Old Homosassa Goes to Tallahassee

I usually don’t post on Tuesday anymore.  But…..this is kind of important.

We have two very active  groups that are tirelessly working on projects for the Homosassa River. I posted a picture on Friday of the group and I’d like to tell you a little more about the good works that these people are doing

A wee bit of history–two years ago, Roger Cullen formed the “Access to the River” committee.  Made up of members of the Homosassa Civic Club, The Homosassa River Alliance, and the Old Homosassa Heritage Council, the goal is to create a park on the Homosassa River.  Hard to believe, but there is no park on the river.

After the “Access to the River” group visited the Save Crystal River King’s Bay project, Steve and Cyndy Minguy created the non-profit, “Homosassa River Restoration Project”.  The goal is to restore the Homosassa River in the same method as the Crystal River group is doing.

save crystal river
Members of the “Access to the River” committee taking a tour of the “Save Crystal River” project

Both projects need state funding.

Last Wednesday members of these groups made the trip to Tallahassee to fight for funding.

Old Homosassa goes to Tallahassee

Senator Simpson has sponsored a bill to help out the “Homosassa River Restoration Project” and it has been funded on the Senate side.

Old Homosassa goes to Tallahassee
From the left, Steve Minguy, president of “Homosassa River Restoration Project”. Christine Stuckie, Senator Simpson, and Roger Cullen

On the House side, the bill was sponsored by Rep Ralph Massullo and has come out of subcommittee but is not yet funded.

Old Homosassa goes to Tallahassee
Representative Massullo  explains how the legislative process works.

Both Senator Simpson and Represenative Massullo have been very supportive of the projects and continue to guide the groups to get that funding.

If you are also concerned about the health of the Homosassa River, you can help out the “Homosassa River Restoration Project” by emailing the legislative assistant to Representative Carlos Trujillo, Mauricio Montiel at Mauricio.Montiel@myfloridahouse.gov. Representative Trujillo is the Appropriation Committee Chairman and will have a lot to say from the House side on who is included in the final budget.

Your email would be so helpful, but please be nice and make it brief. Just ask that they fund Bill 2401 and help restore the Homosassa River and help our community. You can use the “Homosassa River Restoration Project” as the subject line.

Let’s save the Homosassa River now!

Old Homosassa goes to Tallahassee

Friday meanderings

otters

the view

Happy Last Day of March!

We’ve had some great weather over the past week.  Even took the boat out a couple times.

egret

Had a baby otter on the dock the other day.  Otters “peep” to keep in contact with each other.  This one was peeping away.  Couldn’t find mama.  After a couple of minutes, Mama and another baby otter showed up.  I didn’t get close enough to get really good photos.  I figured Mama just might be ferocious with two babies in tow.

otters

otters

They hung out for awhile and then headed down the kayak ramp.

So cute.  But they can be mean and destructive.  I’ve heard of them completely destroying seats on boats if they get on. Terry checked out the kayaks just in case they were living in there and all was okay!

A little bit of news here, I’m blogging for NatureCoaster.com now.  On Tuesdays I will be putting up news of Old Homosassa on that website.  Kind of a Friday Meanderings on Tuesday!

Okay, I’ve got a house full of company and a kitchen full of dirty dishes so I gotta go!

Have a great weekend!

Kathy

Friday Meanderings

Happy Friday!

It’s been a great week!

Shrimpapalooza was last Saturday.

So much fun!

And our first time in the Shrimpapalooza Parade!

The day started with breakfast at the Old Mill–the only day of the whole year that they serve breakfast!

Breakfast at Old Mill
(yeah, breakfast and bloody marys)

Shrimpapalooza

Shrimpapalooza

By now, you might know that the Shrimpapalooza is all about celebrating everything SHRIMP!

It starts with a parade.  Since Old Homosassa is a golf cart community, there might be a few golf carts involved, or maybe 50!

OHHC golf cart

Shrimpapalooza

That looks kinda creepy but it’s SHRIMP COCKTAIL on top of a golf cart!

And friends.

Shrimpapalooza
Judy
Christine, Rhonda, and Robby
shrimpapalooza
Rosey with a hand shrimp!

Here’s a bunch of walking shrimp and monkeys from Monkey Island!

Nice outfit, Sunday!

I have no idea why there is an Ape in the Shrimpapalooza! But he was very popular!

And then there was a festival!  Lots of fun and food vendors selling SHRIMP!

Terry and I took our turn at working in the Old Homosassa Heritage Council Booth.  We have three really great raffles, new 2017 t-shirts, and THE AMAZING RACE!

Shrimpaplooza

The AMAZING RACE starts on April 23rd with a kick-off party at Village Toyota-Cadillac.  $25 and you get into the race and a free t-shirt or poster.  This is going to be FUN!  Clues will be given every week. The race ends on June 11th. The winners will be getting CASH!  And I’m not on that committee so you can’t bribe me to get the clues early!

So what else went on this week????

Terry and I went to the Citrus County Mosquito Control Board’s Open House.  Now, this sounds like a lame outing, but it was great!  I thought we’d see some displays and there’d be some handouts.  But this was a walking tour with a guide.  We got to see all the inner workings of their operation.  Even the helicopter!  This is a group that is doing a great service for our county. I’m sorry I didn’t get any photos.

Spent some time at the Learning Center.  No.  I spent a LOT OF TIME at the Learning Center.  But it was fun. We have a new little girl that came in on Wednesday to learn how to sew.  OMG!  She was so excited and listened to everything I said.  And that kid was sewing!  Her brother is in the guitar class and he is the best guitar student.

Also started our new adult “Sew Cool! Workshop”.  Faith Peix, our instructor was a bit worried about leading the class but did a great job.  We still have room for a few more sewist!  Doesn’t matter what level you are at in the sewing world, you will fit in!  Thursday, 12:30 – 3:00.  At the Learning Center.  Right across from the Homosassa Elementary School.

Have a great weekend!

Kathy