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 United Way at 47%
 of Campaign Goal 2A
See photos in next week's
 Jasper News


Part 1 of 2 A happy Christmas spectacular light

W after woes Christmas for display starts Sunday

 ateoes all the kids ,related Letter to the Editor, Page 6A.
 The Daniels and Hawkins family Christmas
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just won't



go away

200 gather in Branford
to address dwindling aquifer,
threat from South Florida
 By Stephenie Livingston
 stephenie.livingston@gaflnews.com
 Suwannee River Water Management
 officials and other area experts gathered at
 a forum Monday night in Branford to
 express concern over North Florida's
 dwindling water supply and to outline a
 plan to save the Floridian Aquifer, the
 area's main source of water.
 High on the list was the need to protect
 local sources first, as per current state law,
 said SRWMD Deputy Executive Director
 Kirk Webster.
 "They (South Florida interests) are
 looking for water, they need water,"
 Webster told a crowd of about 200 at
 Branford Elementary School. However,
 Webster noted, "we do not have endless
 supplies" of the resource.
 Lauren Davis, a Future Farmers of
 America member and student at Cedar Key
 Middle School, compared North Florida to
 the ant in Aesop's fable, working hard to
 protect its resources, while a wasteful South
 Florida the grasshopper foolishly refuses
 to conserve, then turns to us for help.
 In some versions of the story the ant takes
 pity on the grasshopper and shares his food
 him. In real life we may not have a choice.
 "We do not have the political clout to
 stop it if someone wants to take our water,"
 said Webster. Still, North Florida citizens
 are going to try. Before the forum was over
 a group action meeting had already been
 set up for Tuesday morning at the Ft. White
 community center.
 "The era of cheap water is gone," said
 Webster. "The state is going to have to pay
 more. You cannot take water without
 harming resources."
 Webster sited desalination and better
 conservation practices as alternative
 solutions to Tampa's water shortage.
 As for our own dwindling aquifer, the
 Suwannee River Water Management
 District along with the St. Johns River
 Water Management District are working
 towards a plan that will eventually put
 Florida's aquifers "back on track." Already,
 SRWMD has been in the process of a
 SEE WATER WOES, PAGE 2A


JIl I I I LIUJ L. I UV VJ II1 U. IUJ.JUI
tradition, will help ensure it
Staff
 The Christmas Love Tree is back.
 Here's how it works. Gift tags are placed
on a wooden tree at various local
businesses. You take a tag from the tree and
buy a gift for the child described on it (the
child's name isn't disclosed). The wrapped
gift, tag attached, is then returned to the


s J LecLI 1LUCI 1 [llaC LcIOg L ll ry will LUC llL VV CIL I II CI re IrCIes
 at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 22. The Honorable Judge John
Peach will turn on the lights at dusk. This year we are
honoring our military.
 This is the twelfth year the Daniels and Hawkins families
have decorated their yards for the pleasure of the whole
community. New displays this year include an airplane
releasing a skiing snowman and an
improved musical light show.
 The display is located at 4110
SW 100th Avenue, north of
Jasper.


By Louise Sheddan
 A good-sized crowd was present
for the inaugural Fall Festival. A
good time was had by all who
attended and participated in the
various events held in downtown
Jasper on October 30-31.
 Festivities included a classic car
show, which was a big hit with
festival-goers. There were vendors
of foods, drinks, crafts and more.
Events also included a visit to the
haunted Old Jail Museum, Trunk or
Treat on Central Avenue and the
telling of ghost stories.
 Plans to make next year's
celebration bigger and better are
already under way.


"Cool" classics were "hot" at the Classic Car Show. See more photos, Page 6A.


Veterans Day

in Hamilton


By Louise Sheddan
 Many Jasper
residents turned out on
Veterans Day to honor
veterans of the past,
present and future.
Many members of the
American Legion and
VFW were present,
proudly representing
their posts by wearing
their decorative caps.
The ceremony took
place on the front lawn
of the Hamilton
County Courthouse.
 With all the pomp
and circumstance
required for such an
occasion, our own






6 97113 C754' 6


Hamilton County High
School's Air Force
Junior ROTC
presented the colors
and wreath. Regina
Carson recited the
pledge of allegiance
and Raven Weise sang
our national anthem.
Reverend Ames of the
First United Methodist
Church delivered the
invocation.
 Greg Godwin,
 SEE VETERANS, PAGE 2A


 Today's Weather
 High
 770 F -
 Precip: 10% -
 Mostly sunny skies. High 77F
Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.
For up to the minute weather go to
www.nflaonline.com.


Hamilton County High School's Air Force Junior ROTC. Photo: Louise Sheddan


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SEE A HAPPY CHRISTMAS, PAGE 2A


Fall Festival fun
Inaugural event a big hit in Jasper


Hamilton County FFA members manned the punkinn patch" at Jasper's inaugural Fall festival. Photos: RobWolfe


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