Print Article
Callahan is scarcely a 20 minute drive from Downtown Jacksonville, less time than it takes to get to Julington Creek from Springfield, and yet in many ways it is like a separate world.
Despite the rural and isolated nature of the community, it is connected to Jacksonville by its dependence on our retail, transportation, cultural, educational, and economic opportunities.
It shares its main street into town with Jacksonville: Lem Turner, as well as its Main Intersection -- A1A and US 1 (which is called New Kings in the small downtown.
Callahan has changed remarkably in the past 20 years.
An old Trailer about three blocks out of the Downtown.
House with a Lean To about a block out of the Downtown
What was once a thundering herd of trailer parks, country farm houses and old Florida homes now hosts two suburban style home communities, glassy roads mixed in with the occasional dirt road, and a small central downtown composed mostly of strip mall style buildings which have replaced the old country shacks and brick buildings a few blocks away which used to be the town center.
The Medical Center, one of the many businesses located in the Suburban style new Downtown district.
Nassau County has decided that they will concentrate their growth in Callahan, despite the larger historic role played by the Hilliard Township a few miles away, mostly because of the small town's access to the main transportation corridors.
In MPO meetings (The MPO is short for Metropolitan Planning Organization---it is alternately called the TPO or Transportation Planning Organization--- the shadowy body which is charged with long and short term planning for the area and which has recently decided to consider itself a regional rather than countywide body) when the Nassau County representatives are called to speak they reportedly mention Callahan during plans for regional transportation and development routes and regulations.
Growth will continue to come to Callahan, whose housing market has been largely unaffected by the recent crashes in the cities.
Metro Jacksonville went to visit the City recently to have a look around.
Callahan BarbeQue, known as The Chicken House by generations of customers
The Former Location of The Chicken House a few blocks from the new location.
The Chicken House, actually named the Callahan Barbeque, owned by Dan Murray is the busiest place in town. By far. The place is jam packed and full of the various strata of Callahan Society, both low and high.
In Callahan, Barbeque is no respecter of persons, it brings sauce to the godly and the ungodly alike.
We ordered pulled pork sandwiches, sweet tea and onion rings from a sweet little girl sporting a bible verse t-shirt.
First Baptist of Callahan
Everyone in Callahan goes to church, and church activities are pretty much the backbone of all the socializing and activity. The largest, First Baptist of Callahan, was well represented at The Chicken House.
The Chicken House is an amazing local landmark, and recently moved into larger and more modern digs from its traditional location in an old shack down the road. Its in the new strip mall center downtown a few shopfronts down from the new Italian place.
The people (at least the mob inside the Chicken House) are kind, welcoming and open to outsiders.
There is a local newspaper. The cover story discusses a recent "European Visit to the Local Library." (an exchange student showed up at the library and was duly immortalized in Callahan print). All the rest of its stories are charming and gossipy, including a column by a 90 something year old lady in a nursing home called "Hilliard Doin's"
We are quickly engaged in conversation with the tables around us only to find a curious and amusing fact.
No one in town seems to know who the Mayor of Callahan is. They know that there is one, and that the last one was a woman, but there was an election recently and no one is quite sure who may have won it---- The teenagers don't know. The workers don't know, not even the charming family heads from Callahan First Baptist have the faintest clue who the mayor is.
For the record, the Mayor is Shirley Graham, who handily won her third election in '08 and has no reason not to expect winning another term in 2010.
After it had been thoroughly established that the Mayor enigma was certainly not going to be solved by further discussion, the proprietor of the Chicken House, Dan Murray, walked out into the dining room.
"There's the real mayor of Callahan!" announced one of the First Baptist gentlemen. It's clear from the sentiment in the room that the man from First Baptist might as well be speaking the truth.
"Don't put that on me!" declared Murray, self deprecatingly.
The man from First Baptist repeated his earlier charge. "He's the mayor, all right, or he could be if he wanted it".
That seemed to bring the conversation to a conclusion, and the next topic was on entertainment.
The entire group of girls who had been working the counter, (including the sweet bible versed tshirt girl who took our order) decided en masse to take their lunch break and seated themselves right next to our table.
So what do people do for entertainment in Callahan.
The Link, sponsored by Crossroads of Callahan
There is a teen hall sponsored by Crossroads and there are football games locally. For shopping the locals go to Jacksonville.
While the Town Center was mentioned, this was immediately pooh poohed by the girls.
"That place is too fancy" she said. "I like the mall by the airport".
But in general Callahan relies heavily on Jacksonville for all its retail---everything from home furniture and books to clothing and shoes.
Surprisingly the entertainment options of the metropolis aren't as enticing as its retail.
The Town Bar
Coffee and Breakfast at the Huddle House
Concerts and movies will motivate Nassauites to take the brief trip to Jax, but the real action for a Callahan teenager is in Waycross. Four Wheeling.
Apparently Florida Law prohibits 'Four Wheeling" for entertainment. Callahan largely ignored any such prohibitions until recently when some of the local hellraisers managed to make a local mess and the party was suddenly over.
Now all the kids mass in four wheel drive trucks and head up to Waycross Ga. Up to 50 and perhaps 100 trucks of Callahaners will drive up to the small township and join the rest of the four wheeling fun seekers every weekend.
Then there is always 'hogging'. (not the drunken frat boy sport)
Hog Hunting--- meaning the hunting of hogs---is apparently still popular for some of the Callahan boys---as is hunting of all varieties.
A group of the boys will take their hunting dogs out into the woods surrounding the town. The dogs will find the wild hogs (wild swine are extremely common here in north Florida. As recently as the 70s there were still significant numbers of wild pigs throughout Jacksonville.) and corner them. Then the boys will rush simultaneously, overturn the hog, tie up its legs and then toss it into the back of one of their trucks.
Pretty much the same way its been done for thousands of years (with the recent addition of trucks of course).
Fernandina Beach is the adjacent seaside community and many of the well to do Callahan families have a second home there. This may also be due to the economics uniting the two population.
Lumber is the largest employer in Callahan. It is surrounded by miles of forestry and the shepherding and cutting of the trees provides the majority of the income for the locals. There is a mulch plant in town, but the saw mill is in Fernandina, and creates a connection between the two communities.
Most of the people we spoke to have a very strong sense of place and community. They are Callahaners and despite the trips to Jax and Waycross, spend their time in town and would never consider moving to the City.
As Jacksonville is beginning to expand northward for the first time in three generations, it is driving the real estate prices up ever so slightly on the east side of town, and it might only be a matter of time before they are more and more Jacksonville identified.
As previously stated, growth is certain.
As the photos show, the City of Callahan is making some of the same suburban design mistakes that Jacksonville has come to regret. The old brick buildings have been replaced by pedestrian strip mall design, the charming historic look of the city is being abandoned, parking lots line the main street with set back and unwalkable retail developments.
Lem Turner connects Jacksonville to Callahan along a newly paved road and a beautiful drive.
The natural beauty and rural attractiveness is still intact, with horse farms and proud equestrian breeds lining the graze lands. The Lem Turner approach to town is breathtakingly lush and emerald, but the disposable architecture ethos is creeping in---even the town library has been moved into the Winn Dixie strip mall.
The old Retail district in Callahan.
There is a nod to the history of the area at the premises of the Nassau Chamber of Commerce--a lovingly restored Old Florida wood building with a restored rail and caboose on the property. A block away is the old retail district, replete with beautiful brick and balconies. But the activity has shifted slightly to the north, where the more modern buildings are located.
After visiting this delightful community, it is perhaps easier to see the immediate reasons why modern and new were valued over historic and old in our own city. If this area is going to grow at anything like the speed projected for it, now is a good time for it to take a serious look at its design ethos and look at a city plan.
Nassau County Chamber of Commerce
By Stephen Dare
Share this article
RSS
callahan4life
July 01, 2009, 06:25:14 AMGood story.
Traveller
July 01, 2009, 08:00:05 AMWhat exactly is the drunken frat boy sport of "hogging"?
adamh0903
July 01, 2009, 09:06:22 AMShould have stopped in the hardware store and said Hi
<---------this was taken from the stage of FBC Callahan
Hurricane
July 01, 2009, 09:13:09 AMThank God that I never won when my friends went out hogging. Some of them bagged a couple of blue ribbons back in the day.
Traveller - if you don't know what hogging is, it is probably best not to know...
stephendare
July 01, 2009, 09:40:50 AMCallahan4Life
Callahan was absolutely charming! The Barbeque at the Chicken House was excellent, surpassing my already high expectations.
I will be back, and bring friends.
What are Railroad Days?
adamh0903
July 01, 2009, 10:06:00 AMRailroad Days is a weekend festival that celebrates the rail history of Callahan. Its held at the Depot usually in the spring.
stephendare
July 01, 2009, 10:20:01 AMWhat a great looking Festival, Adamh! Here are some photos from this years Railroad Days!
, plus a story about it from the Times Union. The photos are from the historical society web page.
Im surprised there arent any pictures of the indefatigable Ocklawaha at the Barbeque table.
http://www.wnhsfl.org/index_files/page0007.htm
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/052408/nen_281910804.shtml
CALLAHAN - More than 150 years ago, David Yulee hired Daniel Callahan to prepare for railroad tracks to be laid through the middle of Nassau County. And during construction, a town was born.
The tracks of the Florida Railroad began in Fernandina Beach and extended southwest across the state to Cedar Key on Florida's West coast.
As the railroad was being constructed, a station was built where the tracks cross Kings Road, now known as U.S. 1, West Nassau Historical Society President John Hendricks said.
Along with the station, a post office joined Sharon Baptist Church that existed prior to the railroad.
The town that formed was named for the man who laid the path for the railroad that started it all, Hendricks said.
A historical marker was placed at the Callahan depot in November to remind residents and visitors of the importance Yulee's Florida Railroad Co. played in developing central Nassau County, Hendricks said.
The marker will be dedicated Friday during Callahan's third annual Railroad Days Festival.
It is one of two markers placed by the Florida Department of Transportation in Nassau memorializing the Florida Railroad Co., Environmental Supervisor Terri Newman said. The second is at the John Muir Ecological Park in Yulee.
The markers are mitigation for abandoned rail beds removed during the widening of Florida A1A from Yulee to Callahan in 2004, she said. In addition to historical markers, the FDOT makes special designations for roads such as U.S. 1, named the Blue Star Memorial Highway in 1957. Four of Nassau's 17 designated roads cut though Callahan.
Callahan is also home to an official Florida Department of State historical marker on U.S. 1 memorializing the Battle of Thomas Creek.
It's one of nine such markers, which recognize historic locations in Nassau County. Six are in Fernandina Beach and two are on Amelia Island.
Hendricks wants to see more historic markers in Nassau County and said he has plans to start a program to get them.
"We've got so much history in Nassau County that needs to be recognized and as a historical society, it's our duty to research it and point it out," he said.
Hendricks said he would like to see a marker in Bryceville honoring Bryce family engineers who stopped a train to rescue women and children from the 1923 Rosewood race riots in Levy County.
Jan Johannes, who founded the West Nassau Historical Society in 1976, said a marker is needed in Kings Ferry near Hilliard, which was once a bustling town along the St. Marys River. Johannes said growth there slowed as the railroad took business away from boats.
"There's quite a story down there," he said. "It's kind of a shame that it's gone without being memorialized in some way."
KenFSU
July 01, 2009, 10:23:21 AM"There is a local newspaper. The cover story discusses a recent "European Visit to the Local Library." (an exchange student showed up at the library and was duly immortalized in Callahan print)."
Loved this tidbit.
I really enjoyed this article a lot. It was something a little different than I usually see at MJ, written almost like an old Charles Dickens travel journal.
Fantastic work, as always!
cracklow
July 01, 2009, 11:32:09 AMI loved this line:
In Callahan, Barbeque is no respecter of persons, it brings sauce to the godly and the ungodly alike.
seemed rather poetic.
callahan4life
July 01, 2009, 11:37:16 AMStevendare, Be sure and check out Barbara Jean's for breakfast (located on the Northside of the street just before the second traffic light). It is the unofficial Townhall during breakfast hours then as you have already discovered the unofficial Townhall moves to the Chicken House, from lunch time on. You definitely want to stop in at Ace Hardware, they have quite a history collection there and love to tell you all about the items they have on display.
hooplady
July 01, 2009, 12:10:56 PMIt only took a couple of sentences to know which of MJ's crackerjack staff penned this one. Thanks Stephen!
stephendare
July 01, 2009, 01:03:12 PMThanks for the kind words, Hooplady! and thanks for the suggestion Callahan!
I did get a view of Barbara Jean's on my driving tour of Callahan, but it was already way past breakfast time.
Its on my list for the return visit.
Im actually dying to get some photos of all the kids in trucks going up to waycross. When I was a teen there were still dunes at Regency instead of Lowes and the AMC theater and alot of Jacksonville kids used to go four wheeling in the Dunes.
jbroadglide
July 01, 2009, 01:34:40 PMGreat job MJ and Stephen. If memory serves me correctly that festival is actually called the Yulee Railroad Days Festival and just passed in May. But it also encompasses Yulee, Callahan, Baldwin, Starke, Waldo and all the way to Cedar Key. Every town has some sort of celebration/festival. Nothing like a small town festival.
jbroadglide
July 01, 2009, 01:39:11 PMAnd as long as we are in Callahan, I remember reading a story last year sometime that the city council had voted for some dollars to build a railfan platform, similar to what they have in Folkston GA, along the A line where it splits and heads down to Baldwin. I think right where the old Gross cutoff came in would be an ideal spot. But I haven't heard much more about it.
BTW Stephen, if Folkston is not too far away, you might want to do a story sometime on the rail fan platform in Folkston. Its been featured on CBS, USA Today, Ga Public TV and a host of other places. I'll be glad to talk to you more about it.
JaxNative68
July 01, 2009, 01:40:03 PMAhhhh, the days of four wheel drives and kegs of beer at the Regency dunes, what fun and totally irresponsible days those were.
stephendare
July 01, 2009, 04:14:56 PMurbanlibertarian
July 01, 2009, 05:13:45 PMMy maternal grandmother grew up in Baker county. She told us that in her late teens (early 1920's) they would go to Callahan to barn dances. She probably got there in a horse drawn four wheeler.
mtraininjax
July 01, 2009, 05:38:05 PMUs boys on the southsided did not have to go to Regency for fun, we stayed in the Southside dunes that were on either side of JTB.
leahfu
July 01, 2009, 08:28:24 PMMy great-great-grandparents owned a farm behind the Winn-Dixie in Callahan. My great grandfather Kermit Hodges was mayor there at least twice(maybe 3 times??!). He was also Lt. Governor of Florida for one term. I really don't know much about this town and really enjoyed this
Scarlettjax
July 02, 2009, 08:25:13 AMGreat article, really captured the feel of the town.
Now y'all have me stuck in a mudhole on memory lane - I misspent most of my youth in the Regency dunes, off JTB and out at Imeson.
stephendare
July 02, 2009, 09:06:40 AMWonder if anyone has any old photos of the Dunes?
This is such a great little area, that it was striking to me how the builders out there simply decided to go for the suburban mall look when recreating their town center.
shanshan1218
July 02, 2009, 09:53:31 AMI have heard about those dunes. I hope someone has pictures, that would be great to see.
stephendare
July 02, 2009, 05:22:26 PMLol. We just received a persnickety letter from some clearly underworked editor in Callahan.
File this under 'Bee in the Bonnet!"
This opinion (oh damn me with the opinion label!) piece has several major flaws and inaccuracies, but what I'm more interested in is the fact that your writer, Stephen Dare, (that would of course be yours truly) posted one of our copyrighted articles and one of our copyrighted photographs in the comments section. Yes, you provided the link to our site - that part I do not mind. But your writer copied and pasted our story in, giving no credit to the Nassau County Record, and that is unacceptable. You may keep the link, but the text of our article must be removed right away, as I did not, nor do I now, give permission for it to be published on your site.
Also, for the writer's knowledge, the publication he read was not Callahan's newspaper. You see, there are two publications that are based out of Callahan. There's the Nassau County Record, which has been accurately reporting on the town of Callahan and the surrounding communities of Hilliard, Bryceville and Boulogne for 79 years and is the newspaper in which all legal notices are printed for western Nassau County. Then there's the freebie that's sent out that your reporter chuckled over. And, FYI, the article he referred to in their publication is "Hilliard Doin's" not "Nassau Doin's." (so there!)
Thank you for your time. I look forward to checking back and seeing that our article and photograph have been removed. You are, however, welcome to keep the link that directs people to our site, so they may view the article there.
Amanda Bishop, Editor
Nassau County Record
P.O. Box 609
Callahan, FL 32011
P: (904) 879-2727
F: (904) 879-5155
Well thanks Amanda..... Consider the matter taken care of!
For the record, I thought Hilliard Doin's is a wonderful, charming and touching column. I know in my own personal historical research that such columns are treasures and worth about a hundred dryly self important news articles. They certainly tell a lot more about the soul and spirit of a time and place, no matter how laughable Mizzus Amanda thinks it might be.
I didn't see a copy of the Nassau Record when I was out there. Most folks were reading the 'other callahan newspaper'. I guess I found the right publication anyhow.
The link, (which was clearly labelled to the offending publication) gave information about the County's lovely blueberry festival and it has been removed.
Even the link.
I sent her back the following email:
The link to your site will be removed entirely.
It was included in the comments section of the article, rather than in the article itself, as an informative backdrop for the blue berry festival.
We will not be linking to the Nassau County record in the future, although it is within the boundaries of legally permissible use under the Fair Use Act.
Thanks for your sniping letter in any case.
With Love
Stephen Dare
Hilariously, she immediately responded with the following:
Thank you for your equally sniping response.
well at least the old mare's got some spunk.
I ended the conversation with the following:
The removal of the link, and the response were entirely my pleasure.
stephendare
July 02, 2009, 05:54:13 PMFor anyone curious about the Author of Hilliard Doin's, Ms. Lorena Franklin, I did find this bio online:
What a sweetheart.
http://www.lcca.com/article.asp?id=608&title=Local%20newspaper%20columnist%20resides%20at%20Life%20Care%20Center%20of%20Hilliard
Posted on Tuesday, October 28, 2008
If anyone in the small town of Hilliard, Fla., knows what various community members are up to, it would be 93-year-old Lorena Franklin.
This friendly lady, who is known to some as the matriarch of the town family, recently came to Life Care Center of Hilliard as a resident. But entering the nursing and rehab facility has not slowed her down. In fact, it has simply given her new people to meet and talk to.
Franklin writes a well-read column, "Hilliard Doin's" that appears in the local paper, the Westside News, every other week. In her column, she describes what is going on in her life and in the lives of community members she knows. She reminisces about days gone by and current activities.
"I enjoy people calling me, asking if what they told me will be in the next edition," said Franklin. "I like to let people know what’s going on in the community. I love everybody in this town!"
Frances Gottuso, activities director, added, "She's our most enthusiastic resident and is very involved in activities."
Franklin even talks about the facility in her column, sharing about the latest bingo games and church services, and inviting her friends to come visit her, chat and have a cup of coffee.
"I try to be in everything," said Franklin. "I don't hear too well, but they always seat me next to someone who can help me with games. It also makes it nice that some of my close friends are living here. We eat together, play together and sing together!"
stephendare
July 02, 2009, 06:19:22 PMhmm.
Thats weird.
Here is a link to the Florida State Library's link page that lists the Florida Newspapers.
Its shockingly not up to par. Not only are neither the Nassau Country Record nor the Westside News of Callahan Florida listed, but Metrojacksonville also fails to appear on this list.
http://dlis.dos.state.fl.us/fgils/flnews2.html
BridgeTroll
July 02, 2009, 06:24:03 PMThats too bad... I wonder how many web hits they will lose not to mention possible visitors to the Blueberry festival. Ah well... I am sure they have too many visitors anyway. It is really too bad that a very positive and informative article about Callahan will never seen.
BigHache
July 04, 2009, 12:46:02 AMI haven't been to the Chicken House, but I am rather fond of The Pig across the street. They have some of the best corn nuggets.
The Blueberry Festival seemed to have quite a turn out. But it was HOT.
stephendare
July 05, 2009, 02:22:36 PMDo any of our readers have any pictures of the blueberry festival?
macbeth25
July 07, 2009, 12:21:20 AMI noticed a comment regarding photos of the recent Blueberry Festival in Callahan. Some of mine showing some of the vendors and activities were published in the Westside Journal. You may have seen my work if you live in Callahan, Hilliard or Bryceville. Let me know if you'd like to see some of them here.
If you like sports, the Dixie Blues are playing a special game at 7 pm Saturday at Bolles High School. They may be ladies but they sure can play football. I think they're 8-0 this year. Check out http://www.myspace.com/jaxdixieblues:
civil42806
July 07, 2009, 07:07:30 AMDelightfully snarky, Jon Stewart would be proud, however did you in fact do the following?
"posted one of our copyrighted articles and one of our copyrighted photographs in the comments section."
If so they have the right to complain
macbeth25
July 07, 2009, 07:26:05 AMI'm not qute sure how this works since I'm a "newbie," but my name appears above my comment. In any event, the person making the comment beginning "hmm. Thats weird." needs to do some homework. The cited link clearly refers to "online" newspapers. Callahan's WESTSIDE JOURNAL is NOT an online newspaper Your statement that "Its shockingly not up to par," may not be entirely correct. (FYI, the word "its" denotes possession. The correct word here is "It's" representing "It is.") With both items in mind, do a bit more research before putting your foot in your mouth unless you really like the taste. It's also interesting that the North Florida News Daily, an online paper, appears on the list while metro.jacksonville does not. Is it possible that metro.jacksonville is NOT considered a newspaper, at least not an online newspaper? www.Jacksonville.com/community/, a very well known online newsletter, is also not listed on the cited list.
stephendare
July 07, 2009, 10:52:57 AMMacbeth25
Welcome to the site and thanks for the comments!
In reading your post I realize I rushed while typing out my comments. The "It" being referred to as shockingly not up to par, would be the The List of Online publications itself.
I realized after the fact that the Westside Journal does not have a website, but the paper which employs the editor of the Nassau County Record does.
Amanda, or Mandy as I like to think of her, seemed to take umbrage at the fact that I referred to the Westside Journal as 'the newspaper', and one can tell from her dismissive attack on the 'other' publication that she obviously has some faint contempt for the publication.
This is a feeling which I do not share, as I mentioned in my response--I loved the articles and especially the wonderful column called Hilliard Doin's.
She seemed to think it a gross oversight on my part that I was unaware of the Nassau County Record at the time I penned the article, which I think was a bit of an exploded expectation.
In mentioning the list of online journals, I meant to convey that as a casual visitor, there wasnt much likelihood that I would simply intuit that there was another paper beside the excellent Westside Journal, since the only paper folks were reading was the Journal and I saw no other publications while in Callahan. I meant to convey that by pointing out that the Online Journal listing is also apparently unaware of their existence, and if even the University listing doesn't mention them, how can I, a mere mortal be expected to do more?
I also attempted to soften the blow that their publications wasnt listed by pointing out that neither is metrojacksonville. The point being merely one of oversight, not intention.
But I agree with you, I think you rightly sense the dismissive tone of the editor of the Record. On checking with some of the locals, apparently the Westside Journal is kicking their long established butts.
macbeth25
July 07, 2009, 02:05:31 PMThanks for your response. To close the subject, I apologize that I didn't express myself correctly. I was not discussing her actions but yours. I believe your comments were inappropriate, at best. Metrojacksonville was incorrect in using a copyrighted article without permission in the first place. I believe at least one other respondent pointed that out. I would like to just leave this discussion at that. Others are welcome to comment. The jury's still out on whether or not I will continue with metrojacksonville. On another tack, do you think I should post some photos from the 2009 Callahan Blueberry Festival? You obviously have been on this site far longer than I and I believe you have more of a feel for what readers might want. I really don't want to post them unless there is some interest.
stephendare
July 07, 2009, 02:22:15 PMPlease, please post some photos macbeth.
On the subject of the posted comments, however, I would like to comment.
Fair Use does allow the posting or use of copywritten material for the purposes of review or commentary but it mostly guarantees that no one other than the holder of the copyright profits financially from the use of the material.
As a writer myself I am also very sensitive to the issue.
An appropriate link was sent from our site back to the newspaper itself, so the work was hardly unattributed.
The irony of course, is that in an online context, a link such as the one we provided is a courtesy and a benefit to the person or site who is linked to, rather than from.
Google ratings are partially based on the number of external links to a site, the more that there are, the higher the site moves up on their ranking.
For example if you search "Callahan Blueberry Festival" you will find the following link: http://www.google.com/search?q=callahan+blueberry+festival&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
Notice that the Nassau County Record is not listed until the third page of returns...which most people probably arent going to click through to.
When another publication such as this one posts a link, the ranking of the paper automatically goes up. If people post on the link then that link will show up even higher on the list, and probably have made it at least to the first page of the search returns.
As you can imagine, this leads to a certain lax viewpoint on the subject of links online.
Any publication directly benefits from being linked to. There is no benefit in linking from.
Does that make sense?
The benefit of the link was really to the Record, rather than to our site, and it was linked merely as a thoughtful way to expose other readers and people to the external site.
I did however speak to Dawn today, from the Westside Journal, and I have to tell you that I had a very contrasting experience with the publisher of Callahan's 'other' publisher.
I think the rancor on Mandy's part comes from the competition more than anything.
And I take a certain amount of personal umbrage at her suggestion that Loreena Franklin is in any way 'Laughable'.
Please feel welcome to contribute to our site at will.
We actually sit down to dinner with members of the public every Tuesday Night so that people can come and meet our board and discuss the issues of the day.
You would be quite welcome, and it would be a pleasure to meet you.
BridgeTroll
July 07, 2009, 02:24:31 PMWe are very interested in photos of the Blueberry Festival. Please post them. The response to Stephens article has been pretty good. He opened the eyes of many of us who did not know much about our neighbors. I do not understand the objections to the use of your article... but that is probably just me.
macbeth25
July 07, 2009, 08:32:24 PMHow do you upload photos?
Jason
July 08, 2009, 09:59:59 AMUpload them to a site such as "Photobucket.com". You'll have to create an account to do so but its is free. Once uploaded, copy and pasts the direct link (found at the base of the photo), into your response using the "insert photo" option. the link should go between the "[img][img]" notations.
If you have any more problems just send myself or one of the other mods a PM and we can give you a hand.
macbeth25
July 08, 2009, 04:33:04 PMOld and Young: Donnie Marcum (L) at 73 was the oldest racer at the Callahan Speedway on July 4th while Bill Russell (R) is 72. Nathaniel Seidel (L) has just turned 8 while Jacob Horton (R) was the youngest driver at 6. David Hicken, wearing red, and James Wofford are the owners. Donnie has been racing for about 5 years while Bill has been driving GoKarts for about 6. Check out the Speedway website at http://www.callahanspeedway.com/ for schedules and other information.
macbeth25
July 08, 2009, 04:44:54 PMThere were 17 breeds of poultry represented at the festival including this Dark Brahma whose males can get to 14 pounds. Wanda also owns Five Star Farms which also has Registered Suffolk Sheep and Rabbits (Holland Lops, Netherland Dwarfs, Mini-Rex).
1929 Ford Phaeton at the car show
Harper’s Wood Shop. Come and see us: 13918 SE 44TH AVE, STARKE, Fl, 32091. e-mail us: harperswoodshop@yahoo.com Call us: (904) 966 – 1026, (904)571-3815 or (904) 796 – 7327.
Catering, Events, Fairs, Festivals & Special Occasions. Damecia & Davidson St. Fort; Website: <a href="http://www.flavorfulexperience.com" rel="nofollow">www.flavorfulexperience.com[/url]. Email: dfortson@flavorfulexperience.com. Phone: (407) 616-6696.
Wilson Family Band: Fusion of family, faith & bluegrass. Robert or Clint Wilson, PO Box 82, Folkston, GA 31537. (912) 496-7962. Contact@thewilsonfamilyband.com. www.thewilsonfamilyband.com.
Add your comment
IFE the Clown: Face Painting, Balloons – Any Where You Need a Smile. (904) 505-4463 Cell; (904) 213-0934. IFETHECLOWN@AOL.COM.
B&B Crafts, Bart & Beth Woolsey, Specializing in Wood. Serving Jacksonville and vicinity since 1999. Wholesalers welcome. Phone: (904) 845-4399; Cell: (904)233:4487. bwandbw@windstream.net
Jason
July 08, 2009, 05:08:59 PMMacBeth, my oldest son (10) just started racing go karts down at Barberville. I'm actually thinking about joining him!
macbeth25
July 08, 2009, 05:15:48 PMThat sounds neat. I apologize but I have no idea where Barberville might be. One of the owners of the Callahan Speedway mentioned that his son and he were actually competing -- though not in Callahan. Have you had a chance to visit our Speedway? I think I included the website on one of the photos. It's brand new and it's located near US 1 and Musselwhite just north of Callahan on the road to Hilliard. If you're heading towards Hilliard on US 1, it'll be on the right side where the Fairgrounds are. The website has their schedule, prices and etc.
Jason
July 08, 2009, 05:28:11 PMMy sister lives in Hilliard (the notorious Patterson family) and I have heard of the new track but haven't seen it yet. I will be driving through this Friday though so I'll make a point to drop in a take a look.
Barberville is north of Deland in Volusia county.
macbeth25
July 08, 2009, 05:51:07 PMThey normally practice on Thursdays, I think, and race on Saturday or Sunday. It's been raining but the area where they race doesn't get too bad. My road, Eula B, just off Musselwhite, is ridiculous and my yard gets even worse. Hope you enjoy my photos.
stephendare
July 09, 2009, 11:43:31 AMMacbeth.
Thanks so much for the awesome photos!
A picture is truly worth a thousand words, and your selection gives a great view of the charming area!
We look forward to seeing a lot more from you. Thanks for joining up with the site!
Stephen.
macbeth25
July 09, 2009, 01:50:40 PMThank you very much.
AFCassidy
July 14, 2009, 11:13:57 PMNice article, Stephen. As someone who grew up in Hilliard, I enjoyed the photos and take on our neighbor town.
I suspect you touched a nerve with the editor of the Nassau County Record, as they are the more "official" newspaper for Western Nassau County. The Westside Journal has only been around for a few years. However, I believe my parents dropped their subscription to the Record when the Westside Journal (the free paper you referenced) began arriving in the mail once a week. Gotta be a tough business environment for both of those papers right now.
macbeth25
July 17, 2009, 03:07:12 PMI'm a freelancer whose work sometimes appears in the Westside Journal. I'd like to ask anyone who might have an idea or know of something happening in our area: the west side of Nassau County -- mainly Callahan, Hilliard or Bryceville -- to let me know about it. In order to get something in our paper in a given week, we need to have it by Tuesday of that week. Getting it during the previous week or even Monday of that week would be better. I'm generally available for a photo or a story and while I can't guarantee that it'll get in the paper (that's my editor's job), I can guarantee that it has no chance if we don't know about it. I'm also interested in freelancing for other publications so if you think you have an idea you'd like published somewhere, let me know and I'll see what we can do. You can contact the paper directly at (904) 879-4180 or contact me through metrojacksonville.
stephendare
July 17, 2009, 03:42:41 PMMacbeth, we are so lucky to have your posts here.
Youve become almost like our Nassau county beat reporter.
You keep us all in the loop for these things, without you we wouldnt have a clue.
thanks man!
macbeth25
July 17, 2009, 04:15:27 PMYou're very welcome and keep that in mind. If you have something you need covered up here, I may be able to do it for you. You have my number as well as my email or you can just reach me here. BTW, If you'd really like a good place to have breakfast, try St. John's Seafood and Steaks in Hilliard, 551856 US Highway 1 - Hilliard, FL - (904) 845-2288. They open for breakfast, I think, at 6 or 6:30 am and serve till 10:30 am. They're very good and reasonably priced. If you're just looking for something sweet or a different kind of lunch, try Sarah Lee's Bakery and Cafe just off SR 200. Let me know when you want to come and I'll get you there. You can also find them on myspace at http://www.myspace.com/slbc2008.