In Two Weeks We March!

 FLYING PIG PARADE NEWS- DEC. 17, '23

Hello Parade Fans,

       How exciting, the world's first Flying Pig Parade is just two weeks away! Everything looks good at Parade Central.

The Star Center Kids

        We now have 37 groups in our 5-block procession. Everyone of them will be taking it slow, interacting with the audience.        Recent additions include the "Star Center Theater's Baton and Flag Corps", The "Weeds of Eden" band, and the "Hoggetowne Faire's Homeless" (they plan to joust for real estate).

        Twenty-eight people showed up for last Thursday's meeting plus two more who never found us (sorry, we were tucked away in a dark corner of the brewery). 

  On the left is a mask in progress, Peggy's Seven Foot Uterus

      We'll have another meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 19th, 5-6 p.m., again at Cypress & Grove.  We will distribute (and sell) t-shirts. You get a free one if you've signed up to volunteer at the parade on our website. We will also discuss the "the latest". 

      Parade day volunteers will wear their parade t-shirts and Porcine Pink Santa hats on Dec. 30th.  We are looking for someone to be in charge of the volunteers.

       So many wonderful things have happened in the last week. 

-The UF's distinguished professor, Paul Ortiz, and his wife, activist Sheila Payne, accepted our invitation be our parade's grand marshals.

Francesca with Daddy Claus last Christmas

 

 

-Daddy and Momma Claus, have promised to spend part of their post-Christmas vacation in our procession.  We are THRILLED!

 

 -"Mr. Gainesville", Gregg Jones,

will be our Master-of-Ceremonies, and,

 

 

We'll now be celebrating a special birthday.  We just learned that Bo Diddley would have turned 95th on December 30th so our post-parade party -in Bo Diddley Plaza- will now be, "Bo's Birthday Bash". A cake has been ordered, The Showtime Band will perform, and his family has been invited to attend.

If you can believe a weather forecast two weeks away, they say it'll be sunny and 73 degrees on parade day. Cross you fingers.

 Is there more to do?  Yes, lots more. We still need

-Someone to be King Mango

-A person to don our our Big Pig costume

-A golf cart to carry someone with mobility issues and

-People for our  "Marching Ron's" group,  We've got the masks.

Their signs will say, "Go Home, this parade is WOKE!", "I shall control women's bodies", "Slavery taught many useful skills",  and "Do not teach anything that makes white people feel bad".

      Thanks again to the many people who are contributing their time, talent, and funding to make "the pig fly".  As I mentioned before, we're excited!

Glenn (Terry)

Head Hog, Flying Pig Parade

305 299 5607  mangoglenn@yahoo.com

We rec'd an application today from this festive Hogtown group!

 

 

 

 

Piggish Parade Meeting- November '23

 WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?

      They are my friends, a few of the zany 25 who came to last night's Flying Pig Parade meeting at the Cypress & Grove Brewery.  Another 12 sent their regrets.

They are an experienced corps of merry-makers (ages 41 to 91) who will show younger generations how to put on an original, festive parade next month. 

Many are veterans of Coconut Grove's King Mango Strut Parade which has created gales of laughter for 41 years.  

 

 THE LINE UP

Everything's going well. We have already recruited 2/3 of the groups we need.  We have dancers, bands, and a precision grave digger drill team. Peggy Bowie will wear a giant uterus.  Marching next to

her will be her friend with a sign,  "This women is searching for big, strong, men who will pass laws on how we use our uteruses...said no woman ever".

Shirley Lasseter will lead "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" and Julie Anspach will head up the punked-out, multi-colored "Weird Barbies" dance-athon.

 

This street party is coming together! Any group (or individual) wanting to be in it can fill out an

application on our website, www.flyingpigparade.org . Space is limited, sign up soon.

 

 

 THE UNVEILING

Last night's big moment came when our poster, created by Gainesville artist, Heidi Stein, was unveiled. 

There was a dramatic drum roll, the pillow case was lifted, and Heidi's creation was welcomed by great applause. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are placing them all over town. The posters will also be on sale, along with our parade t-shirts,  on the big day, Dec. 30th.

    

    It’s time downtown Gainesville got its own original, awesome parade. If it’s anything like its cousin, the King Mango Strut, thousands of people will be delighted by our festive, end-of-the-year celebration.

                                  ________

 

FINE DINING WITH THE PIG

 SUNDAY'S FLYING PIG PARADE BRUNCH

                            RAISING $ FOR DECEMBER"S PROCESSION

 

      Celebrity Chef, Mark Newman (former owner/chef at Gainesville's popular Leonardo's 706 Restaurant) hosted a grand affair at his residence last Sunday. It was a fund-raising brunch for December 30's Flying Pig Parade.  Nearly forty attended -including one pig with wings- and we raised $1500.

      Mark's house is unique, on a hill overlooking Hogtown Creek. 

The signs made it easy to find.  

 

 

 

 

 

Every room, bathroom, and closet was filled with art of all sorts.  We staged our silent action in his office.

 

      

 

 

     With the help of his two assistants, Francesca and Jackie,

 

 

 

Chef Mark created an incredible array of food for us to enjoy. 

Joe blows while Marty strums.

And if that wasn't enough, we had two fantastic musicians, Marty Liquori and Joe Donato entertaining us.

 

At one point I thanked everyone for coming

 

and presented Mark with a mask.

 

 

 

  With that he became a part of the party's mask maker's fashion show.

 

 

Great shot of the winged pig, King Mango, and Michael's left finger

 

 

Good shot of the mask maker and the left side of Michael's head

 

 

 

 

 

This party filled the house and flowed out the back patio door

It was a lovely, lazy affair on a perfect November day. We thank everyone who came together to make it possible.

Glenn, 

for the New Parade Committee, 

www.flyingpigparade.org

We also thank Dave and Michael for letting us for the liberal use their excellent photographs.

                           _______________________________

 

 

H'WEEN IN DA 'HOOD

 SPOOKTACULAR!    

Tuesday's Neighborhood Halloween Parade

 

     Almost 200 of us gathered on NW 12th Road on October 31 to celebrate All Hallows Eve.  It was our fourth annual Florida Park Halloween Parade and what fun it was.

 All twelve feet of Mr. Bones led the procession with a gaggle of costumed kids close behind.  

    We had a record number of participants because this brother/sister team (Fargo and Foley) created our flyer and helped distribute it.

 

 

King Mango and Petey ("Flyboy") Pig joined me as we got the group rollin' at 6 p.m.

We had our most awesome band ever keeping us in step.

 

 Here are a few photos of our neighbors in costume,

 

City Commission Bryan Eastman and his family

My grand-nephew, Sam Terry, in disguise

This cheerleader wasn;t very cheerful.

King and Queen Neptune with their princess

Pimpin' dude with alien abductee

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Creepy Parent

This kid was takin' no guff from King Mango. Mom, or Grandma.

Mr. Bones didn't lose a leg like he did last year.  He's so big he's in almost every photo...

Cowgirl Nancy whackin' Chickenhead with her powerful Pink Whoopin' Tube.  That's Wolfman on the left beating  the band's drum.

Neighbors Gina & Lee letting their free pig fly

Steve Harris with his buddy, Howard Miller, and a whole bunch of family rolled with us.

Julie kept asking for the name of a good dentist.      And finally,

We learned that our country's Space Corps is so hard up for recruits they're allowing anyone between the age of one and one hundred to sign up. The parade ended with these two proud enlistees.

                                 _________

Our holiday procession had high spirits and broad smiles. I invited everyone to join December 30th's Flying Pig Parade* in downtown Gainesville.

Why wait a whole year to have this much fun again? 

                         __________________

*www.flyingpigparade.org

 

 

OCTOBER'S NEIGHBORHOOD NEWSLETTER

GT's OCTOBER 

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWSLETTER

    Take a deep breath, the fall is here. Lots is happening, this one's gonna be a long one.

 For starters, there's the four parades. 

-Last week we had our annual UF homecoming parade.

It featured many marching bands and the UF Surf Club. 

 

-On Halloween Eve we'll be having our annual Florida Park Halloween Parade.

Come out in costume at 5 p.m. on Oct. 31st. The parade begins, as usual, at the corner of NW 12 Rd. and 17th at 5:30. It usually ends about 12 minutes later.

-City Commissioner Cynthia Chestnut is bringing a traditional Christmas parade to University Avenue on Saturday, December 2d. It will have marching bands, Santa Claus, but regrettably, no UF surf club.

-Four weeks later (Sat., Dec. 30th) the Flying Pig Parade will land in Hogtown. 

 

 

 

 It will be a satire of a holiday parade featuring airborne oinkers and no sacred cows. More at www.flyingpigparade.org.

 

SASSE SIGHTING

Our UF president, Ben Sasse, keeps a very low profile.  Rarely seen, some think he does not exist.

But he does, I saw him when I went to hear presidential candidate, Cornell West speak on campus.  Standing in the library's lobby, I glanced to my right and President Ben, suited up and lookin' good, was standing four feet away.

When I looked again a half second later he was gone. Turning to my right I saw him scurrying up a stairway with a few other suits.  It happened so fast I has no time to say, "Hey Ben!" or "Are you really turning this place into the new New College?".

Cornell was great. He'd make a great President.  Unlike the UF president, he'd be comfortable mingling with the people he represents.

 

HOT WHEELS

Making over a million a year, President Ben, should have a fine ride. I saw one last week delivered to my neighbor's house, this 1940 Mercury convertible. This 83 year-old beauty screams,"presidential". 

 

SCHROOMIN'

Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery is one of a few in this country providing green burials. 

And they do more. Last month Francesca and went there for a guided mushroom hunt.

Someday I'll be there, six-feet under, producing mushrooms of my own.

 

You'll know my grave by the mango-colored schrooms adorning it

THIS BAGEL HAD IT ALL

   I went into a bagel emporium here and ordered an "everything bagel". 

The counterman asked me what I wanted on it. I replied, "Doesn't it already have 'everything'?". 

He didn't get it.

 

FRIED FLAT FISH

    We've got new luncheonette on Pleasant Street. Patty and Michael Sneed are livin' the dream with their new restaurant,

 Flatfish Fish Fry (right) on Pleasant Street

"Flatfish Fish Fry". It's open Mon-Fri from 10:30 to 3 at 308 NW 5th Avenue.

  Yes, they have flat founder but also

shrimp, catfish, tempeh, and chicken thighs as well. Their stuffed donuts are to die for.

     Stop by for lunch soon. 

Patty's proud of her delicious donuts!

 

 

Tell them "Glenn sent you" and they'll have no idea who you're talking about.

 

 

STREET PARTY

    On our way home from lunch we stopped on twelfth road for lemonade.

 

 

The charming yellow stand was a part of what every neighborhood should have, an annual street party.

Dozens of people came out to enjoy conversation, live music and each other. 

Our thanks to Megan, Eddie, Paul, and all the others who help make this happen every year.

 

 

You can't go wrong with cold watermelon on a hot day

 

 

 

UPNA PICNIC

    Our next neighborhood event is our homeowners association's (UPNA's) 

picnic. It's another festive fall affair to enjoy. 

You need not be an UPNA member to attend.

 10-22-23, Sunday, 4-6 p.m., Parker Park

 _______________________________________

               

                   - INTERMISSION -

   It's a good time to search for snacks in the kitchen

__________________________________

 

RECENT GATHERINGS

      Dozens of of us attend monthly "roundtable" meetings to address housing issues in Gainesville.  At the most recent gathering at the Blount Center, city commissioner Bryan Eastman presented his proposal to increase the number of "starter homes" here.

Comm. Eastman addressing the crowd at the Blount Center

 He suggests that we reduce the minimum lot size requirements from .28 acres to .18 acres. Now, the smallest lot allowed is about 50' wide. He'd like it to be reduced to 35'. His proposal will be considered by the city commission soon.

 

I went to the Clarence Kelly Center in East Gainesville for the first time a few days ago.  What a beautiful gathering place it is. 

 

The Mom's Demand Action group (our nation's largest grass-roots organization pushing for sane gun laws) was having a forum to discuss ways to reduce gun violence.

My suggestion?  Get rid of the elected leaders who think we should all be gun totin' cowboys.  

 Vote  them out!

 

 

 

Jacqueline Patterson , Keynote Speaker

Two weeks ago (Sept. 20th) the GAINESVILLE CLIMATE SUMMIT  was held  at the United Church of Gainesville.  Sponsored by the NAACP, it featured local experts discussing how climate change is affecting our food, water, health, and energy sources. It felt good to be with the people fighting on the front lines for environmental justice.  

 

ONE HOT NAVY BAND

  

They're playing at the Thomas Center on the 27th, 6:30 p.m.  The performance and parking are free!

 

 

 

EMERGING 12TH RD. ARTIST

    I often visit a local medical center to be reminded that I am no longer young. 

I enjoy checking out the displays of local artists' work. Today I was thrilled to see a painting by my neighbor, a retired UF professor.  "Mullet Meet-Up In a Spring" can be yours for a very reasonable price.

 

FRONT YARD FRIGHTS

    When I was a kid Halloween was so simple.  The only people making money off it were the manufacturers of candy corn. It seems so weird that there's now a billion-dollar 'Ween industry.  At Home Depot, for instance, you can buy a twelve-foot Chinese-made mummy that screams at passers by for $400.

     A neighbor has taken the bait big time.  He has filled his front yard (six weeks before fright night) with huge plastic monsters.

I took the bait as well by stopping by to admire them. 

Hear them hiss and scream on the NE corner of NW 11 Ave and 12 St. They're plugged in and ready to freak you out.

 

BANNED BOOKS ON DISPLAY

   Scarier than any front yard monsters are our dreadful politicians hell-bent on censoring books and re-writing history.

The United Church of Gainesville has a

small library. This fall they have created asection for banned books. Feel free to check out "Peace Pilgrim" or Barack Obama's "Dreams of my Father".

Find out why some people think you should not read them. 

Who knows? "GT's Neighborhood Newsletter" could be next.

                 __________

HARE KRISHNA's Welcome Wagon preparing for the Flying Pig Parade