Features

During summer break many kids from throughout Levy County participate in the Florida 4H Camp program led by County Extension Agent Al Fuller.

The program helps develop life skills in youth through learning by doing education. The 4H group consisted of 70 kids, ages 8-16.

One activity involved coming out on Aug. 3 to the Levy County Department of Public Safety (LCDPS) Complex to use the pond. The department has hosted the campers before and this time they came to learn how to use and navigate a canoe.

By Brad Buck

UF/IFAS

Downy mildew, a disease known to damage dozens of plant species in Florida, has now been found on purple velvet plants in South Florida, UF/IFAS scientists say.

Purple velvet plants are popularly used for foliage and cut flowers, said Aaron Palmateer, associate professor in plant pathology at the UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead.

The monthly meeting of AARP Local Chapter No. 2133 will be Tuesday, Aug.18 in the ForVets Lodge House at Otter Springs, starting at 10:30 a.m.

At these meetings you will receive valuable information as to what is happening in the local area, be informed about many volunteer options, have a great lunch, enjoy good fellowship, become involved and maybe even win one of the many door prizes. Keep in mind, if you are over 50, you are welcome to fellowship and freely dine for your first time as our guest.

You are invited to attend the SVP 2015 Golden Gravel Celebration on Aug. 15 at 6 p.m. at the Chief Theater. The event is named after Barbara Gravel, a founding member of the Suwannee Valley Players community theater group. They honor the best in the groups performances for the past year.

We are celebrating the Gravel’s with a Carnival in Venice theme with food, entertainment and the celebration of a successful theater season.

GAINESVILLE — The North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, which includes the Malcolm Randall VA Medical Center in Gainesville is the VA’s largest health care system.

It is experiencing steady growth but does not have enough space for its current volume of patients.

In fiscal year (FY) 2014, the system served more than 133,000 veterans for primary care, mental health and specialty care services.

One little man stole the show at a special fundraiser this past Saturday.

Young Paxton was the inspiration for a Dancing for Down Syndrome Zumba event hosted by Chiefland Health and Fitness Manager Carla Russ, which just happened to fall on National Dance Day. They had to have a party anyway, Russ said.

"That's my way of helping is dancing; that's what I can give," Russ said.

Russ said her son races go-carts in Jasper and one of the racing families also has a youngster with Down Syndrome.

Haven Hospice held an open house on July 16 to celebrate the opening of the recently completed community building and to announce the promotions of DeAnna Beverly to vice president of clinical operations of Haven Hospice and M’Alice Julius to patient care manager of the Haven Tri-County Care Center.

Food distribution

The Food for Life food distribution is on the second and fourth Saturday of the month starting at 10 a.m. at the Chiefland First United Methodist Church with a suggested donation of $3.50.

First Assembly of God

First Assembly of God in Chiefland will host God Encounter Weekend Friday, Aug. 7 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 9. at 10:30 a.m.

Phill Proudy from Springhill will be the guest speaker.

After taking a four-month hiatus to allow for the bird nesting season on Seahorse Key, the island and its lighthouse will be open to visitors on Saturday, July 18, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Access to the island and its beaches has been restricted since March 1 of this year, as it is annually, to protect against any interruption to the breeding and nesting activities of the rookery.

Visitors will have to use private boats, kayaks or canoes or tour boats from Cedar Key to reach the island that is a refuge for wildlife.