HIGH SPRINGS ‒ This weekend, April 23- 24, High Springs celebrates its beginnings as a rough and tumble railroad and mining town with gunfight reenactments and a Heritage Village that beckons back to the town’s early days.

The High Springs Chamber of Commerce will present the traditional 45th Annual High Springs Pioneer Days. This two-day festival focuses on the life and times in the 1880s to early 1900s. Over the years the event has expanded to a much bigger festival with food vendors, music, historical displays, petting zoo and arts and crafts featuring 110 vendors.

“We are very excited about this year’s event. We have twice the number of vendors as previous years and a lot of activities,” said Chamber of Commerce President Sharon Decker. “The event was canceled due to Covid the past two years, so it’s great to see it come back so strong.”

The two-day event will feature numerous activities besides the art and craft vendors. The High Springs Historical Society and Museum will feature a large display of miniature model trains and a continuing show dedicated to the railroading history of High Springs. The show is designed for children of all ages; for modelers, collectors and enthusiasts, and for the simply curious. Each show features tables of trains, scale models and collectibles as well as the museum's other displays on the history of High Springs. The display will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Keeping with the historical theme there will also be reenactors portraying lifestyles and occupations at the Heritage Village located adjacent to the museum. One of the big attractions at all the Pioneer Days has been the western cowboy gunfight between lawmen and bank robbers with shows throughout the day on both Saturday and Sunday

Musical entertainment will be provided by The Shepherd Family Band on Saturday from 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. The Shepherd Family Band plays bluegrass, gospel, old-time, and traditional country music. Other bands including Snaky Woods and Whistler's Bluegrass, which will be performing Saturday and Sunday.

As in the past, there will be bounce houses, a petting zoo and pony rides for the children and a number of food vendors to offer a variety of meals and deserts. An added attraction this year will be a group of Border Collie dogs playing soccer.

The weekend starts on Saturday from 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. and concludes Sunday from 10 a.m. through 4 p.m. The action takes place in downtown High Springs near the sink hole, museum and police station.

#     #    #

email rcarson@

alachuatoday.com

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ The mural controversy in High Springs continues to dominate discussion around the community and at commission meetings. The issue surrounds the proposed Walldogs mural project under the auspices of the Heart of High Springs and an event permit that was granted earlier. At the March 24 meeting Commissioner Katherine Weitz suggested enacting an ordinance regarding the matter.

“I’m hoping that the folks involved with the Heart of High Springs could maybe set their ego aside to listen to what the people in the town are saying because the people are overwhelmingly against a Walldogs festival,” Weitz said. “They’re not necessarily against a mural or two. A lot of people are not against the idea of a mural. But I don’t think they want to have their town taken over by other folks.”

Commissioner Ross Ambrose responded, “We need to be very careful when you start creating legislation or rules that are specifically designed to impede the efforts of citizens within the community. So coming up with a policy and developing that so that the city staff can focus on what’s important and what’s within their realm is important. [I agree] because this has gotten to be a distraction for city government and it’s a private group using private funds in the community…I want to be careful that as a government we’re not designing something to impede a legal entity operated by citizens privately raising money to do work on private property. And I think that’s a very dangerous place for the City to go and be careful of.”

“I’m looking at it from a different perspective,” Commissioner Linda Jones said. “I don’t think a small group of people should be able to come into this city, fill out a permit and do whatever they want in this city. And we, as a Commission, have nothing to do with it. It states that in the application, ‘Commissioner approval not needed’ if they are not asking for money, for in-kind services and alcohol is not being served.’…“I hear that everybody’s got rights and we do, too…Why are you coming in and saying to us, ‘This is what you need and this is what we’re going to do,’ …So we’re trying to make sure that when they come up for the big one in 2023 that they can’t just sail through. We’ve got to have some barrier up there…some say as to what goes up in this city.”

City Attorney Andrea Parker listed aspects of an ordinance that the City could consider. She stressed that the ordinance be legal, defensible and definitely content neutral. “A clear process needs to be identified with time limits and the ordinance cannot make it overly difficult for someone to adhere to it,” she said. She added that regulating art on private property cannot violate people’s first amendment rights.

Resident Alice Brown called into the meeting and said she supported creating a mural ordinance. As part of her comments she suggested an arts council be formed to review public art, an idea that seemed interesting to Commissioners.

The Commission directed the City Attorney to create a mural ordinance for their review.

In response to what City Manager Stathatos described as a number of myths circulating around town regarding the Heart of High Springs and Walldogs issue, the City created an informational area on the City of High Springs website called Truth vs Myth. The idea that seems to have received the most attention is that a ballot item can prevent Wall Dogs from coming to High Springs. According to the City website, special event permits are granted taking into consideration the life, health, safety, and general welfare of High Springs’ citizens and visitors. Special event permits cannot be permitted or denied based on the content of the event. The right to gather and hold events is a protected First Amendment right.

Although the City Attorney explained that people could obtain 10 percent of the voters’ signatures and could place it on the ballot for a vote, it would not be defensible and she would recommend that the City not proceed along those lines.

In other City business, Jones took the mayor to task for not signing a letter that the Commission voted unanimously to send to Tallahassee in support of House Bill CS/HR 493, Single Member Districts. Williams said he didn’t have all the facts on the issue and declined to sign the letter because he didn’t support what the letter said. Ultimately, Commissioners voted 3-2, with Williams and Vice-Mayor Gloria James casting the dissenting votes, to send the letter under Commissioner Jones’ signature.

The Commission authorized Assistant City Manager Bruce Gillingham to negotiate an agreement with Suez for an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project. He will report on the total cost and how the City proposes to pay for the project for Commission approval.

A request by the High Springs Chamber of Commerce to waive fees for their use of the Civic Center was approved for one quarter. Meanwhile, the City will review the policy for non-profit organizations to see if they might want to modify the fee structure.

Commissioners unanimously approved the purchase of a new elevator for City Hall at a not-to-exceed amount of $120,000 using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. They also unanimously voted to approve the purchase of cardiac monitors for the High Springs Fire Department, also using ARPA funds.

#     #     #

Email cwalker@

alachuatoday.com

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ High Springs is known for its natural beauty and its rivers. It is also known for its share of creative artists who are drawn to the area. As home to several art galleries and various craft stores, for a number of years High Springs offered Art Walk, an opportunity for the public to see various artists and crafts makers as they set up outside local shops. Over the last decade, Art Walk has been hosted by various galleries, civic organizations and businesses.

This Saturday, April 16 will be the second Art Walk of 2022 with even more activities and organizations involved. The Art Walk booths will again line the downtown area from 12 to 5 p.m. offering a wide variety of arts and crafts. There will be a host of other activities including a gallery reception for 22 plein air artists and the High Springs Chamber of Commerce Easter Parade and Egg Hunt.

The COVID pandemic in 2020 put a halt to many social activities including the downtown Art Walk, gallery openings and public celebrations. In fall 2021 Art Walk returned, but due to continued health concerns both the crowd and number of artists were smaller. This year on the third Saturday in March Art Walk returned in force as 25 artisans set up along storefronts in the downtown area on Main Street and U.S. Highway 27. Residents and tourists browsed at various booths to view and purchase creations featuring art forms such as painting, woodwork, photography and jewelry.

It was also the rebirth of the Good News Arts gallery that had closed earlier. Owner Jessica Caldas hosted a grand opening combined with Art Walk as one of the featured businesses, complete with a four-piece string band, artist Kim Bossons and an opening show by Brittany M. Watkins.

The Good News Arts Gallery will also feature a book arts class, which will cover all aspects of book making process. This is the beginning of an ongoing Saturday workshop series. Each class is $20 although Caldas says that they encourage folks to reach out if they cannot pay to discuss options. All materials are provided and registration for each class in advance is encouraged. This is one of many projects and educational plans Caldas has for the gallery.

“Good News Arts is a community arts space and gallery that collaborates with artists and community to provide contemporary arts and education that is affordable, accessible, and equitable,” said Caldas. “We are a nonprofit and have shown more than 50 international, regional, and local artists through our exhibitions.”

Caldas says that through sales of artworks, the organization has donated more than $400 to various nonprofits, mutual aid funds, and service organizations. Rather than taking a commission of sales, divesting artist from money earned from their work, artists are encouraged to donate 10 percent of their sales to an organization of their choosing.

Good News Arts also offers classes and workshops, including after school youth arts classes for grades K-8 and a summer arts camp May 6 through July 27. For more information visit goodnewsarts.com or visit the gallery at the Art Walk at 18555 High Springs Main Street.

Tina Corbett of Lanza Gallery and Art Supplies is adding an artist’s reception from 4-7p.m. The Santa Fe Springs Plein Air exhibit features the paintings of 22 artists who spent three days painting landscapes of various local rivers. The exhibit opens at 11 a.m. and closes with the artist’s reception.

The Chamber of Commerce Easter Parade and Egg Hunt kicks off at the High Springs Chamber of Commerce Office/Welcome Center located at 23517 N.W. 185^th Road. At 11 a.m. the parade will proceed to the museum, stopping at stores along the way and return with the Easter Bunny to the Welcome Center for an Easter Egg Hunt from 12:15 to 12:30 p.m. Participating stores may have surprises to fill the baskets, and there will be free hot dogs and lemonade as well. Kids in the parade may wear everyday clothing or an Easter outfit and need to bring an Easter basket. All are welcome to join in the parade and to participate in the Easter Egg Hunt.

#     #    #

email rcarson@

alachuatoday.com

 NEWBERRY‒ On March 26, 2022, the Fight Ovarian Cancer 5k Walk made its Newberry debut.  But the walk’s genesis goes back for years.  Samantha Bacchus was a successful pediatrician in Pennsylvania when her world was turned upside down. For a number of months, she had been having odd physical symptoms she couldn't explain. The symptoms would come and go. They included itchy skin, nausea, intermittent menstrual cycles, back and pelvic pain and extreme fatigue. Being a physician, bacchus did self-diagnosis but could not figure out what was wrong as the symptoms continued more frequently. In june 2014 she wound up in the emergency room. After extensive tests she was told she had stage 4 ovarian cancer. “i was stunned. Of all the things i had thought of, i never thought of cancer. There is no screening test for ovarian cancer and it is usually diagnosed late in stage 3 or 4, so the survival rate is only one out of three. My whole world suddenly changed,” Bacchus said.

 Ovarian cancer often goes undetected until it has spread within the pelvis and belly. At this late stage, ovarian cancer is more difficult to treat and is often fatal. Later stages are associated with symptoms, but they can be non-specific. At this late stage, surgery and chemotherapy are generally the only options. Even with treatment the cancer often comes back and the average life span of those who can be treated is around five years.

Bacchus had surgery and five rounds of chemotherapy but developed vertigo as a side effect of the treatment. In November 2014 she felt well enough to return to work and was diagnosed as being in remission. However, by February 2016 she again had symptoms including frequent vomiting and extreme fatigue. The cancer had returned and Bacchus endured more surgery and six more rounds of chemotherapy before she was diagnosed as being in remission again. So far, the cancer has not returned.

Her close brush with mortality gave Bacchus a new direction in life. She closed her practice and focused on what to do that was both enjoyable and beneficial to others. She moved to Florida to be with husband, Willam Hensler, a successful contractor whose work often brought him to Florida. They were initially planning to stay a few years, but found they loved living in North Central Florida and eventually bought a large piece of property near Newberry called Prancing Horse Farm.  Bacchus hoped to turn it into a bed and breakfast and build an event center for charity organizations to hold events.

She also became an active advocate for funding and research on ovarian cancer.  Bacchus connected to the Sandy Rollman foundation, a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization created as a tribute to the life of Sandy Rollman who passed away from advanced ovarian cancer in May 2000. Rollman’s sister, Adriana Way, and her nurse, Robin Cohen, vowed to keep Sandy’s memory alive while trying to prevent other women from having to endure the same pain as she did. In 2016 the Foundation created the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance and received funding from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Department of Defense. As a fundraising and awareness event they also hosted the “Sandy Sprint” which is a 5K walk.  While it started in Philadelphia 18 years ago, the event has spread to other cities.

Bacchus knew her property in Florida would be ideal to hold the Sandy Sprint. Working with the Foundation she received support from the City of Newberry and police traffic control from the Alachua County Sherriff’s Office. On March 26, it was more than just a walk, as Bacchus had food and drinks donated to the event including a Duncan Donuts sponsorship. She had a raffle with donated gift baskets, a DJ providing musical entertainment and a Lamborghini on display at the starting point of the walk.

Bacchus also garnered support of her professional equestrian neighbors at Sunrise Farms Sport Horses. Owner and trainer Shelley Van den Neste has had a successful show career with numerous national and regional championship wins, including as a USDF Gold Medalist. She offered to put on an exhibit, along with daughter Hanna Lisec at the end of the 5K walk.

One special guest at the event was a small women dressed in the teal colors that represent the fight against Ovarian cancer.  Donna Dollinger’s condition may be described as frail, but her spirit to live is not. On April Fool’s Day in 2011, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer but has refused to let it beat her. Over the years she has endured several surgeries and 13 different chemotherapy treatments. Dollinger is not in remission and the cancer is still in her body. “I will keep fighting against this disease,” Dollinger said.  “I don’t get out much and often fatigued, but felt I needed to come and support this.”

Many others felt it was important as well. “Over 110 people participated in the walk and we raised over $20,000 for the foundation,” Bacchus said. “I plan to hold it every year at the farm to help fight this deadly disease.”

#     #     #

email rcarson@

alachuatoday.com