For more than 50 years, there was no more iconic Florida tourist attraction than Silver Springs. Its sheer popularity meant that the surrounding area--indeed, the entirety of Marion County--serviced the entertainment, gas, food, and lodging needs of millions of tourists annually. Visitors flocked to places like Ross Allen's Reptile Institute, Tommy Bartlett's Deer Ranch, and natural attractions like Rainbow Springs and Ocala Caverns. Sadly, as Florida tourism moved into the theme park era, scores of smaller attractions and their related businesses were abandoned. Author Tim Hollis revisits these once-thriving tourist spots and what happened when those tourists stopped coming.

"Paradise Park was the "colored only'" counterpart to Silver Springs, a central Florida tourist attraction famous for its crystal-clear water and glass bottom boats. Together the two parks formed one of the biggest recreational facilities in the country before Disney World. From 1949 to 1969, boats passed each other on the Silver River--blacks on one side, whites on the other. Though the patrons of both parks shared the same river, they seldom crossed the invisible line in the water"--Jacket.

Understanding and applying the wisdom of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez! In an incredibly short time, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has galvanized the country on issues of national importance. This young member of Congress has motivated Democrats to confront climate change and income inequality and is upending conventional wisdom about how young women, especially women of color, are supposed to behave. Her background, including a family that fell out of the middle class due to health care challenges, has driven her to champion those on the margins, such as low-wage workers, immigrants, people of color, and younger people who face a future of climate disruption and instability. This book takes life lessons from the rising star known as AOC and offers readers a chance to apply them to their own lives. In five chapters, The AOC Way weaves substantive issues and AOC’s experiences to understand how she so quickly came to dominate media coverage in America but also to drive real change in what seems like a lightening flash. AOC has demonstrated some key values and commitments on her way to success, such as believing in yourself and not letting haters take you off course; working hard and being prepared to prove your talents; bringing your experiences to your work by not forgetting how you got where you are; challenging the status quo; and staying true to your friends and allies.

"The key to Silver Springs's success was marketing, and park administrators knew well the power of publicity. This natural wonder was sold and marketed to tourists with tableaux of ordinary life taking place underwater. As the official photographer for nearly forty-five years, Bruce Mozert was a key player In promoting the park as a verdant wonderland where impossible things might happen underwater: a model cooks at a stove, wooden spoon at her mouth to taste, while condensed milk rises from a hidden can (to look like smoke); another bathes in a tub, scrubbing her toes; yet another relaxes on a chaise lounge while a nearby air conditioner hums away. These images are delightfully playful and clever, even touching in their depiction of the tastes and mores of an era of American optimism."--BOOK JACKET.

Come home to Silver Springs for the holidays, where broken hearts learn to love again…together. So much for forever. When Harper Devlin’s rock star husband ditches her on his way to the top, she takes her two daughters to her sister’s place in Silver Springs for the holidays, hoping family can heal her broken heart. But comfort comes in unexpected places when she crosses paths with local Tobias Richardson. The moment Tobias spots Harper, he recognizes a sadness he knows all too well. After spending thirteen years in prison paying for his regretful past, Tobias is ready to make amends, and maybe helping Harper is the way to do it. But offering her a shoulder to cry on ignites a powerful attraction and a desire neither saw coming. Fearing her reaction, Tobias doesn’t reveal his checkered past. He’s falling hard, and if Harper finds out, he’ll lose her for good, especially because her famous ex is now trying to win her back. Secrets have a way of coming out, but maybe this Christmas will bring Tobias the forgiveness—and the love—he deserves. Don’t miss Brenda Novak’s latest book, When I Found You!