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The Melrose Alert |
Melrose Business and Community Association, Inc.
Monthly News Bulletin
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MBCA |
Phone: (352) 235-6439
E-mail: mbca@melrosefl.com
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Mission:
To promote and support the Melrose Business Community and improve
the quality of life for all its residents. |
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President's Corner . . .
One quarter of the year has past and what have we accomplished? In the community, we've had another
successful Open Aire Arts Festival, a ground breaking for the Senior Center, another Lake Fest with
great weather and the unique Chair Show sponsored by ShakeRag Artists' Collective. Successful Aging
Forum continues in grand style, CoffeeTalk on Wednesdays and the Melrose Community Farmers Market is
growing in vendors – what more could we ask for?
At
The Meeting . . .
Note: Here, we'll cover the highlights of the meeting. For a complete copy of the Minutes,
download them by clicking here.
Copies will be at the meeting,
Some 37 members and guests enjoyed a delicious lunch prepared by BlueWater Bay. Our guests were Rick
Jordan of Jordan Vacations, Maureen Akey, who has opened a full florist service in Lather and Lace,
Scott Steffens of the Melrose Auto Repair, and Mary Lou Hildreth, Mayor of Keystone Heights.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Lucas
Recording Secretary
Editorial . . .
We're requesting feedback from all interested citizens. What have we been doing right or
perhaps wrong?
Recent Happenings . . .
The major recent happenings in lil ole Melrose included the successful fourth annual Open Aire Arts
Festival where some 65 or more artists came and spent a week recording many Melrose scenes. The results
of their efforts are in all 3 art galleries, Bellamy Road, Melrose Bay, and ShakeRag Artists Collective
for your viewing and many are available for purchase. Thanks to all who made this great event possible.
We're getting comments and suggestions on the Melrose Grapevine/Blog – thanks, folks. If you
haven't been there, that's where we release announcements, etc. For the Melrose Grapevine,
click here.
Future Happenings . . .
To conserve space, for future events, please check the
Melrose Events Calendar and the Melrose Grapevine
Between these sources, we can stay abreast of all up-coming events.
Today's Humor . . .
Thought for the day
“We must become the change we wish to see in the world.”
Businesses of the Month
Welcome New Members!
Melrose Business and Community Association Board of Directors
for 2010
Revised on April 8, 2010
Copyright © 1997-2010
Melrose Business and Community Association, Inc.
All rights reserved.
We appreciate all and their efforts toward making these events great successes. No longer is Melrose
the wallflower community of North Florida. Now, everyone knows where Melrose is and the great activities
we have here. Let's keep the momentum going “for the Benefit of all.”
Tom
Committee Reports:
Melrose Bay Park – William Chiappini reported that there is a problem with erosion
and exposed roots at the park. We're working on a good solution to the problem.
Membership:
“Doc” Harris encouraged people to join our organization. Tom also reminded those
who haven't paid their dues to please do so.
Old Business:
President Lucas announced the following:
New Business:
Melrose Bay Park Association: Tom announced that we had set up this association in
2003 to recruit volunteers to help maintain the park as well as apply for funds for the park from the
Eco-Heritage Tourism group in Alachua County. The association will be reactivated to seek funding from
Alachua County Bed Tax funds. These funds, if we qualify, would be used to make improvements to the park.
We would also ask the area citizens to join our support group for a small membership fee to help improve
and maintain the park. We will also seek additional donations for this purpose.
We now have an “MBCA” table at the Melrose Community Farmers Market on Friday afternoon. Tom asked for
volunteers to help man the able. He passed around a sheet for people to sign up for this.
Announcements:
Jill McGuire had several items at announce. First she read parts of letter written
sent to St. John's River Water Management regarding testing for chemicals, drugs, etc. in the waste water
from the sturgeon farm. She also announced a meeting on March 18 from 10:00 am to 12 pm with the St.
John's River Water Management District at the Health Department in Gainesville.
Jill also reminded us of the Santa Fe Lakefest sponsored by Santa Fe Lake Dwellers on March 27 from 11:00
am to 3:00 pm. There will be educational exhibits, music, food, boast rides, etc.
Tom announced that David Beede had a song about the sturgeon farm to perform for us. David's song gave a
background on the sturgeon farm owner, the product and its lack of benefits to Melrose.
David also urged us to write or call Kirby Green, at St. John's River Water Management District, and let
him know our thoughts. Mr Green will make the final decision on the sturgeon farm permit.
Ed Sherwood gave us an update on the “Wings of Spring” festival next month. Plans are coming along
nicely. He is designing a brochure for the event and is planning to charge $50.00 for ads in the
brochure.
Ed also said that he will extend the hours on the Farmer's Market as the the days lengthen, but he will
first check with the vendors as to what they want to do.
Keith Bollum reminded us that Open Air Arts Festival starts today and artists will be working in the
Melrose area for the next week. The festival gala will be on March 20 with all three local galleries
participating.
Jo Harben announced that Ron Haase will be giving a talk on Monday, March 15 at 7:00 pm at Bellamy Road
Gallery. Ron's topic will be “A Florida Cracker goes to Italy”.
Tom reminded everyone of “Coffee Talk” every Wednesday at Shake Rag Gallery from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Jennifer Pritchett announced there will be another “Successful Aging in Melrose” meeting March 18 at
Trinity Episcopal Parish Hall.
Speaker:
Tom then introduced our speaker, Mary Lou Hildreath, Mayor of Keystone Heights. She has
lived in Keystone Heights for 9 years and has been Mayor for several years. She said that both
communities need to plan for the future, as change is coming whether we want it or not. (Editor's Note:
What have I been saying? ;-)
She stated that while Melrose and Keystone Heights are close together in distance, they have different
interests. She feels Melrose is “hipper” with its art galleries, etc.
Each community needs to evaluate its assets and build on them, but we should work together where we can –
partnerships, festivals, etc.
She feels that with the Rails to Trails, the lakes and other assets, we can become a “destination” area
for people. However, she stressed the need for hotels in the area so people coming for the activities will
have a place to stay.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:05 pm.
Tell us what you would like to see the MBCA consider for this year. We seriously want to
know what you all are thinking about the continuing development of Melrose. It ain't going
to stand still. We're either going to progress or regress. And, it's no fun to go
backwards.
On March 5th, We were pleased to attend the Grounbreaking Ceremony for the Melrose Senior Center. Now,
a soon to be reality. Thanks to Jonathan Leslie and his crew for bringing this to Melrose.
Ron Hasse entertained Melrose on March 15th with his talk at Bellamy Fine Arts titled, “A Cracker Goes to
Italy.” Thanks Ron for an interesting and entertaining armchair tour of Italy.
And, last but not least was the Santa Fe Lake Fest. Many thanks to Jill McGuire and Santa Fe Lake
Dwellers for another great event that brought more people to Melrose.
Reminder - We have a place for ideas for the Senior Center on our web-site:
right here. Let us hear from you.
The Melrose Community Farmers
Market will be held this Friday and each subsequent Friday
at Melrose Heritage Park, starting at 3:00 pm, weather permitting. BE THERE!
Contact Us
Committee Chair Persons for 2010
Note: For a copy to print,
Click here.
This requires Acrobat Reader. If you do not have it on your computer,
you may download a free copy by
clicking here.
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