Tucked away in a sea of agriculture south of Clewiston is a tiny Hendry County park, Cannon Hammock. Tipped off to its location by a fellow butterfly enthusiast who told us, "You will see wondrous things." We ventured forth from central Florida on a sunny February day seeking "wondrous things." Turning south off Highway 27 onto Highway 835 just beyond the eastern edge of Clewiston we began wondering if we would ever find Cannon Hammock. After approximately 17.5 miles we saw the park sign and turned right onto the road into the park. Immediately there were butterflies dancing on wildflowers - lots of butterflies.

Entering the shady hammock, Zebra Heliconian, our state butterfly, flitted about. Suddenly an odd-shaped butterfly flew past our heads and landed on a tree trunk - A Question Mark. Wait a minute, this leaf-shaped butterfly with a silver question mark on its hind wing isn't usually found this far south but, sure enough, there were three of them in the hammock.

As we walked along the hammock edges a large green take-your-breath-away butterfly floated by - a Malachite! Then another leaf-shaped species - Ruddy Daggerwing, a large orange tropical butterfly with long tails joined the crowd. This was a wondrous place.

While walking the hammock edges we noticed lots of Dicliptera assurgens, host plant for one of Florida's rarest butterflies, Cuban Crescent. It was too much to hope that we would run across this rarity but, lo and behold, there were three of them nectaring at small flowers in the sunny open spaces in the hammock. Once widespread over the southern half of the peninsula this tiny orange and black butterfly is now restricted to isolated protected areas. Look closely and you may find them also. We recommend you take a picnic lunch, close-focusing binoculars and a good butterfly identification field guide and enjoy the tranquil surroundings of this beautiful Hendry County park - Cannon Hammock Park.

Editor's note: The park is now closed to the public after a lease to the county was not renewed by Alico, Inc. in 2007.

Tomato blight reported

LABELLE, FL. (Feb. 13, 2002) -- Reports of tomato blight have been received from south Hendry county. Hendry Ag Extension agent Gene McAvoy says he received a report of late blight on young tomato plants in the Devils Garden area east of Immokalee. McAvoy says "Given the weather conditions over the past few weeks and the timing of historical first appearance of the late blight in SW Florida, indicate that late January - early February, growers are advised to be aware of the presence of the disease in SW Florida and should be alert for the appearance of symptoms in their fields as well as be sure to apply protective fungicides to help prevent possible infections."

He advises that the disease can easily devastate a tomato or potato field within a few weeks if it is not properly controlled.

McAvoy said "Since the disease can spread so rapidly, growers should scout their fields thoroughly each day, especially when cool and wet conditions conducive to disease development prevails."

Since late blight symptoms may be confused with symptoms of other diseases, the following diagnostic pointers may help growers distinguish between the late blight and other diseases.

Late blight symptoms on leaves appear as irregularly-shaped brown to purplish lesions with indefinite border lesions can span veins. The lesions may be seen any time of day, on any stage of plant growth and on leaves of any age. Velvety, white fungal growth may appear on the lower surface of affected leaflets early in the morning before leaves dry and/or in the lower canopy.

On stems, purplish lesions may be seen any time of day and may be found any where on the stem. Cottony, white growth of fungus on stems with lesions can often be seen early in the morning and/or in the lower canopy. Stems with lesions are brittle and break easily. Lesions are confined to epidermis and cortex. Leaf rolling and wilting is often associated with stem lesions and purpling of leaflets may occur in some varieties.

In the Service

Antonio B. Thompson has been promoted to the rank of specialist in the U.S. Army. Thompson is a personnel administration specialist assigned to the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command at Fort Campbell, Ky. He is the son of Valerie R. and Gregory A. Thompson of 252 Second Ave., La Belle, Fl. The newly promoted specialist is a 2000 graduate of La Belle High School.

Florida begins marketing campaign for produce

TALLAHASSEE, FL. (Feb. 13, 2002) -- Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson announced a promotional campaign designed to help both agriculture and tourism, Florida's top two industries.

The "Win a Florida Vacation" campaign is a joint venture involving the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and VISIT FLORIDA, the official marketing agency for Florida tourism.

The promotion is intended to increase sales of Florida fresh fruits and vegetables to consumers in the northeastern United States and Canada between February and May 2002. In addition, grocery shoppers in areas targeted by the promotion can register to win free vacations to the Sunshine State. Vacation packages will include round-trip air transportation for two to Miami Beach via U.S. Airways; five days of rental car usage courtesy of Dollar Rent A Car, and five days and four nights accommodations at the Shelborne Beach Resort in South Beach.

"Food production and tourism are the bedrock of Florida's economy, but both are encountering serious challenges today," Bronson said.

The initiative involves large grocery chains in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, Detroit, Washington, Montreal, Toronto and other large population centers. Participating stores include Shop Rite, Tops, Shaw's Supermarkets, Acme, Pathway Stores, Safeway, Giant Foods, Jewel-Osco, Roundy's and Spartan Stores.

The multimedia campaign also helps increase public awareness of the importance of Florida's $7 billion agriculture industry to the state's economy.

From the Glades EDC

The Glades County EDC has a new slate of officers: Patty Register of Gatorama is the new Chair, John Ahern is the Vice Chair, Cheryl Eby of Rawls Real Estate is the new Secretary replacing Shannon Hall, and Donna Storter stays as Treasurer.

We have a new member, Carolyn Thomas Realty, Welcome!

There will be a Tax Seminar on March 20th 6-8 pm for business owners.

If you know of any Bird artist, let them know about the upcoming Art Show to be held during the Big "O" Birding Festival April 11-14. The art show will be Saturday the 13th on the Riverwalk in Moore Haven. The Festival is sponsored by US Sugar, SFWMD, City of Moore Haven, Okeechobee Tourist Development & Glades Electric.

The partners involved are; Clewiston Chamber, Glades County Chamber and EDC, Okeechobee Chamber and TDC, FWC, Audubon of Florida, Fergies Restaurant & Gatorama.

There will guided trips on the lake, Fisheating Creek, a ranch, Kissimmee Prairie, an Owl Hoot, Gator Shining; Lectures on Birds and Bugs, Whooping Cranes, Cara Cara, Swallowtail Kites, Scrub Jay, Grasshopper Sparrow's, Beginning Birding - so much to do.

Watch for the opening of the Campground at Fisheating Creek! (You can camp there now and soon you can buy supplies or rent a canoe)

The county has a new airboat ride business located at the new marina in Lakeport, Check it out. Chalo Nitka is coming soon. Our next board meeting is March 5th at 5:30 in the Doyle Conner Building, join us.

-Debbie Avery

Glades County Economic Development Council, 863-946-0300. www.gladescountyedc.com

Coming Events in Hendry

The Dana-Howard-Weekley American Legion Post 130 and American Legion Aux. Unit 130 in La Belle will be having a Blood Drive on March 14. Edison Regional blood center will have their bloodmobile at the Post home from 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.. The address is 699 Hwy. 80 West, La Belle, Fl. 33935 Phone number (863) 675- 8300.