NEWBERRY ‒ Great entertainment, food and fun were a winning combination at Newberry’s sixth annual Westfest this past Saturday. From 4 – 9 p.m., the event at Lois Forte Park lived up to its advanced billing of a hometown family friendly celebration of music.

Sponsored by the Newberry Main Street Organization, Westfest has become a staple in the community, offering a platform for local and not-so-local talents and a chance for residents to come together and revel in the spirit of music and entertainment.

Performances by Cam Wheaton, Houston Keen, The Ben Carter Band and Logan Ryan Band offered something to suit every musical taste.

Wheaton hails from Trenton and is a singer-songwriter who was a favorite Saturday evening along with Houston Keen, another North Florida artist based out of Chiefland.

Crowds were also treated to the dynamic sounds of The Ben Carter Band, whose energetic performance had attendees on their feet, dancing and singing along. Closing out the evening was the Logan Ryan Band, bringing a taste of Texas with their blend of country and southern rock, rounding off the night on a high note.

The excitement of the evening was further heightened by the announcement of the music festival shirt winners. Among the lucky recipients were Willie Watson, Rebecca Campos, Hailee Ford, Dawna Summers, and Danny Herrington, who walked away with memorabilia to commemorate the event.

Sponsors of the event were Visit Gainesville Alachua County, George F. Young Engineering and Surveying, Scorpio Construction, OEC Business Interiors, Purvis Gray Certified Public Accountants, CHW Civil Engineering & Land Surveying Consultants, EDA Consultants, Holiday Inn University Center, Greenfield Preschool, Oelrich Construction, Gator Fire Equipment Company, and Woodard & Curran.

As the last notes of music faded into the night, it was evident that Newberry's sixth annual Westfest had delivered an unforgettable experience for all who attended.

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ALACHUA – Environmental science students from Cornerstone Academy in Gainesville joined University of 

Florida PhD researchers and City of Alachua officials on a tour of the Mill Creek Wetland Park in Alachua on Monday, April 15.

The tour offered students the opportunity to learn about and see firsthand the innovative methods used to treat urban stormwater runoff before it reaches the aquifer. They interacted directly with UF researchers, discussing the equipment used for water sampling and the park's importance in recharging the Floridan aquifer.

Dr. Basil Iannone, an Assistant Professor at UF, researches sustainable methods of managing natural resources as Florida continues to grow in population. Iannone emphasized the significance of the park in mitigating environmental impacts caused by human population growth. “We are thrilled about opportunities like this,” Iannone said. “It’s exciting to see nature-based solutions to the challenges presented by urbanization.

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Photo by Suzette Cook/University of Florida SFFGS special to Alachua County Today

GAINESVILLE ‒ More than 70 youth from 16 counties attended the annual Florida 4-H Forest Ecology contest on Saturday, March 30 at University of Florida School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Science’s Austin Cary Forest in Gainesville. The enthusiastic contestants, ages 8 to 18, demonstrated impressive knowledge of forest ecology and management.

To prepare for this contest, 4-Hers studied topics including compass and pacing; forest health; forest management; tree measurement; and identifying ecosystems, trees, and wildlife. One junior 4-Her said the best thing about the contest was “getting to learn about nature with my friends.”

Thirty volunteers from the University of Florida, the U.S Forest Service and other state agencies, plus local community members made this contest possible.

The competition concluded with awards to the high scorers. Pinellas County Senior Jocelyn Wood took the blue ribbon in individual scoring. In addition to that ribbon, Wood won a $500 scholarship to UF’s SFFGS.

“I am so excited because I am going to use that scholarship,” she said. “My mind is blown.”

Wood said she will attend the University of Florida in the fall and will study forestry at SFFGS.

Alachua County’s William Pruden won first place in the highest individual scoring for the Intermediate group.

And students Lane Taylor, Kylie Goodson, Cora Taylor, Ada Perryman from Marion County won first place in the team effort for seniors.

State 4-H Events Coordinator Courtney Quirie congratulated participants and thanked parents and event planners for their support. “I can’t wait to hear what you all do at nationals,” she said to the winners during the awards ceremony.

Contest Coordinator Elise Cassie, who also serves as the Project Learning Tree Coordinator for SFFGS, said the event was a success.

“The Florida 4-H Forest Ecology Contest is a unique opportunity for youth to explore the world around them, find life affirming skills, and connect with other who share the same interests,” Cassie said. “This is the only program that I know of in the state that offers this and it deserves all of the support we can provide.”

The highest scoring senior team is eligible to compete in the National 4-H Forestry Invitational which will be held in July at the Jackson’s Mill State 4-H Conference Center in Weston, West Virginia. Florida won the 2023 competition.

This year’s contest winners:

The highest individual scoring Juniors (ages 8 to 10) were:

First Place Jada Foucha from Sumter County

Second Place Jocelyn Gardis from Leon County

Third Place Addison Upton from Marion County

The highest scoring Junior teams were:

First Place Addilyn Childs, Jada Foucha, Caroline Cattrell from Sumter County

Second Place Addalynn Upton, Callie Rae Cassidy from Marion County

Third Place Eden Wilkins, Ava Balzersen, Lily Toman from Sumter County

The highest individual scoring Intermediate (ages 11-13) were:

First Place William Pruden from Alachua County

Second Place Isabella Wise from Okaloosa County

Third Place Madison Wall Marion County

The highest scoring Intermediate teams were:

First Place Caleb Force, Forest DeRoy, Jacob Metzgar, Madison Wall from Marion County

Second Place Isabella Wise, Kaden Wise, Kayleigh Thames from Okaloosa County

Third Place Charles Wood, Charlotte Watkins, Christian Galiano, Ellis Godfrey from Pinellas County

The highest individual scoring Seniors (ages 14 to 19) were:

First Place Jocelyn Wood from Pinellas County

Second Place Ada Perryman from Marion County

Third Place Helena Peterson from St. Johns County

The highest scoring Senior teams were:

First Place Lane Taylor, Kylie Goodson, Cora Taylor, Ada Perryman from Marion County

Second Place Annalise Watkins, Jocelyn Wood, Maleah Godfrey, Wesley Wood from Pinellas

Third Place Helena Peterson, Juliette Wells, Savannah Wells, Waylon Wells from St. Johns County

Volunteer help is critical to the success of the contest, whether it is with scoring, leading 4-H groups, or helping at one of the stations. Find out how you can help with next year’s event by contacting Elise Cassie at ecassie@ufl.edu.

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NEWBERRY - The Newberry Spring Festival, held on April 6, 2024, in historic downtown Newberry, was bustling with excitement as festivalgoers enjoyed live music, food trucks and the more than 150 assorted vendors.  

Weather for the event could not have been better with crisp, sunny blue skies as the backdrop for Saturday's festival.  The annual event is hosted by the Newberry Main Street Organization and attracts thousands of people from near and far.

There was a little something for everyone, including a petting zoo and an interactive audience kid's show.

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