Family Fun Day at the Park
Come enjoy the day at Carney Island on July 24th from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Just show your library card at the gate for free admission to the park. Marion County Public Libraries will provide a beverage and cookies but you have to bring your own lunch and towls. Enjoy!
Vegetable Garden Expo
Marion County Master Gardeners present their first Vegetable Garden expo on Saturday August 29th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will take place at the Ag Center on Old Jacksonville Road. There will be indoor seminars on various vegetables and pest control. Outdoor Seminars will include hydroponics, composting, micro irrigation and gardening in a small space. In addition there will be vendors all eager to help you with your fall planting.
Funtime Thursdays at the Forest Public Library
There will be quite a variety of programs, Thursday afternoons at 2 P.M. at the Forest Public Library. Art Van Go(gh) will happen on the 23rd and we will show that the Forest has Talent on July 30th with the talent show “The Forest Follies”, with a chance for prizes and fame!
Back to School Raffle
The Friends of the Forest Public Library are not meeting during the summer months however they are offering a Back to School Supply Raffle. This can be seen at the Forest Public Library. The winning ticket will be drawn July 30th at the Funtime Talent Show. Tickets are $.50. The money raised will go toward items needed in the new library.
A Sock Puppet Workshop
The Forest Public Library will have a Gocks and Punk Sock Puppet Workshop for Tweens and Teens. This will happen on August 13th at 2 P.M.
Be Creative at your Library
Tuesday mornings are turned over the the Arts at the Forest Public Library. the programs start at 10:30 a.m. “Now you see it” on July 21st and “Its a Wrap” on July 28th end the Tuesday programs.
Christ Cafe on Vacation
Christ Cafe at the Forest United Methodish Church will be closed for the months of July & August. They thank you all for your patronage and say “See you in September”.
Scrapbook Crops
Claire Wilder sponsors a Scrap booking Crop Night, usually the 3rd Friday of each month. You bring in the project you are working on. Sometimes there are demonstrations and all are interested in telling you about what they are doing. The crops start at 6 P.M. at the Ag Center, 2232 NE Jacksonville Rd. Ocala. There is a $5.00 donation for Breast Cancer.
Free Movies at the Forest Public Library
The Friends of the Forest Public Library are offering 2 free movies a month. The movies start at 2 P.M. and are viewed on a wide screen. There is free popcorn and an occasional door prize. The dates of the movies are Aug 5th: National Treasure Pt. 2, Aug. 19th Pirates of the Caribbean Pt. 3, Sept. dates and movies to be announced. If there is a movie you would like to see please tell a member of the Library staff.
Air Condition Warning
Do not turn on your A/C as soon as you enter your car. Open the door and windows before you do. The plastics in your car, when heated, emit Benzene, a carcinogen. Parked outdoors in the sun with temperatures above 60 degrees the Benzene level can go up to 200-4000mg, 40 times the level considered acceptable. People who get in their car, keeping the windows closed will inhale an excessive amount of the toxin.
Wigglers has Moved
It has taken quite awhile but Wigglers Bait shop has moved into their new location on Hwy. 40. Come visit them. Here’s wishin “Good Fishin”.
Birding Classes
Are you curious about the little brown bird in your bird feeder? Are you wondering about the wood pecker living in your palm tree? Join us to learn about birds native to Marion County by participating in our three hour class that will give you the basics to enjoy the fastest growing outdoor activity in N. America …… Bird Watching.
Classes offered monthly from 9 a.m. until noon at Brick City Adventure Park located at 1211 SE 22 Rd. in Ocala. Upcoming classes are scheduled for Aug. 29th. The program is only $10.00 per person or $15.00 per couple. To register please contact Mation County Parks and Recreation at 111 SE 215 Ave Ocala Phone 671-8560.
Ghost Towns
This area is dotted with sites of old communities no longer in existence. Originally surrounding citrus plantations, turpentine camps, railway camps or sawmills, their need has gone and the forest has reclaimed the once thriving areas.
This is the second in the series.
Kerr City: One of the best known old towns is Kerr City located on the north shore of Lake Kerr. It was founded in the early 1880′s by several northern businessmen and settled by Friends of the Quaker Faith. There was a hotel, sawmill, general store, newspaper print shop, dentist, doctor, real estate office, drug store, two schools and numerous citrus groves. After over a hundred years the old stage coach road that runs through Ocala National Forest remains the same. Kerr City was the second town to be platted in Marion County.
An elegant three story hotel was built in 1885 and became “The Place” to go. A faith healer and his followers, including several widows, leased rooms in the hotel in 1907 and after soliciting a good amount of money from the women he disappeared. When the widows discovered they had been tricked they thought the devil had invaded the hotel and felt obliged to remove it, so they burned the hotel down. Listed with the National Register of Historic Places Kerr City is now a gated area with vacation rental cottages on beautiful Lake Kerr where the grand old Victorian homes once stood.
Team up and Chill Out
Join us July 15, 16 and 17th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. as we chill out and think cool thoughts at our Christmas in July Sale at all three Hospice of Marion County Thrift stores. They are located at 10325 SE Hwy 441 (KMart plaza) Belleview, 6114 SE St. Rd. 200 (Jasmine Square) and 7578 SE Maricamp Rd (Heather Island Plaza) in the Shores. The net income from the thrift Stores goes directly to patient care.
COPS
Our total number of volunteer hours for the month of May was 874 hours. Some of you may have noticed we have a radar machine that is set up in various locations. It is used to deter speeding and let people be aware of the speed limit. We also have five new members in the last quarter, which brings out membership total to 80. We recently have received training in the CERT program (Citizens emergency response Team), which is designed to provide personal contact with seniors who live alone or have special needs that we should be aware of in order to serve and protect our seniors. If there is anyone you know who is in need of this service contact the Marion County Sheriffs office. We are still acepting new members and welcome anyone that can put in at least 4 hours a month.
Kayak Outings
Marion County Parks and Recreation are holding summer adult kayak outings that range from 3 to 5 hours. The program fee includes your kayak, paddles, life jacket, snacks, guide and ground transportation for one way trips. Launch times are 9:30 a.m. and participants should arrive between 45 to 60 minutes prior to scheduled launch. Call 352-671-8560 to register.
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Friday July 10 – Ocklawaha River $20
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Saturday July 18 – Silver River $25
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Saturday August 8 – Withlacoochee River $25
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Friday August 14 – Ocklawaha River $20
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Saturday August 22 – Ocklawaha River $25
One Hundredth Birthday
Kolo Harrison Bodine, a resident of Marion County since 1953, will celebrate her One Hundredth Birthday on August 17, 2009. She is a retired school teacher having taught 40 years, 18 of whick were at east Marion School in Lynne. She is a 56 year member of the First United Methodist Church of Ocala. Upon her retirement she took up quilting and has since hand quilted over 80 quilts. Mrs. Bodine is a member of the Pine Needles Quilting Club of Silver Springs; ADK, Fidelis Chapter, and First Lady of the Forest red Hat Society. She was named “Woman of the Year” in 2007 by the Forest Advisory Council.
Mrs. Bodine has three children, seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. The family hopes that those who know her will help celebrate this very special birthday by sending a card. Friends and Mrs. Bodines former East Marion students are invited to join her family at a reception from 2:00 to 5:00 on Saturday August 15, 2009.
In the Forest
Due to ongoing construction at Juniper Springs and Salt Springs the only springs available for public swimming are Silver Glen north of rt. 40 and Alexander Springs south of rt. 40. Mill Dam is open for lake swimming as is Fore Lake. If you are interest in canoing go to Alexander Springs, Juniper Springs, Silver Glen Spring or Salt Springs for canoe rentals. There are Off Highway Vehicle trails in the north around Lake Delancy, in the south by Wandering Wiregrass and around the bombing range is Centennial trail. Other recreation spots are many campgrounds, a hundred mile horseback trail and a multitude of lake with boat ramps for fishing. So many activities right in our backyard.
Art Club
Forest Art Club meets the 4th Friday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Community Center. July 24th we will hold a pastel session, kids invited too. Charge is $2.50. Aug. 28th Oil Painting, Sept. 25th Reverse Glass painted jug. Oct. 23rd Stamping Calendar. Come join the fun, you can paint your own project, you don’t have to do our programs. Note: we have lost two of our members recently, Yvonne and Evelyn; you will be missed.
Sheila Says……
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the world. The incidence of melanoma has nearly tripled in the last 4 decades. The good news is that most skin cancers are easily cured, but most cases could be prevented by limiting the skin’s exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The risks of skin cancer increases with age, family history and past sunburns as a child. Every malignant skin tumor in time becomes visible on the skins surface making skin cancer the only type of cancer that is almost always detectable in it’s early, curable stages. Prompt detection and treatment of skin cancer is equivalent to cure.
Skin cancer falls into 2 major categories: melanoma and non-melanoma. Melanoma is an extremely rapid growing life-threatening cancer. An easy way to remember signs of melanoma is ABCD’s: Asymmetry, irregular Borders, change in Color, Diameter larger than a pencil eraser. The two non-melanoma skin tumors are basal cell and squamous cell, which are rarely life-threatening.
Prevention: Avoid intense sun exposure by staying out of the sun from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. If outside wear a hat, long sleeves, trousers and sunglasses that block UV radiation. Use sunscreen that protects against UVA/UVB rays with a SPF of 15 or higher whenever you do go outside. Consider taking a B-complex vitamin, vitamin B contains a compound called PABA, the active ingredient in many suncreens. Report suspicous skin lesions to a doctor.
A Loyal East Marion Friend
Tommy Needham will be missed. Early in the 1980′s East Marion lost their rescue fire services and community center. Along came Tommy Needham, a Marion County Commissioner to our rescue, helping us to get the very needed firehouse, sheriffs station, community center, tag office and library. Tommy kept an eye on us and guided us until May 2009 when he journeyed to meet his wife Nell in Heaven. I am sure he is busy helping another community, planning another Veterans Park and baseball diamond. Our friend will be missed and always remembered for his Caring and Sharing.
Fortune Cookie
If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyones else’s we’d grab ours back.
Fishing in the Forest
July: Bream, bluegill and shellcrackers will be prolific at Lake Bryant, one of the hot spots this summer. Bass is also available, fish deeper for this one.
August: Lake Bryant will see the fishermen drifting for specks. Bass fishing is still good. Wildcat Lake is great for bass but rememeber it’s a catch and release bass lake. (From Fat Daddy’s Bait)
New Directory
The new Directory for the Forest Corners area is available from FAC members. It includes all the local businesses, churches and organizations.
Forest Advisory Council News
We enjoyed a visit in June from Marion County Parks and Recreation Representatives to provide an update on the library construction and plans. In July we will welcome County Commissioner Barbara Fitos to our regular meeting. Starting the first of July through Aug. 14 we will be holding our second “Stuff the Trunk” program to collect school supplies for our East Marion Students. Collection boxes have been placed at Wigglers, BB&T Bank, Regions Bank, Forest Library, East Marion Self Storage, Big Pines Hardware, Maries Restaurant, CVS and Winn Dixie.
Suggested Supplies include: Glue sticks, Crayola crayons, markers, pencils, copy paper, dry erase markers, wide rule note book paper, color pencils, composition book, Duo Tang Folder with pockets, 12 oz. hand sanitizer, Kleenex and any other supplies donted will be welcomed. Last year we collected 7 large bins full of supplies and the children and teachers appreciated it very much. Crime Watch Patrol Cars will be on location on weekends to assist in our effort to collect “Stuff the Trunk” items to present to the school for distribution.
In October we will be holding our Haunted House, in November working on our float for the Ocala Christmas Parade and in December we will hold our huge Choral Celebration. So our year will be full. Join us and get involved with your