SuwanneeCounty received a blessing that day in 1993 when Roy and Shirley Guercio purchased the franchise of the Live Oak Dairy Queen.
Roy had been the Chief Engineer for an NBC TV station in
Miami for 22 years when he and wife Shirley decided to move north.
When they purchased Dairy Queen they made a committee not just to the franchise but to the community. Roy and Shirley believed it was important to get involved in the county. They were committed to making a difference in the community in which they choose to live. And what a difference they have made. They have sponsored many dozens of youth sports teams and $15,000 in proceeds from fund raisers held at Dairy Queen by local schools, teachers and parents. Dairy Queen has raised over $26,000 for the Children’s Miracle Network at
ShandsHospital in
Gainesville. For over 12 years they provided and cooked lunch for all the participants and volunteers of the yearly fund raising United Way Golf Tournament. Over a 12 year period 3,120 soft serve cakes were given away by WQHL for their morning drawing for birthdays and anniversary’s. They have also rewarded every student in the county that makes the honor roll with a free treat for the past 15 years.
As you can imagine in a small community like ours there is a constant demand for gift certificates, door prizes, sponsorships and the like, Roy and Shirley have done their best to say “yes”.
Roy has received “Citizen of the Year” as well as the” Rotary Service above Self” awards. Dairy Queen received a Florida Top Retailer award, a Florida State Schools Business Partner Award and the Sam Walton Award for business excellence.
Today, Roy and Shirley are stepping back and their daughter Suzanne and her husband John are following in the very deep footprints left by Roy and Shirley.
Located on the
Homestead site of the actual Earl Farm, as featured in the book “The Last Cracker” by Joyce Hart Smith is one of the treasures of the Original Florida---the Smoakhouse Ranch Bed and Breakfast. This Historic destination ha now entertained guests with a pleasant introduction to our Community since 1994.
With long standing roots in northern Florida, T F “Tim” and Emily Smoak have recently updated this 40+ acre working Ranch to include two “Country Modern” fully appointed cabins, a historic replica of the original Shotgun style homestead, and a large modern Farmhouse that will accommodate a big family. These are all nicely situated in the midst of the beef cattle operation operated for almost two decades by the Smoaks.
We have made some major changes to our website and hope that you will enjoy your visit. We believe our new look will give you much information that you are seeking. We have added links to Chamber of Commerce members websites as well as to the Suwannee County, The City of Live Oak, and the Town of Branford sites.
If you are not yet a resident of Suwannee County, we welcome your interest and want you to know that we are a well rounded, family oriented community. Our school system is excellent and the county abounds with leisure activities for all. The Suwannee River, with all its potential, surrounds the county on three sides. Whether you are looking for a place to relocate your family or business or seeking a place to vacation Suwannee County will meet your needs!
Please contact us for a relocation packet, more tourist information, or with any other questions you may have.
We have made some major changes to our website and hope that you will enjoy your visit. We believe our new look will give you much information that you are seeking. We have added links to Chamber of Commerce members websites as well as to the