Fire, fatal accident strike village in July

Hi Y’all,

July has been a hard month for Lanark with the tragic deaths of Ben and Monica Steigner, son and daughter-in-law of John and Sharon Steigner, who lost their lives when they were hit by a truck on Arizona Street minutes from their family’s home. 

Ben and Monica were visiting for the holiday from their home in Tallahassee where they were both teachers. The Lanark community has gathered with caring and love to show their support and condolences, as have other communities. There is a GoFundMe set up for the family called “Support for Steigner Family in Tragic Loss.”

“The Steigner family are the most caring, compassionate and loving family to everyone around them,” wrote organizer Juan Felipe Emerick, of Carrabelle. “Both have served the community for many years and my hope is now in their time of need we can help them. The people of Franklin County are just as compassionate and caring. Let’s come together and do our part.”

Later in the week, the Ensworth house on Carl King Avenue caught on fire. The Ensworth family escaped before they were injured, but their little dog died of smoke inhalation. Please put this family in your thoughts and prayers. The house is not livable and most of their belongings were damaged by smoke and water. They did not have insurance to cover this damage. They are struggling with no place to live; they are in very temporary living quarters, with some donated clothes and shoes and a few necessities. 

As of now they do not need any household items, as they have nowhere to put anything. They need donations of money to survive. If anyone or an organization can help them, it would be appreciated. Please contact the Ensworth family or contact me at the email address below and I will be happy to get you in touch with them. Your thoughts, prayers and help will be appreciated.

The quick response of the newly formed St. James/Lanark fire department volunteers, along with the Carrabelle Fire Department volunteers, most of the structure was saved with most of the damage being smoke and water. The volunteer firefighters worked fast and diligently to save what they could. Though this is tragic for the family, it could have been worse. The community and the Ensworth family send out a big “Thank You” and Everyone is so glad no one was hurt.

Lanark experienced an alligator capture on Thursday. The alligator was in the ditch off Highway 98, in front of the Lanark Village Golf Club. It had an animal in its mouth; it was the opinion of some of the earlier spectators and the officer who was called that the animal may have already been dead. The officer called in for instructions and was told the expert from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission would be there to handle the situation. The alligator was over seven feet, could not be relocated and was a danger to the populated Lanark Village. It had been reported earlier in the week that a large alligator was roaming around in between the apartment buildings. The alligator had to be shot. You may have read the incorrect comment that the law enforcement officer shot the alligator. when in fact it was the FWC expert alligator tracker.

The American Legion did have a wonderful event on Saturday afternoon. A wine tasting/food pairing experience, tasting six different wines paired with mouthwatering bites to make your taste buds tango. The wines were chosen carefully, and the appetizers were tasty and beautiful. If you ever see this advertised again. make your reservations. Creating and hosting this amazing event was Shawna, assisted by Jessica, Juan and Ben.

Looking Forward: There will be a retirement party for longtime Lanark resident Joan Matey, hosted at the Carrabelle History Museum, Friday, July 19 from 4 to 6 p.m. ET. For more information call 850-697-2141.

Lanark Village Boat Club will have their once-a-month pancake breakfast on Saturday, July 20, from 9 to 11 a.m.

American Legion Post 82, on Saturday, July 20, will have live music by Bat Bennett starting at 6 p.m., with a food truck from 5 to 8 p.m.

Lanark Village Association will be hosting a Christmas in July arts and craft market on Saturday, July 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Chillas Hall. They are having lots of great things to buy.

Love Lanark.

Pat Sewell Funderburk is the Times Lanark News columnist. Be sure to send news and society items about Lanark Village life to her at p.funderburk@yahoo.com.