Posted on 09/29/2004 10:29:09 AM PDT by NotJustAnotherPrettyFace
I was just thinking.... would the dems says since the hurricanes hit these people are disenfranchized (sp) if they lost their voters reg and if they have no power to watch the debates?
I can just imagine Bush tomorrow night.
"Yesterday, I visited some orange groves in Florida..."
He just has to find a way to say the word "orange" tomorrow night given Kerry's current hue. He doesn't even have to pause and give Kerry a side ways glance.
For more than 75 years, Historic Bok Sanctuary’s Olmsted-designed historic landscape gardens have been a place of beauty and inspiration. In the aftermath of Hurricane Charley, concerned people from around the world have contacted us to find out about their beloved Singing Tower, the Gardens and Pinewood Estate. Many have asked how they can offer financial assistance to help restore the beautiful gardens. If you’d like to make a tax-deductible donation to help with Bok’s clean up and restoration efforts, please click here.
One of my all-favorite places for peaceful contemplation is in Lake Wales. Have you been to Bok Tower Gardens?
Still there?
My grandparents were in attendance at the dedication of the Tower in 1929, after they moved there from Illinois. My grandfather was City Clerk of Lake Wales for many years. Back in 1965, our grandparents bought up a small ma-&-pa motel on Alt. 27. They had standing season passes as part of their administrative efforts with the Lake Wales Tourist board. We used to visit, as kids, every summer many, many times.
Yeah, all he needs is that cute little smirk and a twinkle in his eye....we will all get it.
Pictures from same exact vantage point, before and after Hurricane Charley:
Before - - - - - - A giant oak (4 1/2' in diameter) covers the Reflection Pool.
Though I'm guessing the spiders above the reflecting pool didn't fare too well.
Excerpt:
LAKELAND -- Surprising no one, least of all orange growers, the value of last season's Florida citrus crop sank to $746 million, its lowest level in the past 18 seasons, according to the final USDA report on the 2003-04 season released Thursday. The report from the Florida Agricultural Statistics Service, a U.S. Department of Agriculture agency, also showed Polk County continued to be the state's largest citrus-producing county.
Polk growers produced 42.2 million boxes of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines and other citrus behind Highlands County, ranked second at nearly 35.3 million boxes.
Last season's crop declined in value despite a 16 percent increase in production from the 2002-03 season, which had a revised value of almost $787.4 million.
In 2003-04, however, more fruit did not translate to more money. The $746 million represented a 5.3 percent decline from the 2002-03 crop value.
"I think it's called capitalism," said Irving Wheeler of Wheeler Farms Inc. The business has more than 3,000 acres in Polk and four other counties. "It's what happens when you have an oversupply of oranges and an oversupply of juice."
Most citrus industry officials agreed those two factors, combined with a three-year decline in the sale of orange juice, depressed the farm price for oranges during the 2003-04 season.
The orange crop is by far Florida's largest citrus commodity, and 96 percent of the 2003-04 crop went to juice, about the annual average.
The Sanctuary is now open. Volunteers are need to help clear light debris.
To volunteer (9am - 3pm) call (863) 676-1408.
18 years of age or older
Physically able
Bring gloves and rake
Photo identification required
Last Update September 22, 2004.
Share in your own words for others to enjoy how Historic Bok Sanctuary has been your special place of inspiration. Or you may wish to share words of encouragement as the staff begins a long process of restoring the Gardens as a place of beauty once again.
To share your words of hope, encouragement or inspiration, feel free to post here.
Bok Sanctuary needs volunteers. (See Post #14 above.) Florida's Natural may need help cleaning up their groves. I wish I could be down there to help out, but I'm a mom of 3 teenagers and I can't break away from my own family here to come visit and help out.
Florida ping!
Synchronized to restore power, not an Olympic game, are these electrical workers who traveled from out-of-tate to assist with efforts of restoring power for Lake Waleans after Hurricane Charley whipped through the area on Friday the 13th. (For more stories and photos, please see our Hurricane Charley section on the News page of this website.)
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