Features

Bronson Blue Springs has lost its sparkle.

Severe drought, according to Suwannee River Water Management District Engineer Meagan Wetherington, has caused the spring to quit flowing. And recent rains, though not enough to recharge the aquifer, have caused water from nearby swamps, heavy with tannins, to flow into the spring, staining it muddy brown.

   Patrick Allen, the director of Haven Hospice in Chiefland, was the special guest speaker at the March 29 Suwanee Valley Rotary meeting.
   Allen said the cancer foundation he helped organize, BACK Fighting Cancer Inc., is on a new mission this year: to provide financial assistance to the families for children fighting cancer in the Tri-County Area.

By Pam Darty
Refuge Ranger
Colorful flyers seen all over town brought a record crowd to the Cedar Key Library for the third presentation by Dr. Kenneth Sassaman.
The University of Florida archaeologist has been working on the 30 coastal miles of the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge and the thirteen islands of the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge for the past three years, so nearly half of the standing-room-only audience had returned for the most recent findings.

By LOIS SCOTT and
BEVERLY SHOBE
Publicity
The March business meeting of the Springhouse Quilter's Guild convened Tuesday, March 13, with President Mary Rawlins officiating.  Madam President thanked the guild ladies for their assistance during the March 10 Trenton Quilt and Craft Festival and reiterated her appreciation for their sharing of time and self.  The 39 members and one guest present enjoyed a delightful brunch.  Door prizes were won by Janet Gooding, Lois Johnson and Ve Wietor.

Former City of Chiefland Deputy Clerk Edith Goss celebrated her 90th birthday Saturday, March 17, with 35 of her family members at a party hosted by her children, Sandra Allen (Raymond), Chiefland, Virginia Sikes, Florence, Ms., Mike Goss, Bruce Goss (Regina), Chiefland, and Dan Goss (Beth) of Fanning Springs. A dinner was served along with birthday cake.  The family spent some time sharing memories and great times they have had with their mother, grandmother and great grandmother's life.

The free evenings of bluegrass at the Old Town Elementary School Auditorium started two years ago when Big Cypress Bluegrass Band approached the Dixie County Historical Society and proposed the idea of a free evening of Bluegrass music in order to promote Bluegrass and also to give back to the community for supporting the band through the years.
The Historical Society was very gracious in allowing the group the chance to show what it  could do if given the chance. The partnership brings entertainment to all who love traditional Bluegrass/Bluegrass Gospel music.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Fanning and Manatee Springs state parks and Nature Coast State Trail will host a Scavenger hunt throughout the park for Earth Day.
   Park Ranger Howard Meyer will read a book by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings called The Secret River before the hunt begins. The reading will take place on the stage located in the park from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from there the hunt will begin. There will be prize for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place participants and everyone will receive a certificate of participation.