THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 2006 Page 8 Levycounryjournat AROUND LEVY COUNTY YCC gettting the job done on the Refuge BY CAROLYN RISNER MAnaaInG EDITOR While many high school . students are lounging by the pool, attached ‘to their PlayStation controllers or cruising up and down the highway, four Chiefland youth are finding out what hard work is all about. Franco Almeida, Matt Williams, Cassie Nelson and Branden Jenkins have their sleeves rolled up and are plowing into a summer of work on the Lower Suwannee Wildlife Refuge as part of the Youth Conservation Corps. In its third year, the YCC takes young adults and puts them to work in an effort to show them the workings of the Refuge and the people who make it happen. The 16-year-olds agree that this summer’s work is better than staying at home EDT Finally, when your flag has become “unbecoming”, dirty and tattered, there are proper disposal methods to be observed. ; . Plastic flags and improper displays may cause discomfort: but is the alternative any better? I would rather see a tiny plastic flag on a mailbox as a show of a love of country than to see nothing there at all. Love of country is a welcome, glorious thing, enthusiasm should not be frowned on. Someday, I hope to erect a flagpole to fly my flag properly to honor those who have fallen and those who love our country. I hope to plant my red, white and blue garden under the flag, but if it turns out red and white again I will love it no less. : Proper flag etiquette can be found in many sources, but | many are local. Local Boy Scout troops will certainly be able to educate you. Many recruiting offices should have information and many veterans groups have information on flag etiquette. Our republic is a great system. We might not all get our wishes represented, but we have the opportunity to make changes. Even better, we all have the opportunity to sit on a blanket and eat peanut butter sandwiches (with jelly or with butter) with our children, thanks to the flag and our men and women in the service. Happy Birthday America! D.T. Pendleton is a landscape designer who resides in Continued from page 4 eit Ten ia | TACT eS REFUGE ay UES ae and ae isan ne Dera tay of the Interior Journal photo by Carolyn Risner THE YOUTH CONSERVATION CORPS has endured heat, bugs and snakes dur- ing the summer work program on the Lower Suwannee Wildlife Refuge. Labor- ing for the cause this summer are, from ieft, Cassie Nelson, Supervisor (and prison guard, they Say) Jason Coates, Franco Almeida, Branden Jenkins and Matt williams: and fighting boredom. In addition to getting hands-on experience in the field, they also earn a little spending money which makes the long, hot days more palatable. Nelson, a_ self-described “sirly-girl” jumped at the opportunity because she had something to prove—to herself. “T wanted to know I could get my hands dirty,” she said. “TJ wanted to get out there and sweat with the guys.” Notwo daysarealike during the eight week program. Halfway into it, the four have done everything from picking up trash to repairing docks to mowing and painting. Jason Coates, forestry technician, is in his third year supervising the YCC. “This program is so they can learn to explore and jump on way,” he said. “They learn what it’s like to be in the real world.” So much in fact that Nelson said she would never, ever want to do this again. But that doesn’t mean she hasn’t enjoyed the experience or learned from it. Because of the multi-. faceted work Coates has had them do, she knows this has been a well-rounded summer for them and especially her. _ “Scan jump start a car,” she boasted. Coates sees the program asa way of learning responsibility and building self esteem. The others concur. “Tf it wasn’t for him (Coates), this would totally suck,” Nelson said. “T like kids,” Coates said, adding that while the five of the job fun. He added the projects they have tackled are all things Refuge personnel would have to do anyway and having the extra hands has expedited the chores. The toughest thing about their summer job is getting up extra early, said Jenkins, who rises at 5:45 a.m. The other daunting thing has been the bugs. From mosquitoes to ticks and yellow flies, they have been plagued all summer but especially when they work in the swamp. “T douse myself in DEET, as said Nelson. “I’d) wash my clothes in it.” The crew puts in a long day but Coates sees to it that the routine is varied and that most of the hard work is done in the mornings when it’s cooler. While Nelson had plenty to say about her time in the Refuge, her peers were less vocal butnonetheless proud of what they have accomplished this summer. When asked for three words to describe their YCC work, Jenkins said, “It was great.” ‘Educational. Entertaining. Cute,” Nelson added. “Hot. Fun. Worthwhile,” Williams said. And Almeida, the most introspective of the four, completed, “Enjoyable. Interesting. Challenging.” Most want to do something in the outdoor arena after ~ high school. Except Nelson. She said this was a once in a lifetime experience. for her and it’s enough to last her. Chiefland. She writes a gardening column regularly for this newspaper. B Jeff crowd! . Now I am in the same general region.of the state where I started my professional career long ago — North Central Florida. The passing parade for me has not been in one county alone — lo these many years gone by. It has been in the many various regions of the state. - Each person watches his or her own passing parade. And, sometimes rain can ruin a great parade — as many of us saw with the recent Chiefland Watermelon Festival Parade. Almost all of the time, however, parades are a blast. So, _ among my many thoughts for this week, the one that I am sharing here is that I hope everyone enjoys his or her own passing parade. Jeff M. Hardison is a reporter for this newspaper. He may be reached at jhardison@levyjournal.com It's FREE! Check it out on page 12 Continued from page 4 opportunities that come their them work hard, it also makes Eg Honey Continued from page 4 é : : & all His blessings. God bless her richly for ee and a a liking to all an I am surrounded by puppy her blessing to me. Thanks Oryou out there. love. D.J. is lying on my again, Lynn. You are loved. _ Always and Forever, The Levy Co unty Journal chair arm, Sweet Pea is on _Miss Honey the couch, Little Bit is asleep in Jim’s recliner and Misty is in the front window, so you see I really am surrounded by “puppy love!” I love them, too. Who else could love me like they do? I guess it’s time to shut . - up, get up and do something worthwhile with my time, I also have to bake some cakes and pies for Donna, Margo and Janice this afternoon or early tomorrow, morning and deliver to them. Gosh, isn’t it great to be able to bake _ for others, even after we get older? Yes, God is so good _ to me and my friend Lynn. -- So until next week God salutes the men and women who t throw their hats into the ring to serve the people of their communities. Here are a few guidelines to help you in the weeks ahead: KKK KK 1) We will publish an announcement of candidacy at no charge. You may write your own (500 words or less) or be interviewed _ by one of our reporters. Call for an appointment if you choose the latter. We ve: Thomas F. Philman, Certified Operator PO Box 872 - 4 South Main Chiefland, FL 32644 Phone: (352) 493-4772 (352) 493-1051 1-800-242-9224 Featuring: Contractor Discounts Setting Materials Tools Mon.- Fri. 9am - 6pm Largest Selection Around Be. Saturday 9am - 4pm iichuatutie Prices can also take a picture of you if you do not is oe 810 East Thrasher Family Atmosphere have one, Deadline is 5 p.m. Monday. : ‘ints encratie : " (352) 486-0063 Installer Recommendations 2) All political advertising must be paid in advance. No exceptions. Ad deadline is also 5 p.m. Monday. 3) Candidates must sign an affidavit affirming they have knowledge of the ad before it runs. 4) All advertising must bear a Paid for by signature somewhere on the ad. 5) Call Laura in the Bronson/Williston area for an. advertising consultation (486-2312) or Miriam in the Greater Chiefland area (490-4462) 5) The Levy County Journal believes in allowing voters to make up their own minds. For this reason, we honor the rich time-held tradition of the South: we do not endorse candidates. Prices as low as: 50 ¢ sq. ft. Wall Tile 99 a 4, ft Floor Ua E 4 Marble, . . aGranites If re-elected, I will continue to take care of | usiness, so you don’t have to! I believe city government should function in a smooth and efficient manner, so the citizens of Chiefland can go about their daily lives providing for, educating, loving, and spending quality time with their family! af ell [ ec ® OMe CENT er Commission Group 4 on August ist Pd. Pol. ADV, Paid for and Approved by Teresa Barron for Chiefland City Commissioner ( pw i