Danny Federico [email protected] A new plant nursery and creative gathering space is preparing to put down roots in Suwannee County. Wild Roots Collective, a plant nursery, apothecary and creative studio, is set…
Category: History
Local History regarding Hamilton, Lafayette and Suwannee counties.
Remembering Suwannee: Black history in Suwannee County, Part 6
Eric Musgrove Contributor A couple of weeks ago, we began discussing the Reconstruction Era (1865-1877) as it related to Suwannee County. Several religious organizations were founded by and for African Americans in…
Remembering Suwannee: Black history in Suwannee County, Part 5
Eric Musgrove Contributor We have been looking at African American history for the past several weeks. Last week, we began reviewing religious life during Reconstruction. This week, we complete that aspect of…
181 years of Florida history in the making
Hailey Heseltine [email protected] In 1845, Florida became the 27th state to join the United States of America. This year marks 181 years since Florida’s statehood began. Florida’s history, of course, began long…
Annual livestock show and sale coming soon
Danny Federico [email protected] It’s that time of year again – the annual Suwannee Valley Youth Livestock Show and Sale (SVYLSS) is gearing up to take place from Monday, March 23, through Friday,…
Remembering Suwannee: Black history in Suwannee County, Part 4
Eric Musgrove Contributor Last week, I discussed the end of slavery in the United States, an act that freed millions of African Americans to choose their own paths in life, often for…
Casting the BALLOT of courage: Jeanette Udell
Jason Futch [email protected] The year was 1962. Just a few years before the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, a man named Sistrunk and his wife,…
Kaleb Kelly awarded Distinguished Service Award
Christian Peterson [email protected] In the Suwannee Valley area, the University of Florida plays an important role in the community, especially through the UF/IFAS Extension Offices that dot the landscape of North Florida and through the North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC). Because…
National FFA Week is around the corner
Christian Peterson [email protected] The Future Farmers of America (FFA) is an active and popular organization in the Suwannee Valley area. Many students across local high schools are members and participate in a wide range of activities. On top of all…
Remembering Suwannee: Black history in Suwannee County, Part 3
Eric Musgrove Contributor We ended our discussion last week talking about the First Seminole War, in which former slaves played an important role. This week, we continue our discussion of African American…
Keep your pivot in shape to conserve water and protect yields
Raymond Balaguer Contributor Center pivot irrigation systems are a major investment, and when they aren’t working properly, the costs can add up fast. Worn nozzles, pressure problems, clogged sprinklers or misaligned towers…
Remembering Suwannee: Black history in Suwannee County, Part 2
Eric Musgrove Contributor This week, we will continue our discussion of Black history in Suwannee County, a history that has spanned nearly five centuries. Slavery had become a part of American culture…
James Dean the first elected Black judge in Florida
Christian Peterson [email protected] February is designated as Black History Month across the United States. Each year, Riverbend News highlights local individuals who have had a tremendous impact on history. This week’s subject is James Dean. Dean was born into slavery in Ocala in 1858….
A legacy of care and dignity: Charles T. Hall
Jason Futch [email protected] Charles Theodore Hall was a man whose name was synonymous with care and dignity in Suwannee County. He was one of the earliest Black funeral directors in Suwannee County,…
Remembering Suwannee: Black history in Suwannee County, Part 1
Eric Musgrove Contributor This month is Black History Month. In honor of this time, today begins a two-month-long series on the impact of African Americans in Suwannee County’s history. African Americans have…
Suwannee County celebrates Florida Arbor Day
Christian Peterson [email protected] Arbor Day is celebrated around the nation, but some states observe the holiday at different times of the year. In Florida, Arbor Day is celebrated in January. This year, it was celebrated on Friday, Jan. 17….
Lafayette Extension Office to offer advice to timber landowners
Christian Peterson [email protected] Lafayette County is well known as an agricultural community. Many people think of common areas of agriculture, dairy, corn, wheat, barely or wool. However, an often – overlooked product is timber. Luckily for local timber farmers, the Lafayette County UF/IFAS Extension Office has…