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Race through history

2 min read

To the Editor:

Jan. 17 was the 3rd annual Bad to the Bone 5K race, a very important fund-raiser for the Ida S. Baker High School cross country team, coached by Janet Davis, a local Pine Islander herself. Much of the race was spent running or walking the trails throughout the Randell Research Center grounds on Pine Island, amid beautiful vegetation and the historic Calusa Indian mounds. The site of the Randell Research Center is owned by the University of Florida, and much of it was donated to them by Col. and Mrs. Randell, previous owners, for its artifacts and historic value. Their home still stands on one of the mounds in Pineland.

This event is more than a race or a fund-raiser. It is an opportunity for people from all over the community to support our young people, those kids who try their best each and every day. It is a wonderful experience to be among young and old, walking, running and celebrating together in one of South Florida’s most beautiful environments. Many thanks are due to the businesses and individuals whose contributions made this event successful: Alden Pines Country Club, Angles Hair Salon, Cabbage Key, the Earth and Spirit Garden Gallery, LocoTZ, Pine Island Cycles Inc., authors Robert Macomber and Mary Kay Stevens, Pine Island’s Winn-Dixie, the Sandy Hook Restaurant,and the Tropic Star of Pine Island. Special recognition goes to Michael Wild of the Randell Research Center, who hosted the event and heartily welcomed the participants on a very cold early morning.

Next year’s race will be even bigger and better! We’ll look for you to jump on board and help with donations, planning and participating. Start looking for the news in December and get ready for a great event.

Janet Davis

Ida S. Baker High School