JG Ranch Blueberries U-Pick, Brooksville, Fla.

Blueberry picking can be fun unless you are battling with hungry birds. Earlier this month I went to war with several flocks of Cedar Waxwing birds at JG Ranch U-Pick farm in Brooksville, Florida. Adding to the battle feel were two air cannons firing, over our heads, every two to three minutes.

Blueberries of JG Ranch u-pick farm, Brooksville, Fla.

“Do you think the birds are ignoring the cannons?” asked a woman standing beside me at the u-pick welcome table.

“Yes,” said the attendant, "We will keep firing until the predatory birds return. The rain has kept them away."

It had been raining for two days, the ground was muddy, and the Waxwings were hungry. This farm was one of many they stopped at during their migratory flight.

I ventured into the field with two picking pails and met the farmer. “The biggest berries are this side of the air cannon, near the sheds," he said, pointing to an area in the middle of the farm.

I sloshed through the mud but found the bushes bare. However a patch of berries right next to the air cannon was more stocked. And fortunately the cannon swiveled every two to three minutes pointing in different directions.

I rushed in and out of the patch, picking as quickly as I could, all the while watching both the cannon and the sky for flying competition.

Slowly the patch ran out of berries and the ringing in my ears increased. As I started moving to a new area I a huge cloud of bird rise from a row of berries about 100 feet from me. Mmm, I thought, I bet there are good berries there.

The area was still in direct line with the cannon but far enough away that area seemed quieter or maybe I was used to the sound by then. The berries were big and plentiful and full of bird beak and claw marks.

With my buckets overflowing, I returned to get my berries weighed. I picked 12 pounds in two hours. When it came time to pay the attendant said, "Ah, you hear that? That's the call of a predator bird which means we can turn off the air cannons."

If you want to go blueberry picking in Florida in May just be prepared to bring ear plugs in case you get in the middle of a between Cedar Waxwings and air cannons.

 JG Ranch also grows strawberries. They are open approximately from December to end of May but call for details (352) 799-0556.

Maud Vareer, 1st Certified Uniform Police Woman of Belle Glade, Florida

Belle Glade, Fla.--Maud Vereen became the first Certified Uniform Police Woman of Belle Glade in 1958. Her hiring Sheriff told her it was a make or break position. If she broke it then there would be no women following her. She worked 37 1/2 years for the Belle Glade office. 

Maud Vereen, the first Certified Uniform Police
Woman of Belle Glade in 1958, Fla.

While still on active duty, she started the Law Enforcement Appreciation Lunch, 24 years ago. She went to her Pastor, of the Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church, and suggested the appreciation lunch. He enthusiastically said, "Yes."

Held on the third Sunday of May, the event starts with an 11 a.m. service in the Mt. Zion AME Church's Multipurpose building, Belle Glade, and ends with a meal honoring area law enforcement officers.

Vareen retired in 1997 but still continues to be very active with her church and the community.

If you interested in attending the event you can contact the Church at (561) 996-3804
Or go to 908 SW Ave B Place, Belle Glade, FL 33430

Natural Bar Soap Company, Dade City, Fla: Local Items

Natural Bar Soap Company really embraces using local Florida ingredients. They make lotions, soaps, and candles using Florida honey and produce like blueberries and citrus. 

Ricki South of Natural Bar Soap Company, at 2013
Florida Blueberry Festival Brooksville, Fla.

I met co-owner Ricki South at the Florida Blueberry Festival Brooksville, last weekend. She was selling kumquat soaps, and blueberry soaps, candles, and lotions made with Dade City grown berries. She sourced her raw-honey from Queen Kathleen LLC, based in Dade City, Florida.

“People think it is a nice thing, it’s earthy, and it’s natural,” said South, about her Florida blueberry items. She colored them with a powder of dried blueberry skins, and used blueberry seeds for an exfoliant in her soaps.

South squeezed some blueberry hand lotion on my skin. As I rubbed it in, a sweet scent of fresh blueberries wafted up to my nose. At the same time, a woman next to me uncovered a blue candle and its scent joined that of the lotion in a symphony of blueberry essences.

Natural Bar Soap Company started experimenting with scents and flavors in October of 2012 but it didn't go live until this year, at the Dade City Kumquat Festival.

South said, her soaps last up to two years but she doesn't like to keep them for too long. Instead she prefers to make two new flavored soaps per festival. She also sells vegan soap.

 

You can purchase local, Florida sourced, Natural Bar Soap products online at www.naturalbarsoap.com . You can also call them at 352-518-0040 or email sales@naturalbarsoap.com for more details.