Photo by VIVIAN ARNDT/Artists from Scotland begin projecting images on to walls on the first night of painting.

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ High Springs has a colorful and blended past. Unlike the small peaceful town of today, known for its antiques and springs, the town was once a major shipping hub. Prolific phosphate mines dotted the region, as well as row crops such as watermelon and tobacco, all waiting to be exported. This led to a large and mighty railroad presence. The manpower required to work the rails and run the trains contributed to the building of boarding houses, bars, and even a two-story hospital for the burgeoning population, all before the turn of the century.

The Beginning

Time marches on, and in this present-day era of great growth, the close-knit community of High Springs looked for a way to honor its history by incorporating the stories of the past into its present and future. The means to do this became the telling of stories, through a series of murals painted on walls throughout the town. Murals that are not only scenic but specifically designed to tell the story of how High Springs came to be, artfully weaving history into the modern day and the town's reputation, as both a gateway to the springs and a destination point for those seeking small locally-owned specialty shops, carrying unique one-of-a-kind items.

This project was five years in the making, involving a tireless commitment to not just the project itself, but to the stories that were waiting to be told. Beginning Wednesday, March 22 through Sunday, March 26, artists from all over the world came to town, some camping, some staying in local bed and breakfasts and motels, and some enjoying the hospitality of host families. After a welcome dinner, the great paint-out began.

The Painting

As the sun set, the artists perched high in the air on scaffolds, carefully stenciled the artwork being projected upon the wall. Over the next four days, 150 artists painted the stenciled walls on 11 separate murals. Murals telling the stories of the indigenous early people, the first settlers, civic leaders, the railroad, and the springs.   Along with the art appearing on the walls, personal stories began to emerge, such as the story of The High Springs Speedway, a great local event at which records in racing were set in the 1960s. Delores Barber, age 94, and her husband founded the Speedway and she got to see it come back to life on a wall, as well as meet the artist, Sam Sanfilippo from Pinson, Alabama who painted it. “It is moments like these that mean the most to us as artists<” Sanfilippo said. “Making a difference and a connection through art.”

Artists took breaks from painting, stealing small moments of time to enjoy the atmosphere and the cuisine generously supplied for them by local restaurants and businesses. Doug Hancock, the Project Coordinator of this weekend's event said, “I deeply appreciate that the community of High Springs has come together with such love for the visiting artists ‒ the artists tell me they definitely felt that love from the community.”

Festival on the Green

Like draws like, and local artists from the area also set up their art under tents for the public to see and purchase, creating a “Festival on the Green” on the grassy space where the railroad tracks used to be. The festive atmosphere was further enhanced by a car show and strolling musicians for the enjoyment of the crowds that came out to witness the “Walldogs Dive into High Springs” event.

This was the first time the Walldogs organization has ever done an event in Florida, one which might not have ever happened without the chance meeting of local High Springs resident Nancy Lavin and Hancock of Alachua, who happened to be a Walldog himself. That sidewalk conversation five years ago led to the formation of “The Heart of High Springs,”, a non-profit organization that raised donations for this event. “This is a project of the heart for sure, and it is wonderful to see it unfolding now,” said Lavin.

The weekend event has passed. The scaffolds are gone, and the paintbrushes have been washed and packed away, but the inevitable camaraderie that results in the coming together of people united in a common creative event, remains.

Artists from four countries and all over the U.S., as far west as Oregon and as far north as Pennsylvania, have boarded their respective planes and headed home, hopefully, enriched by knowing the profound impact they leave behind. Their tireless hours of talent, which they donated free of charge, are left to tell the unique character of this small town for years to come.

Ross Ambrose, treasurer of “The Heart of High Springs” said, "It was so nice to see the opportunities for local businesses and individuals who stepped up in huge ways to make this possible, as well as volunteers on every level. I am so proud to have been a part of this.”

As for local residents, they have new friendships with these artists who welcomed them to paint alongside, and who they shared meals and conversations with for these all-too-brief few days. They also have the distinction of being the first town in Florida to host a Walldogs mural event.

High Springs made history this weekend by telling its history.

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• Presentation on proposed changes to codes related to landscape irrigation and water conservation

• Policy discussion on parameters of the Pavement Management Program

• Update on the Newberry Meat Processing Facility

ALACHUA ‒ Perfect weather and a full schedule of baseball drew crowds to Alachua's Hal Brady Recreation Complex on Saturday for the Babe Ruth 37^TH Opening Day Jamboree. Seven games were played at Hal Brady, and one at Copeland, from Tball up to Seniors division. The aroma of BBQ, the crack of bat on ball and clouds of spring pollen were all in the air as parents, fans and children gathered to celebrate America's favorite pastime.

Dignitaries present for the opening ceremony were Alachua Mayor Gib Coerper, Vice Mayor Jennifer Blalock, and Commissioners Shirley Green Brown, and Dayna Miller were joined by Chief of Police Jesse Sandusky, City Manager Mike DaRoza, Parks and Rec Director Damon Messina and Finance Director: Rob Bonetti. City of High Springs dignitaries included Mayor Gloria James, Chief of Police: Antoine Sheppard and Assistant City Manager: Bruce Gillingham. Also present were Santa Fe Babe Ruth Board members and special guests Santa Fe High School Junior Varsity and Varsity Baseball.

High Springs Boy Scouts Troop #69 served as Color Guard and Rachael Goll of Canvas Church sang the National Anthem. Preston Howell offered the invocation.

Getting the games underway, the ceremonial First Pitch was thrown by Hall Brady, Alachua’s former recreation director, to catcher Lucas Moore.

The Hal Brady Award was presented by Will Moore to recipient Paul Buchner.

Teams were sponsored by Alachua Plumbing, Rosenboom Construction, El Toro, Q&D Painting, Stellar Services, Lawful Defense, North Florida Buildings, Piesanos, SIMED Health, Rex and Brody Foundation, Gemini Water, Drummond Realty, Keim Clearing LLC, Keim Clearing LLC, Digestive Disease Associates, Campus Scooters, and Gator Drain.

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ On March 14 the High Springs Fire Department invited residents of the High Spring community to join them for a traditional “Push-In Ceremony” to celebrate the purchase of two new fire trucks at the High Springs Fire Department, 18586 N.W. 238^th Street, High Springs. The addition of a heavy rescue unit and a pumper unit represent a major investment protecting citizens in and around High Springs and provides advanced tools for firefighters for the next 20 years.

The Push-In Ceremony can be traced back to its roots in the 1800s, when a fire apparatus was horse-drawn, and firefighters would unhitch horses and push the apparatus back into the station after returning from a call. With the advent of motorized fire apparatus, the need to push apparatus into the station was no longer necessary, but the tradition lives on.

Some 100 people attended the High Springs Push-In Ceremony. High Springs Mayor Gloria James led the invocation and welcomed guests. Other speakers included City Manager Ashley Stathatos and Fire Chief Bruce Gillingham. Commissioner Byran Williams blessed the new trucks and firefighters following the ceremony.

The new equipment includes a Heavy Rescue 29 and a new Engine 29. The new Heavy Rescue 29, a 2023 E-One Cyclone custom chassis rescue, replaces Squad 29, a 2006 Kenworth commercial cab “light rescue” unit, and will respond to calls in and around High Springs, including technical rescues, vehicle accidents, fires, and medical emergencies. Heavy Rescue 29 greatly enhances the available resources as compared to Squad 29 in technical rescue capabilities, including rescues from sinkholes, roofs, trees, and major auto accidents involving large commercial vehicles or farm equipment.

The new Engine 29, a 2023 E-One Cyclone custom chassis pumper, replaces a 2012 Pierce/Kenworth commercial cab pumper. Engine 29 will respond to medical emergencies, vehicle accidents, and fires, as well as other types of emergencies.

While the tab for the two trucks totaled $1.4 million, both vehicles have a 15-to-20-year useful life and will enhance the ability of the fire department to cover a wide variety of emergencies. The replaced vehicles were reaching the end of their useful service life and had fewer of the advanced technical equipment developed in the last 20 years.

The two new fire trucks on display for the Push-In Ceremony offered a stark contrast to an apparatus situated in the back of the engine bay. As if standing vigil, a 1923 fire engine is a reminder of bygone days and is of historic interest as the first motorized vehicle purchased by the City of High Springs.

“Changing the addition from squad program, which is a light rescue technical style vehicle, to a heavy rescue style vehicle helps us enhance our capabilities to responding to semi accidents on the interstate to low- and high-angle calls in the county,” said Gillingham. “[It] allows us to broaden our level of service and helps our ALS [Advanced Live Saving] capability.”

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