Exceptionally few entertainers have been able to transition across the generations and still amuse a wide variety of audiences. The theatrical acts which held the attention of crowds in 1936 usually bore theater goers of 2021, but there are a few exceptions. W.C. Fields still has a strong fan base thanks, in part, to the…Read more
The Mimosa Tree: Beauty With a Catch
With the onset of summer, the many trees and plants have already bloomed and are settling into the green background. An exception are the Mimosa trees, Albizia julibrissin, which are blooming profusely. These once popular small trees are commonly found in the yards of older homes in the panhandle where the display of prolific pink…Read more
The Last Iron Horse of the MBRR
Field crops such as cotton, corn and soybeans are not usually consumed completely in close proximity to the lands where they were grown. The same can be said of timber and most farm livestock. It is a commendable quality of American farmers that they are so highly productive that they must send their raw products…Read more
A Plague Upon the Garden
The winter of 2020/21 was the one for which most people had been wishing. The refrain “I want a cold winter to kill all the bugs,” had been a frequently express preference during the hot humid days of August and September 2020. Still, it was nowhere near cold enough to deplete panhandle Florida’s insect population…Read more
The Importance of Proper Tree Maintenance
If you own a home on a lot with large trees, it is wise to evaluate the health of the trees and whether they present any threat to persons or property which may result in a liability risk to you. This includes threats to your own property and to adjacent properties or public rights-of-way. To…Read more
Greens for the Sweet Tooth: Horse-Sugar
Ask any panhandle horse owner and they will say their horse has a sweet tooth. In addition to sugar cubes there are apples, pears and many other fruits with a high sugar content which are attractive to equines everywhere. Feed stores even offer a sweet feed for horses. The rolled and cut grains are sprayed…Read more
Palm Pruning: Guidelines and Techniques
Palms are a prominent part of our Florida landscapes. They are often included because they are considered low maintenance. It is important to remember that low maintenance does not mean no maintenance. One of the maintenance tasks which must be performed is pruning. Palms require regular pruning to keep them attractive and safe. Knowing how palms grow is…Read more
Cicadas: A Chorus of Legions
Summer nights in the panhandle are unique for their frenetic activity and riotous sounds. In contrast to local February evenings with their silence broken by the occasional barred owl, this summer (technically late spring) month is nearing the pinnacle of activity for bugs, birds and animals of all kinds. Anyone taking an early evening walk…Read more
The Beginner’s Guide to Plant Pruning
Pruning is an important part of landscape maintenance and done for a number of reasons. A plant’s appearance is important for the well-groomed garden, and pruning may be done to alter the plants shape, height or width. In some cases, an old, overgrown shrub may be rejuvenated by proper pruning, and pruning may be used…Read more
The Four Freedoms Monument
Vehicle traffic passes by the corner daily. The drivers may use the unique statue with a long-darkened brass nameplate as a landmark, but most do so without knowing its origin or significance. It stands in silent testimony to the valor of a citizen of Madison County long ago. The man who was the inspiration for…Read more