UP THE CREEK
SUMMER NEWSLETTER FOR FLORIDA PARK, G'VILLE'S GROOVIEST NEIGHBORHOOD
Happy Summer Everyone. Aren't you happy it's hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk? If concrete cooking isn't your thing maybe you should go for a swim.
I recently visited the new Westside Park pool to submerge myself.
For just $4.50 (half that if you're old) you can swim there or at of our many public pools. They're open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
And of course, there are our amazing springs, several just forty minutes away. There once was a
GAINESVILLE SPRING
If you were hot in Hogtown you could dip into Glen Springs -where 18th St meets NW 23 Ave- until 1970. That's when the water's flow had been reduced to a trickle. The suburbs around it sucked up most of the water and fertilizer run-off polluted the rest.
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| A pool was built around Glen Springs in 1924. It was shut down in 1970. Green scum covers it now. |
The Elks Club bought it and for $25 you can join them. Your membership will allow you to drink beer while watching the slimy green pond that, for thousands of years, was our pristine, natural, swimmin' hole.
Twelve years ago a group was formed, the "Friends of Glen Springs" to bring it back to life and into the public domain. Unfortunately the Elks put too high a price on their beer bar to allow this to happen.
MILWAUKEE SPRINGS
In our segregated past African-Americans were not allowed to use Glen Springs. In 1940 they could go four miles north to Milwaukee Springs (It's just off 441 north of the Turkey Creek subdivision). It seems to have faded away after the war.
I am told that water still flows there on what is now private property Our county commission, together with the City of Alachua, is now discussing acquiring the spring so the public can enjoy it again.
One can not say enough about the cooling effects of
WATERMELON
Ward's has the best deal, a chunk enough for three for two bucks. And, they have the rare ones with seeds you can spit!
Nearby Newberry had its 78th annual Watermelon Festival last month. That town is so '57 they still have beauty contests. Several young women stood on a stage seriously vying to see who would be 2024's "Miss Watermelon". A Barbie-like "Savannah" claimed the prize. Remarkable seed spitting skills were apparently not required. Look for Savannah in the next UF homecomng parade.
The festival's parade featured nothing but cars and trucks rolling by. Some had people waving at anyone who would wave back.
December 28th's Flying Pig Parade will be nothing like that.
If there is a queen, she (or he) will be the one who can best spit seeds.
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| '23's Clown Marching Band |
It's a good time to start planning your group. Information and entry forms are on our website, www.flyingpigparade.org.
Last Tuesday we had a parade board meeting. To keep from being bored we chose a Devo-inspired bucket head look. There's no way anyone can take you seriously when you're wearing one of these.
BATHING IN SOUND
If cool water isn't your thing try immersing yourself in sound. You can do that at Gainesville's Gong Chamber.
I go to be amazed.
The Chamber shares space with "Sweetwater Picture Framing".
For more information on gongs: gongspot.carrd.com
picture framing: sweetwaterpictureframing.com
BANG A DRUM!
We're forming "Bloco GNV", a samba percussion group. Classes start in early August. If you're interested in being a part of it let me know.
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| Last month's Goombay Parade in Coconut Grove had no shortage of drums. |
IT'S WILD!
We spotted a deer and two foxes in Rattlesnake Woods last month, just beyond Rainbow Bridge.
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| Just seeing it makes you smile |
Spotted sunfish had swished 4-foot circular nests in Hogtown Creek bed. The males sculpt the sand and stand guard.
It's time to sign off. I'll close with a cool morning that we enjoyed in Vermont last week.
Your neighbor,
Glenn
