Local Places, Local Faces

Uptown Pickers at the Shed

December 29, 2014 by KTgreen

We had a super great sunny weekend.

It was one of those weekends that out-of-town guests decide that they are moving here permanently. One of those weekends that those guys that are fracking in ND decide that there’s got to be a better way. One of those weekends that let Florida push New York State out of the third most populous spot.

Just want to remind all of those people about reality. We have no-see-ums that will make you cry. We have banana spiders that are as big as your hand. We have mosquitos that will suck every ounce of blood out of you. And if that doesn’t convince you to stay where you are, we have HURRICANES! Rick Scott! Duke Energy!

Okay. Enough anti-propaganda.

Yesterday we went down to the Shed in Old Homosassa to listen to the “Uptown Pickers”. They play there quite often but never on a Sunday that we are actually home. So I was pretty excited when I saw them listed as the band for the weekend. With a name like Pickers, gotta be bluegrass, Right? Gotta have a banjo, Right?

Wrong. They were good but it was just your normal everyday “oldies and some goldies with a little bit of blues and a whole lot of country” band. Still fun. But no banjo.

Uptown Pickers

So the Uptown Pickers was a really good band and the place was crazy packed. We got there before they started and there were still no tables. But we just kind of hung out by the rail until a smelly man decided to stand by me. Ohhhhh, Myyyyyy.

We rode our bikes there, of course. Can you spot them?

Uptown Pickers at the Shed Yeah, ours are the ones with no motors….

bikes

But if I had a Harley, I would look real purty on this one…

Pretty bike Or maybe this one….

bike But I don’t. I’m more the corvette type. But I’d really like to get some of those really cool biker boots.

Hey, come back tomorrow. I have more pics from another outing! More photos to tempt my northern readers to leave all that snow behind!

2014 Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park’s Christmas Celebration of Lights

December 25, 2014 by KTgreen

This will be a small Christmas for us with none of our children stopping by on Christmas day. I’ve pared down on the Christmas decorations, did the shopping early, and sent the presents and cookies through the mail.

But Terry and I still celebrate. One tradition that continues that we have enjoyed for the last several years is the Christmas Celebration of Lights at the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. Every night there is a different form of entertainment along with the synchronized music and lights provided by Sebastian Hawes and hosted by Joe Dube. It’s a lovely way to spend a holiday evening.

Terry and I visited the Celebration of Lights Tuesday night. When we arrived, Sophie Noelle was singing Christmas tunes and Mr. and Mrs. Claus were listening to excited children’s Christmas lists.

Mr. and Mrs. Claus When Sophie finished her set, the powerful light and music show took over. The Christmas sparkles flashed along with the music and at one point bubbles floated over the audience to the small children’s delight.

Bubbles floating If you haven’t already attended the Celebration of Lights this year, you still have one more opportunity. The final evening will be on Friday with an after Christmas Party starring Bill Lindsey as “Elvis.” Parking is at the Visitor Center located on 19 and a tram runs between there are the park continuously. The show runs from 5:30 to 9 and the suggested donation is $5.

2014 Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park’s Christmas Celebration of Lights

Merry Christmas!

Another Visit to Homosassa Wildlife Park

November 25, 2014 by KTgreen

We have five grandkids that live in Wesley Chapel–little more than an hour south of us. The two older kids are busy being pre-teens and we don’t see them as often. But the three younger still like to come about once a month. And every time they visit, I say, “What do you want to do?” And it’s always, kayak, fish, go out on the boat, make cookies……and definitely…go to the zoo.

On the most recent visit I suggested heading to Weekie Wachee State Park. We hadn’t been there in a few years. I thought the two girls would be all about those mermaids. Nope. That mermaid show had a scary person in it and they didn’t want to go back.

So we went to the zoo. And I must explain to you why they call the Homosassa Wildlife Park a zoo rather than a park. Because a park has swings. A zoo has animals. ’nuff said.

They have been there so often, they just lead the way.

First they pose…

And then we descend into the Fish Bowl…

We go to the Wildlife Encounter…

Check out all the animals.

Our first time to meet Yuma, the 8-month old Florida panther.

Have a photo session with the bear

And check out the newly renovated Children’s Education Center which has been renamed the Discovery Center.

Yes, grandma does let Kendall wear Grandma's earrings from the 80s. Because that's what Grandmas do! — Yes, Grandma does let Kendall wear Grandma’s earrings from the 80s. Because that’s what Grandmas do!

When we entered the park, the volunteer at the cash register said that the gates were being opened today and that there were 15 manatees waiting. To those of you that don’t live right here in the heart of Manatee Mania, let me explain. There are a few captive manatees that depend on the wildlife park for their existence. And there are hundreds that just want into the spring to survive the winter. During the warm months, the captive manatees enjoy the entire spring in their fenced enclosure. Once the weather cools down, these manatees are moved into a “pool” and two gates are opened so the rest of the manatee population can get out of the cold water and into the 74 degree water of the spring.

Now I’m going off track again to explain that the wildlife park saves animals. Injured or ill creatures live there while they recuperate. When they are able to make it on their own, they are released back into their habitat. Some animals such as the bears and the Florida panther will spend their lives at the park because they have become accustomed to people taking care of them. Others will stay there because they never fully recuperate and would not be able to fend for themselves in the wild.

As I mentioned previously, the grandkids have been to the park numerous times but never tire of it. The volunteers and employees are always eager to explain what they are doing and answer any of the kids’ questions. On one visit a few years ago, a volunteer told the two girls all about two young manatees, Cee Cee Baby and Crystal, that were rescued. The manatees have since been released but my granddaughters still talk about them and wonder if they are among the many manatees waiting to enter the spring. Seeing the gates being opened was a huge event for the kids. They were mesmerized as the ranger jumped into the water with his wet suit on and opened up one of the gates with a curious manatee checking out the progress.

gates being opened — Those are the gates that are now opened.

Manatees waiting to get in — Sea Cow and calf waiting for the gate to open.

When the grandkids return to visit us during the winter school break, we’ll be back at the “zoo”. We’ll also go to the Holiday Light Show at the park at least two times–once for the kids and then the Christmas Eve program for Great Grandma. We are so fortunate to have this great state park right around the corner from us.