by Baynard Kendrick

 

The Ocala National Forest, founded on November 24, 1908, by Pres. Theodore Roosevelt, is the oldest national forest in the eastern continental United States.  The forest is one of Central Florida's last remaining expanses of forested lands with magnificent palms, towering live oaks, and the largest sand pine scrub population in the world, as well as containing a number of major natural springs, including Salt Springs, Silver Glen, Alexander, and Juniper Run. In addition to wilderness areas for visitors seeking simplicity and solitude, the forest has visitor centers, nature trails, and a section of the Florida Trail. Images of America: Ocala National Forest is filled with fascinating stories and exciting facts on the history of the steamboats, logging, trails, movie sets, Cracker cowboys, modern conservation efforts, and more.

by Jono Miller

Originally published in 1974, George Stevenson's Palms of South Florida combines explanations for beginners learning to recognize palms with meticulous descriptions and drawings of palms now grown in South Florida, and information on palm botany, geography, zones, care, cold and salt tolerance, and other features, in a simple, highly accessible format that has made it a favorite for many years.  Beginners in palm study are often dismayed at the discovery that botanists do not separate the palms into categories by single characteristics but rather by long lists of criteria and that these factors are described in a jargon that that frightens off the casually interested. This is a book for those who are interested in palms but who have not mastered the highly technical method or vocabulary of the botanists. Stevenson's approach emphasizes apparent similarities that may be of more significance to the amateur than minute floral differences by which botanists determine relationships between species. And his hand drawn illustrations highlight specific features of the overall plant or of particular components that serve to identify it from its relatives.

Covering over 90 species and with over 500 color photographs, this book has been long awaited by both tree professionals and anyone who wants to identify a tree in the Virgin Islands and south Florida.

Rare for field guides, this user-friendly book provides for all the species the same categories of complete text: form, leaves and bark, flowers, fruits, habitat, and uses. Also for each species there are photos of the whole tree, bark, leaves, flowers, and fruit.

The organization of the book makes it easy to identify a tree. The trees are divided into sections primarily based on how the leaves are arranged on the twig. So you can look at a twig and decide which section of the book in which you should search for it.

In addition to the 90 main species covered completely, many more that somehow relate to the main species are mentioned. Though most of the trees are native, many exotics that have been introduced are also included, as many of them are now widespread, particularly in south Florida.

John F. Germany Library, 900 N. Ashley Dr., 2nd floor.

 

 

 

Join us as we discuss Ivory Shoals.  Gussie Dwyer, a determined and resilient pre-teen, sets off alone on a dangerous journey across post-Civil War Florida in search of his father, who doesn’t even know he exists.   As Gussie makes his way to the titular location in which his father resides, he encounters plenty of scoundrels and rascals who try to stop him. There is talk of thieving, “Yankee-hatin,” and cat drownings. There’s a tracker named August, who Gussie knows has a “genius for cold-eyed violence.” There’s Julius, Gussie’s own half-brother, who seems set to protect his claim, no matter the cost, within the Dwyer family.  

 

Though another devastating hurricane is raking Florida, its awesome power can't deter the Sunshine State's most loyal son, Serge A. Storms, from his latest scenic road trip: a cemetery tour. With his best bro Coleman riding shotgun, Serge hits the highway in his gold '69 Plymouth Satellite, putting pedal to the metal on a grand tour of the past. Beginning in Key West, the sunshine boys' odyssey includes a forgotten mass grave in Palm Beach County holding the remains of African Americans killed by the Great Hurricane of 1928, and the resting place of one world-famous television dolphin (RIP Flipper) from the 1960s. But one deadland--a haunted old sugar field--holds more than just the bones of those who've passed. For years, local children have whispered about a boogeyman hiding among the stalks. Could it be the same maniac known as Naked Florida Man, who's been raising hell all over the place?  There are few things Serge loves more than solving a good mystery and bestowing justice on miscreants who sully his beloved home's good name. With his partner Bong Man, Florida's psycho superhero will find the truth in this hilariously violent delight--packed with history, lore, and plenty of motel antics--from the insanely ingenious Tim Dorsey.