Local Look Awesometown Editorials

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Mary Jane Exports

Awesometown

on Sept. 22, 2007

Welcome to a world of color! From now on, assuming I have the time, I'm going to be doing my comic in color for the web. It will still be in black & white in the newspaper, but I wanted to do it as a little treat for everyone who is checking it online.

This week we are revisiting the topic of growhouse busts, which is still in the news because they just keep popping up… which is sort of odd for a community like this. Highlands County is what most would call an elderly community, mainly because they seem to be the only voices heard by local government. Young people tend to feel that there is nothing here for them, and most leave the area as soon as they can either via college or work.

Like every county in central Florida our major industries are cattle and citrus. Citrus used to be much larger in the past than it currently is, alot of groves sit unattended, many have been sold to delevolpers. 90% of the oranges grown in Florida go into orange juice, but there used to be a time when we were responsible for a large percentage of the oranges eaten in the US as well… after some bad hurricane years, cold weather, and maybe even some other stuff I don't remember the industry is hurting.

Everglades Seasoning is a damn good cooking spice which I highly suggest trying if you can find it… made right here in Sebring, Florida!