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HIGH SPRINGS – Six miles north of High Springs on U.S. Highway 441 is a unique state park called O’Leno. The park was one of Florida’s first state parks, originally opened in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps who built log cabins and a suspension bridge that crosses the river.

Located along the banks of the Santa Fe River, which is a tributary of the Suwannee River, the park covers over 6,000 acres and features sinkholes, hardwood hammocks, river swamps and sand hills. It features hiking and biking trails, canoeing, fishing, picnic facilities and camping. Overnight visitors can stay at 61 RV sites, primitive tent camping or, if booked far enough in advance, one of the 17 log cabins near the river.

Santa Fe River Flows Underground

What makes the park unique is that the Santa Fe River suddenly disappears, traveling three miles underground to resurface at River Rise Park. Visitors can walk a shaded trail along the river bank and then cross over to the other side on the three-mile land bridge. This natural bridge has served as a crossroads between east and west Florida for centuries.

Native American trails converged at this land bridge that provided a dry crossing of the Santa Fe River. When the Spanish occupied Florida in 1513 they built a line of missions between Saint Marks and Saint Augustine and made use of the same native trails, renaming the route “el Camino Real,” the Royal Road.

The road fell into disuse in the late1700s as Spanish influence waned. Between raids from the French and English, Indian raids, and disease, the native population declined and the missions and settlements were abandoned. Florida became a liability for Spain and in 1819 they ceded the territory to the United States. As settlers moved in, the federal government provided money for a road across the upper part of the state and tasked the Army with creating it. John Bellamy, who was a wealthy plantation owner, was contracted to create the eastern part, and Bellamy Road was created.

Keno – The Original O’Leno

It was only fitting that a town would be built along the banks of the nearby river. A pioneer town was started by 1840 by a man named Henry Matier. The town was referred to as Keno, which was a common gambling game at the time. As the town of Keno grew, the main livelihood was the mills, which were powered by the river. Two grist mills, six cotton gins and one cotton seed oil gin with a circular saw mill for lumber were in operation. A dry kiln, the only one of its kind in the area, was also in use.

By the 1870s Keno had a general merchandise store, owned and operated by a well-known proprietor by the name of Colonel George M. Whetson. Some say Whetston called the town Keno because he considered it to be a risky business venture. The town also had a large hotel with a door on all four sides. It also had a restaurant, livery stable, blacksmith, doctor and general store. In 1876, Colonel Whetson applied for a post office for the town of Keno. The postal department denied the request due to the name Keno meaning gambling, so Whetston then changed the name to Leno to justify that it was a decent town. The post office was put upstairs above the general store, along with the telegraph office. In 1890, Colonel Whetston moved the post office to the sister town of Mikesville, three miles away.

Florida Forest Service

In 1894, there was a rumor that a railroad from Alligator, today’s Lake City, was going to come through the area of Leno. However, the train bypassed the town and went to Fort White instead. This spelled the end for the town and the people of Leno moved on to other communities in the area. The last record of the town of Leno was in 1896. Although the town was no longer inhabited, the area remained a popular place for residents of nearby towns to gather for picnics and swimming. It was often referred to as “Old Leno,” which was eventually shortened to O’Leno, the name still used today.

In 1935, the Florida Forest Service purchased the property where the town had been located. During the Great Depression, workers under the federal Work Progress Administration (WPA), with help from Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), developed the area for a forest service training camp, building roads, cabins, the suspension bridge and other buildings. Camp O’Leno opened in 1938 as a Florida Forest Service training camp. It became a state park in 1940, and was one of the original nine state parks in the Florida Park Service.

Most of the buildings on the site date back to that time period with additional trails and camping sites added later. The true beauty of the park is the diversity of environments and the differences each season brings. The park is open 365 days a year from 8 a.m. until sundown. Entry fee for day visits is $5. For more information or camping reservations call 386-454-1853.

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Special to Alachua County Today

ALACHUA – Turkey Creek Golf has announced its association with the Gator Junior Golf Association.

Gator Junior Golf is a 501(c)3 non-profit youth-development program that focuses on growing life skills through the game of golf.

Classes begin Saturday, Feb. 8 and run most Saturdays through May 2 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. The lead instructor is John Stevens. Learn about putting, chipping, and full swing, along with life skills in a fun, safe, and interactive environment.

The cost is $150 per student. The classes will take place at the new “Expanded Practice Facility at Turkey Creek Golf Course,” located on U.S. Highway 441 between Gainesville and the city of Alachua.

Come and bring your future golfer. The 19^th Hole Restaurant, at Turkey Creek Golf Course, is an excellent place to wait while enjoying a variety of refreshments in a comfortable setting

Contact information for Gator Junior Golf is phone 352-575-0636, or www.gatorjuniorgolf.org/signup, or by emailing gatorjuniorgolfassociation@gmail.com.

The contact information for Turkey Creek Golf is 386-518-6815 or info@turkeycreekgolf.net.

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ALACHUA — Over 80 years ago, in 1931, members of the local community in Alachua decided to join a charity and service organization known as the Lions Club. The organization had been founded in 1917 near the end of World War I when Chicago businessman Melvin Jones formed a club to address the social and health issues in society. Starting with his local business club, Jones told members that they should reach beyond business issues and address the betterment of their communities and the world. He then contacted other similar groups throughout the United States, convincing them to combine their efforts to make a larger impact.

The new club established their main duty as "unselfish service to others." Within three years, they had over 6,400 members in the U.S. and Canada. While their service was directed toward helping their local communities, they also addressed diseases and social issues on a more global scale. Their efforts focused on several particular areas of service. Over the years, they added other global causes and now work on issues involving diabetes, childhood cancer, hunger and environmental issues. Today, the organization has grown to more than 1.4 million members in 200 countries.

Although Alachua was not the first Lions Club Chapter in Florida, it was one of the earliest when several businessmen decided to follow the tenants of the Lions in 1931. However, there were no national records to verify the club as officially part of the organization. In December 1939, the local club notified the Lions Club that they were disbanding. But only a month later they contacted the national organization to petition to join the Lion's Club officially, and that became the official start date for the Alachua chapter.

The Alachua Lions Club is now celebrating 80 years of serving the local community including sponsoring Boy Scout Troop 88 for over 80 years. The Lions Club provides the clubhouse and financial assistance to the troop so that anyone who wishes to be a scout can participate. The club also provides their adjacent property for the downtown baseball fields, tennis courts and basketball courts to the youth of the community. Each year the Lions also provide two Santa Fe High School students with a two-year college scholarship.

In relation to the goals of Lions Club International, the local chapter provides eye screenings, glasses and/or eye surgeries to anyone who qualifies. They also provide free diabetes screening and assistance to anyone needing hearing aids.

On Jan. 23, 2020, Alachua Lions club members held an anniversary dinner to celebrate their 80 years of service to the community of Alachua and as a part of Lions International to the worldwide community. Past International Director Stacey Jones served as keynote speaker with District Governor Buddy Wells bringing congratulations from District 35-L. They were also presented with a Proclamation from the City of Alachua, which was presented to the club by Alachua Mayor and Lion Gib Coerper.

Alachua Lions also host the oldest continuous fundraising event, the Cattlemen’s Banquet, which they have sponsored since they started. On March 24, 2020, they will have their 81^st Cattlemen’s Banquet with an expected 450 people in attendance. The event will be held at Alan Hitchcock's Santa Fe River Ranch at Valley View.  

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ALACHUA – For the past 15 years, the City of Alachua has hosted a celebration of Martin Luther King Day. The City provides food, equipment and entertainment at the Cleather Hathcock Community Center. City employees from the parks and recreation department as well as the city manager’s office provide their time and services for the event. Although the City provides these amenities, it’s a community affair as volunteers from churches and community organizations offer their time to serve the food, prepare deserts and provide entertainment. The celebration is a tribute to honor Reverend King and to carry on his legacy.

The Declaration of Independence said all men were created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. But the reality was that minorities, especially African Americans, were not included in that promise. Before 1865 most of them did not have their liberty or freedom, and many were slaves. But even 100 years later, there was not equality. Jobs, education and opportunities were often limited and segregation continued, even down to what drinking fountains, restrooms, bus seats and restaurants African Americans could use. They had gained liberty but not equality.

Although King was one of many people who became involved in the Civil Rights movement, his speaking ability and organization of nonviolent protests and marches made him the most visible leader of the movement. In1963 he organized the March on Washington where he delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, talking about a society where all people regardless of color were treated equally. Over 250,000 people attended the march.

King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, for his efforts to fight racial inequality through nonviolent protests, and he was instrumental in the passage of 1964 Civil Rights Act proposed by President Lyndon Johnson. While all his work was critical in gaining some equality for African Americans, there were other people that opposed his efforts and that made him a target as well.

In 1968, King was planning a national occupation of Washington, D.C., to be called the Poor Peoples Campaign when he was assassinated on April 4 in Memphis, Tennessee. His death was followed by riots throughout America’s cities. But his legacy and accomplishments in Civil Rights and equality lived on.

King was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal. Beginning in 1971, states and cities began establishing local holidays to celebrate his birth on Jan. 15, 1929. Finally in 1986 President Ronald Reagan made the third Monday in January Martin Luther King Day.

Alachua’s tribute continues, rain or shine, and despite the cold weather, this year’s event was well attended. It is a community-wide celebration to honor the achievements of Dr. King and support his work. Part of that goal is through the right to vote. The Alachua Supervisor of Elections office set up a booth for the public to register to vote, and the federal government had a recruiting table for people to sign up as census takers.

Artist Yvonne Ferguson painted a portrait of Dr. King as speakers and religious leaders spoke about the goals of Dr. King. Dancers and musicians provided entertainment, chiefly with a spiritual influence. Caring and Sharing Learning Center, a dance school and ministry also had a booth as well as part of the entertainment.

Pastor Natron Curtis delivered the opening prayer followed by the National Anthem and remarks by Alachua Mayor Gib Coerper and State Representative Clovis Watson, Jr. Minister Eugene Franklin gave the Keynote Speech on Dr. King’s legacy and the importance of community and culture. Interspersed between speakers was music and dance provided by a variety of artists.

The final speaker was Minister Derrick Smith who read a letter Dr. King wrote to his fellow clergymen when he was in the Birmingham jail for his civil rights efforts. King urged them to join the effort to bring equality to all.

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NEWBERRY – Football was at the top of the list Newberry City Commissioners were grateful for at the Dec. 9 Commission meeting. Newberry High School football coach Ed Johnson was honored at the top of the meeting after being named Alachua County High School Football Coach of the Year by the Gainesville Quarterback Club.

The club is “the Oldest Gator Booster Club in the World,” said Mayor Jordan Marlowe as part of his presentation. The award is decided among all the high school programs in the county and is based on the regular season accomplishments.

Nominations are provided to the Gainesville Quarterback Club after the final game of the regular season. “This is the second year they have recognized the efforts of Alachua County’s hard-working football coaches,” Marlowe said.

Coach Johnson is a Newberry High School 2001 graduate and football alumnus. He began his coaching career in 2006 at Oak Hall School, where he spent eight years. During that time, Johnson continued to work with Newberry students at Oak View Middle School as well. He returned to Newberry as a baseball team assistant coach, junior varsity basketball coach and varsity basketball coach.

Johnson led his team to a 9-1 regular season record, which Marlowe characterized as “an amazing turnaround from 2018’s 1-9 record.”

In addition to Johnson, the entire Newberry High School Varsity Football Team was also on hand to receive a commendation for their team from the Newberry City Commissioners.

In presenting the plaque to the team, Marlowe said, “The team represented themselves, their parents and the school with poise, good sportsmanship and a sense of fair play. The athletes demonstrated hard work, both on and off the field.”

In addition, Marlowe commented on how well they displayed respect to the other teams for their hard work. “We wish the 18 seniors good luck in all future endeavors. We will miss you next year, but know you are doing well and enjoying life after high school, whatever path you may choose.”

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NEWBERRY – Immediately following the City of Newberry Jan. 13 City Commission meeting, Mayor Jordan Marlowe convened a Special Commission meeting.

The first order of business on the agenda was recognition of Commissioner Matt Hersom. In April 2018, Hersom was elected to the City Commission, filling the Group II seat. In October 2019, Hersom announced that he accepted a position with Clemson University and would be leaving his position as City Commissioner effective January 2020, making the previous regular Commission meeting his last.

Mayor Jordan Marlowe said, “…[We] are proud to honor Commissioner Matthew ‘Matt’ Hersom for his dedication to our community and residents. Matt has lived in Newberry for over 15 years and served this community on the Planning and Zoning Board, the Historic Architecture Review Board, and most recently, on the City Commission. We wish him well in his future endeavors and thank him for his service to the citizens of Newberry.”

Based on the Newberry City Charter, a commissioner seat vacancy is to be filled by resolution with a qualified person, nominated by the Mayor and appointed by the City Commission.

On Dec. 9, 2019, the Commission received the Mayoral nomination and adopted Resolution 2019-44 appointing Rocky McKinley as City Commissioner for Group II for the remainder of the current term.

McKinley will hold the position until a newly-elected City Commissioner for Group II is sworn into office following the April 14, 2020 election. 

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