Forest Tea Party
We have had many candidates as speakers at our meetings the last few months, so we can decide who is the best person for the position. Two currently running for County Sheriff have discussed their ideas, and now we are hearing from other people running for offices in Marion County. You have to be an educated voter. Join us to hear what they have to say. We meet at the community center on the first and third Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. (Because of construction check at the site for notices)
Forest Art Club
We ended our year with a sketching trip at Mill dam and a cookout and picnic. Lots of great food, some really good pictures, but Gabrielle’s sketch of the lake, alligator and sandhill crane was the best! We will resume our sessions in September. We meet the 4th Friday of each month. No artistic ability required. Just a (un “class” and you take your picture home by noon. We will start our year with a landscape painting in acrylics followed in Oct. with a cloth mosaic.
Looking for New Members
The Friends of the Foresst Public Library are looking to increase their membership. Please come to one of their meetings for additional information. The Friends meet at 10:30 the 2nd Wed of each month. Since the library’s program, book etc. budget was cut by 54% the Friends are being called on more and more for financial support. We need idease for fund raisers and programs. Come as a stranger, leave as a friend.
Dining Site
Marion Senior Services currently has an established Senior Congregate Dining Site at the outer building of St. Joseph of the Forest. It is open to seniors over the age of 60 and those that qualify otherwise, from 10 am. to 1pm. Program includes activities, card games, crafts, guest speakers, entertainment, education on nutrition and most of all a wholesome nutritious meal. Contributions and donations are accepted. Call 352-620-3437 for your reservation.
Marion County Health Dept.
MCHD has announced new hours of operation in Belleview and Reddick Clinics beginning July 1, 2011. Marion County Health Department is committed to provide quality services to the residents in our community who are in need of our services, however, we need to streamline and consolidate operations at the Belleview and Reddick facilities in order to operate within our budget. New clinic hours are:
Belleview Clinic Medical Services
7055 SE 110th St. Rd. Belleview
Monday and Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
closed 12-1 for lunch
WIC services will remain Mon and Friday
Reddick Clinic Medical Services
4500 NW 132nd Ave. Reddick
Tues., Wed., Thur. : 8-5
closed 12-1 for lunch
WIC services will tke place Tues. and Thur.
Trivia -Money
A.What was the smallest currency ever minted in the u.s.?
B. What coin was called a “small bit”?
C. What was the first motto on u.S. coins?
D. On what is the eagle landing on the Eisenhower silver dollar?
E. What coin did the first slot machine take?
F. What historical figure is the only woman to appear on U.s. paper currency?
COPS Activities
As always COPS are busy this summer with lots of Security Checks and patrolling. Several irregularities have already been reported. A big thank you needs to go out to those who do the checks…Each house or property is thoroughly checked with a walk around to make sure all doors and windows are secure. Irregularities are reported and checked into by a deputy and the owner notified if necessary. It is a hot, dusty or wet job.
Again Forest COPS took the honor of most hours worked last quarter in the county wide COPS program. Even with the Snow Birds going home we did 613 hours in May.
Several events are planned for the summer.
We will collect school supplies for the elementary school in Aug.
Books and handmade book markers will be taken to the Veterans Retirement Home in Ft. McCoy.
EWe continue to man the office on Hwy. 40, 4 hours a day with COPS volunteers and Lt. Sowder is there 8 hours a day. The office is still busy and we hope to see it return as a regular district office in the near future.
New budget is out and elections are in Nov., so time will tell.
Nov. 3rd has been’ selected for our 3rd annual “Christmas in a Box” collection for the Soldiers. 37 boxes of personal care items were sent last year. We are hoping for even greater event this year. Watch for boxes in local stores for collections beginning the first of the next quarter.
As always we need more volunteers, especially in the summer. Only 4 hrs. a month is required for patrol. Contact the Sheriff’s office if you are interested.
Summer Garden Care
July
You can add summer annuals for color in your garden, Gladiolus can be planted during the summer. Prune trees of weak or damaged branches. Herb PLANTS can be added now, Check citrus trees and take any needed action to minimize damage to developing fruit.
AUGUST
Pinch back poinsettias and mums to allow time for new buds to form for winter blooms. Fertilize annuals and perennials to extend blooming time. Fertilize any ornamentals that show nutrient deficiencies. Dead head flowers.
SEPT.
Prepare your vegetable garden. Transplants will give you a head start but seeds will give you more. Check irrigation systems. Divide Perennials and bulbs. Add organic matter to the beds and water as needed.
Krafty Cutups
On the 2nd Sat. of each month crafters get together to work on their own projects, cards, scrapbooking, etc. Usually there is a demonstration. Ideas are
exchanged. They meet at the Forest Public library from 10:30 to 5. They ask for a donation of $5 that will go to support the library programs. July’s demo will be on scrapbooking. Come for an hour. Come for the day.
VEGETABLE GARDEN EXPO
There will be a Vegetable Garden Expo at the Agricultural Center on Sat., Sept. 10th There will be speakers and demonstrations and tours of the Master
Gardeners’ gardens. The Ag. Center is on Old Jacksonville Rd., next to the Livestock Pavilion.
LOOKING FOR SPEAKERS
The Friends of the Forest Public Library are always looking for interesting speakers who would like to be a guest at one of our COFFEE AND meetings. You can leave information for uS at the library or you can call Pat 625-2279 or Nancy 625-7806.
Update on Deputy Confessore
On 5/28/11 Marion County Deputy Confessore responded to a call north of Hwy. 40 and was shot in the chest at close range. Thankfully, he was wearing
a bullet proof vest whch took a lot of the impact Still alot of damage was done. After several days in the hospital, surgery and a trip or two back, he is now at home and doing well. He is in good spirits and looking forward to returning to work here in the Forest, probably sometime around August. He wants everyone to know how much he appreciated the cards, letters and prayers he has received during his recovery. Thank you Deputy Confessore,and to all the hard working deputies who put their lives on the line for us each and every day!!
Hurricane Season
Hurricane season runs from June thru Nov. For newcomers and a reminder to all of us here are some hints.
- Find your evacuation route, generally north away from the coasts..
- Secure your house, TV, dishes, outdoors furniture, trash cans. Board windows, tie down campers and boats.
- Fill the tub with water to be used for cleaning and to flush the toilets. Keep bottled water for 3 days, and food for 3 days.
- If you leave take: maps, first aid kit, medications, personal documents(deed, insurance), phone numbers, cell phone and car charger, rain gear, battery powered radio, extra clothes, blanket and pillows.
Other necessities: pet supplies, flashlights, gas or propane grill, cooler, duct tape, paper towels. Before the hurricane get trees trimmed and check your insurance policy for hurricane coverage.
Ghost Towns
9th in this series of Ghost towns in Marion County is just Ghosts ………. of Ocklawaha. And we are featuring Ma Barker and her Boys. Ma Barker was born in 1877 in Springfield Mo., married George Barker, had 4 sons; they became known as the Bloody Barkers and all of them met violent deaths.
She and her boys robbed banks and post offices all over the country, evading police and FBI for over a decade. Eventually their run of crime was brought to an end after a foiled attempt to obtain ransom money for the kidnapping of a wealthy whiskey distiller. Her gang had to split up to keep running from the authorities. She and her son Freddy ended up living in Ocklawaha Florida. On Jan. 16, 1935 their spree was over as they were killed in a shootout at their house with the FBI. Some say the house is haunted by the spirits of the gangsters who took their last breaths in the house. There used to be reenactments of the battle in Jan. on the anniversary in Ocklawaha, but it has been discontinued.
Gardens
If you planted a little garden make sure you pick your veggies when they are not quite ripe.Take them inside to ripen before the bugs get them, that way you won’t lose much. And water in the evening, that way the water can penetrate the soil and not cook the plants.
Pine Needles Quilt Club
The quilters meet at the Silver Lake Community Center at 10 on Thursdays. We will not meet in August, but will resume in Sept. For info call 625-2095
FAC
Forest Advisory Council meets the 2nd Monday of each month at 7 p.m.. We have 5 officers and 3 board members, plus over 30 members. Each member represents a group of people, like a church, an organization, etc. At our meetings we have speakers on topics of local interest, hear reports from the county representative, the sheriff department and local events. Come and join us.
Fishing in the Forest, Charlie Sez .
Ocala National Forest is one of the best places in Florida. We have hundreds of lakes and ponds and two rivers. A lot of our lakes are low right now, but that isn’t stopping the fish from biting. We have seen larger speck bass and catfish this year. The rivers are best with larger boats because of the low water at boat ramps. Small boats are great for the lakes and ponds. The fish will be in deep water because of the hot temperatures.
As we all know the economy is in a bad way; fishing is a relatively inexpensive recreation and fun for the whole family. Wigglers has bait, tackle, ice, sodas and snacks, beer and bottled water. We are the one stop bait shop, with information about the area. We also sell crickets. We are keeping our prices as low as possible so we can all enjoy our forest fishing.
Needing Things
HELP agency needs food donations, East marion School needs school supplies, People who are lonely need some attention, maybe a hello or a hug Did you cook too much? Find a neighbor who would be happy to join you or take them a plate of food. Believe me, you will be rewarded with smiles. Find your “Needings” and take care of them.
Places to go
We always try to think up places to take visitors and here are a few suggestions:
- Villages-there is fun and dancing every night at the Square Orange Blossom Opry-Thur. Fri and Sat. Country music at it’s best
- Stumpknockers-enjoy a great meal then go on the scenic boat ride down the Withlacoochee.
- Juniper Springs-pack a lunch and your snorkle tube; beautiful swimming, hiking, canoeing spot.
- OBS-watch the jockeys exercise the horses, off track betting.
- Stock car racing -Just this side of Astor
- Within an hour: manatees at Blue Springs, shopping at Cedar Key, enjoy the ocean at Daytona Beach.
Sayings from Grouchy
- THINK …. Its not illegal yet!
- As long as there are tests there will be prayer in school.
- When I die, I wanna go link my grandpa…peacefully sleeping… not screaming like the passengers in his car.
- Weather is here, wish you were beautiful.
- Did you know 8 out of 3 people don’t get fractions?
Thank You
Thank you to Josie Ryals for all the great info on the old town of Norwalk. I wrote an article about it several years ago and will add to it in the future with all this information and pictures.
Trivia answers:
A. Half Penny
B. Dime
C. Mind your Business
D. The Moon
E. Nickel
F. Martha Washington