Melrose is losing too many of our good people.  I realize that’s the only certainy
any of us face – living is not a permanent condition. It’s going to happen to all
of us at some time.

And, it was with Gerry.  He came to Melrose in 1981 and by 1986, he and his wife,
Jill were operating the Melrose Cafe.  They sold the restaurant after his health began
to decline. But, Gerry gave it his all and fought the good fight.  Unfortunately for
Jill and their families, this was one game he did not win.

May he rest in peace.

Gerry A. Keites
1948 – 2010

Important Meeting – Let everyone know!

Public meeting on Jan. 28 to discuss planning for future water supplies

PALATKA, Fla., Jan. 13, 2010 – The St. Johns River and Suwannee River water management districts will hold a joint public meeting on Jan. 28 to encourage public participation in the development of the St. Johns District’s Water Supply Plan (DWSP) 2010 and the Suwannee District’s Upper Santa Fe River Basin Water Supply Plan.

The informational meeting with senior technical staff from both agencies will be held from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Alachua County Health Department Auditorium, 224 S.E. 24th St., Gainesville.

The agenda includes an overview of the water supply planning process, discussion led by each of the water management districts on the water supply assessment in northeast Florida, and opportunity for public comment.

The St. Johns District’s Water Supply Plan 2010 and the Suwannee District’s Upper Santa Fe River Basin Water Supply Plan are designed to meet the requirements of the water supply planning provisions of Chapter 373, Florida Statutes.

Through meetings of the Northeast Florida Water Supply Planning Area Work Group, the planning process concentrates on a 10-county area including the eight St. Johns District counties in northeast Florida, as well as portions of Columbia and Union counties in the Suwannee District. Alachua, Bradford and Baker counties span both water management districts. The process is being coordinated with the Suwannee District and is an open public process involving local governments, water supply utilities, self suppliers, other governments and other interested parties.

The draft projections of water demand through the year 2030 and analysis of potential environmental impacts identifies areas in the St. Johns District where current and anticipated sources of water and conservation efforts may not be adequate to meet projected needs and sustain the water resources and related natural systems without causing unacceptable impacts, unless strategies are identified to assure that adequate and sustainable water supplies are available. Without implementing alternative water supply strategies, some impacts also could occur in the neighboring Suwannee District as a result of projected water use increases in both districts.

Visit the St. Johns District’s Web site at www.sjrwmd.com/watersupplyplanning to learn more about its water supply planning process.

3^rd Annual Melrose Chilli Cook-Off

Benefit for Melrose Library

Saturday, February 6, 2010

At Chiappini’s – Bellamy Ave.(SR 26) at SR 21

No fee to enter

Chilli to be pre-cooked, warmers available

Registration @ 11:00 am  Judging @ 1:00 pm

Contact: Debbie (352) – 258-3531

We’ve said before, Melrose is a happening place. Not only visual arts with our 3 galleries, but now the musical arts, too.

Here’s an event you don’t want to miss:

Wednesday, January 20th – “Seven Star Farms” concert series
[at the home of Melanie and Stephan Grogan]
We’ll be hosting Maine singer songwriter – David Mallett.
Concert is at 7 pm [local Melrose musician David Beede
will open for him.] A donation of $12 to $15 is suggested.

Dinner option starts at 5:30 [Gourmet locally grown organic buffet by Melanie]
A donation of $10 – $15 is suggested.
For more information, click here:

RSVP to reserve a seat and get directions: Call (352) 475-1012
david@davidbeede.com

Who’s David Mallett? Here’s what others are saying about his music:

Critics call David Mallett’s new CD “Alright Now”:

“A masterpiece.. an exquisite, ennobling record…”
- Boston Globe

“tour de force”
-Kennebec Journal

“my americana cd of the month”
-countrymusicfactsandnews.com

His “Garden Song” has beem classified as one of the 50 most popular folk songs
of all time. It’s been recorded by a lot of people including John Denver and “Kermit,
the frog”

And, this will be happening right here in Melrose next Wednesday evening, January 20th.

Today at 3:00 pm till dark, don’t miss the Melrose Community Farmers Market in Melrose’s Heritage Park.

And, tomorrow is a reception at Melrose Bay Gallery, 5:00 to 8:00 pm for John Moran, local area photographer extraordinaire. His photos are on exhibit at the Melrose Bay Gallery.

Keep coming back. You never know when we’ll release more events for “Melrose, the 4 Corners Community.”

Every time I make a post to the Melrose Grapevine, I’m reminded of Garrison Keillor’s comments about the latest from “Lake Wobegon.”  Become anyone jumps to any conclusions, I am in NO way comparing Melrose to Lake Wobegon. It’s just the phrase pops up when I start to post about our Melrose happenings.

So, here’s the latest just in from Jennifer Pritchett about Thursday’s “Successful Aging” meeting:

“The new year is already picking up speed.  Would you be so kind as to remind our fellow Melrose citizens that Thursday, January 14, 2010, is the next scheduled “Successful Aging in the Lake Area” meeting from 6-7:30 at the Episcopal Parish Hall?  Previous participants have identified actions to be taken to make Melrose a wonderful place to age well.  Thursday’s participants will be deciding how to start putting those initiatives into place.  Exciting stuff.

Hope to see you there,”

More information, just in.

The NFRCC is the North Florida Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Come join them for an evening of great fellowship and learn more about our expanded community.

Banquet Tickets are available individually they are $60 each

A company table with ten seats cost $550

A half table cost $275

The chamber accepts all major credit cards, order your tickets now.

Annual Membership Banquet

Governor Charley E Johns Conference Center

Saturday, Jan. 23

Social hour / Silent Auction 5:00 pm

Dinner served at 6:30 pm

Live Auction at 7:30 pm

Ceremony at 8:00

Dancing to follow music provided by “Black Creek Rising”

Order your tickets today!!!

Pam Whittle

North Florida Regional Chamber of Commerce

100 East Call Street * Starke, FL 32091

Phone 904-964-5278

Fax 904-964-2863

www.northfloridachamber.com

Read further, you may be surprised.

Susan & I have a strong interest in staying healthy, so we subscribe to several newsletters. The below article appeared in the Health Wyze Report and we thought it certainly ties in with our Melrose Farmers Market and what is being provided to our community by these dedicated local farmers.

The Amish Don’t Get Autism but They Do Get Bio-Terrorism

“People outside the alternative health community are often confused by the lack of autism in the Amish people. The Amish do not experience autism, or any of the other learning disabilities that plague our technological society. The Amish live in a society that consists of outdated technologies and ideals, by contemporary standards. Their diet consists of eating organic, fresh, locally-grown produce, and of course, they do not follow the established vaccination routines. To the dismay of the mainstream media and the medical establishment, this has resulted in a healthier people, that are void of all chronic diseases. Heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are virtually non-existent in Amish villages. Equally non-existent are modern, chemically-engineered medicines, enhanced (chemically-engineered) foods, G.M.O. foods, and of course, vaccines. How is it that those who are without the “miracles” of modern orthodox medicine are so extremely healthier? The truth about health, medicine, and how they both relate to the Amish is becoming an embarrassment to some rather powerful people.”

For the rest of the article, go to: Amish Don’t Get Autism.

And, don’t forget to come get your locally grown foods at the Melrose Community Farmers Market on Friday afternoon from 3:00 to 6:00 pm.

See you all there come Friday!

2010 Census to Begin

WARNING: 2010 Census Cautions from the Better Business Bureau

Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers by Susan Johnson
http://dallas.bbb.org/article/bbb-alerts-consumers-about-us-census-workers-be-cooperative-but-cautious-10346

With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data.

The big question is – how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice: If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have 1- a badge, 2- a handheld device, 3- a Census Bureau canvas bag, and 4- a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions.

However, you should never invite anyone you don’t know into your home. Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census.

REMEMBER, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ASK, YOU REALLY ONLY NEED TO TELL THEM HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE AT YOUR ADDRESS. While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, YOU DON’T HAVE TO ANSWER ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION.

The Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations. Any one asking for that information is NOT with the Census Bureau.

AND REMEMBER, THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS DECIDED NOT TO WORK WITH ACORN ON GATHERING THIS INFORMATION. No Acorn worker should approach you saying he/she is with the Census Bureau.

Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.

Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.

For more advice on avoiding identity theft and fraud, visit www.bbb.org

PLEASE SHARE THIS INFO WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

Editor’s note: This is important information for all citizens of our great Nation. This is why I felt our Community needed this communication device – to release information of concern to our area citizens.

This basic message has been released by Better Business Bureaus all across the country