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Preservation In Focus As Settlement Sets For Big Saturday

By Adrian Newby

Fire and Ice
    Do you like ice cream? What about Chili? Well, if you fall into either of those categories, then you are in luck, because we have just the thing for you! This Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. the Barberville Pioneer Settlement will be hosting a combo event with a chili cook off and an ice cream churn off.
    This Saturday will be Barberville’s eighth “Fire and Ice” chili and ice cream competition. There will be free admittance to the settlement on the day of the event, but you will have to pay $10 to eat the ice cream and chili, and judge the contest. If you are a pioneer settlement member, you will get a free ticket to the cook and churn-off.
    If you are not a fan of chili and ice cream, don’t worry, there is plenty else to do. The settlement will also have live music around the property from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and living history demonstrators and the different historic structures. Along with their more historically minded attractions, they will also have refreshments for sale at the summer kitchen and a yard sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    If you are more interested in seeing something historic and one of a kind, then you might want to come out just to see the new roof on the settlement’s turpentine still! If you just asked, “Why would I want to see a roof?” you’re not alone. While it might not sound exhilarating, it is very significant. The turpentine still at the Barberville pioneer settlement is the only remaining still of its kind on public land in the state!
    The turpentine industry used to be massive in Florida. It peaked in the 1910’s and 20’s, but it fell off in the mid 1900’s and was almost gone by the 70’s. So the still at Barberville really is a piece of history almost forgotten. With its new roof, the settlement volunteers can preserve it for future generations. If you are interested in volunteering at Barberville, you can sign up at their website PioneerSettlment.org, with nothing but a motivation to learn! You don’t need to be a pro, as you can learn on the job.
    While a chili cook off and ice cream churning contest is fun, it is the good work done with the proceeds that makes it worth it. Last year, the Rotaract Club of DeLand won the Chili cook-off, and was awarded a donation check before they left the event. It is always a good idea to support a not-for-profit, but here we see a not-for-profit supporting another not-for-profit. On top of that, you can help just by eating ice cream and chili!