 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| What's On This Page: - Downtown High Springs adds new Restaurant - Code enforcement officer gives deadline ... - Angel Food Ministries New Online Ordering - Photo of Fort White Train Depot - Idea for Dinner Train ... - Angel Food Ministries New Online Ordering - Obama may visit Newberry/High Springs in September |
Three Rivers'
ICHETUCKNEE VIEWS
About Fort White and County
| Photo by George Foley at S. Exit of Ichetucknee State Park |
| From: "Deborah McClelland" <mctede@alltel.net> Subject: ANGEL FOOD MINISTRIES NEW ONLINE ORDERING Date: Mon, 9 Jun 2008 11:33:20 -0400 In our continuing effort to serve God, our community, and our neighbors we are proud to be able to provide a new and simple way to place your orders for Angel Food. Follow this link: http://www. ftwhiteumc.org On the left hand side of the screen, toward the bottom, you will find a link to the order form. You will be able to type in your order and then you can mail a check or money order or come to the church to pay cash or use food stamps. People will be at the church Thursday and Friday afternoons from 1 p.m. till 4 p.m. to take your orders and I will be at the church this Saturday, June 14th, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Please remember we must have your payment in hand by June 15th. If you have any questions about the form or anything else concerning Angel Food you may still call me or the church (497-1742) and we will return your call promptly. Please share our good news with your friends, neighbors, church members, organizations. We are here to do God’s work and feel this ministry allows us to do that. Blessings, Debbie McClelland |
| Photo from Chris Anderson of Fort White Train Depot |
| Downtown High Springs adds 'Coconuts' to its growing list of restaurants By Maria Fernanda Castro For the Herald HIGH SPRINGS -- Thirteen different types of hamburgers, chicken sandwiches and salads are part of the menu of the newly opened J. Coconuts Beach Grill located at 15 N.E. 2nd Ave. in High Springs. That is because the restaurant, which opened on July 28, aims to evoke the sand and the beach with its tropical menu entrees that are reminiscent of similar options found at breezy seaside restaurants. Even though the theme of the restaurant is sandy beaches, the menu also will include other south-of-the-border entrees like burritos, quesadillas and fish tacos in mid-August, when the restaurant will have its official grand opening. "We just hope to open a family-oriented restaurant," said Jonas Graham, who owns the restaurant with his brother Clay. Graham said jokingly that his 2-year-old twins are too young to help at the restaurant, but that his 17-year-old daughter is already helping during her spare time. The restaurant has a staff of 12 employees, including cooks and waiters. Graham said that they decided to open a restaurant in High Springs because of the great community and its support. "We did zero advertising," he said. "It was just a matter of opening the door, and we had customers." Customers even have a favorite salad already -– the Southwestern salad, Graham said. As for the name of the restaurant, it was decided in order for it to go along with the theme of the restaurant. "We are still brand-new," Graham said. "But everyone has welcomed us." J. Coconuts Beach Grill is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11: 30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m., and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. |
| Located on Main Street across from the old Vogel grocery store building, Coconuts gave a new look to its location, giving the outside a Hawaiian-like feel. |
| Idea for dinner train ride through area cities still talked about, is still possible By Rachael Anne Ryals Herald Staff Writer NEWBERRY -- Many years ago the blast of the train's whistle in the Crescent Communities meant visitors arriving in the area. Today, only coal, peanuts and other commodities travel the area on slow-moving freight trains that rumble along the tracks. But some area officials think that tourists and residents alike would enjoy a train ride though the area, gazing out the windows at tangly-armed oak trees while they enjoy dinner on the train and shopping stops in area cities. The idea for a dinner train ride in the area has been tossed around for years, Newberry City Commissioner Bill Conrad said, with the Main Street Organizations of area cities eager for the opportunity to bring more visitors to their cities. "It's an idea that everyone likes," Conrad said. In fact, at one point earlier this year, Conrad said, both Newberry and High Springs were interested in the project along with a railroad touring company called Inland Lakes Railroad and a company called Florida Northern that leased the railroad tracks on the proposed route. Conrad said the plan was to put a billboard on Interstate 75 to attract the thousands of "potential customers" heading to Disney World everyday. Ron Trottier of Inland Lakes Railroad said that the area is perfect for a scenic train ride and they were excited about the idea of a dinner train ride though the area when the idea was talked about. But one very large obstacle stood in the way, stopping the idea in its tracks. The railroad company that actually owns the tracks, CSX Corporation, said that a multi-million dollar insurance policy had to be obtained before any passenger cars could be pulled on their tracks, Conrad said. "That's the obstacle we have not been able to get over," Conrad said. The idea for the train is still desired by all potential parties but either paying for or getting around the insurance requirement is stalling the idea. Conrad said that a trip up to Tallahassee to learn what options are available that could help the idea along is needed. While the idea is on hold for now, Conrad said he hopes that the project will one day come to be. "Everyone says that stretch of track has some of the prettiest scenery," he said. Anyone interested in helping to organize or sponsor a trip to Tallahassee to discuss the scenic railroad project can contact the Newberry Main Street Organization at 352-472-3927, ext. 128 or the High Springs Main Street Organization at 386-454-2889. |
| Obama may visit Newberry, High Springs in September By Rachael Anne Ryals Herald Staff Writer www.highspringsherald.com NEWBERRY -- The idea started as a simple conversation with a longtime friend about politics. The end result of that conversation may be a visit to High Springs and Newberry from presidential candidate Barack Obama next month. Two months ago, High Springs resident Basti Gonzalez was speaking with her friend of 20 years, Daphne Parker, when she mentioned how a train ride press event from a presidential candidate or spokesperson would be a boost for the area. Parker, who works for the Obama campaign on the Women for Obama Committee, made a few phone calls. Everyone she spoke to at the Obama campaign liked the idea, she said. Some liked the idea of a small-town values approach, while others liked the fact that the train ride could end in student-filled Gainesville with a possible speech at the University of Florida. In fact, the weekend of Sept. 26 is now being looked at as a possibility because it would coincide with a Gator football home game, Parker said. But the idea is still just that and both Gonzalez and Parker said that nothing is definite yet. "It is not just one yes or no," Parker said. But she added that the idea, which has gone through 20 people so far at the Obama campaign, "seems to be going a positive direction." Even the train company that owns the tracks and normally only allows freight trains seems to be willing to allow the event, Parker said. And if a few more approvals and an open schedule allows, the Crescent Communities could see a visit from a presidential nominee, something that has happened just once before, when Jimmy Carter visited the Cattleman's Banquet in Alachua. Newberry Commissioner Bill Conrad said that officials with the Obama campaign have called him "almost everyday" to discuss a potential press event in Newberry. "I heard it could be the candidate or his wife or both," Conrad told the City Commission on Monday. The idea being tossed around is for Obama to helicopter in from Gainesville to High Springs, and then travel to Newberry where he will ride on a train from Newberry to Gainesville. There, he could hold another event, Conrad said, adding that no plans are definite. Gonzalez and Parker are both cautiously optimistic that their conversation two months ago will actually bring Obama to the area. "We are all hoping for this," Parer said. "It will affect a lot of people." |
| Needed rain, few problems brought by Fay By Ronald Dupont Jr. Herald Editor www.highspringsherald.com ALACHUA -- Tropical Storm Fay caused some minor flooding and a few power outages but ended up helping a thirsty aquifer that is still low from years of drought. The storm also helped to clear up a clogged Santa Fe River of the hated water hyacinth plant. Fickle Fay, as the storm was called because of its erratic nature, passed almost directly over the Crescent Communities but was more like a 5-day light thunderstorm than a tropical storm, local officials said. The High Springs Fire Department responded to some calls but the calls were minor in nature, and the Newberry Fire Department did not get a single emergency call on Saturday, considered the worst day of the storm. "We had no calls whatsoever," Newberry Fire Chief David Rodriguez said. "Everybody stayed in." The city of Alachua also had very few problems, other than flooding in Turkey Creek. "The thunderstorms we received over the weekend resulted in very heavy rainfall in Alachua," Alachua City Manager Clovis Watson Jr. said. "This resulted in the overtopping of two bridges in Turkey Creek and the light flooding of a small number of residences in Turkey Creek as well." Fort White, which often has to deal with flooding, did lose power in some areas and had to cut some branches that had fallen in the road but had no major emergencies. Even the mail got delivered on Saturday, with mail carriers delivering their routes in driving rains. High Springs Postmaster Carla Riehl said that only 10 homes in the 32643 ZIP code area did not get mail, mainly because there was a tree down across a road. "One carrier went down a road that said, 'Closed. Only local traffic.' She said, 'I'm local traffic,'" Riehl said. City officials said that experience with past storms and hurricanes, particularly the 3-storm experience of 2004, has gotten the cities well-prepared. In High Springs, the firefighters and the police officers were in touch with each other via radio. "We created a partnership with the police department for the storm," High Springs Fire Chief Verne Riggall said. "They would find a trouble spot and give us a shout if needed." In Newberry, city staff, including the city manager, helped fill sandbags for residents in the rural areas who were afraid of flooding. And in Alachua, where City Hall and the police department have a gas- powered generator capable of keeping the two buildings powered for three days, Watson credits the city staff's preparation with the city's trouble-free operation. "One of the biggest challenges in storm events is keeping up with the business at hand while preparing for and responding to the storm event," Watson said. "Our staff and our community were very well prepared for Tropical Storm Fay; in fact, even better prepared as a direct result of our experiences in 2004." Rainfall and its effect Between Tuesday, Aug. 19 and Monday, Aug. 25 -- the times when the area was feeling the effects of Fay -- the rainfall in the area was generally steady. Of the rainfall meters that the Suwannee River Water Management District monitors, Ichetucknee Springs got the most rain in the Crescent Communities with 6.58 inches. O'Leno State Park got the least with 4.94 inches. Forest Grove, which sits between High Springs and Newberry, received 5.46 inches. The rainfall helped fill ponds that were empty or nearly empty because of the low aquifer. The rainfall also helped raise the level of the Santa Fe River, causing it to finally dislodge the water hyacinths that had clogged the river near High Springs. The hyacinth was so thick that boaters could not get through. But by Tuesday of this week, the hyacinth was nearly cleared out, with islands of the invasive plant floating past Fort White and beyond. Fay's Effect Could Be Felt This Weekend The Santa Fe River at Three Rivers Estates near Fort White is forecast to reach 17.2 feet by Saturday, according to weather officials. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has announced that if the forecast is correct and the river does reach that level, a 32-mile segment of the Santa Fe River will become an idle-speed, no-wake zone for boaters. Zone 5, which runs from River Rise within O’Leno State Park west to the confluence of the Santa Fe and Suwannee rivers, becomes an idle-speed, no- wake zone when the Santa Fe River reaches 17 feet as indicated on the Three Rivers Estates gauge, where the flood stage is 19 feet. “The Santa Fe could reach that level soon,” said Capt. Roy Brown, area supervisor at the FWC’s Lake City office. “We’re encouraging boaters to stay off the Santa Fe River.” An idle-speed, no-wake zone means a vessel must proceed at a speed no greater than required to maintain steering and headway. At no time is any vessel required to proceed so slowly that the operator cannot control it or anything it may be towing. If the idle-speed, no-wake zone takes effect, FWC officers will be patrolling this area of the river to ensure the zone is enforced, Brown said. “Water levels on the Suwannee River can fluctuate rapidly, creating navigational hazards, such as submerged docks, floating debris, rocks, stumps and shoaling conditions for unsuspecting boaters," Brown said. "We want everyone to be safe." |
