PAGE 12 - March 7, 2012
THE NEWSCASTER-Nature Coast News
Wildlife park to host
BAR OPENS 7 DAYS AT11:00 AM• CLOSE: Mon-Thurs 1:00 am /Fri-Sat 2:00 am/Sun 12:00 pm
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
HomosassaStrawbridge, Park Services Specialist
Heritage day
50 Drafts
Elvis on Tour
Karaoke Contest 8:00 pm
All Day & Night
8:00pm
Cash Prize!
Special to The Newscaster By Susan
Whether you are an area resident, a visitor interested in the history of Homosassa,
Saturday - Live Band
or a former employee of the attraction or park, you will enjoy a step back in time Saturday,
March 31, 2012, at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. This year, the
Mel & Chris 8 pm.
park will collaborate with Citrus County Historical Society, Florida Archaeological So-
SUNDAY
ciety, Crystal River Archaeological State Park, Homosassa River Garden Club, and other
local groups to present this annual event with sponsorship by the Citrus County Chronicle
Live Band 2:00 pm.
and the Friends of Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park. Homosassa Heritage Day exhibits
and activities will run from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There will be no charge for the pro-
Fishing Tournament - March 31st
grams and exhibits in the Florida Room. Regular admission will apply for entrance into the
Wildlife Park.
FREE RIDES HOME
Two special Florida Archaeological Month presentations by Dr. Lucy Wayne, ar-
chaeologist and architectural historian, entitled Sweet Cane – Florida Sugar prior to the
Civil War will be offered at 10:30 am and at 1:30 pm. These presentations will include
Bubba’s Fin & Feather
a brief history of sugar and an explanation of how it was raised and processed in Florida
prior to the Civil War. Dr. Wayne will include a discussion of the Yulee and Gamble sugar
10930 S.E. 201st St.• Inglis
works of the Gulf Coast and how they fit into the broader history of sugar in Florida. She
off Hwy. 40-East on Lk. Rousseau
will focus on changes within the sugar industry as reflected through the architecture of the
LAKESIDE RV SITES w/cable, utilities & wi-fi - $325/mo. (352) 447-2755 or 353-1301
sugar works.
Candace Boothe, Margaret Harris and Betty Berger will present a costumed reen-
actment of conversations between Florida pioneer woman Dessie Smith Prescott portrayed
by Candace Boothe with Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Pulitzer Prize winning author for her
famous book The Yearling, portrayed by Margaret Harris and Betty Berger playing herself.
Candace Boothe was a friend and caretaker for Dessie for 18 years. Margaret Harris is an
assistant schoolteacher. Betty Berger is a local author who has written several books about
the history of the area. They will share many interesting stories of Dessie’s adventures and
her friendship with Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. Gus Valderrama will be portraying Ernest
Hemingway, who was a frequent visitor and acquaintance of Dessie Smith Prescott and
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. They will speak at 11:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Park volunteer Don Franklin will present a program on the history of the Mullet
train and its impact on the Homosassa area at 12:30 pm. Franklin has been researching the
area’s history for several years to enhance his interpretation as the owner/guide of Florida
River Tours. He recently retired. His wife, Karen Franklin, will be portraying Mrs. David
Levy Yulee, wife of the U.S. Senator, entrepreneur, statesman and visionary who acquired
the 5,000 acres in Homosassa including the spring in 1851 for a sugar cane plantation
named Margarita. He built the sugar-boiling factory, commonly known as the Sugar Mill
three miles upriver.
Retired Park Rangers Jack Kearns and Patrick Dillard will reminisce about the
early days of Homosassa Springs Attraction at 2:00 pm.
Newscasterarchives photo - 52 year old Michael Peters said in a phone interview (March
The Wildlife Park will have special exhibits of old photos and memorabilia from
2011) when the IPD showed up with an arrest warrant he called 911 because he feared for
the park and attraction’s early days. Exhibitors will include the Citrus County Historical
his life. He asked that a Levy Deputy be present. Inglis Chief Dixon, left, Officer Tim Swiggett,
Society, Homosassa River Garden Club, Citrus County Libraries and Candace Boothe with
mid and Levy Deputy Breeding, right - Paid Advertisement
information on Dessie Smith Prescott. Local authors Betty Berger and Barbara Cairns will
be set up in the Florida Room, and signing copies of their books.
WHO WANTS IPD GONE?
This will be the 13th annual Homosassa Heritage Day, and your help is needed to
make this event a success. The information gathered through conversations and interviews
with former employees and longtime residents adds to our knowledge of Homosassa’s heri-
THE DRUGGIES DON'T!
tage. If you would like to assist with this event or if you have information or old photos to
share, please call Susan Strawbridge at (352) 628-5445, Ext. 1002.
SO WHO DOES?
William Crow Am-Vets Post 447
Solid Law Abiding Citizens
Several Engineers
405 E. Hwy. 40 • Inglis, Florida • 352-447-4473
Business Owners
A Lawyer
An Interior Designer
2 retired Accountants
UPCOMING EVENTS - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
A retired Baptist Preacher
Several retired School Teachers
A former DEA cop
Several Nurses
New Event - Bingo Bingo Bingo
A retired Chief Petty Officer
A High Level Multiple Medical
Every Tuesday 5:00 - ?
A retired Navy officer
Facilities Administrator
A retired Lt. Colonel
A Psychiatrist
3-8 Post Meeting 5:30
A former Missionary
3 former Inglis Commissioners
A Computer Programmer
One sitting Inglis Commissioner
Nomination of Officers
3-10 Ladies Aux. Yard Sale
WHAT
DOES
THAT
TELL
YOU ?
3-17 Corned Beef & Cabbage $8 - 5-7pm.
(If IPD had shown character and integrity,
they would not be having this problem.)
Music by the Fabulous "Quitlers" 7-11pm
Paid Political Ad by Kathleen Eiland, Inglis, FL 34449