Eric Musgrove Contributor From 2013 until the long-running Suwannee Democrat newspaper shut down in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 epidemic, I published weekly historical articles related to Suwannee County (a…
Category: History
Suwannee County MLK Day of Service happening Jan. 15
Danny Federico reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com Preparations are currently underway for the Suwannee County Martin Luther King (MLK) Jr. Committee’s annual MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 15. This year’s theme is “Living the…
Suwannee County MLK Day of Service happening Jan. 15 Danny Federico reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com Preparations are currently underway for the Suwannee County Martin Luther King community will rally behind this theme and what innovative ideas are displayed throughout the parade in the form of floats, banners and signs. The parade will also feature the 2024 MLK Royal Court: Miss MLK Janiya Washington, Jr. Miss MLK Tameriya Smith and Little Miss MLK Rayanna Marshal. Lineup for the parade will start at 8 a.m. at RIVEROAK Technical College, located at 415 Pinewood Dr. SW, in Live Oak, and the procession will begin at 10 a.m. Prizes will be presented for first, second and third place floats. Immediately following the parade will be a special service honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Ebenezer A.M.E. Church, located at 411 Parshley St. SW, featuring Reverend Jeffrey Graham as the speaker. The service will then be followed by a community feeding at Paul Langford Stadium, located at 302 Parshley St. SW. For more information, contact Adrienne Linton-Jordan at (386) 249-5641. Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s role in the Civil Rights Movement
Danny Federico reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stands as an enduring symbol of social justice and civil rights, leaving an indelible mark on American history. His transformative actions have empowered successive…
Thanksgiving dinner: Then and now
Rick Patrick reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com When one thinks of Thanksgiving dinner, the vision of a plump, roasted (sometimes deep fried) turkey, along with dressing, a few vegetables, perhaps some potatoes and plenty of pies…
Honoring our heroes: The meaning behind Veterans Day
Danny Federico reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com Every year on Nov. 11, the United States and various countries around the world observe Veterans Day, a day dedicated to honoring and showing appreciation for the brave men…
October is Blind Awareness Month
Lee Trawick reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com Louis Braille Louis Braille was born 20 miles outside of Paris, France, on Jan. 4, 1809. At the age of 3, he suffered a life-altering eye injury that left…
Railroad History event to take place at Suwannee Museum
Grace McAlister Reporter1@riverbendnews.org Railroad History in Suwannee County is a free event where county historian, Eric Musgrove, will delve into the rich history of Suwannee County’s historic railroads. Musgrove was the 1996…
Santa settles down at the Suwannee Historical Commission
Christian Peterson Reporter@riverbendnews.org Early in the month of December, the Suwannee County Historical Commission and Museum received a special donation from Marilyn Clark Daughtry. Daughtry donated a statue of Santa Clause riding…
Suwannee residents learn about the World War II Pacific Theater of Action
Christian Peterson reporter@riverbendnews.org On Saturday, Nov. 12, the Suwannee County Historical Commission and Museum hosted a World War II Pacific Theater of Action event, which was part of the museum’s events program….
Developing lawful, resilient and productive citizens: A small history of the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches
Christian Peterson reporter@riverbendnews.org The Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches are a unique but successful program run throughout the state of Florida. From its humble beginnings in Live Oak to a statewide program, the…
Back to school: then and now
Mickey Starlingreporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com As kids all over the country are returning to school, many don’t know how good they have it. Today, most kids ride a bus to school or catch a ride…
The journey from train station to museum
Christian PetersonReporter@riverbendnews.org The center of Live Oak was originally located at the intersection of Houston and Conner Streets. It was next to a railroad station that had been built in 1861. However,…
Blazing the trail for today’s healthcare, Honoring Women’s History Month
Danny Federico Reporter3@riverbendnews.org Women’s History Month is upon us once more. This is the time to honor and recognize the important moments in history that advanced women’s rights, as well as advocates…
Celebrating Black History Month with Florida Memorial University
Christian Peterson Reporter@riverbendnews.org Florida Memorial University is a staple of Florida and, more specifically Suwannee County. Florida Memorial University is a private, coeducational Baptist affiliated academy, one of the oldest academic centers…
4-H over the years
Devyn LeBlanc Reporter3@riverbendnews.org Since 4-H began more than 100 years ago, it has become the nation’s largest youth development organization. The 4-H idea is simple: help young people and their families gain…
Celebrating Groundhog Day
Grace McAlister Reporter1@riverbendnews.org Groundhog Day is the only holiday where people all over the United States and Canada come together to celebrate the prediction of a furry forecaster. Every Feb. 2 since…
International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust
Christian Peterson Reporter@riverbendnews.org Jan. 27, has been a very important day in history for many years. For example, all the way back to 98 A.D., Trajan succeeded his adoptive father as the…