PAGE 4 April 9, 2008
The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
Will McLean Festival Moves to Levy
Real Estate Today
Special to The Newscaster by Robert Davis
Fun Facts About the Boom Town Dunnellon Area
Will McLean, Florida's greatest troubadour, returned to Levy County this past week-
A Guest Commentary by Darryl Diamond
large barges sitting out in the
end April 4-6 to the banks of the Withlacoochee River to sing in praise of Florida's beauty and
gulf waiting for high tide so they
mystery. At least in spirit anyway. The 19th Annual Will McLean Music Festival was held at
In 1887 the there existed a small agrar-
can come into the Crystal River
the Withlacoochee Campground in Dunnellon just inside the Levy County line and was
ian village at the confluence of what is now
power plant so they can unload
attended by thousands despite the rainy weather. The event is sponsored every year by the
know as the Rainbow river and the Withla-
the fuel used in the 4 coal plants
Will McLean Foundation, a not-for-profit organization in Dunnellon which promotes the works
coochee river. To the west where two fishing
that operate next to the nuclear
of Florida artists who praise Florida's natural beauty. The Foundation focuses on Florida's
villages called blind horse (Inglis) and Yan-
plant.
environmental wellbeing and provides for research, training, and performance programs through
keetown. Suddenly the papers in the north
After a few years the Silver Springs,
out the state. "Saving Florida Through Music" is the theme of the Will McLean Foundation.
east announced "Phosphate is found in Dun-
Ocala, and Gulf Railroad laid many spur tracks
Will McLean traveled all over the state, camping and staying with friends, singing to
nellon Florida" The boom days were on, and
directly to the many mines in and around Dun-
spread his message. He wrote over 3,700 songs detailing the precious balance of nature and
what a ride it was, with some people compar-
nellon, which then sped up the process of
warning of the destruction brought on by progress. He lived among the people he wrote
ing it to the gold rush of California. Since the
delivering the Phosphate to Port Inglis. The
about, touching their hearts with songs about hurricanes, bubbling springs, flowing rivers
rock was mined by hand, it took many thou-
experts even back in the 1890's discovered
and wild hogs in Gulf Hammock. Will died of cancer in 1990 but his good friend Margaret
sands of labors to do the job. Basically the
that these veins of phosphate ran between
Longhill of Dunnellon continues his spirit as the driving force behind the Will McLean Foun-
rock was first mined around Dunnellon, put
Dunnellon and Inglis northward all the way
dation.
on wagons or whatever they could muster
up the middle of Levy county all the way to
This year the festival was dedicated to the memory of Bobby Hicks, another great
up, then brought to what was called Port Ing-
Dixie county. With this information in mind, it
Florida troubador who passed on last year. Bobby was a sixth generation Floridian from
lis to be put on small boats.
is good that the Goethe state forest exists to
Tampa who spoke out loudly for the state he loved. A gentle giant of a man, with a heart as big
These small boats navigated out the
protect the center of Levy County from being
as Tampa Bay and a voice that could bellow like an old bull alligator, Bobby Hicks never
shallow river then out to the gulf a few miles
mined.
backed down when it came to a confrontation with money hungry developers. He traveled the
into deeper water to be put on larger boats
The pros and cons of mining phos-
state on his old flat head Harley and became friends with shrimpers, farmers, and moonshiners.
that could not come any closer to land. From
phate, the growth it has brought, and
He told their stories in songs and praised the values he saw in their lives.
there this phosphate was sent all over the
potenttial future growth it continues to bring,
The WillFest, as it has come to be known, is a unique celebration of Florida. Campers
north east states, and even Europe to be used
is a "bone of contention" to this day. I'll see
started arriving early in the week to set up underneath the oak trees at the Robinson Ranch
for many purposes including fertilizer.
you around "The Campus". Darryl & Vicki
Dunnellon Campground. Setting up tents, hooking up RV's, or just sleeping in the back of a
Ironically the boat shipping process
Diamond, and Shirley a. Dodge are "The Dia-
pickup truck; they came to hear and play Florida Folk Music. The festival is dog and family
can be seen today in reverse. If you ever have
mond Team" available 7 days a week for all of
friendly and is a true celebration of the diversity of Florida's culture. For three days music
the opportunity to fish 25 miles out in the
your professional real estate needs at 352-
celebrating Florida rings forth from three stages.
gulf, you will periodically see several very
447-4442.
Weed control on Lk. Rousseau, April 14-25
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) will conduct aquatic
weed control operations in Lake Rousseau using Environmental Proctectin Agency (EPA)
approved herbicides, during April 14-25. A water lettuce and water hyacinth sweep of the lake
will be conducted using the herbicide, Reward. Boat trails will be maintained using the herbi-
cides, Glyphosate and Aquathol Super K.
People using treated areas of Lake Rousseau for domestic purposes or for irrigation
are cautioned that treated water should not be used for a period of 5 days in Reward treated
areas, and for 7 days in Aquathol Super K treated areas. No livestock watering for 1 day in
Reward treated areas. Lake water should not be used for drinking (this does not apply to tap
water) for 3 days in Reward treated areas. There are no restrictions in Glyphosate treated
areas.
Signs displaying treatment dates and restrictions will be posted in treated areas.
Scheduled treatments may be delayed due to adverse envirorunental conditions. The man-
agement and treatment of nuisance exotic vegetation is necessary to maintain recreational
activities and protect native plant habitat in Florida waters. For additional information, con-
tact the FDEP at (352) 726-8622.
Under protection of the main stage"Emmett Carlisle sings Saving Florida Through Music,
written for the festival"
Realty
OPEN 7 DAYS
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner!
Sally Price, Realtor
Mon-Fri.6am-9pm
(352) 302-8556 cell
Sat.5am-9pm
Inglis,fl
14 Hwy 40 W. Inglis (next to the Inglis Police Dept.)
Sun.5am-8pm
Gulf Hammock Management Hunt Camp furnished..just move in........................$39,500
3/2 Mobile on canal to river, corner lot,large oaks, workshop...............................$139,000
Now Serving Fried Mullet
2 Lots,Peaceful Acres, paved street, homes only, near boat ramps EACH. .........$23,000
Daily, along with Deep Fried
4.70 ac Lot, high & dry, paved street Citrus County hills & horse country..........$160,000
Turkey & other Specials
4.99 ac Lot between Palm & Mastadon Inglis paved streets.................................$79,900
1 ac Mobile "fixer upper" paved street backs up to forest Woodpecker Ridge.....$45,000
All YOU CAN EAT SPECIALS
5 ac LOT ON RIVER Inglis 1225' borders Greenways & Trails REDUCED .....$218,000
Beautiful Home 3/2 split plan high/dry On Hwy 40 in historic Yankeetown........$259,900
Starting at Noon
3 Lots in Yankeetown on Hwy 40 all 3 buildable ..ALL 3 FOR ...........................$85,000
MON BBQ Pork Dinner $7.95
2
& 1/2 Lots in Yankeetown 59 St paved street can be divided .both for .............$70,000
TUES Shrimp (Fried or Scampi) $9.95
14 Hwy. 19N, Inglis, Florida
1 ac Lot backs up to Forest well septic and power paved street E of Hwy 19.....$45,000
WED Fried Chicken $6.95 (Dark) $7.50 (White)
5 Bay AUTO REPAIR SHOP IN PRIME AREA....MANY USES.....CALL 352 302-8556
THURS Spaghetti w/Meatballs $5.95
3/2 LUXURY HOME ON RIVER 36X48 GIANT WORKSHOP deep water & slip $599,000
FRI Fried Fish $7.95
We accept: Cash, Checks, Debit
&
160X170 HI/DRY LOT IN RIVER FOREST IN HISTORIC YANKEETOWN.........$75,000
SAT Chicken Wings $8.95
Credit Cards - Dine-In or Take-Out
2/1 MOBILE & SCREEN BLDG ON 1.6 AC IN HAMMOCK off Williams Rd.......$65,000
SUN Deep-Fried Turkey or Ham Steak
HI/DRY CONCRETE BLOCK HOME & 3 LOTS 53 ST YANKEETOWN.......... $159,500
(352) 447-6112
Dinner w/All The Fixin's $9.25
HAMMOCK MOBILE, SCREEN OUT BUILDING ON 1.6 AC CLOSE IN........$64,000