History of Time Period
The people of Florida agreed to undertake the responsibilities of statehood in 1837. Governor Richard Keith Call was a strong advocate of statehood and the vote in favor was by a substantial majority.
The Constitutional Convention was held in St. Joseph (now Port St. Joe) and on January 11, 1839, the constitution was adopted and sent to congress for admission into the union. It was a long wait, but on March 3, 1845, Florida became the 27th State with a population of 66,500. Middle Florida, as this area came to be known, prospered. The town enjoyed social and political development during this period. Even the nephew of Napoleon, Prince Achille Murat, and his wife the grandniece of George Washington settled on a plantation and became prominent citizens of this community. The stability of the community was in agriculture, as large and small landholders worked side by side. It was here the American dream flourished . . . “That by hard work and diligence, any man could make a fortune.”
Antebellum Krewe Chief- Tina Lipford 
Tina Lipford married Tallahassee-born and bred Parke Lipford eight years ago this October. She is the mother to two daughters, 32 year old Alicea and 26 year old Destiny, and second mother to two nephews, Nicholas, 23 and Jason, 13. She is also the proud new Grandma to Apollonia Marie, born on August 23, 2012.
Tina was born in Niagara Falls, NY and was relocated to Tallahassee from Buffalo by the company she worked with as a Regional Sales Manager fifteen years ago. Thirteen years ago the company left the Southeast and offered Tina to return to Buffalo. Instead, Tina seized the opportunity to assume her alter ego identity of Lucille Ball and bought Riccardo’s Restaurant in Tallahassee. She absolutely loved operating Riccardo’s but a family emergency dictated that she eventually sell the restaurant to her oldest daughter and son-in-law. After a few other endeavors and taking care of her family, she is proud to say she is the new Community Relations Manager for Florida Blood Services, the local branch is Southeastern Community Blood Center. Tina looks forward to doing her part in ensuring that northwest Florida and southern Georgia maintain an optimal blood supply. Hopefully, no one in our wonderful organization, or their family will need it, but it is comforting to know it is there.
When Tina and Parke are not working or having fun with their Springtime comrades, they enjoy spending time with their family, boating, and traveling when time permits. Parke and Tina are entering their 5th year as Springtime members and have thoroughly enjoyed the new friends they have made and good times they have had!
Tina looks forward to serving her Krewe and the Springtime Board in her capacity as Krewe Chief this year. Coming together IS a beautiful thing!!