EAT LOCAL

 

Seeking out what the locals eat has now been elevated to a global traveling genre described in two tasty words...Culinary Tourism. In the months to come you'll be hearing a lot more from us about Florida's Eden Cuisine as we promote our unique region's passion for fresh organic ingredients and delicious dining experiences!

 

 

Just thinking about Florida's Eden conjures up a perpetual garden of earthly delights! Here we have the complete recipe for  rich culinary offerings: a year round harvest, two coastlines, many delicious products and the combined influence of various cultures including Spanish, Caribbean, Southern Cracker and African.

 

 

The whole world is in love with the Slow Food Movement, that gastric celebration of everything anti fast food! Exciting local "Farm to Table" partnerships allow chef's to offer the freshest products from area gardens, and CSAs, Farmer's Markets and You Pick It  farms now make organic produce affordable and available to all...virtually everyday of the week!

 

 

How lucky are we however...for as the rest of the country is currently putting their garden beds to sleep for the long dormant winter; we are turning the soil and replanting for our glorious cool weather crops. Florida's Eden indeed!

 

 

Here we have the opportunity to invite travelers to sample our region's heritage through a moveable feast of locally owned restaurants, both rural and urban, from coast to coast. Join us as we release two new Florida's Eden Guidebooks inviting residents and visitors to abandon the corporate, generic highways and opt for the scenic route along the back roads and blue lines cris-crossing our extraordinarily unspoiled Florida's Eden.

 

 

In early fall we'll be gifting you with the Pure Water Wilderness Scenic Guide! (Gilchrist, Dixie and Levy Counties) We're thrilled to introduce the world to this breathtakingly beautiful area. Here you'll discover our Southern Heritage at its best. We describe it as the place where Seafood Meets Barbecue! Its a smorgasbord of clams, scallops, fish, beef, pork and even buffalo.

 

 

Then, as the holidays approach; we'll treat you to an expanded version of the Heart of Florida Scenic Guide. Just as the pecans are harvested and the citrus season is in full swing; we'll help you explore new favorite places to take visiting family and friends as you introduce them to an authentic Florida's Eden Holiday.

 

 

Stay tuned through our website and support our efforts to build prosperity here by preserving and supporting the local treasures and resources we're so blessed to enjoy.

 

 

Please renew your Membership and ask friends to join Florida's Eden now.

 

We thank you.

Annie

 

 

 

Hi Everybody.

 

We're in the dog days of summer and even the cats are belly-up in the flower pots!

How about a fresh, cool idea for a day trip?

This time we're heading out to Fanning Springs for a Florida's Eden Experience.

 

Fanning Springs State Park sits right on the historic Suwannee River for double the fun!

The Suwannee is considered to be one of America's most pristine rivers and our fresh water springs are

more concentrated here than anywhere else on Earth.

These Artesian Springs are a constant heavenly 72* year round.

So pile friends and family into the car and head on out.

 

There's a lot to do in Fanning Springs where the bridge crosses the Suwannee:  On the Northeast side of the bridge is Fort Fanning, built during the Second Seminole War.  There are no remnants of the fort as it was made of wood and did not survive the warm, wet climate.  Fort Fanning is now a lovely park with walkways, an overlook with a fabulous view of the Suwannee and numerous benches to sit and relax on.  It's free.  On the Southeast corner is a wayside park with a picnic area and a floating dock.  You are welcome to fish off the dock, or just take a stroll down to the river.  Free again!

 

No need to bring lunch because we've discovered a fabulous restaurant located right on Hwy 19/98.

Its appropriately called The 19/98 Grill (352-463-1998) and I promise you you're going to thank us for introducing you to this local treasure.

 

Our staff was out having fun gathering content for the new Pure Water Wilderness Guide and we were starving...as usual.

The wise locals headed us toward The 19/98 Grill ...with big smiles on their faces.

The 19/98 Grill sits on the west side of the highway, back from the road. It has an old time western country store feel to the decor & building, which had healthy tomato vines and other veggies growing  right up the exterior walls.  Come informal and hungry. There are even picnic tables outside for those still wet from swimming!

 

We were all craving different things so we made an excellent sampling of the long menu.

I had an amazing greek salad and some sweet potato fries.

Stewart had catfish and yummy sides.

Jacqui had her old favorite high school lunch of french fries and sweet tea!  She was tempted by the deli sandwiches, but the fries were just right and a meal in themselves! The 19/98 Grill has that satisfying combo of a relaxed atmosphere, great tasting food, good pricing and a friendly, local flavor.

There's a bakery and even a small general store area with local jams and jellies.

 

Once everybody's happily satisfied; scoot over to "Point of View" (352-463-0718 /  www.PointofViewGifts.com

North Florida is fast becoming a shopping heaven for those who love antiques and special gifts!

As you drive in here, you'll quickly realize that this place takes shopping to a whole new level!

Full sized animal sculptures welcome you along the driveway..some made of painted tin or recycled steel.

We marveled at the great assortment of outdoor decor, antique tractors and Mexican pottery. Definitely worth exploring!

If you're like us, once inside you'll probably spread out to hunt for whatever your heart desires...

and you'll be yelling for each other to "come see" every few minutes! There are over 40 vendors under one roof and each section's more exciting then the last.

They literally have treasures from all over the world! You'll love it.

 

I bought the perfect whitewashed, farmhouse shelf with a mirror, to hang on the wall by my slipper tub.

I'd been searching for it for months.  

Jacqui found an antique bamboo floor lamp that was exactly what she wanted for her living room and priced at a great deal.

You'll find everything in this wonderland; furniture, local antiques, fun quirky stuff from everywhere,

jewelry, kitchen stuff, funky art and that one of a kind treasure. Its a hoot!

 

If you just can't bring yourself to go home...or if you're more prepared than we were;

you can spend the night...right on the river. Call the Suwannee Gables Motel (352-542-7752 / www.SuwanneeGables.com

The Suwannee Gables Motel has river front cottages along with a floating dock and swimming pool. 

We know you'll agree; it really is hard to leave the Suwannee after she casts her sultry spell on you .

 

Until Next Time,

Annie

 

 

 

 

Hello Everyone: We need your help Now!

 

As many of you know, our staff is busy producing not one, but two, new Guidebooks. The Pure Water Wilderness Scenic Guide and audi CD is almost finished and goes to press very soon, to be released in early fall. In fact we just finished the CD which is a beautiful and poignant tribute to our unique natural water resources and a powerful Conservation Call to Action. It is very positive and emotional. I am amazed by the inspiring songs and poems we collected with the help of Cathy DeWitt and WUFT-FM's Bill Beckett. Florida Trend Journalist, Cynthia Barnett (Mirage) contributes a powerful segment

speaking directly about our water challenges and best

solutions.

 

Following closely on the heels of the Pure Water Wilderness Guide is the new version of the Heart of Florida Scenic Guide.

 

This edition is being completely redone so that we can include all of Alachua County and the Ichetucknee State Park in the southern part of Columbia County.  We are also redoing the Guide so that businesses and venues can benefit from our brand new marketing and customer tracking features.

 

You would be amazed to see how our little Tuesday staff meetings have multiplied and grown into high energy production crews!! We have responded to your overwhelming feedback to go even farther in portraying Gainesville and the surrounding environs as a vibrant and diverse cultural destination hub set in a spectacular recreation wonderland. We've really been encouraged by readers to portray Gainesville even more as we know and love it.

 

If you're like us; you know Gainesville has spent a lot of money traveling to other cities searching for the magic formula to create the "It Factor" here! Why do we need to look like or be like anywhere else when we actually have all of the ingredients we need to create our "It Factor" right now? My wise Grandmother always said, "You have to be it to attract it." As creatives, we know we must envision it and describe it for it to be real!

 

So what makes up our innovative and creative place? Who are we and what are the most creative initiatives happening here? Together, we know all of the innovators and creative

initiatives that distinguish our community.

 

Florida's Eden, your Florida's Eden is creating this Guide to

portray Gainesville, Alachua County, and the Heart of Florida as the emerging innovative place it truly is. We view this new Heart of Florida Guide as a vehicle and tool to let the world know who we are and what we care about.

 

Obviously for us to pull this off the way we envision it we need to include all of the creative innovative voices possible, each telling their important and exciting stories. Together we can portray the diverse richness of the place.

 

Who didn't make it into the last guide?

 

We are working on the fast track to printing!  Don't miss your chance to be included. 

 

This is a book with an extended shelf life - we are likely not to

produce it again for 2- 3 years.  The book will include direct links to help residents and visitors keep up-to-date with current information.  Businesses will benefit from live contact from users of the guide, personal contact information they can use for contacting interested customers and building up mailing lists.

 

Anyone who doesn't jump on now will not have another chance for quite some time.  Everyone who does participate will enjoy the benefits for three years!

 

We appreciate you as our members; you are already connected

to the success of this project. You are our Ambassadors--the ambassadors of North Florida!

 

So, here's what we need you to do:

1. Please support this project by including your business in this community portrayal.

Contact us directly, or go to our online link for information, advertising rates, and forms:

http://floridaseden.org/trails/participate.php

 

2. Please contact the business innovators you feel help to shape this community and personally ask them to participate too.

 

Jacqui Collett is acting as our Project Coordinator,

collecting the information and Stewart Thomas, our Creative

Director is designing the Guidebook.

 

If you have questions, call jacqui at 219-4177 or email collettglass@bellsouth.net.

 

In addition, we're including a Water Awareness, Conservation and Innovation section in each Guide. If your business or

organization is working on land, water, wildlife or energy

conservation, you can be listed or advertise as part of this

section. We're showcasing the vast efforts happening here and

becoming the green model.

 

Residents are asking for conservation information and want to

find your organizations so they can participate. Travelers are

seeking vacation destinations that care enough to educate them

before they come so that they too can participate and feel

assured that they are protecting, not harming, the environment.  Everyone wants to know what is innovative and exciting and how they can be part of it.

 

Please jump into the fun and help us to produce the first ever

Guide to meet all of these needs. We are very excited to

complete and celebrate these cutting edge guides to build

awareness and economic prosperity for our amazing Florida's

Eden Springs Region!

 

Thanks Everyone!

Annie

 

PS Hereʼs the link again to get all the information you need to participate in the Guides

http://floridaseden.org/trails/participate.php

 

 

Annie's Blog- the 4th of July.

 

Cedar Key is celebrating the Country's Birthday by doing what it does best....

cook up a mess of sweet, fresh local clams and throw a street party by the sea!

 

Clamerica!  Very cool.

 

When: Saturday, July 4th, 2009 - 10AM - 6PM

Where: City Park (2nd & A Street), Cedar Key, FL

Cost: Free to public

 

Clamerica has been designated as a Top 20 Event in the Southeast for July 2009 by the Southeast Tourism Society.

Sponsored by the Cedar Key Aquaculture Association, the day will be filled with fun, food, and events for the whole family from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the City Park and Beach on 2nd Street. Stick around for fireworks hosted by City at dusk. So bring your blankets and lawn chairs and enjoy a "down home" 4th of July party, but with a clammy theme.

 

 

Take Rt 24 out of Gainesville through Archer, Bronson, Rosewood, Gulf Hammock and out to the sea.

Follow the heritage route of the Yulee Railroad as it cut across the western sand ridges until they give way to cypress swamps

which finally open to the salt marshes that stretch out to the gulf!

This was the final leg of John Muir's thousand mile walk to the sea...back in the mid 1800's.

 

How more American can you get..... than to travel the route blazed by the railroad and the Father of the Sierra Club, American Naturalist, John Muir.

How Florida to drive to the coast and revel in the salty sunshine. This is primed to be a sensational day!

 

And Cedar Key is perfecting the Clam Cuisine. Did you hear Tony's Seafood Restaurant won the coveted,  Best Clam Chowder in the Country Award

at the famous Newport Rhode Island Chowder Festival? That's amazing in itself. Mark my words, the town will be famous soon as a Culinary Clam Tour with all of the yummy ways to try them, spread out along streets that give any romantic fishing town a run for its money. And we recommend on some frequent visit, taking a tour of the Southern Cross Clam Farm located on the right as you come into town. Its fascinating!

 

We salute Cedar Key for its ingenuity, its resilience and its ability to throw a great party.

They now call the town Clamelot!!

 

Enjoy, Everybody.

Annie

 

http://www.cedarkey.org/clamerica-home.html

 

PS: It is shaping up to be small town 4th of July. A whole slew of small towns are promising hometown parades and spectacular fireworks, including Alachua, Micanopy, Williston, and more . . .

 

June 15, 2009

 

Guest Blogger Stewart Thomas contributes this selection:

 

Bethany and I took a 'staycation' this last weekend and it was really fun to be on the visitor side of the local scene for a change.  One advantage of a staycation is that there are no hassles with plane flights or long drives.  We arrived in Micanopy refreshed and ready to relax, just 11 miles from home!  It was definitely a different world as soon as we checked into the Herlong Mansion bed and breakfast.  Our room had a bath tucked delightfully under the eaves on the third floor and a quick bath was the perfect start to a vacation on a very hot day.  Suitably refreshed we headed out to Cookies 'n' Cream.  They serve full or half sandwiches -- or you can try any of the salads stuffed into a fresh local tomato.  Ice cream is also local, made at the DeConna facility just down the road in Marion County.  After lunch we window shopped and bought a few items at O'Briskey's Bookstore; the other bookstore we shopped at doesn't seem to have a name, a quaint touch.

 

The Mosswood Farm Store is an amazing treasure.  We stopped in briefly to check out their baked goods and were told that if we came back at 11 in the morning on Sunday fresh bread would be just coming out of the wood fired brick oven.  Back at the Herlong we enjoyed the perfect late afternoon delight: sitting on the second floor veranda with the wide Corinthian capital columns, wicker furniture, a porch swing, and afternoon snacks.  The veranda is cool and breezy late in the day with a stunning backdrop of live oaks, climbing vines with yellow flowers, and tall palmettos.  It is a comfortable place to read and relax in any weather, with total protection from the occasional heavy downpour.

 

At dusk we took the car and headed over to Cross Creek.  The roads were completely empty and we stopped for a quick look at the River Styx on the way.  The Yearling is a venerable restaurant and in my opinion could use an exterior make-over.  Don't let the rusting signs and weathered wood turn you away.  Inside it is altogether a different story.  Bookshelves are lined with cookbooks and Floridiana, and shelves are filled with gathered objects, walls lined with paintings, Cross Creek and Rawlings memorabilia and a great many awards for the restaurant itself.  Florida Trend magazine has awarded The Yearling "Best Restaurant in Florida" no less than five times since 2002.

 

The menu leans towards the local fare that Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings writes about in her books -- and it is well made.  This is the type of food that excels when made well.  The fried green tomatoes were succulent on the inside with flaked crispy batter on the outside.  The four sauces for dipping are a nice touch.  Seafood, frogs legs, beef, quail, and venison are all from local sources.  Live entertainment was to be head at either end of the restaurant, catering to different tastes.  If you like, The Yearling rents out cabins scattered along Cross Creek.  When we emerged the night was dark and the stars brilliant.  A million frogs sang off in the depths of Orange Lake.  Driving back to Micanopy we were struck by how truly dark it was on the road -- dark enough to make it hard to find the right turns!!!

 

Sunday morning we headed over to Mosswood Farm Store for the fresh bread.  While we waited we browsed and shopped.  Everything from local soaps and jellies, to composting kits, to a large selection of how-to books are available.  Out back are plants to buy, and once a week a local farmers market.  Cranberry pecan bread came out of the oven with a nice crispy crust and perfectly textured inside.  An egg custard tart and a brownie from the case were also made on the premises and delivered both visual and taste appeal.  The Mosswood Farm blend of Sweetwater coffee is available hot, iced, or bagged to take home. 

 

We could have headed home and driven only 22 miles all weekend.  Instead we went a little farther afield and swam at Rainbow Springs, north of Dunnellon.  We then climbed to a little pavilion overlooking the river, did a round of Tai Chi and headed north to Gainesville.  In spite of being "official" tourists for only a few hours (Florida counts a person a tourist the minute they cross the county line from their place of residence) we still paid into the bed tax fund (Alachua County TDC, please note), contributed to the local economy, enjoyed ourselves thoroughly, and felt like we had been gone for days!

 

Stewart Thomas

 

 

 

Memorial Day 2009

 

Hello Everyone:

 

Memorial Day Weekend marks the official kick off of summer.

Kids rejoice, schedules change and families seek out fun things to do together.

Its all about barbecues at a favorite spring, tubing the Ichetucknee, backyard pool parties,

parades, festivals and fireworks, long luxurious weekends, small town baseball games, beach days,

fishing on the Gulf Coast, and all things Americana!

 

This season's hottest summer vacation destinations are those offering authentic American experiences.

Americans are longing for simpler, relaxed vacations and rediscovering the best of our own country.

They're giving up the over priced, commercially beaten track and striking out to explore the back roads.

With budgets a priority and families rethinking summer vacation plans; we thought you might like some our

"Florida's Eden Favorite Summer Getaway Picks."

 

*Rent a cabin at a Florida State Park.

This may be the best kept secret ever!

You'll be amazed by these affordable, roomy, comfortable cabins

which accommodate 2-3 couples or a large family. Our nearby favorites are located at the Silver River,

and Fanning Springs. Gold Head State Park has lakefront vintage log cabins too.

Check these and find many other Florida State Parks with cabins and cottages to rent.

All State Park Cabins are reserved through Reserve America 800-326-3521 or ReserveAmerica.com

There's also the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail for paddling to your heart's content.

Visit www.SuwanneeRiver.com

 

*Rent a house boat and cruise the Lower Suwannee River for a weekend or a week!

These houseboats are air conditioned and sleep several people.

They're easy to navigate and very affordable. Contact: Miller's Marina 800-458-2628 in Suwannee-

While in Suwannee be sure to eat a great fish sandwich at Salt Creek where you can relax on the creek

with a spectacular view of the salt marshes.

 

*Our area offers several authentic fish camps. For a great weekend try The Angler's Resort in historic Dunnellon.

Captain and Musician, Jon Semmes guides river cruises on the Rainbow and Withlacoochee.

Contact Captain Semmes at http://www.anglersresort.us/about_us.html

Nearby trails, local restaurants and Rainbow Springs State Park offer a weekend filled with fun.

Don't miss the Front Porch Restaurant and Pie Shop!!

 

*Surprise a sweetheart with a romantic fling at the historic Island Hotel in Cedar Key.

www.islandhotel.cedarkey.com

Both the historic Hotel and Restaurant come highly recommended. While in Cedar Key you can get a guide or just rent kayaks

and bicycles to explore on your own. Enjoy fresh seafood and local clams, even tour the clam farm.

The sunsets are spectacular, its an art community and....you're on an island!

 

*July - September is Scalloping Season in between Steinhatchee and Suwannee. For family fun or romantic recreation,

stay in Steinhatchee at the Steinhatchee Landing Resort. Our friend and Travel Blogger, Doc Lawrence (www.docsnews.com

Contact: Steinhatchee Landing Resort www.SteinhatcheeLanding.com

 

•Enjoy casual dining and fresh fish at Salt Creek in Suwannee.

 

Florida's Eden encourages you to plan a weekend and make an early reservation at any of these destinations.

This summer let's explore our own sites, towns and natural wonders. Let's get on the back roads and discover the stories and

characters who make this the best of Florida Eden. Take some photos and tell us your stories! We'll post them online.

 

More about Staycations.

Last summer we began to hear about Staycations: the art of planning a vacation and "touring your own backyard."

Staycations Benefit Everyone. Families, local businesses, urban downtowns, rural small towns and the State of Florida!

To locate many more ideas for day trips, long luxurious weekends and even week long, family vacations; we suggest you visit

www.FloridasEden.org

for more ideas along the Suwannee River and the Gulf.

You'll be rewarded with a variety of places to stay, great towns to visit, delicious fresh, local cuisine and fun things to do!

There's something for every interest and all ages. And its all right here in our own backyard.

 

 

Recently Visit Florida learned how much interest there is in Staycations when they were flooded with requests following

TV segments promoting family Staycation ideas in the Orlando area. ( see below )

We know the same service will excite families here in north Florida.

 

VISITFLORIDA.com Family Expert, Jill Martin, appeared on FOX News in Orlando May 6 and 7  to discuss her top five “staycation” ideas for Orlando and surrounding areas. The TV station  received such a great response that they decided to air the segment twice in the  same weekend. This exposure helped the Family Expert page views on VISITFLORIDA.com  to increase by 253% compared to the previous week.

 

The tourism markets we enjoy here in Florida's Eden are all on the rise nationally and even internationally. We're becoming known for our Nature-based and Eco Tourism, Heritage, Cultural, Culinary and Romance Tourism.

Preserving the health of our springs, prairies, rivers and coastal areas is key to our Region's future prosperity as a healthy environment

is Florida's true stock and trade! Supporting our rural lands, small towns, cultural venues and local businesses will keep our sense of place alive and well.

 

Please send this email to family and friends.

Help us to be proactive, inform travelers and spread the word...for us in north Florida's Eden...

Preservation Is Our Prosperity!

 

Look for some favorite 4th of July Celebration ideas in the coming weeks...

Happy Summer Everybody!

 

Annie

 

 

 

 

April 26, 2009

 

Our Florida's Eden "Waterways" opening at the Hippodrome State Theatre during Friday's Art Walk was an all-round happy success.

 

"Waterways" is visually stunning and a fascinating mix of painting, photography, poetry, and craft.

Its so sensuously satisfying to learn about water through the work of our Culturalists!

I love that we have this level of talent in our own creative backyard.

 

Thanks must go to our Jacqui Collett for her expert curating.

 

I also know that even if you have great work to show; there's a separate art to arranging and hanging a show.

I know this because I do not have the "hanging and arranging" gene.

So its amazing and fortuitous that we have Jacqui

and Peg Richardson who just create magic and make it all look easy!

Peg even says she'd rather hang shows than breathe!

I am mystified but awed by this!

 

All of you who saw the "Portray, Preserve, Prosper" water exhibition we held at the Santa Fe College Gallery last September

will agree that we're building a serious reputation for portraying our Florida's Eden Springs Region by honoring the work and devotion of our

Naturalists and Culturalists. Its our intent to create a grass roots movement in Florida and reach critical mass awareness about the water issues

and solutions...for more please do check out www.FloridasEden.org

 

It's always fun to have the artists all together and listen to them as they experienced the entire exhibition.

We're happy to have several new artists joining this effort and again we can thank Jacqui in her prime role as Membership Coordinator!

 

I especially loved celebrating with Steve Earl on Friday evening. Steve's incredible book, Ichetucknee: Sacred Waters

has just been released for sale. Its a must have! People crowded around the book and praised Steve's photographic

portrait of this truly sacred place. The Ichetucknee symbolizes everything we're trying to do with Florida's Eden!

Steve has also participated in our education pilot program ARTT- Artists Reaching Through Teaching at Fort White High School

for the past two years. His week long residencies in Jan Sweat's 8th grade science class produced photojournalism workshops at the Ichetucknee State Park.

Don't miss Steve's photograph which graces the cover of his book and two of the photographs by participating students.

 

It was also fun to listen to stories shared between Steve and fellow photographer, Sean Dowie. They told amazing stories about

experiences in the field trying to find elusive Kites! It reminds me that every photograph and every painting has a story to accompany it.

Sean is currently working with us on the Pure Water Wilderness Scenic Guide do out later this year.

 

I also love it that we're mixing it up with visual and literary arts!

Poet, Lola Haskins and our Creative Director, Stewart Thomas have three exceptional

collaborative pieces in this show...I predict these will sell quickly.

Oh...everything is for sale and the proceeds benefit the artists, the Hippodrome and the Florida's Eden Water Awareness Campaign.

 

I do hope you'll give yourself a few moments to discover the quality of our regional arts and learn more about water!

 

Enjoy.

Annie

 

 

 

April 16th...pre-Earth Day

Hello Everybody:

 

I highly recommend coming out to McIntosh on Saturday for an earthy celebration of our local farms and Farmer's Markets.

Bring the entire family and head down SR 441 to Harvest Village just North of McIntosh...you can't miss it.

There will be all kinds of activities and great bargains!

 

Imagine this:

Local farms will set up a make shift Farmer's Market, there will be some yummy locally cooked barbecue and seafood,

homemade ice cream, lemonade, etc....lunch.

and home crafted jams, relishes and syryps to take home.

 

The 4-H kids will set up a petting zoo.

The cracker cow hunters and local sheep herders will have live exhibitions.

 

There will be music and clogging.

Dale Crider and local musicians will entertain.

Storytelling is always one of my favorite activities!

It sounds like some of the locals will share stories and memories of life on the farms.

 

There will also be craft demonstrations and crafts for sale.

 

Its important for all of us to learn about our rural heritage.

Especially we who are city folk!

We're surrounded by extraordinary natural beauty and working farms.

Many of our nearby small towns are working farm communities who are struggling

to strengthen their identities as working farm towns. They don't want to become sprawling suburbs!

 

We are more and more fortunate to still have the land and the farms available to provide year round seasonal produce, meat and seafood

to our local markets and restaurants.

 

"Farm to Table" is a hot, healthy concept partnering farmers and chef's who collaborate to bring diners

the freshest seasonal products!

Now local farms are beginning to partner with our area public schools. We can only imagine where that may lead us!!

Its so very important to provide children with the connection to how and where our healthy food comes from.

Edible SchoolYards could be part of every school's core curriculum.

 

The Slow Food Movement is here too, bringing awareness about eating fresh, organic and local.

Now, through popular tourism trends, we'll begin to see agro-tourism, culinary tourism and various "culinary trails" bringing visitors to our rich rural, region.

 

This is a sweet event produced by SORA- Save Our Rural Lands and the Marion County Citizen's Coalition.

Our friends Jerome Feaster and Judy Greenberg are to be congratulated for the amazing work they've been doing to

build awareness through these annual, creative events.

 

Look for a new Friday afternoon Farmer's Market to be located at Harvest Village.

So when you leave McIntosh Saturday afternoon feeling relaxed, healthy and nostalgic.... looking for an excuse to go back...you can.

 

I hope to see you there!

Annie

 

 

Check the blog entry on "Saving Dudley Farm"

 

March 18th

 

This Sunday, March 22,  we're extending the Dudley Farm PaintOut by holding an Encore Sale of the paintings from 4-7 p.m.

at Eleanor Blair's Studio, 115 S. Main Street in downtown Gainesville.

 

Even though several thousand of you came to be with us for four fabulous days of fun on the farm;

we have also heard from many of you who were sad to miss it.

So here's your chance to share the enthusiasm, see the paintings and hear the stories first hand.

 

The good news is; even though times are tough; we still sold a lot of paintings... as they were carried wet off the easels.

The sales were better than we had anticipated and we are very grateful that people made the local choice to support both Florida's Eden and Dudley Farm.

Many of you spoke emotionally about how being around the creative process and out in nature helped you feel hopeful and energized!

 

PaintOuts are always a time of coming together to share information and resources.

This year we all found comfort in realizing that we're also all sharing the experience of these challenging times.

We know that even when the economy is contracted; its more productive to make choices which move things efficiently and creatively.

Everyone agreed that fear makes things worse and if we're able to be flexible, not rigid,

then we can greatly reduce stress and actually keep going with greater ease.

 

We hope you'll help us spread the word about the Sunday Encore. It was a very spontaneous decision to reconvene,

born out of the passion generated by all of us!  We want to keep the feeling going...we didn't want it to end.

It will be fun! See you there.

This Sunday, March 22, from 4 - 7 pm at Eleanor Blair's Studio

115 S. Main Street in Downtown Gainesville

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cold Carrot Ginger Soup

 

With the temps rising; I'm switching to cold soups.

They are so economical and deliciously healthful.

Here's my favorite.

 

Coat the bottom of a heavy soup pot with olive oil.

Add 1 diced sweet onion and 5 gloves of garlic.

Sweat these for a while on low heat.

Dice and Add:

1 large red sweet pepper

1 sweet potato, with the skin

1 sweet apple, with the skin

a lot of carrots...this depends on the size of your soup pot.

Approximately 10 carrots.

 

The add:

1 tsp. cinnamon

1tsp curry powder or paste

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 cumin

2 tbsp. maple syrup

1 tsp paprika

grated or diced fresh ginger root: try 1 tbsp. and add more if you like it stronger

a pinch of red pepper flakes

salt and pepper to taste

 

Then add enough water to just cover the veggies.

Simmer until pretty tender.

Turn off and cool.

Puree in a blender with a little sour cream, 1/2 and 1/2, yogurt or soy milk.

I add about 1/4 C of whichever dairy you choose to each blenderful of soup.

 

Cool the pureed soup and serve with croutons, hot sauce and sour cream or yogurt.

Its thick, beautiful and very fresh. You can vary the veggies for some interesting results.

 

Serves about 8

 

 

Saturday, March 7th

 

It was very gratifying to open the paper this morning and find my "Speaking Out" column

on The Gainesville Sun's editorial page. That was great. Even better was how

Ron Cunningham, our editorial editor connected us to several timely issues and magnified my article

by writing one of his own.

 

It seems the New York Times printed an article featuring our area as a prime spot to visit

(see it online at www.gainesville.com/nytimesgville) and my article, suggesting we view this economic downturn

as an opportunity to tour our own backyard and discover why everyone wants to come here, fit synchronistically

like hand and glove...or bike and trail!

 

I'm asking this community to come out and spend some time with us at the Dudley Farm PaintOut this week, March 12-15th.

Dudley is a prime example of a national treasure we have right here in our backyard. It is a pure piece of Americana and yet the State is threatening to close it due to budget cuts. As many of you know, we have been advocating for the Park and through Representative Debbie Boyd; we've urged the State to take another look at Dudley's circumstances. For more on what you can do check out Saving the Farm.

 

I've been thinking a lot about this economic contraction...really about expansion and contraction.

Yes, this is a severe time but there are very productive things to do during a contraction.

There are actions we can take which are conducive to a contractive time and actually help to open more opportunities.

 

For instance:

1. We can support our local businesses. Its a fact that every dollar spent in a locally owned store, restaurant, B+B, etc.

contributes a high percentage of that dollar to our local economy. If everyone can be conscious of where they spend their money, we can significantly sustain our own local economy.

 

Just listen to this one fact:

Of all restaurant goers, 90% choose corporate national chain restaurants. Only 10% of all meals eaten out are enjoyed in locally owned establishments. If each of us chose a local restaurant to support the next time we choose to eat out...this one action would translate to active economic support. We ask you to consider supporting local establishments...and actively spread the word to your neighbors and friends.

 

2. Consider spending your vacation time here in our own recreational wonderland. As you know we have the Heart of Florida Guide online at www.FloridasEden.org/trails/ You can search it, email it and print it! Please use it...send it and share it.

 

3. I have decided to offer a vacation idea each week! I'll begin to blog a featured "Staycation" every week over the next few months. I'll vary them with day, weekend and even week long trips. Some will cater to families, others to couples.

We'll even throw in long weekend getaways with the guys or girlfriends! Its going to be fun.

So check them out, email them to friends; send them to colleagues and print them in your newsletters.

Then write me here at awpais@aol.com

Let's start a movement to support and strengthen our Florida's Eden Springs Region!!

 

4. The next thing we can do is consciously try to see creative opportunities everywhere.

For instance: our Water Awareness Campaign is gathering popularity because in these economic times,

people are interested in talking about water/energy conservation. Our One Region / One Book Campaign is also gathering support on county and state levels because we are bringing leaders together

from all sectors of the community to share ideas and resources toward a common goal.

In this case building critical mass awareness to protect and conserve our water resources offers a real opportunity for unity and inclusively.

Its amazing what happens when people who never talk to each other are invited to sit at a the table

and are validated for what they do!

 

We are amazed at the levels of collaboration and how stubborn stereotypes dissolve; replaced by new working relationships and mutual support. None of this costs money...sharing resources saves a lot of money.

It turns out that different sectors of the community have access to different resources. Local Libraries, Education, Business, Conservation, Cultural Tourism, Media and Government all have access to different resources and expertise.

Can you imagine if all sectors work on a project together, contributing what they already have and do best?

My experiences with our OROB project in Marion County demonstrated this new inclusive model. Its been amazing! Check out the events still taking place!

 

Over the next months please read this blog and check the website regularly.

You will find many great ways to support this region.

You'll also find examples of really innovative things we're discovering along the way.

Florida's Eden is pioneering these new, positive models through our core projects.

Your support and participation are needed and appreciated!

 

So this week, please bring family and friends and join us for a day at Dudley Farm.

Then please check the website and get involved.

 

Thanks, Everyone!

Annie

 

 

February 7

 

Congratulations to Director, Nancy Ledding, Brick City and the Marion Cultural Alliance for creating a dynamic event, "Miracles and Mirage" which, as Nancy says so well, demonstrates how "art informs" the public about our water issues! You can view the exhibition through February at Brick City in Ocala.

 

Last night we drove to Ocala at sunset to attend the opening of the new visual arts exhibition at Brick City, downtown on the historic square. We went a little early to view the artwork before the crowds arrived. It was a full spectrum of landscapes, wildlife, commentary and whimsy. The wonderful historic space (we all heavily covet Brick City, the building, location and the space!!) was hung salon style, leaving the floor open for tables food and the band, "3-D"...three very talented local dentists!

 

This opening is also the first in a substantial line up of community events designed to bring Ocala/Marion County together to learn about water issues through a common read of Mirage by Cynthia Barnett. Those of us, including Marion County Commissioner Barbara Fitos, who commanded the planning of this One Book One Community Read, are thrilled that our months of planning are now in fruition. The Commissioner spoke about how important it is that we all realize our potential to learn and act on behalf of our water resources, recognized Florida's Eden for our vision and praised Cynthia for her great book!!

 

This is all music to my ears as we are finally off the ground officially with our One Region One Book Campaign and Marion County is partnering by pioneering as the first of 30 counties to conduct an all county read of Mirage! Its a heady experience to sense the stirrings of what we envision will become a full blown regional movement to build a strong citizenry, which will learn to flex its muscle in support of protecting the natural resources.

 

I am still in awe of the great people who have brought such intelligent enthusiasm to coordinate and produce this first countywide endeavor. Our coordinator, Amy Mangan, Marion County Public Libraries, Cynthia Barnett, author of Mirage and the inspiration for the creation of a regional read, Commissioner Fitos who loves the book Mirage as much as I do and offered to mentor me through a county read process, and Nancy Ledding who jumped in with so much insight about how we will utilize our cultural community to communicate the water issues and solutions to the people.

 

Take a moment to check out the events scheduled so far in Marion County, kicking off the read of Mirage officially on February 21st. You're all invited to come hoot and holler with us as we set sail on this adventure. As the months go by we'll be showcasing the innovative programs held in the education, business, culture, tourism and conservation sectors of Marion Co. These will be spotlighted on the Marion County part of our website.

 

By the way, Alachua County has already agreed to follow Marion in a tandem, all county read and we'll look for your help as we begin planning soon. Hopefully we'll see 7 more counties jump on this year! For more information about the water, Mirage and One Region One Book....please do read on.

 

The Story:

Simply put, our Florida's Eden Region still lacks adequate protection for our water. The aquifer, springs, rivers, lakes and coastal areas continue to be threatened. Of these, our springs are the most sensitive.

 

If we named one natural feature with defines us; its our springs. Most of you know this by now.

We have more fresh water springs than anywhere else on earth!

This makes us the springs capital of the world and thus, the fresh water cave diving capital of the world.

 

We can thank the world's top cave divers for their exploration and mapping of the largely undiscovered Floridan Aquifer.

Through their significant work, we have come to realize how our springs, spring basins and aquifer are connected.

In other wards, the growth and development in Lake City, for instance is contributing way too much pollution...going directly into the Ichetucknee Basin, polluting the spring shed and the springs which make up the headwaters of the once pristine, Ichetucknee River. The Ichetucknee River flows into the Santa Fe River which in turn flows into the Suwannee which empties into the Gulf in an estuary area which is vitally important to the sea life in the Gulf. The folks in Lake City don't connect themselves with the Ichetucknee River which bubbles up miles to the south even though they sit directly over the basin! The same thing is happening everywhere. Even though we now know how these natural features are connected; there still isn't adequate springs protection and citizen education. We have work to do. There is the legislative role, the scientific role, the industrial role, etc. And there is the important role of the citizens.

 

It turns out that the protection of our resources really is ours to mandate and command.

We have so many wonderful experts working on the water issues; we/they know what needs to happen in order to protect the water. However, We the People must mandate the government, local and state to do what's needed to protect our resources. Then, we the People must bolster those legislators who will bravely place a springs protection bill into the legislative system with the support of our strong civic muscle. Without our active support; its not going to happen. There are too many agendas working counter to water protection.

 

Florida's Eden has taken the still missing, citizen awareness role. We're creating materials and events designed to inspire, educate and engage you, the People.

 

Here's what we've come up with.

 

Florida's Eden initiated a Water Awareness Campaign to reach critical mass public awareness throughout our north Florida region. We wrote a peer reviewed water awareness paper which outlines our strategies; we have a stellar advisory board; we have a People's Mandate and we have a comprehensive plan. This is do-able and we can accomplish it together.

 

The first phase of the Plan is called "One Region One Book"

Its our plan to invite each of our 30 counties to begin building awareness by committing to read one book.

We chose Mirage: Florida and the Vanishing Water of the Eastern U.S. by Cynthia Barnett.

Marion County is the first of our region's 30 counties to commit. They kick off the read on February 21!

 

We know you want to do what you can to protect the water in Florida's Eden.

Here are four important, yet easy, things you can do now:

 

1 - Buy a copy of Mirage and suggest others read it with you. If you belong to a book club or organization; suggest Mirage.

2 - Buy a copy of Mirage to be donated to a school or library: see below how to "Donate a Book"

3 - Read the information on our website about water issues, our programs and progress

4 - Join Florida's Eden as a member or sponsor; your membership and contributions allow us to continue our work in North Florida

 

Many of our neighboring counties are designated as REDI counties, in severe poverty.

We are assisting them so they can afford to participate by purchasing copies of Mirage for public libraries and public high school libraries. To help this effort: send a tax deductible contribution to:

 

Florida's Eden

P.O. Box 1149

Gainesville, Florida 32602-1149

 

and tag it "Donate a Book"

 

We'll use 100% of your donation to order books from the Publisher at $11 per copy.

We'll place your name or the name of your business on the Florida's Eden bookplate we place in the front of each book and distribute it to a needy school or library as we work in a REDI county.

 

Thank you all for your public support of Florida's Eden, Your Springs Region.

Most Sincerely, Annie Pais

 

 

 

February 1

 

Two new blog entries: "Save the Farm," and below that if you scroll down, "Soup Recipes for Chilly Weather"

 

SAVE THE FARM

 

Please take a moment to read this through.  I'm sure that after reading you'll be fired up to send the information on to your email newsletters and listserves.  You can either copy and paste the text, or send the weblink as well

<http://www.floridaseden.org/journal/>

 

Thank you for your community support!

Annie

 

PUBLIC ALERT!!!

 

Current State budget cuts have placed our beloved Historic Dudley Farm State Park on the chopping block!  Whether you have visited, or not, please take a few moments to learn more and act to save this National Historic Landmark and best preserved working pioneer farm in the nation.

It is an outrage that this paragon of Americana should be so undervalued and treated with such ignorant disregard! We need your help as we send a collective outcry, commanding our State to protect this Florida Treasure!

Together We Can Save The Farm!

 

WHO TO CONTACT

 

Charlie Christ, Governor: Charlie.Crist@MyFlorida.com

Mike Bullock, Director, Florida State Parks: ph: 850-245-3029, michael.bullock@dep.state.fl.us

Representative Debbie Boyd: debbie.boyd@myfloridahouse.gov

Senator Steve Oelrich, oelrich.steve.web@flsenate.gov

Alachua County Commission: bocc@alachuacounty.us

 

Present efforts are directed at communicating with the Governor’s office and our elected State Legislators. Additionally we are publicizing the proposed closure so that the public at large is aware of the situation and can participate in our efforts as they see fit.

 

Identify your involvement with Dudley Farm, i.e., a CSO member, visitor, educator, etc. This is important information to the officials. Be very clear that you are not an employee of the Park Service. Employees are severely restricted in what they can say and write. 

 

Be clear that you are speaking as an individual, not as a representative of the Friends of Dudley Farm. The Friends of Dudley Farm is a support organization to Dudley Farm and the Park Service. As such it must be very careful about adopting any position contrary to that of the Park Service.   Be accurate in what you say.  If you have visited the Park, state why Dudley Farm is important to you. If you haven't yet visited, let everyone know you intend to visit.

 

OTHER THINGS YOU CAN DO

 

1. Write a short letter to the Editor of the Gainesville Sun: voice@gvillesun.com

3. Support the Park by visiting.  Admission is very affordable at $4.00 per vehicle. Consider putting an extra $1. in the envelope.  It all helps.

4. Send this email out to family and friends.

5. Participate in Dudley Farm events, listed below.

6. Plan on coming to the Dudley Farm Paint Out, March 12 - 15, 2009

 

DUDLEY FARM EVENTS TO POST AND REMEMBER

 

*****The Dudley Farm PaintOut: Thursday, March 12th through Sunday, March 15th.

30 of Florida's finest plein air artists converge to paint the Farm for 4 full days in springtime.

A terrific way to come learn about and support the action.

 

Plow Days: Saturday, February 7th. Dudley Farm.

Come be thrilled by the "turning of the soil" as done by the teams of work horses!

Great activities for the whole family. Come support this national treasure in our own backyard.

 

Antique Tractor Days: Saturday, February 28th. Dudley Farm.

OK, who doesn't like antique tractors??? Come enjoy a very different Saturday on the Farm.

Florida's Eden and the Friends of Dudley Farm will be at both events to answer questions

and show you how you can easily help save the farm.

 

Historic Dudley Farm State Park is located in Newberry, Florida

SR 26 (Newberry Road), just 7 miles west of the Newberry Road Exit of I-75 in Gainesville, Florida

 

THE STORY AND THE NEED

 

The Florida State Park Service, a division of the state's Department of Environmental Protection, has issued a list of 19 Park closures as part of this legislative session's proposed cutbacks.

 

Dudley Farm has been misplaced on this list. Ironically, this year a steady stream of prominent, national historic experts have also been visiting the Park. They all agree that Dudley has great national significance and should indeed be placed in the nomination process for a designation as a national cultural landmark. Many of these experts were amazed and shocked to learn that this intact, 1800s working farm even exists in America! They believe its one of the very best examples of an authentic pioneer American farm...and its in our own backyard!

 

From what we've learned, Dudley is being singled out because the overhead required to maintain the Farm and its educational programs  is higher than the revenue it makes for the State. The Park is required to operate like a business and is accountable for holding its own and bringing in a profit.  The way it is now, Dudley is being set up to fail.

 

Read On:

 

*Dudley has a very active "Friends Of" group of volunteers. They care deeply and provide many in-kind services the Park would otherwise have to pay for, ie; mowing, fence-building, maintenance, etc. However, current state bookkeeping methods do not allow these in-kind contributions to be subtracted from the park's supposed operating budget, thereby inflating the cost of maintaining the park and devaluing the hard work and devotion of the park volunteers.

 

*Dudley is a huge educational resource for Alachua County, with school groups booked throughout the fall and spring.  Public schools do not pay an entrance fee so these groups do not bring in revenue. The State Park Service mandates--correctly, we feel--that parks serve an educational purpose, however the number of school groups that visit is not counted toward the park's success, but counted against its bottom line.

 

*Dudley is a different kind of park: Many of the parks on the closure list are isolated lands set aside for wildlife and conservation.  Placing them under stewardship deprives the public of the opportunity to visit, but does not damage the parks in any way.  By contrast, Dudley is an operational farm.  Closure or cutting of hours will quickly cripple the ongoing cycle of farm life: farm animals will be moved elsewhere, propagation of heirloom seeds will end, volunteer work to maintain the buildings and their fragile contents will be much reduced.  The CSO "friends of" will lose much of its enthusiasm without a public audience and the years of building up the volunteer corps will have been waisted. In short, Dudley will no longer be the authentic pioneer working farm that makes it unique.

 

*Dudley is a valuable economic asset: Cultural and heritage tourism is an important facet of Alachua County's economy and the fastest growing sector of the tourism market; Dudley is one of the prime economic assets for Newberry, Florida.  Why destroy a valuable tourism asset?

 

*Dudley holds lessons in this challenging time: pioneer life offers valuable lessons on self-sufficiency, stewardship of the land, and conservation methods. Florida is remarkable in that this way of life survived up to the brink of the 21st century, just when we need to learn again how to live in harmony with nature.  The Dudley farm has cistern systems, ponds, and sustainable methods of agriculture that are relevant to today. Crops that are resistant to drought and insects are part of the living heritage of Dudley farm, as are crop rotation, methods of increasing yields, heirloom botanicals, fruit varieties and medicinal plants.

 

I hope by now you're fired up to help us save the Farm.

 

I have been meeting with local and state officials who all tell me that what we need to do is cause a very loud and continuous ruckus!

 

They say we should be outraged about this for all the many reasons stated above and drop any reserved attitudes and just start yelling! By the way, the Park staff is prohibited from advocating for the Park!  And the Friends Of Dudley Farm has to be reserved and careful.

 

So, please send out this appeal; send visitors to our website; contact your state and local officials; write letters to the editor; and come out to the farm and the Historic Dudley Farm Paint Out, March 12 - 15, and help "Save the Farm"!

 

Even in these challenging economic times; Our State Parks offer richly rewarding, yet amazingly affordable outings for all ages. After all, these parks are the people's lands and cultural treasures.

Thank you all for your great involvement in Our Beautiful Florida's Eden!

 

Annie

 

TASTY SOUPS FOR CHILLY WEATHER

 

All of this chilly weather just cries out for big pots of hearty soup!

The Farmer's Markets are filled with inexpensive,  perfect ingredients and the variations are endless.

Soup is the steady fare at our Tuesday staff meeting lunches and we've been enjoying pumpkin, potato, bean, tomato, mushroom, corn chowder,

plus a great variety of vegetable-minestrones. Add some crusty bread or a pan of cornbread and you're filled with goodness for just pennies a bowl.

 

Whether you opt to begin with a hunk of bacon/pancetta or just start with olive oil; soups are one of the most affordable and satisfying ways to

nourish ourselves and our families. Its easy to eat 'in season' too which provides local support to area farms!

 

For a great potluck supper idea; ask guests to bring a homemade soup or a bread and have a soup tasting.

 

An all purpose, typical soup formula goes like this:

 

Coat the bottom of a large soup pot with olive oil, about 4 tbs.

Add 1 large diced onion (or two) and several garlic cloves

Add any spices to flavor the oil including curry, cumin, red pepper

flakes, cinnamon, etc.

Cook over medium low heat until soft.

 

Add the longest cooking veggies first. These include potatoes, carrots,

root veggies and winter squashes etc.

 

At this point your soup can either become a broth tomato based soup or a

creamed soup.

For a tomato base:

Add fresh diced tomatoes or canned tomatoes and stock, (veggie or

chicken or water with bouillon cubes)

 

You can also add leftovers at this point, like protein, lentils, cooked rice,

pasta...

 

For creamed soup add 3 extra tbs butter

and 6 tbs flour

stir to coat the veggies and cook for about 1 minute

then add 3 C stock and later 2-3 C milk or cream

 

To either base now add the veggies that cook in little time like diced

summer squash, green beans, cut corn, sweet peppers, peas etc.

Add shredded fresh herbs...whatever's growing.

A little grated cheese adds a lot. Parmesan to tomato based soups and

any cheese to cream soups.

I like to remove 1/2 the soup, puree it in the blender and return it to the pot.

This creates a hearty, thick soup.

Sprinkle with stale bread croutons too...and Voila!

Soup's On!

 

Either of these soup formulas makes about 8 cups of soup depending on

how many cups of veggies you use. For thicker soups, add potatoes.

Soup making is easy, much quicker than you might think and fun once you

get the hang of it. Its fun for kids to help and your house will smell terrific.

Soup Suppers are cheap, healthy, yummy ways to clean the fridge!

 

Here's one more favorite.

Fresh Garden Tomato Soup-Great anytime of the year.

 

Add enough olive oil to just cover the bottom of a heavy soup pot

Saute 1 large diced sweet onion plus several cloves of diced garlic

red pepper flakes to taste

add 1 large diced carrot

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp cumin

cook on low heat until just soft

add 4 cups chopped fresh garden tomatoes or 1 large can of crushed tomatoes

2 cups tomato sauce

3 tbs honey or maple syrup

1/2 cup shredded fresh basil*

1/2 cup fresh oregano leaves *   * substitute dried italian seasoning when fresh herbs are unavailable

salt and pepper to taste

Simmer 20 minutes or until the carrot is soft.

 

Cool and puree in a blender with 1/2 cup organic full fat yogurt or cream

Serve warm with grilled cheese sandwiches!

Serves 4

 

Enjoy!

 

Annie

 

 

January in Florida's Eden

 

"They (Sandhill Cranes) are the oldest species of Bird and they are right here literally in our own backyard. Hearing them croak as they fly over Gainesville, we harken

back to a wilder time and our hearts might remember a wilderness that will set us free from the prison of the daily grind and that which binds us."

Reverend Dr. LoraKim Joyner,  Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Gainesville, Fl.

Printed in The Gainesville Sun Editorial Section

 

Recently, my daughter Erin and I joined those walking the La Chua Trail on the North Rim of Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park.

Lured by the promise of thousands of Sandhill Cranes; we arrived with our cameras and parked at the end of Northeast 15th Ave,

just past Bouleware Springs. It was immediately obvious that many others had the same idea.

Before we even started, you could hear the cranes!

I'm not exactly sure why the call of the Sandhill Crane is so emotional but it never fails to grab my entire spirit!

 

As we headed out the 1.5 mile trek to the observation platform, we came to the Alachua Sink.

The Park is constructing a raised wooden walkway from the parking area to the Sink...which will be great!

It looks like the major support part is finished and the laying of the boards should be done soon.

This will offer much easier access for many who might find it difficult or impossible to walk the sandy trail.

 

Its been a while since I've been to the North Rim and I'd forgotten the thrill of encountering the huge alligators which are literally laying all over the place.

We're talking about the biggest, monster alligators you have seen!  Several times a group of us stood just feet away from a huge one,

trying to guess it's length...12 ft.?14 ft.?

Its pretty unnerving...really.

 

I was impressed all over again by the shear guts or foolish innocence of early explorers beginning with William Bartram who just wandered out into this exotic,  wild savanna and encountered these primal monsters! Yikes.

We rounded a bend and came upon a group of photographers huddled near the shore...all focusing their long lenses on a mother alligator surrounded by several babies...some camped out on her head and back. A rare treat to behold.

 

Next we saw another rare sight...a pair of Whooping Cranes which apparently have been hanging out for a while.

This alone would be worth the trip as birders everywhere consider such a sighting to be a major thrill.

 

With all of this excitement; its amazing that the sound of the cranes was becoming quite deafening.

Its been estimated that a bumper population of 5000 cranes may be wintering in the area this year.

They are squeezed together in crowded, noisy groups which are feeding on multitudes of insects in the tall winter grasses.

They spook easily and give excited humans a major thrill each time they spontaneously erupt and take flight!

 

It was fun to talk among fellow photographers and to overhear comments especially from those who are obviously visiting from other places.

Its hard to translate the thrill of the whole experience to paper. Visitors were astounded by what is in our backyard.

Just go....you'll be so happy you did.

Take visitors, kids and relatives! Its so amazing.

 

Oh, and I didn't even mention the big snake or the wild horses....

now if we can just find those elusive buffalo! That's our next mission.

 

Annie

 

 

December 6, 2008

 

Friday night a large crowd partied at the Ice House Gallery in McIntosh.

Many of our region's best artists mingled with collectors and old time supporters.

The current exhibition is world class; it would hold its own anywhere.

Furniture, sculpture, drawings, paintings, craft...and in dazzlingly rich colors, textures,

materials, styles and subject matter.

 

As I drifted in and out of conversation; I was amazed that many collectors didn't know this is the closing exhibition of the Ice House Gallery.

 

I feel very saddened by this news. We have such a large concentration of great artists and yet, its so difficult for us to build a professional arts presence here. The closing of the Ice House is huge. Its huge because it was a class act and its also huge

because we have so few galleries. Every business has its own internal situations and certainly, the Ice House is no exception. However, its still depression and feels like a huge loss.

 

Everyone who knows me has heard this many times before...but I'm going to say it again. This region has the real potential to become a regional and national center for contemporary art. It also has all of the elements at hand to build an economically prosperous visual arts presence.

 

The oddest part is that we already have that reputation. Outside the region, we're perceived as already having a rich, professional arts community. I have served on many economic development and marketing initiatives and listened to many consultants who all tell us the same thing: We need to be marketing ourselves as a cultural destination.

 

I urge you to take the time and make the trip to McIntosh this weekend.

 

Visit the Ice House Gallery and see what I'm talking about.

Saturday and Sunday hours, 12-5 pm.

Contact George Ferreira at: 352-591-3950.

Then hop down to the Carriage House, go east at the blinking light in McIntosh and visit Bill Schaaf's amazing studio.

 

The Carriage House Studios will be open 10 am till 4 pm  Saturday, December 13th and Sunday, December 14th.

This is one of the most amazing studios anywhere and its a rare treat to behold. Bill Schaaf, George Ferreira and Gary Haskins have been art friends forever and have cross pollinated creative ideas for decades. You'll feel the exotic, creative mix of the setting, the historic building and the art! Bill's equine paintings and sculptures, George's furniture and Gary's wood fired ceramics are examples of the best of our region's offerings. Contact Bill Schaaf: 352-372-6262

 

The season's holiday studio tours are winding down. You can also find a stunning array of crafts from the Howell Studio Annual Holiday Show Mataskick, Shaw, Howell, Senesac, Collett

Pottery, Jewelry, Mixed Media and Glass

2604 NE 19th Drive, 1 block north of NE 23rd Ave and 1 block west of Waldo Road

Friday, December 12, 7 - 10 pm and Saturday, December 13, 10 am - 4 pm

352-256-7994

 

Let's all resolve to build the presence of the arts in our region in 2009.

Help us to do more to market Florida's Eden as a cultural destination.

Its smart, sustainable and spectacular!

 

Annie

 

_____________________________________________________

COMMENT

 

Reply to Annie's Last Post from George Ferreira

 

Thank you for reminding everyone that the Ice House Gallery is officially closing.  While I have enjoyed 35 years of being a studio artist and gallery owner, I am taking this opportunity to expand and concentrate on my own work as a studio furniture maker and sculptor.  The Ice House will continue on as my studio and exhibit area which I will share

with my partner and  artist Kathleen Wobie.  I will be in my studio Monday – Friday and am planning for this period of my life to be an even more productive and creative time.

I have also created the opportunity for other artists to become involved with me. The gallery space will be available on a monthly basis for artists to rent, exhibit their work and  have workshops to expand their base in the community.  These showings or workshops may be put together by individual artists, groups of artists or patrons wishing to have

an event to further the arts. I do believe in the power and professionalism of our art community and in that spirit I am making the gallery space available so that artists will have a dynamic and beautiful space in which to show their work.

In addition, my long time friend and very gifted artist, Michael Kemp, will be opening a printmaking studio as part of the Ice House Studios.  He will be showcasing his work and offering continuing classes in all aspects of printmaking.  I look forward to his official arrival in January 2009. 

 

Also included in the new venue at the Icehouse will be future painting workshops with Kathleen Wobie and Mary Jane Volkmann. Others are invited to also hold workshop at the Ice House.

For more information about the gallery rental, please call me at 352-591-5930.  I look forward to many more years of promoting the arts in our community.  Together, we can make the changes that will enhance the arts for artists and collectors all the while expanding opportunities for our beautiful region to be a cultural destination.

 

George Ferreira

 

PS. Please add that the current exhibit "New Beginnings" will be open until Dec. 28th 2009

 

 

 

 

November 10, 2008

 

Come Meet Us!

The staff of Florida's Eden invites you to a visual feast on Thanksgiving weekend.

 

 

This month Florida's Eden held a staff celebration.

Its been a full year since Stewart and I hired Jacqui Collett as Membership Coordinator/Office Manager, Peg Richardson as Volunteer Coordinator and Ann Ramsden as Bookkeeper. More than doubling our staff was a huge step for us...and the very best thing we've ever done! Its hard to remember or imagine just how we even functioned before they brought their many skills to our work.

 

Every Tuesday we meet to plan together and I am constantly in awe at the level of creativity. Its a lot of fun and we all look forward to being together. Many of you may not know that, in addition to running Florida's Eden all five of us are also working professional artists.  I love that about us...that Florida's Eden is created and administrated by five working artists. As artists, we have a very different understanding of how culture portrays place, how the arts speak a common language and how we can create cultural events which build awareness. One of my biggest revelations is how much we need to merge the sciences and humanities back together! The humanities are how we communicate the content offered by the sciences.

 

During the curating of our recent "water focused" exhibit at Santa Fe College: Portray, Preserve, Prosper: The Florida's Eden Heritage Springs Region, we made the decision to include one work by each of us. That was a first for us. We are constantly being asked if we're painting in paintouts...and we always say, "Heavens no, we're busy enough coordinating the event and working the sales for the artists."

 

Well, this got us thinking. What if we showcased our own work? So, for the first time ever, we, the Florida's Eden staff, are having a holiday show! We hope very much that you will come and see us as working artists. Below is our invitation to you.

 

 

 

October 29, 2008

 

I just returned from a two week vacation in the Grand Canyon!

Better still, my daughter Erin is a park ranger so I had the inside track

and a personal guide. This was essential as I'll readily admit,

I was decidedly outside my comfort zone about 75% of the time.

We hiked a lot, even by moonlight and I had ample time to

immerse myself in the natural wonder of the place.

It was the end of the season too and folks from all over the world

were more than happy to share their experiences.

 

We always say that visitors come here to Florida's Eden for three reasons;

to explore and connect with the natural wonder, to inspire their creativity,

and to restore their health and well being. I would say the same is true

visiting any of the world's natural treasures...and there are many people

from all over the world actively seeking new places to visit.

 

I learned about the Canyon's history, the geology, the botany, the wildlife,

the seasonal cuisine and local products, the craft, the culture

and generally reveled in the uniqueness of the place.

Pretty soon I was listening to

the challenges facing the area and feeling emotionally invested in

wanting to help keep it pristine and wild for future generations!

 

I realized so many similarities in what is happening there, in Northern Arizona

and here in Northern Florida, although the natural worlds are so very different.

Water is certainly a common concern!

Collecting and reusing water are part of the mainstream conversation.

They have obviously been at that challenge longer than we

and we can learn much from their conservation innovations and their mistakes.

 

I came back renewed and inspired to re-immerse myself in our challenges.

Our natural heritage here is also unique to the planet. Educating people about

the Florida's Eden Springs Region and creating new ways to emotionally inspire

and engage people to get involved is key to both our preservation and our prosperity.

In many ways, what we're facing here is even more threatening, given the exploding human element.

 

In the coming months our staff will be offering you some exciting ways to

participate in programs and events designed to grow public awareness

about our region. Water, conservation awareness, sustainable economic development,

public education, and local business support are all issues we're involved with.

We're excited to connect people to these issues utilizing our regional heritage and the arts.

 

 

Many of you have enthusiastically given your time and expertise, making our

events successful. Now we'll be inviting you to take and even more active role.

We're creating Friends of Florida's Eden as a powerful volunteer core.

It's our view that everyone of our challenges has a viable solution.

We see opportunities everywhere and know that everything we need to succeed is already present

in our regional backyard. All of our advisors tell us this region has the real potential

of becoming a national model for choosing sustainability and pioneering conservation as economic benefit.

 

If you haven't been to the Santa Fe College Gallery; there's still time to catch our exhibition,

Portray, Preserve, Prosper: The Florida's Eden Heritage Springs Region.

We've had rave reviews for this positive, practical and beautiful show.

Its up through Nov. 7th.

 

More soon.

Annie

 

Mark your calendar and come join a pioneering celebration.

"Portray, Preserve, Prosper: The Florida's Eden Heritage Springs Region"

October 3rd: Public Forum 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. with Guided Gallery Tour 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Santa Fe College Art Gallery

with a special "One Region / One Book" Signing: Mirage: Florida and the Vanishing Water of the Eastern U.S.

Come meet author, Cynthia Barnett and have your copy autographed.

 

September 17th

 

Preservation is Prosperity!

 

This is a big week for us. We've been hanging an exhibition at the Santa Fe College Gallery and readying everything for the formal kickoff of

our One Region One Book project. As the show has been coming together and the pieces are set up and arranged; we are all astonished by the sheer beauty

and surprising qualities we've created.  Jacqui Collett and Peg Richardson are masters of arrangement! I hope this show will attract a wide audience as we have gone way beyond the normal art show parameters and brought in some fun and unusual pieces including a light box by Margaret Tolbert, Florida Furniture by Ty Tyson,

a Springs film by the Suwannee River Water management District, Callie Thompson's spoken word performance of her "Open Letter to all Floridians", rare first edition books, a dive suit, and a wooden canoe designed and built by 8th graders at Fort White High School! These very different pieces complement the photographs, paintings, sculpture, glass, clay and fabric art.

Friday's Opening has been receiving good press. The word is out and so we're hopeful of a healthy turnout.

 

Cynthia Barnett will be signing copies of Mirage: Florida and the Vanishing Water of the Eastern U.S at the Opening in the GAllery.  Its our debut for One Region One Book, a project we've created to invite 30 counties of north Florida's Eden to join the region focus and build citizen awareness toward protecting the water resources. Florida's Eden is partnering with Cynthia who's book came at an ideal time and serves as the prime vehicle in this next stage of our water awareness campaign. We're looking forward to introducing her to the cultural community on Friday. Our hope is that everyone will purchase 2 paperback versions of Mirage; one to read and one to give as a gift.  As our members and friends, you can help this effort to launch by engaging your book clubs, home owners associations, civic organizations, local libraries and friends to buy and read this comprehensive and interesting book. Cynthia has created discussion questions which you'll find front and center on our website, www.FloridasEden.org

 

Stewart Thomas, our super human Creative Director has been working overtime to ready our site's new format for the fall events.

Please do check it out and email it as a link to your friends. You'll also see that he's arranged for the Heart of Florida Scenic Trail Guide to be completely virtual!

This is pure magic to me!

Go check it out...you can turn the pages and email or print individual pages. With the Guide you'll also be able to view our latest creation; a short video where we

suggest area venues to visit. Its a fun project we did last spring with our Alachua County VCB and Visit Florida.

 

This fall you'll hear more about our major project, the Florida's Eden Water Awareness Campaign and more ways you can help us lead the way.

As we build capacity to become the regional organization which will unite north Florida; we'll be needing more volunteer participation.

Peg Richardson, our Volunteer Coordinator will be introducing a new program called Friends of Florida's Eden. We're excited by the prospects

this new volunteer program will offer you.

 

Friends of Florida's Eden will work closely with our current Membership program. Jacqui Collett , our Membership Coordinator and Peg Richardson are

teaming up to produce some engaging ways for you to become more involved. The very nature of what Florida's Eden is now initiating is volunteer and citizen based.

We believe that all real change happens as a civil action from the grass roots up and your participation is needed more now than ever before.

Please join this pioneering effort to command our regional future.

 

I hope we see you at Santa Fe College Gallery Friday night from 7-9.

You can also check the website for our next happenings...www.FloridasEden.org

 

These are hopeful and high energy times.

Annie

 

September 1

Florida's Eden

Annie's Blog

 

The first of September offers a whole new energy...which is a mighty relief after the dog days of August.

As a once-upon-a-time northerner; I always think of our August here, like we did February in Maine.

August is our 'dark moon, low tide, wait it out time.'

How many ways can you still eat eggplants and zucchinis?

Cat's belly up in the flower pots...heat!

Leggy zinnias in the dried up old garden plots and finally... out of sheer need...turning the soil.

 

Then we round the corner and voila! There's a whole new energy.

The kids go back to school, football starts, the cultural season opens and we replant for an entire new harvest.

 

That's how we're so very different here.

While practically the entire rest of the country prepares to enter a dormant growing season; we replant!

 

We are Florida's Eden. We enjoy a perennial garden with a year round harvest.

We have whole new blooms from plants just waiting until winter!

Birds begin to migrate in...along with snow birds. For most of us; its our favorite half of the year.

 

However invigorating; this year is different.

Tomorrow Florida's Eden goes public with an exciting new venture.

As our membership; we want you to be the first to know.

 

We truly are a living Eden. The natural assets we enjoy are remarkably our own.

Its like you come to the end of the mainland and then enter this other place...

Mysterious, wilder, strange and sometimes quirky...

once connected to Africa; we have a primal, ancient heart beat which feels closer to the source.

They call us the sunshine state...but its water that defines us.

 

Water. Its water that defines us and its water issues which have moved to the front of everyone's agenda.

We have been working solidly all summer on a Regional Water Awareness Campaign.

Tomorrow we'll issue a press release announcing our plan to initiate a citizen's call to action.

We have created a way to invite and engage each of the 30 counties within our Florida's Eden to read one book,

Mirage: Florida and the Vanishing Water of the Eastern U.S. by journalist, Cynthia Barnett.

Last spring we read Mirage and were so impressed with the book's content that we contacted

its author, Cynthia Barnett and asked her to partner with us to offer a One Region One Book reading campaign to the citizens of Florida's Eden.

She graciously accepted and we've been working together on it ever since.

 

Even before its debut; Mirage and the One Region One Book Campaign are a run away hit.

Mirage won the Gold award as best non fiction book in the State of Florida

and in August, Marion County announced its intention to be the first county to lead the way.

Then Santa Fe College came on to become the first college to commit to an all campus read.

You can go right now to our website www.FloridasEden.org

 

We ask for your help.

Our goal is for the region to attain a real awareness of the water issues and the challenges we face and then

join together to engage in the very practical, innovative and beneficial solutions.

Even as we work to partner with our Florida's Eden Heritage Springs Region, county by beautiful county;

we need you to help us get the word out. We invite every individual to read Mirage. If you have a book club; please suggest reading Mirage.

Home owners associations, churches, businesses, schools, chambers, libraries, civic organizations and private book clubs...

we need all of you to read the book. Cynthia has posted discussion questions on the site under One Region One Book and linked her own website which

is a great additional resource offering information about Florida's water issues.

Cynthia Barnett is a senior writer for Florida Trend and an award winning journalist.

 

One more thing. Mark your calendars for Friday, September 19th, 7-9 p.m. That's the day Florida's Eden opens a pioneering exhibition at the Santa Fe College Art Gallery. Our region's leading cultural and natural ambassadors will combine their work to inform and astound the public and celebrate the kick off of our

Water Awareness Campaign and One Region One Book. Cynthia will be signing copies of Mirage. Come meet her, pick up a copy of the book and join the

movement!

 

I'm going to keep blogging these journal entries every couple of weeks and report about the Campaign, our partners, and give you the exciting developments

from our end. Please email me back  awpais @ aol.com

Together we'll make a real difference.

 

Annie

 

 

January in Florida's Eden

 

"They (Sandhill Cranes) are the oldest species of Bird and they are right here literally in our own backyard. Hearing them croak as they fly over Gainesville, we harken

back to a wilder time and our hearts might remember a wilderness that will set us free from the prison of the daily grind and that which binds us."

Reverend Dr. LoraKim Joyner,  Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Gainesville, Fl.

Printed in The Gainesville Sun Editorial Section

 

Recently, my daughter Erin and I joined those walking the La Chua Trail on the North Rim of Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park.

Lured by the promise of thousands of Sandhill Cranes; we arrived with our cameras and parked at the end of Northeast 15th Ave,

just past Bouleware Springs. It was immediately obvious that many others had the same idea.

Before we even started, you could hear the cranes!

I'm not exactly sure why the call of the Sandhill Crane is so emotional but it never fails to grab my entire spirit!

 

As we headed out the 1.5 mile trek to the observation platform, we came to the Alachua Sink.

The Park is constructing a raised wooden walkway from the parking area to the Sink...which will be great!

It looks like the major support part is finished and the laying of the boards should be done soon.

This will offer much easier access for many who might find it difficult or impossible to walk the sandy trail.

 

Its been a while since I've been to the North Rim and I'd forgotten the thrill of encountering the huge alligators which are literally laying all over the place.

We're talking about the biggest, monster alligators you have seen!  Several times a group of us stood just feet away from a huge one,

trying to guess it's length...12 ft.?14 ft.?

Its pretty unnerving...really.

 

I was impressed all over again by the shear guts or foolish innocence of early explorers beginning with William Bartram who just wandered out into this exotic,  wild savanna and encountered these primal monsters! Yikes.

We rounded a bend and came upon a group of photographers huddled near the shore...all focusing their long lenses on a mother alligator surrounded by several babies...some camped out on her head and back. A rare treat to behold.

 

Next we saw another rare sight...a pair of Whooping Cranes which apparently have been hanging out for a while.

This alone would be worth the trip as birders everywhere consider such a sighting to be a major thrill.

 

With all of this excitement; its amazing that the sound of the cranes was becoming quite deafening.

Its been estimated that a bumper population of 5000 cranes may be wintering in the area this year.

They are squeezed together in crowded, noisy groups which are feeding on multitudes of insects in the tall winter grasses.

They spook easily and give excited humans a major thrill each time they spontaneously erupt and take flight!

 

It was fun to talk among fellow photographers and to overhear comments especially from those who are obviously visiting from other places.

Its hard to translate the thrill of the whole experience to paper. Visitors were astounded by what is in our backyard.

Just go....you'll be so happy you did.

Take visitors, kids and relatives! Its so amazing.

 

Oh, and I didn't even mention the big snake or the wild horses....

now if we can just find those elusive buffalo! That's our next mission.

 

Annie

 

January 6, 2009

 

Happy New Year!

 

How many ways can you cook greens?

We should have a contest.

Its the winter version of zucchinis or tomatoes;

when they're in season, its pretty intense.

 

Here, the Farmer's Markets are veritable wonderlands of greens...

salad and cooking greens. We are so lucky to have access to the local farms

which provide us with organic greens and other winter fruits and veggies.

 

I try to vary the way I cook greens by combining them with other seasonal produce.

They can be combined easily with citrus, yams, onions and root veggies.

 

Here is one recipe:

 

Coat the bottom of a large skillet or soup pot with olive oil.

Add one large diced Florida Sweet Onion and 'sweat' on low heat.

 

Note: Another option is to begin with a small amount diced bacon, Canadian Bacon or Pancetta.

The additional flavor is undeniable. Pancetta and Canadian Bacon are actually pretty lean and so can be combined with a little olive oil.

 

Once the onion is cooking, add a lot of diced garlic...the more the better.

Then start adding some diced root veggies...sweet potatoes, turnips, parsnips, beets, whatever you like or have.

I also add a diced apple and or some raisins.

Dried fruit and greens are a great combo.

Cannelini beans and kidney beans are also good to add.

The proportion of greens to other veggies is up to you.

 

To this mixture I add spices:

red pepper flakes

curry powder

cinnamon

grey salt and pepper to taste

Note: You can also get some of the smokey flavor without the meat by adding a little smoked paprika.

 

Now you're ready to add the washed and diced greens.

I like combining greens which offers mixing better and sweet greens.

Whatever you have; start with the greens that need to cook longest.

 

As we know; greens cook way down to nothing... so buy quantities.

Then add a little liquid, water, orange juice or broth.

Cover and simmer for about 30 min.

 

Greens are great with many other foods....so one of the ways to eat more greens is to combine them in different ways.

Rice, couscous, pasta, and other whole grains are all yummy.

 

Greens are so nutritious.

Send us your favorite recipes.

Enjoy!

 

December 6, 2008

 

Friday night a large crowd partied at the Ice House Gallery in McIntosh.

Many of our region's best artists mingled with collectors and old time supporters.

The current exhibition is world class; it would hold its own anywhere.

Furniture, sculpture, drawings, paintings, craft...and in dazzlingly rich colors, textures,

materials, styles and subject matter.

 

As I drifted in and out of conversation; I was amazed that many collectors didn't know this is the closing exhibition of the Ice House Gallery.

 

I feel very saddened by this news. We have such a large concentration of great artists and yet, its so difficult for us to build a professional arts presence here. The closing of the Ice House is huge. Its huge because it was a class act and its also huge

because we have so few galleries. Every business has its own internal situations and certainly, the Ice House is no exception. However, its still depression and feels like a huge loss.

 

Everyone who knows me has heard this many times before...but I'm going to say it again. This region has the real potential to become a regional and national center for contemporary art. It also has all of the elements at hand to build an economically prosperous visual arts presence.

 

The oddest part is that we already have that reputation. Outside the region, we're perceived as already having a rich, professional arts community. I have served on many economic development and marketing initiatives and listened to many consultants who all tell us the same thing: We need to be marketing ourselves as a cultural destination.

 

I urge you to take the time and make the trip to McIntosh this weekend.

 

Visit the Ice House Gallery and see what I'm talking about.

Saturday and Sunday hours, 12-5 pm.

Contact George Ferreira at: 352-591-3950.

Then hop down to the Carriage House, go east at the blinking light in McIntosh and visit Bill Schaaf's amazing studio.

 

The Carriage House Studios will be open 10 am till 4 pm  Saturday, December 13th and Sunday, December 14th.

This is one of the most amazing studios anywhere and its a rare treat to behold. Bill Schaaf, George Ferreira and Gary Haskins have been art friends forever and have cross pollinated creative ideas for decades. You'll feel the exotic, creative mix of the setting, the historic building and the art! Bill's equine paintings and sculptures, George's furniture and Gary's wood fired ceramics are examples of the best of our region's offerings. Contact Bill Schaaf: 352-372-6262

 

The season's holiday studio tours are winding down. You can also find a stunning array of crafts from the Howell Studio Annual Holiday Show Mataskick, Shaw, Howell, Senesac, Collett

Pottery, Jewelry, Mixed Media and Glass

2604 NE 19th Drive, 1 block north of NE 23rd Ave and 1 block west of Waldo Road

Friday, December 12, 7 - 10 pm and Saturday, December 13, 10 am - 4 pm

352-256-7994

 

Let's all resolve to build the presence of the arts in our region in 2009.

Help us to do more to market Florida's Eden as a cultural destination.

Its smart, sustainable and spectacular!

 

Annie

 

_____________________________________________________

COMMENT

 

Reply to Annie's Last Post from George Ferreira

 

Thank you for reminding everyone that the Ice House Gallery is officially closing.  While I have enjoyed 35 years of being a studio artist and gallery owner, I am taking this opportunity to expand and concentrate on my own work as a studio furniture maker and sculptor.  The Ice House will continue on as my studio and exhibit area which I will share

with my partner and  artist Kathleen Wobie.  I will be in my studio Monday – Friday and am planning for this period of my life to be an even more productive and creative time.

I have also created the opportunity for other artists to become involved with me. The gallery space will be available on a monthly basis for artists to rent, exhibit their work and  have workshops to expand their base in the community.  These showings or workshops may be put together by individual artists, groups of artists or patrons wishing to have

an event to further the arts. I do believe in the power and professionalism of our art community and in that spirit I am making the gallery space available so that artists will have a dynamic and beautiful space in which to show their work.

In addition, my long time friend and very gifted artist, Michael Kemp, will be opening a printmaking studio as part of the Ice House Studios.  He will be showcasing his work and offering continuing classes in all aspects of printmaking.  I look forward to his official arrival in January 2009. 

 

Also included in the new venue at the Icehouse will be future painting workshops with Kathleen Wobie and Mary Jane Volkmann. Others are invited to also hold workshop at the Ice House.

For more information about the gallery rental, please call me at 352-591-5930.  I look forward to many more years of promoting the arts in our community.  Together, we can make the changes that will enhance the arts for artists and collectors all the while expanding opportunities for our beautiful region to be a cultural destination.

 

George Ferreira

 

PS. Please add that the current exhibit "New Beginnings" will be open until Dec. 28th 2009

 

 

 

 

November 10, 2008

 

Come Meet Us!

The staff of Florida's Eden invites you to a visual feast on Thanksgiving weekend.

 

 

This month Florida's Eden held a staff celebration.

Its been a full year since Stewart and I hired Jacqui Collett as Membership Coordinator/Office Manager, Peg Richardson as Volunteer Coordinator and Ann Ramsden as Bookkeeper. More than doubling our staff was a huge step for us...and the very best thing we've ever done! Its hard to remember or imagine just how we even functioned before they brought their many skills to our work.

 

Every Tuesday we meet to plan together and I am constantly in awe at the level of creativity. Its a lot of fun and we all look forward to being together. Many of you may not know that, in addition to running Florida's Eden all five of us are also working professional artists.  I love that about us...that Florida's Eden is created and administrated by five working artists. As artists, we have a very different understanding of how culture portrays place, how the arts speak a common language and how we can create cultural events which build awareness. One of my biggest revelations is how much we need to merge the sciences and humanities back together! The humanities are how we communicate the content offered by the sciences.

 

During the curating of our recent "water focused" exhibit at Santa Fe College: Portray, Preserve, Prosper: The Florida's Eden Heritage Springs Region, we made the decision to include one work by each of us. That was a first for us. We are constantly being asked if we're painting in paintouts...and we always say, "Heavens no, we're busy enough coordinating the event and working the sales for the artists."

 

Well, this got us thinking. What if we showcased our own work? So, for the first time ever, we, the Florida's Eden staff, are having a holiday show! We hope very much that you will come and see us as working artists. Below is our invitation to you.

 

 

 

October 29, 2008

 

I just returned from a two week vacation in the Grand Canyon!

Better still, my daughter Erin is a park ranger so I had the inside track

and a personal guide. This was essential as I'll readily admit,

I was decidedly outside my comfort zone about 75% of the time.

We hiked a lot, even by moonlight and I had ample time to

immerse myself in the natural wonder of the place.

It was the end of the season too and folks from all over the world

were more than happy to share their experiences.

 

We always say that visitors come here to Florida's Eden for three reasons;

to explore and connect with the natural wonder, to inspire their creativity,

and to restore their health and well being. I would say the same is true

visiting any of the world's natural treasures...and there are many people

from all over the world actively seeking new places to visit.

 

I learned about the Canyon's history, the geology, the botany, the wildlife,

the seasonal cuisine and local products, the craft, the culture

and generally reveled in the uniqueness of the place.

Pretty soon I was listening to

the challenges facing the area and feeling emotionally invested in

wanting to help keep it pristine and wild for future generations!

 

I realized so many similarities in what is happening there, in Northern Arizona

and here in Northern Florida, although the natural worlds are so very different.

Water is certainly a common concern!

Collecting and reusing water are part of the mainstream conversation.

They have obviously been at that challenge longer than we

and we can learn much from their conservation innovations and their mistakes.

 

I came back renewed and inspired to re-immerse myself in our challenges.

Our natural heritage here is also unique to the planet. Educating people about

the Florida's Eden Springs Region and creating new ways to emotionally inspire

and engage people to get involved is key to both our preservation and our prosperity.

In many ways, what we're facing here is even more threatening, given the exploding human element.

 

In the coming months our staff will be offering you some exciting ways to

participate in programs and events designed to grow public awareness

about our region. Water, conservation awareness, sustainable economic development,

public education, and local business support are all issues we're involved with.

We're excited to connect people to these issues utilizing our regional heritage and the arts.

 

 

Many of you have enthusiastically given your time and expertise, making our

events successful. Now we'll be inviting you to take and even more active role.

We're creating Friends of Florida's Eden as a powerful volunteer core.

It's our view that everyone of our challenges has a viable solution.

We see opportunities everywhere and know that everything we need to succeed is already present

in our regional backyard. All of our advisors tell us this region has the real potential

of becoming a national model for choosing sustainability and pioneering conservation as economic benefit.

 

If you haven't been to the Santa Fe College Gallery; there's still time to catch our exhibition,

Portray, Preserve, Prosper: The Florida's Eden Heritage Springs Region.

We've had rave reviews for this positive, practical and beautiful show.

Its up through Nov. 7th.

 

More soon.

Annie

 

Mark your calendar and come join a pioneering celebration.

"Portray, Preserve, Prosper: The Florida's Eden Heritage Springs Region"

October 3rd: Public Forum 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. with Guided Gallery Tour 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Santa Fe College Art Gallery

with a special "One Region / One Book" Signing: Mirage: Florida and the Vanishing Water of the Eastern U.S.

Come meet author, Cynthia Barnett and have your copy autographed.

 

September 17th

 

Preservation is Prosperity!

 

This is a big week for us. We've been hanging an exhibition at the Santa Fe College Gallery and readying everything for the formal kickoff of

our One Region One Book project. As the show has been coming together and the pieces are set up and arranged; we are all astonished by the sheer beauty

and surprising qualities we've created.  Jacqui Collett and Peg Richardson are masters of arrangement! I hope this show will attract a wide audience as we have gone way beyond the normal art show parameters and brought in some fun and unusual pieces including a light box by Margaret Tolbert, Florida Furniture by Ty Tyson,

a Springs film by the Suwannee River Water management District, Callie Thompson's spoken word performance of her "Open Letter to all Floridians", rare first edition books, a dive suit, and a wooden canoe designed and built by 8th graders at Fort White High School! These very different pieces complement the photographs, paintings, sculpture, glass, clay and fabric art.

Friday's Opening has been receiving good press. The word is out and so we're hopeful of a healthy turnout.

 

Cynthia Barnett will be signing copies of Mirage: Florida and the Vanishing Water of the Eastern U.S at the Opening in the GAllery.  Its our debut for One Region One Book, a project we've created to invite 30 counties of north Florida's Eden to join the region focus and build citizen awareness toward protecting the water resources. Florida's Eden is partnering with Cynthia who's book came at an ideal time and serves as the prime vehicle in this next stage of our water awareness campaign. We're looking forward to introducing her to the cultural community on Friday. Our hope is that everyone will purchase 2 paperback versions of Mirage; one to read and one to give as a gift.  As our members and friends, you can help this effort to launch by engaging your book clubs, home owners associations, civic organizations, local libraries and friends to buy and read this comprehensive and interesting book. Cynthia has created discussion questions which you'll find front and center on our website, www.FloridasEden.org

 

Stewart Thomas, our super human Creative Director has been working overtime to ready our site's new format for the fall events.

Please do check it out and email it as a link to your friends. You'll also see that he's arranged for the Heart of Florida Scenic Trail Guide to be completely virtual!

This is pure magic to me!

Go check it out...you can turn the pages and email or print individual pages. With the Guide you'll also be able to view our latest creation; a short video where we

suggest area venues to visit. Its a fun project we did last spring with our Alachua County VCB and Visit Florida.

 

This fall you'll hear more about our major project, the Florida's Eden Water Awareness Campaign and more ways you can help us lead the way.

As we build capacity to become the regional organization which will unite north Florida; we'll be needing more volunteer participation.

Peg Richardson, our Volunteer Coordinator will be introducing a new program called Friends of Florida's Eden. We're excited by the prospects

this new volunteer program will offer you.

 

Friends of Florida's Eden will work closely with our current Membership program. Jacqui Collett , our Membership Coordinator and Peg Richardson are

teaming up to produce some engaging ways for you to become more involved. The very nature of what Florida's Eden is now initiating is volunteer and citizen based.

We believe that all real change happens as a civil action from the grass roots up and your participation is needed more now than ever before.

Please join this pioneering effort to command our regional future.

 

I hope we see you at Santa Fe College Gallery Friday night from 7-9.

You can also check the website for our next happenings...www.FloridasEden.org

 

These are hopeful and high energy times.

Annie

 

September 1

Florida's Eden

Annie's Blog

 

The first of September offers a whole new energy...which is a mighty relief after the dog days of August.

As a once-upon-a-time northerner; I always think of our August here, like we did February in Maine.

August is our 'dark moon, low tide, wait it out time.'

How many ways can you still eat eggplants and zucchinis?

Cat's belly up in the flower pots...heat!

Leggy zinnias in the dried up old garden plots and finally... out of sheer need...turning the soil.

 

Then we round the corner and voila! There's a whole new energy.

The kids go back to school, football starts, the cultural season opens and we replant for an entire new harvest.

 

That's how we're so very different here.

While practically the entire rest of the country prepares to enter a dormant growing season; we replant!

 

We are Florida's Eden. We enjoy a perennial garden with a year round harvest.

We have whole new blooms from plants just waiting until winter!

Birds begin to migrate in...along with snow birds. For most of us; its our favorite half of the year.

 

However invigorating; this year is different.

Tomorrow Florida's Eden goes public with an exciting new venture.

As our membership; we want you to be the first to know.

 

We truly are a living Eden. The natural assets we enjoy are remarkably our own.

Its like you come to the end of the mainland and then enter this other place...

Mysterious, wilder, strange and sometimes quirky...

once connected to Africa; we have a primal, ancient heart beat which feels closer to the source.

They call us the sunshine state...but its water that defines us.

 

Water. Its water that defines us and its water issues which have moved to the front of everyone's agenda.

We have been working solidly all summer on a Regional Water Awareness Campaign.

Tomorrow we'll issue a press release announcing our plan to initiate a citizen's call to action.

We have created a way to invite and engage each of the 30 counties within our Florida's Eden to read one book,

Mirage: Florida and the Vanishing Water of the Eastern U.S. by journalist, Cynthia Barnett.

Last spring we read Mirage and were so impressed with the book's content that we contacted

its author, Cynthia Barnett and asked her to partner with us to offer a One Region One Book reading campaign to the citizens of Florida's Eden.

She graciously accepted and we've been working together on it ever since.

 

Even before its debut; Mirage and the One Region One Book Campaign are a run away hit.

Mirage won the Gold award as best non fiction book in the State of Florida

and in August, Marion County announced its intention to be the first county to lead the way.

Then Santa Fe College came on to become the first college to commit to an all campus read.

You can go right now to our website www.FloridasEden.org

 

We ask for your help.

Our goal is for the region to attain a real awareness of the water issues and the challenges we face and then

join together to engage in the very practical, innovative and beneficial solutions.

Even as we work to partner with our Florida's Eden Heritage Springs Region, county by beautiful county;

we need you to help us get the word out. We invite every individual to read Mirage. If you have a book club; please suggest reading Mirage.

Home owners associations, churches, businesses, schools, chambers, libraries, civic organizations and private book clubs...

we need all of you to read the book. Cynthia has posted discussion questions on the site under One Region One Book and linked her own website which

is a great additional resource offering information about Florida's water issues.

Cynthia Barnett is a senior writer for Florida Trend and an award winning journalist.

 

One more thing. Mark your calendars for Friday, September 19th, 7-9 p.m. That's the day Florida's Eden opens a pioneering exhibition at the Santa Fe College Art Gallery. Our region's leading cultural and natural ambassadors will combine their work to inform and astound the public and celebrate the kick off of our

Water Awareness Campaign and One Region One Book. Cynthia will be signing copies of Mirage. Come meet her, pick up a copy of the book and join the

movement!

 

I'm going to keep blogging these journal entries every couple of weeks and report about the Campaign, our partners, and give you the exciting developments

from our end. Please email me back  awpais @ aol.com

Together we'll make a real difference.

 

Annie