While there’s entertainment at the campground clubhouse nearly every Saturday evening, there is one presentation that exceeds them all:  the annual Sandy Oaks No Talent Show.  It’s an evening of sidesplitting humor, as many of our fine citizens go all-out to give us a great evening.  In fact, this is the only occasion where the hall becomes too small; if you don’t plunk down your five bucks early enough, you’re likely to be outside looking in.  This year, two emcees kept us laughing between acts while “sets” were being changed onstage; in fact, Sharlene really put on her best Phyllis Diller.  Pictures will tell the rest of the story.

The Crystal River Archeological State Park evidences the efforts of Native Americans who lived here in the 16^th century.  The area, however, was actually settled more than 2,500 years ago, a time when the river system had matured enough to support a sedentary population.

The 61 acre site consists of a half-dozen mounds and a vista of open ground looking out to the River.  The largest mound, with a platform on its top, is a temple.  The others are burial mounds.  Also at the site is a midden, or dumping area for remnants of living – perhaps our equivalent of a garbage dump.  An unexpected addition are two steles, or limestone slabs.  One clearly depicts  a face, while the other appears to be undecipherable.  The site, an exceptionally calm place to walk and reflect, also included an artifact-laden visitors center.  It’s a worthwhile stop.

Ranching isn’t the first occupation that comes to mind when one thinks of Florida.  Back in the 18^th century, however, it thrived at the hands of the Spanish colonists, native Seminoles and American settlers, who first drifted down from Georgia and mirrored the rough conditions.  The cattle and horses introduced by the Spaniards were smaller and more stocky than later herds, but they offered the same challenges – and more so, since it was virtually free range.  The Anglos became known as Crackers, presumably as a result of the noise from their whips.  But the term became one of derision, representative of people who were crude, morally deficient brutes.  No one was more responsible for this slight than cowboy artist number one, Frederick Remington, who, in the late 19^th century, branded them as “wild-looking individuals” on what appeared to be “very emaciated Texas ponies.”

Undaunted, Crackers are very proud of their heritage.  And among their events, Florida Crackers celebrate annually in February in Rainbow Springs State Park in Dunnellon, just north of Citrus County.  It was there that we met not only genuine Crackers but also their sturdy horses, cattle and a mascot — a Catahoula Panther Cur.     The dog is a member of the first breed created in North America, native to Catahoula County in Louisiana.  Its principal talent is boar hunting, and the heavy collar is designed to protect the neck and throat from the swine’s vicious teeth.  During the weekend, we also visited home makers, music makers and craft makers of every stripe.

The Florida Cracker Trail Association is dedicated to preserving the Cracker legacy through education, active involvement and scholarship.  Each year, they hold a week-long Cross-Florida Cracker Trail Ride (without cattle) from the Sarasota area on the west coast to Fort Pierce on the east.