Retiring earlier than expected? What to know

By BRIAN ENGLISH

Many Americans, through circumstances beyond their control, find themselves needing to retire earlier than anticipated. Whatever the circumstances, itโ€™s difficult not to feel wrongfooted and hurried by the situation. However, itโ€™s important to get yourself back on track as soon as possible. Here are some things to consider as you make the transition:

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Wakullaโ€™s Fort Stansbury

By Elizabeth Smith. Originally published in the January 1969 issue of the Magnolia Monthly.

Fort Stansbury was under the command of Lt. Colonel Ethan Allen Hitchcock from October 1842 until January 13, 1843. He was a general when this photo was taken in 1850.

Fort Stansbury (or Stansberry) can be found on maps of Leon County made in the 1840โ€™s but its life was short, and few but dedicated archeologists have found its location. After Wakulla County was formed out of the southern half of Leon County in 1843, the fortโ€™s location was put on Wakulla County maps, but by then it was already going out of existence.
The fort, which was apparently started in 1840, was a hastily erected log enclosure and used to help subdue the southern Creek, or Seminole, Indians during the Second Seminole War.

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Damselfly love

A pair of damselflies who dropped in for a visit with the author. (PHOTO BY ERIK LOVESTRAND)

By ERIK LOVESTRAND

One thing about nature that you can be sure of is, you ainโ€™t seen nothin yet. Just around that next corner is something that you have never seen before in your life. It doesnโ€™t matter if you are the most seasoned, highly educated naturalist on the planet. There are oodles of delightful discoveries that you have yet to make. Sometimes you happen upon them in your roaming about. Other times they just come to you. That was the case with the two damselflies pictured with this article.

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The Old Pro

By AL HARTMAN
The Old Pro

Hi, you all. Is it hot enough for you? It is for the fish too.
If you donโ€™t get there early you missed the bite. When that water warms up they are upriver in a hole.
When you find a hole, drift through it. If you start catching drop anchor. Live bait, minnows or shrimp work best, but gigs or cut bait will still get you some fish. If you donโ€™t want to go up river head offshore to deeper waters and catch reef fish. You need a permit, but itโ€™s free from FWC.com.

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Shadeville reunion held

Shadeville High School (1934-1967) Alumni and Friends Association held its 19th school reunion Aug. 3-4 with a banquet Friday night at the Buckhorn Community Center and ending with a church service at the New Bridge Hope Missionary Baptist Church in the Shadeville community โ€“ Elder Derick Howard, pastor. A good time was held by all. The next reunion will be in 2026. Cephus Harvey is president of the assocaition. (Photo special to The Sun)

Ed Brimner withdraws his candidacy

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN Editor

Wakulla County Property Appraiser Ed Brimner announced in a press release on Friday morning that he was withdrawing his candidacy for re-election.

Brimner said in the press release that it was โ€œpersonal reasons.โ€ In a brief phone interview with the Sun, he acknowledged an incident with a county human resources employee in which he was โ€œexceedingly rudeโ€ in front of his whole staff.

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