Category: Community

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Bonnet House is Home to Rich History

Main House of the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, 900 North Birch Road, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Photograph taken March 30, 2011.
Main House of the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, 900 North Birch Road, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Bonnet house is home to rich history

Near Ft. Lauderdale’s beach, with its hustle and bustle of traffic and tall buildings, it’s easy to overlook the tranquil, forest-like setting of trees, pebble-filled walking paths and fresh water lakes.

But if you turn onto a side street, you’ll soon enter a setting of nature rich with history, serenity, and whimsical sights. Once you’re within this paradise’s confines, you’re apt to think you’re on an exotic island away from the big city.

Still, tall buildings loom from the distance. The beach and Atlantic Ocean are visible through a fence. A stretch of that beach, the Bonnet House beach, spans 700-feet long.

Welcome to the historic Bonnet House Museum and Gardens, 35-acres of nature, and a house that has retained the character it boasted in the late 1800s into the early 20th century.

The attraction gets its name from the bonnet lilies found in its lakes.

Linda Schaller, director of education and volunteer programs, said that Bonnet House Museum and Gardens attracts a little more than 70,000 visitors a year, and about 7,000 school children a year.

“It’s a great educational place for art, history, and the ecology of a barrier island,” Schaller said.

Many who enter Bonnet’s grounds comment “I can’t believe I’ve never been here before,” she said.

The mostly volunteer-run attraction opened as a full-time museum in 1996, but its history stretches back about a century.

Even when Hugh Taylor Birch bought the Bonnet House site in 1895, the land dates back many centuries, to when the Tequesta tribe of Native Americans fished and farmed on the grounds.

8-hugh-taylor-birch

Volunteers know this because several shells indicate human activity on the grounds during that time.

“Further archaeological evidence suggests that the grounds saw one of the first sites of Spanish contact with the New World,” according to bonnethouse.org.

Birch gifted the property as a wedding present to his daughter, Helen and her husband, Chicago artist Frederic Clay Bartlett, in 1919. Weddings take place on the grounds to this day.

Bartlett was an American artist and collector. Images of work from famous artists as Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, and Georges Seurat grace a studio within the home. In that room, Bartlett not only amassed a collection of art, but painted his own works.

The visual appeal of the museum and grounds includes not only painted works of art, but a menagerie of animal statues, ranging from ostriches to lions. The grounds also contain a variety of orchids.

Stroll outside, and gentle swishing sounds from a waterfall soothes the senses.

“It’s so whimsical and there are so many fun things in the house,” Schaller said. She added one could tour the home and outside grounds three times and learn something new each time. That’s because the many tour guides each possess a specific area of interest; some are antique dealers, while others are musicians and gardeners. Each guide is likely to emphasize one aspect of the museum over another.

There’s one constant: the home’s decorations haven’t changed since Helen Bartlett’s days, Schaller said, who added Bartlett lived to be 109.

Schaller said the attraction’s busy months span from January through April, when 200 or more people visit. During the summer months, that number drops to about 60 people a day, she added.

They come from as far away as China, Russia and Germany, she said.

Visitors also include students. Fourth graders learn about Florida’s history, which aligns with the state’s educational fourth grade guidelines. Third graders, meanwhile, learn about ecology, which meets state learning guidelines for that grade.bonnetlily

Educational and recreational opportunities exist for all ages at Bonnet – “a historic estate sharing the past and building today’s community,” reads its website.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Bonnet House Museum & Gardens

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Closed Mondays and holidays.

WHERE: 900 N. Birch Road, Ft. Lauderdale.

For more information about events, classes, exhibitions and workshops, visit bonnethouse.org or call 954-563-5393.

 

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Time of discovery: Native Americans in Southeast Florida

ponce_de_leonby Glenn R. Swift

Ponce de Leon was the first European to set foot on the modern-day United States. He discovered La Florida in April 1513 while on an expedition consisting of three ships and 200 men. De Leon’s objective was to look for gold, and the “fountain of youth,” although evidence for the latter does not appear until well after his death. Precisely where de Leon first came ashore is widely disputed, but the most widely accepted location by historians is Melbourne Beach (about 100 miles north of North Palm Beach). De Leon named the peninsula La Florida in recognition of the land’s verdant landscape, and because it was the Easter season, which the Spaniards called Pascua Florida or Festival of Flowers.

At the time of the discovery, there were three Native American tribes living along the coast of southeast Florida: the Ais; the Jaega; and the Tequesta. All three tribes were exclusively hunter-gatherers, relying largely upon fishing, the hunting of manatees and sea turtles, and the gathering of wild berries. Most scholars in the field assert that the three tribes are genetically and linguistically related to the Muskogee group of Native Americans, who dominated the southeastern United States, and were descended from the Native Americans of present-day Mexico. This is in contrast to the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean who are classified as belonging to the Arawak group, and descended from the Native Americans of South America.

indigenousMost of what we know about the Ais and the Jaega comes to us from the writings of Jonathan Dickinson, an English Quaker on his way from Jamaica to Philadelphia who was shipwrecked in 1696, along with his family and the other passengers and crew members of the ship. The party was held captive by the Jaega for several days before being handed over to the Ais chief (cacique). Because one of the members of Dickinson’s group spoke Spanish, the group was able to persuade the Jaega and the Ais that they were Spanish and not English. As a result of this good fortune, the group was allowed to travel by small boat and on foot the 230 miles up the coast to Spanish-held St. Augustine. During the journey, the party was subjected to constant harassment and physical abuse with five members of the group succumbing to exposure and starvation.

The Spanish authorities in St. Augustine treated the surviving members of the party well and sent them by canoe to Charles Town (now Charleston, South Carolina), where they were able to find passage to their original destination, Philadelphia.

Ais

The Ais lived along the 156-mile banks of the Indian River Lagoon from present-day Cape Canaveral to Stuart. They were primarily fishermen “who boiled their fish, and ate them from ‘platters’ of palmetto leaf,” according to Dickinson. The Ais cacique, who wielded power over both the Ais and the neighboring Jaega to the south, resided in the tribe’s main settlement of Jece (present-day Vero Beach). The Ais enjoyed friendly relations with the Spanish, but were sworn enemies of the English who Dickinson said they referred to as “Nickaleers.” Estimates vary widely, but most historians place the population of the Ais at the time of European discovery at about 20,000, with 2,000 residing in their main settlement of Jece.

florida-1584

Jaega

The Jaega lived between the St. Lucie and Hillsboro inlets with their main settlement being Jobe, which was located along the banks of the Jupiter Inlet. Like the Ais, their origins are believed by many to date back some 2,000 years. Politically subordinate to the Ais, the Jaega consisted of about 2,000 people at the time of European discovery, and maintained friendly relations with the Spanish. Then again, not every Spaniard at that time fared so well in this neck of the woods. Much of what we know about the Jaega comes from the writings of Hernando de Escalante (1536-1575), who was enslaved and held captive in the region for 17 years before being rescued. (Actually, de Escalante was the “lucky one,” the others in his shipwrecked party were sacrificed.)

Tequesta

The Tequesta lived between what is today Boca Raton and the southern tip of the Florida peninsula, with their main settlement along the banks of Biscayne Bay and the mouth of the Miami River. At times, they also occupied the Florida Keys. Archaeological studies confirm that these first residents of Florida’s Gold Coast date back to the third century BCE during the so-called Formative Stage (“Neo-Indian” Period) of the continent when Florida’s climate had reached current conditions and the sea had risen close to its present-day level. The Tequesta were more or less dominated by the more numerous Calusa of the southwest coast of Florida, but they were closely allied to their immediate neighbors to the north, the Jaega. Estimates as to the number of Tequesta at the time of initial European contact range from 800 to more than 10,000.

Epilogue

Tragically, contact with Europeans had lethal consequences for the “first Floridians.” In fact, by 1760 all had perished, having succumbed to the small pox pandemic that decimated the Native American population of the Americas to a mere one-tenth of its pre-Columbian level.

Smoke in the Wind
Smoke in the Wind
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LOOK WHAT’S AT THE LIBRARY!

LOOK WHAT’S AT THE LIBRARY!

by Cynthia MacGregor

Once upon a time—and not that long ago—the library was where you went if you wanted to borrow books or consult reference books. Period. End of statement. But, as the saying goes, that was then and this is now. The library systems in the Tri-country area is a trove of information, materials, educational, and cultural opportunities, and more…and, oh yes, you can still borrow books.

Broward County

The main phone number is 954-357-7444, and the website is broward.org/library. There are 37 library locations throughout the county and a wealth of information, activities, and materials. They offer free special events at the various branches. To find out what’s coming up that might interest you, go to the website and, under “News,” look for the newsletter link. There is also a paper copy of the newsletter available at each of the branches.

If the reason you prefer a paper copy is that you are not too familiar with the computer, you may want to know that their computer classes are popular and they are free. Besides borrowing books, you can borrow CDs and DVDs, and e-books for all popular platforms including Kindle, Nook, and electronic devices—computer, tablet, or smartphone. You can stream movies to your home electronic device, or download music to keep—all for free.

The Creation Station at the main library, 100 South Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, offers state-of-the-art technology including 3D printers and robotics.

Rosetta Stone is a program through which you can learn a Tower of Babel’s worth of languages including Spanish (Latin American or Castillian), English (American or British), French, German, Italian, Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Dari (Persian as spoken in Afghanistan), Dutch, Filipino Tagalog, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Indonesian, Irish, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Pashto, Persian Farsi, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Swahili, Swedish, Turkish, Urdu, and Vietnamese.

If it’s learning you’re after but not languages, the Universal Class offers more than 500 areas of study in six-month online courses in such subjects as diverse as accounting, parenting, math, web development, or psychology. You’ll interact one-on-one online with a real teacher.

Also in the area of learning, the library’s e-tutor program can help with homework or studies from kindergarten through pre-college, with a live tutor online…but it’s not just for students. The program also helps with résumé crafting and job searches.

Besides the magazines available to read in the library, you can download the Zinio app and read magazines at home on the electronic device of your choice, through the library.

To learn more, go to the website and/or subscribe to the weekly newsletter, which also lists upcoming special events. To subscribe, send an e-mail to librarymarketing@broward.org

Round bookshelf in public library

Miami/Dade

Their phone number is 305-375-2665, and their website is mdpls.org. They have 49 branches as of this writing, with a 50th scheduled to open around the time this issue gets published. Two bookmobiles travel throughout the county. To find out when one will be at a stop near you, go to the website, look under “Find a Branch,” and on the left click on “Mobile Library.”

Their offerings are similar to those listed above for Broward: CDs, DVDs, e-books, music, movies, magazines available in print in the branches or digitally online with the Zinio reader, and a very extensive research database.

The educational courses are offered via lynda.com with a wide variety of subjects you can study and train in. They, too, have online tutoring via tutor.com. There is an online encyclopedia, and newspapers galore.

Worth noting in particular, they offer information on available foundation grants and how to apply for them. Another highlight: They have a huge genealogy department through which you can trace your family tree. It is not only Florida based; this service can help you regardless of where your ancestors lived. And of particular note: Unlike most of the services offered here (and in the other tri-county libraries), you do not need a library card to use the genealogy department.

Also on offer at the Miami-Dade libraries: a permanent art collection and rotating art exhibits; and a Florida room that houses documents, books, photos, and periodicals concerning Florida’s history, available for research purposes. Also story times, yoga classes, language classes, and musical performances.

If you wish to borrow books or other circulating materials but are homebound and cannot come to the library, the library will mail your desired materials to you. You can request them by phone or online.

Palm Beach County

The phone number is 561-649-5476, and the website is pbclibrary.org. There are 17 branch libraries and one bookmobile, whose schedule is posted on the web or available on paper at all of the branches.

In common with the other two South Florida library systems there are CDs, DVDs, and e-books, and downloadable music to add to your collection. You can stream TV shows and movies to your electronic device at home or watch on the library’s computers. There are magazines to read in the library or on your electronic device at home, and also newspapers you can read at the library.

If the book you want to borrow isn’t in the PBC library system, you can request an interlibrary loan. Participating libraries stretch all across the country, magnifying your chance of finding what you want.

The library’s monthly calendar of events, called “Happenings,” lists all activities for the month by branch and can be accessed through the website, or you can pick up a paper copy at any branch. There are activities for children, teens, and adults.

Like the two library systems above, the Palm Beach County library also offers computer classes.

What’s available at the library these days? Plenty!

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November is Curing Stomach Cancer Month

 

debbie-zelman-head-shot-097a-3

In April 2008, Debbie Zelman was enjoying a successful life. At age 40, she was an attorney with a law firm, married to a physician, and had three children. Then she was hit with calamity. Zelman found out she had Stage IV stomach cancer. This cancer was considered incurable, and Zelman was told she had little time to live. She was told that about four percent of people with stomach cancer survived longer than five years.

Debbie began a long and difficult treatment process. She educated herself about stomach cancer and sought the best treatment possible. She has survived but has had eight recurrences and continues with treatment for this difficult disease. November is Curing Stomach Cancer Month and Debbie is working hard to fight this terrible disease.

In 2009, she founded the Debbie’s Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer based in Plantation and is working to help others with stomach cancer. The goals of the Foundation include raising funds for research into innovative, progressive and innovative treatments for this disease; to raise awareness about stomach cancer; and to provide information and assistance to stomach cancer patients and their families and caregivers. In January 2012, Debbie appeared on the Dr. Oz show in a segment on stomach cancer.

“We offer peer to peer support programs where we match patients and caregivers using disease specific criteria,” said Mary-Margaret Killmeyer, program director for the Foundation. “We offer educational opportunities such as symposiums and webinars. We encourage patients with stomach cancer to educate themselves about treatments. We want them to find supportive people who have gone through this disease and can help them by sharing their own experiences.”

Killmeyer said that 26,000 people are diagnosed with stomach cancer each year in the U.S. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in men worldwide, and the fourth form of cancer death for women worldwide.

There are things people should be aware of regarding stomach cancer.

Gastric cancers – those that begin in the stomach, esophagus or the junctions of these two organs, result in about 37,600 new cancer cases in the U.S. each year and about 25,150 deaths.

Some primary risk factors for stomach cancer include: infection with a bacterium known as Helicobacter pylori (H pylori), which is associated with gastric and duodenal ulcers, and chronic indigestion.

Pernicious anemia is an autoimmune disease in which the stomach does not produce the protein necessary for Vitamin B-12 absorption. This condition has been linked to stomach cancer.

Those who have diets heavy in salt, smoked or preserved foods, or low in fruits and vegetables may be at higher risk of stomach cancer. ThoseDEBBIES_Logo_FINAL2 who smoke may be at higher risk. Older people are also at greater risk.

The Foundation is encouraging to people to participate in Denim for Debbie on November 2nd. People can speak to their boss, co-workers, friends, etc. to get permission to wear denim/jeans for $5 per person. You collect the proceeds and send them to Debbie’s Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer at Two South University Drive Suite 326, Plantation, Florida 33324.

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A Perfect Game

by David Volz

singh

Crystal Singh is the first Broward County high school bowler to bowl a perfect game. She recently bowled a 300, or perfect game, and then followed this performance with a 237 score. Her bowling average is 232. Cyrstal is junior at Coral Springs Charter School, and hopes to earn a college scholarship in the sport. She has received interest from Vanderbilt, Tulane, and Notre Dame. Her academic performance is also very strong, she has a straight A average. Math is one of her favorite subjects.

“It is not easy to be a good bowler,” Cyrstal said. She was also a two time national champion in the under 15 age category in Germany. “It takes a lot of dedication. You have to practice every day. If you work hard at bowling, you can be good at it,” she said.

Her father Joseph Singh is proud of her achievements. “Crystal is very dedicated to bowling and has done well. She has put a lot of time and effort into bowling,” Joseph said.

When the Singh family lived in Germany, Crystal won the national bowling tournament for girls under age 15 twice. Right now, her goal is to advance to the state championship. “I have a strong drive to win. I just want to be the best bowler I can be. I want to bowl in college, and I am thinking of trying to bowl professionally,” she said.

The Coral Springs Charter girl’s bowling team has won three straight district championships and is now undefeated. Harmony Ramano, considered the eighth best high school bowler in the nation, is also hoping for success this year. She bowled a 299 at a national competition. “We have a good team this year. It takes hard work to be good at bowling,” Romano said.

Julia Galang is also a top bowler for the Coral Springs Charter Girls team. She has bowled a 278. “I want to get to the state championship this year,” she said.

Nelson Martin, the Coral Springs Charter bowling coach is impressed with the work ethic and performance of the team. “To be a good bowler takes a lot of practice and dedication. It takes repetition and a strong desire to get better,” he said.

The J.P. Taravella Bowling Team is also showing promise as an excellent team. Wendy Moskowitz runs the overall program. The boy’s team is undefeated, and the girls are developing their team.“We have a good team this year and hope to advance to state tournament,” she said.

Jennifer Oxman is a leading bowler on the J.P. Taravella girl’s team. Her best game is 269. “I have been bowling for eight years.” Oxman said.

Alanna Thompson, a leader of the girl’s team has bowled a 275. “I love bowling. It takes a lot of practice to be good,” she said.

Joey Watynski, captain of the J.P. Taravella boy’s team has bowled a 298. “It takes hard work and dedication to do well,” he said. Joey is among a group of good bowlers, which include Vinnie Fedora, Tyler Mason, Zach Gavin, and Conrad McCarthy.

The Marjory Stoneman Douglas girls bowling team is undefeated and hoping to advance to the state playoffs. “We are working hard to be successful,” said Kaitlin Carbocci, captain of the girls team.

taravellaboysteam

 

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November Achievements

ACHIEVEMENTS

Attending the Mayor’s State of the City Address

pccmayor

Attending the Mayor’s State of the City Address were Parkland Chamber of Commerce members Golden Johansson, left, Simeon Brier, Hon. Micahel Udine, Evan Wolk, Will J. Lawler, Kim Kadel Jack Kornreich, Steven Clark, Andrea Jacobs, and Nicole Roman

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Parkland Girl Wins Golf Tourney

kelly

Kelly Shanahan of Parkland won the Tour Championship for Girls 12-14 for the West Palm Beach local tour of US Kids. She will compete in the US Kids State and World Championships next summer in Orlando, and Pinehurst, NC. Kelly is a member of the North Broward Prep Varsity Girls Golf Team as a 7th grader. She will compete this winter at the Publix Doral Tournament in Doral, and in the IMG Junior Honda Classic Tournament at PGA National Golf Resort. Kelly’s dream is to play college golf for a division one school close to home.

 

 

 

 

Comeback Trail 5K rescheduled

Due to Hurricane Matthew, The National Stroke Association rescheduled the Fort Lauderdale Comeback Trail 5K walk/run at Huizenga Plaza to this month. For the new date, call 720-726-5441 or visit https://donate.stroke.org/fort-lauderdale/events/2016-comeback-trail-fort-lauderdale-fl/e67988.

 

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November Events

EVENTS

Southern Handcraft Society meeting

November 1st at 7pm

The Southern Handcraft Society of Coral Springs will meet at the Cypress Park Clubhouse, 1300 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs. The group will also meet on November 15th at 10am at Hobby Lobby in Coral Springs. For more information, call Sally 954-798-1672.

Bird Walks in the Parks

First Saturday and Sunday of the month

Join veteran birdwatcher, and longtime Parks volunteer, Gloria Cashin at 8:15am in Deerfield Island Park, 1720 Deerfield Island Park, Deerfield Beach, as she searches for resident and migrating birds, and shares observations about bird species and their behavior. This event is for ages 8 and older.

Bird Walks will also be at Tall Cypress Natural Area, 3700 Turtle Run Blvd., Coral Springs, at 8am. This event is for all ages.

The walks are free, registration is required. Call 954-357-5100. Space is limited.

Boca Chai Membership Drivesavorthenotesjazzbrunch

November 16th, 11am to 2pm

WIZO, the Women’s International Zionist Organization, is a non-party international movement dedicated to the advancement of the status of women, welfare of all sectors of Israeli society and encouragement of Jewish education in Israel and the Diaspora. The membership drive will take place at The Venue in Boca Raton, 7600 W. Camino Real. RSVP by November 5th by calling 305-861-8860 or visit wizobocachai@gmail.com.

 

 

Coral Springs Farmers’ Marketfarmers-market

November 13th, and 20th, 9am to 1pm

The Coral Springs Farmers’ Market features more than 50 vendors selling fresh and organic products. The market takes place at 9405 NW 31st Court, Coral Springs. For dates and times, visit http://www.coralspringsfarmersmarket.com/

 

Savor the Notes Jazz Brunchsavorthenotesjazzbrunch

November 13th, 10am to 1pm

This event, 9405 NW 31st Court, Coral Springs, is free to the public. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase. Limited seating is available so bring blankets and chairs. No outside food and alcohol allowed.  Click Here for information

 

 

 

 

 

 

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November Announcements

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Early Voting in Parkland
The only early voting location in the City of Parkland is the P-REC in Pine Trails Park. For the General Election you will be voting for President, State- and County-level positions, and City of Parkland positions. General Election early voting is at the P-REC November 6th from 9am to 6pm. For information, visit: browardsoe.org.

Parkland Public WiFi Hotspotswifi

The City of Parkland has set-up WiFi hot spots in Pine Trails Park and Terramar Park to enable visitors to the parks the advantage of free Internet access. The hot spots are located in the center of the baseball wheel in both Pine Trails and Terramar parks, and atop the concession stands (in Pine Trails Park the concession stand nearest the baseball fields). The hotspots will be identified as “Parkland Public WiFi.” For more information, visit cityofparkland.org and facebook.com/copfl

Zika Virus Informationzapzika
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Florida Department of Health, and others are monitoring the Zika virus. For information on prevention and links to regularly updated sources, visit the Zika virus page at cityofparkland.org/zika or call 855-622-6735.

Volunteer Parkland
Earn volunteer hours by helping others, or helping the City of Parkland. Gardening, Parks and Recreation events, the Parkland Library, and community events and projects are among the volunteer opportunities available. For information and to apply online visit: cityofparkland.org/volunteer
or call 954-757-4145.

Coral Springs wins award for 37th time

The City of Coral Springs was awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for its comprehensive annual financial report. The certificate of achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. This is the 37th consecutive year that the City of Coral Springs has received this distinction.
Service fees go up at Mall

The Coral Springs City Hall in the Mall location has raised its service fees for fingerprinting, passport photos and notary public. Fingerprinting is $15 per card. These services are offered at City Hall in the Mall every Wednesday from noon to 6 p.m., customers must supply their own card. City Hall in the Mall does not offer these services for immigration, name changes, concealed weapons, or alcohol and tobacco licenses.

Additionally, passport photos are $12 for a set of two colored photos. For those needing a notary public, each signature block will be $10. No appointments are necessary for any passport services.

City Hall in the Mall is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10am to 4pm. The office is in Coral Square Mall, 9239 W. Atlantic Blvd.

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OFF TO THE RACES

dog-sled

by Victoria Landis

Humans are competitive about everything, especially sports. We are also quite inventive. So when some of us are no longer willing or capable of exerting ourselves, we find surrogates to compete for us. Who, or what, are those surrogates? Well, in the ‘good’ old days, slaves and prisoners were fodder for such amusements. In modern times, forcing others to run, fight, or die for our entertainment pleasure is, apparently, frowned upon. Sigh. So what’s a rabidly competitive society full of obese couch potatoes supposed to do?

Entrance−stage right−our animal friends. Seems as though they’re game to do anything for us. Some actually know we’re using them to amuse ourselves. Dolphins and elephants come to mind. How about the penguins from Madagascar. But others are thrust into situations that have to be bewildering to them. It’s beyond bewildering to me.

LOUISVILLE, KY - MAY 04: The field races down the front stretch during the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2013 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY – MAY 04: The field races down the front stretch during the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2013 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Take, for example, the Crisfield Crab Races in Maryland. Officially called the Crisfield National Hard Crab Derby, it happens annually over Labor Day Weekend. So, sorry to say, if you’re just reading about it now in October, you’ve missed your chance. It’s a crab-themed festival with cooking, rides, crafts, fireworks, beauty queens, a parade, arm wrestling, and racing crabs. A much-needed aside here−somebody please clarify for me just what sort of young woman wants to wear the label Crab Queen? Or Queen of the Crabs? I think even the pushy mothers from Toddlers and Tiaras would have enough sense not to allow their daughters anywhere near such a moniker. That is a title that will follow you for the rest of your life. What if she decided to become an X-rated film star? Her chances would be torpedoed from the get-go.

Back to Crisfield’s celebration of the crustacean. As much as I studied the web page, I did not see colored racing stripes or painted flames of glory on their backs, only boring chalky white numbers. Not very exciting. Although it paints a picture in your head of crabs doing their darnedest to inch along a track, carefully staying in their designated lane, that isn’t at all what happens. The pictures I saw show a multi-lane board all right−but one end was hiked up to an almost 45 degree angle with little ‘starting gates’ at the top. Once the gates open, the crusty critters kind of slide, more than race, down. I for one, am outraged. The good folks in Crisfield could learn a thing or two by paying attention to the other absurd animal races.

There’s hamster racing−in little cars no less−in the UK. It started in 2001, when a hoof and mouth disease put the kibosh on some of England’s horse races. They keep world records and everything. (See? I told you we were inventive . . .) There’s even Professional Hamster Racing now, covered by BBC London, The Sun, and The Daily Mail. Bookmakers take bets on it.snails

There’s races for cows, cockroaches, rabbits, lizards, buffalo, ostriches, snails, sheep, cane toads, camels, and pigs. Yikes!

As much as I would like to enlighten you about all of these wonders, my space is limited. So I will wrap up with what seems to be the biggest misnomer here: Snail Races. The world championships are hosted by our buddies, the Brits. Placed in the center of a 14-inch circle, the first snail to touch the outer circle line wins. In what has to be the most sleep-inducing event in the sports universe, it takes the average snails almost four minutes. Ah, but a snail named Archie in 1995 won it in just two minutes. Those spectators, assuming they had plenty of time for a bathroom break, must have been majorly bummed at missing that finish.

THE PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR

 

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The Origins of Halloween

THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT: THE ORIGINS OF HALLOWEEN

by Cynthia MacGregor

halloween-cat

From trick-or-treating to costume parties, from pranks to watching scary movies, Halloween is a holiday enjoyed by all ages. In fact, it is second only to Christmas in retail sales. But how much do you know about the origins of Halloween?

Its roots go back two millennia, to the polytheistic Romans, who had a goddess named Pompona. Each October the early Romans celebrated the Feast of Pompona, during which they lit fires inside gourds—the antecedents of our jack o’lanterns—to chase away evil spirits.

Halloween’s origins also go back to the Celts, whose new year started on November 1st. Their New Year’s Eve was known as the Festival of Samhain, Samhain being the Lord of Death. On the Celtic New Year, each household would let their fire go out. Then they would go to the Druid priests’ bonfire, light wood or rags from it, and carefully carry this fire home and use it to start a new fire in the hearth. They believed this would bring them good luck in the new year.

Not that long ago, right here in America, kids celebrated Halloween with bonfires. They would throw scrap wood in a pile in the street, and then set fire to the pile. (Do you remember the Halloween scene in the movie Meet Me in St. Louis?)

When the Romans went to war with the Celts some of their customs became intermingled. On the Festival of Samhain, which was on October 31st, Celtic adults would wear costumes to frighten away evil spirits. Soon Celtic children started walking up and down the streets dressed in costumes too, although they didn’t knock on doors or carry goody bags.

Later, when Christian missionaries arrived they were horrified at the things the people believed, and the holidays they celebrated. The Lord of Death? Evil spirits?

But the missionaries knew that the Celts weren’t going to give up their holidays altogether, so instead of telling them they had to stop celebrating the festival of Samhain, the missionaries turned the festival into a celebration of the Christian saints. Since not all saints have days in their honor, the missionaries decreed that any saint who didn’t have a holiday of his or her own would be celebrated on November 1st, which became known as “All Saints Day,” and was also called “All Hallow Day.” The evening before that came to be known as “All Hallows’ Evening,” or “All Hallows’ Eve.”

If you say, “All Hallows’ Eve” quickly, you can hear how “All Hallows’ Eve” got turned into “Halloween.”

halloween

When the Scottish and Irish people, the descendants of the Celts, came over to America, they brought their traditions with them. To this day, Halloween is still mostly celebrated in English-speaking countries, especially Ireland, Canada, and America.

It was the Irish who gave us the name “jack o’lantern” for the carved-out pumpkin. According to an old Irish story, a man named Jack supposedly tricked the Devil into getting stuck up a tree, angering the Devil. Later on, when Jack died, he was not allowed into Heaven because he had been a bad person when he was alive. But because he had tricked the Devil, the Devil wouldn’t even let Jack into Hell.

Halloween pumpkins
Halloween pumpkins

Jack wandered around in the darkness carrying a hollow turnip, which he wanted to light up and use as a lantern. But the devil would give him only one lump of coal to light the lantern. The hero of this fable became known as “Jack of the lantern,” or, in the Irish pronunciation, “Jack o’lantern.” Eventually carved turnips, and later carved pumpkins, with something burning for light inside became known as “jack o’lanterns.”

 

But here’s something else to think about: Why did kids start trick-or-treating on Halloween in the first place?

 

Just as November 1st was called “All Hallows Day” or “All Saints’ Day,” November 2nd became “All Souls’ Day,” which honored people who had died. In England, one way it was celebrated was by handing out “soul cakes.” These were little cakes given to people who knocked on doors and begged for them in return for promises to pray for the souls of the dead—the precursor of today’s costumed kids begging for candy.

Trick-or-treating became popular in America between 1920 and 1950. It seems to be a mix of the old custom of wearing costumes to scare away evil spirits, and the later custom of begging for soul cakes.

This is briefly the origins of Halloween. Boo!

full-moon

 

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A haunting We Will Go

Stampa 

A haunting we will go

by David Volz

Halloween is a popular fall holiday, one that many people look forward to. Children often dress up as ghosts, and go trick or treating. The City of Coral Springs will host a Halloween Party at the Coral Springs Gymnasium on Friday, October 28 from 5 to 7:30pm, and Saturday, October 29 from 2 to 7pm. The cost is $5 per child, and $2 per adult. There will be some activities for children including a haunted house, bounce houses, and inflatable slides. Children are encouraged to dress in Halloween costumes, and they will receive candy. It is a safe and fun environment to enjoy Halloween.

If you want to see a real haunted house there are opportunities to do so in Broward County. There are a number of houses and buildings in the area that are said to be inhabited by spirit beings.

At Broward Health Coral Springs, there is a deceased nurse who haunts the area just outside the main elevators. Visitors often find that the elevator doors open for them just before they are about to hit the request button, and no one is inside.

At the Coral Square Mall, there have been sightings of the orange-skyghost of a small boy roaming the premises. There have been strange sounds, and things moved in the mall.

At the Sunset Point Park in Tamarac, there have been sightings of dark figures with red eyes. Orbs have been seen. Some people have said a dark figure with white glowing eyes appears in front of them and vanishes.

Many spirits are said to reside in the Boca Raton Cemetery. Some of the most well-known are the screaming man, and Mary. The screaming man begins by crying, and then builds to screaming, shouting and cursing. People have seen the shadowy figure of a man running, and flailing his arms. The spirit of a teenage girl named Mary who offers condolences to grieving families has also been seen at the cemetery.

The Boca Raton Historical Society and Museum is also haunted. The 1926 museum was once Boca Raton Town Hall. Staff and visitors have said there are strange noises, vanishing objects, and the sound of a telephone ringing when there is no one around.

At Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, a ghostly spirit haunts the Arts and Humanities Building. She has been seen in the amphitheater, and at other times noises were heard in the hallways of someone running and slamming doors.

In Fort Lauderdale, there are two ghosts that have been seen at the Henry E. Kinney underwater tunnel. There is the ghost of a man wearing a brown suit and derby hat, and the ghost of a Native American man running through the tunnel.

The Stranahan House is probably the most famous haunted structure in South Florida. The house is one of the oldest buildings in the area, and served as a trading post on the New River. Staff and visitors to house say they have seen the ghost of Frank Stranahan, the home’s original owner jumping to his death in the New River. He committed suicide after a number of setbacks, including being diagnosed with terminal cancer. His wife Ivy has also been sensed at the House. People have reported other apparitions there as well. Some are friendly, others obnoxious.

The New River Inn, which now houses the Old Fort Lauderdale History Museum, is believed to be haunted. There is the ghost of a man who pace the first floor and front porch, and wears ranching attire. The ghost of the former owner is seen looking down at people from the second floor. There is also the ghost of a young girl who talks to people, and can be seen playing.

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PRANK YOU VERY MUCH: ON BEYOND TP-ING

PRANK YOU VERY MUCH: ON BEYOND TP-ING

by Cynthia MacGregor

What does Halloween mean to you? To little kids (and a few bigger ones), anticipating a haul of goodies, the holiday means a chance to dress up in costume, get out and ring doorbells, and see what kind of sweets they can fill up their goody bags with. To teenagers, celebrating Halloween often means binge-watching the scariest movies they can find. And adults, if they’re not staying home handing out candy, might opt for attending a costume party, or hosting one of their own.

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Ah, but then there are the pranksters—primarily kids and teens, although there are some adults like “Amazing Grace” (as she asked to be identified) of West Palm Beach, an inveterate prankster, for whom Halloween is a wonderful opportunity to pull a few good ones on unsuspecting friends.

Amazing Grace seems to be in the minority, however. Two requests for descriptions of Halloween pranks, one in the form of a mass emailing to almost 80 local residents, and the other a notice in a newsletter called HARO (“Help A Reporter Out”), failed to turn up anyone in the Tri-County area who recalled ever pulling a Halloween prank or having one pulled on them—either in their childhood or their adult years.

Fortunately, howeveraddams021, questioning people who hadn’t received the mailings and don’t read HARO resulted in two positive responses—from Amazing Grace and from Grant Houser of Palm Springs.

Amazing Grace says she has a 6’ 2” butler statue that she calls “Uncle Fester.” The eyeballs shift and move, and the chest goes in and out, but only when activated by a clap of her hands. She brings “Uncle Fester” out of storage every Halloween and, when people come over, they are surprised to see the “butler” standing there. They are even more surprised when, at the clap of her hand, “Uncle Fester” starts breathing (chest moving), his eyeballs roll…and he talks. “Huh – huh –huh – hello,” he says. “How may I serve you?” And then, “The master will serve you now.”

Also clap-activated is a “spiritual ball” that, when Amazing Grace claps, lights up, displaying a face inside. This bit of trickery also has a voice. It says, “Good evening. How are you? Are you looking for guidance? Ho ho ho. Go to the nearest store and find it.”

Finally, this inveterate trickster has a fake phone that she can cause to ring on command. She’ll ask the person who’s about to be her prank victim, “Can you please answer that?” and, when they do, a spooky voice emanates from the receiver, saying, “Come with me to the grave. I know what you’re doing.”

Grant’s two pranks, both memories from his childhood, were far tamer by comparison. One was the evergreen prank known variously as “ring and run,” or “ding-dong ditch,” in which the prankster rings someone’s doorbell, then quickly runs out of sight. When the home’s occupants come to the door with a bowlful of candy, expecting to dole some out to costumed trick-or-treaters, there is no one there.

His other remembered prank, though, required a little more ingenuity—and the aid of his stepfather. Grant’s stepdad would take all the thread off a thread spool, then notch the spool all over with a workshop tool. They would approach a home and stealthily go to the window. They would run the notched spool down the windowpane, which made a “terrible, awful, raucous noise” that brought the home’s occupants rushing to the window to see what the cause of that horrible sound was. The residents usually arrived with so much haste that Grant and his stepdad would not have time to make a clean getaway, as Grant did with ring and run, and they wound up face to face with the prank’s victims. But as no harm had been done, there were fortunately no repercussions.

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