Thursday on “First Coast Connect” we discussed the opening of the Eisenhower Center, one of the nation’s most prominent brain trauma centers, with CEO John Cornack and Vice President Devin Hutchings. We also heard about a documentary on the history of Camp Blanding airing Thursday on WJCT public television. We spoke with Camp Blanding commander Col. Mitch Johnson and WJCT producer Carlos Bovier. Artist Kathy Stark told us about her new book “The Wilderness of North Florida Parks,” and we heard about Florida Archaeology Month with Public Archaeology coordinator Emily Jane Murray.
Eisenhower Center
It is the premiere program in America treating traumatic brain injuries. The Eisenhower Center treats professional athletes l who’ve suffered head injuries on the playing field. It also works with military vets and first responders affected by concussions. After years of success in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the Eisenhower Center is now expanding to Jacksonville. Its ribbon-cutting ceremony at their new facility is Friday.
Camp Blanding Documentary
The documentary “Camp Blanding: Florida’s Hidden Gem” gives viewers a view of the current training and capabilities of the post. It also provides a rustic historical telling of how the post came into being, its ties to Naval Air Station Jacksonville, the Empire State Building, and housing German Prisoners of War during World War II. The documentary airs at 8 p.m. Thursday on WJCT.
Kathy Stark
Stark’s book is a new exploration of the natural parks of North Florida. Her water color paintings and sketches include notes, historical facts and maps of Florida’s parks.
An exhibit of Stark’s work runs through September at the Museum of Science and History. She will also be appearing Saturday at the Jax Book Fest at the Main Library in downtown Jacksonville.
Florida Archaeology Month
Florida Archaeology Month is celebrated with a series of events, activities and talks focusing around an annual theme. This year the focus is on the people who built large mound sites between A.D. 1000-1600, known as the Mississippian period.
An archaeology festival is coming up Saturday, at the Riverside Arts Market.
Producer Kevin Meerschaert can be reached at kmeerschaert@wjct.org, 904-358-6334 or on Twitter at @KMeerschaertJax.
