2026 Florida Newsletters: History and Agriculture
Walt Bethel’s 2026 Florida newsletters connect Peace River trade, Boca Grande fishing, Charlotte Harbor wildlife, and Southwest Florida community traditions. Read stories from Arcadia and Punta Gorda to Chokoloskee, alongside citrus research and the region’s agricultural heritage.
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March 2026
Tater Hill Bluff and Arcadia’s Riverboat and Railroad Heritage
Tater Hill Bluff recalls a time when Peace River boats carried Arcadia’s farm harvests toward Charlotte Harbor. This March issue connects potato shipments, the arrival of the Florida Southern Railway, Florida statehood, and research into citrus greening tolerance.
Read the March 2026 Newsletter
April 2026
Easter Pines, Orange Blossoms, and Southern Food Traditions
Spring pine candles inspire an Easter tradition rooted in nature’s seasonal growth. This April issue also recalls the orange blossom’s place as Florida’s state flower and the Southern custom of serving deviled eggs at family Easter gatherings.
Read the April 2026 Newsletter
June 2026
Boca Grande’s Tarpon Legacy and Charlotte Harbor’s Freedom Swim
Boca Grande Pass and Charlotte Harbor helped shape Southwest Florida’s sport fishing heritage. This June issue follows the rise of tarpon fishing, the influence of visiting anglers and local guides, and the community tradition of the Fourth of July Freedom Swim.
Summer 2026
Smalltooth Sawfish in Charlotte Harbor and the Peace River
The endangered smalltooth sawfish connects Charlotte Harbor and the Peace River with Florida’s natural history. This summer issue considers the species’ former range, the pressures behind its decline, and the sheltered nursery habitats that support its survival in Southwest Florida.
Read the Summer 2026 Newsletter
September 2026
Friday Night Football and Charlotte High’s Fighting Tarpon
High school football grew alongside the communities of Punta Gorda, Arcadia, and Wauchula. This September issue traces regional school traditions and recounts the history of Charlotte High’s Fighting Tarpon emblem, linking school spirit with Charlotte Harbor’s fishing identity.
Read the September 2026 Newsletter
October 2026
Totch Brown and the History of the Ten Thousand Islands
Chokoloskee native Totch Brown preserved an eventful Everglades life through his memoir, while Clyde Butcher captured his writing camp in a photograph. This October issue also introduces the Indigenous shell works and later settlements of Southwest Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands.
Read the October 2026 Newsletter
These 2026 Florida newsletters preserve local history, agricultural heritage, and community traditions. Follow each newsletter link to read the original issue.