OCALA CARRIAGE AND TOURS AROUND OCALA

Nancy Fore and Family having a ride about the Ocala Square Monday evening...You will see a link to an Audio Post on the right of the page, Please click it to hear the interview that we had with Mary and Julio.

I had a great time in Around Ocala Monday, I took my Girls out to go Ice Skating in Florida and while we were there we came across two Carriages being pulled by some of the largest horses in Florida, 2 named Duke 1 named Dan and 1 named Chad. They work with Mary Garland and Julio Cano giving rides to folks around the square in Ocala. In fact they are there for there most every night while the square is lit up , but according to Mary they are there every Friday and Saturday Evening all year ( weather permitting) Duke and Dan are these two gentle 2200 pound Percherons, Raised by the Amish these horses are as gentle as can be. Ocala Carriage and Tours is the home of these horses when they are not at the Ocala Square giving rides to folks. Mary ( the owner) told me that they not only give rides around the square but that they are also available during the week for Tours around the horse farms in Ocala and for weddings and all sorts of other events. I went to their website today while was typing this and found that they also SELL carriages of all sorts, shapes and sizes. It is kind of making me want to get a horse and a carriage for my family for our AROUND BELLEVIEW exploits. ( HMMM)

Well after Skating and Sledding the girlsa and I went on a ride around the Square with DUKE and CHAD and JULIO. Hope, Alandra and Jo Jo and I had a Great time.
Hope is telling me while I type this, " They were really big horses.. one of their hooves was as big as my head" Anyway we put blankets on and rode about and had a nice time. Mary told us that thes horses will eat one giant round bale, ( you know the big ones in all the firlds that are about 6 feet high) every three days! Amazing! She Also let us know that she has at her farm a decendent of SAMPSON the largest horse in the world and that they are looking forward to putting him in the world record books when he is full grown!



You can contact Ocala Carriage and Tours to make reservations or to purchase gift certificates, by calling 877-WWOCALA (that's 996-2252) or in Ocala, please call (352) 867-8717. Contact them by e-mail at info@ocalacarriage.com.

What we NEED BELLEVIEW, is to have these FOLKS AROUND BELLEVIEW TOO! AROUND THE LAKE POSSIBLY? FOUNDERS DAY? LIGHT UP LAKE LILLIAN? NINE MILE POND?

JUST A FEW HINTS!

BELLEVIEW CAR CLUB HAS GREAT SHOW!

Today in Belleview in the Belleview Regional Shopping Center AKA the K-Mart Plaza, there was a CAR SHOW for all types of cars from old to newer, there was even a one of a kind! I Spoke with a few folks and did interviews over the AudioBlogger system but they did not come through for some reason, sorry about that. The Pictures alone are worth the trip to the Blog Spot though!
The show was a lot bigger than the usual show held oever by the Wachovia Bank (the old Bank of Belleview parking lot) I will try to remember a little bit about some of the cars and people that I met and talked to a couple were unforgetable! One thing I must say is that this little cell phone camera is doing a pretty good job concsidering it was a free upgrade by Singular!


OH yes and you could not have asked for a better day AROUND BELLEVIEW for an event like this. There were prizes and even some music and lots and lots of sunshine!



This Yellow creation was a one of a kind machine created by a fellow named Joe Gasper. This car was a 5 year labor of love! He told me that the idea was to have 3 cars and to sell two to pay for one, but when he finished this one he just could not bear it knowing there would be MORE! he wanted to drive a ONE OF A KIND! This Yellow machine has a CADILLAC POWER TRAIN and is nice inside and out! Click on the Photo of his car to listen to the interview that we had together!

Now here is a Car worth Drooling over. Again we had a great talk, these guys have put many many hours into their cars and as Charlie Stigal said now he has the time! This car if I am not mistaken took 5 years to get to look as good as it does. Click to listen to his story!

LOOK AT THIS PAINT. NOT A SWIRL OR SCRATCH!

Here are a few more Pictures for us folks to envy!

Beautiful!

OH Sure the cars being put out today have much more eye appeal than these Old Cars did! SURE YOU KEEP TELLING YOURSELF THAT WHEN YOUR AT THE NEW CAR LOT WASTING YOUR MONEY WHEN YOU COULD HAVE ONE OF THESE FOR HALF THE PRICE! You know the more I think about it. If a person wanted to have a real nice car that they could use as a drive about town care, there is almost no reason at all to buy a new one after looking at these! AMAZING! Plus in an accident you would not stand a chance against most of these chrome bumper metal giants!
A PARKING LOT FULL of REAL CARS! From the mid 1940s though this last years Corvett! Profulla and I had a great time.




NOW FOR MY PERSONAL FAVORITE! a 100% original 1966 Galaxie 500 with a 7 Liter Engine and a rag top. THE ORIGINAL RAG TOP! This car has NEVER been repainted and has less then 60 thousand miles on it. I spoke with the owner and he and his wife assured me that they bought this car BRAND NEW up in OHIO in 1966 ( and a half)! This car lets me know what color my car is really SUPPOSED TO BE! RED!





THE ORIGINAL OWNERS!
Mr and Mrs Bob Wolfe!
A Wonderful couple to talk with! Click his Photo to Listen to him tell it!

He said he was going to hang on to the car in case one of his kids wanted it some day! ( smile) I asked him if he thought they would ever have the nerve to come and ask for it... He just smiled!

Now I know just how far my car is from being in a class with these guys! Gives me something to shoot for! Here he shows us a Book he has with the original advertizement for his car. The one in the picture looks Exactly like the one in Belleview Saturday! in fact, I think the one in Belleview looked better!

A MONSTER LIVES UNDER THE HOOD OF THIS CAR!






NOW PROFFULA FOUND HIS CAR TOO! He Learned to Drive in a car like this one he said! I think I heard him say that he thought this one was a little bit nicer than the one he drove though!


Well folks i have several more pictures from the event and I will just post them here and bid everyone a wonderfull Lords Day !

IN Christ
Around Belleview!
Mike

DECEMBER 20th Set as Election Day for BOOZE in Belleview

Today at city hall in Belleview, the date was officially set for a vote on the issue of Booze in Belleview on Sundays. The issue is weather or not Belleview will return to her traditional stance prohibiting Booze Sales for Consumption on Sundays or will Belleview stay WET on Sundays as decreed by Mayor Steve Bairstow's former commission's 3-2 vote. Belleview will decide. that is the PEOPLE will decide. The Commissioner met at 5:30 and had to decide on two items of business.

1. the date and

2 the wording.

The Date was set for December 20th 2005, Commissioner Paul Anderson raised Concerns in regard to having a vote so close to the holidays but City Lawyer Fred Vance let everyone know that the time for deciding Time was rather over, the election HAD to be held before January 14th according to City Charter. Sandy McKamey the city clerk let us all know that Dee. Brown , Supervisor of Elections had picked December 20th and said that it was the best date considering the new laws coming into effect as of January 1st that would require new ballot machines with touch sensitive boards for blind people, The city does not have them yet. And even if we did get them on time they are expected to have glitches. So in a Vote 3-0 the date was Set. Next came the wording, which was also limited according to state law having to have 79 words ( I think, I will find out for sure) and so after a little tweak here and there the wording was accepted and another 3-0 vote was had. Commissioner Loar making motions to accept both times and Commissioner Anderson making the seconds.

Commissioners Ken Nadeau and Michael Goldman were not in attendance.

Robert Dobkowski ( Bobby D) from DAY STAR RADIO 89.5 in down town Ocala (Heard M-F 10-12) who is also the Chairman of the Small Town Charm Committee of 50 was also at the meeting.

Also in attendance were Austin Miller of the Banner and Clay Waldron of the Voice of South Marion.

OH Yes , And I was at the Meeting.

Around Belleview
Mike, Pastor of Freedom Baptist Church Belleview Florida,
Please listen to our radio show Sunday 12-12:30 on WOCA 1370 AM this week.

The Following is the Paper given at the Belleview City Hall at teh meeting. This is what the ordinnance will look like ( about, I will get a copy of the finished product from city hall tomorrow)
ON Section B, the words " In Addition" were added just before the words " On Sunday" As this is Written a Vote " For the Proposed Ordinance" would bring repeal the ordincance passed By the Bairstow Commission. The Law would revert back to limiting the sale of Booze for Consumption in bars and lounges and pubs and restaurants to only 6 days a week the way it had been for decades.

My Opinion. VOTE FOR THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE. Keep Belleview a City with Small Town Charm..A Vote Againt the Ordinance will leave Belleview the most Booze friendly ( hour and day wise) place in Marion County.
( The Preacher)

A Short Tour Around Belleview

I just went around town today and took a few Pictures to share with everyone, To the right here we have the Viet Name War Dead memorial of Marion County, it is located directly in front of City Hall, under the USA, Florida and MIA Flags. on the other side of this is written all those who helped financially to have it here.

This photo is also in front of he City Hall in Belleview Florida, it stands just south of the Flag poles and the Viet Nam Monument. As you can see in the back ground City Hall has an old world style to it. It was reciently gone over ( a few years ago) and is quite a nice place.

Next on our list of historic places in Belleview is the Belleview Library, THE OLDEST IN THE COUNTY! In fact I was told it is one of the very Oldest in the State of Florida. The posts out front holding up the roof are old palm trees that have stood more than 100 years. (Belleview Code more likely than not would not allow this by todays standards). The Library was added onto several years back, The Belleview Library today is part of the Marion County Library System. Personally I think this was a big Mistake, but I will reserve my opinion on this right now till a later date.

Next you will see Belleview City Hall from the North Side of the parking Lot. This Building used to be the School for Belleview. We have all the City Meetings here, water bills are paid and a host of other things central to the workings of the city are done here. The Picture Following city hall is an TopSide view of Belleview from just a couple of years ago, the CVS Pharmacy is still under construction. This View is Looking north up 301/441/27 from the intersection where 301 and 441/27 split.

Well folks this was around Belleview today. I hope you enjoyed your tour!

In Christ

Around Belleview

Mike

Model A Ford Car Club in Ocala!

The American Dream Owning a New Car, Henry Ford made cars most everyone could afford, and these bad boys are still running! and looking better than the day they came off the showroom floor! Here are four real nice Fords at the Ocala Square!

WHAT A GREAT TIME IN OCALA! STOPPING BY OCALA TO DO A RADIO INTERVIEW ON 89.5 FM and 1370 AM I MET THESE GUYS AND THEIR CARS!

The Cranken A's car club. I even Got an interview with their club president. Please listen in . We need to see if we can get these guys to come to Belleview for a Car show sometime!



REAL NICE... ONLY ON AROUND BELLEVIEW!
My Granfather used to take me up the road from our house when I was little, to a relative who had one of these cars, This brought back great memories!

Pretty Nice for a FREE Cell PHONE CAMERA

Step Back in time! These cars would FLY at 45 miles per hour! I asked the Club president if he took them on the turnpike... He just smiled and said ,,UH>>> no...
A fun article on a Car Club that I ran into in Ocala on the square. They are the Crankin A's.. all their cars are Modle A cars with cranks on them to start them. their website is http://www.marc.com/. The president of the Club, Homer Fisher gave the interview! Please enjoy the Pictures!

our First letter to the editor: "Small Town Charm Committee Sweeps Belleview"

Small Town Charm Committee Sweeps Belleview

Tammy Moore wins by 63%, Mike Goldman wins by 67%, what do
they both have in common? They are both members of
Belleview’s Small Town Charm Committee, which the
Star-Banner erroneously calls the Committee of 50. This is
what happens when local Citizens get involved.
We want America to revert back to the constitutional
government created by our founding fathers. Unfortunately,
this isn’t likely to happen. So instead of trying to
change America, let’s first concentrate on our local
community where we can make a difference. After all, who
has more influence over our everyday life, the President of
the United States or our County and City Commissioners?
Obviously our local government has a greater influence over
our everyday life. Hence the creation of the Belleview
Small Town Charm committee, a group of concerned Citizens
that desires to keep Belleview a city with a small town
charm. During one City Commissioner meeting, Commissioner
Nadeau complained about the Small Town Charm committee
asking, “Why are they picking on Belleview?” The answer
is simple, it’s our community. Change starts at home.
It’s time for Citizens to take back a government that’s
out of control. The people should not fear the government,
instead, the government should fear the people. Tammy Moore
and Mike Goldman recognize this. With their election, after
many months of fighting with the previous commission, the
Citizens of Belleview will finally get to decide if they
want bars open in Belleview from 7 am until 2 am on Sundays.

Profulla Singh
11810 SE 55th Ave
Belleview, FL 34420
Home: 245-4370
Cell: 216-4480

TAMMY MOORE IS MAYOR.

A Gracious Victory Interview with the NEW MAYOR of Belleview Tammy Moore! An interview outside of the WaffelHouse (HQ) across the street from Kash-n-Karry.

New Mayor and Commissioners take office!

This evening in Belleview a first. Belleview swore in her first Woman mayor! Tammy Moore! Also being Sworn in was Michael Goldman and Wilma Loar , both first time office holders.

In Attendance was former commissioner Roy Abshire with his lovely wife.

Commissioner Ken Nadeau gave outgoing commissioner Emery Abshire a Plaque and kidded him on being a Republican that could actually be worked with. He also commended Mr Abshire for being able to "Over come an FSU education..." Ken Stated that Emery was a Champion of many causes and was a constant battler for the ducks at lake Lillian!

Ken also spoke about how even though he was a democrat and Emery a Republican that they on 75-80% votes that they voted together.. FOR BELLEVIEW and not partisan agendas..( not Kens wording, mine) If I can get a copy of these speeches Verbatim I will print them here on a later post, they were all very good!)

Paul Anderson Presenting Flowers to Mrs. Bairstow

Former mayor Steve Bairstow was given a plaque by commissioner Paul Anderson, Mr. Anderson shared his History with Mr Bairstow , going all the way back to their school days together.

He praised Mr. Bairstow and Mrs Bairstow for his commitment to bring order and decorum to Belleview's meetings,and his wife's commitment to always being there for him. Stating that Steve , "Raised the bar on commissioners to make us more prepared... Thanks to Steve we KNOW our budget" He Also thanked him and said that Steve was a hard mayor, meaning that Steve made sure they all did LOTS of reading, making the agendas more comprehensive. He used the example that before Steve joined the Commission the agenda consisted of ONE page and now sometimes there are eighty! He asked him Stay around.. Don't forget the city.. Please make recommendations. Mr. Bairstow has put his house up for sale, He purchased a home in Vermillion Estates last November and plans to move there. he will however still maintain his business in Belleview.

Mayor Bairstow gave a small speech of encouragement to the incoming commissioners. If there is a copy at city hall I will try to get it and post it here to listen to. It really was a good speech.




" I enjoyed being mayor" Steve Said, he said someone asked him if he were happy he is not going to be mayor anymore, he said I cant say that. then he said , well are you going to be sad.. Steve said "I can't say that either". Then he told the new commission. "your going to take charge." Im Jealous.

he said I'm not sad..... I'm not happy..... I'm Envious! God Speed!


Outgoing Commissioner Paula Chaffin did not attend the meeting.


Judge Jim McCune was there to swear the New Commissioners in. before he did he had some words of encouragement and advice also stating that the election process was basically Neighbors setting one of their own apart to be leaders... he said that the aspect of leadership was setting the right examples and then he emphasized a part of the oath of Office with states that those taking office are to KEEP SACRED THE PUBLIC TRUST!

Michael Goldman was First to be sworn in
Then Wilma Loar , and finally Tammy Moore who's final speech after all was said and done ended with "I thank the good lord for this opportunity....."




There were refreshments afterwards. All in all a very nice time.


In Christ
Around Belleview
Mike

SMALL TOWN CHARM

BELLEVIEW 90 PLUS YEARS AGO

I Found this Post Card today, It is in the Jacksonville library! Dated from about 1914 as can be seen by the postal marks on the back of it as posted below. Does anyone in town Know the original sender? Belleview's Lake Lillian still has it's Small Town Charm as can be seen any day of the week on a stroll about the lake and the local area. Let us keep it that way.Another interesting feature to Belleview is our huge sink hole grotto that is just about 200 feet from the water tower. About 50 feet deep or so and 100 feet across give or take, it is fenced in all the way around. What would be really interesting would be a observation type bridge built over it that could be open to visitors during the day! Now that would be something UNIQUE worth coming into town for! I will post a few Pictures of it on this post tomorrow!

In Christ

AROUND BELLEVIEW,

Mike

A WAR BETWEEN THE STATES only 5 miles from Belleview NOV. 5th and 6th

Left to right: Captian Cornelious, Me, Clay Waldron, Kneeling Robert Slattery

Left-right; The Preachers Girls , Elizabeth, Alandra, Hannah and Hope

This past weekend the North took on the south again just outside of Belleview Florida, several hundred onlookers came to see the battles as they raged on the fields next to 1th and baseline road. The battles complete with cannons and three band enfields, horses and Confederate and Union Flags lasted two days. Yankk Troops taking saturday's skirmish and Sundays battle going to the troops of the South. 2ed South Carolina Co. A was in full battle dress, Captian Keith Cornelious Driving his men hard into the fray, was mortally wounded as were the ret of his soldiers on Saturday, ( Including yours truly). Praise God for the Resurection, as we were able to get a new Life and fight again. THIS TIME TO VICTORY.