Mr. Paul Bowers Sr. is readily recognizable in any crowd not only for his trademark red scarf but also for his quiet, self-assured demeanor and warm smile. You'll usually spot him nearby a couple of endeavors he's remained committed to throughout his life - working at creating and selling his wood carvings that are beautifully hand crafted in the traditional Seminole way or you'll find him near a rodeo arena. When we caught up with him it was at the bunkhouse by his horse barn which made for the perfect place for him to share stories and insights about his childhood, his tour of duty in Vietnam, early days in rodeo, and the creation of his hand crafted birds, gators, ladle spoons and toys such as tomahawks made from cypress knees, spears, knives, and more. In a fast paced, ever changing world, Mr. Bowers remains dedicated to carrying forward the old ways for future generations and appreciating the simple things that keep us all grounded.

Florida was the third state to secede from the Union and played a key role in supplying not only beef, but also other subsistence supplies, to the Confederate States Army. What turned out to be one of the bloodiest battles during the War Between The States occurred on February 20, 1864 in the pine flat woods near Ocean Pond east of Lake City. The Battle of Olustee was the largest battle fought in Florida and resulted in a Confederate victory when Union Forces under General Truman Seymour faced off against Confederate troops led by General Joseph Finegan. In this episode, we review a Florida Historical Society Quarterly article that considers what led General Seymour to proceed against orders with this ill-fated engagement.