In the days before mankind developed a hunchback from continuous usage of mobile electronic devices, people actually went out and enjoyed the gorgeous state we live in.
Some even shared what they experienced through the written word (without incessant abbreviations, AMOF).
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings’ beautifully told stories of life in rural Florida, her colorful behavior — at times bawdy and hard-drinking — and her friendships with other literary notables, including Hemingway, Margaret Mitchell and Zora Neale Hurston, make her a fascinating character worthy of tributes for years to come.
It in this spirit that Palm Harbor Public Library celebrates Women’s History Month with a multi-event salute to the Pulitzer Prize-winning author and longtime Florida resident.
Friday, March 2, 6 p.m., Family Film Night: The Yearling.
Thursday, March 8, 2 p.m., The Yearling Book Talk with Library Director Gene Coppola
Saturday, March 17, 2 p.m., Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings comes to life!: Karen De Vos presents a reenactment of Rawlings’ life and times, complete with a taste of her famous pecan bars, slide presentation, Q&A session and memorabilia display.
Also …
The Friends of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Farm conduct its Guided Walk of the Yearling Trail on Sunday, March 10, at the Ocala National Forest. Passages from The Yearling and tell the story of the Long Family in the Big Scrub. The walk is a three-mile loop trail that includes a visit to the sinkhole mentioned in the Rawlings novel. It's an area that is flat, mostly through the pine forest, and the trail is well maintained. The group will meet at the Rawlings County Park adjacent to the MKR Historic State Park in Cross Creek at 8:30 a.m. to carpool to the trail.
The group requests no kids younger than 12 or dogs. If you wish to participate, call the Park Farmhouse at 352-466-3672 by Friday, March 8, and leaving your name, number in your party, and a contact number, and indicate where you will meet (Cross Creek or Silver Glen Springs.
You will need to wear closed shoes that will allow you to walk a sandy or woody trail, sun protection including a hat, water for the trail, and a lunch or snacks. The plan is to be on the trail by 10 a.m. and back to the cars by 12:30 or 1. Since the event will be near Silver Glen Springs, plan to go to the springs after the walk to see the “boils” and do another reading from The Yearling. Participants are invited to relax and enjoy a picnic lunch there and even a swim in the spring — as long as you don’t mind the cold water. For more about the group, visit marjoriekinnanrawlings.org.
(Julie Garisto contributed to this report.)
This article appears in Feb 23-29, 2012.
