Moonshine and Rum-Running in Florida: A Legacy of Rebellion and Profit

Moonshine and Rum-Running in Florida: A Legacy of Rebellion and Profit

February 21, 2025Posted inFlorida History, Things to Do and See in Florida
A rum-runner’s fast boat after being captured and converted into a US Coast Guard boat.

When one thinks of moonshining — making illegal liquor — more often than not an image of the Appalachian mountains is the first thing that comes to mind. While it’s true that the hollers and hilltops of North Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky were hotbeds of moonshining, there was also a great deal of activity here in the Sunshine State, the effects of which can be felt even today.

Florida’s relationship with moonshine and bootlegging is as rich and complex as the state’s vast, varied landscape. From the early days of the Prohibition era to the modern revival of craft distilleries paying homage to illegal whiskey-making traditions, the Sunshine State has long been home to an underground economy of illicit liquor production. Florida’s dense swamps, rural backroads, and expansive coastline provided the perfect conditions for moonshiners and smugglers to thrive both then and now. While often romanticized in popular culture, the business of illegal alcohol in Florida was fraught with danger, ingenuity, and ongoing battles between outlaws and law enforcement, some of which continues even today.

Space Debris Lands In Poland, Probably SpaceX Starlink 11-4 Second Stage

Space Debris Lands In Poland, Probably SpaceX Starlink 11-4 Second Stage

February 19, 2025Posted inAviation and Space News, Falcon 9, Space News, SpaceX
Re-entry path posted by Dr. Jonathon McDowell on X.com. Retrieved on January 19, 2025

The second stage from SpaceX’s Falcon 9 used to launch Starlink 11-4 from Vandenberg on February 1st has apparently re-entered Earth’s atmosphere, with parts of the spacecraft’s debris reaching the ground in Poland. Initially entering over the Irish Sea, the reentering body broke apart, and the debris path of the spacecraft continued over the UK, western European countries including Poland and Ukraine.

Parts of the rocket body, including a suspected pressure vessel, were found near Poznan, Poland today, prompting local investigations into the incident and public safety concerns.

At the time of this writing, SpaceX has not confirmed that the debris is theirs, but according to the FAA, the company is investigating the matter.

Diving with manatees

Swim With Manatees in Crystal River

February 19, 2025Posted inFlorida Travel, Florida Wildlife, Things to Do and See in Florida
Snorkeling with Florida or West Indian manatee, Crystal River, Florida

From the “Things to Do in Florida” department – Crystal River, Florida, is known as one of the best places in the world to experience an up-close encounter with the gentle giants of the sea—manatees. Every year, thousands of visitors flock to this charming coastal town to witness the slow-moving, curious creatures that have captured the hearts of nature enthusiasts and marine conservationists alike. As the only place in the United States where it is legal to interact with manatees in the water, Crystal River offers a unique and unforgettable wildlife experience, and one suited for the whole family.

Winn Dixie Facade

ALDI Sells Select Winn-Dixie Stores

February 10, 2025Posted inFlorida News
A Winn Dixie storefront
Photo: Southeastern Grocers

Jacksonville, Fla. – February 7, 2025 – In a surprising move that promises to reshape the grocery industry in the Southeast, a consortium of private investors, led by C&S Wholesale Grocers and Southeastern Grocers’ (SEG) longtime CEO Anthony Hucker, has officially acquired the Winn-Dixie brand and remaining stores from ALDI U.S.

SpaceX Second Stage

SpaceX Has Another Second Stage Issue With Falcon 9

February 7, 2025Posted inAviation and Space News, Falcon 9, Space News, SpaceX, Starlink
Starlink 11-4 at liftoff from Vandenberg Space Force Base
Photo: from SpaceX livestream

Third Stage-2 Problem In The Last Six Months

SpaceX seems to have experienced an issue with the second stage of the Falcon 9 used for the recent Starlink 11-4 launch. After lifting off on February 1st with no problems, Falcon 9 delivered its payload of Starlink satellites into their intended orbit after a brief circularization burn of the second stage, as planned. What apparently has not gone to plan is the de-orbit burn of the second stage, as it is still in orbit five days after the active part of the mission was completed.

The company has not commented on the matter.

Retirees enjoying a camping trip. Public Domain photo

Retiring Workers Will Soon Impact Many Florida Cities

February 6, 2025Posted inFlorida News, Moving To Florida
Photo:Public Domain
The cascade will come from people already living in the Sunshine State

Florida has long offered some of the best places to retire, offering warmer winters, tax advantages, and an abundance of recreational activities for people. However, with a significant portion of the population in certain Florida cities on the cusp of retirement, the state is poised for substantial demographic shifts.

According to recent data from SmartAsset, Pembroke Pines and Cape Coral top the list of cities in the state with the highest percentage of residents nearing retirement. More than 17% of the population in Pembroke Pines is approaching retirement age, while Cape Coral follows closely behind at 16.69%. Many other Florida cities will see a large percentage of their populations taking the gold watch and calling it a day on their careers as well.

SpaceX Starship Flight Test 6 lifts off from Boca Chica, Texas on November 19, 2024. Photo: Richard Gallagher / FMN

You Can Buy Pieces Of SpaceX’s Flight 7 Starship…For a Price

January 27, 2025Posted inAviation and Space News, Space News, SpaceX, Starship
Remote camera image taken of Starship clearing the tower. Image by Richard P Gallagher

Spaceflight aficionados, like many sports fans, love memorabilia. Space-related apparel, books, mission patches, stickers and other items sell at a brisk pace, and that’s just the bottom end of the market. The most valuable pieces are “flown” — meaning that they were either a part of or aboard a given mission. Many of those pieces are well out of reach for the common man – they are relatively rare and often quite expensive, at least for artifacts with certain authenticity. Others are affordable, at least to a dedicated collector, and can be bought for a few hundred dollars or less.

The maiden underwater flight test of the Trident II D-5

Where Does The Term “Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly” Come From?

January 24, 2025Posted inSpace News, SpaceX
The maiden underwater flight test of the Trident II D-5, was an utter fiasco that very nearly resulted in serious damage to the launching submarine, the USS Tennessee, which is just below the surface in this photograph. The timing of the failure could not have been worse: Congress, skeptical that the program could get back on schedule, was prepared to shift its production funds to another project.
Credit: U.S. Navy

In the world of aerospace engineering, even the smallest miscalculation can lead to catastrophic failure. And in the past few years, a phrase has emerged as a humorous way to describe those unfortunate events: “rapid unscheduled disassembly,” often shortened to RUD. This technical-sounding euphemism, often deployed in the aftermath of rocket explosions, has become a staple in modern spaceflight jargon, is widely used when a rocket fails and has entered into common vernacular. But where did the phrase come from?

The Bardin Booger

The Bardin Booger: Florida’s Own Bigfoot

January 20, 2025Posted inAnother Roadside Attraction, Florida Travel, Florida Wildlife, Things to Do and See in Florida
A depiction of the “Bardin Booger” via Jaxlore.com

Florida, known for its sunny beaches, theme parks, vibrant wildlife, and nightlife, has a rich tradition of eccentric lore of ghostly legends and even cryptids — animals that resemble humans but often have ape-like characteristics as well.