake Butler. Many businesses, including the courthouse, will be closed for a majority of the afternoon.
Flags remain at half-staff outside many businesses around Lake Butler, where a community mourns the loss of a third victim from a deadly Saturday shooting spree.
Forty-four year old David Griffis was shot in the stomach and rushed to the Shands at UF Trauma Unit on Saturday. After undergoing numerous surgeries and remaining in critical condition for three days, Griffis died of his injuries early Tuesday morning. He was the fourth to die by Hubert Allen Jr.’s gun, authorities said, including Allen himself.
Allen, 72, a former employee of Pritchett Trucking Company had written the names of his four victims in what Union County Sheriff Jerry Whitehead described as a suicide note left at his residence. Although the note mentioned the names of his intended victims, the sheriff’s department said it still has not determined a motive.
Whitehead said all the guns used have been located. He said Allen purchased them legally.
Lake Butler residents laid flowers by the sign at the entrance of Pritchett Trucking on State Road 121, where all the victims were employed.
Shortly before WUFT was asked to leave the premises, reporters overheard a conversation between two co-workers.
When one was asked how she was holding up, the other said, “We’re keeping things going. That’s the way he would have wanted” (an apparent reference to the deceased owner of the company, Marvin Pritchett).
Whitehead said the community is really coming together during this difficult time.
“We pull together through our schools and our church, that’s what we are,” he said.
This town isn’t a stranger to tragedy. In 2006, a truck/bus crash left seven children dead and several more seriously injured.
“Learning how to grieve is just something you have to go through. It can’t be taught,” Whitehead said. “My father told me many, many years ago that in these situations you have to get up, put your boots on, tie them real tight and go to work.”
In Lake Butler, it seems almost everyone has a family connection. Coincidentally, Whitehead’s own mother passed away just two weeks ago. His mother was the sister of Pritchett’s widow.
By Donna Green-Townsend and Amanda Jackson (UPDATE: a 15 min. video follows the text)
