WILDFLOWERS?  WONDERFUL!

      Wildflowers Music Park had its first festival last weekend and it was a big success. For three days thousands of people enjoyed live music, spirited dance, and creative workshops within a 270-acre forest east of Gainesville.

       For weeks hundreds of volunteers had pitched in to mow, weed, and erect circus tents on the festival site. I was one of their sign makers.

 

 Francesca and I also got to draw bad portraits.

      With friends on Saturday, we drew the faces of over 100 fest fans to raise money for local charities. 

 

   They were guaranteed 'bad' or your money back.  There were no refunds.

 

God loves these gatherings. She kept the weather perfect and the rain away until the last band, 

"Dwayne Dopsie and The Zydeco Hellraisers" had finished their last set at the end of the last day. 

"Punch", one of David's creations

    

 

 

As a lover of parades I was pleased to see artist David Ballard leading his friends wearing his puppets as they wandered through the crowd. He promised to bring them to the next Flying Pig procession.

      

David's beautiful big bird with flapping wings!

 

   A number of vendors were selling their wares. One was blacksmith Joe Scheerer of Keystone Heights. I asked him why his thumb was missing and replied, "Like many others, I gave up mine to table saw last year". Using his smithing skills he fashioned an iron one to replace it. 

 

 

 

 

Harvey Meyers and his children, Miami Beach, 1926

    

 

My grandfather lost his to farm equipment in 1921. Miraculously, after years of using power saws, I still have mine.

 

One of many festival fans enjoying a performance

    There was something for every person of every age. The Kid's Area had kites to fly, flower mandalas to make, and large logs to climb.  Heidi Stein taught 'em how to make mud masks on trees.

     In the Healing Arts Area I sat down for a chair massage.  Somehow the teen next to me managed to get his massage and text at the same time.  

 

 I guess we all have our priorities.   I just wanted to see this event succeed and indeed, it did.  Let's hope we have many more events in our county's glorious, new, nature park.

 

Two of the fantastic sculptures created by Melrose artist Patrick McGee

 

Dance floor built by Mark and friends

 

 

 

 

The singer and

 

his audience

Iver's light shows were incredible

 

     The Wildflowers Festival site is a nature park year-round.  It's just a couple of miles south of downtown Melrose.  The park is dedicated to music, dance, art, education, and nature-based recreation. The non-profit who runs is aims to bring all types of people together for shared artistic, cultural and outdoor experiences.

    If you have not been there go check it out. For more information here's their website,  www.wildflowersmusicpark.org .

                             ____________

 

 

                               NO KINGS III

    Its nice to have a festival now and then. They allow us a few hours to forget that evil billionaires are hell bent on destroying our country. Please join us to rally against them at our country's third No Kings protest. 

  The local one will take place again at Cora Roberson Park, 600 SW 6 St.,  on Saturday, March 28th, from noon to four.  Come.  Help save a country.

   (If you can help us carry our King Trump puppet at the rally please get in touch) 

 

                       DAVID WINS OSCAR!

       Former Gainesville musician turned filmmaker, David Borenstein, won an Oscar Sunday night for  "Best Documentary".  His film, "Mr. Nobody Against Putin", is about a Russian elementary school teacher who refused to comply with state propaganda and the quiet courage it takes to resist authoritarian pressure.

 In his acceptance speech Borenstein reminded us that freedom can be lost through "countless small acts of complicity".  He added that even a "nobody", like the teacher in his film, can be more powerful than they think.

      Borenstein grew up in South Florida.  The 2009 UF grad was valedictorian of his class. 

 

                           WEIRD NAMES 

Who ever thought  banks would run out of names?  Apparently they did. One opened up on NW 23d called "Fifth Third".  Who dreamed that up?  Did they come in third five times in a "Best Bank" contest?  I would never give put my greenbacks in an institution named Banksy, Usury R Us, or Fifth Third.

    Just next to them is new credit union.  Its name is the "Self Help Credit Union".  Does this mean we can go in and help ourselves to their money?   

 

                   BACK TO THE WOODS

      Since I last wrote my neighborhood newsletter Rainbow Bridge has gotten re-painted.  We thank the many people and families who pitched in.

 

 

      Last month neighbors gathered to rid the woods around the bridge of invasive coral ardisia plants.  They may be pretty but they do are not good for the critters and other plants that live there.

   

 

That's it for now.  We hope to see you on 3-28 when we say No to kings and Yes to democracy.

   

 -Glenn