News from the Creek Friends of Mar jor ie Kinnan Rawl ings Farm, Inc .

Visit our website at: www.marjoriekinnanrawlings.org Spring Quarterly 2018 Volume 21 Number 2

President’s Message By Barbara Wingo

Why is the preservation of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings’ Cross Creek home important? Why is it

critical that we properly maintain and interpret this property? Why should the Marjorie Kin-

nan Rawlings State Historic Park be appropriately supported?

I suspect that most of the readers of this newsletter – the members of the Friends of the

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Farm – are well aware of the answers to these questions. Nonethe-

less, I believe that it is worthwhile to periodically look at these answers and affirm their relevance.

The Farm perpetuates a slice of time and place in the history of Florida – and more broadly of the United

States – just as Rawlings’ writings perpetuate the ways of her neighbors at Cross Creek , their language and cul-

ture as well as more broadly those of the Florida “Crackers”. We believe, and we follow in the footsteps of

others who have believed, in the value of preserving the place and the story of the place as well as Rawlings’ lit-

erary legacy. In this and future issues of the newsletter we will be exploring some of these footsteps.

The Farm represents two areas of Florida history that should be a part of the state park system: it is a site that

commemorates literary Florida and that represents the history of the citrus industry. Surprisingly, it is difficult

to find places that preserve the background and history of authors who produced literature in or about Florida

and, perhaps more surprisingly, it is difficult to find places that preserve and interpret the history of the citrus

industry in the state. Both these themes are significant parts of the Farm’s story and subjects for greater inter-

pretation at the Farm. They are also important answers to the questions that I posed in the first paragraph of

this column.

Volunteers are absolutely necessary to the fulfillment of all of the answers discussed here. Without volunteers

contributing hours of service to the park and to the Friends of the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Farm we would

not be able to provide the level of preservation and interpretation that currently occurs. But we need more vol-

unteers to provide monetary and time contributions if we are to move forward and create an even more com-

prehensive and meaningful visitor experience. I urge you to volunteer to support the park through such contri-

butions.

The Farm is a legacy of a woman and a writer as well as of a time and a place. Thus, let us close with what

Rawlings wrote about spring at the Creek and celebrate spring’s renewal at the Farm:

At the Creek, spring is as definite and as exciting as in Greenland. We have not had snow behind us, but we have had an ungrowing period as have they, and life now stirs and sap rises and the creatures mate and the snakes come out of their winter’s lethargy. Because it is familiar and beloved, we watch every gradation. It is dear to us because knowledge of it is necessary to recognize its variations. There is no sign of spring, but several spontaneous burstings. . . . When the orange blossoms are almost done the grapefruit

blooms and then the tangerines . . . For the seasons at the Creek are marked, not by the calendar, but by fruits and flowers and birds.

NEWS FROM THE CREEK

MEMBERS OF THE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Officers 2018

President: Barbara Wingo

Treasurer: Anne Pierce

CSO Board of Directors

Mickey Angell

Angel Kwolek-Folland

Donna Green-Townsend

Anne Pierce

Neal and Elaine Spencer

Florence Turcotte

Barbara Wingo

Resource Advisory Members

Dan Cantliffe

Roy Hunt

Michaelyn Luttge

Jim Stephens

Kay Williams

Page 2 Volume 21 Number 2

A Bit of History

Here are portions of a handout

from about 1966 concerning the

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings home

NEWS FROM THE CREEK

We recently received this

lovely note attached to a

membership form….

thought you’d enjoy!

Page 3 Volume 21 Number 2

The Loss of a Dear Friend….

We lost a dear “Rawlings Friend” on April 2, 2018. Janice Arinson died in Gainesville

after a brief illness. She was a very active long-time member of the Rawlings Society

and served as Treasurer since 2005. As one Rawlings Society member put it, “She will

be remembered for her keen mind and her unending devotion and service to the Soci-

ety.” Janice had been a member of the Friends of the MKR Farm since 2003, often

attending events in Gainesville and at the Cross Creek Farm. In her many service or-

ganizations, she gave talks on Rawlings and her work. Thanks, Janice, for your devo-

tion to both organizations and your love of all things related to Marjorie.

31st Annual Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Society Conference

The 31st Annual Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Society Conference will be held at the Lakeside Inn in Mount Dora,

Florida, April 20-21. There will be talks on various topics related to Rawlings and her work on Friday morning, a

boat tour of Lake Dora Friday afternoon, and a banquet on Friday evening with keynote speaker, Dana Ste.

Claire (author of Cracker: The Cracker Culture in Florida History). There are more talks on Saturday morning

followed by a luncheon with speaker (our own) Barbara Wingo on “Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings at Home in

Florida”.

More information and a registration form may be found on the Rawlings Society web site (http:// rawlingsso-

ciety.org). Please consider attending to learn more about Rawlings and her work.

NEWS FROM THE CREEK

Florida Wild Animal Exhibit at Yearling Restaurant

Some 40 animal mounts, called “Fodderwing’s Creeturs,” be-

longing to Cross Creek naturalist Jim Stephens, a longtime mem-

ber of the Friends of the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Farm and a

member of its Resource Advisory Board, are currently being

displayed at the Yearling Restaurant in Cross Creek.

This educational taxidermy-mount exhibit features most of the

species of wild animals found throughout Florida. Many of

these, particularly the bear and deer, were made famous by

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings in her many books, such as The Yearling (Pulitzer Prize 1939), and Cross Creek (1942). They

are displayed against a spectacular mural painted by St.

Augustine artist Gayle Prevatt. The attendees at the Friends’

annual meeting were able to enjoy this exhibit while savoring old-

time dining favorites such as gator-tail, catfish and grits, seafood,

and sour orange pie that have made the Yearling Restaurant a

memorable dining adventure.

Jim Stephens with mock-up of mural

Artist Gayle Prevatt with Jim in front of mural

Page 4 Volume 21 Number 2

NEWS FROM THE CREEK

LIFETIME MEMBERS

Ginny and Gunter Arndt

Danny and Judy Baker

Sheila Barnes

Catherine Beazley

Diane E. Beck

Roger and Linda Blackburn

Sybil Ann Brennan

Mary W. Bridgman

Dan Cantliffe

Ginger Carter

Norma Davis

Patricia Ann Davis

Sheila Dickison

John and Balinda Ferree

Sue Gaintner

Ordy Greenly

Robert E. Haines

J. C. Harrell

Judith Harris

Candace Henderson

John and Phyllis Holmgren

Roy Hunt

Deanne Clark & William H. Jeter, Jr.

Brenda Keith

Shirley Kiser

Richard Knellinger, P.A.

Angel Kwolek-Folland

Murray Laurie

Carol Fiddia Laxton

Shirley Lucas

Michaelyn Luttge

Colleen, Frank and Lana Mahoney

Janet Matthews

Ruth Maughan

Philip S. May, Jr.

Judith McFadden and Ilene Nathanson

Robert D. McReynolds

Eleanor and Andy Merritt

Elinor N. Midgette

W.L. Miller

James R. Nici

Rebecca Nullier

Alan Palmer

Spence Perry

Marsha Dean Phelts

John Henry & Margaret Anne Pierce

Liz Pooley

Dana Preu

A.L. Rhinehart

Art & Edda Ross

Shirley and Pierre Thompson

M. List Underwood, Jr.

Pamela Lydick Whiting

Colleen Whitlock

Barbara Wingo

Corporate Members Alachua Conservation Trust

Blue Highway Restaurant

Horseless Carriage Club of America

Mansbridge Editing & Transcription

A Tribute to Our Favorite Home and Writer

By Rick Mulligan, Park Ranger

In early March, Southern Lady Magazine sent their senior photographer

John O'Hagan who spent an entire 10-hour day to shoot a photo layout of

the house and farm as the feature story for the January/February 2019 edi-

tion of the magazine. John was a true professional who enjoyed the house

and especially the reality it portrays naturally. It should be a beautiful piece

handled by a consummate professional. He had worked for Southern

Living Magazine for many years as well. As described on website:

Southern Lady Magazine Founded in 1999, Southern Lady Magazine is a bimonthly publication that

celebrates, delights, and inspires women who live in the South—and those

who are simply Southern at heart. We focus on the joys of heart and home

and the art of gracious living. We strive to bring a bit of Southern hospital-

ity into the lives of each and every reader.

We should all look forward to a beautiful spread on the unique historic

home of a great southern writer.

For more information visit the magazines website

www.southernladymagazine.com

Page 5 Volume 21 Number 2

Presort

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US Postage PAID

Gainesville, FL

Permit #1

Friends of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Farm, Inc.

P.O. Box 337

Micanopy, FL 32667-0337

Website: www.marjoriekinnanrawlings.org

Instagram: @MKRFarm

Facebook

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Please circle type of membership and send with your check

to:

Friends of MKRawlings Farm, Inc.

P.O. Box 337

Micanopy, FL 32667-0337

Membership Information Membership in the Friends of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Farm, Inc.

We invite you to join or renew your membership in the Citizen Support Organiza-

tion (CSO) for the MKR Historic State Park. Friends of the Marjorie Kinnan

Rawlings Farm, Inc., is a 501©(3) nonprofit organization. All contributions are tax

deductible. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be

obtained from the Florida Division of Consumer Services by calling 1-800-435-

7352 (toll-free within Florida). Registration does not imply endorsement, ap-

proval, or recommendation by the State.

Name__________________________________________________________

Address________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip____________________________________________________

Phone__________________________________________________________

Email __________________________________________________________

Comments:

IS IT TIME TO RENEW YOUR

MEMBERSHIP?

Please check your address label. The date

that you see on the label is the date your

dues are due. If your membership is

current, we thank you!

Effective July 1, 2014 new membership dues are as follows

Be sure to visit us at

www.marjoriekinnanrawlings.org and www.floridastateparks.org/marjoriekinnanrawlings

Save the Date! August 11th, MKR Birthday Party!