PALATKA, Fla., Aug. 2, 2023 — Now entering the eighth year of its Blue School Grant program, the St. Johns River Water Management District, with full support of its Governing Board, is offering up to $60,000 in grants for education projects that enrich student knowledge of Florida’s water resources through hands-on learning. The application period runs Aug. 1–Sept. 15 and is available to K–12 teachers within the District’s 18-county area.

“This is such a meaningful program, and I’m honored to play a small role in teaching kids how to be good stewards of the environment,” said St. Johns River Water Management District Education and Outreach Coordinator Laura La Beur. “We've made some exciting changes to the Blue School Grant program this year, including increasing the funding by $40,000. Last year we were able to help over a dozen teachers educate students on the importance of water conservation, and with this increased funding, we will be able to reach even more students across our 18-county service area.”

To date, the District has funded 89 water resource education projects with a total of over $125,000 awarded to local schools.

Through the District’s Blue School Grant program, up to $3,000 per school may be awarded to educators working with grades K–12 to enhance student knowledge of Florida’s water resources. The application is intentionally created to be quick and easy, keeping in mind the challenging workload we know all teachers face. The District aims to support teachers by enhancing current lesson plans to create a bigger impact for students studying water resources in any subject area. Public and charter teachers within the District’s boundaries are eligible to apply.

Examples of previous successful grant applications include:

• Service-learning projects where middle and high school students partnered to study water quality
• Water quality comparison of stormwater ponds on campus
• Conversion of traditional irrigation to micro-irrigation in school landscape
• Water conservation awareness posters and videos

Teachers receiving grants will be notified in late October.

Information about criteria and deadlines, and the online application can be found at www.sjrwmd.com/education/blue-school or contact Laura La Beur at LLaBeur@sjrwmd.com or 321-473-1339.

#     #     #

Email editor@

alachuatoday.com

ALACHUA ‒ From a chic traditional bed and breakfast to a contemporary upscale wine bar, two area businesses have risen to the top. Both businesses have received industry awards and national recognition for exceptional service.

Beaker and Flask, recognized by Wine Spectator magazine with the publication’s Award of Excellence, is a wine bar located in Alachua’s San Felasco Tech City right off U.S. Highway 441 next to Daft Cow Brewery. Although Beaker and Flask opened their doors less than six months ago, they have already built a reputation as a premiere wine bar with over 135 varieties of wine from around the world. They offer high-end wines by the glass or bottle, and they also hold wine tastings and offer classes taught by wine experts.

Wine Spectator magazine has been publishing since 1976 and is the world's leading authority on wine that recognizes restaurants with wine lists offering interesting selections, that are appropriate to their cuisine and appeal to a wide range of wine lovers.

To qualify for an award, a wine list must present complete, accurate information, including vintages and appellations for all selections. Lists that meet these requirements are judged for one of our three awards. The Wine Spectator award acknowledges only venues with over 90 selections of wine.

To qualify for the award, Beaker and Flask paired with food truck Cheffreys Food. “We always have food trucks outside our location next door to the Daft Cow Brewery, which we both share to offer our patrons food with their beverages,” said Beaker and Flask owner Elliot Welker. “Cheffreys is one of our favorite food trucks and they designed a menu to match various wines for the awards application.”

Welker said that only four restaurants in the county have received the Award of Excellence and the award represents the pinnacle of recognition in the industry. “Receiving it gives recognition of our exceptional wine program and the work of our team,” said Welker.

Welker is no newcomer to the wine and food industry. “My father is the wine distributor for Wards Grocery and has been in the industry for 50 years.” Once Welker turned 18, he accompanied his father on trips to wineries throughout the world to learn the craft. “Last year I decided it was time to open a high-quality wine bar of my own,” Welker said. “It’s been a great success, with our patronage increasing every month.”

Beaker and Flask is located13800 Tech City Circle, Suite 311. Additional information about wines and classes can be found at https://www.beakerandflaskwinebar.com/

Just down the road a few miles in High Springs, The Grady House Bed and Breakfast has won the Favorite Hotel for the Gainesville metropolitan area from “Our Town Magazine” for the second year in a row.

It is one of several awards the bed and breakfast has garnered in its short time under new owners Sara Miller and Scott Towne. The Grady House has also been awarded Best of High Springs in the Business Hall of Fame for both 2022 and 2023, the Best Hotel and Restaurant in Florida by the Guide to Florida in 2022, and Miller was also in the top three for best chef in Alachua County as well.

The location where the Grady house now stands has a rich history in the town’s development. Prior to 1900, the location was the site of the town’s bakery. In 1917, H.L. Grady built a house on the property and his family lived there for many years. One of the Grady House owners purchased the 122-year-old Easterlin House next door and transformed it into Skeet’s Cottage, a beautiful two-story Victorian home.

In 1990, Ed and Diane Shupe bought the house and turned it into a bed and breakfast. They eventually sold to Lucie and Paul Regensdorf who ran it for over a decade. It was sold in 2019 to Bobbie Sabo and her husband, who spent time and money updating the house only to close its doors due to COVID in 2020, leaving the Victorian mansion sitting abandoned for over a year.

Miller and Towne purchased the Grady House and Easterlin House in August 2021. “We absolutely loved the Grady house, along with the companion Easterlin House (Skeeters Cottage) as well as the gardens and event site behind the house,” said Miller.

Miller says the couple loved the community of High Springs and felt welcomed by its people, with some of them stopping by the house before it opened to introduce themselves and offer information about the area and its history. “We want to be part of that community and contribute to it,” said Miller. “We plan to be more than just a B&B, providing special events including music concerts in the back garden and host other special events for the community.”

Despite the early awards and accolades, Miller and Townes expanded the appeal of the Grady House by offering weekend breakfast service open to the community by reservation at 11 a.m. The brunch became so popular, there was a six-week waiting period for a coveted seat in the dining area that was capped by a 16-person limit.

Looking to expand on the brunch popularity, plans are underway to accommodate the growing demand. “We have decided to turn the Easterlin House into strictly a restaurant for weekend brunch, which will be able to seat about 40 patrons,” said Miller. “We are so grateful for the support we have received from the community that has led to the success we have had with this beautiful old house.” Miller anticipates that the Easterlin House brunch should be open by the end of August.

The Grady House is located at 410 and 420 N.W. 1^st Avenue in High Springs. Reservations can be made by calling 386-454-2206 or visiting https://www.gradyhousebnb.com/

#     #     #

Email rcarson@

alachuatoday.com

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ Gauging by sizzling temperatures approaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit and a heat index well over the century mark, the dog days of summer are officially here.

Summer camps are quickly becoming only fond memories, as are the thoughts of a seemingly endless summer. With the first days of August around the corner, back-to-school time is looming just over the horizon as school in Alachua County is scheduled to begin Aug. 10.

In the meantime, hot, humid and sticky is an appropriate explanation for the lethargy that seems to have not only affected people, but our four-legged friends as well.  Mother Nature has indeed blessed Florida with sunshine — and heat.  It’s just too hot to think about doing much of anything – unless Ichetucknee Springs comes to mind.

As many locals know, Ichetucknee Springs State Park is a refreshing experience. Its unspoiled beauty, together with surrounding wilds, has become and remains a Florida treasure.   Each of us discovers this treasure only once, but is likely drawn back again and again to experience firsthand what Native Americans called “Ichetucknee,” meaning “pond of the beaver.”

North Central Floridians often, and mistakenly, take for granted this virtual paradise consisting of 2,669 acres. Inside the boundaries of the park, a series of springs creates the clear Ichetucknee River, which flows toward the southwest for approximately six miles.  It is often the visitor who reminds us of the magical bounty we have in our own back yard.

To the uninitiated, floating down a crystal-clear meandering river in an inner tube for one to three hours is exhilarating.  Add to that, the Florida sun casting shadows through the cedar and maple trees as first-time tubers leisurely float down the cooling waters.  Not much can surpass the serenity of leaning back against a gently rocking tube and drinking in nature’s beauty while dangling one’s feet in the refreshing water.

But the real thrill experienced by visitors is their amazement about the springs that were declared a “National Natural Landmark” by the U.S. Department of the Interior in 1972.

Millions of gallons of pristine water gush out of the earth, forming crystal pools of water reflecting colors of pale blues and mysterious blacks in Florida’s sun.  The constant average temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit year round refreshes the hot and weary.

Now is the time to “take the remedy.”  Visit Ichetucknee State Park, if only for a few hours.  Visitors don’t have to take all day, but why not?  What better place to spend time communing with Mother Nature than in this land of raw beauty and sparkling waters? And Memorial Day through Labor Day, fun seekers will find a full-service concession that offers food, refreshments, and outdoor items.

The park is open 365 days a year, from 8 a.m. till sundown for the bargain rate of $6 per vehicle. But according to the park’s Web site, if you are planning on a Saturday or Sunday float down the river, arrive early as the park is quite popular on weekends and when the parking lot fills up, you may not be able to enter. Effective June 19, 2023: Ichetucknee Springs State Park frequently closes due to capacity limits. During this time, gates will be closed and visitors will not be able to enter. Gates reopen when space is available. Also, effective June 19, the South Takeout is closed to vehicles through Oct. 1. Unless capacity has been met, visitors can access the South Takeout via tram or trails located at the south main entrance.

The south entrance to the park is located west of Ft. White, off U.S. 27. Total distance from Ft. White to the park’s north entrance is 5.9 miles. Ticket windows in the front of the general store sell transportation wrist bands for the park tram shuttle servicing primarily those tubing the Ichetucknee as well as van/bus transportation for paddlers to the river’s headwaters at the north entrance.

Rather than spending another day wiping your brow, kick back, cool off and relax.  Mother Nature gives us “dog days” so we will appreciate her other gifts all the more.

#     #     #

Email editor@

alachuatoday.com

ALACHUA ‒ From a chic traditional bed and breakfast to a contemporary upscale wine bar, two area businesses have risen to the top. Both businesses have received industry awards and national recognition for exceptional service.

Beaker and Flask, recognized by Wine Spectator magazine with the publication’s Award of Excellence, is a wine bar located in Alachua’s San Felasco Tech City right off U.S. Highway 441 next to Daft Cow Brewery. Although Beaker and Flask opened their doors less than six months ago, they have already built a reputation as a premiere wine bar with over 135 varieties of wine from around the world. They offer high-end wines by the glass or bottle, and they also hold wine tastings and offer classes taught by wine experts.

Wine Spectator magazine has been publishing since 1976 and is the world's leading authority on wine that recognizes restaurants with wine lists offering interesting selections, that are appropriate to their cuisine and appeal to a wide range of wine lovers.

To qualify for an award, a wine list must present complete, accurate information, including vintages and appellations for all selections. Lists that meet these requirements are judged for one of our three awards. The Wine Spectator award acknowledges only venues with over 90 selections of wine.

To qualify for the award, Beaker and Flask paired with food truck Cheffreys Food. “We always have food trucks outside our location next door to the Daft Cow Brewery, which we both share to offer our patrons food with their beverages,” said Beaker and Flask owner Elliot Welker. “Cheffreys is one of our favorite food trucks and they designed a menu to match various wines for the awards application.”

Welker said that only four restaurants in the county have received the Award of Excellence and the award represents the pinnacle of recognition in the industry. “Receiving it gives recognition of our exceptional wine program and the work of our team,” said Welker.

Welker is no newcomer to the wine and food industry. “My father is the wine distributor for Wards Grocery and has been in the industry for 50 years.” Once Welker turned 18, he accompanied his father on trips to wineries throughout the world to learn the craft. “Last year I decided it was time to open a high-quality wine bar of my own,” Welker said. “It’s been a great success, with our patronage increasing every month.”

Beaker and Flask is located13800 Tech City Circle, Suite 311. Additional information about wines and classes can be found at https://www.beakerandflaskwinebar.com/

Just down the road a few miles in High Springs, The Grady House Bed and Breakfast has won the Favorite Hotel for the Gainesville metropolitan area from “Our Town Magazine” for the second year in a row.

It is one of several awards the bed and breakfast has garnered in its short time under new owners Sara Miller and Scott Towne. The Grady House has also been awarded Best of High Springs in the Business Hall of Fame for both 2022 and 2023, the Best Hotel and Restaurant in Florida by the Guide to Florida in 2022, and Miller was also in the top three for best chef in Alachua County as well.

The location where the Grady house now stands has a rich history in the town’s development. Prior to 1900, the location was the site of the town’s bakery. In 1917, H.L. Grady built a house on the property and his family lived there for many years. One of the Grady House owners purchased the 122-year-old Easterlin House next door and transformed it into Skeet’s Cottage, a beautiful two-story Victorian home.

In 1990, Ed and Diane Shupe bought the house and turned it into a bed and breakfast. They eventually sold to Lucie and Paul Regensdorf who ran it for over a decade. It was sold in 2019 to Bobbie Sabo and her husband, who spent time and money updating the house only to close its doors due to COVID in 2020, leaving the Victorian mansion sitting abandoned for over a year.

Miller and Towne purchased the Grady House and Easterlin House in August 2021. “We absolutely loved the Grady house, along with the companion Easterlin House (Skeeters Cottage) as well as the gardens and event site behind the house,” said Miller.

Miller says the couple loved the community of High Springs and felt welcomed by its people, with some of them stopping by the house before it opened to introduce themselves and offer information about the area and its history. “We want to be part of that community and contribute to it,” said Miller. “We plan to be more than just a B&B, providing special events including music concerts in the back garden and host other special events for the community.”

Despite the early awards and accolades, Miller and Townes expanded the appeal of the Grady House by offering weekend breakfast service open to the community by reservation at 11 a.m. The brunch became so popular, there was a six-week waiting period for a coveted seat in the dining area that was capped by a 16-person limit.

Looking to expand on the brunch popularity, plans are underway to accommodate the growing demand. “We have decided to turn the Easterlin House into strictly a restaurant for weekend brunch, which will be able to seat about 40 patrons,” said Miller. “We are so grateful for the support we have received from the community that has led to the success we have had with this beautiful old house.” Miller anticipates that the Easterlin House brunch should be open by the end of August.

The Grady House is located at 410 and 420 N.W. 1^st Avenue in High Springs. Reservations can be made by calling 386-454-2206 or visiting https://www.gradyhousebnb.com/

#     #     #

Email rcarson@

alachuatoday.com