The Melrose Alert

  Melrose Business and Community Association, Inc.

Monthly News Bulletin  

 

MBCA 
P.O. Box 1301 
Melrose, FL 32666 

Phone: (352) 235-6439 

  E-mail: mbca@melrosefl.com 


Mission:  To promote and support the Melrose Business Community and improve the quality of life for all its residents.

   





April 14, 2010

MONTHLY MEETING

11:30 am


Melrose Methodist Fellowship Hall

Hampton Street

Melrose, Florida

   



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?

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

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.

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:

  • MBCA will have evening meetings on May 13 and August 12 this year and the Annual Banquet will be November 19. All will be held at Trinity Episcopal Parish Hall.
  • Sturgeon Farm – Tom mentioned the meeting on the sturgeon farm at the St. John's River Water Management District recently with about 90 people present. Input was given by concerned citizens, a representative for the sturgeon farm as well as the River Management representatives. However, no decision has been made yet.
  • It was announced that we have questionnaires available for people the give their input on New Directions for Melrose. We asked that everyone use the form to let us know what they want for Melrose in the future. While a lot of us don't want things in Melrose to change, it is best that we plan for future change rather than waiting for it to happen.

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.

Respectfully submitted,

Susan Lucas

Recording Secretary








Editorial . . .

We're requesting feedback from all interested citizens. What have we been doing right or perhaps wrong?

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.


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.

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.

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.

Reminder - We have a place for ideas for the Senior Center on our web-site: right here. Let us hear from you.


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.

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!



Today's Humor . . .

"Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.”

Thought for the day

“We must become the change we wish to see in the world.”

Mahatma Gandhi




Businesses of the Month

                              Jim Means – Primerica
                              Lake Area Physical Therapy
                              Lake Swan Camp
                              M & S Bank
                              Meadowmere Farms






Welcome New Members!


                          Heather Hooten – AFLAC
                          Jean Rosebrock
                          June Beverly
                          Wesley “Dale” Hooten
                              



 



Contact Us

·         Phone Line…............................ (352) 235-6439

·          E-mail..............................mbca@melrosefl.com

·          Web Site…..…..... http://melrosefl.com/mbca/

·          Web Site…..…..... http://www.afn.org/~mbca/

 


     






Melrose Business and Community Association 

Board of Directors for 2010 


             President  .............................................. Tom Lucas 

                         Vice President ......................…................ Jo Harben 

                         Corresponding Secretary ..…................. "Doc" Harris 

                         Recording Secretary .............………....... Susan Lucas 

                         Treasurer ....................…........ Fabrizio Passalacqua  

                         Director At Large ..........…........………... Chris Carson

                         Director At Large ................……..... William Chiappini

                         Director At Large ...............……............ David Haase

                         Director At Large ..................................... Jeff Knee






      Committee Chair Persons for 2010


                         Christmas Parade ............................... Steve Thrift

                         Alert Editor .......................................... Tom Lucas

                         Bay Park ................. Sunny Corr & William Chiappini

                         Historian ...........................................

                         Membership  .......................... Heman "Doc" Harris

                         Planning ...........................................

                         Publicity ....................................  Felicity Trueblood

                         Spiritual Director  .................................. Jeanne Hill

                         Web Editor ........................................... Tom Lucas




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.





Home Page | Achievements | Community Calendar | MBCA Calendar
The Melrose Alert | Melrose Christmas Parade
Members' Directory |  E-mail the MBCA


Revised on April 8, 2010 

Copyright © 1997-2010  

Melrose Business and Community Association, Inc.  

All rights reserved.  

 

Site Meter