A Visit to a Never-Never Land in Fruit Cove

Blink and you might miss the sign marking the unassuming dirt road that leads to a 4-acre park in Fruit Cove and a rare dual National Literary Landmark.  The park is the site of William Stetson Kennedy's home, Beluthahatchee.  Kennedy's books documented folk life and culture, and championed environmental conservation and human rights, including, "Palmetto County, " and "Southern Exposure."  They are available in our public library system.  The other honoree, Grammy Hall of Fame inductee, Woody Guthrie, is famous for his folk songs including, "This Land is Your Land."  It was at Beluthahatchee that Guthrie wrote his autobiography, "Seeds of Man."

Some of our garden club members were unfamiliar with Stetson Kennedy, but after his stepdaughter, Karen Roumillat's, tour of the park and history of his life we had a deep appreciation for the man who devoted his life to celebrating folk culture and protecting those priceless civil rights enshrined in the Constitution.  See more about him at the Stetson Kennedy Foundation website.

The park is set aside as a wildlife refuge and, in accordance, with Kennedy's stipulations the surrounding residential community, The Lake Dwellers Association, is maintained as a non-profit corporation with covenants ensuring the land is maintained in an environmentally sustainable manner.  That explains the dirt road leading from State Road 13 to the park.  The jewel in the center of the area is Lake Beluthahatchee, a word derived from First Nation's peoples' word for dark water.  Beluthahatchee was William Stetson Kennedy's lifelong Never-Never-Land.  Read our article about the magical place called, "Beluthahatchee," in our December issue of the Florida Newsline Creekline, and see our photo album.  The article also tells you how to get a tour of the park and how to enjoy Second Sundays at Stetson's, featuring folk music from the North Florida Folk Network.  You might even hear a version of Woody Guthrie's ode to his dear friend, "Beluthahatchee Bill."  Visit The Stetson Kennedy Foundation Facebook page.

Our garden club will hold its final program of the year on Thursday, November 8, at the Bartram Trail Library at 10AM.  Just in time for your Thanksgiving table, "What Part of the Plant are You Eating," a presentation by Master Gardener Barbara Purple.  Please contact us at our email so we can reserve you a space.

We'll be back at the library in 2019 for our regular program schedule, and you are always welcome to join us.