WWW – 10.28.2020
Apalachicola
Apalachicola, originally named Cottonton, and then West Point, is found where the Apalachicola River empties into the Gulf of Mexico. It’s just west of the halfway point between Jacksonville and Pensacola. The Hitchoti Indian words “apalachi” (on the other side) and “okli” (people) probably meant something like “people on the other side of the river.” Those who love the place call it Apalach.
Continue reading “Apalachicola”WWW – 10.21.2020
Barrier Islands
Florida’s coastline is protected in many places by barrier islands. These islands are generally long and narrow and are separated from the mainland by a narrow lowland area. This lowland can take the form of a lagoon, a marsh, an estuary, or a combination of these. Occasionally, a peninsula may be long and narrow enough to be considered a barrier island.
Our recent trip to the Florida’s panhandle put us on three barrier islands that highlight the variety and beauty of these coastal protectors. We visited St. Andrews State Park (partially situated on a peninsula), Dr. Julian G Bruce St. George Island State Park, T.H.Stone Memorial St. Joseph State Park at Cape San Blas (another peninsular barrier island). All of these parks are known for their crystalline green water, but we arrived right after Hurricane Sally and the water was not beautiful. It looked like any north Florida Atlantic beach, and the water was too rough to allow swimming.
Continue reading “Barrier Islands”WWW – 10.14.2020
Be BearWise this fall, secure garbage and other foods
Summer is coming to an end and bear activity is starting to increase. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds you to help protect both people and bears by securing garbage and other items that might attract these animals to your yard or neighborhood.
In the fall, Florida black bears begin preparing for the winter by consuming extra calories to pack on fat. During this time bears require around 20,000 calories a day and will eat anything that’s convenient. Often food from a garbage can provides bears with more calories in a shorter amount of time than foraging in the woods. You can reduce conflicts with these animals by securing your trash and other food attractants, such as birdfeeders and pet food.
To keep bears wild and away from your home, follow these simple tips:
- Secure household garbage in a sturdy shed, garage or a wildlife-resistant container.
- Put household garbage out on the morning of pickup rather than the night before.
- Secure commercial garbage in bear-resistant dumpsters.
- Protect gardens, bee yards, compost and livestock with electric fencing.
- Encourage your homeowner’s association or local government to institute ordinances to require trash be secured from bears.
- Feed pets indoors or bring the dishes in after feeding.
- Clean grills and store them in a secure place.
- Pick ripe fruit from trees and remove fallen fruit from the ground.
- Remove wildlife and bird feeders or make them bear-resistant.
See “how-to” videos and information on securing attractants in the “Brochures and Videos” section at MyFWC.com/Bear.
It is illegal in Florida to intentionally feed bears or leave out food or garbage that will attract bears and cause human-bear conflicts. If you see or suspect that someone is feeding or attracting bears, call the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922).
You can also help people and bears stay safe by remembering to watch for bears while driving. This time of year, bears are traveling across more roads in search of food, which results in more vehicle-bear collisions. The FWC advises drivers to be aware of their surroundings as they drive in bear country, especially around dusk and dawn, and when there is forest on both sides of the road. If you see a bear crossing sign, pay particular attention as this area has had frequent vehicle-bear collisions. To learn more about how to keep people and bears safe on Florida roadways, see the “Vehicle Collisions with Bears” video at the “Brochures and Videos” section of MyFWC.com/Bear.
To learn more about living in bear country Go to MyFWC.com/Bear. Check out our Facebook page at Facebook.com/MyFWC for more upcoming information on bear activity.
Beautyberry Insect Repellent
American Beautyberry is, as the name implies, a plant that is gorgeous when the berries are ripe. But this plant is more than just a pretty face! I’ve made a large batch of insect repellent with leaves I harvested when we trimmed some plants at East Lake County Chamber of Commerce, and I’m happy to report that it is effective against mosquitoes. It is also supposed to repel yellowflies and chiggers.
The recipe is very easy and doesn’t even require measurements. Just loosely stuff a jar with leaves. Next, I filled the jar with cheap vodka (you can use rubbing alcohol, but in pandemic conditions vodka is easier to find). I let it sit for a few days, shaking it up whenever I walked past.
Finally I funneled the infused liquid into small spray bottles with caps (I used a quart jar and had PLENTY of liquid). That’s it! You can add a couple of drops of essential oil if you like, but the slightly funky smell of the infusion fades quickly and I don’t find it bothersome.
Because I enjoy canning, I’ll probably make beautyberry jelly in the near future. When I do, I’ll share that recipe, too!
I’m campaigning again. . .Pam Jennelle for North Lake Hospital District
This will be my last campaign entry here at My Exquisite Florida, but I feel strongly enough about this race that I’m using every opportunity to speak to District voters. If you’re not a District voter, my apologies.
The North Lake Hospital District was created by the Florida Legislature and adopted by District voters in 2016. The District provides a means to partially fund health care services delivered by local hospitals and clinics to uninsured people. Governed by an elected unpaid board of six members who reside in the district, the Board determines and adopts a millage rate, capped at one mill, that determines the amount of property tax levied on District residents. This millage determines the total budget available for use in funding care for the uninsured in North Lake County.
· In 2016, almost 59% of voters in the District voted to keep the hospital tax. This vote demonstrated that here in Lake County, we value health care and believe everyone should have an avenue to access that care. We believe that a healthy community is a productive community, and that all residents benefit when their neighbors are healthy.
· My experience and commitment to this District is unparalleled in this race. I have earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in health informatics. My professional experience includes a social service background and a decade of experience as a clinical research coordinator, an outcomes analyst, and a project manager for Florida Hospital – AdventHealth. I have worked with volunteers, community partners, and other stakeholders on community-based projects to improve the delivery of healthcare.
· My opponent, who has a real estate background, is on record questioning the value and transparency of the District. She wants to know who provides services, who receives funds and what funds they have received. When I decided to run for this office, I was easily able to see who provides services, who receives funds, and what funds they have received when I visited the Board’s website. The Board is entirely transparent, with meetings open to the public and notices of meetings, minutes, budgets, requests for funding, audited reports, and much more available to the public by simply visiting the website.
I want to put my experience to work advocating for District residents and protecting the District’s ability to meet the needs of its residents. I’m reaching out to all voters in the District, regardless of party affiliation, because access to adequate healthcare is not a partisan issue. We know that a healthy community is more affordable when health problems are addressed with the right care, at the right time, in the right setting, and a strong Hospital District will ensure that this happens.
Every family deserves access to the kind of care that provides the best health outcomes. Every District resident deserves the best representation possible. My background and experience are the foundation from which I will provide this representation.
I would like to ask you to mark your ballot for me now, if you are voting by mail. You can mark your ballot for me at early voting October 19-31. And of course, you may mark your ballot for me on November 3. And after you have marked your ballot for me in Seat One, please consider voting for Melody Duckins for Seat Five. I hope that you will reach out to me if you would like to know more about me, my candidacy, or the District. Thanks so much for your consideration.
Here’s my first blog post about the campaign.
Paid for and authorized by Pamela Jennelle, Democrat candidate for North Lake County Hospital District, Seat One
WWW – 10.7.2020
Packing for the Panhandle Part I
Fall 2020 is Panhandle season for My Exquisite Florida! We’ve just returned from a four night trip camping in our pop-up at a private campground in Port St. Joe, and in a couple of weeks I’ll be leaving for a two week romp based out of a tent in two different state parks. While we were packing up for this short trip, I thought to myself – yet again – how nice it would be to have a checklist so that nothing is forgotten. You’ll find that list at the end of this article — well, no, actually, you won’t find a checklist. It’s more a list of things for you to think about so that you can create your own checklist, because it will be your trip you’ll be packing for, not mine!
Continue reading “Packing for the Panhandle Part I”