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Saturday, April 25, 2026

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings State Park continues to compel nature-lovers

Guests describe the state park as an escape into the Old Florida wilderness, emoting a tugging feeling of nostalgia for an era that you haven’t lived in — but feel like you could belong to. The area was remote when Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings thrived there as a divorced writer. Only seven families lived in Cross Creek when she arrived.


The allure of isolation in the wilderness is an intriguing pull for many readers, idealizing the immersion experience.


Caia Reese

Caia Reese is a first-year journalism student and a staff photographer for The Alligator. Besides taking photos, she loves to spend her free time writing, going to the movies and getting lost in a good book.

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DJ duo Chainsmokers performs at SwampFest

The Chainsmokers headlined SwampFest at Flavet Field April 14, with DJ opener Riordan. The iconic duo mixed in new material with hits like “Paris” and “Don’t Let Me Down,” also remixing classics like “Teenage Dirtbag” and “Seven Nation Army.”


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GALLERY: Thousands attend the first No Kings protest of the year

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A crowd of around 40 people gathered by a bench to watch 20 members of UF’s Lettuce Club compete in a lettuce eating competition Feb. 19. Many watched with their own pieces of lettuce in hand, and some even gripped personal bottles of dressing to complement the leafy greens. 

UF’s Lettuce Club holds its first eating competition

A crowd of around 40 people gathered by a bench to watch 20 members of UF’s Lettuce Club compete in a lettuce eating competition Feb. 19. Many watched with their own pieces of lettuce in hand, and some even gripped personal bottles of dressing to complement the leafy greens. 


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