Lisa Buie-Collard - Author : kayaking

Okay, I know it’s a stretch here, but today is about a very special person and what she does for a living. In honor of the letter “Z” I’d like to introduce you to Patty Schwarze (hence the Z). She runs/operates the Sugar Mill located within the DeLeon Springs State Park (not to be confused with Ponce de Leon State Park). What is so special about Patty and what she does? That question is intimately linked with the park itself.

Opened by her parents, Peter and Marjorie Schwarze in 1961, the restaurant has been in continuous operation, with Patty assuming the helm after her parents. The mill, a historical monument from the 1830s has an interesting, quirky history and is located right on the edge of the DeLeon Spring head. Thousands of visitors come each year not only for swimming, camping, canoeing, kayaking, walking and biking, but also for the famous “cook-it-yourself” pancakes served at the Mill every day. The building is old and creaky, and the works are all still visible as you eat, but it is air conditioned in the summer and warmer inside than out in the winter. Patty is a welcoming and cheerful hostess, as are her servers. The place is ALWAYS packed— I’m not joking—so if you want to go there to eat, be prepared to wait a few minutes. In the summer you can swim while waiting, but in the winter make sure you bundle up. Though it is Florida, it does get cold, especially if it’s humid.

Cooking our breakfast!

Inside you can see the Mill workings, and the griddles!

The Mill serves two kinds of pancakes made from fresh stone-ground whole wheat or white flour, along with a large choice of ingredients to add, like nuts, blueberries, banana slices, three different syrups, and of course regular breakfast fare, bacon, eggs, etcetera. Lunch is also served, but I never eat lunch there, only breakfast no matter what time of day (the Mill closes at 4pm).

Marjorie, Patty’s mother, gave me my very first job and taught me my grounding base about serving people. Patty, who travels when she isn't working, and is a fan of "Deux Chevaux" French cars, has been a family friend ever since I can remember. Whenever I can, I go by the Sugar Mill on my way north or south, to eat her pancakes and sit a spell with her to catch up. She’ll welcome you and your appetite if you care to drop by. There is a charge at the gate to enter the park ($6) and it goes to a good cause, the park itself, which is worth a visit even without the Sugar Mill and its friendly hostess.

The actual spring

1915 photo of the Old Sugar Mill and overflow of spring

Canoeing is only one of the attractions

Me and Patty Schwarze in front of her "newest" Deux Chevaux mini-truck

For more information visit: http://www.planetdeland.com/sugarmill/

Before this day is done, I'd like to thank EVERYONE for dropping by during the A to Z. I appreciate your comments and visits more than I can say and am thankful. I'm also thankful to have found so many amazing blogs to follow, so I look forward to continuing my visits and seeing you throughout the year on your blogs!

Now, as this is the last post for April, it's time to announce the A to Z Blogging Challenge Reflections blog. The Reflections posts will be open May 4-8. The code for the Linky List is below. The Reflections post is what you did or did not like about the Challenge; how you think we did as hosts; what could be improved; cool bloggers you met; etc. Please remember you can add the link to your post to the Linky List AFTER you've posted – otherwise, you will be deleted.