At the White Buffalo Meeting
The local chapter of White Buffalo has and will be helping and supporting the Northern chapter to prepare for a PowWow in Vermont, with the Norwich Native American Club of the Norwich University. Our Florida Chapter will also participate in support of the “Death March” this spring to honor all warriors. WBS thanks all veterans for our freedom. The National board of direCtors will be host to the Norther Chapters in July. White Buffalo Society members will meet in April at the Chambers Farm gathering on Sat. the 9th near the senior area. The committee will be selected to start preparing for the “Harmony in the Streets” in Ocala and the Children Diversity Program in Ocala, along with the Silver Springs Native American Festival. Info Call: 625-2279 or 625-1402
Pajama Party
The First Ladies of the Forest Red Hat Society Chapter has just returned from their annual cruise and they held a Pajama Party on St. Patricks Day at Jan and Al’s restaurant in the Forest. In public it is a hoot of a breakfast, fun for all. Red Bonnets are on for a trip to Belleview and shopping after lunch. Bingo is in the works and card parties and a little helping hand to the HELP Agency, Friends of the Forest Library, our Veterans and the homeless.
Homemakers Reunion
A spring reunion luncheon is planned for the former East Marion Homemakers Organization on April 29th. at 11:30 at the Picadillies Restaurant in Ocala. Those that plan to attend or have questions call 625-2279 or 625-8869 . Spring Flowers to all…….
Plans for Forest Advisory Council
FAC announced its calendar for the coming year, starting with the July school supply drive “Stuff the Trunk”, followed by the planning and construction of the float for the Christmas parade, the Choral Celebration in Dec. and a Business Expo for Feb.
Forest Tea Party
Our objective to meaningful action is to build a viable grassroots force, to make your voice heard, to share ideas on local, state and national issues by using our website ForestTeaParty.com. Our group is entirely made up of volunteers and we are non-partisan. Ifyou see what you like and would like to join us please do. Our criteria for membership are straightforward: Stay true to principle even when it proves inconvenient, be assertive but respectful, add value and don’t take credit for other people’s work. The impetus of the Tea Party movement is excessive government spending and taxation. Our mission is to educate, organze and mobilize citizens to secure public policy consistent with our three core values of Fiscal Responsibility, Constitutionally Limited Government and Free Markets.
C.O.P.S. Pancake Breakfast
The Forest C.O.PS. would like to thank the community for the great turn out at our 1st pancake breakfast last month. We really didn’t have a clue how it would go, but what a great turnout it was! Ernie had to make a second supply run and we still ran out of pancakes.!! A second breakfast is planned for April 2 at the FAC in conjunction with the flea market. We are also planning on a Bar-b-que as well sometime before the snowbirds go home. Thanks again for the support.
C.O.P.S.
The COPS were busy again last quarter. All our seasonal people were trying to put in as many hours as they could before returning home for the summer. Hours: Jan. 825, Feb. 759.
The divide and transfer of the Forest District officers and personnel to Ocklawaha and Salt Springs has gone well. The old Forest office is still open with the COPS volunteers manning the office between 10-2 weekdays. Lt. Sauder is there daily also. At the last meeting Ernie Barney, our leader, told us that Sheriff Dean will not be running for office again next year. Sheriff Dean has been one of the COPS biggest supporters and has always made sure we as well as the other volunteer groups had sufficient funds to operate. We don’t know who will take office next year or if they will be “volunteer friendly”. This announcement has put alot of uncertainty in the future of our COPS program.
New budget cuts are planned for 2012. The budget has until now helped support all the volunteer Sheriffs groups which total 70 in all. Two years ago the MC Sheriffs foundation was formed to make the volunteer groups self supporting and take the pressure off the Sheriffs budget. The Foundation has had a rocky start to say the least.. Now all the groups have been asked to set up their efforts to help the Foundation as it may be the only way to keep the Sheriffs volunteer program operating. Several ideas are floating around.
The Foundation is having a car show in Ocala Apr. 2. We will have a second pancake breakfast Apr. 2nd and some summer activities are being planned as well. Any ideas from the community are also welcomed. We always see and feel our Forest’s Community support and we thank you for it. We do not like having to go to the community and ask for additional help, but it doesn’t seem like we will be able to continue without your help. It is hoped all the communities in Marion County will support their groups as well as ours does so we can continue to help our communities as always. We will keep everyone informed as details and information is given to us. If you are going away this summer and need security checks please stop by the Forest office ASAP and get signed up. Someone is on duty every day 10-2 to assist you. Info call 402-6042
Forest Art Club
The art club did acid etching on mirrors and glass in March, will be doing water colors in April and in May we go to Mill Dam for an outside sketching trip and picnic. Come join us, no experience needed. 4th Fridays at 10 a.m. at the community center.
Alzheimers Support Group
Where: St. Joseph of the Forest Parish hall.
When: every 3rd Thursday
Time: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
cost: free
Alpha Center Needs Help
The Alpha Center in Ocala was broken into and lost alot of their items for the needy families. Baby items were stolen. The mothers have to put in some work time when they get a package from the center. If you have any baby items, they’d be happy to get them. You may drop them off at St. Josephs if you have a problem getting to the center in Ocala.
Easter Program
On April 13th St. Josephs Easter Program will be given to the public. It starts at 3:00 p.m. A can of food is the price of admission.
Relay for Life
There will be a cancer program relayforIife.com for more info. It’ll be held at TrinityCHS on 5-13 to 5-14 in Ocala.
Salt Springs News
There’s a new community news paper in Salt Springs with all kinds of info on events. Go to SaltSpringsFL.com
Easter Sunrise Service
The annual sunrise service will be held at the Salt Springs community center on April 24th. Bring your own chairs. A hot breakfast will be available following the service.
Car Show
Marion County Sheriff’s dept. will hold their 3rd annual Car Show at the Sheriff’s office on NW 30th Ave. in Ocala. This is the largest emergency vehicle show in Florida.
Ghost Towns
8th in the series of Ghost Towns in the area is Eureka. Eureka still exists, but not as populated as it once was. It sits on the Ocklawaha River along CR 316 east of Ft. McCoy. Eureka means “I found it”. The section of the river by Eureka was called Cypress Gate and it was the narrowest part of the river; river boats constructed especially for the river were built to the specs for that section. At one time a large hydroelectic dam and power plant was planned during the 1920′s, but the Great depression killed the project. The post office operated from 1873 until 1955. In the 1970′s the government terminated the Cross Florida Barge Canal project and further deterred any more development in the area. Now it is primarily a recreation area with camping and canoeing.
Memorial Bicycle Ride
Ocala Eye will sponsor the 4th annual memorial bicycle ride through the heart of Horse Country on Sat. May 21, to benefit Hospice of Marion County. More than 300 cyclists are expected to participate on the 80 mile, 62 mile or 30 mile rides.Call 854-5218 for info.
Charity Ball
USA Dance Ocala is hosting a charity ball to benefit Hospice of Marion County on Tue. May 3 7-10 p.m. at the Pioneer Garden Club by Appleton Museum. call 629-0837 for more info
Ocala Speedway
Stock car racing will be held every Friday at 8 p.m. Apr. 1-mini sprints, Apr. 8-late model, Apr. 15 Monster Jam
Photo Contest
Florida State Forestry is sponsoring a photo contest. Submit photos taken at a Florida State Forest (not a National Forest)
Bar-B-Q Cook-off
There will be a bar-b-q cook off at the Florida Horse Park in Ocala. on May 14th.
Haile Plantation Yard Sales
The eagerly awaited community wide yard sales will be held April 16 at Haile Plantation in Gainesville.
Florida Carriage Museum
There will be a free lecture series every Monday and a Hoedown every Tues. at the Carriage museum in Weirsdale.
At the Opry
- April 9-The Diamonds will be at Orange Blossom Opry in Weirsdale.
- April 16-T Graham Brown
- April 23-Legends of DooWop
Jam night is Thur and Fri nights are cast members.
Kanapaha Gardens
- April 16-Rose show
- May 8-Mothers Day-Mothers free
- May 14-Moonlight Walk 7-11
- June 19-Fathers Day-Fathers free
Visit the gardens any day, in Gainesville off Archer Rd.
Southeastern Livestock Pavillion
- Apr. 4 – 4H Horse Show
- April 9 – Fla. Horse Sale
- April16-17-UKC agility trials
- April 23-Fla. Walking Horse Show
- April 30-Marion Saddle Club Hunter-Jumper Show
- May 22-Southeastern Jr. Rodeo Finals
- May 28-Am. Miniature Zebu show
- June 3-4 CBR Bull Riding
- June 17-19-OB Mini Horse Show
Marion County Parks and Rec.
- Apr. 9-Kayak outing-Ocklawaha River at Gores landing 9:30 a.m.
- Apr. 12-Kayak 101 Carney Island 9:30 and 12:00
- Apr. 16-17-Family Campout-Carney Island 10:00
- Apr. 30-Arbor Day-Tuscawilla Park 10:00
- May 7-Basic wild Caving-Brick City
- May 14–Art Van go-Baseline Trailhead
parks@marioncountyfl.org
Forest Public Library
- Mar. 1 – June 7-GED Bus Tue. and Thur.
- Wed. Matinee- April13-Last of the Dogmen
- April 27-Second hand Lions
- May 11-Van Helsing
- May 25-Secretariat
- Childrens Book Club K-3-Thur. 3:30
- Kids club Preschool-6 Wed. 2:30
- Tween Book Club-grades 4-6 Fridays 3:30
- Friends of Forest Library 2nd Wed. 10:30
Calendar
April
- 2-Flea Market and Pancake Breakfast
- 6-Tea Party-7:00
- 9-Yard sale at Lutheran Church
- 11-Forest Advisory Council 7:00
- 16-Community meal-Lutheran Church
- 20-Forest Tea Party 7:00
- 22-Forest Art Club 10:00
- 24-Easter
- 29-Arbor Day .
May
- 4-Forest Tea Party 7:00
- 7-Flea Market
- 8-Mothers Day
- 9-Forest Advisory Council 7:00
- 14-Yard Sale-Lutheran Church
- 18-Forest Tea Party
- 21-Community Meal-Lutheran Church
- 27-Forest Art Club
- 30 - Memorial Day
June
- 1st-Forest tea Party 7:00
- 4-Flea Market
- 11-Yard sale-Lutheran Church
- 13-Forest Advisory Council 7:00
- 14-Flag Day
- 15-Forest Tea Party 7:00
- 18-Community Meal-Lutheran church
- 19-Fathers Day
- 24-Forest Art Club 10:00