Family

“Follow the trail. It is well marked. The alligator will be on your right and the black goats on your left.” These were the intriguing instructions I received on my quest for the  at  on Arlington’s Lone Star Road. I liked Tree Hill instantly when I saw a sign offering free compost at the front gate. I also liked the fact a staghorn fern roughly the size of a golf cart graced the entrance. Well-marked trails led to the office and to the helpful man who provided the garden location instructions. Because the trails close at 4pm, and it was …

The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens (JZG) proudly announces the first successful gorilla birth in its history. The adorable infant was born the morning of February 6 to mother Bulera, and father, Lash. The newborn will debut on exhibit with mom on Sunday, February 8, pending weather conditions. Our vet and animal staff are closely monitoring mother and baby, but will only offer assistance if needed. Bulera and Lash were recommended to breed by the  (SSP). The Gorilla SSP is a group of zoo professionals who cooperatively manage the gorilla population at zoos accredited by the (AZA). They are responsible for …

For two weekends each year, the clear blast of trumpets mingles with the laughter of children as the kingdom of opens its gates. Performers in period garb sing and dance in the streets, while knights joust on horseback and magicians captivate the crowds. Tucked away in the enchanted forest of the in Gainesville, FL, this medieval marketplace will come to life Jan 24-25 and Jan 30-Feb 1. Hoggetowne is home to more than 160 talented artisans from across the country who journey to the Faire to sell and demonstrate their wares, offering medieval crafts such as weaving, blacksmithing, leatherworking, wood …

Recently I joined a Saturday Garden Walk at the . These walks are monthly tours of the gardens led by members of the horticulture staff who point out the plants that fit the theme of that tour. The walks usually attract 15-20 participants who learn where to plant each featured specimen, how to care for it, and what to expect from it during the growing year. The theme for the December tour was “Ornamental Grasses and their Cousins.” The guides explained that grasses are Monocots, one of the two types of flowering plants. The other type is a Dicot, and …

The reasons residents love living in Springfield are as diverse as the residents themselves. Diversity happens to be one of the many features of our great community, and most people don’t choose to live here unless they appreciate it. I love Springfield because our quiet streets overlooking the city skyline are filled with potential. I see what Hogans Creek can become and love watching 100-year-old homes go through the restoration transition. Springfield Preservation & Restoration With the mission to “Preserve and Build Community,” the greatest asset any historic neighborhood can have is an active preservation society. Working to maintain a …

  The Sweetest Destination With  and all the events slated to go into the Hemming Park space, the area around  is turning into quite a hotspot. Adding to the heat is the addition of the Sweet Pete building, which was formerly known as the .  is backed by  of  on . Lemonis bought the building in July of this year and provided the cash for the more than $3 million in renovations. Candy confectioner Sweet Pete’s will share the building with . “Sweet Pete’s and The Candy Apple are better together because the whole is greater than the individual parts,” …