Bits and Pieces – Page 31

Friday Meanderings

February 3, 2017 by KTgreen

It’s Friday.

And neither Terry nor I nor the Homosassa Civic Club nor the Homosassa Learning Center made it into the Citrus Chronicle!

Whoo-Hoo!

(But waiting for the next shoe to drop!)

And I really don’t have much to say. And NO photos.

I thought I’d get some photos but….no.

Didn’t happen.

Been spending most of my time at the Homosassa Learning Center. Cleaning up. Moving things around. Making plans. Tutoring.

Along with a whole lot of other volunteers. It’s amazing how many local people are ready to step up!

We have so many plans for the learning center.

Four guitars were donated last year. We have a volunteer that is willing to teach kids how to play the guitar.

How cool is that?

If you have any instruments that are just hanging in closets or under the bed, we would love you to give them to us. We have four guitars right now.

As soon as we get four kids to sign up–free classes. Free guitars to practice on.

How cool is that?

Another volunteer has suggested a sewing class and is ready to start teaching. And we have already had one person donate a completely unused sewing machine that’s still in the box that was never opened! (It could be from 1950 but it’s still in the box! Could be a very valuable antique!)

How cool is that?

Another local that has a restaurant has suggested a cooking class.

How cool is that?

And we haven’t even scratched the surface!

We are here. And we are making so many changes for the better!

I’ll have details next week! Put March 11th on your calendar. Cause you are going to want to be in Old Homosassa that day! Seriously. details. details. next week!

And maybe photos!

Have a great weekend and enjoy all that sunshine!

Kathy

Friday Meanderings

January 27, 2017January 27, 2017 by KTgreen

Took a walk in the yard on Thursday. I’m not out there nearly enough. Because of this mild winter, a lot of my flowers are blooming. They are confused.

I am too.

Thought that everything was going great with our relationship with the newspaper. But an editorial was published in the Chronicle telling the Civic Club that we should just get along. Oh there’s more than that. Very one-sided for the other side. The real problem is that Terry was never consulted. No one called him. The writer talked to the coordinator that was terminated and trespassed. And probably her husband. But not Terry.

I have always liked the Chronicle. Not always agreed with them. But thought they did a good job on getting the facts. Not this time. The editorial is the opinion of the entire paper. “Our” opinion it states.

Here’s the editorial, just click.

editorial2017_01_25

We take issue to a few comments. First, “On the other side of the feud is civic club president Terry Green and his followers who argue the learning center is underutilized.” It sounds like Terry has a just a few people supporting him. He was voted in as president unanimously at the December meeting. He has the support of the majority of the club. And the facility was underutilized. Open occasionally for the kids to come over where they did crafts after school. Open for a girl scout troop to meet on Friday evening.

Second, “Absent a formal lease detailing the terms and conditions of use, the feud has resulted in the learning center’s locks being changed and Bartell being summarily ousted as its director with the added rebuke of trespassing charges if she attempts to again set foot on the site. In response, Bartell has raised the prospect of a possible lawsuit.”

After Mrs. Bartell was voted by the entire Board of Directors to be terminated and while she was taking her personal possessions out of the facility, she asked what would stop her from changing the locks back. And the detective on site said. Trespass.

She continues to maintain that the Civic Club has other purposes for the Homosassa Learning Center. No, we are actually using it for learning. A handout went to the school yesterday, approved by the Citrus County School District, which will go home with the students detailing the new tutoring program that will occur Monday to Wednesday from 3:30 – 5:30.

Now we are working on a schedule for adults which will include learning how to play guitar, crochet, sew, knit and give adults access to the computers and books in the Homosassa Learning Center.

There will be more.

And here’s some flowers to brighten up your day.

Have a great weekend!

Friday Meanderings

January 20, 2017 by KTgreen

Well, it’s Friday again.

And you want to know what’s going in Homosassa, right? NO? Oh come on, you know you wouldn’t be here if you didn’t!

My big project has been the Learning Center. We are tutoring. Monday through Wednesday. 3:30 – 5:30.

Got a lot of volunteers. Need more. If you are in the area, we would love to have you. But we will background check you! I’ve done it. It’s painless!

Think about it. We can change the face of Homosassa. The kid that I’m tutoring is in the 3rd grade and readily told me that his teacher said he only reads at the first grade level.

Sheesh. That is so wrong. But I remember having a young son and I was told that he was way behind in reading. And we went to the library. And read a lot of books. And he learned how to read. And is quite a wonderful person. That can read. And uses really big words.

So. My new friend and I will be reading. I’m thinking comic books to start with because he really likes superheros. Right? Then we will get into bigger stories. He is really quite an adorable child that wants to learn and fit in.

We’ve got other kids showing up at the Learning Center that think it’s fun time. Not learning time.

Nope. It’s the “Learning Center”. If you don’t want to learn. You can just go home.

I don’t need any teenage attitude. But. Having said that. There’s a few other volunteers that just say she needs attention. Okay with me.

I’m sticking with the 3rd grader!

But after some intense learning, we are sneaking some fun in. Think “Project Runway”. There will be some sewing machines and totes of fabric stuff on the premises.

And we have guitars! What???? A kind person donated four guitars. I play the banjo so I have no clue on guitars but I do have a snark and tried to tune them. Strings were breaking. Some parts were missing. Since I love the music all of those will be fixed. And tuned. Already talked to my friends at StrumHollow in Spring Hill to get some guidance on repair. All we need is a teacher. For the kids and adults! Anyone????

Besides all that. I took my oath on Monday. I’m now an official commissioner. My name will soon be on the door.

This was a good week but there might be bad stuff coming.

And that’s how it is!