Our local citizens, Jill McGuire and David Beede speak up on the proposed sturgeon farm slated for Melrose.

Catch their interview with WUFT.FM by
clicking here.

Many of our local citizens are working, long and hard to protect the Melrose area’s peaceful way of life. We appreciate all they do.

Be sure and support all efforts to preserve and maintain Melrose.

In case you wondered what happened:
The pause in Melrose water service yesterday was caused by a break in a pipe on SR 21.The Water Association contacted the health department to initiate testing of the water to assure its quality. One test has been done and the results will be known tomorrow and will be followed be further tests. The water is probably NOT contaminated, but it would be prudent for all of us to BOIL our drinking water for the next two days. However, it is not mandatory to do so. The reason it was on the local news is that the health department is obligated to notify the media upon such an occurrence.
Thanks to William for the the water issue explanation. For the official release by Alachua County,
click here.

And, a reminder, two big events tomorrow:
CoffeeTalk at 10:00 am, ShakeRag Artists’ Collective

MBCA meeting at 11:30, Melrose Methodist Church Fellowship Hall

Be sure and read the Melrose Alert also.

Don’t miss any of these.

Here we are at the beginning on the second quarter of 2010 and this is no April Fools prank. I came across these words in my readings this morning and felt that Mr. Channing had some very valid points. And Mr. Brisbane added to it with his comments. After 90 years, it’s still timely. Enjoy:

“William Henry Channing’s Symphony” by Arthur Brisbane
(an editorial from the Hearst Newspapers, ca. 1920)

THE THOUGHT –
To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not, rich; to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; to study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common–this is my symphony. William Henry Channing

TO LIVE CONTENT WITH SMALL MEANS.

This means to realize to the full the possibilities of life. Contentment means ABSENCE OF WORRY. It is only when free from worry that the brain can act normally, up to its highest standard. The man content with small means does his best work, devotes his energies to that which is worth while, and not to acquiring that which has no value.

TO SEEK ELEGANCE RATHER THAN LUXURY.

The difference between elegance and luxury is the difference between the thin, graceful deer, browsing on the scanty but sufficient forest pasture, and the fat swine revelling in plentiful garbage.

REFINEMENT RATHER THAN FASHION.

The difference between refinement and fashion is the difference between brains and clothing, the difference between an Emerson or a Huxley and a Beau Brummel or other worthless but elaborately decked carcass.

TO BE WORTHY, NOT RESPECTABLE.

In other words, to be like Henry George, and not like the owner of a trust.

WEALTHY, NOT RICH.

The man who has a good wife and good children, enough to take care of them, but not enough to spoil them, is WEALTHY. He is happier than the man who is RICH enough to be worried, rich enough to make it certain that his children will be ruined by extravagance, and perhaps live to be ashamed of him.

TO LISTEN TO STARS AND BIRDS, BABES AND SAGES, WITH OPEN HEART.

This means to enjoy the noblest gifts that God has given to man. He is happy who takes more pleasure in a beautiful sunset than in the sight of a flunky with powdered hair, artificial calves and lofty manners, handing him something indigestible on a plate of gold.

TO STUDY HARD; TO THINK QUIETLY, ACT FRANKLY, TALK GENTLY.

To exercise in this way the brain that is given to us is to lead the life of a MAN, a life of self-control, a life that is worth while, that leads to something and helps forward the improvement of the race.

In the words which we have quoted at the top of this column William Henry Channing has given a recipe for wise living. —-

In 1839, Edward Bulwer-Lytton, an English play-write coined the phrase, “The pen is mightier than the sword” as lines in one of his plays. Little did he realize the phrase would often be quoted, even into the 21st. Century

One of our local residents, David Beede is out to prove this with his writings and his songs. I’m sure you’ve heard about the proposed sturgeon farm planned to go between SR 26  and SR 219 on the East side of Melrose.

To learn more about this issue which is dear to all of our hearts, go over to David’s web-site, read his information, watch his video and listen to his song.  It’s all at: http://www.davidbeede.com/proposedsturgeonfarm.htm

We all need to follow David’s cue and write Kirby Green to let him know what Melrose does or does NOT want in the neighborhood.

Additional Melrose Happenings:
Tonight starting at 6:00 pm, Melrose rocks again.  The receptions and exhibition of our 65 guest artists’ works created over the past 10 days,will be at all of our Melrose art galleries for viewing and many available for purchase. Don’t this this highlight of the Fourth annual Open Aire Arts Festival of the Melrose Artists’ Community.

Then, this coming Friday evening, March 26 ShakeRag Artists’ Collective and the Melrose Business and Community Association (MBCA) jointly will be hosting our first “Business After Hours” mixer/social for 2010 at the ShakeRag Gallery on Bellamy Avenue (SR 26) from 5:30 to 8:00 pm.  All are invited and bring your business cards. You never know who all you may meet.

And, don’t forget the mid-week get together at ShakeRag every Wednesday, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm known as COFFEETALK. Great music, conversations, beverages and snacks.  Don’t miss all the fun!

And, on all Fridays, we have the Melrose Community Farmers’ Market in Heritage Park. Much good food, crafts, furniture and who knows what all else you may find being offered by these Melrose area vendors. NOTE:  New hours starting this Friday:  4:00 to 7:00 pm, be sure and come explore all the great things here.

And, last but certainly not least, on Saturday, March 27th, at Melrose Bay Park, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm is the Santa Fe Lake Dwellers’ annual Lake Fest.  Melrose Bay Park is at the foot of Quail Street on the shore of Melrose Bay.  There will be food, free boat rides, a bird walk starting at 10:00 am, music, live demonstrations, and more.  Don’t miss it!

One more thought for now.  Note that at the end of each posting is a  link to comments.  It will state how many comments have been made.  We felt this venue would give everyone the opportunity to speak up  and share your thoughts.  A few are taking advantage of this feature.  Let’s hear from the rest of you, too.

We appreciate everyones’ participation “for the benefit of Melrose.”

Hi Folks,

From the length of time I’ve spent on this earth, if there’s one thing I’ve learned is change is always present. I recall one of the Greek philosophers once said, “the only permanence we have is change.”

And, we recently have been asking the community to express their desires on what changes we should attempt to make to make Melrose even better than we know it today. Regardless of how we feel, it ain’t gonna stay just like it is today. So, let’s accept that as fact and design the Melrose of the future. We all live in the Melrose area, so let’s all pull together and give us your ideas so we can develop a consolidated plan for our 21st century Melrose.

To make it easy for you, we have a page on the Melrose web-site with a form at the bottom of the page to make comments. It’s at: http://melrosefl.com/direction.html Just click on the blue words and you’ll be taken  there.

One of local citizens, Fabrizio Passalacqua has started the process by his recent statements. For those who may not have yet become acquainted with Fabrizio, he’s only been in our area for a few years but has stepped forward and is helping to build a better Melrose. He brings a lot of insight as he’s lived in numerous countries and has first hand experience with different communities and cultures. He and his wife are pleased to be in Melrose and we’re certainly benefiting by their having joined our community.

March 5, 2010
“I would like to encourage all current MBCA members to contact friends and acquaintances soliciting ideas and to send us a “wish list” of issues that current members and others would like to see the MBCA accomplish. Your suggestions/ideas could be of great help to the Association to better serve the community.”

March 10, 2010
“At today’s MBCA lunch meeting, Mayor Mary Lou Hildreth of Keystone Heights, who was an invited guest speaker, mentioned that Keystone Heights and Melrose don’t have adequate visibility in the political arena; while Keystone Heights is incorporated and has a Mayor, Melrose has virtually no status. She also mentioned that there is no competition between the two communities.

I have experienced in the other communities that a well managed business association with a good membership can make a lot of“noise” and obtain much from counties, it all relates to votes. In this special year with so many political issues that have divided our country it could be the right time to unite all the various associations that exist in the greater Melrose and Keystone area under one bigger “umbrella” association. The new association should deal with the board of the existing ones, showing a united front and a large membership, and positioning itself as the official voice of our region when dealing with the counties that affect our community.

I would appreciate to hear the opinion of other members on this regard. I believe that Mayor Hildreth is right, we must have a common voice for the many issues that concern our communities.”

Come on folks! We want your ideas. If we don’t actively plan for the future, we may not like what we may end up with.

So, let’s get started, NOW!

Well, winter is almost over, we think?

So many new activities getting started.  Come Wednesday, March 10th, the 4th Annual Open Air Arts Festival kicks off with 65 artists participating. They’ll be all over the area recording many of Melrose’s pristine areas. And, on Saturday evening, starting at 6:00 pm, March 20th there’ll be receptions at all 3 of Melrose’s art galleries displaying the efforts of these 65 artists and what they’ve created with inspiration from Melrose’s scenic beauty. Don’t miss these gala events.

In the midst of all this activity, again on Wednesday, March 10th, starting at 11:30 am, is the Melrose Business and Community Association’s (MBCA) monthly meeting.  This will be held at the Melrose Methodist Fellowship Hall on Hampton Street.  Our guest speaker will be Mary Lou Hildreth, Mayor of Keystone Heights.

And, we’re planning a lunch by Blue Water Bay.  Where else can you get a Blue Water Bay Lunch for $7.00? Visitors are always welcome.

We’re asking all who plan to attend and eat with us to send your confirmation of attendance by e-mail or phone (352) 586-6776 and let Susan know. Sorry for the short notice, but need to have all reservations by Monday evening.

Also, The Melrose Alert is on-line for your viewing pleasure.

And, on Friday, be sure to attend the Melrose Community Farmer’s Market at Heritage Park starting at 3:00 pm.

Bring all your friends and take in all of these great Melrose activities.

Click on the poster to make it larger

We’ve been telling you about the meeting Thursday, 2/25 at the St. Johns River Water Management District Headquarters on SR 100 in Palatka, starting at 5:00 pm.

It’s important that we have a large turn-out for this meeting.

The Melrose Water Association engaged an enviromental engineering firm, Water & Air Research, Inc. to review the application of the Little Big Sturgeon (LBS) Farm. The purpose of the review was to indentify enviromental concerns associated with the siting, constructing, and operating of the proposed facility.

Their findings are summarized in their report to Melrose Water Association as of February 17, 2010.

A brief quote from the report, “The St. Johns River Water Management District has asked repeatedly since the LBS filing for information relative to the stormwater and wastewater plans for this facility. They have been continually rebuked by the applicant; LBS citing their permit approval with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services does not require them to respond. Your Water Association membership should be very concerned about this lack of transparency and unwillingness to address stormwater and wastewater systems and their impact on the waters of Florida.”

The entire report can be read on-line at: http://melrosefl.com/sturgeonfarmreport.pdf or downloaded by clicking here.

Here’s an independent study which indicates this proposed venture will potentally have an adverse impact on our natural resources, specifically our water!

Spread the word and let’s all go to Palatka on Thursday and voice our concerns.

At last, a beautiful day for the Melrose Community Farmers’ Market on Friday. Just remember, every Friday afternoon at Heritage Park, starts at 3:00 pm. You never know what our area farmers and merchants will offer.  And, this has become the place where friends meet, it’s also a place to catch up on what’s happening ’round town.

Saturday evening a group enjoyed the program and hospitality of Bellamy Road Gallery combined with good music and a wonderful bonfire.  A great combination, Thank you Alan, David, Keith, and Linda!

This week, there are two major events we should all attend.  Tomorrow evening at 6:30 is the Suwannee River Water Management meeting at Keystone Heights High School Cafeteria.  They are formulating their plans for OUR water for the next 20 years!   Be there!

And, even though it’s my birthday, I’m going and encourage all to go to Palatka on Thursday, 2/25 and voice your concerns about the proposed sturgeon farm.  This is slated to go on a parcel near the SR 26 and 219 intersection east of SR 21. This is being held at St. Johns Water Management District Headquarters on SR 100 starting at 5:00 pm.

And, don’t forget our weekly events like COFFEETALK on Wednesday morning at ShakeRag Artists’ Collective and Ed’s Friday afternoon gathering in Heritage Park.

To digress a bit, when I finish a listing like this, I think of the old NY Times slogan, All the News That’s Fit to Print. I know it’s not quite that, but that’s enough for our lil ole garden spot we’ve all come to love called Melrose.

Now, what’s ole Cracker boy like me know about NYC?  Yep, in my earlier years I lived there for a bit, but that’s a story for another day.

See ya’ll at these many happenings.

Wings of Dreams presents The Collings Foundation’s

Wings of Freedom Tour

1st Stop of the 2010 National Tour

- February 19 – 22, 2010 -

Keystone Heights Airport

Admission: Adults $5.00

Children (under 12) $2.00

Children (under 5) Free

WWII Vets Free

Active Duty in uniform Free

Friday, Feb. 19, 12 noon

-          Bombers arrive; tours, rides

-

Saturday, Feb. 20, 9 am – 5 pm

- Bomber tours, rides,

- B-25 instruction

- Fighter Aces Symposium

- WASP Symposium

- Hangar Dinner/Dance

- Cash wine/beer bar

Sunday, Feb. 21, 9 am – 5 pm

- Bomber tours, rides,

- B-25 instruction

- Combat Airmen Symposium

- Tribute – WWII Veterans

Monday, Feb. 22, 9 am -11 am

- Tours, rides; bombers depart

- Visit www.wingsofdreams.org for more information –

Pam Whittle

North Florida Regional Chamber of Commerce

FloridaWorks

100 East Call Street * Starke, FL 32091

Phone 904-964-5278

Fax 904-964-2863