Journal 9
On June 3rd, Retired Senator Bob Graham and wife Adele, John Robert Middlemas and wife Kendall, John Hamblin – 60 Minutes Producer, Dan Tonsmeire – Apalachicola Riverkeeper Ex. Dir., Dave McLain – Apalachicola Riverkeeper Policy Dir., Chad Taylor - Riverkeeper Board Chairman, Jon Blanchard - TNC, Mary Chiles - Senator Bill Nelson, Elam Stoltzfus – Film Dir. and support boat operator, and Gibby Conrad – Captain and Guide of Apalachicola Tours journeyed up the river from Scipio Creek to Wewahitchka. We toured up Cedar Creek, Owl Creek floodplain, Ft. Gadsden and viewed the Sand Mountian residue from past dredging material deposited by the US Army Corp of Engineers.

Below: snapshots of the journey. Photos by elam stoltzfus
Old friends pose for the snapshot: Senator Bob Graham and John Robert Middlemas along the bank of the Aplachicola River.
Below: Jon Blanchard, Director of the Ravine & Bluffs - The Nature Conservancy, David McLain, Apalachicola Riverkeeper Policy Dir., and Chad Taylor - Riverkeeper Board Chairman discuss river issues while heading north into the storm brewing on the horizon. Having opportunities to take our political leaders, managers of concerned evironmental agencies and supportive friends on the river always provides an atmosphere to discuss issues and experience a first-hand account of the river.
Left to right: Jon Blanchard, Director of the Ravine & Bluffs - The Nature Conservancy, John Hamblin – 60 Minutes Producer, David McLain, Apalachicola Riverkeeper Policy Dir., Senator Bob Graham and John Robert Middlemas.

Below: Senator Graham and Elam Stoltzfus soaking wet at the docks in Wewa.
On June 4th Richard Bickel and Elam attended and documented the Formula 3 boat races in Chattahoochee. After all the high powered ambience, testosterone loaded performance, and high speed competition going in circles, we stopped off to see if there were any film/photo ops at the Ocheessee Landing. Just up the road from the landing Richard noticed a small bait shop. He wanted to stop and see who owns or manages this store on the corner of 286 and Ocheesee Landing. Richard setting the stage for his photo with store owners, Mr. & Mrs. Brothers.
Once in awhile there is a chance to get dressed up for the "uptown" experiences. On June 11th the film documentary "Living Waters: Aquatic Preserves of Florida"  received the prestigious Crystal Reel award for "Best Cinematography 2005" from the Florida Motion Picture and Television Association.  Elam Stoltzfus was cinematographer and director for this 57 minute nature film documentary.  The program has been featured on the Florida Public Broadcast Stations, Florida Knowledge Channel, educational programs, film festivals and other special events.  Living Waters profiles 12 of the 41 Aquatic Preserves throughout Florida.  Funding was provided by Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, Gulf of Mexico Foundation, The Ocean Conservancy and Florida Coastal Management Program.

“Situated where the land meets the sea, Florida’s liquid parks protect a diversity of natural resources,” said Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Colleen M. Castille. “Abundant seagrass beds and mangrove forests protect water quality and provide homes for marine life, wading and shorebirds, manatees and other endangered species.”

Images below: Esther and Elam ride the limo and do the red carpet walk at the Florida Motion Picture and Television Association Crystal Reel Awards. This was the first limo ride for Elam & Esther. After the evening's event, Esther commented, "I'd rather be back home in Calhoun County, working in the garden with a little dirt under my finger nails". For Elam, life at it's best would be out on the water or exploring along the nature trails of the Florida's great outdoors.
Jane Atkins