Author: Debbie Roney Smith

World Turtle Day

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Today is World Turtle Day! This annual event was created to celebrate, raise awareness, and advocate for the conservation of turtles and tortoises worldwide. Turtles and tortoises are associated with wisdom and perseverance in human fables, tales, and stories. In nature, they act as keystone species and indicators of an ecosystem’s health.

Gopher Tortoises, for instance, dig extensive burrows that save over 350 different species during forest fires. Sea turtles help keep sea kelp heathy and act as key prey and/or predator during their lifecycle. To celebrate, learn more by visiting the official World Turtle Day website OR support local turtle conservation efforts like the Navarre Conservation Center by browsing their website, donating to their organization, or visiting their Center.

Jacksonville Jazz Festival

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The Jacksonville Jazz Festival has a rich, forty-year history of showcasing smooth beats and imaginative solos. It’s the largest free music festival and features three days of live music on TWO different stages. Some of the 2023 performers will include Wynton Marsalis, Samara Joy, Shemekia Copeland, the U.S. Army Ambassadors Jazztet, Marcus Miller, Larry Carlton, and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band.

Come out from May 25-28th to enjoy the festival. There will also be a piano competition, a jazz marketplace, food, and more! Come down to Downtown Jacksonville to enjoy a sunny weekend of groovy music and family fun. Learn more by visiting the official Festival website.

May (Veggie) Gardening Tips

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Here in the Florida Panhandle, May weather can be hard to pinpoint when attempting to work in the garden. Here are some tips for making the most of your veggie garden in May:

  • Periodically harvest from your spring garden to keep it going for as long as possible.
  • Plant tomatoes, okra, green beans, cucumbers, squash, eggplant, peppers, and melons. 
  • If you want lettuce, choose a heat-tolerant variety. This is the last chance to harvest lettuce for spring/summer.
  • Water your crops regularly and adequately according to their needs; skip days with adequate rain.
  • Plant okra, melons, squash, and green beans.

Flower Farm Tour

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The Flower Farm Tour is back! Hosted by Black Barn Blossoms and Fussell’s Daylily Farm, the Tour will be held on Saturday, May 27th from 9am-3pm. Admission to the two flower farms will be FREE; bring cash or a card for on-site plants, flowers, and food trucks. There will also be farm tours and workshops. Come out for a lovely day enjoying the local community and the weekend sun. 

Learn more and stay up-to-date with event announcements by visiting the Facebook event page. 

Spring Home Maintenance Tips

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Spring is well underway, and summer is just around the corner! Want to be sure to keep your home in good condition? Want to straighten it up before putting it on the market? Follow the checklist of spring maintenance tasks below:

  1. Clean Gutters and Downspouts: clogged gutters/downspouts can cause wood rot and allow critters access to your home/attic.
  2. Reseal Exterior Woodwork: doors, porches, fences, trellises, and railing should be resealed every two years to prevent wear and tear. 
  3. Check for Signs of Termites and Carpenter Bees: look for holes in exterior wood or swarms of flying insects coming from your home.
  4. Inspect the Roof: look for missing shingles, metal pipes that are damaged/missing, or anything that simply doesn’t look right. Call a roofer with any concerns.
  5. Paint the Exterior: this is less a need and more a want. Spring is the best time to paint your home so if you’ve been wanting to slap a new coat on, now’s the time!
  6. Inspect Driveways and Paths: look for damage to walkways, paths, and driveways. Asphalt can often be patched, but damaged concrete may need to be replaced entirely.
  7. Check Sprinkler and Irrigation Systems: make sure there are no clogs/broken pipes by running the system. Check that none of the sprinkler heads are broken or damaged. 
  8. Prevent Mosquitoes: prevent mosquitos around your home by getting rid of any standing water.
  9. Check Screen Doors and Windows: carefully check each door/screen and repair any holes or tears to prevent bugs from getting in. There are screen repair kits at most hardware and home improvement stores.
  10. Schedule Air-conditioning Service: just because your ac is producing cold air doesn’t mean it’s in peak condition. Get the most out of your ac – change the filters at least once each season and hire a licensed professional to service the equipment before the start of summer.

Pressure Canning & Dehydrating Class

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The Jackson County UF|IFAS Extension Office is hosting a Pressure Canning & Dehydrating Class Upcoming next Saturday. On Saturday, May 20th, there will be a Preserving Food at Home class from 9am to 1pm. The course will be held at the Jackson County Agriculture Offices and costs only $20/person! This is incredible given the scope of the information and potential savings covered by the class. Additionally, each participant will get to take home a sample jar of chicken prepared in class.
Canning and dehydrating are two of the three main methods for preserving food. This class is perfect for beginners and those looking for a refresher course. They are designed to explain the science of how canning and dehydrating work, proper food safety techniques, differences in canning methods, and how to preserve food using a pressure canner properly.
Pre-registration is REQUIRED to participate in this class. Please visit the Jackson County Extension Office at 2741 Penn Avenue, Suite 3, Marianna, FL, or visit the event site HERE to register.

Magnolia Market

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Magnolia Market is happening this Saturday, May 13th from 5:30-8:30pm CST. Magnolia Market is hosted by Main Street Blountstown in Magnolia Square Park. There will be live music, face painting, crafts, boutique clothing, ax throwing, metal works, and more! The Market will also have cotton candy, kettle corn, and food trucks to feed you throughout the night of family fun. 

Scoop on Tourism

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Jackson County is celebrating Tourism Appreciation Week on May 10th with FREE ICE CREAM! Tourism Appreciation Week: Scoop of Tourism will give all Jackson County residents and visitors a free scoop of ice cream from 12pm to 2pm. Come by Southern Craft Creamery in Marianna for prizes and in-store fun. 

Visit the Southern Craft Creamery Facebook page to learn more about the event or learn about future offers!

Moss Hill Methodist Church

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The Moss Hill Methodist Church is a historic site located near Vernon in Washington County, Florida. It is a wooden church built in 1857 using slave labor. Services are held in the church to this day, although modern conveniences such as electricity are still missing from the structure. Moss Hill was founded as a Methodist Misson soon after Florida joined the USA. The church was a centerpiece for life in the surrounding communities during the Civil War. Some of the congregation died in the war and were memorialized by markers in the Moss Hill Cemetary. The cemetery and church grounds are open to the public daily; visit to view the historic marker on the grounds that provides a brief history of the historic structure.