14th Annual South Florida Gathering 2025 (12/12-12/14 2025)

[JckDanls 07]

Get'n closer every day... Looking forward to get'n off of these 12 hr days 7 days a week... (only 14 more months, 1 more hot summer to go)...

OK... I need quick responses to this question in PM's...
Anybody wanting any flavored (blackberry, strawberry, peach, clear) water ??? Let me know right away ...

 

[dougmays]

@JckDanls 07 - sorry i missed this! Ill take a jar of blackberry water if it's not too late.

 

[dougmays]

Hey everyone, with a very heavy heart that I regret to inform you that Chef Jeramy Moore (@jarjarchef ) has lost his battle with cancer/leukemia. For those that do not know Jeramy, he is one of the original members the of the South Florida Gathering. His kind heart and wealth of expertise will not go unnoticed and his lose will be felt by the entire SMF community.

He entered hospice care, at The Moffit Center Tampa, and made the decision to be put on meds to help ease his pain at the end. I have been in communication with his wife, Charlyn, and she said they are having a celebration of life this coming Wednesday, 10/22. If anyone wants more information, I can share it on here or in PMs. I unfortunately will not out of the state for a work conference so i will not be able to attend. We will honor Jeramy at this year's gathering and have a moment of silence before our big dinner Saturday.

It was difficult to write this and i'm sorry to deliver this news, but rest assured that Jeramy is no longer suffering and is cooking delicious foods up in Heaven.

 

[Brokenhandle]

That's sad news! Glad the suffering is over but doesn't make it any easier for them that knew him. Sounds like he was a heck of a person !

Ryan

 

[Fueling Around]

Well that is a blow to the Gathering and SMF.
His creative talents at Disney brought their food service forward.
Thanks for letting us know Doug. Pass John & Diane's condolences to Charlyn.

...
Sounds like he was a heck of a person !

Ryan

Jeramy was a genuine person. Jeramy and Charlyn were a great couple.

 

[dougmays]

@Fueling Around will do!

 

[bmudd14474]

Wow this is a blow for sure. Jeremy was a great man and will be missed greatly.

 

[bobcats110]

Sorry to hear this - met him at the one gather I've been able to attend and talked a bunch about his work at Disney.

 

[JckDanls 07]

Welp... Hate to continue with the bad news... but ... Charlotte lost her son Rob this past Sat. night... Most everybody remembers him and his twin brother Randy.. They have been to Sebring quite a few times... He succumbed to Galbladder, Kidney, and Liver desease ...
We will celebrate both his and Jeremy's lives at the Gathering ...

 

[fxsales1959]

I'm so sorry to hear of any loss. God bless every soul.

 

[dougmays]

Let's just remember the good they brought to the forum, gathering and the world. They will be remembered at the gathering.

Looking forward to seeing everyone soon! Take care

 

[pineywoods]

Give our best to Charlotte that is a rough one for sure we'll say a prayer for all of you

 

[Fueling Around]

Just out of curiosity I checked Highland Hammock and they are still closed to camping

I would like to learn as well as my girlfriend. We talked about making our own bread recently. Let me know if i can help contribute :)
...

I'm in on the sour dough... I have my dry starter from Rick and still haven't tried to get it going as I am unsure of the process...

If you want sourdough starter, bring a couple of glass containers to make your own. I use pint sized wide mouth mason jars for starter and discard. I'll provide the flour. We'll keep this pretty simple. I'll make a true sourdough boule. I will also do basic bread making as that is where you need to start your journey. The smell of fresh baked bread drives my wife crazy.
I'm not planning on making any smoked meat on site to share this year. I'll be bringing a number of treats to share on Friday when we aren't so busy. The Saturday buffet has too many offerings.

 

[Brokenhandle]

Just out of curiosity I checked Highland Hammock and they are still closed to camping


If you want sourdough starter, bring a couple of glass containers to make your own. I use pint sized wide mouth mason jars for starter and discard. I'll provide the flour. We'll keep this pretty simple. I'll make a true sourdough boule. I will also do basic bread making as that is where you need to start your journey. The smell of fresh baked bread drives my wife crazy.
I'm not planning on making any smoked meat on site to share this year. I'll be bringing a number of treats to share on Friday when we aren't so busy. The Saturday buffet has too many offerings.

If someone can document your process as you do this I think it would make a great step by step for some of our members that want to get started and just aren't sure of the process.

Ryan

 

[JckDanls 07]

OK then... We're right at a month away... So looking forward to it...

I have quite a few campers coming... So I was looking at the sites and there are only 4 or 5 sites left in the whole campground and surprisingly they are right there in our general area... So anybody waiting to the last minute to join us better be quick about it...

I don't believe I will be doing snack sticks this year as I just had a failed batch so I am kinda gun shy now... But I can bring the grinder and stuffer and we can make fresh sausage... Just not gonna bring the smokehouse...

Also... At the moment there won't be any flavored water ether as he is out... Possibilty he may have some before Thanksgiving... He was on vacation last week so he may have made a road trip... Find out tomorrow...

 

[Fueling Around]

Didn't see your reply until tonight.
Hopefully the cold snap is gone until after the gathering.
We're vacationing this week away from our apartment.
Will get serious next week about finishing up my plans for the gathering.
I have to make a few practice boules of sourdough. Got friends that will be eating well.

OK then... We're right at a month away... So looking forward to it...

I have quite a few campers coming... So I was looking at the sites and there are only 4 or 5 sites left in the whole campground and surprisingly they are right there in our general area... So anybody waiting to the last minute to join us better be quick about it...
...

I wonder if #29 is someone in our group that hasn't reported back or a total stranger? Don't want a repeat of a few years ago.

...
I don't believe I will be doing snack sticks this year as I just had a failed batch so I am kinda gun shy now... But I can bring the grinder and stuffer and we can make fresh sausage... Just not gonna bring the smokehouse...

I can understand Keith. Packing that smokehouse must be a chore.
I guess people can also make store bought style sticks with liquid smoke and poaching in a SV?
This means bringing their own SV setup or a smokehouse.

 

[Fueling Around]

If someone can document your process as you do this I think it would make a great step by step for some of our members that want to get started and just aren't sure of the process.

Ryan

I can supply photos of the starter feed and discard process.
I cannot take photos during my bread making. I wear rubber gloves and my phone doesn't respond to the gloved touch.
I'll request photos from the peanut gallery.

 

[JckDanls 07]

OK... For those of you coming from the north... Best bet is to come I-75 south to exit 229 (Moccasin Wallow Rd)... Take it East to the end (round about) to 301... Take 301 South to the first red light (about a mile)... This is Hwy 62 in Parrish... Hwy 62 East into Hardee County... To Jim Holley Rd. This is a small back country road so you have to keep an eye out for it... I believe there is a small Hardee Lakes sign on 62 as you are coming up to it... Take a left on it.. It turns into Ollie Roberts rd and takes a right... Park will be on the left...

For motels you will keep going on 62 East to Hwy 17.. .Turn left/North to Bowling Green...

Moccasin Wallow Rd is nothing but construction as they are building a whole new F***'n town... It used to be nothing but dairy farms and tomatoe farms... I'm just to the west of I-75 a couple of miles just off Maccasin Wallow Rd... If you want to pick up a sandwich for lunch/dinner.. Just as you cross the RR tracks on 301 in Parrish there is a mom and pop sandwich shop on the right... PJ's sandwich shop... They are only open for lunch, take cash only, They have fed all the farmers and have been there for close to 40 years... BEST place around...

I believe I will be bringing the Tractor and not the smokehouse... I have a bunch of non-members/friends coming since we are less than an hour away... If anybody wants to come to the house a day/two/three early and camp, I will be on vacation starting Dec. 5th and be home ... I have electric and water hookup ...

 

[JckDanls 07]

Sorry to hear this - met him at the one gather I've been able to attend and talked a bunch about his work at Disney.

This is much closer to home... Gonna make it this year ??

 

[Discus39]

Just checking in on here to see what's new. I always look forward to this weekend but not going to make it this year. I had a campsite reservation but I dont remember what site it is. Might be 29. Anyone is welcome to take it or use it for the group. Hope you guys all have a great time. Ill have to wait another year before we can all have fun together. Cant wait for the pictures.