Local Places, Local Faces

THE SUITCASE PARTY

October 17, 2016 by KTgreen

This was the best party I’ve EVER been too. Sorry to all of my friends that I’ve said that same thing to. But this was really a GREAT PARTY for a really great cause!

The idea is, you buy a ticket. Pack a suitcase. Go to the hangar at the Inverness airport. Party like there’s no tomorrow. And wait to hear if you won a trip.

Lots of drinks.

A Ton of Food!

Cirque Soliel

They were pouring champagne in patrons’ mouths from that high perch!

A chance to win a flight out to New Orleans, a drive to St. Augustine or Orlando, or a cruise.

We didn’t win. Actually I have my wee pooch Maggie so we didn’t plan on going anywhere!

They actually let us get really close (and even inside) the jet!

That’s my friend Melinda. Her mother and daughter were working the event as volunteers, too.

Seriously. Best Party Ever! So many of our friends were there. And so many of our friends did all the work.

And we made a few new friends!

And all the money went to the Boys and Girls Club of Citrus County!

TOO MUCH FUN!

A big thanks to Jon and Shelly, owners of Old Mill Tavern and HUGE contributors to this event. Plus Melissa Olbeck who does the organizing and everything that goes with that. These people know how to throw a party and raise big bucks! We helped them out at the Mullet Toss in July but we just had FUN at this event.

BEST PARTY EVER!

So looking forward to next year!

An Evening in Inverness

October 10, 2016October 10, 2016 by KTgreen

Saturday evening we went to Inverness, Small Town Done Right! We had reservations at McLeod’ House Bistro but wanted to take a walk through town to check out what’s new.

We had heard that Fox Den Winery, our favorite wine bar, was closing. The owners were there so we stopped in. Yes. Closed. Didn’t want to renew their lease and are moving to Ocala. Kind of sad.

Citrus county courthouse museum — Citrus County Courthouse Museum

Wine and Beer — A new wine and beer bar? Maybe that’s the real reason that Fox Den closed!

Joyce's Courtside Pub — Joyce’s Courtside Pub

Most of the same places are open and very busy and there were are a few new spots. Good to see!

Manatees in the Canal

September 19, 2016 by KTgreen

We’ve seen manatees many times in the canal behind our house. I often spot the “manatee footprint” which looks like a giant figure eight on the top of the water. Usually it’s not a “kodak moment”–the water is too dark and when the manatees surface it’s either just a snout or the back which just looks like a big gray rock.

But this time, it was high tide and a mama manatee and her calf were feeding on vegetation that had grown over the banks and seawalls on the canal. I was able to go out on the kayak ramp and have an up close and personal experience with the two.

The manatees usually have scars on their backs from boat propellers but I thought this was an odd mark since it was on her head.

Manatee Calf — Then her calf came up to me to say hi and it had the same markings. Numbers? Tribal tattoos?

It was a thrill to have them this close and being able to get some good photos of them! They weren’t afraid of me and only left when they moved on for more food.