2025 Florida Newsletters: History and Agriculture
Walt Bethel’s 2025 Florida newsletters bring together Arcadia aviation history, watermelon trains, Charlotte Harbor fishing, and rural holiday traditions. These stories connect DeSoto and Charlotte counties with Southwest Florida’s agricultural and coastal heritage.
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February 2025
Arcadia Aviation History and Citrus Research
Arcadia’s aviation heritage connects Carlstrom and Dorr Fields with wartime pilot training and the development of its municipal airport. This issue follows DeSoto County’s flying traditions, recalls local Depression-era projects, and highlights research into citrus trees resistant to greening disease.
Read the February 2025 Newsletter
Spring 2025
How Arcadia Got Its Name and the Watermelon Special
The familiar story of Arcadia’s name begins with a birthday cake and a gesture of gratitude. This spring issue pairs DeSoto County’s naming tradition with Florida’s watermelon specials, the dedicated trains that once carried seasonal harvests to distant markets.
Read the Spring 2025 Newsletter
April 2025
Spring Pine Candles and Easter Egg Traditions
Cross-shaped pine shoots have inspired an enduring Easter story, while decorated eggs carry centuries of seasonal symbolism. This April issue explains the natural growth behind pine candles and traces Easter egg customs from earlier religious observances to family celebrations.
Read the April 2025 Newsletter
June 2025
Tarpon Fishing History in Charlotte Harbor and Boca Grande
Charlotte Harbor and Boca Grande Pass share a fishing legacy shaped by tarpon, local guides, and generations of anglers. This June issue follows the rise of Southwest Florida sport fishing and recalls snook’s place in the region’s coastal heritage.
Fall 2025
Farmers’ Almanac Heritage and Florida Swamp Cabbage
The Farmers’ Almanac helped generations organize planting, harvesting, and everyday rural life. This fall issue reflects on its agricultural legacy and connects a family’s Thanksgiving swamp cabbage tradition with Florida foodways and the history of the sabal palm.
December 2025
A Florida Christmas Rooted in Agricultural Heritage
Christmas memories in Charlotte and DeSoto counties reflect a landscape shaped by cattle ranches, citrus groves, and close-knit communities. This December issue considers rural holiday traditions, shared meals, and the humble orange as a meaningful gift in a Christmas stocking.
Read the December 2025 Newsletter
These 2025 Florida newsletters preserve local history, agricultural heritage, and family traditions. Follow each newsletter link to read the original issue.