80th Year for Sarasota Tarpon Tournament

SARASOTA – This year is the 80th anniversary of the All-Release Tarpon Tournament.

The tournament was found in 1930 by the Palmer family of Chicago’s Palmer House Hotel. While the Sterling silver four foot high trophy resides at the Sarasota History Center, the competition is still very much on each year.

The event runs for five weeks, this year from May 22 to June 27. Find out more at www.sarasotatarpontournament.info

Florida Trust Issues Eleven Most Endangered List

Fort Myers - The Florida Trust for Historic Preservation released May 13 released the 2010 Florida’s Eleven Most Endangered Historic Sites list at the Annual Statewide Preservation Conference in Lee County, Florida. The Most Endangered Historic Sites program is designed to increase the public’s awareness of the urgent need to save Florida’s neglected or threatened historic resources.

The historic sites included in the 2010 list include:

1. Bonnet House, Ft. Lauderdale, threatened by increased development continuously threatens the view corridors
2. Royal Poinciana Playhouse and Plaza, Town of Palm Beach, threatened by potential removal of historic landmark status and proposed development
3. Central Christian Church, Orlando, threatened by demolition due to neglect
4. Hialeah Park Race Course, Hialeah, threatened by partial demolition and new development
5. Coconut Grove Playhouse, Coconut Grove, due to development pressure
6. Sanford Grammar School, Sanford, because of redevelopment pressure
7. Fort Zachary Taylor, Key West, threatened due to severe deterioration
8. Boynton High School/Mangrove Park School, Boynton Beach, threatened because of deterioration and increasing development pressure
9. Miami Marine Stadium, Biscayne Bay; redevelopment pressure
10. Milton Historic District, Milton, threatened by potential adverse effects from a proposed road widening project
11. Bob White Citrus Packing House & Strawn Sawmill National Register Historic Districts, DeLeon Springs, threatened by vacancy, lack of financial support, and demolition pressure.

Founded in 1978, the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation promotes the preservation of the architectural, historical and archaeological heritage of Florida through advocacy, education and stewardship of historic properties.

The Trust’s Passport membership program offers free or reduced admissions and other special benefits at over 80 historic sites, museums and parks across the state of Florida.

For additional information, please contact the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation at (850) 224-8128 or visit www.floridatrust.org.

Polynesian at the Mai Kai, Hukilau Tiki Festival

FORT LAUDERDALE – The nation’s great tiki festival comes again to the greatest Tiki town in the nation, Fort Lauderdale from June 10-13, 2010.

It’s called the Hukilau and it is four days of all things Tiki, drawing over 1,000 to come hear music, see artists and get into the South Seas mindset. Read more

Okeechobee, Old Florida Charm

OKEECHOBEE – While crossing the state of Florida,  you will want to make sure you stop in a few of the towns. Very often, folks drive across the state, from Gulf Coast to East Coast, and miss out on the amusement that is in between.

Here, Glady’s, one of the local restaurant treasures in Okeechobee. Okeechobee isn’t a bit tourist town (there is a small museum, a 1920s courthouse and a real-life livestock market. People come for the fishing and outdoors.

Save the Kissimmee Kast Shuffleboard Courts

KISSIMMEE – In an unwise decision, civic leaders in this town are planning to demolish the town’s shuffleboard courts. They date from 1941 and are the Kast Shuffleboard Courts.

That news according to The Daily City blog. The blog has photos and a whole story on the issue. Read more

Orlando, Action City

ORLANDO – Did you know Orlando was Action City, USA? Yes, you can take the convertible to the private plane, and then cruise Interstate 4 home, in Action City!

Remembering Ocala’s Six Gun Territory

OCALA – One of the great pre-Disney attractions of Florida was Six Gun Territory in Ocala. It was a true western town, with regular shootouts, one of which was shown here. There was also a saloon, fair and Mexican cantina. It closed in the 1980s.

Time For When You Need It Bad

Time to get the old commercial out. “When you’ve got it bad, we’ve got it good” was the slogan. It was run when the weather got cold in the Northeast and Midwest, and it did wonders.

Yogi Bear Jellystone Adds Acorn Village

MADISON – Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort located in rural Madison County, Florida, has added a new area to its campground called Acorn Village. The new area consists of four large cabins and a commons building for gatherings and meals.

This space is available for family reunions, camps and other large groups. In addition to being surrounded by lots of nature, Jellystone Park also features a waterslide, lake, pool, miniature golf, game room, karaoke, paddle boats and kayaks. Visit www.jellystoneflorida.com and www.yogicampingflorida.com.

Hunting for White Ibis in Orange Lake

ALACHUA COUNTY – One of the great pleasures of Florida birdwatching is the white ibis (Guara alba). In the evening, they tend to pick insects in lawns and fields, and in most cases are not afraid of humans, and so come in close enough so you can get a good look. Often, they are in groups; if you are lucky,  you can spy a mother and her young. Read more

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