I really enjoyed the entire program.
It was easy to tell by the tears in my eyes.
I am fourth generation Floridian. Still living in the same area where we originally settled.
I often pacify my hostility about our disappearing Florida by saying or thinking
" We have enjoyed it for many years, perhaps it is time to allow all these others to have their turn."
I will be 60 this year, next month, and I can remember many things that now cannot be found anymore.
I was asked, a couple of years ago, "What were your favorite toys and activities when you were a kid?"
My reply;
" An old broken 16ga double barrel shotgun and a machete were my favorite toys. My favorite activity, and I spent innumerable hours and days doing it, was wandering around in the woods and swamps."
The person asking the question was surprised and taken aback. They then asked "Surely you didn't wander alone, and the gun wasn't real?"
My answer was " yes I was alone and the gun and machete were real. After all I was probably about 7 or 8 years old when I started going alone."
They just walked away.
Many of the things I saw in your program brought back memories long tucked away.
The incredible beauty of Florida wetlands and swamps glimpsed in the program. The flowers, trees, shrubbery, and the myriad of creatures. How far I gotten away in my years of technical employment. Sigh
Listening to the stories about damage done, through ignorance or greed, raised my anger until I am sure my blood pressure was quite high.
Then listening about some of the things that are being done to help restore and preserve our precious and valuable Florida, brought me back from my anger and made me realize that I need to get off my 'duff' and help, if only to spread the word.
Seeing the segments about the tours, walks, camping, as well as the research and teaching, made me want to get up right at that moment (and the feeling has not passed) and go do a walk in one of the mentioned areas. I also thought of other areas, many in my area, that should be visited and revealed to those who do not know.
My intention is to make it required viewing at my home (many of my guests have found that 'The Yearling' movie was required in the past. It is not so much the story as the scenery and description of life in old Florida that is important during the viewing. )
Many of my friends are teachers, or affiliated with local school boards, and I would introduce them (hoping that their students would be introduced as well)
As I said above, the entire program made such a strong statement to me that I cannot pick any points or segments that were not strong or important. I thought that each point made, whether education, natural beauty, economic importance, or resource conservation all were done very well and clearly made their point.
You chose a HUGE target(s), clearly identified the issues, explained the criticality, showed that things are being done to repair and preserve, and showed that Florida's citizens and visitors can all help while at the same time finding enjoyment in our natural environs.
Thanks again
To you Elam.
To Live Oak Productions and the other contributers for the outstanding production.
And to all of you for just being there... it is people like you that give me faith that there are others that also have the feelings for this Florida, and the rest of the planet, like I do.
-- Mark Mayo, Dade City, FL -- Public Television Viewer for WUSF - Tampa
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