Request Made Carol McQueen speaks to the Levy County Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday morning (Feb. 21). Photo by Jeff M. Hardison
Levy County launched into its first international print advertising this past year, she said, by placing ads in the Canadian magazine – Horizon Travel Magazine. Also, there were two marketing campaigns that feature commercials on screens at major train stations in Canada. There are 300 screens located in Canadian train stations and a video promoting Levy County was shown. There were nine other screens in the major Canadian malls during the pre-Christmas shopping time. There was a half-page ad and a half-page editorial on Dec. 6 that was inserted in the Toronto Star and the National Post. During a second campaign period, that editorial copy ran in a Jan. 6 insert in the Wall Street Journal. And from Dec. 27, 2011 through Jan. 2, when many people were in the Times Square part of New York City, the commercial ran on the ABC Good Morning America big screen there, she said. It was on the big Disney screen as well at that time. About 3.9 million people had the chance to see the ad, McQueen said, and this showed results by an “upward tick” on the hits to the county’s tourism website and on its Facebook page. Her next target audience is people from Germany and Great Britain. She mentioned that a German travel writer and photographer have visited and are planning to visit Cedar Key.
Checks Presented Williston Rotary Club President Charlotte Weidner presents $250 checks to Melissa Lewis for Joyce Bullock Elementary School Safety Rangers and to Lisa Posteraro for the Williston Elementary School Safety Patrol. This check presentation was at the Tuesday meeting (Feb. 21). There is a fundraiser planned by the Blue Knights Florida 30 group on Saturday, where motorcyclists will ride to help fund the WES Safety Patrol members’ trip to Washington, D.C. Photo Provided
Festival graces Bronson Food, music and fellowship enjoyed by many Missionaries Some of the Women On A Mission For Christ group who participated Saturday at the African American Festival in Bronson gather for a photo opportunity. Seen here are Ethel Brinson, Kayondrah Rogers, Shenita Nelson, Katherine Manuel, Mary Thomas, Bronson Mayor Beatrice Mongo, Lillian McClendon, Doris Strong, Mary Edmondson, Cerise Smith, Carolyn Lewis and Cindy T-Mathis.
African Art Raffle Beatrice Mongo models a bag from Africa that was up for raffle as she sits next to other items that were donated to help the fundraising effort on Saturday. While there were more vendors last year, the event this year went as smooth as silk and a good time was had by all.
FOOD Anyone who visited this festival and walked away, either in the morning, noon or later, and did not enjoy some of the delectable treats from the event, was either on some sort of cruel diet, or they lacked money, or something, because there were certainly plenty of inviting dishes at the fest. Barbecue Rib Chef Doug Jackson tends to ribs as his lovely and talented assistant Valerie Jackson provides support for his efforts. Jackson is from Bronson and still calls this his hometown.
In the morning, perhaps the most appealing table for food was where Katherine Manuel of Bronson offered salmon patties, grits, sausage, biscuits, doughnuts and coffee. Helping her with that project were her husband Leonard Manuel, her mother Mary Jones and Katherine’s sister Chris Tella Wilson. Katherine’s Mom and sister are both from St. Petersburg. Kayondrah Rogers of Bronson was another major helper with efforts in that part of the festival. Katherine’s darling 7-year-old twin nephews, Matthew and Matthias Furse of St. Petersburg, were helpful in their own way. The Manuel, Wilson, Rogers and Furse families are part of the bigger family of Christians. And a group that is known as Women On A Mission For Christ made a strong showing at the event. Among the many members of this mission, beyond those mentioned above, are Ethel Brinson, who was also selling cakes and sweet potato pie, Shenita Nelson, Mary Thomas, Lillian McClendon, Doris Strong, Mary Edmondson, Cerise Smith, Carolyn Lewis and Cindy T-Mathis. Among the other luscious and yummy items they also had available were garlic crab trays with sausage, corn and potatoes, shrimp and more. Evelyn Roberts of Gainesville was selling fish, other seafood, rice and drinks to help the Autism Foundation. Relish Seller Cindy Pagel of Gainesville shows a jar of her mother’s ‘Hot Mama – Sweet and Spicy Zucchini Relish.’ Pagel said people love this item.
Doug Jackson and his lovely and talented wife came from Tampa to offer amazingly tender and perfectly smoked barbecue ribs, and more. He is originally from Bronson and still calls this town his home. Everett Young of Gainesville came to Bronson as a fried fish vendor on Saturday. Cindy Pagel of Gainesville brought jars of her mother’s “Hot Mama – Sweet and Spicy Zucchini Relish.” Her Mom, Anne Posluzny of Interlachen, has created the amazing relish dish that was being sampled by folks at the festival. Pagel said this relish is very popular with people who try it, and she regularly sells jar after jar to repeat customers who come to her home in Gainesville. Freda Freeman of Bronson had a couple of people helping her at a table where she was selling various items to participants as well. OTHER ACTION Many different types of music, including Gospel, actual recorded African music, and other live performances were provided for free to visitors. Kevin Harrison of Workforce Connection brought the Mobile Resource Unit and was available to help assist any person looking for a job. Swain Strickland of the Levy County Health Department manned a table on the street in front of that building. Strickland had several handouts to share with passersby. COMMUNITY CARE CLINIC As noted previously on HardisonInk.com, Levy County has a new offering to help people. The Community Care Clinic happens on the last Wednesday of every month – which this month is Feb. 29 – from 4:30 to 7:15 p.m., at the Health Department, 66 W. Main St., Bronson. It is a free health service for people who are Levy County residents, do not have insurance and have an income level at, or less than, 200 percent of poverty. An example of that level of income is for a family of four to make less than $44,700 a year. For those who are eligible, they can have physicals for work, sports and school. They can be treated for minor injuries. They can be given routine health care. This service is provided by licensed health care professionals, and members of the Levy County Medical Reserve Corps and the Levy County Health Department. The department does NOT provide any pain management service. It CANNOT treat children younger than 12 years old. There are NO family planning, sexually transmitted disease or maternity services provided at this afterhours clinic; however, the Health Department may be able to serve or refer patients to help them with those matters during its regular hours. Please call the Health Department at 352-486-5300 for more information.
Live Music Performing in the morning, these volunteer musicians are captured in one part of their singing and playing. Music filled the air during the festival that was filled with fun.
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BRONSON – By a 4-0 vote Tuesday (Feb. 21), the Levy County Commission approved a request from Tourism Development Director Carol McQueen to seek up to a $5,000 matching grant as she increases the outreach to potential European tourists.
An anonymous person donated African artifacts that were bought back to Levy County after the person’s trip to that continent. Those items were raffled away to lucky ticket-buyers. A colorful cloth bag was among those items that were raffled.
Among the other luscious and yummy items they also had available were garlic crab trays with sausage, corn and potatoes, shrimp and more.
