News of the Month!!
Effective October 1, 2011 the Forest District Office will re-open as a fully operational District Office. Lieutenant Bill Sowder is assigned as the District Commander and will assume command of the Forest Office. Stephanie Urso will transfer from the Silver Springs District Office to the Forest Office as Secretary.Detective John Warmuth will transfer from the Ocklawaha District to the Forest Office.
Womens Celebration
Solid Rock Bible Church is hosting its 2nd annual Women’s Celebration on Sat. Oct. 15th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bring your mother, daughter, sister, girl friend or the lady next door. Join us for food, fun, fellowship and many many Give-a-Ways! Baby sitting will be provided. Solid Rock Bible Church looks forward to the coming holidays with a special Thanksgiving Service on Sun. Nov. 20th. 10 a.m. Bible Study, 11 a.m. Worship. Remember to give thanks to the one from whom all blessings flow. In December, celebrate the greatest gift of all, our Lord, Sunday Dec. 25th. On New years even bring in the New Year the right way. Sat. Dec 31,
Speed Cart and Radar Gun
The Forest was lucky to get a new speed cart and radar gun. We have several areas in the Forest area where speed is a real problem. Speed carts and radar guns, are used to make you aware of your speed. Many times they are followed by an officer with a ticket book! Remember speeding is the #1 cause of accidents, many times fatal.!
Friends of Forest Public Library
The Friends are changing their meeting day to the third Wednesday of every month at 10:30, starting in October on the 18th. We will see you at the Trunk or Treat on the library grounds from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Businesses and organizations are invited to participate, giving out goodies to our Forest children. Volunteers are needed to help with the program.
Steel Horse Stampede
The 8th annual Steel Horse Stampede motorcycle ride is gearing up for its journey through Marion County on Nov. 5th. The fund raiser for Hospice of Marion County had 255 riders last year and raised more the $16,700. Pre-register at 352-854-5218 or register the day of the event at Hospice, 3231 Se 34th Ave. in Ocala. Start time is 10:00 am, $20 per rider, $15 per passenger. A light breakfast will be available and lunch will be served by Tommys BBQ.
35th Fall Country Jamboree
Nov. 5 – 6, Sat. & Sun. Live music, arts & crafts, historic demos, BBQ, homemade ice cream. $6 adults, $4 kids 6 – 12. For info call Barberville Pioneer Settlement. 386-749-2959.
Food Trivia
What fruit is kirsch made from?
- a. kumquats
- b. cherries
- c. Pineapple
What chocolate bar has more caffeine than a cup of coffee?
- a. Krackle
- b. Special Dark
- C. Milk chocolate
Residents of what country eat the most chocolate?
- a. Swiss
- b. Americans
- c. Canadians
What spice comes from crocus flowers?
- a. saffron
- b. curry
- c. hyssop
Life Chain
St. Josephs of the Forest will have a Life Chain on Oct. 2 Sunday at 3p.m. There will be refreshments after. Please join us if you can.
Red Hats
The First Ladies of the Forest Red Hat Society Chapter helped one of their members, Kolo Bodine, celebrate her 102nd birthday in August. In September they had lunch at the Cast Away in Aster on the River. September Gutter Ball Frensee will be rescheduled for the snowbird members. The members and guest will attend a Red Hat Fashion Show and luncheon to held at the Ft. McCoy Veterans retirement home of Oct. 12th at 12:00. This is open to the public. On Oct. 31st members will be at the Friends of the Forest Library for the Trunk or Treat, blowing bubbles.
On November 11/11/11 everyone is invited to the Veterans Retirement Home for a special ceremony for all Veterans at 2:00 p.m. If you have any articles for the Thank You give-Away basket bring it along. Tickets will be available for a donation, with the funds going to the home. On Nov. 19th they plan to attend the viewing of Katherine Hepburns costumes from her screen and stage days at Appleton Museum. They are proud to have several members join the High Five Club through the Regions bank, a benefit for the Interfaith food program.
Forest COPS
We are please to let everyone know Deputy Confessore is back on the job and doing well. Some of the functions the COPS will help with next quarter are the 3rd annual Christmas in a Box program to collect supplies for soldiers.That will be held Nov. 5th in the Winn-Dixie parking lot. We will also be involved in the FAC’s Choral Celebration on Dec. 9th and the annual COPS Christmas celebration. The COPS program always needs help and more volunteers. TO volunteer or obtain info about the program call the Forest District office at 402-6042 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Florida Christmas Remembered
Dec. 10th, Saturday 9 – 4. An old fashioned Christmas with children’s activities but great for people of all ages. Strolling carolers, elves making crafts in Santas workshop, holiday goodies to snack on, Christmas music in the historic church. Pioneer Settlement at Barberville, Hwy 17 at Rt. 40. 386-749-2959
Christmas Bazaar
On Dec. 3rd. from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. St. Joseph’s Catholic Church will hold their Christmas Bazaar. There will be baked goods, white elephant table, new and almost new items, jewelry and crafts. There will be food available. Something for everyone!
Trunk or Treat
Friends of the Forest Public Library, local businesses and organizations invite all children to their annual Trunk or Treat celebration. Come in costume on Halloween Monday Oct. 31st to the parking lot of the Forest Public Library on 314A between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. for fun and treats.
Welcome to the Krafty Cutups
Every 2nd Sat. of the month crafters gather in the Community Room of the Forest Public Library to work on their individual projects. Card stamping, scrap booking, jewelry etc. Some make and takes. $5 donation to benefit the programs at the Library. Doors open at 10:30 but you can come any time until 4 p.m.
Autumn Book Sale
The Friends of the Forest Public Library will hold their Autumn Book and Puzzle Sale on Fri. Nov. 4th and Sat. Nov. 5th. The sale will be held in the Community Room of the Forest Public Library from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The library will be grateful for any books you wish to donate for the sale.
Attention Local Businesses and Organizations
If you would like to participate in Trunk or Treat by giving treats to the children and advertising your business and you have not been contacted by a Friend, please call Sandi at 625-1170.
Always Looking for New Members
If you would like to help with programs at the Library, or to help raise money to pay for the programs, the Friends of the Forest Public Library would love to have you join us. We meet on the 3rd Weds. of each month at 10:30 a.m.
White Buffalo
The White Buffalo Society is preparing for the veterans ceremonies and events. The members have purchased a new flag for the Forest Public Library in honor of their former Chiefs, Chief Big eagle Piper, Army and Chief Lone Wolf Holcomb, Navy. A dedication will be held this fall. Everyone is invited to join the society members at the annual Thanksgiving Powwow on Nov. 25th – 27th at the Chambers ground in Orange Springs, just north of Ft. McCoy on 315. Free parking and admission. Bring a chair or blanket; refreshments will be available.
The Society will also be going to the Native American Festival at Silver Springs theme park on No. 17 – 19th. The Society has been invited to participate in the One Ocala/One America program for the kids involved in Diversity Social on Oct. 6th from 6 p.m -7:30 p.m. at the Ed Croskey Recreation Center. For info call Ira at 368-5517. This is our 6th year of participation.
Marion County Childrens Alliance
MCCA is certainly an exciting organization to try to keep up with; it provides a forum for sharing information that benefits children and families throughout our county. The Aug. meeting was chaired by our Sheriff Ed Dean and was very enlightening, everyone had a great deal to offer in written material as hand outs. A nice meal was served before the meeting.
David Houck from out H.E.L.P. Agency was mentioned for his job well done and seeing Scott Hackmyer a former East Marion Elementary school principal still serving and caring. He was an asset Forest Advisory Council in it’s early days. He kept the council informed of their children’s needs. So if you have an interest in our children contact Marion County Childrens Alliance. They are on a mission. Go to mcca@mcchildrensalliance.org
Sayings from Grouchy
- Always remember that you’re unique. Just like everyone else.
- No matter what they say, you can’t raise kids without duct tape.
- Map Quest really needs to start their directions on #5 I’m pretty sure I know how to get out of my own neighborhood.
- Being mischievous makes you memorable.
Ghost Towns
10th in this series of Ghost towns in Manon County is Moss Bluff. By 1876 the busy settlement of Moss Bluff had a post office, several stores and the Waterman and Company steam powered sawmill. The settlement was connected to the main line of the Ocklawaha Valley Railroad by a spur logging line of the Rentz lumber company, which connected at Silver. Springs. A portion of the right-of-way can still be seen a little south of the CR 464C bridge crossing the Ocklawaha River northeast into Moss Bluff. The final Moss Bluff post office closed in 1932. There are still many homes and churches in the Moss Bluff area.
CO.P.S.
The Forest Citizens Patrol, COPS, were busy this summer. We collected and distributed school supplies for East Marion daily for 4 hrs. and did security checks, which were at an all time high. We are anxiously waiting for our winter Partners to return home to help out with our community objectives. Some Good news was shared in combined meeting between the Forest, Northeast & Ocklawaha COPS. Under- Sheriff Kuhn was there to talk to us about next years budget and beyond. Even with the new budget cuts planned and no increase in mileage, the COPS program will continue next year as usual. In addition he told us the budget will allow for several new deputies and some much needed new patrol cars. To help with costs, the Volunteer Foundation, which helps raise money, has several functions planned to help offset operating costs, one of which will be launched from our own Forest District.
Christmas Card Class
Sir Henry Cole of London inspired a tradition and a multimillion dollar industry in 1843 when he commissioned the first commercial Christmas Card to be designed and sold. Today’s cards take many forms and are still a joy to receive and send. Commercial cards are great, but handmade cards are even more special, not only for the recipient but the maker as well. Come join me in the new Forest Community center November 19th 1-3 p.m. and make 12 beautiful rubber stamped cards to share this Christmas. No stamping experience necessary, but helpful. For more info, sign up and class fee, call Jackie, 352-288-9655.
New stamping Class in the Forest
Meet the instructor. Come and meet me in the beautiful new Forest Community Center and have some fun. We will be making a couple of cute and free projects to take home. Rubber Stamping is one of the most popular hobbies today and can be done on just about any surface. No previous stamping experience necessary to produce great projects. Instructor Jackie Walker. Free class and all supplies. Nov. 19th from 10 a.m. to noon.
Holiday Decor
For all your holiday decorating visit Betty’s Country Gifts and Decor in Lynn Plaza. She has a wide variety of beautiful decorating items. Americanna, and Country, everything you need for that special look. Come check it out.
Trivia Answers: b. cherries b. Special Dark c. Canadians a. Saffron