Remembering Haleigh Mike Jones Leigh’S Disappearance to E-Edition Staff Writer Come Forward
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Serving Satsuma ● Pomona Park ● Lake Como ● Crescent City ● Seville ● Pierson ● Welaka ● Fruitland ● Georgetown ● East Palatka ● Palatka ● Interlachen since 1898 Putnam County February 12, 2014 • Volume 69, No. 39 (2 sections) Crescent City, Florida 50¢ (Includes 7% FL Sales Tax) Guided Garden Walk Newspaper Celebrates Platinum Anniversary Ravine Gardens State Park will host a guided garden Being one of Florida’s examples of the chang- and the Internet, there family, neighbors and walk Thursday, February 13, from 3 to 4 p.m. Take a hike with Ranger Alfred in the Ravine Gardens State Park oldest weekly newspa- es that are easy to see, is still a locally owned, our home. formal gardens where you will learn about the plants and pers, a 20 year anni- though often times the community newspaper. In a nutshell, we history of our beautiful park! The walk is family friendly. versary might sound a technology was not. So that the people of are proud to be fami- Participants are encouraged to bring bug spray, water, and closed-toe shoes. The program is free with park entry and bit out of place. But it What we know as to- Putnam County will be ly owned and operat- for annual park pass holders. Stay after to enjoy a picnic marks the anniversary day’s Putnam County given a “Voice”, a place ed. Covering issues for at the park or a wagon tour for $1 donation per person to of 20 years of local own- Courier Journal is the that is “All about them.” the county we love and the Friends of Ravine Gardens State Park. Register by visiting www.ravinegardenwalk.eventbrite. ership, starting with the descendant of newspa- After all you can’t find the community we care com or by calling the park at 386-329-3721. For more in- formation of Lake Street pers published since out who came from out about. It has been a formation please contact Lauren Watkins at 386-937-0949 or email [email protected]. Publishing Company the 1880s in this area. of town to visit Mrs. great 20 years and we in 1994 bringing the As the years have Smith or who won the look forward to the next Putnam County Courier come and gone the local chili cook-off on 20 years and all it has Welaka Springfest Journal back into local historical importance, CNN. to offer. The Putnam The 16th Annual Welaka Springfest will take place Fri- ownership from Mor- community connection Having lived, worked County Courier Journal day and Saturday, February 14 and 15, at Town Hall, 400 ris Communications, of covering, not just the and grown up in a place would not be what it is 4th Avenue. Food, music, crafts, games, demonstrations, and so much more begin at 8 a.m. and run until 5 p.m. A which owned the paper news and events of any that can’t be duplicated today without you, our chili cook-off starts at 12 p.m. Friday, and a cake and pie for 21 years prior. given area, but celebrat- is unique, and some- readers. contest will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday. There will also be The past two decades ing the people, places, times we have to be After all if you want to a community yard sale all day Saturday. While in Welaka make plans to visit the Welaka Aquarium, Welaka State have offered many chal- and things that make reminded of just how know what’s going on, Forest, and Welaka Maritime Museum. lenges but many more Putnam County unique. great it can be! We don’t who better to ask than rewards. Even in a world of just cover people and the locals? Valentine’s Day Nature Hike Below are a few small 24 hour broadcast news places we cover friends, Ravine Gardens State Park and will host a Valentine’s Day Nature Hike with a Ranger Friday, February 14, from 9 to 11 a.m., where guests can take in the beauty of the blooming azaleas! Take a hike with a ranger on the Ravine Gardens State Park trail system and view the beautiful ponds, plants and critters at the park! The hike is family friendly. Participants are encouraged to bring bug spray, water, and closed-toe shoes. The program is free with park entry and for annual park pass holders. Stay after to enjoy a picnic at the park or a wagon tour for $1 donation per person to the Friends of Ravine Gardens State Park. Register by visiting www. ValentinesDayNatureHike.eventbrite.com or by calling the park at 386-329-3721. Greeting Card Gift Boxes Do you have unused greeting cards lying around and don’t know what to do with them? Then, join the Crescent City Library Saturday, February 15, at 10 a.m. and learn how to make small gift boxes out of greeting cards! All supplies provided for free. This is a program offered free by the Putnam County Library System, PAL, and the Board of County Commissioners, with additional support from Branch Library Friends groups, the Putnam County Library Board, Inc., and the library’s Fabulous Volunteers. Heart of Art Ravine Gardens State Park will host The Heart of Art: Celebrating African American Artists Saturday, February 15, from 5 to 8 p.m., inside the Civic Center. Join Emagine Arts and the Friends of Ravine Gardens State Park as they celebrate Black History Month! The Heart of Art will showcase African American Art visually and musically with historical displays, live jazz, live poetry readings and delectable desserts! Local and guests artists include: Mary Lawson Brown, April Alexander, Jasmine Green, Melissa Clemons, Mi- chaels’s Eye, John Alexander, Khamil Ojoho, Salmone, Mary Singleton, Richard Norris, Joe Taylor, “Amazin Air Brush” by Eddie, Vimalakshi, and Lawrence Waldon. The event is free with park entry. For more information contact Emagine Arts at 904-235-2292. RSVP by visiting www. TheHeartofArt.eventbrite.com or by calling the park at 386-329-3721. Black History Event To celebrate Black History month, the Putnam County Library System is hosting a very special event. Derek Han- kerson of Freedom Road Trail Productions will be visiting some of the branches and talking about three of Putnam County’s very own citizens who had a hand in the Civil Rights movement. Hankerson is a producer and director for Freedom Road Trail and is involved in the recognition of servant leaders of the Civil Rights movement. He will be visiting the Interlachen branch Saturday, February 15, at 10 a.m. For additional information on this visit, please contact the Putnam County Library Headquarters, 386-329-0126. Wagon Tours Ravine Gardens State Park will host a Wagon Tour Sat- urday, February 15. Enjoy a guided wagon tour around the beautiful ravine at Ravine Gardens State Park! Tours will begin at 1 p.m., last approximately 25 minutes, and will leave every 30 minutes, from the front of the Roy E. Campbell Civic Center. Learn about the history of the ravine and the park, and plants, animals and ecosystems that make Ravine Gardens a diverse place to visit. The last tour leaves at 2:30 p.m. The tours are $1 per person, and proceeds benefit the Friends of Ravine Gardens State Park. Registration is not required. Lane and Road Closures When the Courier Journal was purchased in early 1994, by Lake Street Publishing Company, the The following is a list of lane and road closures underway first big change to occur was the masthead. The new masthead included a drawing by local artist, by FDOT that may impact traffic through Friday, February 14. State Road 19: Daytime lane closures from 8 a.m. to Esme Coward, aptly titled “Fern, fish and fruit.” It captured all the elements that made South 3 p.m. Tuesday from Silver Lake Drive to Red Fox Trail for Putnam a great place to live. The artwork stayed a central part of the masthead until late 2008. painting roadway markings. We’ve Gone Digital! Remembering HaLeigh Mike Jones leigh’s disappearance to e-Edition Staff Writer come forward. “We want to keep Ha- www.cjnewsfl.com Monday, February Leigh’s face out there 10, friends, classmates, to remind people she and family of HaLeigh is still missing and we Cummings gathered at still want her to come Browning Pearce Ele- home,” stated Sykes. mentary School, in San “I can not describe the Mateo, to place a plaque pain and agony we have at the foot of “HaLeigh’s gone through,” Sykes facebook.com/putnamcountycourierjournal Tree,” a crepe myrtle added, “I would not already planted on the Putnam County wish this on my worst Photo by Mike Jones In This Issue: grounds of the school enemy.” The foot of “HaLeigh’s Tree,” a young crepe HaLeigh attended until “We want to ask the myrtle, is now home of a plaque in honor of Opinion.....................A2 her disappearance on community to think the missing HaLeigh Cummings. February 10, 2009. Way Back When.......A3 back to the day and Cummings’ weeks following Ha- her family.” gation. Community...............A4 great-grandmother, An- leigh’s disappearance,” Ferry went on to say Anyone with infor- nette Sykes, and grand- Church......................A6 said Carol Ferry of the that something as small mation regarding the mother, Teresa Neves, Florida Missing Chil- as someone in the area disappearance of Cum- Faces & Places.........B1 spoke briefly, thank- dren’s Day Foundation. that moved or left town mings is urged to con- ing the community for Crossword................B4 “Someone has to have at the time of HaLeigh’s tact the Putnam County it’s support and urging seen or know something disappearance might Sheriffs Department.