Author: Debbie Roney Smith

Local Artist Spotlight

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Morgan Summers is a local muralist based in Lynn Haven. Summers currently splits her time between client-directed work, creating content, and working on her passion project Small Town Walls. You may have seen her murals at local favorites such as the Bay Arts Alliance, The Lovely Project, UCF Downtown, Modern Orthodontics of Clermont, and more. In a recent article, she stated that she has “been pleasantly surprised that if I could just do a good job at what I do, people seem to enjoy it.”(1)

Learn more about Morgan Summers by visiting her official website here. 

Star Wars Night at Main Street Blountstown

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May the Fourth be with you! May 4th celebrates George Lucas’ Star Wars franchise. The date was chosen for the pun of the franchise catchphrase “May the Force be with you” as “May the Fourth be with you.” 

Main Street Blountstown is helping you celebrate this commemorative day this Friday, May 6th, with Star Wars Night. The Parjai Squad with the 501st Legion will be available for photo ops as well as meet and greets! From 5pm – 7:30pm, there will be a plethora of family-friendly Star Wars-themed activities at Magnolia Square Park. There will be a costume party, Jedi training, trivia games, vendors, food, music, and a scavenger hunt. 

 

Gopher Tortoise Friendly Yards

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Tomorrow, May 4th, Dr. Katherine Richardson will be hosting an online class on Gopher Tortoise Friendly Yards. From 9am – 11am CDT, partake in the class by visiting this link. Dr. Richardson is the Gopher Tortoise Program Coordinator with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Gopher tortoises are a threatened species in Florida, making the 350 species that depend on their burrows for shelter also in danger. In fact, the presence of Gopher Tortoises can help save wildlife from wildfires! This webinar will teach participants what they can do to help support this fantastic native species.

 

UF|IFAS Leon County Extention Plant Sale

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Coming to the Tallahassee UF/IFAS Leon County Extension this Saturday – the 2022 Open House and Plant Sale! From 8am – 11pm CDT, there will be UF/IFAS Extension agents, program partners, local groups, and more ready and willing to help you learn about gardening, natural resources, 4-H youth development, and family and consumer sciences. Participating groups include the Capital City Garden Club, Tallahassee Garden Club, Rose Society, Bonsai Society, UF/IFAS Bookstore, Apalachee Beekeepers Association, and more!

Additionally, there will be Master Gardener Volunteers available to help you find the right plants. There will be over 3,000 plants – this includes fruits, vegetables, ornamental landscape, and more. Cash, credit, and checks will be accepted. This event also serves as a fundraiser; there will be a silent auction and bouquet sale. These events benefit programs such as 4-H scholarships, school and community gardens around the county, the UF/IFAS Demonstration Garden, and other educational efforts throughout the year.

Baker County: Agriculture Management Practices

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The UF/IFAS Extension and the Florida Department of Agriculture are hosting a free event focusing on Agriculture Management Practices. The event will occur on Wednesday, May 4th from 8am – 9:30am CDT. Presentations will focus on soil and tissue sampling, interpreting your results & application of findings, as well as technical assistance and cost-share opportunities. You must register for the event beforehand; breakfast will be provided.
Contact: Alicia Halbritter, UF/IFAS Extension Baker County Agriculture Agent at 904-259-3520 or aliciah1221@ufl.edu
Register online:bakerbmp.eventbrite.com

Calhoun County: Waste Tire Amnesty Day

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Today and tomorrow are Waste Tire Amnesty Days for Calhoun County residents. From 8am to 3pm, each resident can drop off up to EIGHT tires. Please note that proof of residency is required. Tires can be dropped off at the Recycling Facility located at 17588 Magnolia Church Road. 

Town of Sneads: Public Announcement

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Lee Garner, the Town Manager of Sneads, would like to remind residents that “Recreational Vehicles are not authorized for occupancy within the town limits.” He cites Section 4 (h) of Ordinance 2019-03: “Recreational Vehicles – No recreational vehicles will be allowed within the corporate limits of the Town of Sneads, Florida, for the purpose of occupancy, regardless of the size. This is strictly Prohibited, and water services shall be disconnected for anyone connecting a recreational vehicle to their water services with the intent of allowing occupancy within that recreational vehicle.” 

North Florida Wildflower Festival

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The North Florida Wildflower Festival is this Saturday, April 30th! The festival will be held in downtown Blountstown; this includes Magnolia Square, the M&B Train Depot Museum & Park, and the Blountstown Greenway bike trail. The North Florida Wildflower Festival is an annual event run by the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce, Florida Wildflower Foundation, Florida Panhandle Wildflower Alliance, University of Florida IFAS, RiverWay South Choctawhatchee Apalachicola, and Blountstown Main Street. The festival will feature wildflower and gardening-themed products, plants, arts and crafts, and kids’ activities.

Click on the image to see an expanded list of confirmed vendors. Keep up to date with announcements at the official Facebook event page here. 

Lazy Acres Family Farm Tour Day

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The Lazy Acres Family Farm is having a Farm Tour Day at the end of this month. On April 30th from 10 am until 4 pm, the farm will be open to the public for free! This is the Fifth Annual Spring Farm Tour and includes a number of vendors alongside tours. Experience how the family raises their cows, pigs, and chickens, and visit The Farm Store. Vendors include:

Crepe and Cream Food Truck
6R Farms, Inc.
Green Gate Olive Grove
Buffalo Ridge Forge
Ella Grace Allen

Learn more about the event at the Facebook event page here.