Excerpts from Donna Green-Townsend’s remarks at the Celebration of Life for Claude Jarman held on February 5, 2026, in San Francisco, CA. The video also includes a short film highlighting moments from his life. Jarman won an Oscar for his role as young Jody Baxter in the classic MGM film The Yearling in 1947. The movie, partially filmed in the Ocala National Forest in Florida in 1945, was based on the Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. The movie, directed by Clarence Brown, received a total of seven Oscar nominations including Best Picture. Gregory Peck and Jane Wyman received Oscar nominations for Best Actor and Best Actress. In addition to Claude Jarman’s academy award the The Yearling also received Oscars for Best Cinematography and Art Direction.
Tag Archives: Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
From Novel to Movie: The Yearling in Florida
To see the full 58-minute documentary online click here: PBS.org
You can stream the documentary on the free PBS app on your television by typing the word yearling in the search box. You can also view the documentary on the WUFT-TV passport. (PBS stations can download the free broadcast version from NETA through July 2026).
DVDs of the documentary are now available for $20 plus $5 for postage and handling. All proceeds benefit projects on the farm. Please make your check payable to the Friends of the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Farm, Inc., and mail to P. O. Box 337, Micanopy, FL 32667-0337.
From Novel to Movie: The Yearling in Florida is also being distributed to more than 350 PBS stations via NETA, The National Educational Telecommunications Association. Check local listings in your area for availability.
From Novel to Movie: The Yearling in Florida takes an inside look at a classic movie as well as the award-winning classic novel which inspired the film with the people who lived the story. The documentary shares oral histories from some of the actors and stand-ins who were featured in the Oscar-nominated MGM Classic, The Yearling, the coming of age story about a post-Civil War backwoods Florida family who raised an orphaned deer which leads to heartbreaking conflict.
2022 marked the 75th Anniversary of when the film was honored at the Academy Awards with seven Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor nominations for Gregory Peck and Jane Wyman. The Yearling took home Oscars for Cinematography and Art Direction and Claude Jarman, Jr. received a Juvenile Acting Oscar for his role as young “Jody Baxter” in the movie.
The Yearling, directed by Clarence Brown, was based on the 1939 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. The documentary, From Novel to Movie: The Yearling in Florida features many unique home movie clips recorded by actor Gregory Peck during the time he was working on the film in the Ocala National Forest in Florida in 1945.
The documentary also includes extensive interview segments with Oscar winner Claude Jarman, Jr. who played young Jody Baxter in the MGM film. Memories from Florida residents who served as stand-ins for Peck and Jarman as well as some of the people who worked on the movie set in Florida’s scrub country are also featured.
We are so thankful to Claude Jarman, Jr. for providing photos and most of all his insight on the making of the classic film. We are also appreciative of The Gregory Peck Foundation for providing home movie clips recorded by Gregory Peck while he was filming in Florida and California in 1945.
Sadly, Claude passed away on January 12, 2025. We also lost his stand-in for the movie, East Marion County resident Bobby Randall who passed away on May 22nd of 2025. In addition, on October 19th of 2025 Lawrence Kinsey from East Marion County passed away. Lawrence worked behind the scenes of the MGM movie set in 1945 in the Ocala National Forest. We are so thankful all three shared their memories of working on this classic film. RIP Claude, Bobby and Lawrence. You will all be missed. To watch excerpts of the “Celebration of Life for Claude Jarman” held on February 5th, 2026 in San Francisco, CA click here:
To see the full 58-minute documentary online click here: PBS.org
The documentary is also available on the PBS app by typing in the word Yearling in the search box. You can also view the documentary on the WUFT-TV passport. PBS stations can download the broadcast version from NETA. You can view the first five minutes of the documentary below:
Meet the people behind the documentary below
The producer of the documentary is award-winning journalist Donna Green-Townsend. She has more than 50 years of radio and television experience and is the recipient of a National Edward R. Murrow Award for documentary production as well as numerous state and regional journalism awards. In December of 2021 she interviewed Claude Jarman, Jr. on stage at the Marion Theatre in Ocala, FL before a showing of the original movie The Yearling.
The co-producer is Kathlyne Walkup Sheppard whose knowledge, relatives and acquaintances from the “Big Scrub” were invaluable to the project. A big thank you goes to members of the Friends of the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Farm Board for ongoing support on this project.
In 2024, Kathlyne and Donna received the Florida State Parks Foundation Award for Long-Term Special Project of the Year for Exceptional Service and Dedication Documenting and Preserving Cultural Heritage for their work on the documentary.
In 1939, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings won the Pulitzer Prize for her novel, The Yearling. Her inspiration for the novel came from time spent with people who lived in the “Big Scrub.” Marjorie’s friend Leonard Fiddia, who did work for her, lived along the Ocklawaha River. He sold and taught her how to make moonshine. She stayed with the Fiddia family to gather material for her book South Moon Under, her first novel. Leonard Fiddia introduced her to Calvin Long in the forest. It was his brother Melvin Long who had a pet deer. That’s where The Yearling story began. Melvin’s experience with his pet deer became the story of Jody Baxter. Marjorie’s inspiration for her character Fodderwing in the novel came from meeting Rodney Slater. Rodney, the son of her friend “Widow” Slater in Cross Creek, suffered from physical disabilities.
MGM bought the film rights and began production on the movie version in 1941 in the “Big Scrub” of the Ocala National Forest in Florida. A variety of East Marion County residents were hired to work on the set in the forest, including Richard Mills. That first effort to make the film was scrapped when actor Spencer Tracy decided to head back to California. Near the end of WWII, a new cast and crew headed back to the forest in 1945. That crew included Gregory Peck as Penny Baxter and Claude Jarman, Jr. as Jody Baxter. Once again, many East Marion County residents found work as either stand-ins for the key actors or took jobs working on the set. Alva Kinsey, Sr. was Gregory Peck’s double and Bobby Randall was Claude Jarman, Jr.’s stand-in. Lawrence Kinsey and Freeman Godwin were hired to work on the film set while others like Jack Owen helped catch fawns for use in the movie getting paid $25 by MGM for each fawn they used during the filming. Here are photos of some of those East Marion County residents.
Thanks to the folks who helped tell the story of From Novel to Movie: The Yearling in Florida. Here are photos of the key people who shared their knowledge for the documentary.
documentary co-producer
And last but not least, thanks to Ellie Townsend for her editorial assistance.
Music Selections in the Documentary:
I am especially thankful to the Florida musicians who provided the music we featured in the program. Most of these music pieces are original works created for the documentary . Listen to the music below:
Mickey Abraham- two original mandolin solos
Sue Cunningham and Frank Serio who wrote “Restless Wind”/Shiloh Rising Music ASCAP
performed by Lis and Lon Williamson, Gabe Valla and Christian Ward
David Dean- River Rolls
Scott Jackson– Marjorie
Scott Jackson- Hollywood in the Forest
Scott Jackson- Flag
Scott Jackson- Jody and Penny
Chuck Levy- “Rock the Cradle, Joe”
Gene Page- Pretty Saro
Mark Smith– Bear Hunt
Mark Smith- Fodderwing
Mark Smith- Lost Echoes
Lee Townsend- Fluttermill
Lee Townsend- Guitar solo
Lee Townsend- Reflections on Life in the Scrub
James “Tuck” Tucker- River Styx
Gatorbone Trio– Gabe Valla and Lis and Lon Williamson- Land of Flowers
Lis and Lon Williamson and Gabe Valla- Dearest Dear
Lis and Lon Williamson and Gabe Valla- Cracker Girl
Lis and Lon Williamson and Gabe Valla- Sweet Sunny South
Artist Features
(Click on an artist’s link to view and hear a feature about them)
Jessie (Townsend) Armstrong
The Currys
Garrison Doles
Willie Green
Chris & Red Henry
Mike Jurgensen
Will McLean
Walter Parks
Punch Brothers
Gamble Rogers
Pete Seeger
Shana “Banana” Smith
Tom Shed
Walter Strauss
Lee Townsend
“Doc” Watson
Jesse Winchester
The Bills
De Lions of Jah
Amanda Garrigues
Don Grooms
Hippodrome & other theatre archival features
Lennie Kesl
Aaron O’Rourke
Grant Peeples
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
Sno Rogers Band
Jon Semmes
Michael Smith
Chris Thile
Tuck Tucker
Amy Carol Webb
Danny Wooten
Dale Crider
Billy Dean
Steve Gillette & Cindy Mangsen
Mary Hausch
Mark Johnson
Rod MacDonald
Sam Pacetti
Pines & Palms TV Special
Roadside Revue
Peter Rowan
Shortcut to specials
Mem Semmes
Song Contest Winners, Will McLean Festival since 1992
George Tortorelli
Gabe Valla
Lis and Lon Williamson
The Gatherings
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings and the Fiddia Family
The Yearling movie, and more importantly, the novel, may never have happened if it hadn’t been for Leonard Fiddia. Marjorie Rawlings met Leonard Fiddia in either 1929 or 1930 while on a hunting trip with a mutual friend. It was Leonard Fiddia who introduced her to Calvin Long in the “Big Scrub.” Calvin Long shared with Marjorie the story about his brother Melvin, who had a pet deer. From there the classic story was born.
Leonard Fiddia lived off of Hog Valley Road by the Ocklawaha River. I recently had the chance to sit down with Leonard Fiddia’s grandson Paul Laxton and his wife Sydney who live on the same property that Piety and Leonard lived on when Marjorie visited back in the 1930s to gather material for her books.
“It’s a property that’s been in our family since about 1890,” said Paul. “The actual house that they lived in is right here where this house is. It’s kind of like right here in front of our house.”
Like many folks in the 1930s, Paul says his grandfather, Leonard Fiddia, did whatever he could to support and feed his family.
“He would night hunt. It was stuff that was illegal, but they were just trying to survive, you know,” said Paul, who is a retired Marion County Sheriff’s deputy. “So he had fish traps, he kept fish traps out there in the river where he would go and collect fish and eat fish. They had venison. They raised hogs and then there was the garden….They lived pretty much off the land. My mom talks about how some of it was illegal, but they were just trying to survive. It may have been somewhat of a simple life, but I think it was a good life for them.”
Paul says Leonard was also a skilled carpenter and electrician. Like many other folks in the “Big Scrub,” he made moonshine. Marjorie not only bought moonshine from Leonard, but helped him make it, spending several weeks with him and his mother Piety Fiddia to gather material for her first major novel, South Moon Under.
Sydney Laxton says she loves Marjorie’s novel, South Moon Under. “Once I got into it I could not put it down, especially because it was where we live. Our home that we built in 1992, this is where it happened, the South Moon Under story took place.”
Leonard, Piety and Marjorie became good friends to the point that when Leonard and his wife Margaret faced a family tragedy, Marjorie or “Marge” as Leonard called her, was even willing to donate her blood to try and save their youngest daughter.
The year was 1949. Leonard and Margaret had three living children. An infant had died shortly after birth. There was Carol, who was 15, seven year old Elmer, and a five year old daughter Grace. In the fall of 1949, Grace became seriously ill and was taken to Dr. J. L. Strange’s medical clinic in McIntosh. She talked about visiting with little Grace in a letter she wrote to her husband Norton Baskin dated December 12th, 1949:
“I went to Dr. Strange’s hospital Monday afternoon, and Leonard and Margaret and Jean were all there, Margaret worn to the bone, Leonard in tears. St. Vincent’s had confirmed the leukemia, and sent the child back where her family could be with her all the time. The great horror of it is her suffering. Aside from an almost constant fever of 105, she has begun to swell, and since the bone-marrow is affected, she is in utter agony…..She has to have a blood transfusion almost every day, to keep her alive, and Leonard said he had almost given out of donors.” (Rodger L. Tarr, ed. The Private Marjorie : the Love Letters of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings to Norton S. Baskin. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2004)
Though she was willing to donate, Marjorie’s blood type wasn’t suitable for little Grace. A local hardware store donated a new red wagon for the little girl, something Grace had wanted, but sadly she died one week before Christmas.
Paul and Sydney shared family photos and mementos with me, including a video recorded of Paul’s mother Carol (Leonard’s oldest daughter) talking about Marjorie at a talk in Fort McCoy a few years before Carol passed away. Little Grace’s death remained a difficult subject even decades later.
“She died exactly a week before Christmas,” said Carol Fiddia. “That was a sad Christmas.”
Marjorie attended the funeral service at the Fort McCoy Cemetery on December 21, 1949. The memorial book shows that she contributed a vase with white flowers for the service. In a letter to her friend and publisher representative, Norman Berg dated December 29th, 1949, she described sitting at the gravesite in the Fort McCoy Cemetery:
“Leonard’s little girl died a week before Christmas. The funeral services were in the little Fort McCoy cemetery where Leonard’s people back to his great-grandfather are buried, and were simple and sweet, if such a thing is possible, with the wind in the pines, and a nearby saw-mill chug-chugging away. Leonard’s little boy, aged seven, the dreadful Elmer, wrestled with another little boy at the very edge of the grave–. Leonard insisted that I sit in the front row with the family, and Elmer sat next to me, chewing gum, and fascinated by his new shoes, which he kept rubbing together with a great squeaking, most satisfactory to Elmer.” (Laura Virginia Monti and Gordon E. Bigelow, eds. Selected Letters of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. Gainesville: University Presses of Florida, 1983)
Marjorie went on in that letter to Norman Berg to describe travelling to the Fiddia homestead to bring Christmas dinner.
“I promised Leonard and Miss Piety that I’d come to the Scrub this week, and I was sure they would have had some of the east coast rain on their deep sand road, so yesterday afternoon I set out with a turkey and all the fixings in time to cook dinner there. They had not a drop of rain, the place is 8 miles from anywhere, and I had to dig out twice. But we had as fine an afternoon and evening as possible under the circumstances of their sadness, and the turkey dinner cooked in the old wood-range was delicious, and Mis’ Piety put her thin old arms around me and said, ‘This is like old times,’” wrote Marjorie.
Leonard Fiddia’s daughter Carol remembers that Christmas dinner well. “All I remember about that meal is the turkey. Now we had eaten turkey because my dad killed wild turkeys occasionally. But they were always cut up before they were cooked. But she had this great big bought roasted turkey there on the table. Now that was impressive,” said Carol.
“My mom talked about it being a rough Christmas ‘cuz Grace had passed away just prior to Christmas and one thing she talked about was how Marjorie showed up at the house Christmas morning with all the fixings to make ‘em a Christmas dinner meal for them,” said Paul.
“It really touched Carol because she would still choke up you know, telling the story,” said Sydney.
The Fiddias remained close friends throughout Marjorie’s life. Leonard continued to do work to help maintain Marjorie’s home and serviced Marjorie’s Kohler plant which provided her electricity. The family says he even helped with carpentry work on the set of The Yearling movie in the mid-1940s. Both Piety Fiddia and Marjorie died in the same year…Piety in April of 1953 and Marjorie in December of 1953. Leonard Fiddia died in 1958.
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings: Video Highlights of Events at the MKR Historic State Park
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings is best known for her novel The Yearling which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1939 and was made into a major motion picture. She penned many other books including Cross Creek, South Moon Under, Golden Apples, The Sojourner and Blood of My Blood. Rawlings died on December 14th, 1953 but her legacy lives on and continues to inspire writers around the world. The farm is now a Florida State Park where thousands of people continue to visit the farm and community that inspired Rawlings’ literary works. The community service organization, “Friends of the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Farm,” works to support the needs of the park. For more information on the Friends of the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Farm go to MarjorieKinnanRawlings.org or follow the organization’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofMKR. You can view and listen to many of the organization’s activities below:
On December 12, 2021 The Friends of the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Farm sponsored the showing of the 1946 classic film, The Yearling, at the Marion Theatre in Ocala. It was the 75th anniversary of the premiere of the MGM award-winning film. Prior to the movie the audience was treated to an onstage interview with Claude Jarman, Jr. who played young “Jody” Baxter in the film.
On April 6th, 2021 documentary film producer Donna Green-Townsend talked with Claude Jarman, Jr. who played young “Jody” Baxter in the 1946 MGM film, The Yearling. The movie was based on Marjorie Rawlings’ Pulitzer Prize winning book. Jarman was a special guest on December 11th and 12th, 2021 in Cross Creek and Ocala, Florida as the Friends of the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Farm organization celebrated the 75th Anniversary of the Premiere of The Yearling.
The Yearling movie told the story of a pioneer family in the Florida Scrub of Marion County, Florida and starred actors Gregory Peck, Jane Wyman and young first-time actor, Claude Jarman, Jr.
The Yearling depicts the coming of age story of a young boy and his orphaned pet deer and the tough decisions his family had to make to survive. The movie received seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, taking home Oscars for Best Cinematography and Art Direction. Young actor Claude Jarman, Jr. won an Academy Juvenile Award.
Friends of the MKR Farm featured on WUFT’s Greater Good program
On March 26th, 2021 the Friends of the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Park was featured on WUFT-TV on the program, “Greater Good.” Here’s a link to the feature that aired.
In December of 2020 the park wasn’t able to have the usual holiday open house because of the pandemic. Instead, park staff and volunteers offered a virtual tour of Marjorie’s home all decked out for the holidays, just as Marjorie would have done when she lived there.
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings’ Cross Creek Christmas 2020
Marjorie and Me: Ron Haase Discusses Cracker Architecture and His Inspiration From Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
Ron Haase is Professor Emeritus at the University of Florida where he taught design and historic preservation. He is a specialist in the area of Florida vernacular architecture. Ron is also the author of the book, “Classic Cracker: Florida’s Wood-Frame Vernacular Architecture.” In this video he pays a visit to the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park and shares his personal inspiration from Rawlings writings. He tours MKR’s barn and home with Park Manager Scott Spaulding and shares his knowledge of “Classic Cracker Architecture.”
On August 8th, 2020 The Friends of the MKR Farm decided to have a virtual birthday party for Marjorie because of the pandemic. Below is a special video presentation offered online about the friends and neighbors of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings in Cross Creek. DVDs of the video are available to purchase for $20.00 plus $5.00 for postage and handling. All proceeds will benefit projects on the farm. Please make your check payable to Friends of the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Farm., and mail to PO Box 337, Micanopy, FL 32667-0337.
Life and Times in Cross Creek: Memories and Reflections
Celebrating MKR’s 123rd birthday (August, 2019)
The Pound Party Play
On May 4th, 2019 a variety of children participated in a play based on Chapter 4 of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings’ book, “Cross Creek.” The play was written by James M. Stephens. A variety of audience members took video of the play and this video is taken from what those audience members captured.
The event was sponsored by the Friends of the MKR Farm and the MKR Historic State Park in Cross Creek, FL. To learn about other future events check out the facebook page: The Friends of the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Farm. Cast members: Director- Scott Spaulding Cast Members: Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings- Samantha Briscoe Samuel Townsend – Lee Townsend Leila Townsend- Donna Green-Townsend Dorsey Townsend – Ty Briscoe Ella May Townsend – Abby Briscoe Floyd Townsend – Jaylen Riley Glenwood Townsend – Carter Cutter Preston Townsend- Lucas Wunner Beatrice Townsend – Emeline Floyd Baby Christine Townsend – Emery Swilley
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings’ Antiochers
Many of the Cross Creek, Florida friends Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings wrote about in her book “Cross Creek” are buried in the Antioch Cemetery near Island Grove, FL just east of Cross Creek. James M. Stephens has written what he thinks many of those friends would say about themselves and their relationship with the late Pulitzer-Prize-winning author. He shares those narratives in this unique walking tour of the Antioch Cemetery.
The Artistic Ties Between MKR and Robert E. Carson
Robert E. Carson was a professor of Humanities at the University of Florida from 1946-1971. Professor Carson, or “Doc” as many called him, was a self-taught artist who began in watercolors at the age of 35. In 1966 author Gordon E. Bigelow asked Carson to provide sketches for his book, Frontier Eden, The Literary Career of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. Following the publication of Bigelow’s book, the University of Florida asked Carson if he would be willing to provide tours of the late Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings home in Cross Creek. From 1968 to 1970 Carson and his wife Estelle stayed at the historic MKR home on weekends and served as the first hosts. Sadly, he died following a car accident leaving Cross Creek in 1971. Carson’s daughter, Elaine Carson Spencer shares how she is keeping her father’s legacy alive in this video about the artistic ties between her father and MKR.
Celebrating Marjorie’s 122nd Birthday at the MKR Historic State Park in August of 2018
Visitors who attended the 122nd Birthday Celebration for Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings in Cross Creek, FL in August of 2018 were treated to recipes from her Cross Creek Cookery book, music and tours of the farm. Volunteers with the Friends of the MKR Farm and staff from the MKR Historic State Park served up watermelon sherbet, mango ice cream and black bottom pie as well as birthday cake. Music was provided by Eli Tragash and Virginia Carr.
MKR friend Carol Fiddia Laxton Tours Historic Cross Creek Home
On March 3, 2018 Carol Fiddia Laxton toured the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Home in Cross Creek, FL. She had last visited the home when she was 18 years old many decades before. Her father wanted her to talk to Marjorie about what she was going to do after high school. Marjorie encouraged Carol to go to college for at least two years.
After touring Marjorie’s home, Carol Fiddia Laxton shared her memories of the late Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. Her talk was sponsored by the Friends of the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Farm organization and the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park. Carol’s father and grandmother were good friends of Rawlings. The late author lived with the family for a time to gather information for the books she was writing, including, “South Moon Under” and “The Yearling.”
Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of MKR’s Cross Creek and Cross Creek Cookery
Hotel Thomas Porch Party September 16th, 2017
Musicians, singers and dancers gathered at the Thomas Center in Gainesville, FL for the Hotel Thomas Porch Party on Saturday, September 16th, 2017. It was a part of the year-long 75th anniversary celebration of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings publications, “Cross Creek,” and “Cross Creek Cookery.” The family-friendly event treated guests to traditional music and dance—and some unconventional entertainment. Guests enjoyed music by Sam & Eden, as well as musical guests (and descendants of Cross Creek characters) Jessie & Lee Townsend, Andy Garfield and young performers from We the People Theatre, dancing, percussive dance demonstrations, crankie theatre, and an old-time music jam. And there were plenty of homemade pie by the Pie Gals.
Happy 121st Birthday Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings: August 5, 2017 Fish Fry Birthday Celebration
MKR and the Invasion of Privacy Trial
The 1946 “Invasion of Privacy Trial” of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings vs. Zelma Cason has captivated lawyers and literary experts alike. On June 18th thru June 20th, 2015 the public got a flavor of the famous trial when the award-winning play by Larry Parr, “Invasion of Privacy,” took to the stage of the Fine Arts Hall at Santa Fe College.
It was after Marjorie Rawlings won the Pulitizer Prize for “The Yearling” that she continued her success with her book, “Cross Creek,” a book which captured what her life was like as well as her neighbors in the small fishing community. But one friend of Rawlings, Zelma Cason, didn’t take “too kindly” to the way Rawlings described her in her book and decided to sue the famous author. Click here to read more about this famous legal case.
Park Ranger Lee Townsend being interviewed on November 13th, 2009 at the MKR home about Marjorie’s life at the “Creek.”
A True “Mother’s Day” Story About Romance in Cross Creek by Shelley Fraser Mickle
I have a friend who lives at Cross Creek. She moved there over a decade ago from up North, and she would have left probably any number of times except that she fell in love with a man from the Creek. And that made all the difference. Apparently men at the Creek take the romancing of a woman very seriously.
For instance, a first date might be only a midnight fishing trip under a full moon on Orange Lake. It might be a frog gigging, or a beer shared out on a wooden bench near the Creek until it is dark and quiet, so that then you can listen to the alligators bellow in Lochloosa.
Click here to read more…
Cross Creek Summer
The first weekend in August of 1997 kicked off the first annual Cross Creek Summer, Arts and Culture in Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings’ Florida. Organizers hoped the week-long event would introduce people to the Florida Rawlings loved and attract those ecotourists looking for the real Florida. To hear the report produced by Donna Green-Townsend Click here
50th Anniversary of “The Yearling” Celebration on the MKR farm in Cross Creek in April of 1988
In 1988 the community of Cross Creek, FL came together to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Pulitizer Prize Winning novel, “The Yearling,” by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. Not only did the event bring out a diverse group of Creek folks, but also noted entertainers and storytellers such as Cousin Thelma Boltin, and Florida Artists Hall of Fame winners Will McLean and Gamble Rogers. The video was captured on a VHS recorder by volunteers at the festival.
Life & Times in Cross Creek: Memories and Reflections
(DVDs of the video are available for purchase to benefit “The Friends of the MKR Farm” which supports the MKR Historic State Park in Cross Creek. Scroll down for ordering information)
| Life & Times in Cross Creek: Memories and Reflections is a very personal endeavor for me. I first presented a program on the topic at the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Farm in December of 2019. I have continued to add pictures and video ever since. It tells the story of many of my friends and neighbors in Cross Creek, some who have personal memories of the late Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “The Yearling,” Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. The program features very unique historic video, audio and photos of many of the characters Marjorie wrote about in her book, “Cross Creek,” including “Snow Slater” and Berney Bass who both took care of her orange grove. Berney also took Marjorie fishing and gator hunting through the years. You’ll hear from the late author and artist from Evinston, J. T. Glisson, and the late actor “Rip Torn” who was nominated for an Oscar for his role in the Hollywood production of “Cross Creek.” You’ll also meet the Townsend family that Marjorie wrote about in Chapter 4 of “Cross Creek” entitled, “The Pound Party.” The Townsends were also one of the many families who were part of the catfishing heydays in Cross Creek, another special segment of the video. Here’s an outline of the various segments in the documentary: Segment 1: Friends & Neighbors of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings- runs 10:37 Segment 2: Visiting “Snow” & Ella Mae Slater- runs 5:41 Segment 3: Catfishing Days in Cross Creek- runs: 23:13 Segment 4: The Movie Business Comes to Cross Creek- runs 4:26 Segment 5: Memories of Marjorie- runs: 8:35 Segment 6: Reflections & Credits- runs: 5:10 Music included in the documentary was provided by: The Creek by Paul Garfinkel- reverbnation.com/paulgarfinkel Atlantic Crossing by Jim Hurst & Roberto Dalla Vecchia JimHurst.com Daisies for Judy by Jim Hurst Trio JimHurst.com Margaret by Mike Jurgensen- reverbnation.com/MikeJurgensen Catfish by Danny O’Keefe- dannyokeefe.com Stillness by Mark Smith- coralbay2@gmail.com Isle of View and The Light and the Longing by George Tortorelli and Lisa Lynne- MedicineWind.com This video premiered on August 8th to celebrate Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings’ birthday. |
DVDs of the video are available to purchase for $15.00 plus $4.00 for postage and handling. All proceeds will benefit projects on the farm. Please make your check payable to Friends of the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Farm., and mail to PO Box 337, Micanopy, FL 32667-0337.
Marjorie Kinnan Rawling’s Antiochers
Many of the Cross Creek, Florida friends Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings wrote about in her book “Cross Creek” are buried in the Antioch Cemetery near Island Grove, FL just east of Cross Creek. James M. Stephens has written what he thinks many of those friends would say about themselves and their relationship with the late Pulitzer-Prize-winning author.
Donna Green-Townsend, a board member of the MKR Friends of the Farm, captured those narratives on video on a couple of James Stephens walking tours of the Antioch Cemetery in 2018. The walking tours were sponsored by the Friends of the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Farm organization.
Note: When Jim makes reference to someone “coming here in…” he is referring to when the various folks ended up buried in the Antioch Cemetery.
While there are several of MKR’s friends buried in the Antioch Cemetery, there are several (such as Dorsey, Floyd and Preston Townsend, Ella Mae Slater and Snow Slater) who are buried in the Townsend Cemetery near Grove Park, FL. As of this writing it is not widely known where Marsh Turner or Mr. Martin are buried.
Antioch Cemetery 
A tour in the Antioch Cemetery 
MKR and Norton Baskin’s gravesite 
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings gravesite 
Norton Baskin’s gravesite 
George Fairbanks headstone 
Berney and Theresa Bass tombstone 
Berney Lee Bass tombstone 
Zelma Cason gravesite 
Zelma’s mother Charity’s tombstone 
Turner Z. Cason headstone 
Widow Slater’s gravesite 
Rodney Slater tombstone 
Henry Slater tombstone 
Chet Crosby tombstone 
Tom Morrison gravesite 
Sally Morrison Smith gravesite 
Antioch Cemetery
Elaine Carson Spencer: Reflecting on the Artistic Ties between MKR and Her Parents, Robert E. and Estelle Carson
Robert E. Carson was a professor of Humanities at the University of Florida from 1946-1971. In his youth, he worked as a professional musician playing the saxophone and clarinet in dance orchestras, theaters, hotels and for a brief time, vaudeville.
many venues around the community
His first love was the violin which he started playing at the age of 4. Several years later he switched to the viola which he played in the Symphony Orchestra at the University of Florida for 25 years. He often performed at university events, receptions, weddings and other venues in the Gainesville community.
Professor Carson, or “Doc” as many called him, was a self-taught artist who began in watercolors at the age of 35. His works can be found in galleries as well as in other public locations and in private collections.
In 1966 author Gordon E. Bigelow asked Carson to provide sketches for his book, Frontier Eden, The Literary Career of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings.
Following the publication of Bigelow’s book, the University of Florida asked Carson if he would be willing to provide tours of the late Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings home in Cross Creek.
From 1968 to 1970 Carson and his wife Estelle stayed at the historic MKR home on weekends and served as the first hosts. Sadly, he died following a car accident leaving Cross Creek in 1971.
Learn more about those exciting years giving tours at the late Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author’s home by watching the video below produced by Donna Green-Townsend and Carson’s daughter, Elaine Carson Spencer.
Carson’s legacy is being continued by his daughter, Elaine Carson Spencer, through the sale of his prints and note cards. Primarily she will be offering the prints of MKR’s home and the bridge. At a later date she will offer other Florida sketches from her father.
11 X 14 prints are $25.00 and the price of a package of 10 note cards is $12.00.
For more information or to place an order contact Elaine at ElaineCspencer@gmail.com
MKR friend Carol Fiddia Laxton revisits historic home in Cross Creek
On March 3, 2018 Carol Fiddia Laxton toured the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Home in Cross Creek, FL. She had last visited the home when she was 18 years old many decades before. Her father wanted her to talk to Marjorie about what she was going to do after high school. Marjorie encouraged Carol to go to college for at least two years.
Carol’s father and grandmother were close friends of the late Pulitzer-Prize winning author. Before writing “The Yearling” which won the Pulitzer, Marjorie wrote “South Moon Under.” The inspiration for the characters and setting for both books came from living with Carol’s family back in the scrub of Marion County. There Marjorie learned the ins and outs of making moonshine, hunting, fishing and the “cracker ways” of early Florida.
Following her walk through the MKR home, Carol shared her memories of the late Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. Her talk was sponsored by the Friends of the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Farm organization and the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park.
Carol’s father and grandmother were good friends of Rawlings. The late author lived with the family for a time to gather information for the books she was writing, including, “South Moon Under” and “The Yearling.”
Happy Birthday Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
See highlights of the 121st and 122nd birthday celebrations for Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings at the MKR Historic State Park in Cross Creek, FL.
Visitors who attended the 122nd Birthday Celebration for Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings in Cross Creek, FL in August of 2018 were treated to recipes from her Cross Creek Cookery book, music and tours of the farm. Volunteers with the Friends of the MKR Farm and staff from the MKR Historic State Park served up watermelon sherbet, mango ice cream and black bottom pie as well as birthday cake. Music was provided by Eli Tragash and Virginia Carr.
More than 120 people turned out to help celebrate Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings 121st birthday in Cross Creek in August of 2017. Guests were treated to a fish fry with all the fixings including fried fish, grits, hush puppies, coleslaw, cake and sherbert made from tangerines and oranges from Marjorie’s grove on the farm.
See video highlights of the event below:
The Friends of the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Farm and the staff of the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park sponsored the event with support from Visit Gainesville/Alachua County. Northwest Seafood in Gainesville donated and fried the fish.
Visitors were treated to the jazz tunes of the band, “Uptown Swing” as they ate their meals on tables set up all around Marjorie’s home and barn. The August 5th event was part of the year-long activities planned around the 75th anniversary of Rawling’s publications, “Cross Creek,” and “Cross Creek Cookery.” For more information about upcoming events go online to https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofMKRFarm/ or https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/marjorie-kinnan-rawlings-historic-state-park
Meanwhile, at the Yearling Restaurant in Cross Creek, visitors can see a Florida wild animal exhibit which showcases the animals made popular in the literary works of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings.
Owner of the Yearling Restaurant, Robert Blauer, has recently added the colorful taxidermy-mount exhibit featuring most of the species of wild animals found throughout Florida. Many of these, particularly the bear and deer, were made famous by Rawlings in her many books like The Yearling (Pulitzer Prize 1939), and Cross Creek (1942). Some 40 animal mounts, called “Fodderwing’s Creeturs,” belonging to Cross Creek naturalist, Jim Stephens, are displayed against a spectacular mural setting painted by St. Augustine artist, Gayle Prevatt.
Blauer is inviting the public to come and see this new attraction while also enjoying the old-time dining favorites at the eatery such as gator-tail, catfish and grits, seafood, and sour orange pie, which have made the short drive from Gainesville a memorable dining adventure.
Contact Information:
Mural Artist: Gayle Prevatt, 904-377-7917, gprevatt@aug.com
Animal Exhibit: Jim Stephens 352-466-3034, sloughfootcreek@aol.com
Yearling Restaurant owner: Robert Blauer, 352-466-3999