I live in central Florida. It’s been cold but no iguanas are falling out of our trees. That was in south Florida. It was big national news. Something you might not know is that iguanas are invasive to Florida and it is legal and even encouraged to humanely kill them. They are very destructive–destroying crops and plants and digging holes under buildings that causes structural damage. Being non-natives and obviously migrating here illegally, like all nonnative, invasive species, they are not protected in Florida except by anti-cruelty law.

Back in 1999, I made my one and only trip to Miami. Played golf at Key Biscayne and was amazed at the size of the iguanas on the course. And they were everywhere! We have small lizards in Homosassa and they leave big poo behind. I can just imagine what these huge iguanas leave behind.

Anyhow. My first thought when I read about the iguanas falling out of trees was that the property owners might just take the opportunity to scoop them up and “humanely” rid the problematic creature! But I haven’t seen any news reports on that.

Today is “Beer Can Appreciation Day”. The special holiday celebrates that great day in 1935 when beer was first sold in cans. I do not believe that this is a national holiday. Banks do not have it off. But maybe they should consider it.

Okay. So now I’m on to local events.

I had a goal of getting the kitchen in the Old Homosassa Learning Center painted and new curtains hung. Didn’t quite get that far. Lots of work was done. Just a little more to go! Like Terry always says about my plans–Trying to fit 10 pounds in a 5 pound sack. Yep. That’s me! I’m kinda proud of that statement ’cause sometimes I actually do it!

We have a really great fishing seminar on February 6th with Captain William Toney. Captain Toney. I don’t really know him–or maybe I should say that he doesn’t really know me. But he is always gracious. Always a gentleman. Seriously. He does this once a year for the Homosassa Civic Club. After a full day of working on the water, he comes into the civic club at 7 pm and tells all about fishing on the waters and answers a thousand questions. He is such a good captain that captains come to hear him speak. If you are coming to this seminar, get there early. Cause the club can only seat 75!

Also want to put a big shout out to Captain Mike Baize. Mike was a teacher at Homosassa Elementary. A VERY popular teacher. He is now a full-time captain but he has not forgotten the kids. Every February the captains take out the 5th grade students from Homosassa Elementary on a fishing trip. This year Captain Baize is spearheading an effort to spread this to the entire county. Lecanto Elementary is being included this year. And the education foundation wants to bring it to all the elementary schools in Citrus County.

This is very cool. The Homosassa Civic Club was asked to help out. They will be having lunch at our facilities and then have learning stations at the Old Homosassa Learning Center. Perfect since we are a LEARNING CENTER!

The learning center will have to shift some classes around but everything is cool. Because, as I always say, our mission is the kids. That’s what we do!

Oh. I have photos of dogs! I haven’t had a “dogs in the hood” in forever.

This is Barkley. I’ve known him for a few years. He pretty much ignores me because he is the king of the house and doesn’t need new friends.

Until two weeks ago. Barkley got a new brother. And suddenly Barkley is my new best friend!

Ahhhhh. Too cute.

Have a GREAT weekend!

Kathy

I was looking for a great holiday to put up for the today’s title but nothing was appropriate. It was all boring and mundane…….

But today is Michelle Obama’s birthday. I think all the first ladies are unsung heroes for many reasons but mostly having to raise your children in the public eye. I can remember back to the Nixon years (faintly) and all those first ladies trying to raise wonderful children with all that media exposure. Happy birthday Michelle.

Terry and I along with volunteers Steve and Cyndi Minguy have been working on updating the Old Homosassa Learning Center’s kitchen. At some point, there was some water damage to the area. This was before Terry was president of the Homosassa Civic Club and assumed control over the learning center. All that nastiness from water damage has been creeping me out. The upper cabinets were not effected so I just repainted the doors but those base cabinets were nasty, nasty, nasty. And now they are bright, shiny, and NEW! Looking forward to finishing everything up this weekend. Hopefully will have a photo to share of the updates next week!

I don’t have an update on the bus situation. One of the volunteers at the learning center said that there are an awful lot of people that ride bikes in Homosassa. She wasn’t just referring to Old Homosassa but included Homosassa Springs which is a much larger section of Citrus County. Yes. There are. A lot of people do not have cars for many different reasons. There are not a lot of sidewalks. This is not a walkable community. Terry got responses from his last email from Carnahan (oh, I gotta take this up with someone else, yawn) and an offer to lunch and perhaps a cigar from Jimmy T. Smith. (Terry said I don’t think so) We aren’t finished with this. I just need to put some thought to the issue. I believe in presenting a solution to every problem. Just working on that. And I plan on talking to some of the people that used the bus to find out what they are doing now.

Okay. Next up. I went to the dentist this week. This is not a pleasant event for me. I think I was scarred from a young age. I SO remember going under the dentist’s care as a very small child and the pain. He would say ” okay here comes Mr. Wood Pecker”. No Novocaine. Of course, I was the perfect child so just sat in the chair, sinking my small hands into the chair rests, and dying inside. Now I go to the dentist with dread to this day. But I LOVE my dentist and Lindy (my dental hygienist) who is wonderful. I count them in my list of blessings. (but I am always that small child) I digress….

I walked in to the dentist office and DeeDee (another dental hygienist that also lives here in Old Homosassa and is a friend) greeted me with “congratulations”! And I said “why?”

For being one of the 47 caring people in Citrus County! People do read the paper!

My daughter does not read my blog But she made a comment on last week’s post So I am assuming her MIL told her to check it out. Because my good friend Terry does read it and might actually be her MIL and might actually tell my daughter what I write about it. (now I have to say that my DIL does read this blog!) My daughter Jes wanted to see the article about Terry and I being nominated for the Citizen of the Year!

There should be some kind of weird noise every time I typed that …….citizenoftheyear…..

So I’m going to post this really BIG photo of the whole article ……

and then the wee blip about Terry and me. Which I love that we are one peep. Right? I mean that. We are a TEAM! And we are kicking butt and making things better here in our little community…

but we still don’t have bus service.

have a great weekend….

Kathy

This week’s post is mostly for my local readers–if there are any of you left!

First off….

It’s time for the Old Homosassa Heritage Council’s yearly gala…

Tickets are selling like crazy! Because it’s crazy fun! This is the fourth BIG PARTY event that the council has put on. The first was “Homosassa Goes Hollywood”, then the “Cocktail Hour for the Tower”. Last year was “Toga for the Tower”. And now we are getting our Great Gatsby on. This is our first event at La Casa. If for no other reason–you know you want to check out this beautiful venue and its amazing view.

Okay. There’s more than a view. A Charleston Contest. A raffle and an auction. (I’m donating one of my handmade shopping totes that will be full of party supplies–you know you want to bid on that!) Although the poster says “heavy appetizers”, believe me, there will be a ton of food to munch on. Also beer and wine and mixers on the bar. All included. And bring your dancing shoes!

Okay. Now you know where you want to be on February 15th!

And now I’m getting on my soapbox….

Last month I noticed a brief paragraph in the newspaper saying that due to lack of riders in the Homosassa/Sugermill Woods area, the county commissioners voted to stop the local bus route. And move it to Inverness.

I usually read every word about county activity. I never saw a notice of this impending change. Just this small article. Only 7,000 rides in the area. Inverness had 22,000.

I have never used the bus but I do know many people do. I’ve had a few residents ask if they can park their golf cart at the learning center while they go on the bus to their doctor, or the grocery store, or wherever they need to be. (of course you can!) I believe that the bus is free to anyone over 60. Also free to anyone under a certain income level.

The bus comes through the parking lot at the learning center and pics up passengers. So I see people getting on and off. Not a lot. But there are residents using it.

Until now. Because it stopped as of January 6th. I asked one of the regular riders what he thought about the change. He said “nobody cares about us in Old Homosassa”.

So. I had to raise the issue at the Homosassa Civic Club’s monthly meeting. I don’t believe any of the 61 members that attended knew anything about the change and were also just as surprised as I was. Everyone signed a petition asking to get the bus line returned.

We put a letter together asking to have the bus line on the Board of County Commission’s agenda. Sent it attached to an email to all five commissioners.

Now. These people know Terry. He has had meetings with each and everyone one of them. We have had lunch together. We go to the town hall meetings. The sidewalk dedications. The Veterans Day and Mermorial Day celebrations at the Old Homosassa Veterans Memorial. Not one of those commissioners responded to his letter or the petition. Commissioner Kitchen–the commissioner for our area–even trivialized the letter in the county commission meeting on Tuesday. Terry was there.

So yesterday Terry sent another email. Again, asking for assistance from our commissioners. Only Carnahan responded. Mostly saying the bus route is done.

Ohhhhhhh…..this isn’t over!

Off the soap box, kinda sorta.

On a better note. This Sunday the citizen of the year in Citrus County was announced. It was Frank Giovanni, retiring city manager of Inverness. He has done a lot of good for the community so I think it was a good choice. The newspaper also listed 47 people in Citrus County that were making a difference. Terry and I were nominated! WOW!

Soooooo…..we will continue the battle!

One more note. I am off of FB. Oh. I am still a member. I have to update the FB pages for the Old Homosassa Civic Club, the Old Homosassa Learning Center, and a few other community pages. And I’ll continue putting up events when necessary. Plus I might check out my bicycle group to see if anyone is riding. But. I’m not reading posts or looking at pics anymore. Besides being a sad use of my time, I HATE the constant political bickering and people making horrendous comments just because they can. I will miss seeing my friends posts and pictures. But. I gotta do it. For my peace.

And now I just want to say—Have a great weekend. The weather will be SUPER!

Kathy