"Christmas in Two Egg" Performances Today!

Just a reminder that the 2012 production of "A Christmas in Two Egg, Florida: The Play" will take place TODAY (Sunday, December 23rd) at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

The play is being produced at the Lovedale Baptist Church Fellowship Hall at 6595 Lovedale Rd, Bascom, FL  (See below for a map).

The performances are free to attend, although donations will gladly be accepted!

"A Christmas in Two Egg, Florida" is based on my book of the same name and tells the story of a lonely man named Ben who feels that he has lost everything of value in his life. It is set in Two Egg on a Christmas Eve night and features a narration and scenes sure to touch the heart. The play journeys back in time to explore Ben's life story, with a stop along the way at the Bevis Store for a rolicking presentation of real Two Egg actors discussing how their community got its unique name!

Please come!


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"A Christmas in Two Egg, Florida" drama set for Sunday!

The Cast of "A Christmas in Two Egg, Florida" during rehearsal

The second annual presentation of the play "A Christmas in Two Egg, Florida" will take place this Sunday (December 23rd) at the Lovedale Baptist Church fellowship hall near lovely, downtown Two Egg!

Performances are scheduled for 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. and are absolutely free to attend (although donations are much appreciated). Please join in the fun!

The play is based on my short novel, A Christmas in Two Egg, Florida, which tells the story of an angry man named Ben, a mysterious Christmas visitor, a forgotten snowfall, Confederate gold and a remarkable Christmas celebration. It is set, of course, in the Two Egg area of Jackson County, Florida.

The Entrance Foyer is Ready!

What makes this annual performance really unique is that all of the actors and actresses are residents of the Two Egg area. The lead role of "old Ben" is being portrayed this year by Arthur Basford while his wife, Mary, will be portrayed for the second consecutive year by Lois Layton.

The list of other key actors include Russell Register, Dr. Steve Canada, Duane Davis, Norman Davis, Ted Bruner, Alfred Cox and others.  Music will be provided by a trio from Lovedale Baptist Church led by Dianne Tipton.

I will be narrating once again this year and a favorite scene of a number of real long-time Two Egg residents sitting around the "Bevis Store" carrying on an unscripted debate about how the community got its name will be back!

Please come out and join us for this growing annual event! And if you haven't read the book, there is still time to order it for Christmas: 

Historic Preservation Projects mark the season in Jackson County

Bellamy Bridge Heritage Trail

As you know, I love the history and culture of this beautiful place we call home. And this year I'm really pleased to see the way several historic preservation efforts are coming together to save and interpret some really significant parts of Jackson County's past.

The first is the Bellamy Bridge Heritage Trail. Now open to the public during daylight hours, the trail leaves from a brand new parking area on Highway 162 only 200 yards west of the Chipola River bridge between Greenwood and U.S. 231.

The trail is a 1/2 mile nature walk that takes visitors to historic Bellamy Bridge, one of Florida's 10 oldest bridges and, of course, the site of one of our county's favorite ghost stories. The trail has been developed without spending a single extra dime of taxpayer money and is being maintained by volunteers. It provides public access to Bellamy Bridge again for the first time in 30 years.

You can learn more about the history of Bellamy Bridge here: http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/bellamybridge

I hope you will stop by and check out the trail. It really is a beautiful walk. We will be adding interpretive signs soon, but it is open to the public and is well-maintained. Remember, the access is on Highway 162, NOT Bellamy Bridge Road. You can no longer reach the bridge the old way that most people remember.

Remember also that the full purchase price of my new book, The Ghost of Bellamy Bridge, goes to benefit the heritage trail project. You can purchase it here: The Ghost of Bellamy Bridge: 10 Ghosts & Monsters from Jackson County, Florida  It is also available for Amazon Kindle.

The other project underway right now is the Jackson County Spanish Heritage Trail, a driving tour that connects a number of historic sites in the county that date from Spanish colonial times. Most residents don't even know that these places exist, but we are hoping to make them part of a wider effort to draw visitors to Jackson County to learn more about our history, culture and scenery.

The Jackson County Floridan ran a nice article on the Spanish Heritage Trail today:
http://www.jcfloridan.com/news/article_00077cae-4676-11e2-adef-001a4bcf6878.html

If you have some time to donate, even just an hour or two a week, let me know!  We would love to have your help.

"The Ghost of Bellamy Bridge" is now in Print!

My latest book, The Ghost of Bellamy Bridge, hit the printing press today! This book features an in depth historical look at Florida's most famous ghost story.

Popular local legend holds that Bellamy Bridge, a steel-frame structure that spans the Chipola River north of Marianna, is haunted by the restless ghost of Elizabeth Jane Bellamy. She died when she was still a young woman and is buried near the bridge, but her name and memory live on in the vivid story of the "Burning Bride" of Bellamy Bridge.

The Ghost of Bellamy Bridge recounts the legend and then delves into the true history of Elizabeth Bellamy and Bellamy Bridge while also investigating claims of ghost sitings at the bridge. Included are numerous photos that many believe show the ghost of Bellamy Bridge!

In addition, a second section of the book features a variety of other ghost and monster stories from Jackson County, including tales from Marianna, Sneads, Two Egg, Parramore, Graceville, Cottondale, Greenwood and more!

100% of the sales price of this book benefits the new Bellamy Bridge Heritage Trail on Highway 162 between Greenwood and US 231. This new public historic site is being developed without the use of a single tax dollar and the book has been donated to raise money for the trail.

You can order now to receive yours in time for Christmas: www.exploresouthernhistory.com/bellamybook.

A limited number of copies will be available next week at Chipola River Book & Tea in Downtown Marianna. The book will also be available at the Jackson County Tourism Office at the historic Russ House in coming weeks.