SweetTea Journal

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Fall/Winter 2006

In our second issue of SweetTea journal we explore many fascinating subjects, from stories about Tallahassee’s quiet Canopy Roads and Apalachicola’s famous oysters to the prime bird-watching country that this region contains to scalloping in the Gulf of Mexico. We also return to the quaint town of Port St. Joe where John Branston traces the dramatic past and exciting rebirth of this scenic resort town. And don’t miss our map of suggested scenic drives, it’s a great way to explore and enjoy the area.

Making memories with family and friends is what Northwest Florida is all about, and with every issue, SweetTea journal brings that directly to you.

Birding at the Edge
BY RACHEL DICKINSON
Novices and hard-core birders alike will appreciate the wealth of bird-watching opportunities along the Great Florida Birding Trail.

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Compass Points
Sheltered by Oaks
BY TODD KEITH
Known primarily for its miles of aged oaks hung with Spanish moss, the scenic Canopy Roads hold a host of pleasant surprises.

View Article (PDF, 340KB)


06	Birding at the Edge BY RACHEL DICKINSON Novices and hard-core birders alike will appreciate the wealth of bird-watching opportunities along the Great Florida Birding Trail.
24	A New Ruralism Rising BY DEBORAH R. HUSO Seeking a firm connection to the land, a new movement in Florida and beyond signals the return to a rural past—with all the modern conveniences.
32	Fruits of the Sea BY MOLLY ROSE TEUKE Half the joy of eating small, succulent, sweet bay scallops is first gathering them yourself.
40	Secrets of the Florida Chautauqua BY MELANIE RADZICKI MCMANUS This refined cultural and spiritual assembly in quaint DeFuniak Springs stresses arts and education for all.
46	Humble Roots BY RHETA GRIMSLEY JOHNSON Renowned Florida folk artist Woodie Long turns everyday life in the rural South into celebrated art.



58	Local Flavor The Oysters of Apalachicola BY JOHN T. EDGE The labor of Apalachicola’s hardworking oystermen produces what just may be the best-tasting bivalves on the planet.
62	Compass Points Sheltered by Oaks BY TODD KEITH Known primarily for its miles of aged oaks hung with Spanish moss, the scenic Canopy Roads hold a host of pleasant surprises.
64	Beach Chic Attractive Apparel BY TAYLOR BRUCE Florida natives Liz and Jane Bennett set up a fashion business that’s booming worldwide.
71	Good Reads Beauty in Black and White A look at Apalachicola River: An American Treasure
72	Sources A Deeper Look A resource guide for the stories in this issue
74	Local Calendar Things to Do, Places to Go, People to See Make plans with our regional listings
76	Gallery Worth Stopping For A snapshot taken in beautiful Northwest Florida

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Spring/Summer 2006

In this issue, we’ve asked renowned photojournalist Richard Bickel to turn his lens on the residents of his adopted town, Apalachicola, to show the hardworking people who make this coastal area so singular. We’ve also called on novelist Daniel Wallace, author of Big Fish, to interview Ben Lanier, owner of L.L. Lanier & Son’s Tupelo Honey. The Lanier family has been harvesting this honey from hives in the Apalachicola River swamps for more than a hundred years, and it’s a unique story that bears telling.

Fed by the River
BY RICHARD BICKEL
A celebrated photojournalist. Bickel documents the people who make Apalachicola - the river, the town, and the bay - so special.

Perspectives
Living Through the Honey
BY DANIEL WALLACE
In Wewahitchka, Ben Lanier is continuing a century-old family tradition: making some of the finest Tupelo honey on Earth.


06	A Living Sanctuary BY DAVID HANSON Secluded, quite, and unspoiled, Bay County’s East Bay is a natural wonderland just waiting to be discovered.
24	The Genius of Place BY PHILLIP MORRIS Renowned architect Jaquelin Taylor Robertson talks about Nortwest Florida’s regionality, local vernacular, and the authenticty of place.
32	Strange and Mysterious Waters BY JOHN BRANSTON Abundant Wildlife and comfortable tradition reign at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park.
40	Floating the Backcountry BY TODD KEITH Filled with clear-flowing artesian springs and dark, tannin-infused waters, the remote creeks and rivers of northern Florida contain a wealth of paddling adventures.
48	The Rise & Fall of St. Joseph BY JOHN BRANSTON In 1838, St. Joseph was booming; by 1845, it was deserted and remained so until the twenieth-century town of Port St. Joe appeared in its place.



60	Local Flavor An Insider's 30-A BY SHAWN RYAN Criolla’s owner/executive chef Johnny Earles exols the virtue of local cuisine along this scenic highway.
63	Good Reads Paddling the Sunshine States Waterways Featuring the new book, A Canoeing and Kayaking Guide to Florida.
64	Compass Points On a Wing and a Prayer BY MELANIE RADZICKI MCMANUS The National Museum of Naval Aviation, Florida’s most popular museum, is packed full of life-size history.
71	Sources A Deeper Look A resource guide for stories in this issue.
72	Gallery Sunset on the Gulf of Mexico One last look at the beauty of North-west Florida.