Moving Forward, Looking Back

Who Was James McNeill?

Veteran, pioneer, and family man, James McNeill settled in Pasco County in ca. 1866 on land now part of the Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park.

Hidden within the palmettos, scrub oaks, and piney flatwoods of the Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park are the former 19th century homestead and farm of James McNeill. As thousands of visitors take advantage of the park’s natural beauty and some tour the former homestead site, some might wonder: Who was James McNeill? Born June 21, 1843, in Ocala, Florida, James McNeill was the twin son of pioneer settler and farmer Neill McNeill. James McNeill was raised on the Florida frontier during an era when Indian Wars raged and life was a struggle. After the death of his father, while older sisters Margaret, Betsey, and Mary Jane all shared the house duties, twin brothers James and Angus McNeill, both 17-years-old, were already working the family’s 160…

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Five Things You Should Know Today

A fair, a free makeover, a cheap yet authentic Italian dinner and music, a dark day in American history and a perfect weather day are things you should know today.

Hernando County Fair and Youth Livestock Show: Looking for a fun and different thing to do today? Head up to Hernando County for a fair that includes rides, cooking shows and a circus. Cost is $7 for adults, $4 children ages 4 to 12. Children younger than four get in free. Parking is $2. The Hernando County Fairgrounds is located at 6436 Broad St, in Brooksville. Free prom makeover: Money is tight these days. But how can you help your high school children enjoy the prom? Try the Remington College Tampa campus. There, the school is offering free makeovers for high school student's prom nights. The campus is located at 6302 E Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Suite 400, in Tampa. Good, cheap Italian dinner: So you want to have a delicious …