Local Places, Local Faces

Town Hall Meeting

March 13, 2015March 13, 2015 by KTgreen

We had a very exciting town hall meeting with District Two County Commissioner Ron Kitchen yesterday.

Exciting because there were so many attendees and our new commissioner seemed eager to talk about Homosassa’s unique issues.

I’m guessing we had over 60 people for this meeting. And most of them were from the Homosassa River area. Much better than the “meet and greet” we went to with J.J. Kenney last July. I think there were 8 concerned citizens for that one. The sidewalk meeting the same month drew about 30 people.

Commissioner Kitchen opened this meeting by saying he could not talk about the Halls River Project–a 110 room hotel being planned right across the street from the site of the former Marguerita Grille. This was a disappointment to the audience since many came just for that purpose. The commissioner could not discuss it because of the public hearing that is coming up on April 14th. He did invite us all to come to the hearing and I think just about everybody in that room will be there.

The commissioner was assisted by Toby Phillips, County Information Officer. She listed all of our questions and issues on the wall–26 bullet points with the really important items starred. Randy Oliver, the county administrator, was also present.

Since the majority of the people attending the meeting were from the Homosassa River area, that’s what most of the questions were about. From traffic on Halls River Road, to what was going on with our sidewalks and trees, and how do we get the county to focus on Old Homosassa?

The area is not incorporated, we have no merchant organization, our main community groups are the Civic Club, the River Alliance, and The Old Homosassa Heritage Council and we have no common voice between these three groups. Commissioner Kitchen stated several times that the more meetings we attend and the more noise we make, the more we will get in return.

So let’s make some noise!

On a side note, don’t forget the Shrimpaplooza on Saturday. I said earilier this week that the parade starts at 10:30 which is what I pulled off of the Rotary’s website. Today’s paper lists the time at 10 am. The Old Homosassa Heritage Council (OHHC) will have a booth on Mason Creek. Stop by and say hi, buy a t-shirt, or/and make a donation to help us with our current project–buying, restoring, and maintaining the Water Tower.

DeeDee Wilcox, co-chair of the OHHC, will be at the Visitor Center of the Homosassa Wildlife Park for Homosassa Heritage Days on Saturday. Besides handouts and information, DeeDee will have an original painting by Gil Watson of the Water Tower on display.

Have a great weekend!

Kathy

Upcoming Important Events

March 10, 2015March 10, 2015 by KTgreen

We have serious stuff to talk about today….

This evening at 5:30, Old Homosassa Historical Preservation Society holds their monthly meeting at the Gator Den at MacRae’s Motel, If you are interested in preserving Old Homosassa’s heritage for current and future generations, you should attend this meeting. Our current project is to buy, repair, and maintain the Old Homosassa Water Tower.

Thursday evening at 6 – 7:30 there will be a town hall meeting with County Commissioner Ron Kitchen Jr. at the Homosassa Library. According to the Citrus Chronicle, Kitchen said “I want the public to know that I am continuing to listen, I want to hear about any issues our citizens are currently facing.” If you are concerned with events occurring in our community, you should attend this meeting. Two hot issues right now are the sidewalk plans on Yulee Drive and the 110-unit motel being planned on Halls River Road.

Following the town hall, The River Alliance will be meeting at 7:45 at the Civic Club.

We have two big events on Saturday.

First, Homosassa Heritage Day will be held at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Here’s an opportunity to learn about Homosassa’s history. The event is held inside the park’s Visitor Center at the main entrance on U.S. 19 so you do not have to pay admission to the park.

Second is the 3rd annual Shrimpapalooza. The parade starts at 10:30 am and will feature about 10,000 golf carts and a gazillion beads. That might be a slight (huge) exaggeration but you should just come and see for yourself. The festival following the parade is held in the park behind the Homosassa Civic Club. Sponsored by the Homosassa Rotary club, the proceeds go to numerous charities, many of them local.

2014 Shrimpapalooza — There’s Anne, her daughter and granddaughter

Luminary Art Nights

March 9, 2015 by KTgreen

We had another weather-perfect Spring weekend. And we were busy busy busy.

Of course, the highlight of the weekend was the Luminary Art Nights.

And it was even better because our “part-time” neighbors Bill and Ellen (whose family have had a place right around the corner on our canal for over 40 years) surprised us with a text that they were relaxing in Old Homosassa for the weekend and ‘were we going to the Luminary Art Night?’

And you know the answer to that was YES!

Six galleries participated in the Luminary Art Nights this past weekend. I didn’t get to cover some of the galleries in my posts last week so I’m featuring photos from the other three places that I snapped at Saturday night’s festivities.

We started out at Watson’s Art Gallery and Studio and were greeted by Gil and Wendy Watson’s three sons and a roaring bonfire. Wonderful pieces created by local artists were displayed outside and covered all the interior walls plus several tables.

Next up was the Olde Mill House Gallery where Jim “Bo” Anderson, owner, entertained us with witty commentary and printing press demonstrations.

Olde Mill HOuse Gallery & CAfe — Terry and I thought this was very cool. Think it would look great on one of our walls but I doubt if Bo would part with it!

Bo showed Ellen and I how to make thank you cards.

notecards from Olde Mill House Gallery & Cafe — Bo made the one on the left on the big printing press, I made the one on the right with the little press.

We stopped in at Riverworks to check out Kevin Jenkins’s copper sculptures and driftwood furniture by Mark Arnett.

Next up was River Safaris & Coyote Cafe.

Our last stops were the Glass Garage where Ellen and Bill purchased some beautiful glass jewelry and I met the artists Louise Whitney and Lori Lenoir and then on to The Pepper Creek Pottery. We ended our evening with a delicious dinner at the Seagrass.

The evening was wonderful and the traffic of incoming visitors to the galleries was non-stop. Such a great event. I especially love that all of the owners and artists are locals and have made an investment in our community.

Next up–Shrimpaplooza on Saturday. Parade at 10 am! Be there!