[Floridastateparks] Florida State Parks Newsletter - November 2011

Wed Nov 2 14:12:47 EDT 2011

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November 1, 2011 – Follow us on Twitter and Facebook @FLStateParks

www.FloridaStateParks.org/resources/enewsletter/<http://www.FloridaStateParks.org/resources/enewsletter/>

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The Three Soldiers Detail replica at Orman House Historic State Park in Apalachicola

Celebrate Veterans Day at a Florida State Park
~Free entry for everyone to Florida’s state parks on Friday, Nov. 11 in honor of Veterans Day~

In honor of our nation’s veterans and active military personnel, day-use entry will be free to everyone at Florida’s state parks* on Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11. Pick your favorite outdoor activity – hiking, bicycling, bird watching or looking for shells on the beach – and enjoy a day at a state park.

If you are in the Apalachicola area, be sure to visit the Three Soldiers Detail statue at Orman House Historic State Park<http://floridastateparks.org/ormanhouse/default.cfm>. This one-of-a-kind bronze sculpture was made from the original mold of the Three Servicemen Statue that is part of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C.

If you are near Jacksonville, be sure to visit Fort Clinch State Park for the History of the American Soldier<http://floridastateparks.org/fortclinch/events.cfm> event saluting our Armed Forces on Saturday, Nov. 12 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Living historians from each major U.S. military conflict will share information along with military history displays from the Revolutionary War to present day. Period music and firing demonstrations will highlight the experience. Visitors may purchase refreshments from the Fort Clinch Canteen. Entrance is $6 per vehicle, up to eight people. Fort admission is one canned food item per person, which will be donated to the Barnabas Food Pantry. Veterans and active duty military are invited to come dressed in uniform.

Florida’s state parks offer a discount on the purchase of Annual Entrance Passes or free Annual Entrance Passes to those who currently serve or have served in the U.S. military branches, veterans with service-related disabilities and surviving spouses of members of the U.S. military who have fallen in combat. The discounted or free Florida State Parks Annual Entrance Pass is only available for purchase at any Florida State Park staffed ranger station. Learn more<http://www.floridastateparks.org/thingstoknow/annualpass.cfm#discountsforveterans>.

The Florida Park Service supports veterans, current military personnel and their families and honors the sacrifices of members of the armed forces.

*Free entry to any Florida state park except Skyway Fishing Pier State Park.

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A Seminole shares Native American culture at the Ocali Country Days event at Silver River State Park in Ocala.

Explore History during November at a Florida State Park
~Part of the mission of the Florida Park Service is to preserve cultural resources and share those with visitors through interpretation~

Throughout November, there are many opportunities around Florida for learning about culture and history in state parks.

Rural Folklife Days <http://floridastateparks.org/stephenfoster/events.cfm>
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, White Springs

Thursday, Friday & Saturday, Nov. 3-5, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Florida’s rural past continues with quilting, cane grinding, syrup making, lye soap making, hand-plaited cow whips and other farm traditions that remain part of family and community life. Experience rural farm traditions and taste homemade jellies at this family-friendly event. School groups welcome. School groups should call (386) 397-7005 to register and receive educator’s handbook. $5 per person.

26th Annual Civilian Conservation Corps Festival <http://floridastateparks.org/highlandshammock/events.cfm>
Highlands Hammock State Park, Sebring

Saturday, Nov. 5, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Learn about the work and culture of the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s at the beginning of the system of Florida state park.   Enjoy entertainment, living history presentations, arts and crafts vendors, educational exhibits, $1 tram tours and hayrides and more. New this year is the Hike and Seek geocaching activity- GC34MAB. $6 per vehicle, up to eight people per car.

Ocali Country Days<http://floridastateparks.org/silverriver/events.cfm>
Silver River State Park, Ocala

Saturday & Sunday, Nov. 12-13, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Ocali Country Days festival features Florida history, craft demonstrations and food. Experience old time music, storytellers and meet historical demonstrators portraying life in Marion County during the 1800s. Learn about log cabin building, sugarcane syrup making, blacksmithing, quilting, spinning, weaving, woodworking and more. Meet Seminole tribal members and learn about Native American culture in Florida. Vendors will offer crafts and food for sale. All proceeds support the Silver River Museum. Cost is $5 per person; children under six free. Current U.S. military personnel admitted free with ID.

Fall Pioneer Day <http://floridastateparks.org/rockybayou/events.cfm>
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park, Niceville

Saturday, Nov. 12, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Family activities will include candle-dipping, blacksmithing, rag doll making, weaving and campfire cooking demonstration. Displays will also include early folk toys, a 19th century chuck wagon and a Civil War campsite by the Walton Guard. Other activities include live dulcimer and flute music, quilting, storytelling and more. This event is sponsored by Friends of Emerald Coast State Parks in partnership with the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida. FREE for participants.

Old Time Dance<http://floridastateparks.org/thebarnacle/events.cfm>
The Barnacle Historic State Park, Coconut Grove

Friday, Nov. 18, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Kick up your heels to traditional American music played by Keeping It Reel while learning traditional American folk dance steps from Lou Dow. All levels are welcome, instruction is provided. Dances such as circles, squares, contras, and waltzes were all the rage in the 1800s, so come party like its 1899! No pets please. $10 per person, children nine and under free.

There are more history events, such as Clay Landing Days<http://floridastateparks.org/manateesprings/events.cfm> at Manatee Springs State Park, Living History Days<http://floridastateparks.org/fortmose/events.cfm> at Fort Mose Historic State Park and the Old Time Dance<http://floridastateparks.org/oleno/events.cfm> at O'Leno State Park.

See a complete list of events<http://www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/events/cfm> in November.

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People on a ranger-guided tour of the swamp at Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park.

Popular Ranger-Led Tours Return to Florida State Parks
~With cooler temperatures come opportunities to explore Florida’s natural treasures~

Beginning in November and through the winter months, park rangers enjoy sharing nature with visitors. Some tours are available frequently, others require reservations.

A park ranger at Curry Hammock State Park<http://floridastateparks.org/curryhammock> in the Florida Keys conducts a 90-minute walk<http://floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/rangerprograms.cfm?sortpark=&viewrangerprogram=1051#1051> through the sub-tropical hammock each Tuesday.

The Friends of Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park offer a variety of opportunities to explore the swamp. From November to May, find guided canoe trips<http://floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/rangerprograms.cfm?sortpark=&viewrangerprogram=1437#1437>, guided boardwalk tours<http://floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/rangerprograms.cfm?sortpark=&viewrangerprogram=1438#1438> and (yikes!) guided swamp walks<http://floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/rangerprograms.cfm?sortpark=&viewrangerprogram=1436#1436>. Reservations required. These tours are very popular.

Have you ever seen the Kissimmee Prairie<http://floridastateparks.org/kissimmeeprairie> in the winter? You don’t want to miss this 2.5-hour tour from the deck of the prairie buggy<http://floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/rangerprograms.cfm?sortpark=&viewrangerprogram=1167#1167>. Visitors often see alligators, deer, wild turkey and an array of birds. Weekends only. Reservations required.

CA-RACK! That’s the sound of the whip of Florida Cow Hunter from 1800s. Visit an 1876 Cow Camp<http://floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/rangerprograms.cfm?sortpark=&viewrangerprogram=113#113> at Lake Kissimmee State Park<http://floridastateparks.org/lakekissimmee> during the weekends. A Cow Hunter is happy to share stories and more about his life.

Mid-November is a fun time at Blue Spring State Park<http://floridastateparks.org/bluespring> in Orange City. With the water temperatures declining in the St. Johns River, manatees start to seek the warmth of the 72 degree spring. Observe the endangered mammals from a boardwalk along the spring run. Best viewing is early morning or late afternoon. Once the manatees arrive (which cannot be predicted), rangers offer programs<http://floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/rangerprograms.cfm?sortpark=&viewrangerprogram=112#112> for visitors. Weekends are extremely busy at this park. Weekdays are better for a peaceful experience.

See a complete list<http://floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/rangerprograms.cfm?sortpark=&viewrangerprogram=113> of ranger programs.

More Family Fun in November 2011

·         November is National Adoption Month. Learn about Florida’s 30 Days of Amazing Children<http://adoptflorida.org/adoptionmonth1.shtml> initiative.

·         Thursday-Sunday, Nov. 3-6, Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival<http://calusablueway.com> in Southwest Florida.

·         Friday, Nov. 11 is free admission to Florida State Parks for everyone, in honor of Veterans Day.*

·         Saturday, Nov. 12, Discover the Island<http://floridastateparks.org/egmontkey/events.cfm?viewevent=7471#7471> at Egmont Key.

·         Saturday, Nov. 19-Tuesday, Nov. 22, Big O Hike<http://www.floridahikes.com/blog/get-ready-for-the-20th-annual-big-o-hike> around Lake Okeechobee, hosted by the Florida Trail Association.

·         Thursday, Nov. 27 is Thanksgiving. Remember that your favorite state park is open and ready for your pre or post-feast walk.

*Excludes Skyway Fishing Pier State Park.

Special Events around Florida
·         Northwest Florida<http://www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/events-northwest.cfm>
·         Northeast Florida<http://www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/events-northeast.cfm>
·         Central Florida<http://www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/events-central.cfm>
·         Southwest Florida<http://www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/events-southwest.cfm>
·         Southeast Florida<http://www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/events-southeast.cfm>

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