A dry 'Cypress pond'
It's been dry. On my walk the other day I came to realize just how dry it's been around here this year. As the picture shows, I was able to walk across an area that is usually underwater. The "cypress pond" near the railroad in Bluff Springs was not even boggy.
I googled "drought Escambia County, Florida" and found that there have been other dry years lately. A northescambia.com article from December 23, 2016 notes, "Despite recent rainfall that has greatly reduced the risk of wildfires and returned moisture to the ground, the latest information released Thursday shows that a portion of the North Escambia area is still in a drought."
According to https://www.drought.gov/drought/states/florida, about 47% of Floridians are currently experiencing either drought (13%) or extremely dry conditions (34%). This website also reports "The U.S. Drought Monitor started in 2000. Since 2000, the longest duration of drought (D1-D4) in Florida lasted 124 weeks beginning on April 11, 2006 and ending on August 19, 2008. The most intense period of drought occurred the week of February 27, 2001 where D4 affected 39.08% of Florida land."
We've had it worse, and what we experienced in late summer and early fall was no dust bowl, but it sure was dry. It made for some interesting pictures, though.
The Alger Sullivan Historical Society Christmas Party will be held Tuesday, December 17th at 6 pm in the Leach House Museum. All are welcome. Members are urged to attend.
Our annual meeting will be Tuesday, January 21st. We will be sending out our annual letter in early January. If you don't get a letter you are still encouraged to attend the January 21st meeting. We'll give you your copy of the letter then.
Our museums are open most Saturdays from 10 am until 2 pm, or most anytime by appointment. You can call me (850-417-9803) for an appointment. You can see Old 100 or use our picnic area anytime, no appointment needed.
Sawmill Day will be Saturday, May 2nd. We welcome vendors (no charge for booth space) and entertainers. Call Jerry Fischer (850-256-3980) to arrange for booth space or to get in the entertainment line-up.
Our members are available to speak or make presentations at schools or other groups. We can give help with History Fair projects or other history related projects.
